Part 5 – Christ As Seen In His Three Comings

This Article is part of a multi-part Study Series called The Rapture of "the Church, Which is His Body," Dispensationally Considered.

Most briefly, these below are the three (3) comings of Jesus Christ from heaven, excluding His theophanys.

  1. All believers recognize Christ’s 1st coming to earth was as Jesus of Nazareth. when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law (Mosaic Law),” (Gal 4:4).
  2. Next, the Lord Jesus Christ will come from heaven at the Rapture the “body of Christ” who will meet the Lord in the Air.”  The Old English word ‘Rapture’ is used for Greek “harpazo,” meaning to “seize” or “snatch away.” The Modern English phrase is “caught up” as seen in the KJV.

The Protestants introduced the Old English word “rapture,” taking it from the Latin ‘raeptius,’ derived from Jerome's Latin Vulgate translation for the Greek verb ‘harpazo,’ which was used by the Apostle Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in writing 1Thes. 4:17.

“Then we which are alive and remain shall becaught up’ (raptured) together with them (the raised dead) in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17)

  1. About seven years after ‘the Rapture’ Christ will literally come to the earth as “King of kings and Lord of lords” (1Tim 6:15) in His 2nd coming, setting His feet on “the Mount of Olives” (Act 1:11).

Christ will return to earth only after The Father has made His enemies His footstool (Psa 110:1) by Tribulation judgments. Many confuse Jesus’ words in Matt. 24 and Luke 21 that pertain to Christ’s 2nd coming to earth, wrongly thinking they refer to ‘the Rapture.’ Christ will come to save believing humanity from physical annihilation (Matt 24:22). Christ is coming “in wrath” to judge the world and then rule “with a rod of iron” in the Millennium. The O.T. Patriachs, saints, and the Martyrs will be resurrected (Rev 20:5-6) to co-reign with Christ in the Millennial kingdom and blessing the believing survivors of the Tribulation; “in thee (Abraham) shall all the families of the earth be blessed (Gen. 12:3).

Jesus here below quotes two sets of verses taken from Isaiah. Each set reveals His two comings to the Nation Israel… on earth, even though these two comings are separated by more than 2,000 years.

The verses below record Jesus’ words when He began His ministry on earth to the Nation Israel as “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus here in Luke 4:18-21 quotes Isa 61:1 – 2 (below) but He STOPS the quote, NOT quoting the 2nd half of Isaiah 61:2, which will take place about 2,000 years later, with His 2nd coming in wrath.

Luke 4:18-21 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

20 And he Closed the Book, and he gave it again to the minister, and Sat Down.

And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 And he began to say unto them,

This Day Is This Scripture (up to Isa 61:2a Only) Fulfilled In Your (Israel’s) Ears.

As noted, Jesus did not complete the Isaiah quote below, which would have continued with words in the 2nd half of Isaiah 61:2b that concern His later return in Vengeance.”

Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;…Isaiah 2a “To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD…”

Isaiah 2b “…and The Day of Vengeance of Our God; to comfort all (the believers) that mourn;”

Note in Isa 61:2b (above) that He will come again a 2nd time in “VENGEANCE to judge the world and save Israel, thus ending the 7-year Tribulation period of Judgments. Christ will then bind Satan in the pit and set up His Millennial (1,000 year) Kingdom Reign on earth “with a rod of iron” (Rev 19:5).

Now consider something similar in Isaiah 9:6-7. Note again how these two verses below indicate two ages and the two comings of Christto earth. Isa. 9:6 (below) concerns His 1st coming as Jesus of Nazareth, the babe born in a manger, to then die for the sins of the whole world as “the Lamb of God.”

Isa. 9:6 unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Then Isaiah 9:7 (below) continues from the “child born” and the “son given” in Isaiah 9:6BUT now refers to Christ’s 2nd coming. This will take place more than 2,000 years later than His 1st coming of Isaiah 9:6. He will come the 2nd time as the “King of Kings and Lord of lords” to set up “His government” and His Millennial Reign on earth; and then reign in Eternal Kingdom on the “New Earth.”

Isa 9:7 Of the increase of His Government and peace there shall be No End, upon the throne of (King) David, and upon his KINGDOM, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even FOR EVER. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

During the more than 2,000 year gaps noted in these 2-part scriptures listed above, God has inserted His secretly planned “the dispensation of the grace of God” for the Gentiles. This gap, in which we enjoy His grace today, will end with the Rapture of “the body of Christ” when “the fulness of the Gentiles has come in” (cf. Rom 11:25). It’s only then that Christ will return in “vengeance” and “wrath’ at His 2nd coming to save Israel and set up His Millennial reign on earth.

Thus the ‘Rapture’ of “the body of Christ” and His 2nd coming are two distinctly different events that occur after His first coming to earth by His incarnation and birth as “the Son of man” to suffer and die as “the lamb of God” for “the sins of the world.” By the offering of Jesus Christ God had reconciled all lost men to Himselfif they will only “receive Him (receive Jesus by faith) (Jn 1:12) as God’s propitiatory sacrifice, dying to pay the sin-debt of all men.

Actually, at the time Paul wrote of what we call ‘the Rapture’ the believers at Thessalonica were NOT concerned with Antichrist or the Tribulation judgments. The text indicates their concern was for their loved ones which sleep in Jesus” (1Thes 4:14), having died as believers in Christ as their Savior; thinking they may have missed ‘the Rapture.’ You see, there had been some people saying “the resurrection (Rapture) is past” (2Tim 2:18). We also read of these deceivers in 2Thess 1:6-8. This was shaking their faith, being their concerned that who “sleep (died)” may have miss out on being “caught up…to meet the Lord in the air.” Therefore, in 1Thes 4:13-18 Paul is addressing the Thessalonian’s concern for their deceased loved ones.

Thus we see that the ‘Rapture’ applies to both the dead and living believers. The Rapture is among the most glorious events that God has promised for the members of “the church, which is His body.” The word “church” is the Greek “ekklesia,” meaning “a called out assembly or gathering of citizens.” The members of the only genuine church in this age of grace are those of the unique “church, which is His body” (Eph 1:22-23). All church members have their real home and their citizenship in heaven(Philipp. 3:20-21). They will ultimately be Raptured to dwell and reign with Him in eternal in the heaven” (2Cor 5:1b). Paul says the living and the dead believers will be “caught up together to “ever be with the Lord” in heaven (1Thes 4:17).

The Raptured of BODY of Christ” has Christ as the HEAD of the BODY (Col 1:18), NOT as the ‘bridegroom of the Body.’ Israel is espoused to Christ, to be “Lamb’s wife” (Rev 21:9). Israel will have Christ as the soon coming bridegroom (see below). In fact the Lord’s most repeated accusation against Israel was her ‘spiritual adultery’ in departing from her true “husband” (below), having false lovers among the idols of the heathen,

“Turn, O backsliding children (of Israel), saith the Lord, for I am married unto you;” “surely as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so ye have dealt treacherously with me, 0 house of Israel.” (Jeremiah 3:14, 30, See also Isaiah 54:4-8; Hosea 2:19-20, Rev 19:7-8).

The whole second chapter of Hosea concerns the unfaithfulness of Israel toward God as His ‘betrothed.’ The Lord then says, I will betroth (marry) thee (Israel) unto me For Ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies.” (Hosea 2:19)  

At the end of the 7-yr Tribulation the living kingdom believers under “the Law,” and with the promises given to Israel, will enter the Millennium alive. Thus Paul wrote, “All Israel will be saved” (Rom 11:26a). They will join with the Tribulation martyrs and O.T. faithful and Patriachs of Israel returning from the Paradise of heaven (cf. Rev 17:14), who will be joined to their glorious resurrected spirit-bodies to “co-reign with Him” (Rev 5:10) on earth forever.

By contrast, the Raptured the body of Christ” consists of ALL the genuine believers who are “saved by grace through faith… not of works” (Eph 2:8-9) during today’s “dispensation of the (100%) grace of God” (Eph 3:2). Salvation during today’s pure grace age has absolutely nothing to do with any denominational affiliation or involvement in any hierarchical, mediatorial, religious system requirements of men. Our salvation is Totally Apart From Any Religious Requirement of Works, Ceremonies, Rites or Rituals. If one has faith in Christ alone as their Savior, making them a member of “His body,” then any particular denominational religious affiliation is totally irrelevant, adding nothing to our salvation. Actually, the church systems of men often set bounds that keep believers from genuinely coming to know and grow in an intimate grace relationship with Christ.

Then also Paul says believers should conduct their daily walk in grace.

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord (by grace), so (also) walk ye in him: (Col 2:6).

Some genuine believers unnecessarily have an affiliation with a manmade religious organization, but unlike membership an organization, each genuine believer is already one of the “many members” (1Cor 12:12) of the real “church, which is His body” (Eph 1:22b-23a). Christ is alive in each “member” of “His body,” just as life floods our physical body’ making it One Living ORGANISM consisting of many members. Christ directs each “member” by His indwelling “Spirit,” as the Head of the Body(Col 1:18).

Only a trusting faith in Christ has the power to save us and then also to nourish, guide and grow us in  union with Him. Salvation is freely given to ALL who would Trust In Christ who then becomes their life and source of supply for daily living in peace and rest.

During the earlier dispensational ages of “Promise” and “Law,” Israel was set by God above all people” (Exo 19:5, Deut 7:6, cf., Deut 28:1, Jer. 1:10) so long as they kept “the Law.” Then Jesus of Nazareth came saying He had specifically come only to, and He was speaking only to the Nation of Israel.

“But he (Jesus) answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Matt 15:24)

Jesus instructed His twelve Apostles likewise (not Paul). These twelve (Apostles) Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, GO NOT into the way of THE GENTILES, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6 But GO RATHER TO THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL.”(Matt 10:5-6).

But today, since Israel’s fall(Rom 11:11-12) to the level of Gentiles, Israel is no longer set ‘above,’ but rather on an equal footing with lost Gentiles (cf. Rom 3:10, 23). Today Israel’s prophesied program and promise of a restored the Davidic kingdom on earth has been temporarily set aside, put in abeyance. Today we live in the dispensational age of pure “grace,” what Paul calls “the mystery (musterion)” that had been kept secret since the world began.”

“to him that is of power to stablish you according to my (Paul’s) gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the Revelation Of The MYSTERY, Which Was Kept Secret Since The World Began (Rom 16:25)

The “MYSTERY” Paul references above concerns Christ recovering ALL believing mankind since both Jews and Gentiles are seen as Gentiles since the ‘fall and diminishing’ of Israel (cf. Rom. 11:10-12).

the DIMINISHING of them (Israel) the riches of the Gentiles” (Rom. 11:12b)

The “revelation of the mystery” of this age of pure grace concerns ALL the members of “the body of Christ,” consisting of ALL the genuine grace believing Jews and Gentiles, but now WITHOUT DISTINCTION AS TO RACE! Today ALL men are equal in “the body of Christ”; hence today there is no such thing as a ‘Messianic Christian’ any more than there is an ‘Italian Christian.’ Grace age Christians are of ALL Races. “there is Neither Jew, Nor Gentile, ALL ARE ONE IN CHRIST” (Gal 3:28).

How exactly does one today become a partaker of Christ’s eternal resurrection life and His nature?

The answer is that any person who believes to receive Christ as Savior during this age of grace and in “the ages to come” becomes a partaker of His life & nature. Christ’s own resurrected eternal “Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” is the believer’s new and eternal “LIFE” (Gk., Zoë, the eternal spirit-life of Christ). “… Now If Any Man Have Not The Spirit of Christ, He Is None of His.” (Rom 8:9b) “… God hath given to us Eternal Life, And This Life Is In His Son. 12 He That Hath The Son Hath Life; and he that hath NOT the Son of God hath NOT life. (1Jn 5:11-12).

Paul’s thirteen epistles explain the personal or subjective experience of “… the mystery (Gk., musterion, God’s secret plan), which is CHRIST IN YOU the HOPE (confident expectation) of GLORY (Col 1:27).  Peter writes that God has “given unto us (believers) exceeding great and precious promises: (so) that by these ye might be partakers of the Divine Nature…” (2 Pet 1:4).

During today’s age of grace, God is still adding members to the “body of Christ” by literally dispensing the resurrected Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:2a) into every believer’s human spirit of man(Zech 12:1). These two spirits become “ONE spirit” (1Cor 6:17) in believers. Anyone who will believe will immediately be “regenerated” in their spirit (cf. Tit 3:5), becoming “a new creature in Christ” (2Cor 5:17) and a member of “His body.” “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the (His) Spirit is (your) spirit (Jn 3:6). First there is a natural flesh birth, then a spiritual rebirth (cf. 1Cor 15:46). Adam’s Sin-infection brought death to all men, BUT this is fully reversed by Christ’s Eternal  LIFE IN the believer’s spirit.  

Paul’s “mystery” gospel includes its “hope of glory” by the ‘Rapture’ the members of “the body of Christ” to eternal “glory.” Christ will ultimately bring each genuine believer to dwell with Him in eternal glory.”  The full expression of our eternal “hope of glory” will appear when we dwell “Eternal In The Heavens.”

“… we (believers) know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle (our body) were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, ETERNAL IN THE HEAVENS.” (2 Cor 5:1)

(Christ) SHALL CHANGE (Gk., metaschematizo, transfigure) OUR VILE BODY, that it may BE FASHIONED LIKE unto HIS GLORIOUS BODY (Philip 3:21a)

The departure of the ‘spirit’ from the physical body is the Biblical definition of physical “death” (cf. James 2:26a). Immediately upon death the believer’s regenerated spirit is with the Lord.”  Paul wrote that We are confident… to be absent from the body, and (is) to be present with the Lord.” (2 Cor. 5:8). So upon death, our regenerated spirit and soul are immediately “with the Lord.” Unless we are Raptured first, our body will temporarily return to “dust.”Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the (man’s) SPIRIT shall RETURN UNTO GOD who gave it.” (Eccl. 12:7, the “breath’ of life” (Gen 2:7) is the “spirit of man” Zech 12:1). Thus we will be completely renewed in spirit, soul, and body as a “new creation in Christ” (2Cor 5:17).

At the Rapture all believers will receive their new, Sinless, incorruptible, spirit-body… to then be joined to our already regenerated spirit and renewed soul. (cf. Titus 3:5)

“Behold, I shew you a mystery; we shall not all sleep (die), but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:51-55)

  • So the Rapture concerns the catching away of ALL the dead and the living members of the Gentile “body of Christ,” who have been saved during this age the pure grace of God, ‘by grace and through faith alone, in Christ alone.’ They will dwell “with Him… eternal in the heaven” (2Cor 5:1b)
  • In 1Thess. 4:13-18 Paul writes of the promise that one day soon, at the shout,” followed by the voice of the archangel (Michael),” followed by “the trump of God (not the Revelation trumpets but the voice of God).” Jesus will come “in the clouds” to meet and gather us unto Himself “in the air.”  The “clouds” are to shield those left behind from “the brightness of His coming” (2Thes 2:8); we will see Him as He is in all His glory. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory(Col 3:4).

The Rapture is only written of by Paul as “THE Apostle to the Gentiles” (Rom 11:13) in his epistles to the members of the Gentile “church, which is His body” to whom the Rapture applies. Paul concludes his words regarding the Rapture of “the body of Christ” with; “Wherefore COMFORT ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS.” (1Thess 4:18). We should beware of anyone robbing us of the security of knowing Him and the expectation of being Raptured to heaven with Him. “God hath not appointed us to (His) wrath” (1Thes 5:9).