Foundations Study
End Times
What do the following verses say about the End Times?
1. Ephesians 3:10
notes
The church age is the current era in the grand scheme of biblical events. (Matthew 16:18) It precedes the end-time events listed below. The culmination of the church age and the beginning of the end time events is imminent. It can happen at any moment. (1 John 2:18; 1 Peter 4:7)
View The End Times Chart (use this to visualize the end time events described below)
View The End Times Chart (use this to visualize the end time events described below)
2. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
notes
The first end-time event is the rapture of the church. The term rapture means to seize or snatch. The rapture is the sudden carrying away of the church to heaven. (John 14:3) The return of Jesus Christ occurs in two stages. The first stage is when Jesus returns in the clouds to rapture His church. (1 Thessalonians 4:17) The second stage is when Jesus returns to the earth, to judge the world at the end of the Tribulation. (Revelation 19:11–21)
The rapture will occur:
The rapture will occur:
- Soon. (Revelation 1:1, 3:11, 22:6–7) Nothing remains for the rapture to occur; it is the next event in God's plan.
- Instantaneously. (1 Corinthians 15:51–52)
- Surprisingly. (Revelation 3:3)
- Before the Tribulation. (1 Thessalonians 1:10, 5:9; Revelation 3:10) Believers in the church age will not experience the future judgment of God upon the earth. The term church occurs 18 times in chapters 1-3 of the book of Revelation, but does not occur once in the description of the tribulation in chapters 4-19.
3. 2 Corinthians 5:10
notes
The following event is the judgment seat of Christ. This is for believers and will take place in heaven while the tribulation is unfolding on earth. Each believer is accountable to God and will experience His judgment. (Romans 14:12; Hebrews 4:13) It is not an eternal judgment of sin since that was dealt with at the cross by faith. (John 3:16; Romans 8:1) Rather, it is an examination of each believer's life. Was it lived in obedience to God? Some will receive rewards (crowns), some will not. (2 Timothy 4:8; James 1:12; 1 Peter 5:4; Revelation 2:10, 3:11, 4:4,10; 1 Corinthians 3:12–15, 4:5). After the judgment seat of Christ, believers will worship Him in Heaven. (Revelation 7:9–12)
Theologian Charles Ryrie states, "The Judgment Seat of Christ might be compared to a commencement ceremony. At graduation there is some measure of disappointment and remorse that one did not do better and work harder. However, at such an event the overwhelming emotion is joy, not remorse. The graduates do not leave the auditorium weeping because they did not earn better grades. Rather, they are thankful that they have been graduated, and they are grateful for what they did achieve. To overdo the sorrow aspect of the Judgment Seat of Christ is to make heaven hell. To under do the sorrow aspect is to make faithfulness inconsequential."1
Theologian Charles Ryrie states, "The Judgment Seat of Christ might be compared to a commencement ceremony. At graduation there is some measure of disappointment and remorse that one did not do better and work harder. However, at such an event the overwhelming emotion is joy, not remorse. The graduates do not leave the auditorium weeping because they did not earn better grades. Rather, they are thankful that they have been graduated, and they are grateful for what they did achieve. To overdo the sorrow aspect of the Judgment Seat of Christ is to make heaven hell. To under do the sorrow aspect is to make faithfulness inconsequential."1
- Charles Ryrie, [Summarizing Samuel L. Hoyt], Basic Theology: A Popular, Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth (Chicago: Moody, 1999), 598 Kindle
4. Matthew 24:21
notes
The next event on earth is the Tribulation. It is an unprecedented outpouring of the judgements of God, and is experienced by unbelievers left behind after the rapture of the Church. It lasts seven years, (Daniel 9:27) and is concurrent to the events (judgement seat) in heaven explained above. It is described in detail in chapters 4-19 of Revelation and Matthew 24:15-29. The church is not present because it is not destined to experience the events of the tribulation. (1 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 3:10)
During the tribulation, the judgments of God are worse in scope and magnitude than anything previous upon the earth. (Daniel 12:1, Revelation 16:18) Ryrie states, "For years, some men have been talking as if they thought the end were near, but at the beginning of the Tribulation, they will realize that the end is actually at hand."1
The judgments are poured out in three phases referred to as seals, trumpets, and bowls. Each phase escalates in severity. They consist of the following.
Even in the display of His wrath, God still desires to redeem people. The entire world will be presented with the gospel via a global angelic announcement. (Revelation 14:6-7) The Hebrew people will be special recipients of God's redemptive message through the 144,000 witnesses, and the Two Witnesses. (Revelation 7:4, 11:3)
While not everyone will believe the gospel, some think there may be more inhabitants in heaven from the tribulation than all the previous ages combined. (Revelation 7:9–14, 14:15–16)
During the tribulation, the judgments of God are worse in scope and magnitude than anything previous upon the earth. (Daniel 12:1, Revelation 16:18) Ryrie states, "For years, some men have been talking as if they thought the end were near, but at the beginning of the Tribulation, they will realize that the end is actually at hand."1
The judgments are poured out in three phases referred to as seals, trumpets, and bowls. Each phase escalates in severity. They consist of the following.
- Unparalleled destruction, suffering, and death. (Revelation 6:8)
- Worldwide persecution and martyrdom of tribulation believers. (Revelation 7:14)
- A focused witnesses to Israel. (Jeremiah 30:7; Zechariah 12:10)
- The heightened presence of angels. (Revelation 7:2)
- The appearance of evil rulers. (Revelation 13:1-2, 17:3-6, 19:20)
Even in the display of His wrath, God still desires to redeem people. The entire world will be presented with the gospel via a global angelic announcement. (Revelation 14:6-7) The Hebrew people will be special recipients of God's redemptive message through the 144,000 witnesses, and the Two Witnesses. (Revelation 7:4, 11:3)
While not everyone will believe the gospel, some think there may be more inhabitants in heaven from the tribulation than all the previous ages combined. (Revelation 7:9–14, 14:15–16)
- Charles Ryrie, Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth, (Chicago: Moody, 1999), 540
5. Revelation 16:16
notes
The following event is the battle of Armageddon. (Revelation 19:11-21; Zechariah 12:9) It occurs at the end of the tribulation on a large plain located north of Israel. It is between the rebellious unbelieving survivors of the Tribulation and Jesus, who is accompanied by an army of angels and the redeemed. John MacArthur states, "God's patience is exhausted with sinful, rebellious mankind."2 The event is supernatural, and the outcome is swift, devastating, and complete. (Revelation 14:20) This event marks the transition from the Tribulation to the Millennium.
6. Revelation 20:2-6
notes
The next end-time event is the Millennium. The Millennium follows the battle of Armageddon and is a literal thousand-year period of time. Note the use of the term thousand six times in Revelation 20:1-7. It consists of the physical presence of Jesus Christ as the ruling King (Daniel 7:14), the abundance of peace and prosperity (Isaiah 2:4; Zechariah 8:4-5; Amos 9:13), and the absence of the evil world rulers (Revelation 20:2-3). The inhabitants are the few believers who survived the tribulation, and billions of glorified saints who return to earth with Christ.
During this time the remaining Old Testament Messianic prophecies and covenants are fulfilled.
During this time the remaining Old Testament Messianic prophecies and covenants are fulfilled.
- The presence of the Temple as described in Ezekiel chapters 40-48
- The sacrifices memorializing the finished work of Christ. (Ezekiel 43:22)
- The promise of giving Abraham's descendants the land from the river of Egypt to the Euphrates. (Genesis 15:18-21)
- The promise of the Messiah's rule on earth. (2 Samuel 7:12–16)
- Charles Ryrie, Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth, (Chicago: Moody, 1999), 595
7. Revelation 20:11-15
notes
The next event is the Great White Throne Judgment. It is the final, eternal judgment of all unbelievers from every age who, by their works, prove their unbelief. It is when the unsaved are cast away from the presence of the Lord forever. It is a strong warning of the eternal consequence of unbelief. MacArthur calls this section of Scripture, "The most serious, sobering, and tragic passage in the entire Bible."1 It marks the transition from the end of human history to eternity. (Daniel 7:9-10, 12:2; Matthew 12:37, 16:27; Luke 8:17; John 5:28-29; Romans 2:5-6, 16; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-10; Hebrews 9:27)
- John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: Revelation (Olive Tree Bible Software, Version 6.9.2) Notes on Revelation 20:11-15
8. Revelation 21:1
notes
The final event is Eternity. Eternity is also referred to as the new heaven and the new earth. It is an entirely new creation of God. The earth will be destroyed, recreated, and will last forever! (Isaiah 65:17; 2 Peter 3:10-12; Hebrews 1:10-12) It will be restored to its original state of "very good." (Genesis 1:31) The new heaven and earth is the everlasting dwelling place for the redeemed of all ages. Sin is not present. There is no longer any separation between God and man. God is present with man. God's people will finally experience everlasting face to face fellowship with God. There is no need for the sun because God's glory illuminates everything. There is no trace of the fallen-ness of the first creation. There is no suffering or death. Life will be as God originally intended it to be; perfect, joyful, and everlasting. (Revelation 21:1-22:6)
The new Jerusalem is the capital of heave; it's where God dwells. It is a place of unmatched brilliance, and is the center of worship. Its size is described in three dimensions; it's a cube! If only a quarter of it was inhabited it could easily accommodate 20 billion people. (Revelation 21:10-27)
Heaven is a real place. It's mentioned more than six hundred times in Scripture. It is the hope of glory, eagerly anticipated, everlasting home, for the redeemed. The reality of heaven for the redeemed should encourage the downtrodden, uplift the hurting, inspire the persecuted, and excite all who long for Jesus Christ. It is a place of supreme joy, unrivaled satisfaction, continuous delight, and ever-increasing gladness. (2 Peter 3:13; Job 19:25-27; Psalm 17:15)
Other words that describe heaven are: reserved (Colossians 1:5), unending (1 Thessalonians 4:17), unimaginable (1 Corinthians 2:9), indescribable (2 Corinthians 12:2-4), incomparable. (2 Corinthians 4:17), judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10), worship (Revelation 7:9-11, 5:6-14), God (Revelation 21:3), righteousness (2 Peter 3:13), satisfying (Psalm 17:15), satisfying (Job 19:25-27), perfection (Revelation 21:4; Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31, influential (Hebrews 11:8-10), and most of all...home (Hebrews 11:13-16).
The new Jerusalem is the capital of heave; it's where God dwells. It is a place of unmatched brilliance, and is the center of worship. Its size is described in three dimensions; it's a cube! If only a quarter of it was inhabited it could easily accommodate 20 billion people. (Revelation 21:10-27)
Heaven is a real place. It's mentioned more than six hundred times in Scripture. It is the hope of glory, eagerly anticipated, everlasting home, for the redeemed. The reality of heaven for the redeemed should encourage the downtrodden, uplift the hurting, inspire the persecuted, and excite all who long for Jesus Christ. It is a place of supreme joy, unrivaled satisfaction, continuous delight, and ever-increasing gladness. (2 Peter 3:13; Job 19:25-27; Psalm 17:15)
Other words that describe heaven are: reserved (Colossians 1:5), unending (1 Thessalonians 4:17), unimaginable (1 Corinthians 2:9), indescribable (2 Corinthians 12:2-4), incomparable. (2 Corinthians 4:17), judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10), worship (Revelation 7:9-11, 5:6-14), God (Revelation 21:3), righteousness (2 Peter 3:13), satisfying (Psalm 17:15), satisfying (Job 19:25-27), perfection (Revelation 21:4; Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31, influential (Hebrews 11:8-10), and most of all...home (Hebrews 11:13-16).
Resources
- View End Times Chart.
- Watch What is the End Times Timeline? (3:54) Got Questions
Which verse meant the most to you? Explain.