Everyone has felt the tension of having an unavoidable talk. It’s a conversation where the subject matter is uncomfortable. A doctor informs a friend they have cancer. A boss tells a long time employee they’ve reorganized and their job is not in the picture. A sixteen-year-old with their new license tells Mom and Dad they just put a dent in the family car. You get the picture.

Most of these conversations begin with warm generalities. “How are you?” “How’s the family?” “Dad, Mom, you’ve never really liked the family car, have you?” Like an airplane circling the airport, you keep your conversation in the air. But just as every plane needs to land, at some point, you have to have the unavoidable talk.

For some, the subject of the second coming of Jesus can be uncomfortable. The young don’t want to talk about it because they’re afraid Jesus will come before they can start their families or fulfill their dreams. The middle-aged don’t want to talk about it because they’re consumed with their families and dreams. The old don’t want to talk about it because it reminds them of their mortality. Though this is more the case for non-believers, it is also true of many believers—even pastors.

Many believers avoid learning about the second coming of Jesus because of a lack of maturity. Hebrews 6:1-3 states,

1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so.

The resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment are aspects of the second coming of Jesus. These verses also consider them as elementary teachings about Christ. Here, the Bible says we can’t move on and mature until we have made these lessons our own, yet our love-hate relationship with any form of maturity makes it hard.

Physically, we want all the benefits of the next phase in life without changing who we are or what we do. Spiritually, we do the same. We want to grow as Christians without having to change who we are or what we do. God knows and we know that’s not possible. That means in order for us to mature as believers we have to have the unavoidable talk about the second coming of Jesus. We each need to learn these truths and make them our own.

Again, such a talk is not easy or we would have already had it. However, talking about the second coming of Jesus may not be as bad as you think. It actually helps us eliminate some of the unknown about the future and live a life of hope and purpose right now. Therefore, let’s talk about the second coming of Jesus.

God has a Plan
“Don’t be Ignorant”

Though Revelation chapters 1-5 have been exhilarating, they can be seen as the circling before the hard talk. Chapter 1 gives us a vision of Jesus’ authority in heaven. In chapters 2-3, He addresses the condition and needs of seven churches. Chapter four describes the greatness of heaven’s throne, while chapter five states that the One on the throne still owns the title deed of earth and that Jesus is the only one worthy to reclaim the earth for God. Then, chapters 6-21 unfold how Jesus will do it.
Part of what makes the second coming of Jesus an uncomfortable conversation is the unknown—not on God’s part, but ours. Yet the book of Revelation reveals that God has a plan, and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 makes it clear that God doesn’t want us ignorant about it.

13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.

Generally speaking, God’s plan for the second coming of Jesus Christ can be seen in four phases. The first phase involves the rapture of the church.

Phase #1: The Rapture of the Church
I understand that there is military protocol describing how officers enter and leave a vehicle. The junior officers enter first with the highest ranking officers entering last. According to these verses, there seems to be a protocol describing how Jesus’ followers will join Him in heaven. At a loud command and trumpet blast, the believers who are dead rise first. Then, the believers who are still alive rise second. If this heavenly protocol were given a name it would be the protocol of the rapture.

There has been much debate over what I have described as the protocol of the rapture. Respected biblical scholars for centuries have discussed this. Some believe there will be no rapture, while others debate whether it will happen before, during or after the Great Tribulation. Let me share with you why I believe there will be a rapture and why I believe it will happen prior to the events beginning in Revelation 6—the events of the Great Tribulation.

I Believe in the Rapture Because…
1 Thessalonians 4:17 Describes It

I believe there will be a rapture because 1 Thessalonians 4:17 describes it. It says that believers who are still alive “will be caught up in the air.” The Greek word for being caught up is “harpazo.” It’s the same Greek word used to describe the way God transported Philip from the roadside baptismal pool outside Gaza to Azotus in Acts 8:39. However, in the rapture, believers are not transported to Azotus but up in the air to meet with Christ.

I remember hearing a Christian comedian once say, “At the rapture I hope to be standing beside two non-believers. As I’m being raptured, I’d like to grab both of them by the collar. At about 30,000 feet I’d like to say to them, ‘Believe or I’ll drop you.’” It’s a great thought but the rapture will happen so quickly you won’t have time to grab anyone. Besides, it’s only for those who have fully surrendered their lives to Jesus.
However, being caught up in the air highlights why I believe 1 Thessalonians 4:17 speaks of the rapture instead of the second coming of Jesus. The verse indicates that the believers meet Jesus “in the air.” According to Revelation 19:15-21, the second coming of Jesus occurs when Jesus comes back to reclaim the earth.

I Believe in the Rapture Because…
Revelation 3:10 Points to It

I also believe in the rapture because it fulfills Jesus’ promise to the church. In Revelation 3:10, Jesus tells the church in Philadelphia,

10 “Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.”

Here, Jesus promises to keep His believers “from the hour of trial.” I believe that “the hour of trial” refers to the Great Tribulation period that is described in Revelation 6-18. It’s important to see that Jesus promises to keep us “from” the hour of trial, not “through” the hour of trial. This points to the rapture occurring before, not after, the Great Tribulation.

Furthermore, verse 10 explains that the focus of this hour of trial is upon unbelievers. The phrase “to test those who live upon the earth” is a reoccurring label for unbelievers throughout Revelation (Revelation 6:10; 8:13; 11:10; 13:8, 12, 14; 14:6; 17:2, 8). This is corroborated by the fact that the word “church,” or “churches,” occurs nineteen times in the first three chapters, and not once during the chapters of the Great Tribulation. That’s because Jesus has fulfilled His promise and has raptured His church from the hour of trial (1 Thessalonians 1:10).

Phase #2: The Preparation of the Bride
Jesus not only raptures us to rescue us from the hour of trial, but He also does so to prepare us as His bride. On two occasions, Jesus refers to Himself as the bridegroom (Matthew 9:14-15; 25:1-13), and four times the church is called His bride. All four of those metaphors appear in Revelation 19-22—regarding the His second coming. Before He returns, Jesus prepares His bride. According to Romans 14:9-12, the process of preparation takes place at the judgment seat of Christ.

9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. 11 It is written:
“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will confess to God.’”
12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

The word “judgment seat” in the Greek is “bema.” It was a platform where Roman officials rendered judgment and where judges at the annual Olympic games issued their rewards.

When believers stand at the judgment seat of Christ, we will not be judged for our sin—what we did against Jesus. Romans 8:1 promises that “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” However, we will be held accountable for the accomplishments of our lives—what we did for Jesus.

Three passages of scripture describe what Jesus is looking for when He judges believers. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 says that as a believer you will be judged for the quality of your work. Though in your life you were involved in a lot of projects, only the projects of God are the ones that will last. 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 adds that you will also be judged for the character of your heart. You may have been involved in a lot of projects with God, but if you did it to build your reputation instead of God’s kingdom, it won’t last. If you did God’s work your way for your benefit, it won’t pass His judgment. Finally, 2 Corinthains 5:10 explains that at the judgment seat of Christ you will be compensated for work that lasts. The verse explains,

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

The Greek word for “appear” literally means all believers must “be revealed” before the judgment seat of Christ. The “things done” in your life will be judged whether they are good (acceptable) or bad (flawed, worthless and unacceptable). You will only be rewarded for what passes Jesus’ inspection.

I see it much like the process of passing through security at the airport. I have my ticket and all I want to take with me on the flight. Yet before I board, everything I’ve packed has to be checked—everything, even the things in my pockets. No matter how many times I’ve gone through airport security, I still have a twinge of fear that I’ve forgotten to take something out of my pocket or have packed something that won’t be allowed on the flight. At the judgment seat of Christ, only the right work done with the right heart will pass Jesus’ inspection. Only the approved works will be allowed and rewarded in heaven.

Furthermore, Romans 14:10 reminds you not to waste your time trying to inspect or judge the luggage of others. That is Jesus’ job, not yours. Besides, in Matthew 25:14-30 Jesus says that God gives different talents to different people. You will not be held accountable for what God has given others, but you will be accountable for the life, gifts, and opportunities God has given you. Therefore it’s best if you focus on what you are or are not doing and stop judging what others are or are not doing.

Once you have passed through the judgment seat of Christ, the worthless is removed and only what is righteous remains. That’s why Revelation 19:7-8 explains,

7 “Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.
8 Fine linen, bright and clean,
was given her to wear.”
(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)

John’s great challenge was trying to explain these heavenly images in earthly terms. Thus, the “fine linen” he describes was like the expensive, beautiful material worn by Joseph (Genesis 41:42), David (1 Chronicles 15:27) and Mordecai (Esther 8:15). It was bright and clean. A purer picture from the Greek would say that the bride looked radiant and pure. It was truly the picture of a bride beaming with righteousness.

To this day, I can still remember when I first saw Loree in her wedding dress. Loree and I kept the tradition that I would not see her that day until the wedding. When the doors opened for her to enter, the people stood. Since Loree’s not very tall, all I could see was the crown of her head and her flowing veil. But when she stepped past the people so I could see all of her, I was, and to this day remain, in awe. She was beautiful. I soaked in everything. Her golden hair, glistening blue eyes, the softness of her make-up were all accented by the beauty of her dress. To this day, I know that her dad walked her down the aisle of the church, but I don’t remember seeing him. As a song was played I took Loree by the hand. So moved by the moment, I could not help but express my heart to her. I told her I had waited my whole life for her and that she was more than I had prayed for. That’s when Loree spoke, and in her soft voice whispered, “Mark, shut up! Just shut up!” For all my talking she couldn’t think what was coming next in the ceremony.

In some way, I believe that’s the way Jesus will feel when He sees us after the judgment seat. Anything and everything unrighteous about our lives will have been removed. We will stand radiant and pure before Him, and He won’t be able to withhold His heart. 1 Corinthians 4:5 states, “At that time each will receive his praise from God.” Think of it. Hearing Jesus lovingly praise you will probably be the greatest reward of all.

Phase #3: The Great Tribulation and Revival
Don’t assume that one phase waits for the previous one to end. While Jesus is preparing His bride in heaven, He is also at work on earth. He initiates the Great Tribulation and revival. It will be a time when God’s wrath and grace work together.
The late Bible teacher Dr. David L. Cooper described this third phase as a fireworks display. Many fireworks displays are well timed. Just as the effects of one explosion ends another begins. Sometimes one rocket goes off in the midst of another. That aptly describes the period of the Great Tribulation and revival.¹

The Great Tribulation is marked with three explosions of God’s wrath. The first explosion is seen in Revelation 6-8. It’s the opening of the seven seals. The opening of the last seal ignites the second explosion of God’s wrath in Revelation 8-15. It’s called the seven trumpets. When the last trumpet sounds it will set off the final explosion of God’s wrath in Revelation 16-17. They are the seven bowls.

Within these explosions of God’s wrath, you also have the explosion of His grace. In chapter 7, God will seal and set aside 144,000 Jews—12,000 from each tribe of Israel. Those who once denied Jesus as the Messiah will now proclaim Him to the world. As a result people from every tribe, nation, and tongue will surrender to Christ. Then in chapter 14, God will send two witnesses. They will proclaim and display the power of God to an unbelieving world.

Tragically, I know that upon hearing that there will be a great revival in the midst of the Great Tribulation, some will see this as a reason to put off surrendering to Jesus. Listen to me. You should want nothing to do with the Great Tribulation. Listen to Jesus’ warning to those living through the Great Tribulation. In Matthew 24:16-21, He says,

“… 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. 18 Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. 19 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 20 Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.”

Revelation 14:20 gives a gruesome picture of the Great Tribulation. It reports that persecution and wars will be so great during that time that a river of blood will be four feet deep and flow for 200 miles.

Yet a wide-angle view of phase three gives a clear picture of God’s nature and human nature. God’s nature is seen in His ability to offer full grace in the midst of His full wrath. This is nothing new for God. When He came to earth as Jesus, John 1:14 states, “We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Phase three also gives us a clear picture of human nature. Our nature is to question till proven and to postpone till pressed. That’s why many will be left behind to endure the Great Tribulation. They had every opportunity to surrender to Christ earlier but didn’t.
That’s why it is important to hear this message, “DON’T TAKE GOD’S GRACE LIGHTLY!” Though by His nature God will still offer His grace during the Great Tribulation, He will offer it under the heavy hand of His wrath. That’s one of the reasons why God doesn’t want you ignorant of His plan. He wants you to experience His grace today without having to endure He wrath tomorrow.

Phase #4: The Second Coming of Christ
Earlier I mentioned the military protocol for entering a vehicle—junior officers first and senior officers last. The protocol for leaving a vehicle is senior officers first, with junior officers last. The protocol for the rapture (entering heaven) involves the dead rising first, with those alive in Christ rising next. Then, all meet Christ in the air as He prepares His bride at the judgment seat. The protocol for Jesus’ return (leaving heaven) is simple. Revelation 19 describes Jesus stepping out first with His bride not far behind.

I also said at the outset that many avoid this conversation because it’s uncomfortable. What makes it uncomfortable for many is the unknown factor, yet God has revealed His plans regarding the second coming of Jesus Christ. However, many are still uncomfortable with the subject because you don’t like God’s plans.

Many believers don’t like it because we don’t like the thought of being accountable for our lives—standing before Jesus at the judgment seat. It makes us have to evaluate our efforts. We have to ask, “Am I truly doing what God wants, the way God wants and with His heart?” If so, we are to be encouraged and continue. If not, we have to make changes.

Of course, unbelievers don’t like God’s plan at all. It’s uncomfortable to think that God raptures only believers before the Great Tribulation. And even though God will still offer His grace, it will be with the heavy hand of His wrath. Furthermore, God’s plan doesn’t allow for any options or alternatives. It’s God’s heaven, God’s earth, and God’s plan. You can either take the hand of His grace and surrender to Jesus, or experience the hand of His wrath. God leaves the choice up to you.

God made a Promise
“Don’t Live Hopeless”

A closer look at the second coming of Jesus reveals something important. God hasn’t shared His plan in order to strong-arm you into heaven. He has revealed His plan so that you won’t have to live hopeless while on earth. Look once more at 1 Thessalonians 4:13. It says,

13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.

When God inspired the Apostle Paul to write this, it was evident that people were living and dying every day without hope. A typical inscription on a grave in Paul’s day read,

I was not
I became
I am not
I care not²

That’s why God has made His plan clear, especially the phase regarding Jesus’ second coming. He didn’t create us to live hopeless lives, but hope-filled lives.

Revelation 5 reminded us that though God created the world, this is not the world God planned. Satan’s deception and our sins separated us from a holy God. The only one worthy to reunite us with God and reclaim this world for God was Jesus. He was born of a virgin and lived a sinless life. He died on the cross to pay the price for our sins and rose from the grave to render forgiveness. Before He ascended into heaven He promised to send His Holy Spirit to help us (John 14-16), and He promised to return, giving us hope (John 14:1-6).

When our oldest son John Mark was three, Loree took him one day a week to a “Mother’s Day Out” program at a nearby church. Loree thought the time with other children would be good for him, and a day to run errands would be good for her. Since this was new to John Mark, Loree explained everything to him and assured him that she was coming back to get him. At lunchtime, Loree picked up John Mark and on the way home she asked him what they did. He briefly mentioned the projects he had worked on and went straight to talking about his naptime. He wanted to be sure Loree heard him say, “Mommie, at naptime I put my towel right beside the window. I kept looking outside hoping you would come for me.”

Though we wouldn’t admit it out loud, many of us as adults have felt just like John Mark. Some kind of change has made you uncomfortable. Though you are still busy with the various projects of your life, it’s when you are still that you truly long for Jesus to return. Well, just as Loree promised John Mark that she would return for Him, God has promised repeatedly in Scripture that Jesus will return for and with those that belong to Him.

Jesus’ return is mentioned 318 times in the New Testament. That’s impressive when you realize there are only 216 chapters in the New Testament. That means one out of every thirty verses speaks about the return of Jesus. All but five books of the New Testament address the return of Jesus. Three of those books are the one-chapter books of Philemon, 2 John, and 3 John.

Furthermore, if you think that Jesus’ promise to return only occurs in the New Testament, think again. Though Jude is a New Testament book, it makes an amazing Old Testament reference. Verses 14-16 state,

14 Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones 15 to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” 16 These men are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.

Enoch was just seven generations removed from Adam. He lived thousands of years before Jesus was even born. And yet, God divinely informed him of Jesus’ return.
God has made countless promises for thousands of years and has yet to break one. He’s been promising Jesus’ return since Enoch, and had reiterated it 318 times in the New Testament. No matter how many changes you may go through in life, one thing will never change—Jesus’ promise to return. What a blessed hope for broken hearts. What a daily hope for daily hurts. Jesus is coming!

God’s not Finished
“Don’t Stop Now”

I hope what I shared at the first has proven true, that talking about the second coming of Jesus hasn’t been as bad as you thought. Hopefully it has eliminated some of your fears of the unknown regarding the future. Furthermore, I pray that in a constantly changing world you have been reminded of this changeless hope—Jesus is coming! Yet I particularly pray that this talk about the second coming of Jesus has also encouraged you to serve Jesus faithfully till He comes. Since Jesus hasn’t returned yet, that means God’s not finished with His plan for reaching others. Therefore, neither should you.

It was inspiring to learn that God has informed us of His plan and reminded us of Jesus’ return not only to calm us but to also encourage us. Two of the passages explaining the rapture of the church emphasize this. After explaining the protocol of the rapture, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 ends with the charge, “Therefore encourage each other with these words.” After 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 explains how the rapture will occur in the twinkling of an eye, it ends by exhorting us, “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” And when you have grown tired serving Jesus while waiting for His return, James 5:7-8 implores you,

7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.

I was amused to read of a tourist in Northern Italy visiting the Villa Asconati. The castle grounds were immaculate. When the tourist learned that the owner of the castle hadn’t stepped foot on the grounds in over twelve years, they were even more impressed with the gardener’s work. Before leaving, the tourist approached the gardener and said, “You keep this garden in such fine condition, just as though you expected your master to come tomorrow.” The gardener quickly replied, “Today, Sir, I work as though he were coming today.”³

No longer ignorant of God’s plan, no longer hopeless of Jesus’ return, let’s each work as though Jesus were coming today.