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Trumpeter #9
More on the Glorious Appearing
Many believe that there is some contradiction regarding the
Rapture and the “Second Coming” of Jesus. Since we know
that the bible does not contradict itself, lets consider the
following explanation: The “Second Coming” refers to Jesus’
return to Earth. This event consists of two parts, the
Rapture, and His Glorious Return at the end of the Great
Tribulation.
We’ve already seen how we are to be ‘caught up together with
them (the believers who have died) in the clouds to meet the
Lord in the air’ (2 Thessalonians 4:17) in what is commonly
called the Rapture. Clearly, Jesus has arrived ‘with a loud
command, with the voice of the archangel and the trumpet
call of God’.
We also know that He will put an end to Satan’s rule,
establish His Kingdom on earth and rule for one thousand
years. Titus 2:13 refers to this as the “Glorious
Appearing”.
Matthew 24, beginning with verse 27 states: “For as the
lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so
also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 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. And He will send His angels
with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather
together His elect from the four winds, from one end of
heaven to the other (verses 29-31). In Titus 2:13, Paul
calls this the “Glorious Appearing”
Notice the phrase “Immediately after the tribulation of
those days”.
Tribulation is to last seven years. Therefore, we see the
Rapture take place, then seven years of Tribulation, and
finally the “Glorious Appearing”.
This is the reason for the belief that the “Second Coming”
is an event lasting several years, and consisting of two
parts: Rapture, and “Glorious Appearing”. We must remember
that this time period is but the blink of an eye to God.
Monday: The Anti-Christ
© 2007
Bob Johnston
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