The Rapture (Expanded Edition): Details of the Second Coming of Christ

The Rapture (Expanded Edition)

The Rapture (Expanded Edition)

Bill Vincent

Contents

Introduction

The Resurrection of the Dead

The Seventieth Week of Daniel

The Great Tribulation

These Events Must Precede the Rapture

This Is the Day of the Lord

The Day of the Lord: A Time of Wrath and Deliveran

Doctrinal Errors: The Pre-Tribulation Rapture and

The Return of Christ

The Shaky Ground of the Pre-Tribulation Doctrine

Study the Bible: The Restrainer and Michael’s Role

Satan’s Wrath and the Errors of Pre-Tribulation Do

Escaping Before the Great Tribulation? A Warning A

The Antichrist and the Mark of the Beast

Can a Person Be Saved After Death?

The Role of Israel in the End Times

How to Prepare for the Tribulation

The Millennial Reign and Eternity

About the Author

Copyright © 2025 by Bill Vincent

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

First Printing, 2025

Introduction

The return of Christ for His Church stands as one of the most profound and eagerly anticipated events in Christian theology. It is a doctrine that has captivated the hearts and minds of believers for centuries, inspiring hope, devotion, and a longing for the fulfillment of God’s promises. Yet, despite its centrality to the Christian faith, the teaching surrounding the second coming of Christ—often referred to as the rapture—has become a source of confusion, division, and even misinformation in modern times.

Much has been written and taught about the rapture, but not all of it aligns with the careful study of Scripture. Many popular teachings, particularly those promoting the pre-tribulation rapture doctrine, have gained widespread acceptance despite lacking a solid biblical foundation. These teachings, while well-intentioned, often rely on speculative interpretations, sensationalism, or a selective reading of the text. As a result, many believers have been led astray, forming beliefs that are not rooted in the full counsel of God’s Word.

This book is born out of a deep conviction to address these misunderstandings and to present a clearer, more biblically accurate perspective on the rapture. My goal is not to criticize for the sake of criticism, but to lovingly and diligently correct the most obvious errors of the pre-tribulation doctrine. At the same time, I aim to establish a solid foundation for understanding the truth of Christ’s return, as revealed in Scripture. This is not a task I take lightly, for the subject matter is of eternal significance.

In these pages, great care has been taken to follow the guidelines of Scripture and the principles of sound biblical interpretation. The method employed here is one of careful exegesis—examining the text precept upon precept and line upon line, as Isaiah 28:10 instructs. This approach ensures that each doctrine is built on the firm foundation of God’s Word, rather than on human tradition or conjecture. It is my firm belief that this method, which God Himself has revealed, is the most reliable way to understand His truth.

As you read this book, I encourage you to keep your Bible open and to follow along with the Scriptures referenced. Test what is written here against the Word of God, for the Bereans were commended for examining the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul taught was true (Acts 17:11). It is my hope and prayer that, as you do so, you will discover the clarity and beauty of God’s plan for His people.

This book is written for those who love truth and who desire to understand the deeper things of God. It is not intended to be an exhaustive theological treatise, but rather a clear and accessible presentation of biblical facts concerning the doctrine of the gathering together of Christ’s saints unto Himself. Whether you are a seasoned student of Scripture or new to the study of eschatology, I believe you will find this exploration both enlightening and encouraging.

The rapture is not merely a theological concept to be debated; it is a living hope that should inspire us to live holy, purposeful lives as we await our Lord’s return. My prayer is that this book will not only deepen your understanding of this vital doctrine but also stir your heart to greater faith, readiness, and anticipation for the day when we will see our Savior face to face.

1

The Resurrection of the Dead

To fully grasp the doctrine of the rapture, we must first understand other foundational teachings of Scripture. No single doctrine stands alone; each is interconnected, built precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little, and there a little (Isaiah 28:9-10). This method of study ensures that we interpret Scripture in its entirety, rather than isolating verses to fit preconceived ideas. The rapture, as a central eschatological event, must be examined in light of the whole counsel of God’s Word.

One such foundational doctrine is the resurrection of the dead. This teaching is not only pivotal to Christian hope but also intrinsically linked to the timing and nature of the rapture. Why is the resurrection of the dead so crucial to understanding the rapture? Because Scripture explicitly states that the dead in Christ will rise first, followed by those who are alive and remain at His coming (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). This sequence underscores the importance of comprehending the resurrection as a precursor to the rapture.

The Biblical Framework of Resurrection

The Bible speaks of resurrection as a central hope for believers. It is the promise that death is not the end but a transition to eternal life with Christ. However, not all resurrections are the same. Scripture distinguishes between individual resurrections, such as those of Lazarus (John 11:43-44), Enoch’s translation (Genesis 5:24), and Elijah’s ascension (2 Kings 2:11), and the mass resurrections that will occur at the end of the age. It is the latter—the mass resurrections—that are most relevant to our study of the rapture.

Some teachings propose as many as nine resurrections, creating a complex framework that often serves to justify specific eschatological views, such as the pre-tribulation rapture. However, such elaborate schemes lack scriptural support and can distort the simplicity and clarity of God’s Word. Instead, the Bible presents two primary mass resurrections: the resurrection of the just (also called the first resurrection) and the resurrection of the unjust (the second or final resurrection).

The Resurrection of the Just

The resurrection of the just is the resurrection of those who have died in Christ. This event is directly tied to the rapture, as described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. When Christ returns, the dead in Christ will rise first, and then those who are alive will be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air. This resurrection is referred to as the first resurrection in Revelation 20:4-6, where those who partake in it are described as blessed and holy, reigning with Christ for a thousand years.

The timing of the first resurrection is critical to understanding the rapture. If we can determine when the first resurrection occurs, we can better discern when the rapture takes place in relation to the tribulation period. Scripture provides clear evidence that the first resurrection includes those who endure the tribulation, as seen in Revelation 20:4. These are the souls of those who were beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and who refused to worship the beast or receive his mark. Their participation in the first resurrection confirms that they were present on earth during the tribulation, specifically during the reign of the antichrist.

The Resurrection of the Unjust

In contrast to the resurrection of the just, the resurrection of the unjust occurs after the thousand-year reign of Christ. Revelation 20:11-15 describes this final resurrection, where the dead who did not partake in the first resurrection are raised to face the Great White Throne judgment. This resurrection is one of condemnation, as those who are raised are judged according to their works and cast into the lake of fire.

The distinction between these two resurrections is clear: the first is for believers and results in eternal life, while the second is for unbelievers and results in eternal condemnation. This dichotomy is echoed in John 5:28-29, where Jesus speaks of the resurrection of life and the resurrection of damnation, and in Acts 24:15, where Paul affirms his hope in the resurrection of both the just and the unjust.

The Timing of the Rapture

Given the biblical evidence, we can conclude that the rapture occurs after the tribulation. The first resurrection, which includes the dead in Christ and those who endure the tribulation, takes place at the end of the tribulation period. This aligns with the post-tribulation view of the rapture, which holds that believers will be gathered to Christ after the great tribulation has concluded.

This understanding resolves much of the confusion surrounding the timing of the rapture. Popular teachings such as the pre-tribulation and mid-tribulation rapture theories often fail to account for the scriptural evidence linking the first resurrection to the tribulation period. By examining the Bible’s clear teaching on the resurrection of the dead, we can confidently affirm that the rapture occurs after the tribulation, in conjunction with the first resurrection.

Revelation 7:9-14 and the Timing of the Rapture

In Revelation 7:9-14, we encounter a breathtaking vision of a great multitude standing before the throne of God and the Lamb. This multitude, which no one can number, consists of people from every nation, tribe, and tongue. They are clothed in white robes, holding palm branches, and crying out in worship: Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb! (Revelation 7:10). When asked about the identity of this multitude, one of the elders explains, "These are the ones who come out of the