The Saints' Rapture to the Presence of the Lord Jesus

The Saints Rapture, by Robert Govett

-Why would Govett say that the actual second coming of the Lord spans quite a long period of time?

It all has to do with the Greek word Parousia. Robert Govett explains that this word is usually translated as “presence”, and it likewise should be in those verses speaking about the rapture of the believers at the Lord’s “coming”. He builds a strong case on this understanding, that:

(1) Christ’s coming is first secret, remaining in a cloud in the air 

(2) His secret presence there lasts for some time, during the great tribulation     

(3) Finally, His presence is manifest to all as he descends to judge Antichrist

Based on this view, he looks closely at every portion of scripture mentioning the rapture, and draws a sobering conclusion.

In this process, Robert Govett demonstrates that while adherents of pre-tribulation rapture and post-tribulation rapture are usually in contention, in fact they are both correct.