I want to introduce to you another way of looking at Jesus’ return. Jesus’ coming is a singular event. When we speak of Jesus’ first coming, we think of the announcement of His birth to Mary, the incarnation in Bethlehem, His temple teaching at age 12, His growing up, His baptism by John, His public ministry, His crucifixion, His resurrection, and His ascension. His second coming will include the rise of the antiChrist, the birth pangs spoken of by Jesus in Matthew 24, the great tribulation after the antiChrist desecrates the temple, the resurrection of those who have died in Christ, the rapture of the church, the Day of the Lord, judgment on the wicked with the trumpet and bowl judgments, His physical return to Jerusalem in glory and power, and His establishing His millennial kingdom. Of the 17 times the word coming is used in connection with the return of Christ, it is used only in the singular and always with a definite article or personal pronoun (i.e., thy coming, the coming, or His coming). So again, there is a sequence of events in the second coming of Christ. That sequence includes the rapture of the church. The rapture of the church is a part of the second coming of Christ! Resources: Sermon Notes: Victory Church Notes Get Pastor Mitch's New Book "An Appointment with God's Power": Order on Amazon Website: victorychurchraleigh.com Subscribe to our Weekly Podcast!