The Second Coming describes what Jesus does when He permanently “comes” back to earth. The Rapture describes what happens to the Church when Jesus first appears in the sky. Just like when He came to the Earth the first time was a coming, Jesus’ Second Coming by definition is a coming to earth the second time. It is not merely for a brief appearing in the sky, but His coming is to accomplish a long term Kingdom on earth. (Isaiah 9:6) Some think of the Second Coming of Jesus as only consisting of the Rapture of the Church. They think only of Jesus appearing in the sky to catch up His people that they may all return to heaven.
The Rapture is a significant occurrence within a larger series of events that I refer to as the “Second Coming Procession.” Many assume Jesus will appear simultaneously to all the peoples of the earth at the same moment as He instantaneously finishes all the activities involved in the Second Coming. The result of establishing a biblical paradigm about the End-Times is that many passages fit without needing to dismiss them either by spiritualizing them or just ignoring them. Many passages of Scripture do not make sense if Jesus instantaneously completes all the activities associated with His Second Coming.
1st Corinthians 15:52 is at "the last trumpet." How can there be more than one last trumpet? Oh yea don't forget about Matthew 24:29, "Immediately after the tribulation!"
GET THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE ABOUT THE END-TIMES!! The challenge in understanding the Second Coming is in getting the right paradigm. The necessary paradigm is in understanding that Jesus will rule the earth with the natural human processes not suspended, yet significantly enhanced by the supernatural dimension of the Spirit. We see aspects of this when Jesus appeared with His resurrected body (Jn. 20-21; Acts 1).
As Gentile believers, our most natural paradigm is to think of worshipping Jesus as God in the supernatural conditions of heaven. We emphasize Jesus’ deity as the Son of God. Whereas, the Jewish paradigm, thinks of reigning with the Messianic King as a man in the natural conditions of the earth. They emphasize the Messiah’s humanity as the Son of David. The full truth is only seen when these two paradigms are brought together.
