The Second Coming and the Rapture

John 14:1-3 – “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive [paralambanō] you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

Paralambanō – to take to, to take with one’s self, to join to one’s self

This is a favorite passage for pre-tribbers (and I am very aware that there are just as many other believers who don’t see the Rapture in here at all). It is clear that the Scripture is speaking about Jesus taking believers to Heaven. That is a certainty. I agree that it IS the rapture being spoken of here. Let us see where else this very Greek word appears, and is used, because it teaches us something.

In Matthew 4, Satan “takes” Jesus up to the mountain. In Matthew 2, Joseph “takes” the child and flees from Herod. This connects to the idea of the child, Jesus, being “caught up” to Heaven from the efforts of the dragon to kill Him in Revelation 12. The idea conveyed by this Greek word is that there is a hasty and eager removing unto someone’s person. However, this word also appears in the Olivet Discourse.

Matthew 24:40-41 – Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken [paralambanō] and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken [paralambanō] and the other left.

Luke 17:31-35 – Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. “In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise, the one who is in the field, let him not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken [paralambanō] and the other will be left. Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken [paralambanō] and the other left.

Now, there are two camps in the pre-millennial camps on this discourse (this excludes preterists who incredibly claim it all happened, and that Jesus is even now ruling the world on His throne…). Most pre-trib people hold that it only applies to the Jews (???), however there are more honest ones who recognize the serious problems that creates. All versions of post-trib people rightly see rapture and Second Coming in this discourse. What I want people to catch is that the idea of people being “snatched” away, while others are left behind (that idea is literally drawn from these passages) is connected to the word that Jesus used in John 14 for receiving believers to Himself! If this isn’t the Rature, what exactly is it? Well, if you look at the context, this is all occurring on the “day” no one knows the day or the hour to. It is also happening AFTER Jesus has sent and gathered His elect from the four corners. Some pre-trib people recognize the issue, and so claim this is some sort of “other” rapture event for the tribulation saints that missed it the first time! That’s pretty far-fetched. But, let’s move on to yet another word for the Coming of Christ.

2 Thessalonians 2:1 – Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together [episynagōgē]to Him, we ask you…

Episynagōgē – a gathering together in one place; the (religious) assembly (of Christians)

It doesn’t take much to show that the gathering together of the believers Paul speaks about happens AT the Coming of the Lord, because a conjunction is used! Conjunctions in Greek act just like they do in English and they connect two things together into a single thought. Showing that this word is in fact a word that is used for the gathering of believers, I point you to the only other time it is found in the Bible. I will also not that it doesn’t say A coming of the Lord, it says THE coming of the Lord. There is only one!

Hebrews 10:25 – not forsaking the assembling [episynagōgē] of ourselves together [episynagōgē], as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

It is obvious to any honest exegesis of the texts that the gathering together of the saints is the rapture! Yet, I have had people argue that it’s a different event that occurs at the Second Coming, another kind of other gathering! So, it seems that a lot of people believe there are multiple gathering events, and apparently then, multiple bodies of Christ!!!! The logic is ludicrous and torturous, and of course, has zero biblical basis, but let’s keep moving.

Matthew 24:27 – For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming [parousia]of the Son of Man be.

In this passage we find the word that is used for the coming of Christ. Every time that event is specifically called this, this is the word used. It’s meaning is as follows:

Parousia – presence; the coming, arrival, advent

Not a single Christian denies that Christ will come back to this earth. They just bicker about the specifics. Well, let’s see where else this coming is found and what is referenced along with it, because it is instructive.

1 Corinthians 15:22-23, 51-52 – For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming [parousia]… Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Paul very clearly states that the resurrection of the dead occurs at the COMING of Jesus! We already know for certain, from 2 Thessalonians 2 that the gathering together of the saints occurs AT the coming. Well, these passages tell us that the resurrection ALSO occurs at the coming of Jesus. However, if you go back to 1 Thessalonians 4, the verses we started with, you see that the rapture, [harpazō], is also connected to the [parousia], His coming! It is clear to anyone who can read that they ALL happen at the same time!   

There are other passages that are favorites of the pre-trib people that they claim are about rapture, when the only thing in view is His coming!

1 John 2:28 – And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming [parousia].

There is yet one more word I want to share with you that makes even more certain the connection between the Second Coming and the Rapture.

2 Timothy 4:1,8 – I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing [epiphaneia] and His kingdom… Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing [epiphaneia].

Titus 2:13 – looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing [epiphaneia] of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…

Epiphaneia – an appearing, appearance

Pre-trib believers point to these passages when speaking about the Rapture. I quite agree that that is part of what is in view here. It is not the sum total though at all. The “appearing” of Jesus is not some quiet event only for those who are waiting and watching. No, it is something that is intimately connected with His coming!

2 Thessalonians 2:8 – And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness [epiphaneia] of His coming [parousia].

When is the Antichrist destroyed? At the “appearing” of Christ’s coming! The appearance of Jesus in the clouds will be seen by all. It will signal the beginning of the end for the Antichrist and the wicked, and it will be a rescue for the faithful remnant, who will follow the resurrected saints to be with the Lord at that coming. The rapture and the Second Coming are not separate events. The catching away is one part of the final climactic Second Coming of Jesus to rule and reign on this earth.

You will hear pre-trib believers speak ad nauseam on the bridegroom coming for His bride in reference to their belief system. However, they don’t realize that in doing so, they are showing their position to be in absolute contradiction to what Christ Himself taught!

In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus tells us clearly about His coming. However, since the word [parousia] is not used, many try to argue that it’s a coming in judgement, it’s another coming, it’s another rapture (but not of the Church), etc. to get around the obvious contextual impact of the verses. Let us read:

Matthew 24:29-31 – “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 [erchomai] 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.

The imagery related here is so obvious, especially considering that Jesus goes on to speak about this coming as the time that no one knows the day or the hour to, and describes it as taking one, and leaving another when it happens! However, there are those who contend, thus the need to really study the terms used. If you go to the next chapter you find Jesus expounding upon what He related using parables. The first one is that of the 10 virgins.

Matthew 25:1-13 – “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming [erchomai]; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came [erchomai], and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming [erchomai].

There is not a pre-trib person alive who does not believe that this parable relates to the Church being ready for the Lord’s coming, hence the rapture! However, in context, it is obvious that the coming [erchomai] referred to is the same as that previously mentioned in chapter 24. This is beyond dispute. Jesus is coming for His bride!

To hammer this point further, look at the word used for Christ’s coming in John 14, another favorite of pre-trib believers.

John 14:1-3 – “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come [erchomai] again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

The same word for coming is used here as in Matthew 24! In fact, the same word used for “receive” here is used for the word “taken” in Matthew 24! They are the same event!!!!!

Still, there are many who will contend this is not talking about the Second Coming, because most often, when the subect is referenced specifically by the Apostles, [erchomai] is not the word used. However, there are specific times where that word IS used for the coming of Jesus in the clouds, and not [parousia].

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 [erchomai] in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

2 Thessalonians 1:10 – …when He comes [erchomai], in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.

Revelation 1:7 – Behold, He is coming [erchomai] 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.

To the honest, biblical reader, it is obvious what Jesus is saying in Matthew 24, and it is supported by hosts of other passages: His coming in the clouds, at the trumpet, will be seen by all, and will come AFTER the Great Tribulation. This is when the rapture of the Church occurs. However, Jesus doesn’t immediately touch down on the earth. That’s where their confusion lies. He comes down some time later (though a reasonably short time it will be). In that interim, the marriage supper of the Lamb will occur while the bowls of wrath are unleashed on the planet.

There are some who argue that there is PROOF of two different comings by Jesus at the end, though the Bible only ever mentions one. Their argument is based upon the following two scriptures, and the purported problem they claim exists, that can only be reconciled by arguing for a pre-trib rapture (two different comings of our Lord, one prior to the marriage supper of the Lamb, and one after). Let us look at these together.

Matthew 25:10-13 – And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

Here, the bridegroom, Jesus comes and takes the watchful virgins to the marriage feast. That’s obvious, and no argument from me.

Luke 12:31-36 – “Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat and will come and serve them. And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore, you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

In this analogy, Jesus, the master, is said to be returning from the wedding! Thus, it is argued, that indeed Jesus is coming back twice, and indeed there are two separate groups of Christians being pointed to (or, as the pre-trib argument goes, the Church, which is gone to the wedding before the Tribulation, and the Tribulation saints/remnant of Jews when Christ physically steps on the earth).

Everyone following along? Why can this interpretation NOT work, from the texts themselves? Remember, there is no private interpretation. There is one Bible, and we must all come to it honestly, and openly to read what it says, and then accept it. If we arrive at a conclusion that makes no sense of the texts, or causes them to contradict each other, then our argument is WRONG, because God’s word is NOT contradictory.

So, let’s analyze the two texts. Is the coming of our Lord being discussed in each? Obviously. Is it two distinct comings? Most decidedly no.

First, the vast majority of pre-trib believers will tell you that Matthew 24 is not about the rapture of believers. If that is true, then Matthew 25, which is a part of the same dialogue CANNOT BE ABOUT THE RAPTURE OF BELIEVERS! However, I believe it is talking about the rapture, and being ready when the king arrives. Those who argue that this coming of the Lord in Matthew 25 is about the rapture, also deny that Matthew 24 is talking about the rapture! You can’t have it both ways, because the context is all one thing: the coming of the Lord and His gathering together of His elect. That’s the textual context. So, it wouldn’t matter if the assertion about two comings was correct, because Matthew 25 can’t be about the rapture, as they contend, because Matthew 24 isn’t about the rapture in their view, and the analogy there is being used to expound upon the ideas of Matthew 24.

Second, if two comings are being discussed, one for the church, as used in the analogy of Matthew 25’s wedding feast, and another for those who didn’t get to the feast, you have a real problem. Jesus is talking to the same group of people in both discussions! His disciples. Which of them is going, or staying? Were they a part of the church? Couldn’t be right, the church didn’t exist, to quote a traditional dispensational viewpoint. If Jesus is talking about two distinct groups of people, on greeting Him AFTER the wedding feast, and one joining Him AT the wedding feast, then why tell the story to the exact SAME group of people? It makes no sense.

Third, there is no contradiction here, and certainly not two comings. Jesus is merely using stories about being prepared. In Matthew 25 he gave several. The parable of the virgins and the parable of the talents. In Luke 12 He uses that of a master returning to His servants. In other words, He’s just using different ideas and thoughts to convey the same message: Watch and wait! Be prepared for His coming!! That’s it. It’s nothing to do with timing, or two comings, or anything else. The greatest proof of this is that both parables talk about no man knowing the day of His coming. For those making the spurious claim that these texts are talking about two distinct comings to be right, then both Jesus’ coming in the rapture is unknown, and so is the day of His stepping down on earth! That is completely illogical. Everyone knows Scripture clearly teaches that Christ will touch down on the Mount of Olives at the end of the final seven years. The timing of His coming in the rapture is what is unknown, not His touching down physically. Pre-tribbers at least believe this much, but these kinds of teachings mangle even that viewpoint!

The truth is, these passages DO NOT TEACH two different comings of the Lord. They teach the same coming. Jesus is coming, in the clouds, at the trumpet, to call His saints, both dead and living, to home. He will then pour out the bowls of wrath upon the world, while those believers are at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. And that event will happen AFTER the Tribulation, as Matthew 24 makes abundantly clear.