Why is the Rapture different than the Lord’s second coming?

Today’s topic is another one that is often in debate within the church. Today we will look at the scriptures that refer to the second coming and the rapture. Dissection of the scriptures is important to come to a conclusion. Many times people can simply take a side because someone stated it but we need to analyze these events to have a definite answer.  Let us begin.

* The Harvest *

But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. 1 Corinthians 15:23 KJV

According to the scriptures there is an order of what is known as a harvest to God. If you recall the seed is planted and then after some time a harvest is ready for the picking. This is a metaphor in relation to God’s people being brought into the house of God. The seed is the word of God and it is planted into someone’s heart. From there the person grows spiritually into what God has designed or destined for them to be. Of course, not everyone is fully matured to the stature of Jesus but we are on our way. 

In the scripture above Christ is the firstfruits to God the Father. You may ask, what is the firstfruits? In biblical terms it is the first and best part of whatever you have. If we are talking about a crop, the crop in biblical terms are people. 

Jesus is the best God had. He was perfect and obedient all the way up until His death. When Jesus rose to life He was the firstfruits of God’s harvest. Jesus came from God but He was born through a woman so He could obey the law fully and complete its requirements. This makes Him divine and human at the same time. This is what every person is. We have been created in the image of God and we are also part human and divine. We have a spirit, a soul and a body.

The scripture states when Jesus returns they that are Christ at his coming is telling us the believers in Christ will also be an offering to God the Father. But they are not firstfruits. They are simply the followers of Christ. They would be considered the rest of the harvest. This would be the church. 

We are trying to find out if the rapture is different than the Lord’s second coming. So far it appears to be the same instance. A different term but the same event. When Jesus comes He will be coming to get His followers, both the church and the remnants of Israel. 

The whole question is whether Israel will be taken together with the church. We know that Jesus is coming when the body of Christ is complete. The bible states when the last person is saved from the gentiles the nation of Israel will also be saved.

For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: Romans 11:25-26 KJV

Once the last person is saved, Israel will also be saved and then it says Sion the Deliverer will come and remove ungodliness. The deliver is referring to Jesus. This scripture fits perfectly with the one found in Revelation that also shows the nation of Israel is saved and then the 7th trumpet blows.

And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. Revelation 11:12 KJV

And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. Revelation 11:13 KJV

In verse 12 the two witnesses, which one will be Elijah and the other, most likely Moses, they both will ascend into heaven. Interestingly enough, in the Old testament these two were raptured from the earth. They were “taken” from the earth. The people in Israel will see this happen, then suddenly, there will be an earthquake where 7000 people die. The people who survive this earthquake will give glory to God. This means they will believe these two witnesses were sent by God and pointed them to the Lord Jesus. Israel and possibly the surrounding nations who attacked Israel will believe in Jesus also. Once these men surrender their hearts to the Lord Jesus it says the 7th trumpet will sound.

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. Revelation 11:15 KJV

* Gleanings and Corners *

To tie this in together with the church we need to look at a scripture in the Old Testament. It is found in Leviticus 19. 

And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. Leviticus 19:9 KJV

You may ask why is this important? Good question! This scripture refers to a harvest. When it came time for the harvest the Israelites would gather their crops but they were commanded not to reap the corners or edges of the field. They also had to leave the gleanings. Gleanings are left overs from the reapers. To glean means to go back and pick it up. The Lord instructed them not to go back for the scrapings.

Why was that? These gleanings and corners were for the strangers, fatherless, and widows if they were hungry. They could pick this up for themselves. The difficult work was already complete. God blessed people who were not part of Israel. 

I bring this up because people may think the gleanings in the end time setting are referring to the Jews who will be left behind when it is time for the harvest. But if we look at the whole harvest setting which means we look at the whole time of the rapture, the gleanings were for the strangers, the foreigners. The strangers in this case are the gentiles or in other words, the church. 

* Order of the Resurrection *

There will be an order for the resurrection harvest. The Bible tells us the first to rise are the dead in Christ. This is the first part of the harvest. 

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 1 Thessalonians 4:16 KJV

The dead in Christ are the first part of the harvest. The second part are the ones who are alive. 

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 KJV

This would be comparable to the corners and gleanings of the harvest. The corners and gleanings were for the strangers. The gentiles are the strangers but they get to partake in the harvest. 

Some people of the church believe Jesus will deal with Israel separately with the church absent. They use the scripture we went over in Leviticus and tell us there is a secret moment when Jesus comes back to get His church. The Bible does not show us this or state any “secret” event anywhere. If there is, I still have not found it. God does not need to deal with Israel without the church present. The church is not that holy to be absent from a teaching from the Lord. 

Not only is there an order that is presented for the resurrection but there will also be an order for judgment. Judgment does not necessarily mean a bad thing. Jesus said He is coming back with rewards to give every man according to his works. If you would like to read more about the order you can find it under the topic “Order of the First Resurrection”.

* Law and Grace *

It has been said that Law and Grace do not mix. The Law was meant to point the Jews to a Messiah because it was impossible to fulfill the Law. But it took faith in God that He would provide a savior and this made them righteous. When a person did not rely on themselves to fulfill the Law it would satisfy God. God wanted the Israelites dependent on Him. The church is under grace now and we are not dependent on ourselves for salvation. We look to Jesus because He is our everything. But the Israelites are still under the Law. Their eyes will be open and then they will be saved. This is a promise the Lord himself made. They need to turn to Him and be dependent upon Him. This includes not how well they follow the law because we already know it is impossible, and not how good they are. It is all worthless in the eyes of the Lord God.

* Coming of the Lord *

Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 Thessalonians 2:1 KJV

When Jesus returns, the church and the nation of Israel will be gathered together unto Him. This is because this scripture is linked with Revelation 11 with the two witnesses. We are told what needs to happen in order for the followers of Christ to be gathered to Him. There will be a falling away, the antichrist will be revealed and he will do his abominations in the temple at Jerusalem. This is what is written further down in 2 Thessalonians 2.

So people of the church say there will be a “secret” rapture of the church. The scripture we just read is one of them. Let us read the scriptures to see more.

* The Day of Christ *

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:6 KJV

That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. Phillipians 1:10 KJV

That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 2 Thessalonians 2:2 KJV

* The Day of the Lord *

Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:8 KJV

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 1 Thessalonians 5:2 KJV

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 2 Peter 3:10 KJV

These are a few of the scriptures related to the coming of the Lord which is also known as the day of the Lord. So the question posed in the beginning why is the rapture different than the Lord’s second coming, they are not. They are one in the same. The day of the Lord is synonymous with the day of Christ. It is similar to references of the Holy Spirit is the same as the Holy Ghost. It is not another Holy Spirit. It is the same Spirit of God. 

We hope you are blessed by these insights. Please meditate on them and study them out yourself and let the Holy Spirit guide you into all truth. Until next time… blessings to you!