Don’t Miss Out
Recently we’ve examined the details of Jesus Christ’s future Resurrection and harPAZoh Rapure returns as described in John 14:2-3; 1Thessalonians 4:14-17; 1Corinthians 15:4953. At day’s end, Jesus and all his immortal elect saints, both resurrected ones, and those living on earth, will fly to Heaven as immortals.
According to Revelation 19:11 - 20:6, Jesus’ Second Advent return from Heaven is vastly different from his Resurrection and harPAZoh Rapture returns.
On Second Advent day, Jesus and his army of elect saints in immortal angelic bodies will return from Heaven to earth. They will remove from Israel the Beast who had reigned there for 3 1/2 years (Revelation 11:2).
Following the Beast’s defeat at Christ’s Second Advent, Jesus and his immortal saints will not return to Heaven. They will stay on earth, reigning over every nation for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:4,6).
Luke chapter 21 records Jesus telling us that the Tribulation Era conditions would be signs of his return. Knowing that there will be several Resurrection and Rapture “meetings in the air” returns, and one final Second Advent return, which of those returns was Jesus referring to?
That question is difficult to answer. In Jesus’ Olivet Prophecy (Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21), the major characters distinguishing Christ’s returns are not mentioned.
No resurrection of the dead. No immortal bodies granted to Christians.
No “rapture” up to Heaven. No war with the “Beast.” No 1,000-year reign over the nations.
And yet there are clues concerning which “return of Christ” Jesus meant when he said, “Immediately after the Tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 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” (Matthew 24:29-30; Luke 21:27).
Clue #1. “For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together” (Matthew 24:28).
This compares with “an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings” (Revelation 19:17-18). This is specific to Jesus’ Second Advent return, where he and his army will defeat the Beast at Armageddon, at the end of the Tribulation Era.
Clue #2. “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Matthew 24:36).
This is specific only to his pre-Tribulation Resurrection and harPAZoh Rapture return. Because the mid-Tribulation Resurrection-Rapture will happen in the middle of the Tribulation Era, exactly 1,260 days after the peace treaty of Daniel 9:2627 is signed.
That’s also when the Beast will invade Jerusalem. Exactly 1,260 days later, both Christ’s post-Tribulation Resurrection-Rapture return and his Second Advent return will happen during one day.
Anyone who can count to 1,260 will know the exact day of those latter 3 returns.
It appears that Jesus lumped together his Resurrection and harPAZoh Rapture returns and his Second Advent return as one great big “Christ’s Return.” The 7-year Tribulation will bring with it every aspect of Jesus Christ’s return from Heaven!
Christ’s pre-Tribulation Resurrection and Rapture return will happen first, and without notice. “Be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 24:44). Are you ready?