The rapture is not considered the “Second Coming”. Here’s how it’s rightly divided from a Pretribulational viewpoint:
The Rapture – Jesus comes for His Church
•This is a meeting in the air, not a descent to Earth (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17).
•Jesus doesn’t touch down; believers are caught up to meet Him in the clouds.
•It is imminent, secret, and without warning (John 14:3; 1 Corinthians 15:51–52).
•Happens before the Tribulation (Revelation 3:10).
The Second Coming – Jesus comes with His saints
•This is when Jesus physically returns to the Earth, specifically to the Mount of Olives (Zechariah 14:4).
•It is visible, dramatic, and accompanied by judgment (Revelation 19:11–16).
•Happens at the end of the Tribulation.
So rather than seeing these as the 2nd and 3rd comings, it’s best to see them as two phases of the one Second Coming:
•Phase 1: Rapture (for His Bride)
•Phase 2: Glorious Return (with His army)
“At the Rapture, He comes in the air for His saints. At the Revelation, He comes to the earth with His saints.” –
Dr. John Walvoord