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The Future History of Man
What’s Next in the History of Man!
Whenever there’s a war in the middle east people run off to the bookstores and buy books on Bible prophecy. Some people might ask, “Do you believe we are living in the end times?” Yes, if you define the end times as the period of time from the cross to the end of time. How close are we to the next event in Bible prophecy, the rapture? No one knows. Matt. 24:36, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
Does the church go through the tribulation? No. 1 Thess. 5:9 says, “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Rev. 3:10 “I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.” There is no mention of the church on earth after Rev. 3 when the tribulation is described.
Here is what my understand is of the coming events in Bible prophecy:
1. The rapture of the church. Christ comes in the clouds to “snatch away” all those who trust in Him. He is coming FOR his church. 1 Thess. 4:17-18, “After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.”
1 Cor.15:52. At this same time, the “dead in Christ” will be resurrected and taken to heaven, too. From our perspective today, this is the next event in the eschatological timeline. The rapture is imminent; no other biblical prophecy needs to be fulfilled before the rapture happens.
2. The rise of the Antichrist (2 Thess. 2:7–8). A world leader who promises peace (Rev.13:1; Dan. 9:27). He will be aided by the false prophet, a world religious leader who worships the Antichrist (Rev. 19:20).
3. The tribulation. A seven-year period of judgement, called a time of Jacob’s (not the church’s) Trouble (Jer. 30: 7) poured out on sinful man (Rev. 6–16). The church is kept from going through this period by way of the rapture. In heaven there is a Judgment Seat of Christ where the works of Christians will be rewarded, then a Marriage Supper of the Lamb occurs. (2 Cor. 5:10; Rev.19:6–10). The church doesn’t go through the tribulation. The church is not mentioned during the tribulation period. The Gospel will be preached through all the world, even by angels, and many will come to saving faith in Jesus during the tribulation.
4. The Battle of Gog and Magog. Israel will be attacked by many nations. God will intervene and save the Jews (Ezek.38–39).
5. The abomination of desolation. At the midway point of the seven-year tribulation, the Antichrist breaks his covenant with Israel and shows his true colors. The Jews are scattered, and many of them turn to the Lord, realizing that Jesus is their Savior. A great persecution breaks out against all those who believe in Christ (Dan. 12:11; Mark 13:14; Rev.12:17).
6. The return of Jesus and the Battle of Armageddon. At the end of the tribulation, Jesus returns WITH the armies of heaven, which includes the church which was raptured earlier (Rev. 19:11-16; Mark 14:62). He defeats the armies of the Antichrist (Rev.19:17–21). The Antichrist and the false prophet are captured and thrown alive into the lake of fire (Rev.19:20).
7. The judgment of the nations. Christ will judge the survivors of the tribulation, separating the righteous from the wicked as “sheep” and “goats” (Matt. 25:31–46). (It is thought that at this time the Old Testament saints will be raised from the dead.) The righteous will enter the Millennial Kingdom; the wicked will be cast into hell.
8. The binding of Satan. Satan will be bound and held in a bottomless pit for the next 1,000 years (Rev. 20:1–3).
9. The Millennial Kingdom. Jesus Himself will rule the world, and Jerusalem will be the capital. This will be a 1,000-year period of peace and prosperity on earth (Rev. 20:4-6; Isa. 60–62). Memorial sacrifices will be offered in a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem (Ezek. 40–48).
10. The last battle. At the end of the 1,000 years, Satan will be released from his prison for a short time. He will deceive the nations once again, and there will be a rebellion against the Lord that will be quickly defeated (Rev. 20:7–10). Satan will be cast into the lake of fire, never to reappear.
11. The Great White Throne Judgment. All those in hell will be brought forth, and all the wicked from all eras of history will be resurrected to stand before God in a final judgment (Rev. 20:11–15). The verdicts are read, and sinful humanity is cast into the lake of fire.
12. The new creation. God completely remakes the heavens and the earth. It is at this time that God wipes away all tears and there will be no more pain, death, or sorrow. The New Jerusalem descends from heaven, and the children of God will enjoy eternity with Him (Rev. 21–22).
The Book of Revelation is scary to some, but it can be considered the Fifth Gospel (Good News). In the four Gospels we find:
Good news that Jesus came into the world.
Good news that Jesus healed the sick.
Good news that Jesus died for our sins.
Good news that Jesus rose from the dead.
In the Book of Revelation, we find:
Good news that Jesus is still on his throne and knows what is going on.
Good news that he will protect his bride, the church, from the tribulation.
Good news that he will come again with his church to rule the world in peace and prosperity.
Good news that Satan and his demons will be cast into a bottomless pit.
Good news that there will be a new heaven and a new earth.
Good news that the curse on the world will be lifted and that there will be no more tears, no more death.
Revelation is filled with good news, it’s the Fifth Gospel. It was written to encourage a persecuted church.
What should the church be doing in light of the plan of God?
Matt. 28:19-20 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
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Why Study the Bible?
Don’t many consider the Bible to be just a book of myths? Why do we read the Bible rather than the sacred literature of other religions?
How do we know that it is from God? How do we know that what we have today is an accurate translation from the original? Is the Bible complete or have there been some books that have been lost?
We should be able to answer these questions, and there are answers! So start here!
Answers to Common Bible Questions
Lent is a six week period of spiritual devotion starting on Ash Wednesday and ending at Easter. Those who observe Lent usually give up something for Lent. Some might give up coffee, or soda pop, or alcohol, or chocolate. May I suggest that you give up something that will really impress God and make this season of Lent one of the most memorable and meaningful seasons of your life? May I suggest that if you are giving up something, why not give up some of the acts of our sinful nature mentioned in Gal. 5:19? Why don’t we give up lying about others? Do you think you can give up the hate you feel towards others? How about envy, can we work on putting envy aside this year? How about giving up on the naïve idea that all pastors are mature Christian leaders whose word should always be accepted, rather than wolfs in sheep’s clothing (Matt 7:15). How about giving up the idea that everyone in church is a real Christian (Matt 7:21-23). How about giving up your desire to seek revenge on those who have hurt you (Matt 18:21-22)? If you are insecure and feel threatened when you see the success of others in ministry, how about giving up efforts to hinder others who have been called to minister (Rom 12:4-8)? Of course it is easier to give up something like chocolate, etc. and make yourself feel like you are doing something that is pleasing to God. If you are not willing to give up unchristian behavior, might I suggest something that will really please God this Lent? Give up all evidence of your profession of Christian faith, such as books, pictures and jewelry. Don’t talk about God, Jesus or the Church. I think God would appreciate it if you would stop giving HIM a bad name by the way you live. Let’s give up what hinders our witness and become a better ambassador for Christ (2 Cor 5:20) this Lenten season.
In Matthew 2:1-2 is says that the magi saw "His star in the east." What was this star that guided these men to Jesus? Some have suggested that it could have been a comet, an asteroid, or perhaps a meteor or an especially bright star. The problem with these suggestions is that these physical things either quickly move across the sky and then disappear or are too far away to provide directions with any precision. It would be hard to get directions from such objects. The "star" had to move constantly or intermittently at the same pace as the magi. Then it says that it hovered over the house where Mary and Joseph had moved to with Jesus. It hardly sounds like a comet or meteor or a star as we know them. Can you think of another time that people in the Bible were guided by some form of light? How about the time when Moses was leading the Israelites out of Egypt? He didn't have a global positioning system with him. He did have a pillar of fire that led him at night (Ex 13:21-22). We see this light in Solomon's Temple (2 Chron 7:1-3) and when the Jews were about to go into Babylonian captivity, we see it leaving the Temple (Ezek 9-11). In the New Testament we see it at the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:9) at His transfiguration (Matt 17:5) and His ascension (Acts 1:9). What exactly was this guiding light? The word "star" can also be translated as "radiance." It appears that it was this "radiance" that guided Moses and the magi. The Jews call this the "Shekinah", a physical manifestation of the glory of God in the form of a supernatural radiance. This, I believe, is what the Star of Bethlehem was.
Imagine that you are the pastor of a church. A young married couple is having some difficulties in their relationship and they seek counsel from you. On Monday the wife comes in to give her assessment of their marriage. What do you think she will say? She might say that she is a hardworking, caring and supportive wife and that it is her husband who is the neglectful, insensitive brute and the source of all problems in the marriage. You feel so sorry for this wife and when you see her husband in the hallway, you think to yourself, "What a jerk." On Friday the husband comes in and gives his assessment of the marriage. He tells you that he is hard working and very generous and that she is the major problem in the relationship. As the pastor, you are wondering if they both are talking about the same marriage. Each person tells you what makes them look best and their spouse the worst. Where is the truth? The truth is probably somewhere in between Proverbs 18:17 says, "The first to present his case seems right, til another comes forward and questions him." There are conflicts in all relationships, between spouses, parents and children, employees and employers. When you hear one side of a story, don’t assume that what you hear is the complete truth. And don’t pass on to someone else what you have heard. Probably, at least some of what you heard is untrue to gain your support in a conflict.