Relationship Between Rapture and Second Coming in Eschatology
The relationship between the rapture and the Second Coming is a contested topic in Christian eschatology, with different traditions offering varying interpretations. At the heart of the debate is whether the rapture and the Second Coming are distinct events or a single event described in different terms.
One position, associated with some Reformed and Baptist traditions, views the rapture as a distinct event preceding the Second Coming. This perspective often links the rapture to passages like 1 Thessalonians 4:17 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, although these are not directly cited in the sources. John Gill's commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:2 supports this view by interpreting Paul's experience as a type of rapture, suggesting a supernatural removal of believers from the earth [2].
In contrast, other traditions, including some Presbyterian and Protestant academic perspectives, argue that the rapture and the Second Coming are not separate events. For example, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown's commentary on Revelation 19:20 implies a single event, focusing on the final judgment and the return of Christ without distinguishing a prior rapture [3]. Similarly, Tyndale House's commentary on Luke 17:34 suggests that the separation described there occurs at the final judgment, not at a distinct rapture event [1].
The Catholic tradition, represented by Aquinas, discusses rapture in the context of spiritual experiences, such as Paul's, but does not necessarily link it to eschatological events in the same way as some Protestant interpretations. Aquinas views rapture as pertaining to the cognitive power, relating it to extraordinary spiritual experiences rather than specifically to end-time events [4].
Early Church Fathers like Tertullian also discussed the concept of being taken or translated without dying, referencing figures like Elias (Elijah), but their discussions do not directly address the modern debate about the rapture and Second Coming as separate events [6].
Despite these differences, all positions agree on the ultimate return of Christ and a final judgment. Charles Hodge's Systematic Theology outlines the events associated with the Second Coming, including the general resurrection and final judgment, without necessarily distinguishing a separate rapture event [5].
The divergence in interpretations stems from differing hermeneutical approaches to biblical texts and varying understandings of the nature and timing of Christ's return. While some see multiple events in the biblical narrative, others interpret the descriptions as different aspects of a single event. The complexity of biblical prophecy and the variety of eschatological expectations within Christianity contribute to the ongoing debate.
Sources
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 17:34: 17:34-35 one will be taken, the other left: Some consider this separation to refer to the Rapture of the church, but the parallels drawn to God’s judgment in the Flood and against Sodom (17:26-29), as well as the reference to vultures and a dead body (17:37), suggest that it occurs at the final judgment (see Mal 3:18; Matt 25:32).”
- 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 12:2: And I knew such a man,.... The same man, namely himself, is here designed, and the same rapture spoken of, and the condition he was in expressed in the same words: which repetition is made for the more strong affirmation of what he delivered, and to signify the marvellousness of this vision, and how surprising and unaccountable it was. And I knew such a man,.... The same man, namely himself, is here designed, and the same rapture spoken of, and the condition he was in expressed in the same words: which repetition is made for the more strong affirmation of what”
- Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 19:20: and with him the false prophet--A reads, "and those with him." B reads, "and he who was with him, the false prophet." miracles--Greek, "the miracles" (literally, "signs") recorded already (Rev 13:14) as wrought by the second beast before (literally, 'in sight of') the first beast. Hence it follows the second beast is identical with the false prophet. Many expositors represent the first beast to be the secular, the second beast to be the ecclesiastical power of Rome; and account for the change of title for the latter from the "other beast" to the”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), Of Rapture, Art. 2: Article: Whether rapture pertains to the cognitive rather than to the appetitive power? I answer that, We can speak of rapture in two ways. First, with regard to the term of rapture, and thus, properly speaking, rapture cannot pertain to the appetitive, but only to the cognitive power. For it was stated (Article [1]) that rapture is outside the inclination of the person who is rapt; whereas the movement of the appetitive power is an inclination to an appetible good. Wherefore, properly speaking, i”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 90: CHAPTER IV. THE CONCOMITANTS OF THE SECOND ADVENT. THE events which according to the common doctrine of the Church are to attend the second coming of Christ, are first, the general resurrection of the dead; second, the final judgment; third, “the end of the world;” and fourth, the consummation of the kingdom of Christ.”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 3: Tertullian — CHAP. XXXV.--THE OPINIONS OF CARPOCRATES, ANOTHER OFFSET FROM THE PYTHAGOREAN DOGMAS, STATED AND CONFUTED. (part 3): their metempsychosis, or transmigration theory, signifies the recall of the soul which had died long before, and its return to some other body. But Elias is to come again, not after quitting life (in the way of dying), but after his translation (or removal without dying); not for the purpose of being restored to the body, from which he had not departed, but for the purpose of revisiting the world from which he was translated; not by way of resuming a life”