First, it must be pointed out that the Bible says nothing about the rapture! The word “rapture” is not found in all of God’s Word. Neither is the idea of the rapture in the Bible. False teachers, commonly called “Premillennialists” or “Dispensationalists,” have invented the doctrine of the rapture. It is a doctrine of man, not of God. “But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men. And he called to him the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: not that which entereth into the mouth defileth the man; but that which proceedeth out of the mouth, this defileth the man. Then came the disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, when they heard this saying? But he answered and said, Every plant which my heavenly Father planted not, shall be rooted up” (Matthew 15:9, 13).
Second, concerning the second coming of our Lord, the Bible teaching is very plain and simple. The Bible teaches that Jesus is coming again. Jesus Himself promised He would return (John 14:1-3). When Jesus ascended back to Heaven, the angels promised He would come again (Acts 1:9-11). The apostle Peter promised that our Lord would return (2 Peter 3:10-11). Many other passages could also be added which teach that Jesus is coming again.
Third, the Bible teaches that the coming of the Lord will be sudden and unexpected. The Bible says: “Watch therefore: for ye know not on what day your Lord cometh...Therefore be ye also ready; for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 24:42, 44). Please read also First Thessalonians 5:1-11.
Fourth, the Bible plainly teaches that no man knows the time when the Lord will return. Jesus said: “But of that day and hour knoweth no one, not even the angels of heaven, neither the Son, but the Father only” (Matthew 24:36). If no man knows the hour, it is not possible that anyone can predict the time or give any signs of the time (Mark 13:32).
Fifth, the Bible teaches that Christ is coming back to receive His kingdom (church). Please note the words of the apostle Paul: “Then cometh the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power” (1 Corinthians 15:24).
Sixth, the Bible clearly teaches that when Christ comes again, this earth and everything in it will be destroyed: “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10).
Seventh, the Bible teaches that when Christ comes again, the dead will be raised and judgment will take place. Jesus said: “Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment” (John 5:28-29). Please read also Matthew 25:31-46.
Eighth, following the second coming of Christ, the judgment of the world, and the destruction of the earth, the saved ones will be with the Lord forever (First Thessalonians 4:13-18). The Bible teaching on the second coming is simple, plain, and easily understood. There is nothing in the Bible, however, about the rapture! Our purpose on earth is not to try to guess the time when the Lord will come, but to be ready so that when He does come, we will be prepared.
Are you prepared to meet the Lord when He comes again? Have you believed in Jesus Christ, the Son of God? “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for except ye believe that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24). Please read also Mark 16:16. Have you repented of all your sins? “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish” (Luke 13:3). “And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Have you confessed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? “Every one therefore who shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33). “And Philip said, If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” (Acts 8:37).
Have you been baptized (buried in water and raised up) into Christ for the forgiveness of your sins? “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16). “Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him through baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:3-4). Please read Acts 2:38 and Galatians 3:26-27 also.
Why not obey Jesus Christ today so that you will be prepared to meet Him when He comes, whenever that may be? It is not important to know the time of His coming. It is important to be prepared for His coming!
Second, concerning the second coming of our Lord, the Bible teaching is very plain and simple. The Bible teaches that Jesus is coming again. Jesus Himself promised He would return (John 14:1-3). When Jesus ascended back to Heaven, the angels promised He would come again (Acts 1:9-11). The apostle Peter promised that our Lord would return (2 Peter 3:10-11). Many other passages could also be added which teach that Jesus is coming again.
Third, the Bible teaches that the coming of the Lord will be sudden and unexpected. The Bible says: “Watch therefore: for ye know not on what day your Lord cometh...Therefore be ye also ready; for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 24:42, 44). Please read also First Thessalonians 5:1-11.
Fourth, the Bible plainly teaches that no man knows the time when the Lord will return. Jesus said: “But of that day and hour knoweth no one, not even the angels of heaven, neither the Son, but the Father only” (Matthew 24:36). If no man knows the hour, it is not possible that anyone can predict the time or give any signs of the time (Mark 13:32).
Fifth, the Bible teaches that Christ is coming back to receive His kingdom (church). Please note the words of the apostle Paul: “Then cometh the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power” (1 Corinthians 15:24).
Sixth, the Bible clearly teaches that when Christ comes again, this earth and everything in it will be destroyed: “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10).
Seventh, the Bible teaches that when Christ comes again, the dead will be raised and judgment will take place. Jesus said: “Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment” (John 5:28-29). Please read also Matthew 25:31-46.
Eighth, following the second coming of Christ, the judgment of the world, and the destruction of the earth, the saved ones will be with the Lord forever (First Thessalonians 4:13-18). The Bible teaching on the second coming is simple, plain, and easily understood. There is nothing in the Bible, however, about the rapture! Our purpose on earth is not to try to guess the time when the Lord will come, but to be ready so that when He does come, we will be prepared.
Are you prepared to meet the Lord when He comes again? Have you believed in Jesus Christ, the Son of God? “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for except ye believe that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24). Please read also Mark 16:16. Have you repented of all your sins? “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish” (Luke 13:3). “And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Have you confessed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? “Every one therefore who shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33). “And Philip said, If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” (Acts 8:37).
Have you been baptized (buried in water and raised up) into Christ for the forgiveness of your sins? “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16). “Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him through baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:3-4). Please read Acts 2:38 and Galatians 3:26-27 also.
Why not obey Jesus Christ today so that you will be prepared to meet Him when He comes, whenever that may be? It is not important to know the time of His coming. It is important to be prepared for His coming!