Date: January 2005 Series: - “I Want to be Left Behind” (III) Title: NT on the 2nd Coming

     Previously, we noted Jesus' teaching that the unrighteous will be the first ones "taken out" when He returns.^[1]  Advocates of the popular "Rapture" notion cite 1Thessalonians 4:13-18 as support for their belief that Christians alive at the time of Jesus' return will be the first to be "taken out."  Ok, let's look at this passage.

     First Thessalonians 4:13-18 - Again, please try to block out things you already believe and just read the passage.  Paul's purpose for writing (vv. 13,14,18) was to comfort those concerned about other believers already physically dead before Jesus' return.  In doing so, he noted that when Jesus returns the Christians alive at that time are NOT the first to be taken up to meet Jesus - the saints who have already died prior to His return will rise first (vv. 15-16).  Don't miss verse 16 – the event described here will NOT be secret or silent - not with all of the shouting, archangel's voice, and trumpet-blowing going on!  After the "dead in Christ" have been beamed up, THEN the Christians physically alive at the time will get to go - LAST!  So, what about the unrighteous?  They aren't even mentioned in this passage.  From what Jesus said elsewhere, I suspect the unrighteous are already gone.

     Let's summarize this.  When Jesus returns, there are three groups to deal with - the unrighteous, saints already physically dead, and saints still physically alive at the time of His return.  Of the two major groups, the unrighteous go first.  Then, with saints sub-divided into two groups, the "dead in Christ" will join the Lord first, and finally the saints alive at the time of Christ's return will be taken.  Consider Philippians 3:21 and 1Corinthians 15:50-53 here - we won't all "sleep" (1Corinthians 15:51) but all the saints will be suddenly changed for eternity.  The two phases mentioned in 1Thessalonians 4:15-17 probably occur very close together – maybe a split-second apart.  What I cannot find is any passage that offers a chronology of Second Coming events in which the living Christians are "taken out" of the world (i.e. "raptured) before the unrighteous or the "dead in Christ."

     The New Testament Doctrine of the Second Coming – So, without any a priori "theological baggage," what does the New Testament teach us about Jesus return?

      Matthew indicates that Jesus will return in glory with angels to recompense each person according to their deeds (16:27).  The end of this heaven and earth is associated with the "coming of the Son of Man" and the sudden separation of believers and unbelievers, with those not understanding being the ones "taken away" (24:35-42).  There will be no "last-minute signs" to warn even the believers as to when this will occur (24:43-44).  Servants in charge of others need to serve with humility or they will be suddenly caught in the act, without warning (24:45-51).  Believers must be prepared to wait as long as necessary for His sudden return (25:1-13).  When He comes, all of humanity will stand before his judgment seat and then be separated to eternal fates (25:31-46).  Mark offers some parallels to Matthew's material.

         Jesus' return will resemble lightning, with unbelievers engaged in the normal affairs of life right up to the point of sudden destruction (Luke 17:22-30).  In a parable, Jesus indicated that believers offer willing submission during the king's absence, for when He returns there will be an accounting of all and His enemies will be destroyed (Luke 19:11-27).  Jesus will return for His people, so they can join Him in His realm (John 14:1-3).  Jesus will return as He left – from heaven in the clouds (Acts 1:9-11) and His return will coincide with a period of restoration (the new heaven and earth?), as the prophets foretold (Acts 3:19-21).

       Paul, in First Corinthians, noted that Jesus will be revealed (1:7).  The Saints will be raised at Jesus' return and the kingdom will be given back to the Father, for Jesus reigns now until death is finally defeated - when the saints are raised (15:20-28).  The Philippians were told not to focus on this earth, for our citizenship is in heaven, awaiting Jesus who will change our bodies for glory (3:18-21; cf. 1Cor. 15:50-54).  The Colossians were told the same - when Christ is revealed, we will be revealed with Him in glory, so stop focusing on this planet (3:1-4).  In First Thessalonians, Paul taught that saints are to wait for Jesus, who will save us from the wrath/judgment to come (1:10) and He will return with the saints – presumably the "dead in Christ" (3:13) – for Jesus will return (with noise), the dead in Christ will be raised first, and finally, living saints will join Him in the air (4:16,17).  In Second Thessalonians, Paul added that Jesus will be revealed from heaven in fire/with angels to punish unbelievers with eternal separation from God, while being glorified by His people (1:7-10), but a great apostasy will precede Jesus' return, with a blasphemer arising "within" the church and claiming divine authority, but he will be destroyed at the end (2:1-12).  Paul told Timothy to "keep the commandment without stain or reproach" until Jesus appears (1Timothy 6:14), while Titus was reminded that saints should live godly lives as they await Jesus' return (Titus 2:11-13).

       Jesus will return, not to pardon sin, but for those awaiting Him (Hebrews 9:28), while patience is emphasized until the Lord returns (James 5:7,8).  Saints should keep their behavior excellent so God will be glorified when He visits and elders are admonished to do their work properly for the reward when Jesus returns (1Peter 2:12; 5:4).  In spite of mockers and apparent delay, the "coming of the Lord/day of the Lord" will come with the destruction of the present universe by fire, followed by a new heaven and earth characterized by righteousness (2Peter 3:3-13).  When He returns, all will see Him (Revelation 1:7).