Here is a brief history of the future as revealed in the Bible. Starting with the next event on the prophetical timeline and continuing through to the eternity with God as described in Revelation.
Rapture of the Church: The Greek word used for “caught up” in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 is harpazo, which means to seize or snatch away. This verse states: “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”
The Tribulation: The tribulation period is described in detail in Revelation chapters 6-19, and Jesus himself referred to it in Matthew 24:21 as “a time of great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” The Greek word for tribulation is thlipsis, which means being hemmed in with no way of escape from persecution, affliction, and distress.
The Antichrist: The Antichrist is described in several places in the Bible, including 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, which says: “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.”
The Mark of the Beast: The Mark of the Beast is described in Revelation 13:16-17, which says: “He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”
The Marriage Feast of the Lamb: Revelation 19:7 – “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” This is a celebration of the union between Jesus Christ and the redeemed ones from all ages, symbolizing the eternal bond between them.
The Battle of Armageddon: The Battle of Armageddon is described in Revelation 16:16, which says: “And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.” This battle is also referred to in Revelation 19:11-21, which describes Jesus returning to earth to defeat the armies of the Antichrist.
The Millennium: The Millennium is described in Revelation 20:1-6, which says that after Satan is bound for a thousand years, Jesus will reign on earth with his saints for that same period of time.
Battle of Gog and Magog: Satan will be released from his prison after the thousand-year reign of Christ and will deceive the nations to gather against Jerusalem, but God will intervene and defeat them. This is prophesied in Ezekiel 38-39, which speaks of a great army led by a prince named Gog of the land of Magog, who will come against Israel in the last days.
The Final Judgment: The Final Judgment is described in Revelation 20:11-15, which says that all people will be judged according to their works, and that those whose names are not found in the Book of Life will be cast into the lake of fire.
The New Heaven and New Earth: The New Heaven and New Earth are described in Revelation 21:1-5, which says: “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also, there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.'”
Digging deeper
- The Prophecy Pros’ Illustrated Guide to Tough Questions About the End Times by Jeff Kinley and Todd Hampson – Packed with charts, timelines, and infographics, The Prophecy Pros’ Illustrated Guide to Tough Questions About the End Times delivers speculation-free, biblically accurate answers to your questions on one of the Bible’s most significant topics. You’ll learn about imminent events like the rapture, Jesus’ second coming, and life in heaven, while understanding exactly what Bible prophecy is, where it’s found in Scripture, and why Christians should study it.
- The Great Disappearance: 31 Ways to be Rapture Ready by Dr. David Jeremiah – The rapture is the central event in biblical prophecy. But what does it mean for us today? How can this crucial end times event draw us nearer to God in a world that is seemingly on the brink of chaos? Political turmoil, economic uncertainty, an ideological divide that feels increasingly impassable—the signs of the times point us toward the end, and that can be disconcerting.
- Ancient Biblical Formula Predicts the Future – There is a formula for everything: stock market, global warming, and lifespan. Here is a Biblical formula that predicts the future
- What will it be like to live in the last days? – Never before in human history have we seen more wars, famines, plagues, earthquakes, natural disasters.. This must be the beginning of the last days
- Biblical exhortation about interpreting eschatology – Biblical encouragement, exhortations, warnings, and precautions against lack of preparation, dangerous side-effects, and misuse in the study of eschatology
- What is the rapture? harpázō – seized by force, caught up, snatched away – Study of the Greek word harpázō translated as rapiemur in the Latin Vulgate Bible, which has been Anglicized as rapture for many centuries.
- 7 reasons the church will not go through the tribulation – Jesus Christ will catch the church away at the rapture. We will meet the Lord in the clouds and be with him forever. This is not the second coming.
- No, you can’t get the mark of the beast by accident – There will be supernatural world-wide angelic warnings about the mark of the beast beforehand, so you don’t have to be worried because everyone will know.
- 7 reasons Matthew 24 “one will be taken and one will be left” is not the rapture – 7 reasons from the parallel gospel accounts that Matthew 24 “one will be taken and one will be left” is not the rapture of Christians to heaven
- The judgment seat of Christ – Because of the judgment seat of Christ, we press on toward the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus
- Is your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life? – Jesus Christ wrote your name in his book of life. Will you choose for it to be sealed for eternity or permanently blotted out?
- Biblical signs and wonders confirm God’s word – God used powerful signs and wonders to free his people from Egypt and show how he is going to rescue his people from the world in the future
Greetings, by means of this forum. Thank you for allowing comments. Today, I came upon this 4/16/2023 article. I read it with interest. The article appears to support the dispensational premillennial view.
For further reading, I suggest two articles. First, see “Views of the Millennium: An Essay By Alan S. Bandy,” on The Gospel Coalition, 9/10/2020. The essay explores the amillennial, postmillennial, and premillennial interpretations of Revelation Chapter 20. See also “Four Views on the Millennium,” on Blue Letter Bible (author and date not given). This scholarly article explores the three main eschatological interpretations: premillennialism (as dispensational and historic), postmillennialism, and amillennialism. I like the charts. The conclusion is not dogmatic but states that dispensational premillennialism is preferred.
I accept the amillennial view as the proper interpretation. The eschatological interpretations of Revelation 20 vary and make interesting discussion, among brethren in Christ. The main point, however, is that Christians win in the end!
May God bless you all, as you serve Him.