One thing is certain – whatever God’s word predicts, will come to pass. God does not change, and neither does His word. Listen to the expressions of the Apostle Peter – 1:23-25 ESV –
“Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God, for all flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers and the flower falls, but the word of the LORD remains forever. And this word is the good news that was preached to you.”
So, what does the Bible teach about coming events? The world as we know it is going to be changed and our lives as we now live them will come to an end. However, that won’t be the end of us because we read in Ecclesiastes 3:11 that, “He (God) has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” Death may claim our bodies, but we will continue to live somewhere – either heaven or hell, depending on what we do with the good news about Jesus.
We are now living in the ‘Church Age’. The church was born or formed at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out on those who had gathered in Jerusalem. It took place fifty days after the observance of Passover (Acts 2:1-13). In Acts 2:14-41, we have the incredible sermon given by Peter, and we read in verse 41 that “there were added that day about three thousand souls.” The church was born and ever since we have been in the Church Age. There are some who teach that the church replaces Israel, and that is absolutely not true. God is not finished with Israel. (Romans 14:25).
The Church Age will end when the rapture takes place. This event could take place at any moment. Listen to the amazing promise Jesus gave to His disciples in John 14:2-3) (ESV) – “In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”
In Acts 1:8-11 we read of Jesus giving His disciples a mandate for ministry once again and then He ascended and went back to heaven. This is what He said before He left – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” And when He had said these things, as they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. And while they were gazing up into heaven as He went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you in heaven will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.” Folks, Jesus is coming again for His bride, the church.
The Apostle Paul talked about Christ coming for the church, (the Rapture) in Thessalonians 4:13-17 (please read). In verses 16-17, Paul wrote “For the LORD himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and the sound of the trumpet of God and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the LORD in the air, and so we will always be with the LORD.” Note that when He comes for His church, the meeting will take place in the air.
Once the church has been caught away to be with her LORD and Savior, a seven-year period known as the Tribulation will take place. At this same time, a very charismatic world leader will appear. One of the first things he will do is sign a peace covenant with Israel. He will promise to protect them and promote their interests. He is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. This sense of peace will go on for about three and a half years. Then he will break the covenant and begin to persecute Israel. The tribulation will continue until the second coming of Christ. Many will realize they have been deceived and a great number of Jews and Gentiles will be saved during this time. It will probably mean martyrdom for many.
Towards the very end of the 7-year period, a number of world powers will gather together on the plains of Megiddo. It has been called the world’s largest and most natural battlefield. They have gathered to fight the Antichrist and his forces. This is when the second coming of Christ will take place. It appears that people from all over the world will see Him coming with heaven’s armies. What a sight that will be!.be! You can read about the details of Christ coming in Revelation 19:11-16. This encounter is known as the battle of Armageddon and the forces of evil will be devastated by the WORD OF GOD that comes from the mouth of the one who is the King of Kings and LORD of LORDS.
When the battle is over, our LORD will establish His millennial kingdom right here on earth. The believers who survive the battle of Armageddon will proceed into the millennial kingdom of our LORD. The false prophet and the Antichrist will be captured and thrown into the Lake of Fire.
Satan will be captured and placed in chains in the bottomless pit where he will remain for 1,000 years when he will be released for a short time and one last skirmish. After that, he too will be cast into the Lake of Fire. Rev. 20:1-3. During the millennium, several significant things will take place.
· Jesus will literally rule from Jerusalem.
· Much of the curse will be lifted.
· People will live longer.
· The land will be very productive once again.
· The world will experience peace and civility.
· The believers who entered the millennium will have children who will grow up and have children, etc.
Note: When Satan is released at the end of the 1,000-year period, he will go throughout the world seeking to gather those who have not trusted in Christ. That battle will be short-lived and Satan and the forces of evil who follow him will face their eternal fate.
The next event that we read about in the Bible is the Great White Throne Judgement. It is for all unbelievers who have ever lived. Since they did not receive God’s grace through Christ’s death and resurrection, they will be judged according to their works. In Revelation 20:13, we read: “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.”
No one goes to heaven just by being good and doing good. Listen to what Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” In Revelation 20:15 we read, “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” The Bible is very clear that this judgment is forever.
We conclude this meditation with a brief focus on the eternal well-being of believers. The Apostle Peter (2 Peter 3:10) wrote, “But the day of the LORD will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done in it will be exposed.”
In Revelation 21:5, we hear our LORD who is sitting on the throne say, “Behold, I am making all things new. Also, He said, ‘Write this down for these words are trustworthy and true.’”
In Revelation 21:1 John recorded what he saw – “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.”
In Revelation 21:4, John referring to our LORD, wrote, “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.” What a day that will be!
Do you have a personal faith relationship with Jesus Christ? If you do, you have an indescribable eternity with Him to look forward to. If you do not have a personal faith relationship with Jesus Christ, then you have an indescribable, painful, and disappointing eternity before you. That is not what the LORD wants for you. He came and gave His life on the cross to spare you from that. There is still time for you to turn from trying to make it on your own and accept/receive Christ as your Savior and LORD.
Here is a simple prayer that you could pray, but it must come from your heart:
“LORD, I know I am a sinner. I have done things that I know are not right and feel guilty for doing them. Right now, I want to turn from them and trust in you. Please forgive me and come into my heart and take over my life. I receive you right now. I want to get to know you and follow you. I love you, LORD. Thank you for coming into my heart and life. Amen!”
Glory to our Coming King!
Pastor Leonard
