Eschatology is the study of last things, or end times. We will be discussing various topics in this study, beginning with the nature of death.
We know that all people will die. Death is the end of the process of decay and of our mortal, corruptible bodies. Death is the end of our lives in our physical mortal bodies. It is not however the end of our existence. Death should be seen as a transition into a new kind of existence.
Apart from physical death, we know that there is also eternal spiritual death. While physical death separates the soul from the body, spiritual death separates the person from God. We know that death has different results for the believer and the unbeliever. For the unbeliever, death is the ultimate curse which cuts on off from God for eternity. For believers, the curse has been taken by Christ. We are set free and have an eternity with God.
The book of Revelation can be difficult to understand. Many people have tried to find symbolic or metaphoric interpretations of the book. The best way to interpret prophecy in Scripture is to interpret it literally. Literal interpretation recognizes when figurative language is used and it seeks to understand the truth that is being conveyed.
The term rapture comes from the Latin translation, meaning “caught up,” In 1 Thessalonians 4:17. Here we must make an important distinction. The rapture is not the second coming of Christ. Scripture teaches us that Christ will descend and that the dead will be raised, then we who are left alive will be caught up together in the clouds. We will discuss the second coming later.
The rapture is imminent, meaning that it can happen at any time and that there are no signs or events that must precede it. This event signals the beginning of the Tribulation, which will bring judgment on the unbelievers of the world.
I have heard, and even been taught before, that when we die, we will all stand before God and have to see our sins played on a movie screen and give an account for them. What a terrible thing to have to do! Thankfully, this is not what Scripture teaches. The Bema Seat (or judgment seat), is a time when church-age believers will be rewarded for their faithfulness in their earthly life. The purpose of the judgment seat will be recompense for deeds done in the body, whether good or worthless (2 Cor. 5:10). Our sins will not be brought up at this time for they have been forgiven.
The Tribulation serves two purposes: to bring about the conversion of Israel and the judgment of unbelieving people and nations (Isa. 26:21; Jer. 25:32-33). The conversion of Israel will be accomplished through God’s disciplinary dealing with His people, Israel (Jer. 30:7; Ezek. 20:37).
The Church will not be present during the time of the Tribulation. The Tribulation is a time of the outpouring of God’s wrath, a time of punishment, a time of trouble, a time of great destruction, a time of desolation, and a time of judgment. These things are not consistent with God’s relationship to the Church. The Church is an object of God’s love, not His wrath.
The Millennium begins at the end of the 7-year Tribulation period. At the end of the Tribulation, Christ will return (second coming) with all of His saints to rule on the earth for 1000 years. Christ will literally and physically rule the earth for these 1000 years. This period will be initiated by a cataclysmic event that will end the time of suffering and turmoil contained in the Tribulation. The Millennium will be a time of peace on the earth in which Christ will reign with His saints (Revelation 20:4-6).
At the end of the Millennium there will be a rebellion, resulting in the final defeat of Satan and his forces. Then will come the final judgment of unbelievers and the beginning of the eternal state.