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December 16, 2024

Q & A: Return of the King

by Jason Neill

Scripture reading: John 14:1-3; Romans 8:19; 1 Corinthians 1:7-8; 15:51-53; 16:22; Philippians 3:20-21; 4:5; Colossians 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 2:19; 4:13-18; 5:9, 23; 2 Thessalonians 2:1, 3; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:1, 8; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:28; James 5:7-9; 1 Peter 1:7, 13; 5:4; 1 John 2:28-3:2; Jude 21; Revelation 2:25; 3:10

This week we continue our Q & A blog.

Question: What happens when Jesus returns?

Answer: Thank you for your question! As I mentioned in a previous blog post, Christians disagree on what happens when Jesus returns based on how they interpret those Bible passages (i.e., hermeneutics) that speak of His return. I will share with you some commonalities all Christians hold, the different viewpoints, then offer my position on this topic. I will also recommend a resource at the end if you want to dive deeper into this topic.

Doctrines such as the immortality of the soul, the future bodily resurrection, future divine judgment, future return of Christ, and the eternal state are all subjects most Christians affirm. Specifically, everyone will live forever (i.e., the immortality of the soul), everyone (Christian and non-Christian alike) will physically be raised from the dead, there will be a divine judgment whereby people’s eternal destiny is determined, Christ will physically, literally return, and the eternal state will begin.

Premillennialism teaches that Jesus will return to Earth and will rule from Jerusalem for 1,000 years prior to the beginning of the eternal state. There are three primary views within premillennialism (i.e., the pretribulation rapture, the mid-tribulation rapture, and the post-tribulation rapture). The word “rapture” means “caught up” and although the word “rapture” does not appear in the Bible the idea can be found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, especially verses 16-17. In this passage, Christians are “caught up” (Latin, “rapio” which means to snatch up) to meet the Lord in the air.

Each of the three views has to do with The Tribulation period (i.e., a 7-year period of time whereby God pours out His wrath on the Earth thought to be described in Revelation 6-18).

The pretribulation rapture teaches that the church will be raptured prior to the 7-year Tribulation. Arguments for this position are based on the doctrine of imminency (i.e., that Christ could return at any moment) as opposed to Bible passages that speak of signs that must precede the return of Christ (see Matthew 24:3-31). It is also argued that in the rapture Christ comes “for” His saints (see 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) while in the second coming Christ comes “with” His saints (see Revelation 19:11-16, especially verse 14). Lastly, in the rapture Christians will meet Jesus in the air (see 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17) while in the second coming Jesus’ feet will touch the Mount of Olives (see Zechariah 14:4).   

The mid-tribulation rapture teaches that the church will be raptured at the midpoint of the Tribulation. Arguments for this position are based on the two witnesses in Revelation 11 who are caught up to Heaven at the midpoint of the Tribulation. These two witnesses, according to this view, represent the church.  

The post-tribulation rapture teaches that the church will be raptured after the 7-year Tribulation. Arguments for this position are based on Revelation 20:4-6 which is interpreted to say that ALL believers will be resurrected at the end of the Tribulation. It is also argued that since there are believers in the Tribulation then the rapture must occur after the Tribulation.

Amillennialism teaches that there is no literal 1,000 years, but when Christ returns, He will judge the living and the dead and then the eternal state begins. In this view, Christ is said to be ruling spiritually over the church from heaven.

Postmillennialism teaches that the Church (i.e., universal church) will Christianize the world by preaching the gospel. After an unspecified time of peace, Christ will return, establish His rule, judge the living and the dead, and thus begin eternity.

You will notice that I did not offer the “weaknesses” of these positions. To keep this blog brief, I focused solely on the arguments “for” these positions.

My view. I hold the pre-tribulation rapture position for a number of reasons. I think there is a distinction between the rapture and the second coming of Christ. We are told in the New Testament that Christ could come at any moment (see Romans 13:11-12; James 5:7-9). There are other passages that indicate that there are signs preceding the second coming of Christ (see Matthew 24:3-31). I think it makes the best sense to say the Bible is describing two separate events. Another reason I hold this view is because the church (i.e., universal church) is told it will be kept from the time of wrath known as the Tribulation period (see 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10; 5:9; Revelation 3:10). The best way I see that occurring is if the church is raptured before the Tribulation begins.

Let me stress, as I did in a previous blog, that I would not break fellowship with another Christian who held a different view than mine. All of these views are within the pale of orthodox Christianity. My suggestion would be for anyone interested in this topic to study the Scriptures, read the different views, weigh their strengths and weaknesses, then decide for yourself what you think Scripture teaches. Everyone has a responsibility to study the Scriptures.

I tried to hit the highlights while keeping this topic as clear as possible; however, as you can see, there are a variety of views on what happens when Jesus returns. If you want to read more on the different viewpoints, I recommend the book Bible Prophecy Answer Book: Everything You Need to Know About the End Times by Ron Rhodes.