The Second Coming of Christ is plagued by many false teachings. Prediction books have even been written picking the exact day of Jesus' return. These books may sell many copies, but they mislead their readers. There's one guarantee: As soon as someone predicts the day or time of Jesus Christ's second coming, that prediction is wrong. Why? Because, only God the Father knows when it will be -- Jesus doesn't even know. Jesus told His disciples:

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father... Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with the hand mill; one will be taken and the other left... Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come" (Matthew 24:36, 40 & 42).

No One Knows When! God already knows every prediction regarding Jesus' return that has ever been or will ever be made. Since Jesus said that no one knows about that day but the Father, NO ONE KNOWS!

The Second Coming of Christ - Is this the Rapture?

The Second Coming of Christ and the event known as the Rapture are often confused. When reading the Bible, it is occasionally difficult to discover if a verse is talking about the Second Coming or the Rapture. It is very important to know how to differentiate between these two events.

The event known as the Rapture is when Jesus will return to remove all believers in Christ from the earth. You can find these events described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:50-54. The bodies of believers who have died will be resurrected. The believers who are still on earth will meet Jesus in the air. This event will happen quickly - the Bible says it will happen in the twinkling of an eye.

The Second Coming is the event when Jesus will return to destroy evil, defeat His enemy the antichrist. He will then establish His Millennial Kingdom. You can read about the Second Coming in Revelation 19:11-16: "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. 'He will rule them with an iron sceptre.' He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."

There are several important differences between the Rapture and Second Coming:

• During the Rapture, believers in Christ will join the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17). During the Second Coming, believers return with the Lord to the earth (Revelation 19:14).
• The Second Coming will take place after the great Tribulation period (Revelation 6-19), while the rapture occurs before the Tribulation. (1 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 3:10).
• The Rapture is the time when believers will be removed or delivered from the earth (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 5:9), while the Second Coming will remove unbelievers as an act of judgment (Matthew 24:40-41).
• The Rapture will happen in an instant (1 Corinthians 15:50-54). The Second Coming will be visible to all (Revelation 1:7; Matthew 24:29-30).
• The Second Coming of Christ will not happen until after certain other specified end times events take place (2 Thessalonians 2:4; Matthew 24:15-30; Revelation 6-18). The Rapture is imminent (Titus 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54). Although the Rapture and Second Coming are similar, they are separate events. It is very important to recognize their distinctions.

One of the foundations of the Christian faith is Jesus' return to rapture the church. It is spoken of by Jesus and many others in the Bible. Jesus will physically come again for all His believers.

As we get closer and closer to the return of Christ, there will be increasing and widespread doubt about whether Jesus even existed. People will also start wondering if God really exists and believers will leave the Christian faith (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4, 1 Timothy 4:1-2, and 2 Peter 2:1-3). We are already seeing these signs.