The question of whether a pre-tribulation rapture creates two separate comings of Christ is an important one to consider. At first glance, it may seem that believing in a rapture before the tribulation period does split Christ’s return into two events. However, a closer look reveals that this view actually aligns well with Scripture and maintains the unity of Christ’s second coming.
Understanding the Rapture and Second Coming
To address this question, we need to first understand what the Bible teaches about the rapture and Christ’s second coming:
- The rapture refers to when Christ will suddenly remove believers from earth to meet Him in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
- The second coming is when Christ physically returns to earth to defeat His enemies and establish His kingdom (Revelation 19:11-16).
While these may appear to be separate events, they are actually two phases of the same coming of Christ.
One Coming in Two Stages
Rather than creating two separate comings, the pre-tribulation view sees Christ’s return as one event in two stages:
- The rapture of believers before the tribulation
- The visible return of Christ with His saints after the tribulation
This two-phase coming is similar to how Christ’s first coming had multiple stages – His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension were all part of His first advent.
Biblical Support for a Two-Phase Coming
Several passages support the idea of Christ’s return having more than one aspect:
- In John 14:2-3, Jesus says He will come again to receive believers to Himself. This seems to describe the rapture.
- Matthew 24:30 depicts Christ coming on the clouds in power and glory, which aligns with the second coming.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 describes the rapture, while Zechariah 14:4 portrays Christ’s feet touching down on the Mount of Olives at His return.
These passages show different facets of Christ’s coming without contradicting each other.
The Purpose of the Two Phases
The two phases serve distinct purposes in God’s plan:
- The Rapture:
- Removes the Church before God’s wrath is poured out
- Fulfills Christ’s promise to receive believers to Himself
- Occurs suddenly and unexpectedly
- The Second Coming:
- Defeats the Antichrist and establishes Christ’s kingdom
- Fulfills Old Testament prophecies about Messiah’s reign
- Is preceded by signs and occurs at a known time
These different purposes explain why Christ’s return is described in varying ways in Scripture.
Maintaining the Unity of Christ’s Coming
While recognizing two phases, the pre-tribulation view still maintains the essential unity of Christ’s return:
- Both phases involve the same Person – Jesus Christ
- Both fulfill aspects of biblical prophecy about His coming
- Both are part of God’s end-times plan
The phases are separated by the seven-year tribulation period, but they remain connected as one coming.
Addressing Common Objections
Some argue that a pre-tribulation rapture contradicts verses saying Christ will come “once” to deal with sin (Hebrews 9:28). However:
- This verse refers to Christ’s sacrificial work, not the manner of His return
- “Once” emphasizes the finality of His atonement, not the singularity of His second coming
Others claim the pre-trib view invents a “secret” coming not found in Scripture. But:
- The rapture is clearly taught in passages like 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
- While sudden, it’s not “secret” – the whole world will know it happened
Historical Perspective
The concept of Christ’s coming having multiple facets is not new. Early church father Pseudo-Ephraem (c. 4th-6th century) wrote:
“All the saints and elect of God are gathered, prior to the tribulation that is to come, and are taken to the Lord lest they see the confusion that is to overwhelm the world because of our sins.”
This shows that the idea of a pre-tribulation rapture has historical precedent.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the pre-tribulation rapture view does not create two separate comings of Christ. Rather, it recognizes the complexity of His return as revealed in Scripture. By seeing the rapture and second coming as two phases of one event, we maintain the unity of Christ’s coming while accounting for the various ways it’s described in the Bible.
This understanding allows us to eagerly await Christ’s imminent return for His church while also anticipating His glorious appearing to establish His kingdom. As we study these truths, may we be encouraged to live in light of His coming, whenever and however it unfolds.
