Revelation 19:11-16
11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He [a]had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in [b]fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a [c]sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS
The Rapture, The Tribulation & God's Final Judgement
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 says, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (NKJV).
The words caught up are from the root word harpazo, which is translated as rapturus in Latin, and you get your English word rapture from it. So after the Rapture happens, a mysterious, charismatic man emerges on the scene that the Bible calls the Beast and the Antichrist. The Antichrist inaugurates a seven-year tribulation period.
So, the Rapture, then the Antichrist, then the Tribulation (so you can kind of get an idea of how things fit together).
The Tribulation period begins peacefully. The Antichrist deceives people because he brings global peace temporarily. In fact, the Bible says through peace, he will deceive many. Then this all culminates in the Battle of Armageddon, fought at the end of the Tribulation period, and then comes the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
The Rapture is at the beginning. The Second Coming is at the end. In the Rapture, He comes for His church. In the Second Coming, He returns with His church. In the Rapture, He appears as a thief in the night. In the Second Coming, every eye will see Him.
In the Rapture, He comes before judgment. In the Second Coming, He returns with judgment. Then comes the Millennium. The thousand-year reign of Christ. The word millennia means 1,000. And finally, the New Jerusalem comes down from Heaven to Earth. So here’s the deal. The next event is the Rapture. It could happen at any moment.
You must be ready because He is returning again. So look up! Your redemption is drawing near.
The title “Lion of the tribe of Judah” highlights Jesus’ divine character, kingship, and victorious nature. This title originates from Jacob’s prophecy in Genesis 49, linking Judah to royal authority and establishing an expectation of future kings, culminating in Jesus Christ.
The Rapture
The rapture of the church. Christ comes in the clouds to “snatch away” all those who trust in Him (1 Corinthians 15:52). At this same time, the “dead in Christ” will be resurrected and taken to heaven, too. From our perspective today, this is the next event in the eschatological timeline. The rapture is imminent; no other biblical prophecy needs to be fulfilled before the rapture happens. The Rapture is an eschatological position held by some Christians, particularly those of American evangelicalism, consisting of an end-time event when all dead Christian believers will be resurrected and, joined with Christians who are still alive, together will rise "in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air." This view of eschatology is typically part of dispensational premillennialism, a form of futurism that considers various prophecies in the Bible as remaining unfulfilled and occurring in the future.
The Battle of Gog & Magog
The Battle of Gog and Magog. In the first part of the tribulation, a great army from the north, in alliance with several other countries from the Middle East and Africa, attacks Israel and is defeated by God’s supernatural intervention (Ezekiel 38–39).
The Rise of the Antichrist
The rise of the Antichrist. After the church is taken out of the way (2 Thessalonians 2:7–8), a satanically empowered man will gain worldwide control with promises of peace (Revelation 13:1; Daniel 9:27). He will be aided by another man, called the false prophet, who heads up a religious system that requires worship of the Antichrist (Revelation 19:20).
These days will be marked by a fierce and terrifying battle between God and His enemy, as described in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, which says, “Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.”
The Tribulation
The Tribulation refers to a future seven-year period characterized by severe trials and suffering, particularly in a biblical context. It is believed to be a time when God will complete His discipline of Israel and execute final judgment upon the unbelieving world. This period is often associated with unprecedented distress and upheaval, marking a significant phase in eschatological teachings. Additionally, the term "tribulation" generally signifies severe trials or suffering, which can also apply to the hardships faced by believers throughout history. The tribulation. A period of seven years in which God’s judgment is poured out on sinful humanity (Revelation 6–16). The Antichrist’s rise to power is associated with this time period. During the tribulation on earth, the Church will be in heaven. It is thought that at this time the Judgment Seat of Christ and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb will occur in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 19:6–10).
The Abomination of Desolation
The abomination of desolation. At the midway point of the seven-year tribulation, the Antichrist breaks his covenant with Israel and shows his true colors. The Jews are scattered, and many of them turn to the Lord, realizing that Jesus is their Savior. A great persecution breaks out against all those who believe in Christ (Daniel 12:11; Mark 13:14; Revelation 12:17). The Abomination of Desolation refers to a significant act of desecration that renders a holy place desolate, as prophesied in the Bible. It is often associated with Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who desecrated the Second Temple in Jerusalem by offering pagan sacrifices, and is also linked to future prophetic events described by Jesus and other biblical figures, indicating a time of great tribulation and judgment. This term highlights the severity of idolatrous acts that defile God's temple and signifies a pivotal moment in biblical eschatology.
The Second Coming of Christ
The Return, Second Coming, or Second Advent of Christ refers to the future return of Christ to earth at the end of the age. This return will be visible and physical as he comes from heaven on the clouds to bring final judgment and salvation. The New Testament establishes the doctrine of the Second Coming. Jesus refers to his future return in glory. While the term “Second Coming” or “Second Advent” does not occur in the New Testament, there are several nouns and verbs used to refer to the return of Christ. The nature of the Second Coming is visible, imminent, and final. The hope believers have of his return gives confidence of his victory and the salvation of their mortal bodies from sin once and for all to have a glorified resurrected body that is pure, immortal, and incorruptible (1Cor. 15:35-49). The Second Coming, then, has implications for how believers live day to day in an attitude of watchfulness and readiness.
The Last Battle of Armageddon
The last battle. At the end of the 1,000 years, Satan will be released from his prison for a short time. He will deceive the nations once again, and there will be a rebellion against the Lord that will be quickly defeated (Revelation 20:7–10). Satan will be cast into the lake of fire, never to reappear.
The Battle of Armageddon is a pivotal event in Christian eschatology, marking the culmination of the cosmic struggle between good and evil. It refers to the final war between human governments and God, and will bring human rulership to an end. The forces of evil will rally the nations against Jesus, who will return to earth with the armies of heaven to destroy them.
The Binding of Satan
The binding of Satan. Satan will be bound and held in a bottomless pit for the next 1,000 years (Revelation 20:1–3). The Binding of Satan is a significant eschatological event described in the Book of Revelation. It marks the commencement of the Millennial Kingdom, a thousand-year reign of Christ on earth1. Christ accomplished Satan's binding judicially in the first century, and it increasingly constricts Satan throughout the Christian era. Jesus' first coming began an immediate process of binding, curtailing and limiting Satan's power and authority. The millennial reign of Christ begins after the Great Tribulation.
Millennial Kingdom - Reign of Christ
Jesus Himself will rule the world, and Jerusalem will be the capital. This will be a period of peace and prosperity on earth (Revelation 20; Isaiah 60–62). Memorial sacrifices will be offered in a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem (Ezekiel 40–48).
The millennium (also known as the millennial kingdom) is the 1,000-year reign of Jesus after the tribulation and before the Great White Throne Judgment of the wicked. During the millennium, Jesus will reign as king over Israel and all the nations of the world (Isaiah 2:4; 42:1). The world will live in peace (Isaiah 11:6–9; 32:18), Satan will be bound (Revelation 20:1–3), and, at the beginning, everyone will worship God (Isaiah 2:2–3). The purpose of the 1,000-year reign is to fulfill various promises God made to the world. Some of these promises, called covenants, were given specifically to Israel. Others were given to Jesus, the nations of the world, and creation. Jesus’ 1,000-year reign will be a time of promises kept.
Great White Throne of Judgement
The first thing to understand about the final judgment is that it cannot be avoided. Regardless of how we may choose to interpret prophecy on the end times, “people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). We all have a divine appointment with our Creator. The apostle John recorded some details of the final judgment: "Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. During The Great White Throne Judgment, all those in hell will be brought forth, and all the wicked from all eras of history will be resurrected to stand before God in a final judgment (Revelation 20:11–15). The verdicts are read, and all of sinful humanity is cast into the lake of fire. As God the Son, Jesus Christ will be the judge at the final judgment (John 5:22). All unbelievers will stand before Christ at the great white throne, and they will be punished according to the works they have done. The Bible says that unbelievers are currently storing up wrath against themselves (Romans 2:5) and that “God ‘will repay each person according to what they have done’” (Romans 2:6). (Believers will be judged separately at the judgment seat of Christ, a judgment of examination and reward.) At the great white throne, the fate of the unsaved will be in the hands of the omniscient God who will judge everyone according to his or her soul’s condition and the works done in the body. For now, our fate is in our own hands. The end of our soul’s journey will either be in an eternal heaven or in an eternal hell (Matthew 25:46). We must choose our destination by either accepting or rejecting the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf. Further, we must make that choice before our physical lives come to an end. After we die, we no longer have a choice. Everyone who has ever lived will face God someday. “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13).
Final Judgement of God
The judgment of the nations. Christ will judge the survivors of the tribulation, separating the righteous from the wicked as “sheep” and “goats” (Matthew 25:31–46). (It is thought that at this time the Old Testament saints will be raised from the dead.) The righteous will enter the Millennial Kingdom; the wicked will be cast into hell. This day of judgment, also known as the Final Judgment, is when Jesus, the Son of God, will judge "the living and the dead" before destroying the old heaven and earth, which are corrupted of sin. Sin can be defined as anything that opposes God’s will and law.
The New Heavens & Earth's Golden Age - Eternal State
The new creation. God completely remakes the heavens and the earth. It is at this time that God wipes away all tears and there will be no more pain, death, or sorrow. The New Jerusalem descends from heaven, and the children of God will enjoy eternity with Him. In Revelation 21:1, John sees something spectacular: “Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.” This new earth and new heaven are sometimes referred to as the “eternal state.” As seen in Revelation chapters 21—22, the new earth will be the eternal dwelling place of believers in Jesus Christ. Scripture gives us a few details of the new heaven and new earth. The current heaven and earth have long been subject to God’s curse because of mankind’s sin. All creation “has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth” (Romans 8:22) as it awaits the fulfillment of God’s plan and “the children of God to be revealed” (verse 19). Heaven and earth will pass away (Mark 13:31), and they will be replaced by the new heaven and the new earth. At that time, the Lord, seated on His throne, says, “I am making everything new!” (Revelation 21:5). In the new creation, sin will be totally eradicated, and “there shall be no more curse” (Revelation 22:3, NKJV). Peter tells us that the new heaven and new earth will be “where righteousness dwells.” Isaiah says that “the former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.” Things will be completely new, and the old order of things, with the accompanying sorrow and tragedy, will be gone.
The new earth will be free from sin, evil, sickness, suffering, and death. It will be earth as God originally intended it to be, prior to the curse of sin. It will be Eden restored. A major feature of the new earth will be the New Jerusalem. John calls it “the Holy City . . . coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband” (Revelation 21:2). This glorious city, with its streets of gold and pearly gates, is situated on a new, glorious earth. The tree of life will be there (Revelation 22:2). This city represents the final state of redeemed mankind, forever in fellowship with God: “God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. . . . His servants will serve him. They will see his face” (Revelation 21:3; 22:3–4).
Understanding the Truth about the Rapture
Some Christians believe the church will be raptured before the return of Jesus (His Second Coming), while other believer's adhere to the belief that the church will be raptured at the mid-point during the tribulation (3.5 years after the tribulation begins; mid-trib), while others believe it will be a the end of the tribulation (post-trib). This is not a salvation issue and has been debated by Christians for centuries - only God knows the day and hour.
That said, I encourage you to watch the below YouTube video by Bishop Alan DiDio - it will change your perspective of the coming rapture:
Purchase Bishop Alan DiDio's Book here.
The Rapture and the Tribulation
- Matthew 24:21: Jesus describes a time of great distress, saying, "For at that time there will be great tribulation, unmatched from the beginning of the world until now, and never to be seen again."
- 1 Corinthians 15:52: "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed."
- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18: "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first."