Are we in the last days?
My husband told me about how he watched a news report about the changing polarity of the earth. With all the natural disasters, bizarre environmental episodes, and wars around the world, one may wonder if we are in the end times.
I don’t recall learning eschatology as a child. It wasn’t until I was born-again that I started to earnestly read and study the Bible. Studying the end of the world as outlined in the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament and the Book of Revelation in the New Testament fascinates me.
The Bible outlines end-time events in detail and scholars have interpreted the prophecies based on different perspectives. I tend to lean toward a pre-tribulation timeline — following what is written in the Left Behind book series. It emphasizes a rapture occurring before a tribulation period.
I’ve learned that according to Bible prophecy, there are three main events that will happen: the Rapture, the Tribulation, and the Second Coming.
The Rapture
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17, NIV)
In a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:52, NIV)
No one knows when it’s coming but millions will disappear when believers in Christ are suddenly taken up in the air to meet Jesus. Those who do not believe are left behind to face the tribulation.
As a born-again Christian, I look forward to the day I will be swept up into heaven with all my fellow believers. My prayer is that my family and friends will be joining me and not have to face the terrors of the tribulation.
The Tribulation
He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him. (Daniel 9:27, NIV)
(See also Daniel 7:24–25, Matthew 24:15–22, Revelation 6:1–8, Revelation 6–1, Revelation 13:1–8 Revelation 16:16, Revelation 19:11–21)
After the Rapture, a seven-year period will start with a peace deal signed by a world leader (called the Antichrist). This leader will gain control, promising peace but eventually making rules forcing people to worship him.
Worldwide chaos will reign with wars, food shortages, and natural disasters. Society will slowly unravel under false promises.
Then, according to Scripture, 3.5 years into the tribulation this leader will break the peace treaty. He’ll set up something evil in God’s temple, and people who follow Jesus will face serious trouble.
Throughout the tribulation, there will be plagues and disasters like hailstorms, rivers turning to blood, and darkness. It’ll be similar to the Bible accounts of when Pharaoh didn’t listen to Moses in Egypt.
As horrible as these catastrophic events will be, they’re intended as a wake-up call for those remaining after the Rapture — God wants people to recognize His sovereignty and turn to Him.
Unfortunately, many will still reject God and near the end of the Tribulation, there will be a war known as the Battle of Armageddon. This will be the ultimate fight between good and evil.
According to the Book of Revelation, Jesus will return with His followers for the final showdown. Not that I’m a fan of war but I’ll be one of the followers who will be fighting in this epic battle where good ultimately triumphs.
The Second Coming
The Heavenly Warrior Defeats the Beast
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords. (Revelation 19:11–16, NIV)
(see also Zechariah 14:4)
Jesus will physically return to earth and end the reign of evil. As a follower, I’ll be returning with Him and the angels defeating the Antichrist.
Revelation 20:1–6 outlines the new era. It’ll be like light breaking through the darkest night, bringing hope and renewal. Jesus will reign for 1,000 years in perfect peace. This is called the Millennium where there’ll be no war, sickness, or corruption.
But it doesn’t end there. The Book of Revelation explains that Satan will be released briefly, trying one last rebellion, and is ultimately defeated and cast into the lake of fire forever. (Revelation 20:7–10)
In Revelation 20:11–15, we read that God will review each person’s life and judge them according to their deeds. Those who trusted in Jesus will live with Him forever but those who rejected Him will face eternal separation.
Finally, God will create a New Heaven and New Earth where believers will live in His presence forever.
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:1–4, NIV)
Many people are familiar with Heaven being described as a perfect world with no sadness, pain, or death. It’ll be the most amazing place you can imagine, filled with joy and love forever.
I encourage you to read and study the Scripture references to see what God says directly about these events. Whether or not you accept the order or timing of events outlined here, the key message is not to get caught up in wondering if we are in the end times but rather that we can trust Jesus to bring hope and a relationship with God now and forever.