(OPINION) Do you realize that as New Testament saints, we will take part in the most spectacular event that the world will ever see? Nothing in the history or future of our planet is even remotely comparable to the astonishing sight of Jesus’ future return to the world in great glory and power.
Revelation 19 begins with thunderous praise for our Savior followed by our celebration with Him at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Then, “arrayed in fine linen, white and pure,” we will follow Jesus back to earth riding on white horses (Revelation 19:11-16) and reign with Him during His thousand-year rule over the nations (Revelation 20:1-10).
John’s vision of things to come in Revelation 20 brings to life what the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:24-28: “Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.“
According to the above verses, Jesus must govern the affairs of humanity at a time when sin and death exist so that He might subject “all things” to Himself.
It’s only after Jesus’ reign over the nations, which leads to the Great White Throne judgment recorded in Revelation 20:11-15, that death forever disappears and we have the conditions described in Revelation 21:4 when mourning, crying, and pain will no longer exist.
This scenario contradicts the teachings of our day that combine the Rapture with the Second Coming. These viewpoints not only negate the possibility of our thrilling return with Jesus at His return, but also contradict the words Paul penned in 1 Corinthians 15:24-28. Why do I make such a startling claim? Let me explain.
Some Bible students combine the Rapture and Second Coming and yet claim to believe in a literal seven-year tribulation and thousand-year reign of Jesus.
However, this teaching not only falls far short of adequately fulfilling the words of 1 Corinthians 15:24-28, but also negates significant elements of Jesus’ millennial reign, which they claim to believe.
First, combining the two events eliminates the possibility of sin during Jesus’ reign. How can the rebellion recorded in Revelation 20:7-10 happen if everyone enters the Millennium with incorruptible bodies incapable of sinning?
Who would refuse to participate in the Feasts of Booths if such disobedience was impossible during this time (Zechariah 14:16-19)?
Second, placing the Rapture after the Tribulation negates the separation of Israel and the Church, a key component of modern-day Premillennialism (the belief in a literal thousand-year reign of Jesus).
Many Old Testament passages promise a visible restored kingdom to the Jewish people. However, combining the Rapture and Second Coming makes Israel a part of the raptured church at the time of Jesus’ return rather than the separate entity that God’s Word teaches.
Third, what would be the purpose of Millennium if the words of the words of 1 Corinthians 15:24-28 reach fulfillment before Jesus returns?
This passage necessitates that Jesus rule at a time when sin and death are possible, which can’t happen if one combines the Rapture and Second Coming because everyone would enter the kingdom with immortal bodies incapable of sinning.
This viewpoint forces the fulfillment of these verses back to the church era, which is the position of those who deny that Jesus will reign for a thousand years.
The Church’s return to earth with Jesus is a necessity because combing the Second Coming with the Rapture doesn’t allow for sin and death in the Millennium nor does it fit with the restoration of a kingdom for Israel since the Jewish people would meet Jesus in the air along with all the other members of the New Testament Church. CONTINUE
