Just a quick thought that I felt had to be stated in view of the recent discussion we had with a commenter regarding the rapture of the church.
- The Old Testament emphasizes the millennial reign of Christ
- The Gospels emphasize the second coming which ushers in the millennial reign of Christ
- The Epistles emphasize the rapture
- The Revelation emphasizes the Great Tribulation
If you keep this little chart in mind it will be easier to keep the prophetic time line organized in your study. For example, it is extremely helpful when dealing with a passage like Luke 17:20-37. Since that passage is in the Gospels, it probably deals with the second coming of Christ to earth. The ones “taken” and the ones “left” are expressions dealing with the separation that will take place when Christ returns to earth.
The Epistles make references to the “Day of Christ,” which usually indicates the rapture.
1 Corinthians 1:7-8
7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 5:5
To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
2 Corinthians 1:14
As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are our’s in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Philippians 1:10
That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.
Philippians 2:16
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
I keep a copy of that little chart, written on an index card, in my Bible as a book mark. Very helpful!
