Appendix 2.6.2: Clarification on the Two Phases of Christ’s Return
This doctrinal statement reflects a premillennial and pretribulational interpretation of eschatology. According to 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout… and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up… to meet the Lord in the air.” This is understood as the rapture — the first phase of Christ’s return, when He gathers His church to Himself before the tribulation.
The second phase follows a literal seven-year tribulation, during which God pours out judgment on the earth (cf. Daniel 9:27; Revelation 6–18). Christ then returns visibly with His saints (Rev. 19:14), defeats His enemies, and establishes a literal one-thousand-year kingdom (Rev. 20:2–6). At the end of this millennium, Revelation 20:10 tells us that “the devil… shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever” after one final rebellion.
The judgment of believers occurs at the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10), which takes place after the rapture and is for reward, not condemnation. The Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11–15) is reserved for the lost and follows the millennial kingdom.
This position preserves the sequential clarity taught in Scripture and affirms Christ’s literal, victorious return as the blessed hope of the church (Titus 2:13).
The second phase follows a literal seven-year tribulation, during which God pours out judgment on the earth (cf. Daniel 9:27; Revelation 6–18). Christ then returns visibly with His saints (Rev. 19:14), defeats His enemies, and establishes a literal one-thousand-year kingdom (Rev. 20:2–6). At the end of this millennium, Revelation 20:10 tells us that “the devil… shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever” after one final rebellion.
The judgment of believers occurs at the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10), which takes place after the rapture and is for reward, not condemnation. The Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11–15) is reserved for the lost and follows the millennial kingdom.
This position preserves the sequential clarity taught in Scripture and affirms Christ’s literal, victorious return as the blessed hope of the church (Titus 2:13).