Ralph Porter

© 2003

    For the past several months we've been looking at the individual pieces of God's plan for the future. We've considered what the Bible has to say about tomorrow's news, and how today's news fits into what God promised would happen in the future.

    During this study we haven't used a "prophecy chart," though at times we've sensed that we could have used a chart to show us how all these individual pieces we've been considering fit together. This morning I'd like to give you the "chart." We want to look at the broad overview of God's plan for the future. We want to see how all the pieces we've been considering fit together. So that, when we're experiencing our "piece of the action" and it doesn't make sense, we can see where it fits in the big picture--in God's scheme of things!

    The notes you received this morning provide a biblical "time line" of future events--a summary of key events and key passages that deal with these events. Although there will  only be time for a quick glimpse of each phase of the plan, it should help us to understand how all these pieces fit together. You may want to spend more time investigating these events and passages on your own during the week.

    The next event Scripture tells us we should be waiting for is the rapture of the church (2 Thess. 2:1-3; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15; John 14:1-6; 1 John 3:2-3; Rev. 3:10-11; 4:1; 19:7-11; Matt. 25:1-13). We're told that it could happen soon--even before we finish preaching this sermon this morning. (Now this isn't the time you're supposed to say "Amen!").

    When we considered this event previously, we observed that the clearest statement concerning the timing of this event is found in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3. Other passages describe the rapture, and tell us what it will be like, but don't answer the question "when will this occur?"

    In 2 Thessalonians 2, Paul answers that question. He has spoken to them about this matter numerous times before, but the content of those discussions isn't revealed, apart from what he says to them in 1 Thessalonians. The church rightly believed that the Lord's coming could happen at any time. However, they are suffering greatly on account of their faith. Their affliction has caused them to wonder whether they might not already be in "the day of the Lord," the tribulation period they knew would come in the future. Some popular preachers had affirmed that they were already in that day. Some had even come using Paul's name to support their claim.

    Paul assures them that they couldn't be in the day of the Lord because two obvious visible events must occur before the tribulation begins (2 Thess. 2:1-3). The first of those notable events is described as "a departure." Though most commentaries and translations have assumed that this must refer to a moral and spiritual departure from the truth, referred to as "the apostasy," that is not the only possible significance of that word. It could also be a reference to a physical departure. Whichever view of the departure we accept, Paul is clear that until this notable "departure" has occurred, the persecution God's people may have to endure can't be that of the day of the Lord which is to come in the last days.

    A more detailed description of the events of that day is presented in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. The church is concerned about those who die before the rapture occurs. They were asking whether those they love will miss out on the rapture. Paul assures them that they will definitely not be left out. In fact, they will lead the way. 

    The dead in Christ are gathered first, then those who are alive will join them in the clouds and we will remain together in the Lord's presence forever. It's because of that hope that we don't mourn when we come face to face with death, as those who have no hope. It's because of that hope that I was able to sit at my dad's bedside a couple of weeks ago, and look forward with excitement to his departure. We can celebrate in the face of death because we know that we have this hope!

    Following the departure of the church from the earth, several events are mentioned that take place in heaven. The exact chronological sequence is not specifically stated, but the logical order seems natural. The church will appear before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:9-10; 1 Cor. 3:9-15; 9:25-27; 1 Pet. 5:4). This is not a judgment to determine our eternal destiny. That destiny has been determined by our trust in Christ which results in eternal life.

God's people will be judged concerning our service for Him. Those who have been faithful in using His resources for His glory will receive rewards for that service. Those who have served for their own benefit or who have misused their authority will be saved, but will have nothing to show for their efforts.

    In addition to the judgment seat of Christ, the church will participate in the marriage of the Lamb (Rev. 19:7-8). Throughout the New Testament, the church is described as the bride of Christ. Now the bride will come face to face with the Bridegroom and they will be united in marriage. Following that marriage, the Bridegroom will return with His bride to participate in the great wedding celebration (Rev. 19:9, 14; Col. 3:4).

    While those events are taking place in heaven, other events will be taking place on earth. The second notable sign that Paul assures us must occur before the day of the Lord can come on earth is the revelation of the "Man of Lawlessness" (2 Thess. 2:3-12; Dan. 7:7-8, 19-24; 9:26-27; 11:36-45; Rev. 13; 17:7-13). He provides solutions to the world's great problems and convinces world leaders that he is worthy of being followed. He will establish his throne in the temple of god and proclaim himself to be god. He will deceive many people and attract a great following that will worship him.

First Half of the Tribulation: Time of Relative Tranquility

    The introduction of the Antichrist leads into the day of the Lord--the tribulation-- (1 Thess. 5:1-11; Rev. 6:16-17; 6-18; Jer. 30:4-9; Matt. 24:5-24; Dan. 9:24-27; 12:1-2). The first half of the tribulation will be a period of protection--a time of relative tranquility and peace.

    During that time, Israel dwells securely in the land due to the peace treaty guaranteed by the Antichrist (Dan. 9:26-27; Ezek. 38:10-16). 144,000 Jewish witnesses turn to God and are protected during the succeeding time of divine judgment. Many people trust Christ because of the testimony of these chosen witnesses (Rev. 7).

    A number of additional significant events occur during the first half of the tribulation. Iraq is eventually reestablished as a religious and commercial center (Rev. 17-18). Europe becomes a dominant world power (Dan. 7:7-8, 19-24; Rev. 17:7-13). During that time God unleashes preliminary judgments against the earth. (Matt. 24:4-14; Rev. 6:1-8:14).

    The first half of the tribulation concludes with a military attack by a powerful alliance against Israel. All the negative animosity toward Israel comes to a climax. Taking advantage of Israel's feeling of peace and security, Russia joins the Arab states, and possibly Germany, to attack Israel. In response to this attack against His people, God intervenes and destroys these states (Ezek. 38-39).

The Second Half of the Tribulation: The Great Tribulation

    This international political shift in the balance of power leads into the second half of the final week of Daniel's plan, the three and a half year period described in Scripture as the Great Tribulation. With the competition eliminated, Antichrist moves into Israel, breaks his peace treaty, and establishes himself as god, to be worshiped by all people ( 2 Thess. 2:3-12; Dan 7:7-8, 19-27; 9:26-27; Rev. 13:1-8; 17:7-18).

    Since he no longer needs the support of the great ecumenical religious system established in Iraq, he turns against that system and destroys it, along with the commercial center that has developed there (Rev. 17-18; Zech. 5:5-11; Isa. 13; Jer. 50-51).

    During that same period God unleashes a horrific series of extreme judgments against the earth (Matt. 24:15-24; Rev. 8:2-18:24). People acknowledge that God is the source of these judgments, but they refuse to repent and turn to Him.

    Because the peoples of the earth have turned their back on God and rejected Him, they believe the deception of the beast and follow him. Antichrist requires all people to wear a mark of allegiance to him (Rev. 13:16-18). God's people, now identified with Israel, refuse the mark and flee from the persecution. Those who have rejected God's authority over them, readily accept the Antichrist's authority and join his cause.

    The eastern nations unite to oppose this "western" imposition and gather at Armageddon to fight it out. As their troops gather, they see sign of the Son of Man in heaven and both groups unite to oppose Him (Rev. 19:11-21).

    The battlefield at Armageddon thus becomes the stage on which the Second Coming of Christ to the earth is carried out. Israel has been re-gathered and restored to their land once again (Isa. 11:10-12; Jer. 32:36-44; Rom. 11:25-27). Christ then appears like a lightning bolt in a dark sky (Matt. 24:29-31).

    The climax occurs when Christ returns to the earth with His bride, the Church (Rev. 19:8-9, 14; Col. 3:4). He slays those who oppose Him, throws the beast and the false prophet into the lake of fire, and binds their head, Satan, for a thousand years, confined in the abyss (Rev. 19:17-21; 20:1-3).

    Christ then focuses his attention on those who are still alive on the earth. He judges Israel and the pagan peoples. Israel's judgment is based on their readiness for His coming and their use of the resources God has placed in their hands (Ezek. 20:34-38; Matt. 25:1-30). He judges the pagan peoples based on their treatment of Israel during the time of tribulation (Matt. 25:31-46; Ps. 2; Joel 3:1-8). Only those who are committed to submitting to God's authority over their lives would resist the beast and care for God's children during that time.

    Following the judgment to determine who should be admitted into the great wedding celebration, Christ establishes His kingdom on earth. He then reigns with His bride on earth for a thousand years (Rev. 20:4-6; Isa. 32:1; 35:1-10; Ezek. 34:23-25; 36:25-28; 40-48; Jer. 31:33-34).

    At the conclusion of that thousand year reign, Satan makes His last stand. He is loosed from the abyss to lead a mass rebellion against Christ (Rev. 20:7-9). Christ demonstrates His absolute authority as the rebels are killed (Rev. 20:9) and Satan is thrown into the lake of fire together with his two key agents, who were sent there previously (Rev. 20:10).

    Other events which conclude the millennial period include the resurrection of those who are still dead (Rev. 20:13), the Great White Throne Judgment, which determines the destiny of those who weren't resurrected at the time of the first resurrection (Rev. 20:11-15), the destruction of the earth (2 Pet. 3:10-12; Matt. 24:35; Heb. 1:10-12) and the establishment of a new heaven and new earth (2 Pet. 3:13; Isa. 65:17; 66:22).

    This is followed by the eternal state in which all those who have trusted Christ and submitted to the authority of the Creator will be blessed in His presence forever, while those who have rejected Him will be afflicted with eternal conscious punishment (Rev. 21:1-22:5 21:3-7, 22-27; 1 Cor. 15:24-28; 2 Pet. 3:12-13). The blessed state is for those whose names are found written in the Lamb's book of life.

    It would be possible for us to look at these future events and walk away thinking, "Isn't that interesting!" God hasn't given all these details concerning the future in order to satisfy our curiosity concerning the future. They were recorded for our benefit, in order to motivate us to live a different kind of life. Thus it's important that we consider one last time the exhortations God's Word gives us concerning how these events ought to affect our lives today.

    Certainly the most important implication for our lives comes out of that final promise of blessing for all whose names are found written in the Lamb's book of life. This is the Lamb's book. Those whose names are in that book are there because of what the Lamb has done for us. The Bible tells us repeatedly that God offers eternal life to all those who trust in the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world. We can't save ourselves and earn our way into that blessed state. We must stop trusting our own efforts and trust what Christ has done. He died on the cross to take our guilt away, so that God could give us the gift of eternal life. Are you trusting Him this morning? Will you receive the gift that He died on the cross to give you?

    For those of us who are trusting Him, there are a number of implications for our lives today also. First, Paul concludes his instruction concerning our Lord's coming to gather both those who have died and those who are still alive, to take them to be with Him forever, with an exhortation. "Encourage one another with these words!" (1 Thess. 4:18). When we come face to face with the death of those we love, these words are a real encouragement. As I sat beside my dad, as he was dying a few weeks ago, it was a real encouragement to both of us to know that we will be together again. In fact, I won't beat him there. He'll go first, and he'll be waiting for me! That old slow body that could hardly walk any more won't get in the way. That's real encouragement! We ought to encourage one another with these words!

    The second implication of these prophecies is repeated by numerous writers. When John promises that when we see Him we'll be like Him, because we'll see Him as He is, he also tells us that those who have this hope ought to purify themselves, even as He is pure (1 John 3:2-3). When Peter foretells the destruction of the old universe and establishment of the new, he asks what difference this should make in our lives. How should we then live? "We ought to live holy and godly lives!" (2 Pet. 3:11-12a). When describing the judgment seat of Christ, Paul says that "we make it our goal to please Him!" (2 Cor. 5:9). So all these witnesses unite their voices to tell us that if we believe these wonderful things about the future, we ought to live for God's glory today.

    The third exhortation is found in Paul's instruction concerning the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:58). Since we believe that we will all be changed, and we believe that God has given us ultimate victory through our Lord Jesus Christ, we ought to stand firm. We ought to "Hang in there!" Don't throw in the towel just because the price is high and we suffer greatly. We can stand firm because of our confidence in Him.

    That confidence leads into a fourth implication. Revelation 19-21 tells us how the story ends. It's the final chapter. God wins! The faithful win with Him! Therefore, however much it may look like evil wins and we're the losers, we can trust Him. God wins and we win with Him. Therefore, stay faithful!

    Finally, in that great conclusion to the book, in Revelation 22, a final thread is woven through the passage. Three times we're told "Behold I am coming soon!" (22:7, 12, 20). There's an excitement in the air as we hear those words! The heart of God's children responds: "YES! Come Lord Jesus!" (22:17, 20). There's an implication in those words. If our heart is crying out for Him to come, it implies that we should be ready for His coming. Are you ready? Is your heart united with John's appeal? "Even so, COME, Lord Jesus!"