A Timetable of Events for the End Times
We are currently living in the CHURCH AGE, which marks the completion of the following events according to Biblical prophecy: 1) the death of Christ; 2) the burial of Christ; 3) the resurrection of Christ; and, 4) the ascent of the Holy Spirit. Follow the chart below to see the sequence of events that are yet to come…..
The next event on God’s calendar is the RAPTURE, when Jesus comes for His church.
“The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” 1 Thessalonians 4: 16-17
“We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-52
PASTORS NOTE: The return of Jesus will take place in two phases:
The first phase will take place when Jesus returns in the air. This is called the Rapture of the church and the Blessed Hope. This is when Jesus comes for His church, which includes all believers - those who are dead in Christ and those who are still alive.
The second phase will take place when Jesus returns to earth seven years later. This is called Christ’s second coming and the Glorious Appearing. This is when Jesus returns with His church, which is all the saints who were raptured in the first phase.
The next event to unfold is the TRIBULATION, which occurs after all believers have been removed from earth at the rapture. The tribulation will last for seven years and it will unveil unprecedented evil, totally unrestrained, (Revelation 6 through 18) containing the following judgements:
The 7 seals (Revelation 6:1 through Revelation 8:15)
The 7 trumpets (Revelation 8:7 through Revelation 11:19)
The 7 Vials (Revelation 15:1 through Revelation 16:21)
PASTORS NOTE: During the tribulation there will be “woe on earth”, however, there will be “rejoicing in heaven” for the believers who were raptured. The following events will happen concurrently, but separate and apart from the tribulation:
The Judgment Seat of Christ. This judgement of the believers is not about whether or not you get into heaven - you are there. It is about rewards, rewards for your faithfulness in Christ. Essential character and motives of the individual believer will be judged with an account of how we used our time, talents and gifts during our lifetime. 2 Corinthians 5:10 says, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he had done, whether good of bad”. See also Romans 14:10 and 1 Corinthians 3:9-15
Marriage Supper of the Lamb. This is a time of celebration with a joy beyond description. The wedding imagery expresses the intimacy, love and joy between Christ and His believers. Revelation 19:6-10
The next event on God’s calendar is the THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST. Jesus returns with His church to wage a final battle against all the enemies of God, led by the beast and the false prophet, known as the Battle of Armageddon. Revelation 19:11-21
After Jesus gains the victory at Armageddon, believers will be given authority to reign with Him during the MILLENNIUM. The word millennium simply means 1,000 years and this will be a time of peace and righteousness because Satan is “cast into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished.” Revelation 20:1-7
The first resurrection includes the people of God who were raptured and will reign during the 1,000 year period with Jesus as King. The SECOND RESURRECTION is for the nonbeliever who has no relationship with God through Jesus Christ. “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth - those who have done good, to the resurrection of life and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” John 5:28-29 See also Revelation 20:11-14
The resurrection of condemnation is called THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT and Christians will not be present. This is for everyone who ever died without knowing Jesus as their Lord and Savior and refused His forgiveness. Therefore, He will judge the life of each nonbeliever according to their works and their deeds; and, it will be measured against God’s perfect standard of holiness. “And they were judged, each one according to his works.” Revelation 20:11-15
All rebellion against God’s righteousness will be settled at The Great White Throne Judgement. Satan, demons, fallen angels and unrepentant sinners will be eternally separated from the presence of God and thrown into THE LAKE OF FIRE. “Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:14-15. See also Matthew 25:41; Revelation 19:20 and Revelation 20:10
Revelation 21 describes THE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH.
The holy city, the New Jerusalem, comes down from heaven
The city is made of gold, pearls and precious stone and will reflect the beauty of God
The glory of God will illuminate the city with no need for the sun or the moon
Our communion with God and with other Christians will be unbroken
There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying for the former things have passed away - a New Heaven and a New Earth
