In this series, End of of the World, we have been examining the four major events that make up what is often referred to as the “end times.” According the the Bible, the end times will begin with an event called the rapture. The rapture is an unknown time when Jesus will appear in the clouds and receive all those who have believed in Him into heaven (John 14:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:50-55). The only people left on earth following the rapture will be those who have either rejected or ignored the forgiveness of sin through the death, burial, and resurrection of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Unbelievers will experience the wrath of God during a seven-year period termed the tribulation where a series of natural and supernatural disasters will bring massive destruction on human life as well as the environment. These judgments are described in Revelation 6-18. The seven years of tribulation will be followed by the millennial reign of Christ, which is the establishment of Jesus Christ’s kingdom on earth. This time on earth will be characterized by peace, joy, righteousness, and comfort. In case you need a timeline of these events, here is the chart we have been using:
These three events – the rapture, tribulation, and the millennial reign of Christ – will lead up to the final moment of human history on earth. Immediately following the millennial reign of Christ, the entire universe as we know it will be destroyed and there was no place for the unbelieving dead to go (Revelation 20:11; 2 Peter 3:10); therefore, the unbelieving from all ages will stand before God in an event called the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:12-15). God will take a book called the Book of Life, which contains the names of everyone who has put their faith in Jesus Christ as the One who brought forgiveness of sin through His sacrifice, and other books will also be open (Revelation 20:12a). These “other books” document every sin committed by every person who appears at this judgment. All who stand before God at this judgment have rejected Jesus’ payment for their sin and, therefore, the penalty must be paid by them. John reveals what their punishment is when he writes, “…And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire” (20:15). This means that all people at this judgment are without the forgiveness of Jesus and will experience eternal punishment in the lake of fire (hell). There is no return. There is no escape. There is no end to their suffering. So what is this lake of fire? I believe the Bible teaches that it is a literal place of torment and Jesus often calls it a place where there will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 22:13; 24:15). Those who die without believing in Jesus’ death for sin and resurrection will spend eternity in hell.
Eternity is much different for those who have believed in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin (John 3:16). Revelation 21 reveals that God has prepared a new universe, which will become the eternal home of all believers (Revelation 21:1-3). This eternal home is described with the following words, “…there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). Several other details concerning this eternal dwelling place are described in Revelation 21; however, the most important thing about this place is that believers will forever be in the presence of God.
The Bible is very clear that there are only two places to spend eternity: hell or heaven. John 3:36 summarizes the future for those who believe and those who don’t: “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” Jesus Christ gave His life so that you could experience eternal life. You must simply believe.
This series, End of the World, includes the following posts:
End of the World
End of the World – Rapture
End of the World – Tribulation
End of the World – Millennial Reign of Christ
End of the World – Eternity
