In the past two weeks at International Bible Baptist Church of Riverside, Pastor Sergio has begun a teaching of End Times Prophecies. This past Sunday he spoke on the Rapture and Imminency. So I would like to take a moment and try to give a brief overview of the End Times events. I will just touch briefly on the key points which will be discussed in the coming months.
If you have an interest in studying eschatological prophecies and live in Southern California - come join us at IBBC-Riverside: 5932 Challen Avenue, Riverside, California 92503. Morning Service at 10:30 AM ~ Main Worship Service at 2:30 PM, with Sunday School at 1:30 PM.
Let's Talk About The End Times Events!
(1) Church Age (Acts 2:1-4) - Began on the Day of Pentecost 33 AD, in the Upper Room in Jerusalem, when the Holy Spirit came upon the 120 disciples waiting as Jesus had instructed them, for the promise given by God, the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit in all believers. The Church Age began on the Day of Pentecost - and is still going today, the age of Grace. It will continue until the Rapture of the church.
(2) The Rapture (John 14:1-3, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) - will end the Church Age as all believers, i..e, the New Testament church, are taken into heaven. During the 7-year Tribulation when the church is in heaven, these two major events will occur:
(3) The Tribulation (Daniel 9:24-27) - will begin shortly after the Rapture and will be triggered by the signing of a 7-year Peace Accord between the Antichrist and the nation Israel.
(4) Ordaining of 144,000 Jewish Evangelist (Revelation 7:4-8) - These are 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes, set aside by God to share His Gospel during the Tribulation. This is validation that, even though the church was removed at the Rapture - the Holy Spirit is still working on earth. During the church age, He worked through believers to spread the Gospel. During the Tribulation, He will work through the 144,000, through the Two Witnesses, and through all who become believers during the Tribulation, i.e., Tribulation saints.
(5) The Two Witnesses (Revelation 11) - God will raise up two very powerful witnesses. Some suggest Moses to represent the Law and Elijah to represent the Prophets (Matthew 11:13, Matthew 22:40, Luke 16:16). They will prophesy and share God's Word for 1260 days (42 months, 3 1/2 years). Then they will be killed, their bodies will lay in the streets for 3 1/2 days as the whole world watches - and then they will rise up, resurrect, and ascend into heaven - just as Jesus Christ ascended.
(6) Mid-Tribulation Desecration of the holy temple (Daniel 9:27) - When the Antichrist will seat himself upon the temple throne and declare himself to be God. This is also called the Abomination of Desolation.
(7) Recognition of Martyred Tribulation Saints (Revelation 7:9-14) - A great number, too large to count, from all nations, Jew and Gentile, will become believers during the 7-year Tribulation. Many will die for their new Christian faith and will go directly into heaven.
(8) Second Coming of Jesus Christ (Revelation 19:11-16) - He will return in glory at the end of the 7-year Tribulation. When He returns as King of Kings, His armies will return with him - His Bride, the church - Old Testament saints - Martyred Tribulation saints - and His angels.
(9) Sheep & Goat Judgment (Matthew 25:31-46) - One of His first actions will be the judgment of all Tribulations survivors. Sheep (believers) will go into the Millennial Kingdom in their mortal bodies. Goats (non-believers) will go into Hades/Torment to await their final judgment at the Great White Throne Judgment.
(10) Satan locked in the abyss (Revelation 20:1-3) - Satan is removed to the abyss for 1000 years, his temptation removed from mortal Millennium believers and their children. All Tribulation survivors who go into the Millennial Kingdom are believers. Although being in their mortal bodies, they will still have the curse of the Adamic Sin Nature - but no temptation. However, all children born to the Millennial mortals will still have to receive Christ as Lord and Savior - each individual just as we do today. Many, through apathy, will just never get around to it and will still be non-believers.
(11) 1000 Year Millennial Kingdom of Christ (Revelation 20:4) - Christ rules the world from the throne of David in Jerusalem for 1000 years, the perfect Theocracy.
(12) Satan is released from the abyss (Revelation 20:7) - After the 1000 year Millennium, Satan is released from the abyss - and will immediately start recruiting all those Millennium born people who through apathy did not follow Christ. He will build a great army of those apathetic souls - and try one last time to defeat Jesus Christ and destroy holy Jerusalem (Revelation 20:7-9). And, just as in the pre-Rapture, pre-Tribulation battle described in Ezekiel 38-39 (Gog and Magog) "fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them." Satan will be cast into the lake of fire to join his Antichrist and False Prophet (Revelation 20:10).
(12) Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15) - All non-believers from all ages will be resurrected into their immortal bodies - to stand before Jesus Christ in judgment for rejecting him in their mortal lives. This is a judgment of punishment, not a second chance - and all will be ushered into an eternity void of the loving presence of God. That can only be described as hell.
(13) Eternity With Jesus Christ (Revelation 21-22) - Jesus Christ will escort all believers in our immortal bodies into His eternity. The New Heaven and New Earth will appear and the New Jerusalem will descend from heaven. And that will be our eternal home.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Let's Talk More About The Rapture!
There are basically five views of the Rapture:
(1) It Will Never happen! The Rapture is only a fantasy, a myth propagated by Evangelicals and Fundamentalists.
(2) Mid-Tribulation Rapture: Christ will rapture His church; but, not until the middle of the seven year Tribulation.
(3) Pre-Wrath Rapture: Christ will rapture His church - but not until 5 1/4 years after the start of the seven year Tribulation.
(4) Post-Tribulation Rapture: Christ will Rapture His church at the end of the Tribulation.
(5) Pre-Tribulation Rapture: Finally, a Rapture view which makes sense and is Biblical. Christ will keep His church from the wrath (John 14:1-3, Revelation 3:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:9).
And, to quote the late well known and beloved anchorman, Walter Cronkite, who for so many years onThe CBS Evening News most often signed off with, "And that's the way it is!"
Yes, my Friends, that IS the way it is - and that is why it is so important for us to faithfully be sharing His Gospel of salvation with our unsaved friends.
Let me close by emphasizing that a person is not saved by, nor will a believer lose salvation - based upon his/her eschatological beliefs. We are saved by grace through faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross, alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). So why study eschatology? Glad you asked. A person can believe any of those different eschatological beliefs above and still be a born-again believer.
But what sense of eternal security can a person have if he is convinced that he and his believing loved ones are going to have to experience the horrors of the seven year Tribulation?
I find comfort knowing that I am a member of God's family, an integral part of the betrothed bride of Christ - and knowing that He will NOT allow His bride to suffer those horrors. Would YOU allow your wife or other loved ones to suffer such Tribulations horrors if you have the power to prevent it? Of course not. And neither will Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
Click on the graphic image to enlarge it:
If you have an interest in studying eschatological prophecies and live in Southern California - come join us at IBBC-Riverside: 5932 Challen Avenue, Riverside, California 92503. Morning Service at 10:30 AM ~ Main Worship Service at 2:30 PM, with Sunday School at 1:30 PM.
Let's Talk About The End Times Events!
(1) Church Age (Acts 2:1-4) - Began on the Day of Pentecost 33 AD, in the Upper Room in Jerusalem, when the Holy Spirit came upon the 120 disciples waiting as Jesus had instructed them, for the promise given by God, the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit in all believers. The Church Age began on the Day of Pentecost - and is still going today, the age of Grace. It will continue until the Rapture of the church.
(2) The Rapture (John 14:1-3, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) - will end the Church Age as all believers, i..e, the New Testament church, are taken into heaven. During the 7-year Tribulation when the church is in heaven, these two major events will occur:
(a) Bema Seat Judgment, i.e., Believers' Judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10, 1 Corinthians 3:10-15). A judgment of rewards, not punishment.
(b) Wedding Feast of the Lamb (Revelation 19:6-9) - when Christ takes His betrothed, the church, to be His Bride.
(3) The Tribulation (Daniel 9:24-27) - will begin shortly after the Rapture and will be triggered by the signing of a 7-year Peace Accord between the Antichrist and the nation Israel.
(4) Ordaining of 144,000 Jewish Evangelist (Revelation 7:4-8) - These are 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes, set aside by God to share His Gospel during the Tribulation. This is validation that, even though the church was removed at the Rapture - the Holy Spirit is still working on earth. During the church age, He worked through believers to spread the Gospel. During the Tribulation, He will work through the 144,000, through the Two Witnesses, and through all who become believers during the Tribulation, i.e., Tribulation saints.
(5) The Two Witnesses (Revelation 11) - God will raise up two very powerful witnesses. Some suggest Moses to represent the Law and Elijah to represent the Prophets (Matthew 11:13, Matthew 22:40, Luke 16:16). They will prophesy and share God's Word for 1260 days (42 months, 3 1/2 years). Then they will be killed, their bodies will lay in the streets for 3 1/2 days as the whole world watches - and then they will rise up, resurrect, and ascend into heaven - just as Jesus Christ ascended.
(6) Mid-Tribulation Desecration of the holy temple (Daniel 9:27) - When the Antichrist will seat himself upon the temple throne and declare himself to be God. This is also called the Abomination of Desolation.
(7) Recognition of Martyred Tribulation Saints (Revelation 7:9-14) - A great number, too large to count, from all nations, Jew and Gentile, will become believers during the 7-year Tribulation. Many will die for their new Christian faith and will go directly into heaven.
(8) Second Coming of Jesus Christ (Revelation 19:11-16) - He will return in glory at the end of the 7-year Tribulation. When He returns as King of Kings, His armies will return with him - His Bride, the church - Old Testament saints - Martyred Tribulation saints - and His angels.
(9) Sheep & Goat Judgment (Matthew 25:31-46) - One of His first actions will be the judgment of all Tribulations survivors. Sheep (believers) will go into the Millennial Kingdom in their mortal bodies. Goats (non-believers) will go into Hades/Torment to await their final judgment at the Great White Throne Judgment.
(10) Satan locked in the abyss (Revelation 20:1-3) - Satan is removed to the abyss for 1000 years, his temptation removed from mortal Millennium believers and their children. All Tribulation survivors who go into the Millennial Kingdom are believers. Although being in their mortal bodies, they will still have the curse of the Adamic Sin Nature - but no temptation. However, all children born to the Millennial mortals will still have to receive Christ as Lord and Savior - each individual just as we do today. Many, through apathy, will just never get around to it and will still be non-believers.
(11) 1000 Year Millennial Kingdom of Christ (Revelation 20:4) - Christ rules the world from the throne of David in Jerusalem for 1000 years, the perfect Theocracy.
(12) Satan is released from the abyss (Revelation 20:7) - After the 1000 year Millennium, Satan is released from the abyss - and will immediately start recruiting all those Millennium born people who through apathy did not follow Christ. He will build a great army of those apathetic souls - and try one last time to defeat Jesus Christ and destroy holy Jerusalem (Revelation 20:7-9). And, just as in the pre-Rapture, pre-Tribulation battle described in Ezekiel 38-39 (Gog and Magog) "fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them." Satan will be cast into the lake of fire to join his Antichrist and False Prophet (Revelation 20:10).
(12) Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15) - All non-believers from all ages will be resurrected into their immortal bodies - to stand before Jesus Christ in judgment for rejecting him in their mortal lives. This is a judgment of punishment, not a second chance - and all will be ushered into an eternity void of the loving presence of God. That can only be described as hell.
(13) Eternity With Jesus Christ (Revelation 21-22) - Jesus Christ will escort all believers in our immortal bodies into His eternity. The New Heaven and New Earth will appear and the New Jerusalem will descend from heaven. And that will be our eternal home.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Let's Talk More About The Rapture!
There are basically five views of the Rapture:
(1) It Will Never happen! The Rapture is only a fantasy, a myth propagated by Evangelicals and Fundamentalists.
Problem with that view: Non-believers and Liberal theology believers need this view. For the non-believers, to accept the Rapture is to admit a belief in God. And most are not ready for that yet.
For the Liberal theology believers, the Rapture refutes their belief in purgatory - or - their belief that Jesus will stay in heaven until it is time for us to enter Eternity - or - their belief that society is getting more righteous every day and when the world is righteous, He will just come and take us into Eternity - without a Rapture, without a Believers Judgment, without the Wedding Feast of the Lamb.
(2) Mid-Tribulation Rapture: Christ will rapture His church; but, not until the middle of the seven year Tribulation.
Problem with that view: Key fault with this belief is that it destroys the doctrine of imminence, that Christ's return to Rapture His church could happen at any moment - but, no one knows the time or date.
(3) Pre-Wrath Rapture: Christ will rapture His church - but not until 5 1/4 years after the start of the seven year Tribulation.
Problem with that view: Key fault with this belief is that it destroys the doctrine of imminence, that Christ's return to Rapture His church could happen at any moment - but, no one knows the time or date.
(4) Post-Tribulation Rapture: Christ will Rapture His church at the end of the Tribulation.
Problem with that view: Key fault with this belief is the same problem of imminence. And since post-tribulation is the time of His Second Coming, why would He rapture us into heaven - at the same time He is leaving heaven to return to earth and establish His Millennial Kingdom in Jerusalem?
(5) Pre-Tribulation Rapture: Finally, a Rapture view which makes sense and is Biblical. Christ will keep His church from the wrath (John 14:1-3, Revelation 3:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:9).
No Problem with this view: Jesus Christ will appear in the air and believers will be "caught up" (harpazō in Greek, rapiemur in Latin, rapture in English) to meet Him in the clouds and we shall be with Him always. (1 Thessalonians 4:17-18).
And, to quote the late well known and beloved anchorman, Walter Cronkite, who for so many years onThe CBS Evening News most often signed off with, "And that's the way it is!"
Yes, my Friends, that IS the way it is - and that is why it is so important for us to faithfully be sharing His Gospel of salvation with our unsaved friends.
Let me close by emphasizing that a person is not saved by, nor will a believer lose salvation - based upon his/her eschatological beliefs. We are saved by grace through faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross, alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). So why study eschatology? Glad you asked. A person can believe any of those different eschatological beliefs above and still be a born-again believer.
But what sense of eternal security can a person have if he is convinced that he and his believing loved ones are going to have to experience the horrors of the seven year Tribulation?
I find comfort knowing that I am a member of God's family, an integral part of the betrothed bride of Christ - and knowing that He will NOT allow His bride to suffer those horrors. Would YOU allow your wife or other loved ones to suffer such Tribulations horrors if you have the power to prevent it? Of course not. And neither will Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
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