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Will Jesus come again come again for His church, His bride? Absolutely. Is there a way of predicting when this will happen? Contrary to many opinions, the answer is a solid no. Will there be a rapture of the church while the rest of the world suffers through the tribulation? Again, although much current conjecture says yes, the answer is still a no.

You can see it in bumper stickers, "In case of rapture, this vehicle will be unmanned." The popular Left Behind series espouses the view that the rapture occurs secretly which leads to a seven year tribulation during which people have a "second chance." Then Jesus comes visibly to claim the newly saved and destroy the invading armies. This view, although popular lately, has not been the main view of the Christian church for centuries.

A more careful reading of the main biblical texts the rapture folks use, will show a different perspective in context. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-5:3 shows that the "rapture" will be loud and highly public. The thief in the night reference clearly refers to the unsaved and unprepared. Thus, it's not a secret event but a trumpet of God and shouts from archangels that portends the wrapping up of this world.

Jesus literally descends from heaven and the dead in Christ and true believers will be "caught up" as Jesus was. The "day of the Lord" will burst upon the unbelievers like a thief. Quick total destruction of the lost occurs and none escapes.

Matthew chapter 24 is also frequently quoted as showing a secret rapture. As Jesus explained the end times to His disciples, He mentioned four times (verses 4,5,11,24) not to be deceived. Clearly He was indicating there would be lots of confusion and outright deception. Jesus states don't believe about the secret chambers because His coming will be like the lightning from the east and shines even to the west.

As it continues, He says two will be in the field - one will be taken and the other will be left. Jesus said it will be as in the days of Noah. Noah and his family were visibly taken into the ark and the rest were destroyed - no second chance.

To summarize, the second coming of Jesus and the taking up of believers is one event. It will be loud, obvious and known to all. There will be no opportunity to meet the Lord afterward.

As a young Christian, my charts of the endtimes were important to me and they changed over the years. For now, I am concentrating on doing what the Lord gives me to do. I want to be found "so doing" when Jesus comes again. I want to keep oil in my lamp. It doesn't matter to my life when Jesus comes back or what all the details are. I'm sure it will be wonderful and complete.

Learn more about this author, John Leonardson.
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