The Difference Between the Rapture and
the Return
The rapture [John 14:3; 1
Cor. 15:51 -52; 1 Thess. 4:16 -17],
the return [Matt 24:27-31 and Rev. 19:11].
At the rapture we ascend in
the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, at the second coming the Son of Man
comes on the clouds and touches earth.
At the rapture he comes
himself for his bride before the tribulation to take us to
the Father’s house, at the second coming we come with Him as the angels gather
his elect Israel after the tribulation to enter the millennial kingdom.
At the rapture there is a
resurrection, at the second coming in Matt. 24; Rev. 19 it says
nothing about a resurrection.
At the rapture he comes 7
years before the tribulation to rescue His bride, while at the second coming he
comes after the tribulation to the earth with his saints to reign in the
millennial kingdom.
At the rapture he comes as a
bridegroom, and at the second coming He comes as “the
wrath of the Lamb.”
At the rapture his people
witness his return while the world sleeps in darkness. At the second coming
every eye shall see him and mourn over the one they pierced.
At the rapture we go to the Judgment
Seat of Christ to be rewarded, at the second coming we are arrayed in fine
linen having been rewarded.
