In Short – The Return of Jesus Consists of Two Phases:
The rapture of God's church.
Jesus' visible return to the Mount of Olives (Zech 14:4).
At the rapture of his church, he comes FOR his people (“the dead in Christ” and “we who are alive” at that time (1 Thess 4:16–17). It is a rapture “caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thess 4:17). The Greek word for “air” is used here, referring to a place in the atmosphere above the earth. Therefore, an INVISIBLE coming to fetch his bride. Jesus says it like this:
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
John 14:3
During the great tribulation on earth, we are safe in heaven where we will be judged before the judgment seat of Christ – concerning the degree of reward we shall receive (2 Cor 5:10; 1 Cor 3). Then there will be a wedding feast for the bride (the church) and the bridegroom (Jesus) (Rev 19:7–9).
Next phase: In his VISIBLE return, everyone on earth will “see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Matt 24:30). Then he comes WITH his people:
“And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.”
Rev 19:14
Then “His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives” (Zech 14:4). Then the whole world will be gathered before his throne in Jerusalem, called the “throne of His glory” (Matt 25:31). The unsaved will be slain (Matt 25:41), while the saved will enter into a glorious kingdom called the “Millennial Kingdom” (Rev 20:4).
After a thousand years of peace on earth, with Jesus as world ruler, the end of the world comes where the world and all creation will burn up and a new heaven and a new earth will emerge (2 Pet 3:10; Rev 20:11). We believers have much to look forward to. God safely guides the world towards a goal: An eternity in the glory of heaven, a new Paradise. “Therefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thess 4:18).
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