Luke17 verses 22-37 (excluding verse 25). Is it about Christ’s 2nd coming or the rapture?

In Luke 17:20-37, Jesus answers the Pharisees’ question on “when the kingdom of God should come”. Rather than addressing the time feature, Jesus chooses to focus his response on the manner of his second coming.

The Scriptures seem to present the topic of the second coming from two different perspectives, which at a first glance may appear contradictory:

1. The kingdom comes “not with observation” (verse 20) and the kingdom “comes as a thief in the night” (2 Thessalonians 5:2) when he comes to gather his saints (Mark 13:27).

2. He comes as the lightening (Luke 17:24); he comes “with a great sound of trumpet” (Matthew 24:31); and he “comes with ten thousands of his saints” (Jude 14).

These Scriptures can be harmonized when we understand that Jesus’ second presence includes a work of preparation for the setting-up his kingdom. Initially, the world is unaware of the signs of his presence, but these signs can be discerned by watchful Christians. A special work of separation (the wheat and the tares parable) will take place and Jesus will have a final reckoning with his servants. Hence the words “one will be taken and one shall be left” (verse 34) indicate that some will be privileged to be led out of the worldly systems with their impending destruction to a condition of enlightenment and protection.

Thus Jesus gives the sign: “as it was in the days of Noah, so will be in the days of the Son of Man” (Luke 17:26) and “likewise as it was in the days of Lot” (verse 28). Some faithful ones will be like Noah, a preacher of righteousness, who take heed to the signs of trouble ahead and prepare their salvation. Others, less diligent, are like Lot, who have to be pulled out of the impending destruction in the last minute. Like in the parable of the ten virgins, we must strive to be of the wise class.

Jesus hints that the second coming is most of all a lesson on personal preparation, watchfulness and character development rather than a sensationalism of instant phenomena in the sky.  The scriptures of 1 Thessalonians 4 are symbols and are not referring to a literal “rapture.” (The word “rapture” is not even found in the Bible.) The voice of an archangel, the trump, and the clouds foretell the shattering of church and social orders.

There will be an impending disaster upon the world, a time of “great tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the world” (Matthew 24:21), but the purpose of this trouble and of Jesus’ second coming is to destroy the evil structures of the present evil world and establish God’s kingdom on earth. Jesus and his Church will bring about the “times of restitution of all things” (Acts 3:21) and the blessing of all the families of the earth.

Please compare Revelation 22 verse two with Psalm 1 verses one through three.

Revelation 22:2 describes “the tree of life” with 12 fruits yielded monthly and with healing leaves.  This scene represents a future time when all mankind will be revived to life because of Jesus’ all-atoning sacrifice.  People, if willing, will grow in righteousness, after they are resurrected.  The river water symbolizes blessings of truth, from the Bible, freely available to all who desire it (see Revelation 22:17).  The trees of life planted by that figurative river picture the glorified Christ and His Church members, abundantly nourished by the water of life, carrying out God’s plan to nurture all willing people to perfection.  The symbolic fruits (of the spirit) provide life sustaining mental, moral, and physical nourishment.  The twelve types of fruit, yielded monthly, suggest that Christ’s ministry adapts to the changing condition of man as he returns to perfection. The leaves picture teachings of Christ, professed by the Church, which will heal all willing individuals and every nation, freeing them from all sin, sighing, imperfection (Revelation 21:4).

The man described in Psalm 1:1 denotes Jesus, and secondarily, his footstep followers.  Psalm 1:1-3 depict the gospel age Church during selection, prior to being united to Christ in heaven for the “healing of the nations” described in Revelation 22:2.  By avoiding worldly counsel (see Psalm 1:1) in favor of God’s word alone (see Psalm 1:2), the imperfect followers of Jesus are blessed.  Christians must make studying God’s word, and its sincere application to their daily lives, of utmost importance in order to develop spiritual fruit. Their transformation into Christlikeness prepares them to bless mankind (see 2 Peter 1:3-11), when they are resurrected as part of the Church class.  During the gospel age, these prospective members of Christ’s bride class are also likened to trees (see Psalm 1:3) planted by streams of life giving water. Figurative streams of God’s own truth and unmerited favor nourish God’s people so that they may bear spiritual fruit. Then if they properly utilize this sustenance, they will be qualified to bless others.      

Revelation 22:2 beautifully pictures refreshing restitution blessings (Acts 3:19-21) that will flow from the Kingdom of Messiah to humanity from the glorified Christ, Head, and body. Mankind, at first unhealthy, will be assisted in healing, physically, morally and mentally (Isaiah 35:5,6).  Israel, the first nation to be blessed, will assist in blessing all the rest of the nations.  The work of reconciliation between God and man will eventually be completed; man and earth perfected.

Psalm 1:1-3, depicts God’s people during the Gospel age. They access streams of truth from the Bible, shun unwise worldly counsel, and grow spiritually.

The willing of mankind will later have full opportunity to benefit eternally from the river of water of life, in the Millennium, when God’s law (of love) will be written on their hearts (see Jeremiah 31:33).