Monday, September 20, 2010

Final Events of Bible Prophecy

Final Signs
At the time of the end, knowledge increases and many will run to and fro (Daniel 12:4). Understanding of these prophecies increases as people search through the scriptures. Signs of the end include natural disasters and political turmoil, yet these are only the beginning of sorrows (Matthew 24:6-8). The last days will have a rise of immorality and spiritualism (2 Timothy 3:1-3, 1 Timothy 4:1). The days before Jesus comes will be as in the days of Lot (Luke 17:28-30). Before the end can come though, the gospel must be preached to all the world (Matthew 24:14). In preaching of the gospel we also find the three angel's messages (Revelation 14:6-10).

World Polarized
As the gospel is being preached to all the world and being lightened with God's glory (Revelation 18:1), we also find spirits of devils working miracles and gathering world leaders together  (Revelation 16:14). Religious and political leaders of a seemingly lamb-like superpower will think to solve the world's problems by turning people to a false system of worship and cause them to receive the spiritual "mark of the beast" on their foreheads, representing their adherence to this false religion (Revelation 13:11-18). False Christs will also appear to confirm these things, showing deceptive signs and wonders (Matthew 24:24-27). The laws enforcing false worship will be in conflict with the commandments of God, thus bringing great tribulation to commandment-keepers (Revelation 14:12, Matthew 24:21, John 16:2). This will bring a polarization between those who either choose God and those who choose the mark of the beast, for no one can serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). This polarization will lead to the close of probation.

Probation Closes
When probation closes, the world will have already been polarized between the just and unjust (Revelation 22:11). After this happens, plagues will fall upon the unjust (Revelation 16). In response to these plagues, the unjust make their last attempts to kill off God's remnant as if they were the cause of their troubles (Revelation 12:17). By this time Christ will have stood up to protect his people trough the plagues and time of trouble, then will deliver them (Daniel 12:1). At the seventh plague, a voice from heaven will say "It is done!" followed by thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake so great that cities fall, mountains disappear, and islands sink away (Revelation 16:17-20). This is then followed by great hails stones which cause the unjust to blaspheme God (Revelation 16:21). 

The King Returns
Jesus Christ will come in the clouds with great glory and send angels to gather the saved from every part of the Earth (Mark 13:26-27).Every eye will see him in the clouds, which implies He, with His angels, will circle the Earth's atmosphere (Revelation 1:7). The unjust will react in great fear and seek death, but the saved will look up with joy that their redemption is near (Revelation 6:15-17). The dead in Christ will be raised and the saved who were already alive will be caught up with them to meet Jesus Christ in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). All the saved will be immortalized with incorruptible bodies just before they leave Earth (1 Corinthians 15:52). Those who are left behind experience sudden destruction (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3, Revelation 19:11-20, Luke 17:28 -30, 2 Thessalonians 2:8).

The Millennium
After the Second Coming, Satan is bound up under the circumstances of having no one to deceive until 1000 years later. After this time he'll be loosed for a little while (Revelation 20:1-3) The saved who haven't received the mark of the beast will reign with Christ for 1000 years and receive the authority to judge the world (1 Thessalonians 4:17, Revelation 20:4, 1 Corinthians 6:2)The rest of the dead who were left behind will not live again until the 1000 years are finished and the raising of the saved at the second coming is the "first resurrection" (Revelation 20:5).

The End of Sin
After the millennium, Christ will descend on the Mount of Olives and it will split in two, forming a valley (Zachariah 14:4). At the same time, the New Jerusalem will come down from heaven and the lost will be raised from the dead (Revelation 21:2, Revelation 20:13). By this time Satan will be free to deceive the lost again into gathering for battle against God's people, yet only to find themselves condemned before God (Revelation 20:7-9). They are presented with a judgement scene in which they are judged according to their works (Revelation 20:11-13). Their death and the grave is one of fire because their names weren't written in the book of life (Revelation 20:14-15). By this point everyone will bow down toward to confess to God that His judgement are just (Romans 14:11, John 5:30). 

The New Earth
There will be a New Earth with a new sky with no more death and no more sin or cause of pain and sorrow because everything will be made new (Revelation 21:1-5). The Earth's capital will be the City of God, the New Jerusalem that comes down from heaven (Revelation 21:2). The City is described as a square or a giant cube that is as long as it is wide Revelation 21:16) . The thick walls of the City is said to be made of jasper (Revelation 21:17-18). Each of the twelve gates of the city are made of a different pearl and the streets are made of pure gold (Revelation 21:21). There is no temple there because God and Christ, the lamb of God, are its temple (verse 22). The City will not need the light of the sun or the moon because the glory of God and the lamb will be its light (verse 23). Flowing  down the City is the river of the water of life and in midst of the river is the tree of life bearing twelve kinds of fruit every month (Revelation 22:1-2). 


Note: This post is based on Doug Batchelor's presentation with the same name.
You can see the Final Events of Bible Prophecy on Google Video here.

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