OUR BLESSED HOPE | A study of ent time events (Eschatology)

 

Our Blessed Hope

 

A Study of End-time Events (Eschatology) 

Prepared by Pastor Kevin Burden | Carter Creek Baptist Church | Greenville, KY | 2005

 

Table of Contents

Introduction.

Chapter 1: The Rapture. Meaning of the Rapture; First mention of the Rapture; The Rapture described; False views of the Rapture; Arguments for pretribulation position; Challenge of the Rapture; Effects of the Rapture; Old Testament foreshadowing of the Rapture.

Chapter 2: The Bema Judgment Seat of Christ. Biblical judgments past; Present judgments; Future judgments; The Bema Judgment; Meaning of the Bema Judgment; Fact of the Bema Judgment; Purpose of the Bema Judgment; Time of the Bema Judgment; What will occur at the Bema Judgment; Result of the Bema Judgment.

Chapter 3: The Marriage Supper of The Lamb. Fact of the Marriage; Host of the Marriage; The Bridegroom; The Bride; The Guests; Service schedule of the Marriage.

Chapter 4: The Great Tribulation. Tragedy’s of history; Biblical names; Length of the Tribulation; Important questions; Purpose of the Tribulation (7 reasons); How will it happen?

Chapter 5: The Persons of The Tribulation. The Holy Spirit; The Devil; The Two Witnesses; The Antichrist; The False Prophet; A Multitude of Angels; 144,000 Preachers; Demons from the Pit; Army of Horses; Unclean Spirits; Ruler from the North; Four symbolic Woman; The mighty warrior from Heaven; How it will happen.

Chapter 6: The Second Coming of Christ . Chronology of Christ Return; Purpose of Christ Return.

Chapter 7: The Millennium. The fact of the Millennium; The purpose of the Millennium; What will the Millennium be like.

Chapter 8: The Citizens of the Millennium. Negatively considered; Positively considered.

Chapter 9: The Great White Throne.

Introduction: Our Blessed Hope

John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

 
The angelic messengers informed the disciples on the day of Jesus return to the Father, This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven (Acts 1:11).

 

In every chapter in Paul’s two epistles to the church at Thessalonica the return of Jesus Christ is declared to be an unalterable promise of God. Therefore, the question is not “if” He is coming, but “when” is He coming?

In 1 Thessalonians 5:1-10, the Apostle Paul stated that the unsaved world will be oblivious to the times of the last days; but that Christians who are discerning the signs of the times can know when that day is near. Paul wrote to believers, But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you (1 Thessalonians 5:1).

 

As you consider this passage, you might wrongly conclude that Paul felt it un-important to spend time considering the topic of Christ’ return. That is not what Paul was saying! He uses two important words that we need to understand.

 

Times – This is the root word for the modern term Chronology which means the science that deals with the determination of dates and the sequence of events; the arrangement of events in time.

 

Seasons – This word means due measure; a measure of time, a fixed and definite time; the time when things are brought to crisis; the decisive epoch waited for.

 

Paul is saying, we can understand the chronology or sequence of events that are going to take place in the future and we can know the measure of those times.

The question inevitably arises, can we know the date of Christ’ return? In response, I believe that Christ has given us specific instructions to watch and wait. He has told us the events to be watching for, but He has not told us the specific date because He knows our nature. If we knew the exact date, we might become slack in our service until just immediately before His return. Christ tells us therefore to be ready. Christ reveals that His return is going to occur, but He does not reveal the specific date. However, He does tell us there is a specific date in the mind of God.

 

Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

We conclude then that there is a specific time when Christ is to return, but God has chosen not to reveal that to us. We can know and should understand the signs of the times. We should also Comfort one another with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:18). We should also be looking forward to His coming with great anticipation.

 

2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteous-ness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

We begin this study therefore from a chronological point of view. We will begin by examining what the Bible says about The Rapture.

 

Chapter 1 - THE RAPTURE

THE MEANING OF THE TERM “RAPTURE.”

 The next event in prophecy is often referred to as the Rapture. One of the first concerns that arise in this study is the fact that the word Rapture does not appear in the Bible. This is true, but neither are the words Trinity, demon, grandfather or Bible. However, we do know that these exist and are found in the Word of God. These are English words based on biblical truths. The word Rapture has a Latin origin which means “caught up.” The Greek word from which the Latin word comes is harpazo found in…

 

1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

FIRST MENTION OF THE RAPTURE.

The first New Testament reference is found in John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Other passages in the New Testament that refer to the Rapture include:

 

1 Corinthians 1:7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Philippians 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

 

THE RAPTURE DESCRIBED.

The two most important passages describing the Rapture are found in 1 Thessalonians 4 & 1 Corinthians 15

 

There are eight great truths about the Rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

In It We See...

 

A Realization. But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope (v 13).

A Repose. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him (v 14).

 

Note: This passage does not teach souls sleep. That false doctrine is refuted in Matthew 17:3 & Revelation 6:9-11.

A Revelation. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep (v 15).

A Return. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God  (v 16a).

A Resurrection. And the dead in Christ shall rise first (v 16b).

Note: Every time it is recorded in the Word of God that Christ shouted, there was or is a resurrection (John 11:43,44; Matthew 27:50-53).

A Rapture. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds (v 17a).

A Reunion. To meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord (v 17b).

A Reassurance. Wherefore comfort one another with these words (v 18).

 

There are some important observations to be made in 1 Corinthians 15. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

 

Notice The Phrase...

 

I shew you a mystery. Here, Paul is revealing to us a wonderful Truth. With only the exception of Enoch & Elijah, no one has ever been promoted to glory by any other means than the grave. But now the secret is out; millions of Christians will someday reach heaven without dying! The mystery of the Rapture has been revealed.

We shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. The rapture is an event that will take place quickly and is inclusive of all the redeemed.

For the trumpet shall sound. In at least three passages concerning the Rapture the sounding of a trumpet is mentioned (1 Cor 15:52; 1 Thess 4:16; Rev 4:1).

 
Dr. J. Dwight Pentecost writes, “The phrase ‘the trump of God’ is significant, for in the Old Testament the trumpet was used for two things - to summon to battle and to summon to worship.” He also suggests further that both meanings are in mind, one directed at the angels and the other to believers. When the Rapture occurs the angelic host of heaven begin carrying out the orders of the supreme monarch of heaven. When the Rapture occurs believers are summoned to worship the supreme monarch of heaven.

 

Philippians 3:20-21 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. We will be changed and transformed. For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself .

 

SOME FALSE VIEWS OF THE RAPTURE.
There are a number of false ideas concerning what the Rapture is.

False View #1: The Rapture and the Second Coming are the same event. They are closely related, but are not the same event. One introduces the Tribulation while the other concludes it. What distinguishes one from the other?

The Rapture –

1. Christ comes in the air for His saints (1 Thess 4:16-17).
2. Is a mystery that was unknown in the Old Testament.
3. Is not preceded by signs in the heavens.
4. Is identified with the day of Christ (1 Cor 1:8; 2 Cor 1:14; Phil 1:6, 10).
5. Is associated with a time of blessing (1Thess 4:18).
6. Is for the church (John 14:1-3; 1 Cor 15:51-58; 1 Thess 4:13-18).

 

The Revelation –

1. Jesus comes with His saints (Zech 14:4; 1 Thess 3:13; Jude 14).
2. Was foretold in the Old Testament (Ps 72; Isa 11; Zech 14).
3. Emphasizes judgment (2 Thess 2:8-12).
4. Will be visible worldwide (Matt 24:27; Rev 1:7).
5. Involves Israel and the Gentile nations (Matt 24:1; 25:46).

 

False View #2: The Rapture will only involve spiritual Christians. This is known as the Partial Rapture Theory. This theory comes about as a result of failing to recognize the difference between the Church and Israel; and the difference between the Rapture & the Revelation.

Three reasons to reject the partial rapture theory.

1. It confuses grace with rewards.
2. It divides the bride of Christ (the church).
3. It ignores clear scriptural teaching to the contrary (1 Thess 1:9-10; 2:19; 4:14-16; 5:4-11).

False View #3: The Rapture will not occur until the middle of The Tribulation. This theory is called Mid-tribulationism. The Bible teaches clearly that the rapture will take place before The Tribulation begins.

 

1 Thessalonians 1:10 Wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

 

One of the best proofs for the Pre-tribulation position is found in the book of Revelation. The church is taken out in chapter 4. From that point on the only time the church is in view is in the presence of Christ in heaven.

Arguments in favor of the Pre-tribulation Rapture of the Church.

1. It is the only view that allows a literal interpretation of the Old & New Testament passages on the great tribulation.

2. It distinguishes clearly between Israel and the church.

3. The church is not appointed to wrath.

4. It is typical of the way God has worked in previous generations where He has delivered believers from judgment (Noah, Lot, Israel).

 

THE CHALLENGES OF THE RAPTURE.

Because of this glorious coming event the child of God is instructed to do many things.

 

1. He is to attend church regularly. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching (Hebrews 10:25).

 

2. He is to observe the Lord’s supper with anticipation of His coming. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come (1 Corinthians 11:26).

 

3. He is to express the love of God towards fellow believer’s and lost men. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13).

 

4. He is to live a separated life. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ (Titus 2:12-13).

 

5. He is to preach the Word. I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine (2 Timothy 4:1-2).

 

THE EFFECTS OF THE RAPTURE.

What will be the reaction of a sin-sick society when millions of people suddenly disappear? It is highly probable that when God took Enoch to glory that many persons sought for him but could not find him.

 

By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God (Hebrew 11:5).

 
When Elijah was raptured the citizens of Jericho asked Elisha about the disappearance of his master.

 
And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master: lest peradventure the Spirit of the LORD hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send. And when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, Send. They sent therefore fifty men; and they sought three days, but found him not (2 Kings 2:16-17).

How much more confusion and alarm will come from the sudden and mysterious disappearance of literally millions of men and women, boys and girls?

What Does The Bible Say? For this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness (2 Thess-alonians 2:11-12).

 

THE RAPTURE FORESHADOWED.

The foreshadowing of the Rapture is seen in the life of Enoch, who was taken from the world before the flood. And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him (Genesis 5:24).

The foreshadowing of the Rapture is seen in the life Lot, who was taken from Sodom before the fire of God’s judgment fell.  Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar. The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar. Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven (Genesis 19:22-24).

In both examples you will notice that God delivered His people before His judgment fell.

 

Chapter 2 - The Bema Judgment Seat of Christ

BIBLICAL JUDGMENTS

Past Judgments:

1. The Garden of Eden Judgment (Gen 3).
2. The Flood Judgment (Gen 6-9).
3. The Calvary Judgment (The Gospels).
4. The Israelite Judgments (Old Testament).

Present-day Judgments:

1. Upon Local Churches (Rev 2-3).
2. Upon Believers (1 Cor 11:30; Heb 12:3-13; 1 Peter 4:17; 1 Jn 5:16).

Future Judgments:

1. The Judgment Seat of Christ (Rom 14:10; 1 Cor 3:9-15; 2 Cor 5:10; Rev 22:12).
2. The Tribulation Judgment (Rev 6-19).

Upon man’s religious systems (Rev 17).

Upon man’s economic system (Rev 18).

Upon man’s political system (Rev 18).

Upon man’s military system (Rev 19).

Upon man himself (Rev 6, 8, 9, 16).

3. Lamp & Talent Judgment [Israel] (Ezek 20:33-38; Matt 24:45-51; 25:1-30).
4. The Sheep & Goat Judgment [Gentile] (Matt 25:31-46).

5. The Judgment of Antichrist & the False prophet (Rev. 19:20).
6. The Judgment of Satan.

In the pit for 1000 years (Rev 20:1-3).

In the lake of fire forever (Rev 20:10).

8. The Judgment of Fallen Angels (1 Peter 2:4; Jude 6).
9. The Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:11-15).

The two most important judgments mentioned that we will deal with are The Judgment Seat of Christ and The Great White Throne. We will deal with the latter later. Every individual on earth and the millions that have gone on before will someday appear before one of these throne judgments. The decision is therefore not whether one is to be judged, but rather where this judgment will take place.

THE BEMA JUDGMENT SEAT

The Meaning of The Bema Judgment. The Greek term bema, translated judgment seat in the KJV, was a familiar term to the people of Paul’s day.

Dr. Lehmann Strauss writes, “In the large Olympic arenas, there was an elevated seat on which the judge of the contest sat. After the contests were over, the successful compete-tors would assemble before the bema to receive their rewards or crowns. The bema was not a judicial bench where someone was condemned; it was a reward seat. Likewise, the Judgment Seat of Christ is not a judicial bench...the Christian life is a race, and the divine umpire is watching every contestant. After the church has run her course, He will gather every member before the bema for the purpose of examining each one and giving the proper reward to each.”

The Apostle Paul seemed to have such a place in mind when he penned Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1).

Paul used sports on a number of occasions to challenge us for the cause of Christ:

1. Wrestling: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12).

2. Boxing: I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7). So fight I, not as one that beateth the air (1 Corinthians 9:26).

3. Racing: Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain (1 Corinthians 9:24).

J. Vernon McGee writes, “The Christian life is likened to a Greek race. Along the way the Christian as a soldier is to stand, as a believer he is to walk, and as an athlete he is to run. One day he will fly.”

The Fact of the Bema Judgment.

 There are many New Testament verses that speak of this judgment.

But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God (Romans 14:10-12).

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire (1 Corinthians 3:8-15).

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap (Galatians 6:7).

Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons (Colossians 3:24-25).

For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people (Hebrews 10:30).

 

The Purpose of The Bema Judgment.

 
Negative considerations: The purpose of the Bema judgment is not to determine whether a particular individual enters heaven or not. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire (1 Corinthians 3:15).

 

The purpose of the Bema judgment is not to punish believers for sins committed either before or after their salvation.

 
He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us (Psalms 103:10-12).

 
Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back (Isaiah 38:17).

I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee (Isaiah 44:22).

He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19).

For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more (Hebrews 8:12).

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin (1 John 1:7).

Positive considerations: What then is the purpose of the bema judgment? In 1 Corinthians 4:2 Paul says that all Christians should conduct them-selves as faithful stewards of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

 
The apostle Peter later wrote, As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God (1 Peter 4:10).

 

In the New Testament world, a steward was the manager of a large household or estate. He was appointed by the owner and was entrusted to keep the estate running smoothly. He had the power to hire and fire and to spend and save, being answerable to the owner alone. His only concern was the periodic meeting with the master, at which time he was required to account for the condition of the estate.

With this background in mind, it may be said that someday, at the Bema judgment all stewards will stand before their Lord and Master and be required to give an account of the way they have used their privileges and responsibilities from the moment of the conversion. In Short, it can bee seen that in the past, God dealt with us as sinners.

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:6-8).

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others (Ephesians 2:1-3).

In the present, God deals with us as sons. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God (Romans 8:14). Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is (1 John 3:1-2).

In the future, God deals with us as stewards.

The Time of the Bema Judgment.

 

 J. Dwight Pentecost writes, “The event herein described takes place immediately following the translation of the church [rapture] out of this earth’s sphere.”

 
There are several considerations that support this.

 

1. In the first place, according to Luke 14:14 reward is associated with the resurrection. According to 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, the resurrection is an integral part of the translation; therefore reward must be a part of that program.

2. When the Lord returns to the earth with His bride to reign, the bride is seen to be already rewarded. This is observed in Revelation 19:8, where it must be observed that the righteousness of the saints is plural and cannot refer to the imputed righteousness of Christ, which is the believer’s portion, but the righteousness which has survived examination and has become the basis of reward.

 
3. In 1 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Timothy 4:8; and Revelation 22:12 the reward is associated with that day, that is, the day in which He comes for His own. Thus, it is believed that the rewarding of the church must take place between the rapture and the return of Christ to the earth.

 

What Will Occur At The Bema Seat?

Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (1 Corinthians 3:8-16).

 

1. Our foundation for life is Christ (v 11).
2. We are to build on this foundation (v 10).
3. What we build with are good works (v 14).
4. It is our works that God will examine (v 13).
5. Our works will be categorized:

Acceptable – Gold, Silver & Precious Stone (v 12).

Unacceptable – Wood, Hay & Stubble (v 12).

 

We Will Be Judged According To God¹s Standards & Values. God is interested in....

1. How we treat other believers (Heb 6:10; Matt 10:41,42).
2. How we exercise authority over others (Heb 13:17; Jam 3:1).
3. How we use our talents (1Cor 12:4,11; 2 Tim 1:6; 1 Pt 4:10; Lk 19:11-26; Matt

25:14-29).
4. How we use our treasure (1 Cor 16:2; 2 Cor 9:6-7; 1 Tim 6:17-19).
5. How we spend our time (Ps 90:12; Eph 5:16; Col 4:5; 1 Pt 1:17).
6. How much we are willing to suffer for Jesus (Matt 5:11-12; Mk 10:29-30; Rom

8:18; 2 Cor4:17).
7. How we run the race that God has chosen for your individual life (Heb 12:1-2).
8. How many we witness to & win to Christ (Prov 11:30; Dan 12:3;1Thess 2:19-20).
9. How we respond to temptation (Jam 1:2-3; Rev 2:10).
10. How we regard Christ’s coming in the Rapture (2Tim 4:8).
11. How faithful the pastor is (Acts 20:26-28; 2 Tim 4:1-2; 1 Pt 5:2-4).

The Result of The Bema Seat of Christ:

Some Will Receive Rewards (1Cor 3:14). There are five specific rewards mentioned.

 

1. The Incorruptible Crown. For those who overcome (1 Cor 9:25-27).
2. The Crown of Rejoicing. For the soul-winner (Dan 12:3; 1Thess 2:19-20).
3. The Crown of Life. For enduring temptation (Jam 1:2-3; Rev 2:10).
4. The Crown of Righteousness. For looking for Christ return (2Tim 4:8).
5. The Crown of Glory. For faithful being faithful (Acts 20:26-28; 2 Tim 4:1,2; 1 Pt 5:2-4)

 

Some Will Suffer Lose (1 Cor 3:15; 2 Tim 4:14). Is it possible to lose rewards that have already been gained? YES!

Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind (Colossians 2:18).

Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward (2 John 1:8).

 

Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown (Revelation 3:11).

 

Chapter 3 - The Marriage of The Lamb

Revelation 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

A number of weddings are described in the Bible.

 The first wedding was performed by God himself, and the couple was Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:18-25). Then there was the unusual wedding in which the bridegroom found out the next morning, by light of day, that he had married the wrong girl (Genesis 29:21-25). One of the most beautiful wedding stories began in a barley field outside the little town of Bethlehem (Ruth 2).

 

The most tragic wedding was that between Ahab and Jezebel. This marriage would result in much sorrow and suffering for God¹s people (1 Kings 16:29-31). Finally, the Saviour of men chose a wedding in the city of Cana to perform his first miracle (John 2:1-11). However, the most fantastic and wonderful weddings of all time is yet to take place.

The Fact of This Marriage.

This Marriage Is Described In The Parables of Jesus.

 

The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son (Matthew 22:2).

 

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom (Matthew 25:1).

 

Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. (Luke 12:35-36).

 

This Marriage Is Described By John. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready (Revelation 19:7).

The Host of The Marriage.

 The New Testament very clearly presents the Father as the divine Host who gives this marriage. He is pictured as preparing it, then sending his servants out to invite the selected guests (Luke 14:16-23).

The Bridegroom of This Marriage.

 As Stated By John The Baptist. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:27-30

As Stated By Christ Himself. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink? And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days. Luke 5:32-35

The Bride of The Marriage.

 In two key passages the Apostle Paul makes the identity of the bride known.

For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:2).

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:22-32).

 

The Guests of The Marriage.

And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God (Revelation 19:9).

Who Are The Invited Guests at The Lamb’s Marriage To The Church?

 They are all redeemed (Gentile & Hebrew) persons who were saved prior to this present dispensation who are not a part of the church/bride of Christ. They are the friends of the bridegroom (John 3:27-30). See also The parable of The Ten Virgins in Matthew 25.

The Service Schedule of The Marriage.

 The marriage of Christ to the church will follow the Oriental pattern of marriage as described for us in the New Testament. It consisted of three separate stages:

STAGE 1 - The Betrothal.

 New Testament marriage contracts were often initiated when the couple was very young by the groom¹s father. He would sign a legal enactment before the proper judge, pledging his son to a chosen girl. The father would then offer the proper dowry payment. Thus, even though the bride had never seen the groom, she was betrothed or espoused to him. A New Testament example - Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Matthew 1:18

With this in mind we can state that the marriage of the lamb is still in its betrothal stage:

1. The Bride Has Been Selected. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Ephesians 1:3-4

2. The Dowry Has Been Paid. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

 

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 1 Peter 1:18-19

STAGE 2 - The Presentation.
At the proper time the father would send to the house of the bride servants carrying the proper legal contract. The bride would then be led to the home of the groom¹s father. When all was ready, the father of the bride would place her hand in the hand of the groom¹s father. He would then place her hand in that of his son. Applying this background to the marriage of the Lamb, the church still awaits this second phase which we know as the rapture! The following verses speak of this presentation stage.

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;.. That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:25-27

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, Jude 1:24

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. Revelation 19:7-8

The Events That Accompany This Stage:

1. The Father Will Send For The Bride - After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. Revelation 4:1

2. The Proper Papers Will Be Shown - He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. Revelation 3:5

 

3. The Bride Will Be Taken To The Father¹s Home - In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:2-3

STAGE 3 - The Celebration.
After the private marriage service was completed, the public marriage supper would begin. Many guests would be invited to this celebration. Jesus made reference to this third step when he spoke these words.
The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Matthew 22:2-3

Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. Luke 12:35-37

Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. Luke 14:16-17

Old Testament Foreshadowing.  Psalm 45: 1-17

Chapter 4 - The Great Tribulation

A discouraged and despondent Job once exclaimed in despair - Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. Job 14:1-2

Job¹s pessimistic observation is tragically true for the unsaved man, apart from the grace of God. Throughout his tortured and sinful history he has been subjected to calamities disasters, and plagues which have tracked him as a wolf would a rabbit.

Some Tragedy¹s In World History.

Epidemics
1340-1350 AD - 25,000,000 people died of the Black Death.
1545 AD - Typhus killed 250,000 in Cuba.
1560 AD - 3,000,000 died of smallpox in Brazil.
1792 AD - 1,000,000 perished in Egypt of the Black Plague.
1802 AD - Yellow fever killed 30,000 of Napolean¹s soldiers in Santo Domingo.
1827 AD - Europe lost 900,000 to Cholera.
1918 AD - 30,000,000 perished during a worldwide epidemic of influenza.

Volcanic Eruptions
1902 AD - Mount Pelee erupted in the West Indies, killing over 30,000 people.

Earthquakes
January, 1556 AD, 830,000 died in China after a massive earthquake.

Fires
December, 1903, the most tragic fire in US history killed 600 people and destroyed the city of Chicago.

Famines
1877 AD - 1,000,000 people starved to death in China.

Floods
1887 AD - China lost 900,000 due to one mighty flood.

The point of all the above statistics is this: Catastrophe has been man¹s constant companion throughout recorded history. But according to the Bible there is coming a calamity unlike any which this weary world has ever seen. Although this period of history will be relatively short, it will nevertheless destroy more of this earth’s population than all of the previously quoted figures combined. In fact, nearly one billion people will be struck down during the beginning of this terrible coming disaster.

The Biblical Names of This Period.

No less than twelve titles for this blood chilling period can be found in the Bible.

1. The Day of The Lord - is used most frequently (Isa. 2:12; 13:6, 9; Ezek. 13:5; 30:3; Joel 1:15; 2:1, 11, Etc..).

Jeremiah 46:10 For this is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood: for the Lord GOD of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.

Acts 2:20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:

1Thess. 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

NOTE: The day of the Lord and the day of Christ should not be confused. The latter speaks of The millennium.

2. The Indignation (Isa. 26:20; 34:2).
3. God¹s Vengeance (Isa. 34:8; 63:1-6).
4. Jacob¹s Trouble (Jer. 30:7).
5. Time of Abominations (Dan. 9:27).
6. Time of Trouble (Dan. 12:1).
7. Seventieth Week (Dan. 9:24-27).
8. Time of The End (Dan. 12:9).
9. Great Day of His Wrath (Rev. 6:17).
10 Hour of His Judgment (Rev. 14:7).
11. End of This World (Matt. 13:40, 49).
12. The Tribulation (Matt. 24:21, 29).

The word TRIBULATION is derived from the Latin word tribulum, which was an agricultural tool used for separating the husks from the corn. As found in the Bible, the theological implications would include such concepts as a pressing together, an affliction, a burdening with anguish and trouble, a binding with oppression. Keeping this in mind, it would seem that of all the twelve names for the coming calamity, the last one would most accurately describe this period. Therefore, from this point on, the term tribulation will be employed.

The following verses describe this future and fearful time. Please consider them carefully as we allow the Word of God to speak for itself.

Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt:...For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine. And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. Isaiah 13:6-7, 10-11

And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. Isaiah 2:19

Behold, the LORD maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof...The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly. The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again. Isaiah 24:1, 19-20

For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter. Their slain also shall be cast out, and their stink shall come up out of their carcases, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood. And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree. Isaiah 34:2-4

Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. Joel 2:1-2

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places...And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold...For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. Matthew 24:7, 11-12, 21-22

And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. Luke 21:25,26

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3

The Length of The Tribulation.
To establish this time-span we must briefly consider The Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks found in the book of Daniel. Daniel had been reading Jeremiah’s prophecy, which predicted that after a seventy-year captivity period, God would permit the Jews to return to Jerusalem (Jeremiah 25:11; 29:10). As Daniel studied those words he began to pray, confessing both his sins and the sins of Israel. During this powerful and tearful prayer, the angel Gabriel appeared to Daniel and related to him the prophecy of the seventy weeks.

Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. Daniel 9:24-27

Important Questions To Consider:
1. To whom does this prophecy refer? It refers to Israel.
2. What is meant by the term ³Seventy weeks²?

Dr. Alfred Martin of Moody Bible Institute writes: “The expression translated seventy weeks is literally seventy sevens. Apart from the context one would not know what the sevens were. One would have to inquire, seven of what? This expression in Hebrew would be as ambiguous as if one were to say in English, ‘I went to shore and bought a dozen.’ A dozen what? One of the basic principles of interpretation is that one must always interpret in the light of the context, that is, in the light of the passage in which a given statement occurs. As one searches this context, remembering that the vision was given in answer to the prayer, one notes that Daniel had been reading in Jeremiah that God would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem (Dan. 9:2). This is the clue. Daniel is told in effect, Yes, God will accomplish seventy years in the captivity; but now he is showing you that the whole history of the people of Israel will be consummated in a period of seventy sevens of years.”

To further clarify the meaning of the seventy weeks, it should be noted that Israel had in its calendar not only a week of seven days (Exodus 23:12), but also a week of seven years (Genensis 29:27, 28; Leveticus 25:3, 4, 8-10).

In other words, God is here telling Daniel that he would continue to deal with Israel for another 490 years before bringing in everlasting righteousness. To summarize this particular point Israel was to allow its land to remain idle every seventh year (Lev. 25:1-4). This command was disobeyed (Lev. 26:33-35; 2 Chron. 36:21; Jer. 34:12-22). As a result of 490 years of failer to obey this command, a debt of 70 accumulated against Israel’s land rest debt. Daniel knew of this and had been praying about it. He recognized that the seventy years of captivity represented seventy sevens of years in which those violations had transpired. Gabriel now tells him that another period, similar in length (490) to that which had made the exile necessary, was coming in the experience of the people.

3. When was this seventyth-week period to begin? It was to begin with the command to rebuild Jerusalem¹s wall. The first two chapters of Nehemiah inform us that this command was issued during the 20th year of Artaxerxes¹ reign (March 14, 445 B.C.).

4. What are the three time periods mentioned within the seventy-week prophecy and what was to happen during each period?

First Period - Seven weeks (49 years), from 445 B.C. to 396 B.C. The key event during this time was the building of the streets and walls of Jerusalem ³even in troublous times.² This took place in Nehemiah 2-6.

Second Period - Sixty-two weeks (434 years), from 396 B.C. to A.D. 30. At the end of this second period the Messiah was crucified (Matt. 27; Mk. 15; Lk 23; Jn 19). The brilliant British scholar and Bible student, Sir Robert Anderson, has reduced the first two periods into their exact number of days. This he has done by multiplying 483 (the # of years in the first two time periods) by 360 (the days in a biblical year, as pointed out in Gen. 7:11, 24; 8:3,4). The total number of days in the first 69 weeks is 173,880. Anderson then points out that if one begins counting on March 14, 445 B.C., and goes forward in history, these days would run out on April 6, A.D. 32. The difference between this date and the previously mentioned date is realized as a result of using the Jewish calendar as opposed to using the Roman calendar. It was on this very day that Jesus made his triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem. Surely our Lord must have had Daniel¹s prophecy in mind when He said, ³Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.² Luke 19:42. Of course, it was also at this same time that the Pharisees plotted to murder Christ (Luke 19:47). Thus Daniel, writing five and a half centuries earlier, correctly predicted the very day of Christ¹s presentation and rejection!

Third Period - One more week is mentioned here, but it is divided into One-half week periods (3 1/2 years) which represents for us the first and second half of the tribulation period.

Note: Between the second and third periods, there is a time-out period, unknown to Daniel, called The Church Age). The reason for this is that Israel rejected the Messiah and because of this Christ is presently gathering for himself a Gentile bride as did Joseph and also Moses who were types of Christ in the Old Testament. How long is this present time period to last? Only the Father knows - But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. Matthew 24:36

5. Does the Bible offer any other examples of time gaps in divine programs? It does indeed. At least three instances come to mind in which gaps of many centuries can be found in a single paragraph. Examples of this can be found in...

Isaiah 9:6,7 - between verse 6 and 7 there are about 20 centuries

Zechariah 9:9, 10 - Verse 9 refers to the triumphal entry of Christ, while verse 10 refers to the millennium.

Isaiah 61:1,2 - Verse 1 refers to Christ earthly ministry, while verse 2 refers to the tribulation period.

The Purpose of The Tribulation.
Why this terrible period? At least seven scriptural reason are available for consideration:

To Harvest The Crop That Has Been Sown Throughout The Ages.
This is spoken of in Matthew 13.
The first part of the passage proclaimed (Matthew 13:3-8).
The first part of the passage explained (Matthew 13:18-23).
The second part of the passage proclaimed (Matthew 13:24-20).
The second part of the passage explained (Matthew 13:37-43).

To Prove The Falseness of The Devil¹s Claim.
Since his fall (Isaiah 14:12-14), Satan has been attempting to convince everyone that he is the rightful ruler of creation. During the tribulation Almighty God will give him a taste of His rightful and righteous rule.

To Prepare A Great Multitude for Heaven.
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;.. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 7:9,14

To Prepare a Great Living Multitude For The Millennium.
And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: Matthew 25:32-34

To Punish Those Who Have Refused Righteousness .
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Romans 1:18

And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thess. 2:11-12

To Purge Israel.
And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant: And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the LORD. Ezekiel 20:37,38

And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God. Zechariah 13:8-9

To Prepare The Earth For The Millennium.
The Bible indicates that prior to the great flood, our earth was surrounded with a canopy of water (Gen. 1:6,7; 7:11) resulting in a universal semitropical paradise of a climate. During the millennium there will be a return to pre-flood conditions once again (Isa. 4:5; 30:26; 40:3-5; 60:19-20.) Mankind will once again experience longevity (Isa. 65:20).
Jesus spoke of the regeneration of nature in Matthew 19:28. We believe this is speaking of the regeneration of the earth. Paul stated the the earth awaited its redemption in Romans 8:19-23.

How Will This Happen?
The book of Revelation reveals:

The winds will be held back - And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. Revelation 7:1

Great solar heat from the sun will scorch the earth - And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory. Revelation 16:8,9

The mightiest earthquake of all time will cover islands of the sea and flatten mountains - And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great... And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. Revelation 16:18,20

As a result of these things taking place the sun will boil away great quantities of water into the upper atmosphere. The absence of wind will prohibit the formation of clouds not allowing the water to fall in the form of rain. This will result in the formation of a new water canopy around the earth. The worlds greatest earthquake will then level entire mountain ranges and fill in deep canyons, thus recreating the gentle geographical terrain existent before the flood.

We Have A Wonderful God.

Chapter 5 - The Persons In The Tribulation
As in a play, a number of actors will play their parts and say their lines during the earth¹s most sobering drama, the Tribulation. Many of these persons are a mystery to believer¹s, some are not.

The Holy Spirit.
Contrary to the belief of some, the holy Spirit will not be removed when the church is raptured. He will remain active in the work of redemption do to the fact that many will be saved during this terrible time (Rev. 7:9-17).

Joel stated - And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call. Joel 2:28-32

John, speaking of the two witnesses said, And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. Rev. 11:11

The Devil.
Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. Revelation 12:12

The Two Witnesses.
And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. Revelation 11:3

The Antichrist.
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God...Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2 Thess. 2:3-4, 9

The False Prophet.
And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.² Rev 16:13 ³And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. Revelation 13:11 (see also Rev. 19:20; 20:10)

A Multitude of Special Angels.
Angels have been employed throughout the Bible to perform God¹s work, but at no other time will they be as busy as during the tribulation. The book of Revelation describes the following for us:

1. An angel with the seal of the living God (Rev. 7:2).
2. Seven angels with seven trumpets (Rev. 8, 9, 11).
3. An angel with a golden censer (Rev. 8:3).
4. An angel with a little book and a measuring rod (Rev. 10:1-2; 11:1).
5. An angel with the everlasting gospel (Rev. 14:6).
6. An angel with a harvest sickle (Rev. 14:19).
7. Seven angels with seven vials of wrath (Rev. 16).
8. An angel with a message of doom (Rev. 18:1, 21).
9. An angel with a strange invitation (Rev. 19:17).
10. An angel with a key and a great chain (Rev. 20:1).

144,000 Israelite Preachers.
And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. Rev. 7:4

An Army of Locust-like Demons from The Bottomless Pit.
And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. Rev. 9:2-3

An Army of Horses & Riders.
And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them. Rev. 9:16

Three Unclean Spirits.
And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Rev. 16:13-14

A Cruel, Power-crazed Ruler of The North.
And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: Ezek. 38:1-3

Four Symbolic Woman.

1. A persecuted woman (Israel) - And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: Rev. 12:1

2. A vile and bloody harlot (the false church of the tribulation) - So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. Rev. 17:3-5

3. An arrogant queen (the world¹s political & economic systems) - And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird...How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. Rev. 18:2, 7

4. The pure, chaste bride (the true church) - Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. Rev. 19:7-8

A Mighty Warrior From Heaven.
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war... And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. Rev. 19:11, 16


WHAT WILL TAKE PLACE THE FIRST HALF OF THE TRIBULATION?

The Formal Organization of The Harlot Church.
John the apostle writes about the bloodshedding, God-hating, gold-loving prostitute, calling her ³mystery Babylon.² And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. Revelation 17:5. This brutal, bloody, and blaspemous harlot is none other than the universal false church, the wicked wife of Satan. We will now consider the historical, current, and future activities of this vile prostitute.

The Harlot Viewed Historically.
The vile worship of this false church began at the tower of Babel (Gen. 11:1-9), nearly 2400 B.C.

The first full-time minister of Satan was Nimrod, Noah¹s wicked and apostate grandson (Gen. 10:8-10). Secular history and tradition tell us that Nimrod married a woman who was as evil and demonic as himself. Her name was Semerimus. Knowing God¹s promise of a future Saviour (Gen. 3:15), Semerimus brazenly claimed that Tammuz, her son fulfilled this prophecy. Semerimus instituted a religious system which made both her and her son the objects of divine worship. She became the first high priestess. Thus began the mother-child cult which later spread all over the world.

From Babylon it spread to Phoenicia under the name of Ashteroth and Tammuz. From Phoenicia it traveled to Pergamos in Asia Minor. This is the reason for John¹s admonition to the church at Pergamos in the Revelation: I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. Revelation 2:13

In Egypt the mother-child cult was known as Isis and Horus. In Greece it became Aphrodite and Eros. In Rome this pair was worshipped as Venus and Cupid.

Dr. J Dwight Pentecost wrote: ³Several years ago I visited an archeological museum in Mexico City. A recent find had just been put on display which Mexican archeologists had authenticated as belonging to the period about 200 years before Christ. The object had been the center of religious worship among some of the Indians in Mexico. To my amazement, it was an image of a mother with a child in her arms. This Babylonian religion had spread abroad to become the religion of the world..² (Prophecy for Today, Moody Press, p. 133)

What was the teaching of Semerimus¹ satanic church? The Semerimus herself was the way to God. She actually adopted the title ³Queen of Heaven.² Adherents believed that she alone could administer salvation to the sinner through various sacraments, such as the sprinkling of holy water, etc. They believed that her son, Tammuz, was tragic slain, but was resurrected from the dead forty days later. As part of the worship of this cult there was feast observed called Ishtar at which colored eggs were exchanged and eaten as a symbol of the resurrection. Hot cakes marked with the letter T (to remind everybody of Tammuz) were baked and eaten.

About 2000 B.C. God called Abraham away from all this (Joshua 24:2-3) an led him into the Promised Land. But by the ninth century B.C., Israel had turned to this evil system of worship under the name of Baal worship.

Both Jeremiah and Ezekiel warned against this hellish form of worship.
The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger... to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her: ye will surely accomplish your vows, and surely perform your vows. Jeremiah 7:18; 44:25

Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the LORD'S house which was toward the north; and, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz. Ezekiel 8:14

By the time of Christ this cult had so influenced Roman life that the Ceasars bore the title Pontifex Maximus which means, ³high priest.² In A.D. 306 a Roman Emperor named Constantine was threatened by an enemy. Realizing that his troops needed confidence, Constantine claimed to have seen a vision on the eve of the battle. He claimed to have seen a large blue flag with a red cross and heard a mighty voice say to him, ³In this sign conquer.² He then marched his troops into a shallow river, proclaimimg them to be officially baptized, and ordered the sign of the cross painted on all his weapons. Thus inspired, he led his troops to victory and subsequently united the Roman Empire with apostate Christianity. The Roman priest of Tammuz soon discovered that they could easily make a transition into Christianity (with certain changes) and thereupon carried their traditions forward without interruption by promoting the madonna-child worship concept, the holy water sacrament, etc.

For 300 years the devil had persecuted the church in an attempt to destroy it. Now, with the advent of Constantine he changed his tactics, walking the aisle, he applied for membership, and joined the church. The apostate church was already flourishing in the days of the Apostle¹s (see Revelation 2-3). This made it simple for Satan to accomplish would might have otherwise been impossible.

The Harlot Viewed Currently.
Is mystery Babylon at work today? At least three New Testament writers describe her latter-day activities and characteristics.

Paul: This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 2 Timothy 3:1-5

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2 Timothy 4:3-4

Peter: But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 Peter 2:1

John: I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: Revelation 3:15-17

The Harlot Viewed Prophetically.
Mystery Babylon is composed of apostate masses from Protestantism, Catholicism, Judaism, and every other major world religion. It is entirely possible that the World Council of Churches will spearhead this latter-day ungodly union. Is long ago as 1955, on the tenth anniversary of of the United Nations, a special ³Festival of Faith² was held in San Francisco. ³The National Council Outlook², the periodical of the National Council of Churches, reported - ³Today in the United Nations mankind finds new hope for the achievement of peace. This hope was given dramatic expression last June 19 when some 16,000 persons of every race, creed, and color assembled in San Francisco.. to pray for peace and pledge their support to the United Nations... There were Christians and Jews, Buddhists and Confucianists, Hindus and Moslems - men whose names are household words around the world, and workaday folk.

They called God by current names - speaking to him in different tongues, but the dream for peace in their hearts was the same - and the prayers on their lips echoed the prayers of people around the world. Initiated by the San Francisco Council of Churches, the Festival of Faith was a symbol for all men of the oneness of the their aspirations...High point of the prayer meeting was the recitation together of the responsive reading, composed of sentences from the sacred books of the six faiths represented - Christian, Jewish, Moslem, Buddhist, Hindu, and Confucian.²

The Appearance of The Antichrist and His False Prophet.
The Scriptures call him by various names and titles

1. The Little Horn (Dan. 7:8).
2. The Willful King (Dan. 11:36).
3. The Man of Sin (2 Thess. 2:3).
4. The Son of Perdition (2 Thess. 2:3).
5. The Wicked One (2 Thess. 2:8).
6. The Beast (Rev. 11:7 - this title is found 36 times in the book of Revelation).

His most descriptive title is Antichrist (1 John 2:18, 22, 4:3). Note but a few scripture references which describe this satanic superman:

And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. Daniel 7:25

And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. Daniel 11:36

..that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, 9

Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 1 John 2:22

And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. Revelation 6:2 (see Eph. 6:16)

And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy....and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority...And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. Revelation 13:1-2, 6

Can We Identify The Antichrist?
Some say he will be a gentile - Revelation 13:1 indicates that rises up out of the sea, meaning the sea of humanity. Because of this some believe he will not necessarily be Hebrew.

Some say he will be Jewish - And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end, Ezekiel 21:25

Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. Daniel 11:37

Some say he will come from the tribe of Dan. Notice Jacobs prophecy: Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward. Genesis 49:17

Dan was also the first tribe to be guilty of idolatry: And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land. And they set them up Micah's graven image, which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh. Judges 18:30-31

Jeremiah also prophesied concerning the Antichrist and implicated the tribe of Dan: The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan: the whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones; for they are come, and have devoured the land, and all that is in it; the city, and those that dwell therein. For, behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which will not be charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the LORD. Jeremiah 8:16-17

It is also interesting to note that the tribe of Dan is omitted in the list of the 144,000 of Revelation 7.



Chapter 6 - The Second Coming of Christ

Early in our study we noted that there is a difference between the Rapture and the Return of Christ. The Rapture in the event that begins the Tribulation while the Return is the event that concludes the Tribulation. The Rapture is the event in which believer¹s are gathered to be with the Lord - ³Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.² 1 Thess. 4:17. The Return is the event in which we return with Him to defeat the armies of Antichrist (Rev. 19:14-16).

The greatest die in the history of the world occurred on a April Sunday morning almost 2000 years ago, when our Saviour rose from the dead! God is preparing an even greater, grander, and more glorious day than the resurrection of His beloved Son - it is The Return of Christ!

THE CHRONOLOGY OF THE SECOND COMING.

It Begins With Amazing Manifestations In The Sky:

Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: Matthew 24:29

And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. Luke 21:25-26

This Is Interrupted By The Return of Christ:

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Matthew 24:30

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 2 Thessalonians 1:7

The Place of Our Saviour¹s Return:

And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south... And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be. Zechariah 14:4, 8

It Is Believed That He Will Gather The Remnant of Believing Israelites In Preparation For The Great Battle of Armageddon:

The sword of the LORD is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, and with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for the LORD hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea. Isaiah 34:6

Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Isaiah 63:1

THE PURPOSE OF THE SECOND COMING.

To Defeat Antichrist And Those Who Follow Him:

And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. Revelation 19:17-21

To Regather, Regenerate, And Restore Faithful Israel:
The most frequent promise in the Old Testament concerns God¹s restoration of Israel (Isa. 43:5-6; Jer. 24:6; Ezek. 11:17; 36:28; Amos 9:14-15; Micah 7:18-19). In the New Testament - And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Matthew 24:31

To Judge And Punish Faithless Israel:

But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord GOD. Ezekiel 11:21

And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the LORD. Ezekiel 20:38

To Separate The Sheep From The Goats - (Matthew 25:31-46).

This is not the same as the Great White Throne Judgment! This is not a judgment of ³Nations.² The word nations is [eynov] ethnos which is translated 93 times as gentiles in the New Testament.

To Bind Satan:
And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly... Romans 16:20.

And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. Revelation 20:1-3

To Judge Fallen Angels:

Know ye not that we shall judge angels? 1 Corinthians 6:3



Chapter 7 - The Millenium

Dr. J. Dwight Pentecost writes: ³A larger body of prophetic Scripture is devoted to the subject of the millenium, developing its character and conditions, than any other one subject. This millennial age, in which the purposes of God are fully realized on the earth, demands considerable attention...²

THE FACT OF THE MILLENNIUM.

The word itself is a latin term which signifies 1000 years. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. Revelation 20:4.

In the first seven verses of Revelation 20, John mentions this 1000 year period no less than 6 times!

THE PURPOSE OF THE MILLENNIUM.

To Reward The Saints of God:

So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth. Psalms 58:11

Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. Isaiah 40:10

(See also Matthew 5:12; 16:27; 25:34; Colossians 3:24; Rev. 22:12)

To Answer The Oft-prayed Model Prayer:

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Matt 6:9-13

To Redeem Creation.
In Genesis 3 God cursed nature because of Adam¹s sin. From that point on, man¹s paradise became a wilderness. The roses suddenly contained thorns, and the docile tiger became a hungry meat eater. But during the millennium all this will change. Paul describes the transformation for us in his epistle to the Romans.

For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. Romans 8:19-22

To Fufill Three Old Testament Covenants.

1. The Abrahamic. God promised Abraham 2 things: That his seed (Israel) would become a mighty nation (Gen. 12:1-3; 13:16; 15:5; 17:7 22:17-18). That his seed (Israel) would someday own Palestine forever (Gen. 12:7; 13:4, 15, 17; 15:7, 18-21; 17:8).

2. The Davidic - Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt? 2 Chronicles 13:5

And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. 2 Samuel 7:12-16

Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things,.. 2 Samuel 23:5

3. The New Covenant - Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Jer. 31:31-34

I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; Isaiah 42:6

(See also Hebrews 8:7-12)

To Show The Futility of Mankind¹s Effort To Make It On His Own. Mankind apart from God always fails. We were created for His fellowship, and without Him we are lost physically, morally, spiritually. This has been seen repeatedly throughout the ages:

1. The Age of Innocence ended with willful disobedience (Gen. 3).
2. The Age of Conscience ended with universal corruption (Gen. 6).
3. The Age of Human Government ended with devil-worship at Babel (Gen. 11).
4. The Age of Promise ended with God¹s people outside of the promised land and enslaved in Egypt (Ex. 1).

5. The Age of Law ended with God¹s covenant people killing their Messiah (Mat. 27).
6. The Age of The Church will end with worldwide apostasy (1 Tim. 4).
7. The Age of The Tribulation will end with the battle of Armageddon (Rev 19).
8. The Age of The Millennium will end with an attempt to destroy God (Rev 20).

Dr. J. Dwight Pentecost - ³The millennial age is designed by God to be the final test of fallen humanity under the most ideal circumstances, surrounded by every enablement to obey the rule of the king, from whom the outward sources of temptation have been removed, so that man may be found and proved to be a failure in even this last testing of fallen humanity²

WHAT WILL THE MILLENNIUM BE LIKE?

Peace - And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Isaiah 2:4 (Isa 9:4-7; 11:6-9; 32:17-18; etc.)

Joy - And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Isa 35:10

For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody. Isa 51:3

Holiness - And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem: Isaiah 4:3

Glory - It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God. Isaiah 35:2
Comfort - And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Isaiah 12:1-2

Justice - Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. Isaiah 9:7

Full Knowledge - And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; Isaiah 11:2

Instruction - And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. Isaiah 2:2-3

Sickness Removed - And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity. Isaiah 33:24

For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after. Jeremiah 30:17

Healing The Deformed - Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. Isaiah 35:3-6
Freedom From Oppression - And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve, That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased! The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers. He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth. Isaiah 14:3-6

Maturity - There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. Isaiah 65:20

Procreation by Trib Saints - Their children also shall be as aforetime, and their congregation shall be established before me, and I will punish all that oppress them.
Jeremiah 30:20

Labor - The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured: But they that have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the LORD; and they that have brought it together shall drink it in the courts of my holiness. Isaiah 62:8-9

Economic Prosperity - Then shall he give the rain of thy seed, that thou shalt sow the ground withal; and bread of the increase of the earth, and it shall be fat and plenteous: in that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures. The oxen likewise and the young asses that ear the ground shall eat clean provender, which hath been winnowed with the shovel and with the fan. And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers and streams of waters in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall. Isaiah 30:23-25

Unified Language - For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent. Zephaniah 3:9

Unified Worship - And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. Revelation 5:9-14

God¹s Presence - And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. Revelation 21:3

Glory To God! Amen & Amen

Chapter 8 - THE CITIZENS OF THE MILLENNIUM

Negatively Considered: No unsaved person will enter this period.

And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant: And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the LORD. Ezek 20:37-38

Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3

See also Jer 31:33-34; Zec 13:9; Isa 35

Dr. Rene Pache - ³As beautiful as the Millennium is, it will not be heaven... Sin will still be possible during the thousand years (Isa 11:4; 65:20). Certain families and certain nations will refuse to go up to Jerusalem to worship the Lord (Zec 14:17-19). Such deeds will be all the more inexcusable because the tempter will be absent and because the revelation of the Lord will be greater.²

Positively Considered:

Saved Israel -
1. Israel will once again be related to God by marriage (Isa 54:1-17; 62:2-5; Hos 2:14-23).
2. Israel will be exalted above the Gentiles (Isa 14:1-2; 49:22-23; 60:14-17; 61:6-7).
3. Israel will become God¹s witness during the millennium (Isa 44:8; 61:6; 66:21; Jer 16:19-21; Micah 5:7; Zeph 3:20 Zech 4:1-7; 8:3).


Saved Old Testament & Tribulation Saints:
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. Rev 5:9-10

And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Isaiah 2:4

And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. Isaiah 11:12

The Church:
Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world?.. 1 Corinthians 6:2

If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 2 Timothy 2:12

And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Rev 1:6

And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. Rev 2:26-27

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. Rev 3:21

The Angels - But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, Hebrews 12:22

The End of Satan¹s Influence In World Affairs.
There is not a great deal told to us about this end-time event. The following passage is the primary text:

And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city:.... Revelation 20:7-9a

The event itself creates an interesting question: Why does God allow Satan to be loosed? Answer: This event reveals the severity of the enmity of man against God. Scripture is accurate when it describes the heart of man as ³desperately wicked² and incurably so. Man is depraved by birth and nature. The loosing of Satan at the end of the 1000 year reign of Christ will prove it.

This final insurrection of Satan and those who follow him is doomed to utter and complete failure. The Apostle John duly records this final battle:

³.and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. Revelation 20:9-10

 

Chapter 9 - The Great White Throne Judgment

The Fact of The Judgment:

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: Hebrews 9:27

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Rev. 20:11-15

See also Daniel 7:9-10

The Judge On The Throne:

For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:...And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. John 5:22, 27

Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;..And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. Acts 10:40, 42

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Timothy 4:1

The Evidence At This Throne.

The Book of Conscience - Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) Romans 2:15

The Book of Words - But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. Matthew 12:36-37 / See also John 12:48

The Book of Secret Works - In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. Romans 2:16

For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. Ecclesiastes 12:14

The Book of Public Works - For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Matthew 16:27

Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. 2 Corinthians 11:15

The Book of Life - See Exodus 32:32-33; Psalm 69:28; Daniel 12:1; Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27; 22:19

Those Judged At This Throne.
Only those who have not received Christ as saviour will be judged there.

The Sentence of This Throne.
The lake of fire -And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:14-15