8. End Times Overview
1 Thessalonians 4:13 (Audio Only)
This is a whirlwind overview of what the Bible says about the “End Times.” Do you know that the reason, in general, that there is prophecy in the Bible is for encouragement? It’s to encourage the Body of Christ.
Now the Old Testament prophecy’s purpose was to prove Jesus Christ, to teach Jesus Christ in advance. But, in general, New Testament prophecy is to encourage the Church. That’s the purpose of the Book of Revelation. This message is for encouragement. All of the prophecy is for encouragement.
Today we are doing an overview of the “End Times” and it’s not for that classic use of End Times. It’s, I pray, more for the Biblical use of End Times, which is to encourage us as Christians that we know that this place we’re at isn’t permanent. This place we’re at is fleeting – it’s passing away – it’s a vapor. But what the Bible says is coming, that’s what is permanent. That’s what drives us. So, we have got to be committed to run the race, not so that our circumstances would be fixed – God forbid! God forbid that Jesus Christ would die to fix our circumstances in this piddly, temporary, fleeting, meaningless time that we’re alive. Jesus Christ died for our eternity. He died for what the Bible teaches as End Times, as prophecy. He died for where we’re going in our permanent citizenship.
And so that we can grab ahold of End Times information, the Bible and say, I’m going to make it! If I’m a child of God, if Jesus Christ is my Lord, I know where I’m going. This that I’m experiencing right now isn’t permanent, it’s temporary. Where I’m going is permanent and it is reason to rejoice. It’s reason to run the race. It’s reason to keep the faith. It’s reason to not grow weary in doing good. That’s the purpose of studying the End Times.
When you understand where you fit in the End Times, and when you know that this is temporary and that is permanent then it gives you the strength and the confidence, and the encouragement to continue to press on following Jesus. Ultimately, an understanding of heaven and your citizenship there is an incredible source of encouragement and peace in the difficult times we live in today.
I guess any overview of the “End Times” has to start with the subject of our death because death would be considered our “end time.” Each of us is appointed to die unless we’re alive at the Rapture. Death is a fearful fact of life. Job 18:14 (ESV) calls death “the king of terrors.” But for the Christian death has been reduced to the role of an usher. Hebrews 2 says Jesus has destroyed the one who has the power of death, in order to free us from the fear of death. 1 Corinthians 15:54 (ESV) says … “Death is swallowed up in victory” through Jesus Christ. So, let’s take a quick look at what the Bible says happens to us when we die.
Before the resurrection of Christ (before Jesus Christ conquered death in his death, burial and resurrection), all who died went to SHEOL (the place of the dead) which Luke 16 describes as two “compartments” separated by an impassable gulf. One, a place for those who had faith in God and one of torment for the wicked. When Jesus conquered death, he emptied SHEOL of the righteous and ushered them into Paradise which is where those who have faith in Christ now go immediately when they die.
Jesus told the thief on the cross, “today you will be with me in paradise.” And 2 Corinthians 5:8 (ESV) says “…to be absent from the body; is to be present with the Lord.” The moment a Christian dies, he is in the presence of Jesus Christ in Glory. However, in an event that can cause some confusion (in our finite minds), there is a moment when those who have died in Christ will be united with their new resurrection bodies, and that occurs at the same time as the Rapture. The Rapture is our first End Times event.
The Rapture refers to a moment when Jesus Christ “catches up” believers into the air. The Greek word is HARPAZO which means “snatched away.” The Latin equivalent is RAPTURO (RAPIO) from where we get rapture. It’s described in 1 Thessalonians Chapter 4. Remember we’re connecting those Christians who die now to this point in time of the Rapture. Watch how this happens.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (ESV)
13 But we do not want you to be uninformed (NKJV = ignorant), brothers, about those who are asleep (referring to those who have died in Christ), that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.
14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, (look carefully) God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
So, those who have died in Christ prior to the Rapture are with God and he will bring them with him.
1 Thessalonians 4:15-16 (ESV)
15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord (that’s Paul giving it real weight of authority), that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord (notice Paul says “we” because he was kind of hoping he’d be alive when the Rapture came – just like we are, it’s the same hope that we’ll be alive when the Rapture comes), will not precede those who have fallen asleep (those who have died).
16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
Now, wait a minute. God brings them – those who are asleep in Christ – “with him” (verse 14) when he comes. And now, verse 16 says “the dead in Christ will rise first.” So, in a way that maybe we can’t fully understand (and that’s okay because we’re not God so we’re not supposed to understand God fully), those of us who have died and are in Christ are, in essence, going to meet their resurrection body at the Rapture (See 1 Corinthians Chapter 15). In essence, they are going to receive that new, glorified body at the same point that when we are snatched up. Isn’t that great? Doesn’t that give us hope?
We don’t grieve like others who have no hope, those of us who have so many friends and family that have died in the Lord, we know they are coming back with God. And they’re going to receive their resurrection body. The dead in Christ will rise first.
1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 (ESV)
17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up (there’s that word HARPAZO = snatched away, snatched up, that’s the word we get the word “rapture” from) together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air (this is not the second coming, Jesus comes in the clouds, we’re caught up, those who are dead in Christ receive their resurrection body along with us and we all have a big reunion in the air, in the clouds), and so we will always be with the Lord.
Look at verse 18 and underline it!
18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Listen, how many times have you been with a Christian who says, man, I need a job. I need a girlfriend. I need a boyfriend. Whatever. And you say, “Let’s pray that God would give you what you want.” No. Listen. “Hey, have you read about the Rapture?” “I’m not talking about the Rapture, man. I need a boyfriend.” NO!! You don’t need a boyfriend. You need to make sure you’re in the Rapture. You need to make sure that you’re here – encourage one another with these words. Don’t you realize that before the sun goes down today we might be caught up to meet Jesus Christ in the air? (AMEN!) And then, all of a sudden, you’re like, “Okay. I get it. It’s a priority thing, right?” We still pray for our daily needs, but they don’t consume us. What consumes us is the fact that at any moment we could be caught up to meet Jesus Christ in the air.
Therefore, encourage one another with these words. Try it. Tell somebody, Look. You love Jesus. You’re going to heaven. How bad, really, can it get here? If what is coming is true and it is! This is an event, the Rapture, that you don’t want to miss. Believe me. You don’t want to miss it. The only way you can be part of it is to receive Jesus Christ. If he’s your Savior and Lord today, you are in this event and you should say, “Praise the Lord!”
Now, after the Rapture (in “pre-tribulation” Rapture theology) comes the Great Tribulation. Now, Jesus said, in this life, you will have tribulation. That’s not the tribulation that we’re talking about here. That’s our everyday tribulation. But Jesus says, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world!” And when we look at the Great Tribulation, you’re going to say (again), Praise God that Jesus Christ has overcome the world, and I’ve overcome the world in Christ because this is ugly. We’re about to start launching into the judgment of God on the sinful earth and on sinful man.
There is a move, believe it or not, in Evangelical churches, to not talk about God’s judgment because we don’t want to offend anybody. Now, listen. Who do you think would really be behind that? Because the judgment of God drives you to repentance. If you understand your sin has to be judged, then you are driven to repentance. So, if there was an enemy that didn’t want you to worry about your sin, wouldn’t that enemy be interested in the Church not talking about judgment? Come on, guys. This is kind of logical. The judgment of God is real. It’s horrendous in the Great Tribulation. It’s spoken of in a number of books, but we’re going to use the Book of Revelation.
I’m going to go through the three sets of judgments of the Great Tribulation really fast. This is a specific and radical seven years of Great Tribulation that ushers in the judgment of God on the earth. The Book of Revelation is not the only place the details of the Tribulation are found, but it’s the best outline of events.
Really it starts in Revelation Chapter 5, where there is a scroll presented at the throne of God, and at first, there’s weeping because there is no one found worthy to open this scroll, sealed with seven seals. But then, who is the only One in existence worthy to open the Title Deed Scroll of the earth? Jesus! So, Jesus, the Lamb of God is worthy to open the scroll. In Revelation Chapter 6, he begins to take these seals off this scroll. This is the beginning of the Great Tribulation. It goes from bad to worse.
1). Revelation 6:2 – The antichrist (symbolized by the white horse) brings a false peace to the earth
2). Revelation 6:4 – That false peace is replaced with war
3). Revelation 6:6 – A great famine sweeps the earth
4). Revelation 6:8 – Death takes out one-quarter of the earth’s population
5). Revelation 6:10 – The Martyrs of the Tribulation cry out for judgment
6). Revelation 6:12 – (Sixth seal) brings incredible destruction and judgment (too much to put in the outline)
But then it gets worse.
The Seventh seal opens up another Seven Judgments called Trumpet Judgments, and things on earth go from bad to worse, as God’s judgment on a sinful world continues.
1). Revelation 8:7 – one-third of the earth is burned with fire
2). Revelation 8:8 – one-third of the sea is turned to blood
3). Revelation 8:10 – one-third of the fresh water is destroyed
4). Revelation 8:12 – one-third of the light of day and night (sun, stars, moon) is destroyed
5). Revelation 9:1 – Tormenting creatures released from the bottomless pit
6). Revelation 9:13 – Angels are sent to kill one-third of all mankind (left)
The first set was bad, this set is worse. Do not turn away from these judgments and say, Man, can we just talk about that “God is love” thing? Listen, God is so much love, he made a way for you to escape the judgment that must come. But if you don’t understand the judgment that must come, you can’t understand how great God’s love is – that he made a way for you to escape it. Be afraid of God’s judgment. Don’t be afraid of talking about it because if you tell a sinner, Listen God has to judge your sin. He either has to judge it upon you or upon his own Son. You get to choose, but either way, God must judge sin. This is the picture of the beginning of the final judgments – it could start today.
Then, after a pause in Revelation, the Seventh Trumpet blast ushers in Seven more Judgments. These are the Seven Bowl Judgments found in Revelation Chapter 16.
1). Revelation 16:2 – Sores put upon those who took the mark of the Beast
2). Revelation 16:3 – ALL of the sea water becomes blood, and ALL sea life dies
3). Revelation 16:4 – ALL of the fresh water becomes blood
4). Revelation 16:8 – The sun scorches men with fire
5). Revelation 16:10 – The kingdom of the antichrist becomes dark
6). Revelation 16:12 – Armies of the world prepare for the battle of Armageddon. (This is a setup for a very cool picture. The great river Euphrates dries up, the kings of the East come, and they’re getting ready for a battle that I can’t wait to tell you about.)
7). Revelation 16:17 – A shout “It is Finished” and then intense devastation
Three sets of Seven (horrendous) Judgments from God upon sin in the Great Tribulation, each worse than the previous, and every one of them is just and right judgment on the devil, his world, and those who have chosen his side.
What’s the encouragement? Don’t be there. That’s the encouragement. Don’t be there, it’s going to be ugly. Encourage one another with these words. Every one of these judgments is just, and fair, and true, and holy. They must come because God must judge sin. The love of God provides a way out for you, but it does not prevent judgment. Judgment must fall – again, on you or Christ – but judgment must fall.
The Heavenly Scene
But what about us? Where are the Believers during all of this judgment?
(The chronology of these end time events are subject to interpretation. And so, if you ever get someone who says, “I think this comes before this. I think “b” comes before “a” and “c” comes after “a”, and then there’s a half a “b” and then “d” comes in there.” Tell them, “So what?” I can’t tell you exactly when these are going to occur in chronological order, and I believe it’s because it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter to you and me. The point is that we need to be there, that we’re caught up in the Rapture. Let’s rejoice and encourage one another with the facts that we know and not debate the facts that God hasn’t revealed.)
We believe (again, pre-trib theology) that we are involved in a couple of key events in Heaven during all this judgment on earth. In Revelation Chapter 4, before all the judgment begins, the Church is caught up into Heaven (Raptured), and it’s very clear what we will be primarily doing there. (Revelation Chapters 4 and 5 are overwhelming with our primary purpose in Heaven. Read those chapters.) It’s worship!
Revelation 4:4 (ESV)
4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. (Paul and James teach the crown of righteousness, crown of life, crown of glory – there are a number of crowns in the New Testament that we are given)
These twenty-four elders are representative of us – all Believers – and let’s see what they’re primarily doing.
Revelation 4:10-11 (ESV)
10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”
While judgment is poured out on the earth, we are primarily worshiping in Heaven. Worship is about the fact that Jesus Christ is worthy to be worshiped.
But there are at least two major events taking place while we are in Heaven during this time.
1). The Judgment Seat of Christ
2). The Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
1). The Judgment Seat of Christ
2 Corinthians 5:10 (ESV)
10 For we (meaning Believers) must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
But this judgment seat (also called the bema seat judgment) for Believers is not judgment as in salvation. This is judgment as in reward, either gain or loss. All Believers will stand before Christ to be rewarded for their faithfulness or to lose reward, but either way, we are already saved.
1 Corinthians 3:13-15 (ESV)
13 each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.
14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.
15 If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
So, one significant event occurring in Heaven is the judgment seat of Christ for Believers. But there’s another significant event occurring during this time.
2). The Marriage Supper of the Lamb
This is where Jesus Christ (the Bridegroom) will finally be joined to his Bride (the Church) for eternity.
Revelation 19:6-9 (ESV)
6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.
7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;
8 It was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
You have got to make sure you are invited to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, and the only way to get an invite is by receiving Christ as your Savior and thereby becoming part of his Bride, and this is one wedding you definitely do not want to miss.
After the judgment seat of Christ for Believers and after the Marriage Supper of the Lamb:
The Second Coming
All this time the Great Tribulation is being “poured out” on the earth while Believers are receiving their rewards and attending the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, but then what? What happens next? Well, it gets really good about now.
Back on earth, the armies of the world have been gathering together for the last great battle on this earth.
The Battle of Armageddon
And it seems like, after the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, Jesus says to his Bride (us), Hey. Let’s go on a horseback ride because there is something I want you to see.
And Jesus Christ, with us following as witnesses, comes back to earth to execute the final judgment on the armies of the world.
Revelation 19:11-16 (ESV)
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.
12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems (crowns), and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.
13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.
14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.
15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.
16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
Skip down.
Revelation 19:19-21 (ESV)
19 And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army.
20 And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.
21 And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.
Man, I wish I could read more on the Second Coming because it’s incredible. Jesus is going to touch down on the Mount of Olives and it’s going to split in half. So much more, but we have to continue.
So, we’ve made it up to the Second Coming, and now:
The Millennium
After the Second Coming, there is a thousand-year period (called the Millennium) where Satan will be bound and Christ will set up his Kingdom on earth for one thousand years (Premillennial Theology).
And, in a way we can’t fully understand, we (the Saints) will reign with Christ over an earth that is not ruled by the devil but has also not been made totally made new (yet).
Revelation 20:1-3 (ESV)
1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain.
2 And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years,
3 and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while.
After the one-thousand-year reign of Christ on the earth the devil is loosed from the pit for his final judgment.
Revelation 20:7-10 (ESV)
7 And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison
8 and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea.
9 And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them,
10 and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
And finally, the devil receives his eternal judgment in the Lake of Fire.
Are we done yet? No. After the devil is condemned to eternal judgment, there comes that moment when every non-believer will finally get their day in court and it’s called:
The Great White Throne Judgment
And it is where every non-believer is judged by their works, and not one is saved by what they have done.
Revelation 20:11-15 (ESV)
11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them.
12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.
13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done.
14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.
15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Please hear me. If you demand to stand before God and be judged by how good of a person you’ve been, you will not pass because you are a sinner. If you want to avoid this judgment your name must be written in the Book of Life, and the Bible says the only way for that to happen is for you to put your faith in Jesus Christ because then you enter Heaven in his righteousness which is the only way in.
But we’re not quite done yet in our whirlwind overview of the End Times. After the final Great White Throne Judgment finally, we get to:
The New Heaven and Earth
This is what we commonly call Heaven. Revelation Chapters 21 and 22 are possibly the most encouraging in the entire Bible because they describe our eternal dwelling place with God. I would encourage you to spend much time in these two chapters.
Revelation 21:1-4 (ESV)
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.
4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Be encouraged. There is a place that is already prepared for you and Revelation 21 and 22 describe it.
Skip down.
Revelation 21:27 (ESV)
27 But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.
The greatest encouragement for a Christian is to grasp all we can about what Heaven is like because Heaven is really what it’s all about. Christian – set your sights on Heaven because that is where your home is, and that is where your reward is. And if you have not made Jesus Christ your Savior and Lord, then I pray this whirlwind overview of the End Times will bring you to make that decision.
Now the Old Testament prophecy’s purpose was to prove Jesus Christ, to teach Jesus Christ in advance. But, in general, New Testament prophecy is to encourage the Church. That’s the purpose of the Book of Revelation. This message is for encouragement. All of the prophecy is for encouragement.
Today we are doing an overview of the “End Times” and it’s not for that classic use of End Times. It’s, I pray, more for the Biblical use of End Times, which is to encourage us as Christians that we know that this place we’re at isn’t permanent. This place we’re at is fleeting – it’s passing away – it’s a vapor. But what the Bible says is coming, that’s what is permanent. That’s what drives us. So, we have got to be committed to run the race, not so that our circumstances would be fixed – God forbid! God forbid that Jesus Christ would die to fix our circumstances in this piddly, temporary, fleeting, meaningless time that we’re alive. Jesus Christ died for our eternity. He died for what the Bible teaches as End Times, as prophecy. He died for where we’re going in our permanent citizenship.
And so that we can grab ahold of End Times information, the Bible and say, I’m going to make it! If I’m a child of God, if Jesus Christ is my Lord, I know where I’m going. This that I’m experiencing right now isn’t permanent, it’s temporary. Where I’m going is permanent and it is reason to rejoice. It’s reason to run the race. It’s reason to keep the faith. It’s reason to not grow weary in doing good. That’s the purpose of studying the End Times.
When you understand where you fit in the End Times, and when you know that this is temporary and that is permanent then it gives you the strength and the confidence, and the encouragement to continue to press on following Jesus. Ultimately, an understanding of heaven and your citizenship there is an incredible source of encouragement and peace in the difficult times we live in today.
I guess any overview of the “End Times” has to start with the subject of our death because death would be considered our “end time.” Each of us is appointed to die unless we’re alive at the Rapture. Death is a fearful fact of life. Job 18:14 (ESV) calls death “the king of terrors.” But for the Christian death has been reduced to the role of an usher. Hebrews 2 says Jesus has destroyed the one who has the power of death, in order to free us from the fear of death. 1 Corinthians 15:54 (ESV) says … “Death is swallowed up in victory” through Jesus Christ. So, let’s take a quick look at what the Bible says happens to us when we die.
Before the resurrection of Christ (before Jesus Christ conquered death in his death, burial and resurrection), all who died went to SHEOL (the place of the dead) which Luke 16 describes as two “compartments” separated by an impassable gulf. One, a place for those who had faith in God and one of torment for the wicked. When Jesus conquered death, he emptied SHEOL of the righteous and ushered them into Paradise which is where those who have faith in Christ now go immediately when they die.
Jesus told the thief on the cross, “today you will be with me in paradise.” And 2 Corinthians 5:8 (ESV) says “…to be absent from the body; is to be present with the Lord.” The moment a Christian dies, he is in the presence of Jesus Christ in Glory. However, in an event that can cause some confusion (in our finite minds), there is a moment when those who have died in Christ will be united with their new resurrection bodies, and that occurs at the same time as the Rapture. The Rapture is our first End Times event.
The Rapture refers to a moment when Jesus Christ “catches up” believers into the air. The Greek word is HARPAZO which means “snatched away.” The Latin equivalent is RAPTURO (RAPIO) from where we get rapture. It’s described in 1 Thessalonians Chapter 4. Remember we’re connecting those Christians who die now to this point in time of the Rapture. Watch how this happens.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (ESV)
13 But we do not want you to be uninformed (NKJV = ignorant), brothers, about those who are asleep (referring to those who have died in Christ), that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.
14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, (look carefully) God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
So, those who have died in Christ prior to the Rapture are with God and he will bring them with him.
1 Thessalonians 4:15-16 (ESV)
15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord (that’s Paul giving it real weight of authority), that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord (notice Paul says “we” because he was kind of hoping he’d be alive when the Rapture came – just like we are, it’s the same hope that we’ll be alive when the Rapture comes), will not precede those who have fallen asleep (those who have died).
16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
Now, wait a minute. God brings them – those who are asleep in Christ – “with him” (verse 14) when he comes. And now, verse 16 says “the dead in Christ will rise first.” So, in a way that maybe we can’t fully understand (and that’s okay because we’re not God so we’re not supposed to understand God fully), those of us who have died and are in Christ are, in essence, going to meet their resurrection body at the Rapture (See 1 Corinthians Chapter 15). In essence, they are going to receive that new, glorified body at the same point that when we are snatched up. Isn’t that great? Doesn’t that give us hope?
We don’t grieve like others who have no hope, those of us who have so many friends and family that have died in the Lord, we know they are coming back with God. And they’re going to receive their resurrection body. The dead in Christ will rise first.
1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 (ESV)
17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up (there’s that word HARPAZO = snatched away, snatched up, that’s the word we get the word “rapture” from) together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air (this is not the second coming, Jesus comes in the clouds, we’re caught up, those who are dead in Christ receive their resurrection body along with us and we all have a big reunion in the air, in the clouds), and so we will always be with the Lord.
Look at verse 18 and underline it!
18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Listen, how many times have you been with a Christian who says, man, I need a job. I need a girlfriend. I need a boyfriend. Whatever. And you say, “Let’s pray that God would give you what you want.” No. Listen. “Hey, have you read about the Rapture?” “I’m not talking about the Rapture, man. I need a boyfriend.” NO!! You don’t need a boyfriend. You need to make sure you’re in the Rapture. You need to make sure that you’re here – encourage one another with these words. Don’t you realize that before the sun goes down today we might be caught up to meet Jesus Christ in the air? (AMEN!) And then, all of a sudden, you’re like, “Okay. I get it. It’s a priority thing, right?” We still pray for our daily needs, but they don’t consume us. What consumes us is the fact that at any moment we could be caught up to meet Jesus Christ in the air.
Therefore, encourage one another with these words. Try it. Tell somebody, Look. You love Jesus. You’re going to heaven. How bad, really, can it get here? If what is coming is true and it is! This is an event, the Rapture, that you don’t want to miss. Believe me. You don’t want to miss it. The only way you can be part of it is to receive Jesus Christ. If he’s your Savior and Lord today, you are in this event and you should say, “Praise the Lord!”
Now, after the Rapture (in “pre-tribulation” Rapture theology) comes the Great Tribulation. Now, Jesus said, in this life, you will have tribulation. That’s not the tribulation that we’re talking about here. That’s our everyday tribulation. But Jesus says, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world!” And when we look at the Great Tribulation, you’re going to say (again), Praise God that Jesus Christ has overcome the world, and I’ve overcome the world in Christ because this is ugly. We’re about to start launching into the judgment of God on the sinful earth and on sinful man.
There is a move, believe it or not, in Evangelical churches, to not talk about God’s judgment because we don’t want to offend anybody. Now, listen. Who do you think would really be behind that? Because the judgment of God drives you to repentance. If you understand your sin has to be judged, then you are driven to repentance. So, if there was an enemy that didn’t want you to worry about your sin, wouldn’t that enemy be interested in the Church not talking about judgment? Come on, guys. This is kind of logical. The judgment of God is real. It’s horrendous in the Great Tribulation. It’s spoken of in a number of books, but we’re going to use the Book of Revelation.
I’m going to go through the three sets of judgments of the Great Tribulation really fast. This is a specific and radical seven years of Great Tribulation that ushers in the judgment of God on the earth. The Book of Revelation is not the only place the details of the Tribulation are found, but it’s the best outline of events.
Really it starts in Revelation Chapter 5, where there is a scroll presented at the throne of God, and at first, there’s weeping because there is no one found worthy to open this scroll, sealed with seven seals. But then, who is the only One in existence worthy to open the Title Deed Scroll of the earth? Jesus! So, Jesus, the Lamb of God is worthy to open the scroll. In Revelation Chapter 6, he begins to take these seals off this scroll. This is the beginning of the Great Tribulation. It goes from bad to worse.
1). Revelation 6:2 – The antichrist (symbolized by the white horse) brings a false peace to the earth
2). Revelation 6:4 – That false peace is replaced with war
3). Revelation 6:6 – A great famine sweeps the earth
4). Revelation 6:8 – Death takes out one-quarter of the earth’s population
5). Revelation 6:10 – The Martyrs of the Tribulation cry out for judgment
6). Revelation 6:12 – (Sixth seal) brings incredible destruction and judgment (too much to put in the outline)
But then it gets worse.
The Seventh seal opens up another Seven Judgments called Trumpet Judgments, and things on earth go from bad to worse, as God’s judgment on a sinful world continues.
1). Revelation 8:7 – one-third of the earth is burned with fire
2). Revelation 8:8 – one-third of the sea is turned to blood
3). Revelation 8:10 – one-third of the fresh water is destroyed
4). Revelation 8:12 – one-third of the light of day and night (sun, stars, moon) is destroyed
5). Revelation 9:1 – Tormenting creatures released from the bottomless pit
6). Revelation 9:13 – Angels are sent to kill one-third of all mankind (left)
The first set was bad, this set is worse. Do not turn away from these judgments and say, Man, can we just talk about that “God is love” thing? Listen, God is so much love, he made a way for you to escape the judgment that must come. But if you don’t understand the judgment that must come, you can’t understand how great God’s love is – that he made a way for you to escape it. Be afraid of God’s judgment. Don’t be afraid of talking about it because if you tell a sinner, Listen God has to judge your sin. He either has to judge it upon you or upon his own Son. You get to choose, but either way, God must judge sin. This is the picture of the beginning of the final judgments – it could start today.
Then, after a pause in Revelation, the Seventh Trumpet blast ushers in Seven more Judgments. These are the Seven Bowl Judgments found in Revelation Chapter 16.
1). Revelation 16:2 – Sores put upon those who took the mark of the Beast
2). Revelation 16:3 – ALL of the sea water becomes blood, and ALL sea life dies
3). Revelation 16:4 – ALL of the fresh water becomes blood
4). Revelation 16:8 – The sun scorches men with fire
5). Revelation 16:10 – The kingdom of the antichrist becomes dark
6). Revelation 16:12 – Armies of the world prepare for the battle of Armageddon. (This is a setup for a very cool picture. The great river Euphrates dries up, the kings of the East come, and they’re getting ready for a battle that I can’t wait to tell you about.)
7). Revelation 16:17 – A shout “It is Finished” and then intense devastation
Three sets of Seven (horrendous) Judgments from God upon sin in the Great Tribulation, each worse than the previous, and every one of them is just and right judgment on the devil, his world, and those who have chosen his side.
What’s the encouragement? Don’t be there. That’s the encouragement. Don’t be there, it’s going to be ugly. Encourage one another with these words. Every one of these judgments is just, and fair, and true, and holy. They must come because God must judge sin. The love of God provides a way out for you, but it does not prevent judgment. Judgment must fall – again, on you or Christ – but judgment must fall.
The Heavenly Scene
But what about us? Where are the Believers during all of this judgment?
(The chronology of these end time events are subject to interpretation. And so, if you ever get someone who says, “I think this comes before this. I think “b” comes before “a” and “c” comes after “a”, and then there’s a half a “b” and then “d” comes in there.” Tell them, “So what?” I can’t tell you exactly when these are going to occur in chronological order, and I believe it’s because it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter to you and me. The point is that we need to be there, that we’re caught up in the Rapture. Let’s rejoice and encourage one another with the facts that we know and not debate the facts that God hasn’t revealed.)
We believe (again, pre-trib theology) that we are involved in a couple of key events in Heaven during all this judgment on earth. In Revelation Chapter 4, before all the judgment begins, the Church is caught up into Heaven (Raptured), and it’s very clear what we will be primarily doing there. (Revelation Chapters 4 and 5 are overwhelming with our primary purpose in Heaven. Read those chapters.) It’s worship!
Revelation 4:4 (ESV)
4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. (Paul and James teach the crown of righteousness, crown of life, crown of glory – there are a number of crowns in the New Testament that we are given)
These twenty-four elders are representative of us – all Believers – and let’s see what they’re primarily doing.
Revelation 4:10-11 (ESV)
10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”
While judgment is poured out on the earth, we are primarily worshiping in Heaven. Worship is about the fact that Jesus Christ is worthy to be worshiped.
But there are at least two major events taking place while we are in Heaven during this time.
1). The Judgment Seat of Christ
2). The Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
1). The Judgment Seat of Christ
2 Corinthians 5:10 (ESV)
10 For we (meaning Believers) must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
But this judgment seat (also called the bema seat judgment) for Believers is not judgment as in salvation. This is judgment as in reward, either gain or loss. All Believers will stand before Christ to be rewarded for their faithfulness or to lose reward, but either way, we are already saved.
1 Corinthians 3:13-15 (ESV)
13 each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.
14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.
15 If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
So, one significant event occurring in Heaven is the judgment seat of Christ for Believers. But there’s another significant event occurring during this time.
2). The Marriage Supper of the Lamb
This is where Jesus Christ (the Bridegroom) will finally be joined to his Bride (the Church) for eternity.
Revelation 19:6-9 (ESV)
6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.
7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;
8 It was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
You have got to make sure you are invited to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, and the only way to get an invite is by receiving Christ as your Savior and thereby becoming part of his Bride, and this is one wedding you definitely do not want to miss.
After the judgment seat of Christ for Believers and after the Marriage Supper of the Lamb:
The Second Coming
All this time the Great Tribulation is being “poured out” on the earth while Believers are receiving their rewards and attending the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, but then what? What happens next? Well, it gets really good about now.
Back on earth, the armies of the world have been gathering together for the last great battle on this earth.
The Battle of Armageddon
And it seems like, after the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, Jesus says to his Bride (us), Hey. Let’s go on a horseback ride because there is something I want you to see.
And Jesus Christ, with us following as witnesses, comes back to earth to execute the final judgment on the armies of the world.
Revelation 19:11-16 (ESV)
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.
12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems (crowns), and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.
13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.
14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.
15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.
16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
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Revelation 19:19-21 (ESV)
19 And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army.
20 And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.
21 And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.
Man, I wish I could read more on the Second Coming because it’s incredible. Jesus is going to touch down on the Mount of Olives and it’s going to split in half. So much more, but we have to continue.
So, we’ve made it up to the Second Coming, and now:
The Millennium
After the Second Coming, there is a thousand-year period (called the Millennium) where Satan will be bound and Christ will set up his Kingdom on earth for one thousand years (Premillennial Theology).
And, in a way we can’t fully understand, we (the Saints) will reign with Christ over an earth that is not ruled by the devil but has also not been made totally made new (yet).
Revelation 20:1-3 (ESV)
1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain.
2 And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years,
3 and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while.
After the one-thousand-year reign of Christ on the earth the devil is loosed from the pit for his final judgment.
Revelation 20:7-10 (ESV)
7 And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison
8 and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea.
9 And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them,
10 and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
And finally, the devil receives his eternal judgment in the Lake of Fire.
Are we done yet? No. After the devil is condemned to eternal judgment, there comes that moment when every non-believer will finally get their day in court and it’s called:
The Great White Throne Judgment
And it is where every non-believer is judged by their works, and not one is saved by what they have done.
Revelation 20:11-15 (ESV)
11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them.
12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.
13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done.
14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.
15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Please hear me. If you demand to stand before God and be judged by how good of a person you’ve been, you will not pass because you are a sinner. If you want to avoid this judgment your name must be written in the Book of Life, and the Bible says the only way for that to happen is for you to put your faith in Jesus Christ because then you enter Heaven in his righteousness which is the only way in.
But we’re not quite done yet in our whirlwind overview of the End Times. After the final Great White Throne Judgment finally, we get to:
The New Heaven and Earth
This is what we commonly call Heaven. Revelation Chapters 21 and 22 are possibly the most encouraging in the entire Bible because they describe our eternal dwelling place with God. I would encourage you to spend much time in these two chapters.
Revelation 21:1-4 (ESV)
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.
4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Be encouraged. There is a place that is already prepared for you and Revelation 21 and 22 describe it.
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Revelation 21:27 (ESV)
27 But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.
The greatest encouragement for a Christian is to grasp all we can about what Heaven is like because Heaven is really what it’s all about. Christian – set your sights on Heaven because that is where your home is, and that is where your reward is. And if you have not made Jesus Christ your Savior and Lord, then I pray this whirlwind overview of the End Times will bring you to make that decision.