What if the day of the Rapture begins with a beautiful sunrise, with the clouds glowing in deep pink and red as we are changed in the twinkling of an eye? That will be a day of unmatched glory! As you think on this, I pray that you are counted among the faithful who will participate in the Rapture, entering into the joy of the Lord at the sounding of the trumpet!!!

We’ve looked at who is involved in the Rapture, but now it’s time to examine the “guest list” for the Second Coming. This event is fundamentally different from the Rapture in its scope and its participants. Is it for the Church, the nations, or Israel? Let’s look directly at what Scripture reveals about the armies, the survivors, and the King of Kings as He makes His physical return to the earth.

1 Thessalonians 3:13  To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

Notice the shift in preposition: it changes from “for” to “with.” In our last study, we saw the Rapture is a rescue mission where Jesus comes for the Church. However, descriptions of the Second Coming show a massive heavenly procession where the Church is already by His side. As Paul notes, He returns with His holy ones. This implies a period of time has passed where the Church was already in Heaven, being prepared to ride out with the King of kings to witness His victory on earth.

1 Thessalonians 4:17  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

We know that angels have no need for “cleansing” from sin because they never fell. In 1 Peter 1:12, we are told that the wonders of salvation are things “angels desire to look into.” They are fascinated by the grace shown to humanity because they have never experienced it themselves. Therefore, the “white and clean” army isn’t just a celestial guard; it is the Church returning with her Groom.

1 Peter 1:10-12  Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:  (11)  Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.  (12)  Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

By returning with Christ, the Church acts as a living testimony to His victory over sin and death. We aren’t just spectators; we are the trophies of His grace. As we follow Him on white horses, we manifest the fulfillment of His promise that “where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:3). This confirms that the Rapture must have already occurred, allowing the Church to be clothed, judged, and prepared in Heaven to ride out with King Jesus. 

Revelation 19:11-16  And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.  (12)  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.  (13)  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.  (14)  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  (15)  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  (16)  And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

The Church shares in Christ’s victory. The most remarkable part of this passage is that the “armies of heaven” (the Church) follow Him on their own white horses. This indicates several things for the Bride:

• Reign with Christ: We aren’t just spectators! We are participating with Him in His triumphal return.
• From Bride to Position of Authority: Just as the Church is given “fine linen” to wear, we are now given white horses and will share in the victory with Christ.
• Proof of the Rapture: For the Church to be riding with Christ, we must have already been “caught up” to be where He is.

Revelation 19:8 is the “smoking gun” for the identity of the army. It says of the Bride:

“And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.”

When the heavens open in Revelation 19:11-14, the army following Jesus is dressed in this exact same fabric: “fine linen, white and clean.” Scripture is interpreting itself here. By using the same specific description, God is showing us that the “Bride” from Revelation 19:8 is the “Army” in Revelation 19:14. You cannot have the “righteous acts of the saints” without the saints themselves being there to wear them!

Revelation 19:7-8  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.  ( 8 )  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

When we descend to the Battle of Armageddon, it isn’t a conventional war where we struggle for victory; it is a demonstration of Christ’s absolute power. While the Antichrist and the kings of the earth gather their armies to fight, they are defeated by the mere “sword of His mouth,” the Word of God. As His Bride, we witness the total collapse of the enemy’s kingdom and the binding of the “counterfeit trinity” as we prepare to step into the Millennial Kingdom by His side. Praise the Lord, because this isn’t just about a battle; it’s about a new administration. The Bible promises that if we suffer with Him, we shall also reign with Him (2 Timothy 2:12). The Second Coming is the moment the Church transitions from being “ambassadors” in a foreign land to “rulers” alongside the King of Kings over the whole earth.

If the concepts of the Rapture and the Second Coming were new to you, I truly hope these devotionals have opened your eyes to God’s incredible plan. It is no accident that you are reading this right now. God has brought you to this moment “for such a time as this” to offer you the gift of salvation. If you haven’t yet put your trust in Him, today is the perfect day to begin that journey. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!