The Second Advent of Christ
The word 'second' indicates that there are two advents. The first
was at the birth of the only-begotten Son of God, and the objective
of the first advent was to provide salvation for all mankind.
The second advent will display the Royalty and Glory of our Lord,
and at that time He will fulfill all the covenants to Israel.
The Rapture is NOT the second Advent. At the Rapture of the Church,
Christ does not actually touch the earth. We, the Church Age believers,
meet Him in the air. Whereas the Second Advent is the return of
our Lord to the earth in His hypostatic union.
The Rapture is designated as private, Acts 1:11; i.e., it is for
the Church only, for believers only. Whereas the Second Advent
is public, Rev. 1:7. Every eye shall see him.
The Rapture occurs in the air, I Thess. 4:17; the Second Advent
occurs on the earth. And the Church goes up to heaven at the Rapture,
John 14:3; whereas at the Second Advent, the Church returns with
Christ, I Thess. 3:13.
Additionally, the Rapture includes the judgment of the believer's
works, II Cor. 5:10; whereas the Second Advent includes many judgments,
Matthew 25:31-46.
At the Rapture, the restraining ministry of God the Holy Spirit
is removed, II Thess. 2:6; whereas at the Second Advent, Satan
is removed, Rev. 20:1-3. And the Rapture causes a change in the
believer's body, Philippians 3:21; whereas the Second Advent causes
a change in the earth, Zechariah 14:9 and Romans 8:19-27.
At the Rapture of the Church, Christ appears as the Groom, while
at the Second Advent Christ appears as the Messiah to Israel and
as Royalty to the whole earth (King of Kings and Lord of Lords).
The Rapture signals the end of the Church Age, while the Second
Advent signals the end of the Jewish Age. Too, at the time of
the Rapture, Israel is dispersed; while at the Second Advent,
Israel will be restored and regathered.
At the Rapture believers are taken from the earth, I Thess. 4:16-18;
whereas at the Second Advent, unbelievers are taken from the earth,
Matthew 24:37-43. And the Rapture is a source of comfort to the
believer, I Thess. 4:18, while the Second Advent is a source of
terror to the unbeliever, Rev. 6:15-17.
And according to Zechariah 14:1-4 the location of the Second Advent
is Jerusalem. There are two analogies to the Second Advent utilized
in the Bible:
1. Lightning, Matthew 24:27.
2. Historical, Matthew 24:37-41 (ignorance).
It is at the Second Advent that Christ is totally victorious over
Satan. In Scripture the phraseology is "he will be as your
footstool." Psalm 110:1, Hebrews 11:13; 10:13. Also at this
time, our Lord's Bride will be cleansed from all except divine
good, I Cor. 3:12,15. Satan will be imprisoned, Rev. 20:1-3. The
triumphal procession of Christ will occur, Col. 2:15. And believers
will cast demons into the Lake of Fire, Zech. 13:2 cf. Col. 2:15
cf. I Cor. 15:24-25.
Too, at the Second Advent the Baptism of Fire occurs, I Thess.
1:7-9; Matt. 3:11-12.
And this Baptism of Fire vindicates the perfect character of God.
The Second Advent ushers in the Millennium during which there
will be perfect environment and free will. Isa. 65:24, Joel 2:28,29;
Zech. 8:20-23; Dan. 9:24; Psalm 46:9, 72:7,16, Isa. 11:3-5; Romans
8:19-22, Isa. 11:6-9, 65:25. [1]
Notes:
[1] Thieme, Robert. From notes which were undated and without
citation.