Eschatology The Day of Christ

The Day of the Lord, is quite different from the Day of Christ The Day of the Lord, is quite different from the Day of Christ. The Day of the Lord is a sustained period of cataclysmic judgment beginning with the Tribulation and ending with the final destruction of the earth. The Day of Christ consistently refers to the strategic event commonly called the Rapture. (1 Cor. 1:4-9; 5:5; Phil. 1:3-11; 2:14-16; 2 Th. 2:1,2) In each of these contexts, the discussions centers on the well-being of believers. The event to which all desire is directed is a glad day when the church will be called out of the world to be with Christ.

The Challenge of the Day of Christ Watch for the coming of Christ (Matt. 24:42) Wait for His coming (1 Cor. 1:7) Look for His coming (Tit. 2:13) Hope for His coming (1 Pet. 1:13) Love His appearing (2 Tim. 4:8) Faithful until He comes (1 Tim. 6:14; 1 Pet. 1:7) Patient in waiting for His coming (Jam. 5:7,8).

Rapture is the Latin translation of “caught up” (1 Th. 4:17)

A Certain Event There are hundreds of references to the Second Coming of Christ in the New Testament. While careful study must be made of each context to determine which phase of His coming is being discussed, there is no question in any of the contexts as to the fact of His Coming. In fact, if the coming of Christ is not a certain event, based upon the resurrection of Christ from the grave, there is no basis to believe anything that the Bible says. (1 Cor. 15:12-23)

An Anticipated Event Every admonition to the Church to live in accordance with the truth of the holiness of God (1 Peter 1:13-16), to offer up the believer’s life as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1,2), and to redeem the time (Ephesians 5:16), is for the express purpose of living in an anticipation of being ready for the coming of Christ.

Like Israel’s sudden departure from Egypt, the church is to maintain a readiness for the Rapture. (Ex. 12:11; 1 John 2:28)

A Secret Event There are no signs or warnings by which the day and time can be pinpointed. Since the Rapture affects only believers, there is no reason to expect unbelievers to be conscious of the event at the time it transpires. We do not have Scriptural warrant for thinking that the graves will be disrupted. No doubt political leaders will be pressed to explain the disappearances.

Enoch (Gen. 5:24; Heb. 11:5) and Elijah (2 Ki. 2:1-12). Christ ascended in the sight of the disciples and numerous other people (Acts 1:9-11).

A Sudden Event The word quickly (taxu) appears six times in the book of the Revelation (2:5,16; 3:11; 11:14; 22:7,12,20). In each context the emphasis is not upon immediacy but upon speed. Though the coming of Christ is imminent, it will also be very sudden. The entire process will happen with such speed, the inhabitants of the earth will not know what has happened. (1 Th. 15:52)

A Comforting Event Too many Christians are too comfortable in a world that is no friend of grace. The aftermath of culminating apostasy will and does increasingly make thoughtful believers uncomfortable. The pitched battle with unbelief and its horrific impact in the culture causes thoughtful Christians to recognize that we truly do not belong there.(1 Pet. 2:11)

Recognizing the rise of lawlessness in anticipation of the appearance of the “lawless one” along with the rapid decline of any sense of morality and decency makes us weary of this life and longing for another, far better one. (Phi. 1:21-23). As the number of loved ones increase on the other side, our attachments to this life lessen. Our desire to be with Christ increases. We comfort ourselves that He is coming and we and our saved friends and loved ones will be with Him forever. (1 Th. 4;13-18; Jam. 5:7,8)