"Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen." - Revelation 1:7 (ESV)
The second coming of Jesus Christ stands as one of
Christianity's most precious promises. From His ascension nearly two thousand
years ago, believers have lived with the blessed hope that their Savior will
return to complete God's redemptive plan. This article explores the magnificent
unfolding of end-time events, from Christ's glorious return to the eternal
state of the New Jerusalem. It surveys major events and provides brief overview
of them.
1. The Coming of the Lord
The Promise of His Return
Jesus Himself assured His disciples of His return: "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also" (John 14:3). When he ascended to heaven, angels promised to his disciples, "This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11).
The Rapture of the Church
The Rapture of the Church refers to the moment when all
believers—both those who have died in Christ and those who are living—will be
suddenly and miraculously taken from the earth to meet the Lord in the air.
This event is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 (ESV):
“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry
of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet
of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are
left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in
the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.”
Key Features of the Rapture:
Instantaneous Transformation:
The Rapture involves a dramatic, instantaneous change for believers. Those who have died will be resurrected with glorified bodies, and those who are alive will be transformed in the blink of an eye as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:51–52: “in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.”Exclusive to Believers:
Only those who have put their faith in Christ will be included in the Rapture.Purpose and Comfort:
The Rapture is intended to comfort believers, assuring them that those who have died in Christ are not lost and that all believers will be united with the Lord forever. Paul wrote about the Rapture to encourage the church and give hope amid grief and uncertainty.The Unexpected Hour: Matthew 24 and the Rapture
In Matthew 24:36–44, Jesus compares His coming to the
days of Noah—life will seem normal until sudden judgment falls. Just as people
were caught unaware by the flood, so too will many be surprised by the coming
of the Son of Man. Jesus describes two individuals working side by side; one is
taken, the other left—a picture interpreted either as the rapture of believers
or the removal of the wicked in judgment. While the passage does not specify
the exact timing of the rapture, it emphasizes its unexpected and sudden
nature, reinforcing the need for constant readiness. The call to “stay
awake” (v. 42) is not a cue to predict dates but to live in continual
preparation for Christ’s return.
Distinction from the Revelation of Christ:
While the Rapture is often considered the first phase of
Christ’s return, it is distinct from the Revelation of Christ. At the Rapture,
Christ comes “in the clouds” to meet believers “in the air,” while at the Revelation
of Christ, He descends to earth to defeat evil and establish His reign. Many
Christians believe that the Rapture will occur before a period of tribulation,
though there are differing views on the timing.
2. Resurrection of Believers
The First Resurrection
The resurrection of believers represents God's ultimate victory over humanity's greatest enemy—death. As Paul triumphantly declares: "For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death" (1 Corinthians 15:25-26).
"But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" (1 Corinthians 15:20).
Christ's resurrection serves as both the guarantee and pattern for our own. Just as He conquered the grave, so too will all who belong to Him experience resurrection life.
The Transformed Body
The resurrection body will be dramatically different from our present mortal frame: "So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body" (1 Corinthians 15:42-44).
This transformation will be instantaneous: "Behold! I tell 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 trumpet" (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).
Natural Body vs. Resurrected Body (Based on 1 Corinthians 15)
Natural Body | Resurrected (Spiritual) Body |
Perishable (v. 42) | Imperishable |
Sown in dishonor (v. 43) | Raised in glory |
Sown in weakness (v. 43) | Raised in power |
Natural (v. 44) | Spiritual |
Mortal (v. 53) | Immortal |
Earthly image (v. 49) | Heavenly image |
3. Timing of the Rapture and Tribulation
The rapture—the moment when believers are caught up
to meet Christ in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17)—is central to eschatology.
But when does it happen in relation to the tribulation?
There are three primary views on the timing of the rapture, each shaped by how interpreters correlate various biblical texts, particularly from Daniel, Matthew 24, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, and Revelation.
|
View |
Description |
Key Passages |
|
Pre-Tribulation Rapture |
Christ raptures the Church before a seven-year
tribulation, sparing believers from God's wrath. Often linked to a two-stage
return. |
Revelation 3:10; 1 Thess. 1:10; 1 Thess. 4:16–17 |
|
Mid-Tribulation Rapture |
The Church is raptured at the midpoint of the
tribulation (3½ years in), just before intense wrath. |
Daniel 7:25; Revelation 11:15; 1 Corinthians 15:52 |
|
Post-Tribulation Rapture |
Believers go through the entire tribulation and are
raptured at Christ’s visible second coming. Emphasizes a single,
climactic event. |
Matthew 24:29–31; John 6:39–40; 2 Thess. 2:1–4 |
Tribulation and The Battle of Armageddon
Pre-Tribulation view understand that there will be seven years of tribulation after the rapture and before Christ's revelation with saints to the earth. The seven-year tribulation, often linked with
Daniel’s 70th week (Daniel 9:27),
is a time of divine judgment, global upheaval, and spiritual conflict preceding
Christ’s return in glory. It is especially
emphasized in premillennial, dispensational frameworks, though even
non-dispensational views acknowledge a future period of great tribulation (cf.
Matthew 24:21).
Major Events and Features of the Tribulation according to Pre-Tribulation view:
|
Aspect |
Description |
Key Scriptures |
|
Rise of the Antichrist |
A powerful world leader makes a covenant (Dan. 9:27),
deceives nations, exalts himself as god, and persecutes the saints. |
2 Thess. 2:3–4; Rev. 13 |
|
Seals, Trumpets, Bowls |
Three series of judgments unfold, increasing in
intensity—from cosmic signs to ecological disasters and demonic plagues. |
Revelation 6–16 |
|
Persecution of Believers |
Saints are martyred for their witness; some interpret this
as post-rapture believers or the Church itself depending on one’s view. |
Rev. 6:9–11; 7:14 |
|
144,000 Sealed |
Symbolic or literal group of Jewish believers sealed for
protection and witness. |
Revelation 7:1–8; 14:1–5 |
|
Worldwide Evangelism |
Despite darkness, God raises bold witnesses—including the
Two Witnesses in Jerusalem—and an angelic proclamation of the gospel. |
Rev. 11:3–13; 14:6–7 |
|
Abomination of Desolation |
Midway through the tribulation, the Antichrist desecrates
the temple, initiating intense persecution. |
Matt. 24:15;
Dan. 9:27; 2 Thess. 2 |
|
Cosmic Disturbances |
Earthquakes, darkness, water turned to blood, stars
falling—disrupting all normal life. |
Rev. 6:12–14; 8–9 |
|
Armageddon |
Nations gather for war, culminating in the Lord’s
victorious return. |
Revelation 16:12–16; 19:11–21 |
Though terrifying, this time also highlights God’s mercy,
as many repent and turn to Him before the end (Revelation 7:9–17).
The Battle of Armageddon
The Battle of Armageddon refers to the conflict between the
forces of evil and the returning Christ, described in Revelation 16:16 and
further developed in Revelation 19:11–21. The name “Armageddon” comes from the
Hebrew Har Megiddo, or “Mount of Megiddo,” a site in northern Israel
historically known for significant battles (e.g., Judges 5:19; 2 Kings 23:29).
Revelation 16:16 – “And they assembled them at the place
that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.”
In this prophetic vision:
The nations gather under demonic deception to oppose God
(Rev. 16:13–14).
Christ returns as a conquering King, riding a white horse,
with the armies of heaven following Him (Rev. 19:11–16).
The beast (Antichrist) and false prophet are captured and
thrown alive into the lake of fire (Rev. 19:20).
The armies of the earth are defeated, not by conventional
war, but by the sword from Christ’s mouth—His authoritative word (Rev. 19:21).
This battle marks the end of human rebellion and inaugurates
the millennial reign of Christ.
4. Millennial Reign of Christ
Following His return (according to the Pre-Tribulation view, Christ will return after 7 years of tribulation), Christ will reign on earth for a thousand
years, often referred to as the Millennium. During this period, Satan is
bound (Revelation 20:1–3), peace and justice will prevail, and the promises to
Israel and the church will be fulfilled.
Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom
the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had
been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God... They came
to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years" (Revelation
20:4).
"For he must reign until he has put all his enemies
under his feet" (1 Corinthians 15:25).
The millennial reign will be marked by:
Perfect Justice: "But with righteousness he
shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth"
(Isaiah 11:4). Christ's rule will be characterized by perfect justice and
equity.
Universal Peace: "He shall judge between the
nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their
swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not
lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore"
(Isaiah 2:4).
Restoration of Creation: "The wolf shall
dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and
the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall
lead them" (Isaiah 11:6).
Salvation of the nation of Israel: This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel (Ezekiel 37:21,22; Zephaniah 3:19,20; Romans 11:26,27).
Different views on Millennium
|
Millennial View |
Core Idea |
When Is the Millennium? |
|
Premillennial (classic & dispensational) |
Christ returns before the millennium to establish a
literal, earthly 1,000‑year kingdom. |
Future, after His second coming |
|
Amillennial |
The “thousand years” is a symbolic picture of the present
church age; Christ currently reigns from heaven. |
Now, between the first and second comings |
|
Postmillennial |
The gospel will so transform the world that a long era of
righteousness precedes Christ’s return. |
Future golden age before His coming |
Satan's Final Rebellion
At the end of the millennium, Satan will be released for a
final rebellion: "7 And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. 9 And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, 10 and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Revelation 20:7-10" (Revelation 20:7-8).
After this final rebellion, devil will be thrown into the lake of fire.
5. Final Judgment
Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on
it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them.
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were
opened" (Revelation 20:11-12).
At the end of the thousand years, Satan will be released for
a brief time, then finally defeated. All the dead who did not participate in
the first resurrection will be raised and judged according to their deeds. The
righteous will inherit eternal life, while the unrighteous will be condemned to
eternal punishment.
6. Eternity: The New Jerusalem
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first
heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw
the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a
bride adorned for her husband.” (Revelation 21:1–2, ESV)
“Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may
have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the
gates.” (Revelation 22:14, ESV)
Following the final judgment, God will create a new heaven
and a new earth. The New Jerusalem—the holy city—will descend from heaven, and
God will dwell with His people. There will be no more death, sorrow, or pain,
and the redeemed will enjoy perfect fellowship with God forever.