There is a great distinction between the Rapture and the Second Coming. The Rapture occurs before the Tribulation and the Second Coming occurs at the end of the Tribulation. The Rapture is Christ’s coming to take the church to himself. The Second Coming is Christ’s coming to restore Israel into his kingdom.

Christ’s first coming was his birth in Bethlehem. His Second Coming will shatter the world’s autonomy. His Second Coming will usher in power and glory. The world’s dictator reign of forty-two months will come to an end. Great armies of the world gather at the end of this time in Megiddo. The dictator’s capitol Jerusalem will come under attack. Jesus will dazzle the world in His appearing and the earth will shake (Revelation 16:17-21). Jesus described his coming as comparable to lighting (Matthew 24:27). This is the climax to the Tribulation.

Matthew 24:^29-30 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Note Luke’s description of the Second Coming.

Acts 1:¹¹ …who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

Revelation describes the Second Coming in Revelation 1:7.

Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

We find the most detailed description of the Second Coming in Revelation 19:11-16.

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

The rider on the white horse is none the less than Jesus the Lord. He comes with armies from heaven. Millions of men and angels reflecting God’s glory come with Christ the Conqueror. The armies of the world will attempt to unite against the army of heaven. A sharp sword proceeds out of the mouth of Christ—a symbol of judgment on the world. The world political ruler (the “beast”) and the world religious ruler (the “False Prophet”) will be cast into the lake of fire signaling their final defeat.

Revelation 19:²⁰ Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.

The battle of Armageddon will end the Times of the Gentiles (the Tribulation). Christ will usher in his kingdom after this. The purpose of Christ’s return is to establish his world kingdom and Jerusalem as its capitol.

Isaiah 2:³ Many people shall come and say,
“Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
To the house of the God of Jacob;
He will teach us His ways,
And we shall walk in His paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth the law,
And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

Jesus’ kingdom will be a reign of justice and prosperity for all.

Isaiah 9:⁶ For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

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