Thursday 23rd April 2020 Devotion
Scripture:- Mark 13:1-37
Topic:- The Difference Between The Rapture And The Second Coming
Text:- 1 Thessalonians 4:17
A. Many Christians are yet to have an appropriate knowledge about the Rapture and The Second Coming of Jesus Christ, and there are some Christians who are even thinking they are the same.
First of all, we need to know that The Rapture and The Second Coming are two different events that will happen at different times.
The Rapture, from the Latin verb ‘rapere’, which means ‘to transport from one place to another’, is the catching up of all believers for a glorious meeting with Christ in the air. See 1 Corinthians 15:51-53; 1 Thessalonians 4: 15-17.
B. So, The Rapture comes first, and is an event whereby the Lord Jesus comes for His Saints (dead and living), and we shall meet Him in the air.
The Saints are those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of their lives and are living in holiness. The Saints are those that are living a CONSISTENT holy and godly lifestyle, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. They are the ones who will be transformed to meet Jesus in the air, while unbelievers and lukewarm Christians will be left behind.
Now, after the rapture, the Saints will proceed into the sky to participate in the marriage feast of the Lamb, where rewards would be given to everyone present according to his/her deeds on earth.
C. What Happens To Those Left Behind?
Immediately after the rapture, the Great Tribulation will begin, and the Antichrist will be given power to torment those left behind. The Antichrist will force people to receive the mark of the beast (666) either on their forehead or arm.
Those that won’t receive it would be vehemently tormented: They won’t be able to buy and sell, they will suffer violent persecutions with no one to help. And according to the graphic illustration given by the Lord Jesus about the Great Tribulation, many won’t be able to withstand the torments for long (that is, they can’t help but to receive the mark of the beast. See Matthew 24:15-28.
D. But those that will receive the mark of the beast will be eternally damned in the lake of fire at the appointed time..
Don’t forget that while the tribulation is taking place on earth, the Saints that have been raptured are with Jesus Christ in the sky enjoying the marriage supper as well as their rewards.
E. Then at the end of the marriage supper in the sky and the Tribulation on earth, THE SECOND COMING will take place.
The Second Coming is the public revelation of Jesus Christ, when He comes WITH HIS SAINTS (those who have been previously raptured and have participated in the marriage supper in the sky) to set up the Millennium. See 1 Thessalonians 3:13; Matthew 24: 29-31.
Here, those who have suffered just because they won’t take the mark of the beast during the Great Tribulation, will now have a new hope.
F. My Advice:
Jesus said the day and hour of these events are not known, but will happen anytime, and it will come like a thief in the night. He gave us some signs we should watch out for, and if you look at the scriptures, you will see the signs keeps coming to pass. See Mark 13:1-37
That means, if Jesus Christ can predict those things and TRUELY, they keeps coming to pass, then His promise of the Rapture and Second Coming will also come to pass!
So, if you are yet to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, please do so now, as tommorow might be too late. And for we that are already Christians, let us allow the belief that Jesus will return one day, to guide us within godly conducts.
How sure are you that you can withstand the torment of the Antichrist during the great tribulation? The best thing for you is to live a lifestyle of holiness that will make you rapturable with Jesus Christ, and go on with Him to enjoy the marriage supper.
The Lord asked me to tell you this: “I stand at the door, I cometh, I cometh” Thus saith the Lord Of Host!
Prayer Points I refuse to go to hell but to make the rapture with Christ in His second coming by fire, in the name of Jesus Christ.
Have A Glorious Thursday!
