After my sister died, my dad couldn’t stop talking about heaven. Reading the book, Heaven, by Randy Alcorn, just spurred his excitement. And he wasn’t shy about telling others about his findings on heaven either.

He also loved talking about the Rapture – the day in which believers are taken from this earth to meet Jesus. He often said that he believed this is the chosen generation for the return of Christ. He just looked at the signs and figured it was soon. I believe it’s soon, too.

I did not want to lose my dad and I said to him on a number of occasions that he needed to hold on because Jesus was coming back soon. He would say to me: “Well, tell Jesus to hurry up because I’m not getting any younger.”

I still laugh when I think about this.

My dad met Jesus face-to-face just four years ago. I miss him terribly but I know I will see him again.

I’m writing this post because there are two end-time events that are different, but we often think of them as the same.

And I want to clear the confusion, while encouraging you to think about what is on the horizon for believers.

So, what are these two events?

The Rapture of the Church and The Second Coming of Christ.

Let’s talk about each of them.

The Rapture of the Church!

The most important passage that discusses this event is 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17.

Here are some important features about this event:

• Jesus will appear in the clouds.
• Believers (dead and alive) will be caught up to meet Him.
• There will be a loud command, the voice of the archangel, and the trumpet call of God.
• Only believers will see Jesus.
• His purpose is to retrieve His Bride.
• No one knows when this will happen.

We read in Matthew 24:44 that we “must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when [we] do not expect him.”

Friends, it is our responsibility to be ready.

Jesus tells a parable of ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) that were to be ready when their bridegroom arrived. Unfortunately, only five of them were ready when he finally came.

This is a picture of the church today. If Jesus took the time to talk about it, then we can know it’s important.

The way to be ready is to obey His Word, spend time with Him every day, keep our minds and bodies pure, and keep watching. We need to take His Word serious.

Now, for the second event…

The Second Coming of Christ!

The two important passages that talk about this event are: Revelation 19:11-16 and Zechariah 14:3-4.

Here are some important features about this event:

• Jesus will come back to earth and step foot on the Mt. of Olives.
• The Church and His heavenly armies will accompany Him.
• His purpose is for judgment and to establish His earthly kingdom.
• This will take place at the conclusion of the 7-year tribulation period.

It’s important we don’t confuse these two events. But, here’s the good news: you and I will be involved in both of them.

Awesome stuff, huh?

I love teaching about the end-days. It keeps my hope alive. I hope it does for you, too.

If you would like to know more about all that’s going to happen, you may want to purchase my Bride of Christ: Being Rapture Ready Bible study. 

Love and blessings,

Upcoming Bible study
Joshua: Heaven’s Mighty Warrior
Launches January 22,  2016