Word of the Week - Biblical End time Events and Timeline - Prophecy part 7
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying, and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field, one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Therefore, keep watch, because we do not know on what day the Lord will come.” Matthew 24:36-42
In follow up to my “Word of the Week” on Prophecy part 1,2,3,4,5 & 6 – see below, this week I will cover the final 3 of 12 major Biblical End time events outlined below. Even though it was longer than I anticipated, I hope it was useful and encouraging in giving you insight and context to biblical end time events and prophecies. Please note: Most of the content in this “WOW” was referenced from two sources: 1) Pastor Jimmy Evans book titled “Whats next Israel – Gaza War” and from 2) gotquestions.org website.
End Time Events and Sequence: The following is what my research suggests as the most likely End Time Events and Chronological Sequence of these events:
Rapture of the Church, 2) Rise of the Antichrist, 3) The Tribulation, 4) The Battle of Gog and Magog, 5) The abomination of desolation,
The Battle of Armageddon, 7) The Judgment of the Nations, 8) The binding of satan, 9) The Millennial Kingdom, 10) The Last Battle,
11) The Great white throne judgement, and 12) The new creation
I covered the first 9 in prior weeks and will cover the final 3 this week.
The Last Battle – At the end of the 1,000 years, scripture implies 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 (Revelation 20:7–10). Satan will be cast into the lake of fire, never to reappear. Final victory over the enemy!!!
The Great White Throne Judgment - The great white throne judgment is described in Revelation 20:11-15 and is the final judgment prior to the lost being cast into the lake of fire. We know from Revelation 20:7-15 that this judgment will take place after the millennium and after Satan is thrown into the lake of fire where the beast and the false prophet are (Revelation 19:19-20; 20:7-10). The books that are opened (Revelation 20:12) contain records of everyone’s deeds, whether they are good or evil, because God knows everything that has ever been said, done, or even thought, and He will reward or punish each one accordingly (Psalm 28:4; 62:12; Romans 2:6; Revelation 2:23; 18:6; 22:12).
The “book of life” (Revelation 20:12) determines whether a person will inherit eternal life with God or receive everlasting punishment. Although Christians are held accountable for their actions, we are saved by the sacrifice Jesus made through the Cross and forgiven in Christ. As believers, our names are written in the “book of life from the creation of the world” (Revelation 17:8). We also know from Scripture that it is at this judgment when the dead will be “judged according to what they had done” (Revelation 20:12). The fact that there is going to be a final judgment for all people, both believers and unbelievers, is clearly confirmed in many passages of Scripture.
The bible implies there is a second judgment of believers often referred to as the “judgment seat [bema] of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10). At this judgment, Christians will receive degrees of reward for their works and service to God. This is not a heaven or hell judgement but a way to reward believers for our works and deeds while we were on earth serving Jesus. Romans 14:10-12 says that we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ and that each one of us will give an account to God.
The New Creation “Jerusalem” - The New Jerusalem, which is also called the Tabernacle of God, the Holy City, the City of God, the Celestial City, the City Foursquare, and Heavenly Jerusalem, is literally heaven on earth. It is referred to in the Bible in several places (Galatians 4:26; Hebrews 11:10; 12:22–24; and 13:14), but it is most fully described in Revelation 21.
In Revelation 21:1 God does a complete make-over of heaven and earth (Isaiah 65:17; 2 Peter 3:12–13). The new heaven and new earth are what some call the “eternal state” and will be “where righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13). After the re-creation, God reveals the New Jerusalem. John sees a glimpse of it in his vision: “The Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband” (Revelation 21:2). This is the city that Abraham looked for in faith (Hebrews 11:10). It is the place where God will dwell with His people forever (Revelation 21:3). Inhabitants of this celestial city will have all tears wiped away (Revelation 21:4).
The New Jerusalem will be a place of unimagined blessing. The curse of the old earth will be gone (Revelation 22:3). In the city are the tree of life “for the healing of the nations” and the river of life (verses 1–2). It is the place that Paul spoke of: “In the coming ages [God] might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7). The New Jerusalem is the ultimate fulfillment of all God’s promises. The New Jerusalem is God’s goodness made fully manifest.
So be encouraged, as believers we have much to look forward to for eternity. I pray we will remain connected to the vine of Christ, so He can produce great fruit in us an through us and we will use all of our blessings to do good works and store up treasure in heaven for the coming age Matthew 20:19-21.
“When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:23
Looking forward to the “New” in 2024!!!!
-Duane