The end times and end of the world has been a hot topic for a long time. Many people are obsessed with the idea of the apocalypse and armageddon. Some people are even preparing for the End of the World with safe houses and food storage shelters.
Popular culture depicts the end of the world or last days differently than what the Bible tells us. Many films have been created about the end times with different reasons as to why and how the world is ending. The Bible tells us how the world will end and describes the End of the World within its pages.
Signs of the End Times in the Bible
- The Rise of the Antichrist, a false messiah who will deceive many people (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).
- The Great Tribulation will be a time of great suffering and persecution (Matthew 24:21-22). Jesus explains that there will be a rise in false prophets, great decpetion, wars, famines, earthquakes, and other natural disasters.
- The Second Coming of Jesus Christ, when he will return to earth to defeat the Antichrist and establish his kingdom (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
- The Resurrection of the dead, when both the saved and the unsaved will be raised from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).
- The Judgment of the Dead, when God will judge everyone according to their works (Revelation 20:11-15).
1. Doom Days
The last days will not come right away. The Bible tells us the end of the world will not come until the end of the 1,000-year reign of Christ known as the Millennial Reign of Christ, this is why we use the phrase "end times". They are on-going events that we need to watch for signs of.
The literal 1,000-year reign of Christ will come after the Rapture of the church and the Tribulation. After the end of the 1,000-year reign of Christ, God will destroy the earth with fire and create a New Heaven and a New Earth (2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 21:1).
2. The Rapture
The Rapture is prior to the End of the World. The rapture is when Jesus takes His children up to be with Him in Heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Only believers will be taken up in the rapture as unbelievers will be left on the earth to undergo the seven-year Tribulation. The rapture will happen unexpectedly and will not have anything to precipitate it.
It will happen quickly, suddenly, and swiftly. Paul tells us the rapture will happen quicker than a twinkling of the eye (1 Corinthians 15:50-54). When believers are taken up in the rapture, they will be alive and will be transformed into their heavenly bodies.
Believers who are taken up in the rapture will not die. The rapture can happen at any time, meaning it could happen today, tomorrow, or a thousand years from now. Only God knows when the rapture will occur, and He has not given us that information in the Bible. Believers should continue to do good, live for Christ, and share the gospel with others until this time.
3. The Tribulation
The seven-year Tribulation occurs after the rapture of the church. The church will not have to undergo this wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:9). The seven-year Tribulation is the major event of God completing His work of judging the nations.
The Tribulation is the last opportunity for unbelievers to accept Jesus. Israel is the focus of the Tribulation; however, God is calling all unbelievers to accept Him during this period. Sadly, some people will reject Jesus during the Tribulation and refuse to submit to His Lordship.
The Tribulation will be a time of pain, terror, and wrath. Noteworthy to mention is that the Tribulation is God's work—not Satan's. The wrath being poured out on the world will be God’s wrath. The Tribulation is also known as “The Day of the Lord” (Joel 1:15).
Daniel 9:24-27 gives a detailed description of the events of the Tribulation, including God’s wrath, the antichrist, and the length of the Tribulation. The first half of the Tribulation will be intense; however, the second half of the Tribulation will be even more severe (Matthew 24:21; Zephaniah 1:15).
During the Great Tribulation, as described in Matthew 24, a series of intense and unprecedented events will unfold. This period will be marked by unparalleled suffering and distress, unlike anything seen before or after. Believers will face severe persecution, with many being martyred for their faith, while false prophets will arise, deceiving many people. A significant event known as the "abomination of desolation," prophesied by Daniel, will take place, likely involving the desecration of the holy place (the temple). Natural disasters, including wars, famines, and earthquakes, will occur in various places, adding to the turmoil.
False messiahs and prophets will emerge, performing great signs and wonders to deceive even believers. Following the tribulation, cosmic disturbances such as the darkening of the sun and moon and stars falling from the sky will occur. People in Judea are advised to flee to the mountains when these events begin, as survival will be challenging. For the sake of the elect, the days of tribulation will be shortened to prevent total destruction.
The Tribulation will end after the seven years that is declared in Daniel. After these seven years, Jesus will return with believers to destroy all unbelievers in the Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:16).
4. The Millennial Reign of Christ
After the Tribulation, the Millennial reign will be ushered in by Jesus. The Millennial reign of Christ will last for a literal 1,000 years and Jesus will be the literal, physical King (Revelation 20:2-7). During this time, Satan is locked away and will not be released until the end of the 1,000 years to test the nations.
The Millennial reign of Christ will be amazing as Jesus will literally walk with mankind again. Despite Jesus being physically ruling as King, people will still reject Him and choose to follow Satan. There will still be death in the Millennial Kingdom as well as life with new babies born.
However, after the Millennial, no more babies will be born, and nobody will die. After the Millennial Kingdom ends, there will be the Great White Throne Judgment, in which all unbelievers will be thrown into the lake of fire for eternity (Revelation 20:11-15).
All believers will enter the Eternal State, in which the Bible tells us this will be the home of righteousness (2 Peter 3:13).
5. The End of the World
2 Peter 3:10-12 gives us the best description of the End of the World. In 2 Peter 3:10-12, the Bible tells us the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. This means the End of the World will happen suddenly and quickly. 2 Peter 3:10 says, “The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.”
When Peter says, “The heavens,” he is not referring to the physical heaven above where God is located. Rather, “the heavens” refer to everyone in the solar system, including the stars, the moon, and all the planets. Everything in the solar system will be destroyed by fire.
As you can imagine, there will be a lot of noise associated with this event. The destruction of the solar system will not be a silent event as this destruction will be louder than a crack of thunder. After the destruction of the heavens and everything in the world, the entire earth will be bare (2 Peter 3:10). Nothing living will be on the face of the earth. This will officially be the End of the World.
6. After the End
The Bible tells us after everything is destroyed, God is going to create a new Heaven and a New Earth (Revelation 21:1). This New Heaven and New Earth will last forever. The Eternal State is what theologians call the New Heaven and the New Earth.
God will never destroy the New Heaven and New Earth because it’s going to be completely perfect, without sin, and holy (2 Peter 3:18). Only those who are in the Lamb’s Book of Life will be able to live in the New Heaven and New Earth (Revelation 13:8).
In order to be in the Lamb’s Book of Life, you have to have accepted Christ during your life by placing faith in His death, burial, and resurrection. For individuals who did not place faith in Jesus, they will be cast into the Lake of Fire along with Satan, the antichrist, and the beast after the Millennial reign of Christ (Revelation 20:10).
The End of the World is a future event, but it is best for all people to be prepared. The best way to prepare for the End of the World is not to store up food, water, or resources. Rather, the best way to prepare for the End of the World is by placing faith in Jesus and accepting Him as your Lord and Savior.
For further reading:
What Is the Timeline of Revelation?
What Is the Millennial Kingdom and Reign?
What Are the Different End Times Opinions Amongst Denominations?
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