The Rapture and the 2nd Coming of Christ are not the same events. The Rapture is when Jesus comes in the air for His Church, but His feet will not touch earth. The 2nd Coming is when Jesus comes back to earth and His feet stand on the Mount of Olives.
In the Old Testament, there were 2 different pictures painted of the Messiah—one suffering (Isa. 53:2-10, Ps. 22:6-8, 11-18) and one reigning as King (Ps. 2:6-12, Zech. 14:9,16). As we look back on these Scriptures, we see they predicted 2 separate comings of the Messiah—the 1st coming as a suffering Messiah and the 2nd coming (still future) as a reigning King.
In the New Testament, we have another picture added. Again, we have 2 pictures painted, and they don’t look the same. These 2 different descriptions of Jesus’ coming point to two separate events we call “The Rapture” and “The Second Coming.”
Listed below are 15 differences between the Rapture and the 2nd Coming.
| Rapture | Second Coming | ||
| 1 | Jesus coming FOR His Church. John 14:1-3, 1 Thess 4:14-17 | 1 | Jesus coming WITH His Church Col 3:4, Zech 14:5, Jude 14, Rev 19:14 |
| 2 | Caught up with Him in the air 1 Thess 4:13-18 | 2 | Jesus’ feet touch the earth Zech 14:4, Rev:19:11-21 |
| 3 | Christians taken first, unbelievers are left behind. 1 Thess 4:13-18 | 3 | Wicked are taken first, the righteous (Tribulation saints) are left behind.Matt 13:28-30 |
| 4 | Purpose: To present the Church to Himself and to the Father 2 Cor 11:2, Rev. 19:6-9 | 4 | Purpose: To execute judgment on earth and set up His Kingdom Jude 14-15,Rev 19:11-21, Zech 14:3-4 |
| 5 | MARRIAGE: Marriage of Lamb in heaven after the Rapture | 5 | WAR: Marriage is followed by war on earth at the 2nd coming |
| 6 | Happens in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye (too fast for eyes to see) 1 Cor 15:52 | 6 | Slow coming, people will see Him come back.Zech 12:10 Matt 24:30, Rev 1:7 |
| 7 | Only Christians will see Him 1 John 3:2, 1 Cor 15:52 | 7 | Every eye will see Him Rev. 1:7 |
| 8 | Jesus descends with a shout(for resurrection) 1 Thess 4:16 | 8 | No shout mentioned Rev. 19:11-21 |
| 9 | A resurrection takes place 1 Thess 4:13-18, 1 Cor 15:51-54 | 9 | No resurrection mentioned Rev 1:7, 19:11-21, Zech 12:10, 14:4-5 |
| 10 | Can happen at any time Rev 3:3, 1 Thess 5:4-6 | 10 | Occurs at end of 7 years of Tribulation Dan 9:24-27Matt 24:29-30, 2 Thess 2:3-8 |
| 11 | No angels are sent to gather (resurrected people don’t need angels to help them) | 11 | Angels sent forth to gather people together for judgment Matt 13:39, 41, 49, 24:31, 25:31, 2 Thess 1:7-10 |
| 12 | Spirits of those dead in Christ return with Jesus to receive their their resurrected bodies 1 Thess 4:14-16 | 12 | Christians return with Jesus in already resurrected bodies riding on white horses. Rev 19:11-21 |
| 13 | Jesus does not return on a white horse | 13 | Jesus returns on a white horse Rev 19:11 |
| 14 | For the Church only (those in Christ) 1 Thess 4:14-17 | 14 | For redeemed Israel & Gentiles Rom 11:25-27, Matt 25:31-46 |
| 15 | A message of hope and comfort 1 Thess 4:18, Titus 2:13, 1 John 3:3 | 15 | A message of judgment Joel 3:12-16, Rev 19:11-21, Mal 4:5 |