How does the Bible describe the Lord's return? Is it an event that only Christians observe or is it a spectacle that the entire world will witness? There are many of those who would state that Christ's return is a secret event; witnessed only be the believers while the non-believers are left wandering the earth.


Now, let us turn to the pages of scripture to see what it says about the coming of our Lord. Let's try to remove some of the confusion that seems to cloud our beliefs on the matter. As you read each passage, continually ask yourself, how does the passage describe the Lord's return.


Matthew 25: 31-46

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people on from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. (Only the first part of the passage is typed here; finish reading the passage from your Bible)

Here, the passage states that the "Son of Man (Jesus) comes in his glory, and all the angels with him." If you are able to visualize this in your mind, what do you see? Do you see an event that is quiet? Or do you see something more grandure? In the latter half of the passage, you've read that the Son of Man separates the sheep from the goats (sheep being the believers; goats being the unbelievers). If this event is a secret, made only known to the believers, then how does it make since that the goats (unbelievers) are also gathered and then separated out? Surely they too would know that something is going on.

Acts 1: 10-11

And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."

How did those who were standing on the mount see Jesus leave? If you read a little before this verse, you will discover that there were individuals in the crowd who still did not believe in Jesus. But these same individuals also witnessed Jesus leave and go up into heaven. The angels declared that he would return in the same manner he left, which was physical. He will return, physically, and just like both the believers and non-believers saw him leave, could it be that both the believers and non-believers will see him return?

1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him hose who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

This is a popular passage used in talking about the Lord's return. What image do you paint when you read this? Is there anything here that says that something along the lines of: "And when the Lord tip toes out of heaven and whispers the names of believers, 'Come on my children, let's get you out of here' the archangel will quietly play his muted trumpet"? Quite the opposite. There are many who state that only the believers witness this event and only the believers will hear the trumpet blast. But where do we read that? There is not one verse or statement that says anything about only Christians hearing the trumpet and only Christians seeing Christ step down out of heaven. Remember, we have to draw from scripture, not make it say something that is not there.

[b]2 Thessalonians 2: 1-8

Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shanken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And you know what is srestraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.[/b]


In this passage we the believers being "gathered to him". But did you notice what happens within the same event? "The Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming."



2 Thessalonians 1: 7-10

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

Again, how does this often overlooked passage describe the Lord's return? Does Jesus reavealing himself from heaven with mighty anges and with flaming fire sound like a secret to you? Notice that the Lord takes vengeance on the that know not God, but at the same event, He comes "to be glorified in his saints."


In all the above passages that have been looked at, did you see anything that described Jesus coming back in secrecy? Quite the opposite. With descriptive words such as: all His glory, cry of command, voice of archangel, trumpet blast, flaming fire, etc, it is hard to believe that many in Christandom would believe that Jesus would come back secretly to snatch away the believers while the unbelievers are left to wonder what just happened.

[flash=400,400]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi0yLRX4d2M?fs=1&hl=en[/flash]

There is difference between the rapture and the second coming. All eyes will see him at the second coming because he will tOuch down. But at the rapture, only the saints will see see him. Others will only observe that People had disappeared on the earth.

^^^

Kindly quote genuine scriptures to prove this

Also tell me where the rapture is mentioned in the bible.

Regards,

how is it possible that 'all' eyes will see him, when we know that the sight of man has a limit so much so that it can but see so far in distance in addition to the fact that the earth is not flat and plain?

Whoever follows the bible(or any other scriptural texts, for that matter), is still following . . . . . . MEN!! There is no escaping the omniscient MEN, is there?

Does anyone knows where Ogaga is on NL. I have strong suspicions he has been raptured!

@frosbel

How does the Bible describe the Lord's return? Is it an event that only Christians observe or is it a spectacle that the entire world will witness? There are many of those who would state that Christ's return is a secret event; witnessed only be the believers while the non-believers are left wandering the earth.

Fros, you're missing out on the mystery of the 'rapture'. The point/truth is that the rapture is a phase(a very little phase at that) of Christ's second coming, that's why we  who believe in the rapture would not usually disagree with the second coming. The rapture is an event that takes a short time, actually the twinkle of an eye, compared to what we generally refer to as the second coming which would last for about a thousand years.

Here, the passage states that the "Son of Man (Jesus) comes in his glory, and all the angels with him." If you are able to visualize this in your mind, what do you see? Do you see an event that is quiet? Or do you see something more grandure? In the latter half of the passage, you've read that the Son of Man separates the sheep from the goats (sheep being the believers; goats being the unbelievers). If this event is a secret, made only known to the believers, then how does it make since that the goats (unbelievers) are also gathered and then separated out? Surely they too would know that something is going on.

If one is to study the Word in it's entirety, you'd notice that Christ is not only coming with His angels but also with His saints. This was a mystery even to the apostles as at the time Jesus was here, but later on in the epistles, they showed us this mystery, and it is that the saints are also coming with Jesus.
1Thessalonians 3:13  To the end he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with ALL his saints.
Jude 1:14  And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
Jesus 'comes' for His saints briefly during the rapture, but He comes with His saints in the second coming. Many would know of the rapture after it has occurred, but all will see Jesus when He comes to earth(He's going to be here for a long while anyway).

Acts 1: 10-11

And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."

How did those who were standing on the mount see Jesus leave? If you read a little before this verse, you will discover that there were individuals in the crowd who still did not believe in Jesus. But these same individuals also witnessed Jesus leave and go up into heaven. The angels declared that he would return in the same manner he left, which was physical. He will return, physically, and just like both the believers and non-believers saw him leave, could it be that both the believers and non-believers will see him return?

The teaching of the rapture is that Jesus would be in the air during the rapture, and the saints would be caught up to meet Him in the air. But in the second coming, Jesus would not 'hang in the air', He would touch down on the earth and would be around for a long while reigning and ruling.
1Thessalonians 4:17  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.
1Corinthians 15:51  Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Corinthians 15:52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
The second coming was never a mystery, it's all over the pages of the old testament. If anything, it was the first coming that was a mystery. The Jews did not expect that format and still do not believe it.

1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him hose who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

This is a popular passage used in talking about the Lord's return. What image do you paint when you read this? Is there anything here that says that something along the lines of: "And when the Lord tip toes out of heaven and whispers the names of believers, 'Come on my children, let's get you out of here' the archangel will quietly play his muted trumpet"? Quite the opposite. There are many who state that only the believers witness this event and only the believers will hear the trumpet blast. But where do we read that? There is not one verse or statement that says anything about only Christians hearing the trumpet and only Christians seeing Christ step down out of heaven. Remember, we have to draw from scripture, not make it say something that is not there.

I don't know how many people would hear the rapture trumpet, but i know that only the saints would be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. At the rapture, there would be notable disappearances, but at the second coming we would all be here to reign with Jesus, not disappear. The angels in Acts said Jesus would come to earth the same way He left. In the rapture, He would be in the air not on earth.
Luke 17:34  I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
Luke 17:35  Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Luke 17:36  Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
There'd be no missing acts when Jesus comes ON EARTH to reign(what we call the second coming). Where would you be disappearing to then. the disappearance is during the rapture when we'd go to Heaven and be with Christ, partake in the marriage supper of the Lamb, and then come back on earth to reign in the millennial reign.

2 Thessalonians 2: 1

Now concerning [b]the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ AND our being gathered together to him[/b]

Please notice the 'AND' between the bolded. There are two different events often fused into one.

2 Thessalonians 1: 7-10

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

Again, how does this often overlooked passage describe the Lord's return? Does Jesus reavealing himself from heaven with mighty anges and with flaming fire sound like a secret to you? Notice that the Lord takes vengeance on the that know not God, but at the same event, He comes "to be glorified in his saints."


In all the above passages that have been looked at, did you see anything that described Jesus coming back in secrecy? Quite the opposite. With descriptive words such as: all His glory, cry of command, voice of archangel, trumpet blast, flaming fire, etc, it is hard to believe that many in Christandom would believe that Jesus would come back secretly to snatch away the believers while the unbelievers are left to wonder what just happened.

Actually, what has been overlooked is the fact that the saints would not partake in the tribulation
2Thessalonians 1:6  Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
2Thessalonians 1:7  And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
Romans 5:9  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
1Thessalonians 1:10  And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
It's the Spirit of God that calls the rapture a mystery, not man. And i'd be stating the obvious that it's a mystery to you. While i should be quick to note that knowledge of mysteries doesn't save anyone or put any in God's kingdom, it doesn't make the mystery untrue. The rapture is a little phase of Christ's second coming. This is eschatological knowledge and anyone who has an above average understanding of the book of Revelation would not deny the rapture.

Also tell me where the rapture is mentioned in the bible.

Regards,

The word 'rapture' is not mentioned in the Bible, at least not in the A.V. But the meaning is there. It's English, it's a term describing the first phase of the second coming. the word 'trinity' is not mentioned in the Bible, but many of us know and agree with what trinity describes. Even the word 'Bible' is not mentioned in the Bible (i love the rhymes). We don't begin to argue endlessly that the Bible doesn't exist because it's not mentioned in the Bible. We don't find the term 'holy communion/eucharist' in the Scriptures but we observe this. We shouldn't get bogged down on words and the letter, and miss out on the life and what God's Spirit has to show us. There's only one place in scriptures that mention 'Lord's supper', and we all know what it means. many christians ignorantly even call it 'last supper', but what does it matter? It's would be childish(if not carnal) to begin to argue like since it's Lord's supper we should only eat it during supper or on Nisan 14, or that since that's the Lord's supper every other supper must be devil's or something. God wants us childlike, not childish.
2Timothy 2:14  Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

Regards.