The Doctrine of Last Things

Rapture
I believe that the next event in the fulfillment of prophecy will be the rapture of the church (all believers of the church age, both dead and alive). All believers which have died during the church age will be resurrected bodily, while those who are alive will be translated bodily. The rapture of the church is imminent, will take place at the descension and shout of the Lord, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God, and will occur before the tribulation.

  1. The rapture of the church (1 Co 15:51,52; 1 Th 4:15-18; 5:1-5,9; Rev 3:10).
  2. The rapture will consist of all believers of the church age, both the living and the dead, (Jn 14:1-3; 1 Co 15:51,52; 1 Th 4:15-17).
  3. The rapture may occur at any time (1 Co 15:51,52; 1 Thess 5:2 Note phrases in Ro 13:12; 2 Pt 3:12). This event is signaled by the descent of the Lord, the shout of the Lord, the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God (1 Co 15:52; 1 Th 4:16).
  4. The rapture of the church will occur before the tribulation (1 Thess 1:10). This will be more evident as one understands the characteristics and nature of both the tribulation and millennium.

Tribulation
I believe the tribulation is a seven year period which will follow the rapture of the church. The tribulation will consist of unbelievers with emphasis toward the Jews. The tribulation is marked by several events: it is a time of God’s unprecedented judgement upon the ungodly; there will be a great evangelization of the Jews; the antichrist will reign, head up a ten nation confederacy, and demand all to worship him. While the tribulation is underway, those that were raptured will receive their rewards and participate in the marriage supper of the Lamb. At the close of the tribulation, Christ will personally and visibly return with His saints, defeat all that oppose Him at the battle of Armageddon, and judge those that survive the tribulation. There will be no unbelievers that survive the tribulation. The Old Testament saints will be resurrected and Christ’s millennial reign will begin.

  1. The seven year tribulation period immediately follows the rapture of the church (Dan 9:24-27; Rev 3:10; 6-18).
  2. The scope of the tribulation is primarily Jewish (Jer 30:1-7; Dan 12:1; Ro 11:25-28).
  3. The tribulation period is characterized by several key events:
    1. The unprecedented wrath of God is poured out on the ungodly (Rev 14:15,18; 11:18). The devastation will be so great that no unbeliever will survive the tribulation (Jn 3:3; Rev 19:21).
    2. Chastening of Israel for her unbelief (Dan 12:1).
    3. Mass salvation of the Jews (Ro 11:26) and Gentiles (Zeph 3:9; Rev 7:9-17).
    4. The antichrist will reign (Da 7:8; 9:27; 2 Th 2), There will be a ten nation confederacy led by the antichrist (Da 7; Re 17), he will demand worship (Re 13).
  4. While the tribulation is taking place, those raptured before the tribulation receive their rewards (1 Co 3:11-15; 2 Co 5:10; Ja 1:12; Rev 4:1,4), and participate in the marriage supper (Mat 25:10; Rev 19:7-16).
  5. The end of the tribulation will be marked by the personal and visible return of Christ i.e. second coming (Mt 24:27-31; 25:31-46; 2 Th 2), with His saints (1 Co 3; Re 19). Christ the King will be victorious over all foes at Armageddon (Rev 19:17,18), Satan will be bound (Re 20:1-3), the false prophet/beast are cast into the lake of fire (Rev 19:19,20), then Christ will judge: OT saints (Dan 12:3), trib martyrs (Rev 20:4), living Israel (Ez 20:34), Gentile nations (Joel 3:2),the survivors of the tribulation (Mt 25; Ze 14).

Millennium
I believe that after the tribulation, the millennial, earthly reign of Christ (or second coming), begins and lasts for 1,000 years. During this Messianic Kingdom resurrected saints will reign with Christ over all the nations and earth. This kingdom will see a partial restoration of Edenic conditions. God’s promises to Israel regarding Israel’s restoration will be fulfilled: perfect governmental leadership, peace, unity, re-institution of temple worship, the issuing of the land and restoration of prominence. Upon completion of 1,000 years Satan is released, rallies the unsaved (offspring of the survivors of the tribulation) for one last effort to destroy Christ, loses the battle of Gog and Magog, and is cast into the lake of fire. Finally, the great white throne judgement occurs for all unbelievers of all time. Unbelievers receive their just recompense of eternal condemnation.

  1. The Messianic Kingdom is a literal 1,000 year period on earth, inaugurated by Christ Himself (Dan 7:9-14; Mal 3:1-3; Ac 1:10,11; Mt 25:31; Lu 1:32,33).
  2. Resurrected saints will rule and reign with Christ (Da 7:27; 1 Co 6:2; Rev 22:1,3,5).
  3. The millennial kingdom will be marked by Edenic conditions: land (Is 35:1-2a,7), animals (Is 11:6-9; 35:9; 65:25; Ez 34:25-30), man (Is 29:18-20; 33:24; 60:20; 65:20-23).
  4. God’s promises to Israel will be fulfilled during the millennium:
    1. perfect government with Christ in command (Is 55:4; Ez 37:24).
    2. peace (Is 66:12).
    3. unity (Is 11:13,14; Ez 37:22).
    4. temple worship (Ez 37:26-28; 43-46).
    5. issuing of the land and restoration of prominence (Is 2:2-4; 65:8-10; Ez 37:21-28; Joel 3:1; Amos 9:14; Ze 8:20-23; 10:6).
  5. At the end of the millennium Satan will be released, defeated and cast into the lake of fire where he will remain throughout eternity (Rev 20:7-10).
  6. The great white throne judgement occurs for unbelievers of all time. Unbelievers receive their just recompense of eternal damnation, and are then cast into the lake of fire where they will spend all eternity (Rev 20:11-15).

Eternal State
I believe in an eternal state of glory where believers of all time will enjoy unbroken fellowship with God, continual service to God, in a perfect body, in a state of complete happiness for all eternity. On the other hand, unbelievers will be eternally punished. The heavens and earth will be dissolved and will be replaced with a new heaven and earth. The eternal, redemptive plan of God will be complete with Christ the Son delivering up the kingdom to God the Father.

  1. In the eternal state believers of all time will enjoy unhindered fellowship with God (1 Co 13:13), continual service to God (Rev 22:3), in a perfect body (1 Co 15:35-54), in a state of complete happiness (Rev 21:4); while unbelievers will be eternally punished (Mt 25:41,46; Mk 9:47-48; Rev 20:11-15).
  2. The heavens and earth will be destroyed and recreated for the righteous to dwell (2 Pt 3:10-13; Eph 5:5; Rev 21:1).
  3. The eternal, redemptive plan of God is complete with Christ the Son delivering up the kingdom to God the Father (1 Co 15:23-28).