Christ’s Second Coming: The Order of Events Copyright by Norman L. Geisler 2009

Christ’s Second Coming:The Order of Events

Christ’s Second Coming:The Order of Events

Copyright by Norman L. Geisler 2009

1. First, The Rapture1. First, The Rapture 1Thes. 4:15-17: “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. 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. 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.”

1Thes. 4:15-17: “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. 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. 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.”

1. First, The Rapture1. First, The Rapture 1. It is the time of “Jacob’s trouble” (Jer. 30:7), not the Church’s.

2. It was “determined” on Daniel’s “people” (Dan. 9:24) Israel, not on the Church.

3. The Church will be delivered from the wrath to come (1Thes. 5:9).

4. The “Church” is not mentioned on earth during the entire Tribulation period (Rev. 6-18).

5. Jesus promised to save the church from the time of tribulation to come (Rev. 3:10).

6. As an imminent and sign-less event (Phil. 4:5), Christ’s coming must be before the Tribulation signs begin.

7. It fits better with the fact of Christ coming for His saints is before He can later come with them (Rev. 19:11f. cf. Jude 14).

8. The Tribulation does not occur until the Spirit indwelt church is taken out of the way (2Thes. 2:7).

1. It is the time of “Jacob’s trouble” (Jer. 30:7), not the Church’s.

2. It was “determined” on Daniel’s “people” (Dan. 9:24) Israel, not on the Church.

3. The Church will be delivered from the wrath to come (1Thes. 5:9).

4. The “Church” is not mentioned on earth during the entire Tribulation period (Rev. 6-18).

5. Jesus promised to save the church from the time of tribulation to come (Rev. 3:10).

6. As an imminent and sign-less event (Phil. 4:5), Christ’s coming must be before the Tribulation signs begin.

7. It fits better with the fact of Christ coming for His saints is before He can later come with them (Rev. 19:11f. cf. Jude 14).

8. The Tribulation does not occur until the Spirit indwelt church is taken out of the way (2Thes. 2:7).

2. Then, Our Rewards2. Then, Our Rewards Revelation 22:12: “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with

Me, to give to everyone according to his work”

2 Cor. 5:10: “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.”

1Cor. 3:11-15: “If any man builds on this foundation[of Christ] using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.”

Revelation 22:12: “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work”

2 Cor. 5:10: “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.”

1Cor. 3:11-15: “If any man builds on this foundation[of Christ] using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.”

3. Back on Earth, the Tribulation3. Back on Earth, the Tribulation Daniel 9:24-27: “Seventy ‘sevens’ are decreed for your people and your

holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy. Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ [=69 X 7 or 483 years].... After...the Anointed One [=Messiah] will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come [the Anti-Christ] will destroy the city and the sanctuary.... He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven’ [years]. In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering.”

Daniel 9:24-27: “Seventy ‘sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy. Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ [=69 X 7 or 483 years].... After...the Anointed One [=Messiah] will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come [the Anti-Christ] will destroy the city and the sanctuary.... He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven’ [years]. In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering.”

3. The Tribulation (cont.)3. The Tribulation (cont.) The Tribulation: Two Parts

First half-- “ Beginning of sorrows” (Mt. 24:8)

Second half-- “the great Tribulation” (Mt. 24:21)

1. Anti-Christ claims to be God:

“Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God” (2Thes. 2:3-4).

The Tribulation: Two PartsFirst half-- “ Beginning of sorrows” (Mt. 24:8)



“Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God” (2Thes. 2:3-4).

3. Next, the Tribulation (cont.)3. Next, the Tribulation (cont.) The Tribulation: Two Parts




2. Mark of the Beast is Given:

“He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man’s number. His number is 666” (Rev. 13:16-18).





“He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man’s number. His number is 666” (Rev. 13:16-18).

3. The Tribulation (cont.)3. The Tribulation (cont.) The Tribulation: Two Parts





3. It Ends at the Battle of Armageddon:





3. It Ends at the Battle of Armageddon:

4. It Ends at the Battle of Armageddon: Rev. 16:12-18: “Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river

Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East. Then I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty. `Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.’ Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.”

4. It Ends at the Battle of Armageddon: Rev. 16:12-18: “Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river

Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East. Then I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty. `Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.’ Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.”

5. Next, Christ’s Return to Earth5. Next, Christ’s Return to Earth Zech. 14:1-4: “ I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem

to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city. Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights in the day of battle. On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south” (cf. Acts 1:10-11).

Zech. 14:1-4: “ I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city. Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights in the day of battle. On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south” (cf. Acts 1:10-11).

5. Christ’s Return to Earth (cont.) Rev. 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 scepter.’ 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.”

5. Christ’s Return to Earth (cont.) Rev. 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 scepter.’ 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.”

Rapture Second Coming

Before the Tribulation After the Tribulation





Meeting Them In the Air Taking Them to Earth







Coming for His saints Coming with His saints









Taking Believers to Heaven Bringing them back to Earth





Taking Believers to Heaven Bringing them back to Earth





Taking Believers to Heaven Bringing them back to Earth Gathering Believers to Himself Having Angels Gather Them

No Signs Many Signs





Taking Believers to Heaven Bringing them back to Earth Gathering Believers to Himself Having Angels Gather Them

No Signs Many Signs

6. Then, Judgment of the Nations6. Then, Judgment of the Nations Matt. 25:31-41: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and

all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world’…. Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels’”

Matt. 25:31-41: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world’…. Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels’”

7. After this, the Millennium7. After this, the Millennium Rev. 20:1-6: “And I saw an angel coming down out of

heaven.... He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.... I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge…. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life [first resurrection] and reigned with Christ a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life [second resurrection] until the thousand years were ended” (cf. Jn. 5:28-29).

Rev. 20:1-6: “And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven.... He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.... I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge…. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life [first resurrection] and reigned with Christ a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life [second resurrection] until the thousand years were ended” (cf. Jn. 5:28-29).

A Literal Millennial Reign is Supported By:1. The unconditional land promise to Abraham.2. The unconditional throne promise to David.3. The expectation of the kingdom by the prophets.4. The presentation of the kingdom by John. 5. The parable of the kingdom by Jesus. 6. The promise of Jesus to return and reign.7. The expectation of the disciples for Israel.8. The promise of restoration for Israel by Peter.9. The prediction of Israel’s re-engrafting by Paul.10. The need for the defeat of death and Satan.11. The millennium between two resurrections.12. The need for a restoration of Paradise.

A Literal Millennial Reign is Supported By:1. The unconditional land promise to Abraham.2. The unconditional throne promise to David.3. The expectation of the kingdom by the prophets.4. The presentation of the kingdom by John. 5. The parable of the kingdom by Jesus. 6. The promise of Jesus to return and reign.7. The expectation of the disciples for Israel.8. The promise of restoration for Israel by Peter.9. The prediction of Israel’s re-engrafting by Paul.10. The need for the defeat of death and Satan.11. The millennium between two resurrections.12. The need for a restoration of Paradise.

8. Then, The Great White Throne8. Then, The Great White Throne Rev. 20:11-15: “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was

seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

Rev. 20:11-15: “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

Two Different JudgmentsTwo Different Judgments Sheep and Goats Great White Throne

(Matthew 25) (Revelation 20)

Before the Millennium After the Millennium

Sheep and Goats Great White Throne






No Resurrection Mentioned Resurrection of Lost









No Books Opened Books Opened











Nations are Present Only Individuals are Present













Saved and Lost are Present Only the Lost are Present















Reward is Mentioned No Rewards are Mentioned

















Occurs on Earth Does not Occur on Earth



















Two Destinies: Heaven and Hell Only One Destiny: Hell










Two Destinies: Heaven and Hell Only One Destiny: Hell

9. The New Heaven and Earth (cont.)9. The New Heaven and Earth (cont.)• 2 Peter 3:10-13: “But the day of the Lord will

come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with a fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up…. Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”

• 2 Peter 3:10-13: “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with a fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up…. Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”

9. The New Heaven and Earth (cont.)9. The New Heaven and Earth (cont.)• Rev. 21:1-10: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for

the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, `Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away….”

• Rev. 21:1-10: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, `Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away….”

Millennium vs. New HeavenMillennium vs. New HeavenA Thousand Years Forever Begins and Ends Begins But Doesn’t EndTwo Resurrections No ResurrectionsSaved and Unsaved Only Saved Sin Exists No Sin ExistsDeath (by Discipline) No DeathSatan Loosed at End Satan Banished Forever Children Born No Children Born Sun and Moon No Sun or Moon A Temple There No Temple There(See Rev. 20-22; Isa. 11; Isa. 65; Eze 37; 1 Cor. 15:24-27)

A Thousand Years Forever Begins and Ends Begins But Doesn’t EndTwo Resurrections No ResurrectionsSaved and Unsaved Only Saved Sin Exists No Sin ExistsDeath (by Discipline) No DeathSatan Loosed at End Satan Banished Forever Children Born No Children Born Sun and Moon No Sun or Moon A Temple There No Temple There(See Rev. 20-22; Isa. 11; Isa. 65; Eze 37; 1 Cor. 15:24-27)

“Behold, I Come Quickly”“Behold, I Come Quickly”

“Behold, I Come Quickly”“Behold, I Come Quickly”We are not looking for signs but for the Savior!

We are not looking for the undertaker but for the upper-taker!

We are not looking for signs but for the Savior!

We are not looking for the undertaker but for the upper-taker!

When the Roll is Called Up YonderWhen the Roll is Called Up YonderWhen the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, And time shall be no more,And the morning breaks eternal bright and fair; When the saved on earth shall gatherOver on the other shore, And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, And time shall be no more,And the morning breaks eternal bright and fair; When the saved on earth shall gatherOver on the other shore, And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

When the Roll is Called Up YonderWhen the Roll is Called Up YonderWhen the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, And time shall be no more,And the morning breaks eternal bright and fair; When the saved on earth shall gatherOver on the other shore, And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.On that bright and cloudless morning, When the dead in Christ shall rise,And the glory of His resurrection share; When His chosen ones shall gatherTo their homes beyond the skies, And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, And time shall be no more,And the morning breaks eternal bright and fair; When the saved on earth shall gatherOver on the other shore, And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.On that bright and cloudless morning, When the dead in Christ shall rise,And the glory of His resurrection share; When His chosen ones shall gatherTo their homes beyond the skies, And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

The King is ComingThe King is ComingO the King is coming, the King is coming!

I just hear the trumpet sounding,

And now His face I see.

O the King is coming, the King is coming!

Praise God, He is coming for me!


I just hear the trumpet sounding,

And now His face I see.


Praise God, He is coming for me!

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Christ’s Second Coming: The Order of Events Copyright by Norman L. Geisler 2009