The Rapture vs. The Glorious Appearing
There are many questions asked concerning the
difference between the Rapture and the Glorious Appearing of Jesus Christ.
To demonstrate the differences between the two, I've prepared the following
questions with scriptural references to each.
Where is the Church found in each event?
-
At the Rapture, Jesus comes FOR His Church.
(John 14:1-3, 1 Thess 4:14-17)
-
At the Glorious Appearing, Jesus comes
WITH His Church. (Zech 14:5, Col 3:4, Jude 14, Rev 19:14)
Where does Jesus appear in each event?
-
At the Rapture, Christians are caught up
to meet Jesus in the air (1 Thess 4:13-18)
-
At the Glorious Appearing, Jesus' feet touch
the earth (Zech 14:4, Rev:19:11-21)
Who is taken and who is left behind?
-
At the Rapture, Christians are taken
first and unbelievers are left behind. (1 Thess 4:13-18)
-
At the Glorious Appearing, the wicked
are taken first, but the righteous (the tribulation saints) are left
behind. (Matt 13:28-30)
What will Jesus do at each event?
-
At the Rapture, Jesus will gather His
Bride, the Church, unto Himself in preparation of the Marriage
of the Lamb. (Rev. 19:6-9)
-
At the Glorious Appearing, Jesus will
execute judgment on the earth and establish His Kingdom. (Zech 14:3-4,
Jude 14-15, Rev 19:11-21)
When does the Marriage of the
Lamb take place?
How long will each event be?
- The Rapture will happen in a moment, in the twinkling of
an eye (Blink. It's over!). (1 Cor 15:52)
- The Glorious Appearing will be a slow coming. Everyone will
see Jesus coming with great power and great glory! (Zech 12:10, Matt 24:30,
Rev 1:7)
Who will see Jesus at each event?
-
At the Rapture, only those who are looking
for Him (Christians) will see Him. (1 John 3:2, 1 Cor 15:52)
-
At the Glorious Appearing, every eye will
see Him and those who have rejected Him will wail.(Rev. 1:7)
-
At the Rapture, Jesus will descend from Heaven
with a shout (calling for the saints at the resurrection). (1 Thess 4:16)
-
At the Glorious Appearing, no shout is mentioned,
although the Lord does slay the wicked with the sword of His mouth. (Rev.
19:11-21)
Will there be a resurrection at each?
- At the Rapture, a resurrection will take place. (1 Thess
4:13-18, 1 Cor 15:51-54)
- At the Glorious Appearing, there is no resurrection spoken
of. (Zech. 12:10, Zech.14:4-5, Rev 1:7, 19:11-21)
What about the timing of each event?
- The Rapture can happen at any time...maybe even now which
is why we are to be WATCHING for the return of Jesus Christ! (Rev 3:3, 1 Thess
5:4-6)
- The Glorious Appearing will occur at the end of the seven-year
tribulation period. (Dan 9:24-27, Matt 24:29-30, 2 Thess 2:3-8)
What role will the angels of Heaven have?
- At the Rapture, no angels are sent to gather the Church.
- At the Glorious Appearing, angels will be sent to gather
people together for judgment. (Matt 13:39, 41 & 49, Matt. 24:31, Matt.
25:31, 2 Thess 1:7-10)
What about the resurrected bodies?
- At the Rapture, those who died in Christ will return with
Jesus to recover their resurrected bodies. (1 Thess 4:14-16)
- At the Glorious Appearing, Christians will return with Jesus
already in their resurrected bodies riding on white horses. (Rev 19:11-21)
White horse for Jesus or no white horse for Jesus?
- At the Rapture, Jesus doesn't return riding a white horse.
- At the Glorious Appearing, Jesus will return riding a white
horse. (Rev 19:11)
What is the message each event will bring for
mankind?
- The Rapture will bring with it a message of hope and comfort.
(1 Thess 4:18, Titus 2:13, 1 John 3:3)
- The Glorious Appearing will bring with it a message of judgment.
(Joel 3:12-16, Mal 4:5, Rev 19:11-21)
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