[mountn man]

Both Jesus' first and second comings had signs predicted in the Bible. People WERE WATCHING for the messiah when Christ first came, because they saw the signs of the times. In fact Christ rebuked some for not believing because they did not recognize who he was by the signs of the times.

In fact, I have read some commentators who said some were expecting Christ exactly WHEN he came, because of signs. Maybe not the day or the hour, but I think they could have a general idea of the time frame in years.

From a pre-trib point of view, I see all prophecy being fulfilled for the rapture.

From an overall view I'm waiting for construction to begin on the new temple. And a great war with Israel by a huge coalition of muslim nations, possibly led by Russia, lasting MAYBE DAYS, possibly HOURS. And a 7 YEAR peace treaty, agreed by, and overseen by a rapidly risen world leader or statesman.

Not necessarily in that order.

[metmom]

The magi did pretty well with what they had.

[Star Traveler]

You were saying ...

Both Jesus' first and second comings had signs predicted in the Bible. People WERE WATCHING for the messiah when Christ first came, because they saw the signs of the times. In fact Christ rebuked some for not believing because they did not recognize who he was by the signs of the times.

And in regards to Jesus' Second Coming, there will also be plenty of signs to look for to tell people exactly when He is coming. The Rapture, on the other hand, has no sign, no prophecy to be fulfilled, first, before it happens. With the Second Coming (to set up the Kingdom on earth for His one-world government) -- you can count exactly 1,260 days from the abominaion of desolation that Jesus pointed out that Daniel spoke about -- and know to the day, exactly when Jesus will be arriving. See this from Post #213 ...

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The New Testament teaches about the Rapture of the church and yet also speaks of the Second Coming of Christ. These two events are different in a number of ways. Note the following contrasts between the translation at the Rapture and Christ's Second Coming to establish the kingdom.

    Rapture/Translation                   2nd Coming/Estabish Kingdom

 1. Translation of all believers             1. No translation at all

 2. Translated saints go to heaven           2. Translated saints return to earth

 3. Earth not judged                         3. Earth judged & righteousness established

 4. Imminent, any-moment, signless           4. Follows definite predicted signs including tribulation

 5. Not in the Old Testament                 5. Predicted often in Old Testament

 6. Believers only                           6. Affects all men

 7. Before the day of wrath                  7. Concluding the day of wrath

 8. No reference to Satan                    8. Satan bound

 9. Christ comes for His own                 9. Christ comes with His own

10. He comes in the air                     10. He comes to the earth

11. He claims His bride                     11. He comes with His bride

12. Only His own see Him                    12. Every eye shall see Him

13. Tribulation begins                      13. Millennial Kingdom begins

Dr. John Walvoord concludes that these "contrasts should make it evident that the translation of the church is an event quite different in character and time from the return of the Lord to establish His kingdom, and confirms the conclusion that the translation takes place before the tribulation."⁵

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AND... see the following from Post #270 ...

In contrast to the imminent gathering of His church, there are numerous passages that deal with precedent events which must transpire prior to the "Second Coming" to establish His kingdom on the earth. Some of the passages referring to the Rapture and the Second Coming are summarized at the the table below.

Rapture	Second Coming
John 14:1-3	Dan 2:44-45
Rom 8:19	Dan 7:9-14
1 Cor 1:7-8	Dan 12:1-3
1 Cor 15:1-53	Zech 14:1-15
1 Cor 16:22	Matt 13:41
Phil 3:20-21	Matt 24:15-31
Col 3:4	Matt 26:64
1 Thess 1:10	Mark 13:14-27
1 Thess 2:19	Mark 14:62
1 Thess 4:13-18	Luke 21:25-28
1 Thess 5:9	Acts 1:9-11
1 Thess 5:23	Acts 3:19-21
2 Thess 2:1 (3?)	1 Thess 3:13
1 Tim 6:14	2 Thess 1:6-10
2 Tim 4:1	2 Thess 2:8
Titus 2:13	2 Peter 3:1-14
Heb 9:28	Jude 14-15
James 5:7-9	Rev 1:7
1 Peter 1:7, 13	Rev 19:11-20:6
1 John 2:28-3:2	Rev 22:7, 12, 20
Jude 21
Rev 2:25
Rev 3:10

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Yes, in Daniel, the exact dates of Jesus’ birth and of His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and of His Return - are there!

I don’t have the study materials on all of that but have seen them. Beth Moore’s Study on Daniel (video series) is totally breathakng for all who would like to explore that more.

Exactly - precisely - we are to KNOW the SEASON of His return though not the LITERAL DAY or the LITERAL Hour, so we are to WATCH, to SEE the sings of HIs Return, to be READY (prayed for all those we know who do not know Him yet), as we occupy til He comes, and to be looking up for that blessed appearance - which IS SO NEAR IT ALMOST TAKES MY BREATH AWAY!