Eschatology, or the study of the end times, was something that I learned about extensively during undergrad. This subject is popular for many reasons, as many people want to know what happens in the future. Unlike individuals who believe there is no way to know what God is going to do, we as believers can anticipate God's work in the future through eschatology.
Everything written in the Bible is there to help us, guide us, and instruct us (2 Timothy 3:16-17). This includes eschatological events, which are recorded throughout the Bible. The major book of the Bible that discusses the end times is Revelation. Without the Book of Revelation, we would still have information about the end times; however, Revelation provides enormous details.
Within eschatology, there are two main branches: dispensationalism and covenant theology. For this article, I will be focusing on the former’s interpretation of the events of eschatology rather than the latter. Dispensationalism is the view that most aligns with the Bible, which is why I personally hold to it as well as many scholars, professors, and Bible experts. Covenant theology is held by many individuals as well; however, it does not always contain accurate information concerning the events of eschatology.
If you want to learn more about the end times, here are five major events that will happen:
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1. The Rapture of the Church
One major event in eschatology is the first event, the rapture of the church. The rapture will happen faster than the twinkling of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:52). While we do not know when the rapture will happen, as it is not preceded by anything, we do know it is the first event of eschatology. The rapture is when believers will be taken up to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
At the time we are taken up, we will be transformed into our glorified bodies. The dead in Christ will rise first and then believers who are still alive will be taken up second (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). This is a wonderful event that we can look forward to as it is a promise from God. Only believers will be taken up into the rapture because it is only for those who have chosen to place faith in Jesus.
For those who are alive at the time of the rapture, who have not placed faith in Jesus, they will be left on the earth to undergo the seven-year tribulation. As for believers, we do not have to worry about undergoing the tribulation because we will be taken up into the rapture. When we are taken up into the rapture, we will be taken into Heaven where we will be with God. At this time, we will undergo the Bema Seat of Christ.
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2. The Bema Seat of Christ
This leads us to our second major event in eschatology, the Bema Seat of Christ (Romans 14:10-12). As mentioned, this will occur while the rest of the world is undergoing the tribulation. While the Bible does not tell us how long this event will last, we do know that it will take some time to go through every single believer of all time. The Bema Seat of Christ is a judgment, but not a judgment of salvation.
Rather, you are already at the Bema Seat of Christ because you are saved and belong to Jesus. However, the Bema Seat of Christ is a judgment of works—what you did or did not do for Jesus. For the things you did for Christ, you will be given rewards. In the same way, for the things you chose not to do for Christ, you will lose rewards. All believers will be given at least one reward; however, we should live our lives in a manner worthy of Christ in order not to be shamed on the day of judgment.
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3. The Seven-Year Tribulation
A third major event of eschatology is the seven-year tribulation. The tribulation will be happening on the earth while believers are in Heaven. Many people believe the tribulation is caused by Satan, but this is not true. The tribulation comes upon the earth because of God. He is the One who places judgment across the inhabitants of the earth. It is a last strained effort at pulling His people back to Him, the Jews.
The Jews have always been God’s chosen people, and the tribulation is God’s way of trying to pull them back to Him, yet not all of them will obey. Gentiles will also place faith in Jesus at this time, but the tribulation is Jewish in focus. Throughout the tribulation, there will be plagues brought out by angels, the bowl judgments, the rising of the antichrist and the false prophet, as well as the Second Coming of Christ at the time of the Battle of Armageddon.
All of these things will occur throughout the tribulation, and it will be a dark time. The entirety of the tribulation will last seven years. The last three and a half years will be worse than the first three and a half years because the final three and a half years will be when the antichrist will be stronger in power. For those living during the time of the tribulation, they will still be able to place faith in Jesus; however, it will be deadly to be a Christian at this time. Those who place faith in Jesus during this time and who die for their faith in Christ will become tribulation saints (Revelation 7:9-14).
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4. The Great White Throne of Judgment
A fourth major event in eschatology is the Great White Throne of Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). This is the judgment that will befall all unbelievers of all time. To take part in this judgment will be terrible as each person will be judged based on what they have done without having any forgiveness from Christ. According to what each individual has done in their life will determine the severity of their punishment.
After the Great White Throne of Judgment, unbelievers will be thrown into the lake of fire only to be met by Satan, his demons, the antichrist, and the false prophet. The lake of fire is known as the second death (Revelation 21:8). By the time a person is undergoing the Great White Throne Judgment, there will be no more chances to place faith in Jesus. Their eternal destiny has been set in stone, and there is no coming back from the lake of fire.
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5. The New Heaven and New Earth
A fifth major event in eschatology is the final event of eschatology, the New Heaven and New Earth (Revelation 21). This is when God creates a New Heaven and a New Earth as the former heaven and earth have passed away (Revelation 21:1). In the New Heaven and New Earth, there will be no more crying, pain, or death (Revelation 21:4). Instead, there will be eternal happiness and peace with the Lord.
There will be no sea in the New Heaven and New Earth because the vast expanses of water, such as the sea, was a reminder of the judgment of the flood. In the same way, there will be no sun or moon because the Father and the Son will be the sources of light (Revelation 21:23). In the same way, never will the gates of the New Heaven and New Earth have to be closed because there will be no night (Revelation 21:25). The New Heaven and New Earth will be our final destination as all believers will live forever with the Lord with eternal happiness, peace, and love.
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Originally published Monday, 04 March 2024.
