In the previous two studies, we established from the Scriptures that there are two very distinct public comings or appearances of Jesus from heaven to earth, following His death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. One of these comings is at the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) and the other is Jesus’ return from heaven to earth with is His saints following the marriage of the Lamb (Revelation 19). Which of these two comings does the Bible refer to as the second coming of Jesus?
Hebrews 9:28 says this: “So also Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him” (Hebrews 9:28, BSB). According to this text, Jesus’ first coming was when He came to the earth to die for our sins. Hebrews 9:28 adds that Jesus will come a second time, and at His second coming there will be people on the earth eagerly waiting for Him, who will receive salvation from Him. The Greek word translated as salvation, “soteria,” in this context, does not refer to believing in Jesus and being born again, since at Jesus’ second coming He comes for the benefit of those who are eagerly waiting for Him; these are those who are already saved (e.g., 1 John 3:2–3, Titus 2:13). “Soteria,” which is translated as salvation, also means redemption or deliverance from all earthly ills, and the associated blessings and benefits, after the visible return of Jesus. Jesus said in John 16:33 that in this earth you will have tribulations, but we are also promised in Hebrews 9:28 that Jesus will appear a second time and redeem or save us from all earthly ills, which includes all troubles, tribulations, and death. So, the defining attributes the Bible gives for the second coming of Jesus are the existence of God’s people on earth eagerly waiting for Him after His first coming, and Jesus bringing deliverance from all earthly ills to these saints. Now, let us look at Jesus’ appearing at the rapture and the appearing of Jesus after the marriage of the Lamb to see which of these two fits the biblical definition of the second coming.
After the marriage of the Lamb which takes place in heaven (Revelation 19), Jesus does not come down from heaven to meet His saints who had been eagerly waiting for Him since His first coming. Rather, He comes down from heaven with His saints to the earth to meet the anti-Christ and many sinners who are not waiting for His redemption but have gathered themselves to fight Him. Although there will still be opportunity for people to turn to the Lord after the rapture (e.g., Revelation 9:20), those who do so will not be those who were eagerly waiting for the Lord since His first coming, but those who got serious after Jesus had already appeared to deliver those who were eagerly waiting for Him. Also, before Jesus returns with His saints after the marriage of the Lamb in heaven, His saints who had been eagerly waiting for Him since His first coming will not be waiting to be delivered from any trouble or tribulation in heaven. They have already been delivered from all earthy ills or troubles at the rapture, and they are in heaven enjoying heavenly glory and bliss. Thus, according to the Scriptures, Jesus’ coming with His saints to the earth in Revelation 19 does not have anything in common with the defining characteristics of the second coming and does not constitute the second coming.
However, before Jesus appears at the rapture, the Bible teaches that the saints of God, who have been eagerly waiting for Him, will be on the earth, having experienced many afflictions and tribulations just as Jesus said they will (e.g., John 16:33 and Matthew 24). And when Jesus appears at the rapture, He delivers them from all earthly ills, including death. Those who receive this deliverance from Jesus at the rapture do not even include all believers, but only those who make themselves ready and eagerly await His return (Titus 2:13, 1 John 3:2–3, Matthew 24:43–44, Matthew 25:1–13). Therefore, according to the Scriptures, it is Jesus appearing at the rapture, which meets the defining attributes of the second coming given in Hebrews 9:28. Thus, the Bible definitely refers to Jesus’ appearing at the rapture as the second coming of Jesus. In other words, it is the second coming of Jesus that results in the rapture of the church.
So, how should we refer to Jesus’ return to the earth with His saints in Revelation 19? It has been referred to as the triumphal entry into Jerusalem. I believe this is consistent with the Scriptures since at that time Jesus defeats the anti-Christ and His army and all the nations that will come against Jerusalem, and Jerusalem becomes a glorious place where all the nations go to worship the LORD (Revelation 19, Zechariah 14). If some also choose to call it a third coming, I think that is also understandable since that is a subsequent, public, and visible appearance of Jesus following His second coming at the rapture.
Thus, the pre-tribulation rapture doctrine, which teaches that Jesus’ appearing at the rapture and the second coming are 7 years apart is biblically inaccurate. It is the second coming of Jesus, which results in the rapture of the church. In the words of Jesus, this will occur following the great tribulation (Matthew 24:21, 29-31, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Hebrews 9:28). Therefore, let us get into the Scriptures and follow how Jesus and the apostles teach us to prepare for and triumph during the times head. This will save us from being deceived by a false hope of escaping what we have been forewarned to adequately prepare for.
Dr. K. Omari
March 22, 2023.
A Very Important Message
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16). For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). Therefore, If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, I invite you to put your faith in Him. Pray the prayer below to accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour: “I come to you God in Jesus’ name and surrender my life unto you. I repent of my sins and I ask You to forgive me all my sins. I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, and I believe with my heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead. I thank you God for saving me, in Jesus name, Amen”. If you sincerely prayed this prayer, believe and be assured that you are saved, for the Bible says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13, Romans 10:9-10, Acts 16:31). Find a Bible believing church to attend so that you can be discipled to grow in the ways of God. You can also email me ([email protected]) and I will be happy to grow together with you in Christ.