The Rapture
The rapture occurs instantaneously and could happen at any moment, ending the church age as Christ comes in the clouds to take his church home[1]. Some believe Christians will be raptured before the tribulation, during it, or at the end of it[2].
The Tribulation
A worldwide tribulation will occur in the end times, during which God will judge the earth through war, famine, disease, and other expressions of judgment[2]. This seven-year period begins peacefully as the Antichrist makes a peace treaty with Israel, but at the midpoint he breaks this treaty and reveals himself in all his evil[1]. Tribulation ended in Armageddon war.
Christ’s Second Coming
At the end of the tribulation, Christ returns to earth with his saints to rule[2]. Christ will defeat Satan, the Antichrist, and all forces of evil, then bind Satan and establish his glorious one-thousand-year reign on the throne in Jerusalem[1].
The Millennium
After Christ returns, there will be the millennium, during which Christ rules the earth for 1,000 years of perfect peace, followed by a period where Satan is released to tempt the nations before Christ crushes him and his followers[2].
The Great White Throne Judgment
After this comes the Great White Throne of Judgment, where unbelievers will be resurrected and judged[2].
The New Heaven and New Earth
Finally, there will be the eternal state, including a new heaven and a new earth, where there will be no death, pain, or crying—only perfect peace, righteousness, and joy, as redeemed people serve and worship God forever[2].
Biblical Passages on the Eternal State
Revelation describes a new heaven and new earth with the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God (Rev 20:11–21:4), while Isaiah prophesies that God will create new heavens and a new earth, with Jerusalem becoming a delight and its people a joy (Isa 65:17–25).
[2] Gregory Brown, The Bible’s Uniqueness: An Introduction to Scripture, The Bible Teacher’s Guide (BTG Publishing, 2020), 88.
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