The Rapture is not the Second Coming of Christ. Reading Matthew 24 it clear that this passage is speaking about completely different events. The event spoken of in Matthew 24:36-46 is the same event spoke of in 1Thessalonians 4:17, which is known as the Rapture. The event in Matthew 24:1-35 is the same event spoken of in Revelation 19, which is known as The Second Coming of Christ. The Second Coming of Christ is not the Rapture.
Today the following three questions will be answered concerning The Second Coming:
- When does the Second Coming Happen?
- Are there signs for the Second Coming of Christ?
- What are the signs of the Second Coming?
When does the Second Coming Happen? The Second Coming of Christ is at the end of the tribulation.
Matthew 24:30-31 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
Revelation 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
Mathew 24:13-14 is not speaking about the Rapture, but a different time in the future- the tribulation. Which matches the times in the tribulation spoken of in Revelation chapters 11, 14, and 19.
Matthew 24:13-14 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Revelation 19: 4-5 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
Revelation 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Revelation 11:9-10 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
Revelation 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.
Revelation 14: 6-7 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
These verses speak of the tribulation, therefore the coming in the first 35 verses of Matthew 24 is not the Rapture, but the coming of Christ after the tribulation.
Are there signs for the Second Coming of Christ? Yes, there are signs for the Second coming of Christ.
Matthew 24:33-34 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
What are the signs of the Second Coming? Matthew 24 gives a list of signs of the Second coming of Christ: Many False Christ, Wars, Famine, Disease, Earthquakes, Martyrs, Followers of Christ Hated, False Prophets, Lawlessness. Lack of Love, Gospel Preached to the entire World, Abomination of Desolation, Shortened Days, Stars Falling from the sky,
Let Us Read Revelation 6:1-8
Revelation 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
No one will want to live during this time. We need to warn our families, our friends. What are you doing to warn others of the wrath to come?