Yes, the Second Coming of Christ will be a visible event.
Scripture states that the tribes of the earth will see the Son of Man arriving in visible glory (Matthew 24:30; Luke 21:27). Les Feldick emphasizes that this visible return, which follows cataclysmic signs at the end of the tribulation, is distinct from the secret, instantaneous Rapture of the Church.
Matthew 24:30 — Directly states that the tribes of the earth will mourn as they see the Son of Man arriving in the clouds.
Luke 21:27 — States that the Son of Man will be seen by those on earth as He returns.
Matthew 24:27 — Compares the coming to lightning visible from east to west, implying a globally visible event.
Matthew 24:30 states that the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn as they see Him coming in the clouds. Luke 21:25-27 similarly records that after cosmic signs and distress among the nations, the Son of Man will be seen coming in a cloud. Matthew 24:27 compares His coming to lightning that flashes from east to west, indicating a plainly visible event.
Les Feldick teaches that the Second Coming is a literal, visible event that will occur after the tribulation, when Christ returns to stand on the Mount of Olives. He contrasts this with the Rapture, which he describes as a secret event with no prophetic signs and no prior warning. Les stresses that in Matthew 24 and Luke 21, Jesus is speaking to the Jews and the nation of Israel about the Second Coming, not about the Church. He also notes that even a remnant of Jews who still do not believe in Christ as Messiah will see His glory as He returns.
Les Feldick teaches that the Rapture and the Second Coming are two distinct events. The Rapture is a secret event that will happen in the twinkling of an eye with no prophetic signs and no prior warning, while the Second Coming is preceded by prophetic events and cataclysmic signs so there will be no doubt when Christ returns. He notes that the Rapture involves the Church meeting the Lord in the air, whereas the Second Coming relates to Israel and the nation, and Christ will stand on the Mount of Olives. In Matthew 24, Jesus is speaking about the Second Coming, not the Rapture.
The Bible lists cosmic signs that will occur before the Son of Man is seen: signs in the sun, moon, and stars; distress of nations with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; and men's hearts failing from fear (Luke 21:25-26). Les Feldick points out that these cataclysmic events mark the end of the tribulation, and after these events the Son of Man will be seen. He uses the analogy of lightning flashing in the east after a storm has passed, indicating that the worst is over (Matthew 24:27).
According to Scripture, the tribes of the earth will mourn and see the Son of Man arriving (Matthew 24:30), and those living on the earth after the tribulation will see Him coming in a cloud (Luke 21:27). Les Feldick emphasizes that even a remnant of Jews who are still in unbelief will see the event and give glory to God, though they do not yet acknowledge Christ as Messiah. He stresses that this visible event is part of Israel's prophetic program, not the Church's Rapture.
Lightning Analogy for Visible Coming
the Mount of Olives, and this is prophecy. He's telling the things that are going to happen before the age ends. Now verse 27, He says, As the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even to the west, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. Now He uses an analogy that everyone as rural as the Israelis were at that time, and as I am today, and I make no apology for it.
Second Coming Visible After Cataclysmic Signs
And then verse 27, Oh after all of these cataclysmic signs, all of the devastation of earthquakes and volcanoes and meteorites and famine and floods, you name it. After all of this, then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, look up, lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh.
Rapture vs Second Coming Distinction
Now contrary to that, the Second Coming, when Christ actually returns to the Mount of Olives, when Christ comes to the Mount of Olives in fulfillment of the Second Coming, that will have prophetic events leading up to it. So that there will be no doubt as to when He'll be coming at the Mount of Olives.
Tribulation Ends with Second Coming at Mount of Olives
Then in the next instant we who are alive and remain shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. Then of course is ushered in that final seven years which is associated only with the prophecies concerning Israel, and we call it the final seven years or the tribulations.
Jews in Unbelief See the Coming in Clouds
Now then, here's the second coming. Christ is returning with glory and power. This group of Jews who I maintain go out in unbelief so far as Christ as the Messiah and the King, remember they're going to give glory to God as they see the event, but they're still in unbelief so far as Christ is concerned.
Matthew 24 as Prime Example of Second Coming
Now there are many other references to the Second Coming, but I'm going to use Matthew 24 as the prime example of how everything that the Old Testament and that Jesus and the Gospel accounts refer to in Christ's coming, is never this Rapture of the Church, this meeting in the air. That is something that the rest of the Bible knew nothing about.
Tribes of Earth Will See the Son of Man
Now then he goes on to say, verse 30, "...and then after these events of the closing days of the tribulation, and then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven, and then shall the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall..." What's the next word? "...see with their eyes.
End-Tribulation Signs Followed by Seeing the Son of Man
"...and there shall be signs in the sun, and the moon, and in the stars, and upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring, men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth. For the powers of heaven shall be shaken." Alright, that's the end of the tribulation. Now look at the next verse. "...
Matthew 24:27: For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
This verse compares the Son of Man's coming to lightning visible from east to west, indicating a public and visible event.
Matthew 24:30: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
This verse explicitly says the tribes of the earth will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds, directly answering the question.
Luke 21:25: And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
These signs in the heavens and seas are the tribulation events that precede the visible return.
Luke 21:26: Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
The distress of the powers of heaven sets the stage for the appearance of the Son of Man.
Luke 21:27: And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
This verse states that after these signs, the Son of Man will be seen coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Yes. Scripture states that the Son of Man will be visibly seen when He returns (Matthew 24:30; Luke 21:27). Les Feldick confirms this is a literal, visible event.
The Rapture is a secret event with no prophetic signs, happening in an instant, and involves the Church meeting the Lord in the air. The Second Coming is preceded by cataclysmic signs, will be visible to all, and involves Christ standing on the Mount of Olives in connection with Israel.
According to Matthew 24:30, all the tribes of the earth will mourn as they see the Son of Man arriving. Les Feldick notes that even the remnant of Jews in unbelief will see His glory when He returns.
Watch the Teaching: Where Will Jews Flee During the Tribulation? Revelation 12