While there are many different interpretations of how events of the end times will unfold, orthodox, Bible-believing Christians passionately agree about the most important matters. Here I point out six end times areas of agreement about which the Bible is explicit:
1. King Jesus will soon return. Jesus could not have been more clear. The word “soon” is a repeated refrain in Revelation (Rev 1:1, 2:16, 3:11, 11:14, 22:6, 22:7, 22:12, 22:20). Previously, in the Olivet Discourse, Jesus emphasized that we must always be ready because we do not know when he will return (Matt 24:44, 25:13). Round clock faces are misleading. [1] “The view that the round clock suggests is only a polite fiction. In reality, time is running out,” wrote Frederica Mathewes-Green[2] Time is not an endless cycle. History is headed towards a conclusion.
2. In his second advent, Jesus will come as a conquering King. When Jesus arrived in Jerusalem for holy week, he came on an animal of peace (Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:1-11). But when He comes again, he will come on a white stallion symbolizing victory (Revelation 19:11-16).[3] Every knee will bow. Every tongue will confess.[4]
[11] Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. [12] His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. [13] He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. [14] And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. [15] From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. [16] On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. Revelation 19:11-16 ESV)
3. Christians should be found busy with gospel priorities when Jesus comes back. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we should fulfill the Great Commission to go into all the world and make followers of Jesus (Acts 1:6-8); likewise, we should seek to live holy and godly lives (1 Thess 5:5-8, 2 Peter 3:11-12). We should encourage one another all the more as we see “the Day” approaching (Hebrews 10:24-25).
| When Jesus comes to reward His servants, Whether it be noon or night, Faithful to Him will He find us watching, With our lamps all trimmed and bright? Refrain: Oh, can we say we are ready, brother? Ready for the soul’s bright home? Say, will He find you and me still watching, Waiting, waiting when the Lord shall come?If, at the dawn of the early morning, He shall call us one by one, When to the Lord we restore our talents, Will He answer thee, “Well done”? |
Have we been true to the trust He left us? Do we seek to do our best? If in our hearts there is naught condemns us, We shall have a glorious rest.Blessed are those whom the Lord finds watching, In His glory they shall share; If He shall come at the dawn or midnight, Will He find us watching there? Fanny Crosby |
4. Christians look forward to the physical resurrection. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. But death will not have last word physically. Cancer will not have the last say. Alzheimer’s will be defeated (1 Corinthians 15:50-58). Those who died in Christ will rise in Him (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18). The promise of Jesus’s return and the resurrection is the blessed hope of all Christians (Titus 2:13) and the foundation of our comfort in a fallen world where there is so much pain (1 Thess 4:18, 5:11).
Missionary John Paton regarding those who sought to discourage him from missions:
Amongst many who sought to deter me, was one dear old Christian gentleman, whose crowning argument always was, “The cannibals! You will be eaten by Cannibals!”
At last I replied, “Mr. Dickson, you are advanced in years now and your own prospect is soon to be laid in the grave, there to be eaten by worms; I confess to you that if I can be live and die serving and honoring the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I am eaten by Cannibals or by worms; and in the Great Day my resurrection body will arise as fair as yours in the likeness of our risen Redeemer.[5]
5. God’s people will spend eternity with Him on a New Earth. Those who have put their faith in the Lord Jesus will be with him forever on a New/Renewed Earth in a never ending adventure in which each day is better than the one before (Revelation 21:3-5). Eternity with Jesus will be immeasurably better than all we ask or imagine. We can imagine a wonderful place – – but, the new earth will be even better (Ephesians 3:20-21).
6. Hell awaits those who reject Christ. Those who do not receive Christ as Lord and Savior await eternal condemnation with no hope of reversing their state (Matt 10:28, 25:46, John 3:36, 2 Thess 1:9, Revelation 14:11, 22:8-10). Our hearts should be full of compassion for those who do not know Christ. We should be filled with love for even those who harm us when we consider the awfulness of the wrath of God. Let’s tell more people the Good News that for all who receive him, for those who believe in his name, he gives the right to be called children of God (John 1:12).[6]
*******************
[1] Frederica Mathewes-Green, “Time Out,” Christianity Today, October 25, 1999.
[2] Ibid.
[3] “Jesus Messiah, who came first in weakness, poverty and humiliation will come again in great power and glory, exercising universal authority and dominion, all to the glory of God (1 Thess. 4:16; Rom. 8:38-39; Phil. 2:10-11). This hope gave rise to the prayer of early Christians: ‘Come, Lord Jesus’ (Rev. 22:20).” K.E. Brower, “Eschatology,” in New Dictionary of Biblical Theology: Exploring the Unity and Diversity of Scripture, ed. T. Desmond Alexander et al. (Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 2000), 464.
[4] James M. Hamilton Jr., Revelation: The Spirit Speaks to the Churches, ed. R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word (Wheaton: Crossway, 2012), 356.
[5] Quoted in Ibid., 231.
[6] Chris Brauns, “What Do Christians Mean When They Reference the Gospel or Good News?,” A Brick in the Valley: The Web Site of Pastor and Author Chris Brauns, June 13, 2013, http://chrisbrauns.com/2013/06/what-do-christians-mean-when-they-reference-the-gospel-or-good-news/.
12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
Bro., where’s verse 13?
Re: 2. In his second advent, Jesus will come as a conquering King.
Where is the “Bride of Christ”? Rev. 19:7 – “Covenant Theologians” frequently gloss over this important fact. The Bride (church) is already in heaven before the Lord heads out to “strike down the nations” in verse 15. So the “Rapture” of the Church has taken place prior to this. In Fact, seven years prior. It is the only thing that makes sense here. This ties to Christ’s promise in Rev. 3:10 “Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.”
Ian, thanks for stopping by. My aim in this post was to stress areas of agreement so I didn’t include the rapture given controversy on timing etc.
I like verse 13 too!!
Very good summary, Chris. Printing and filing for “future” reference.
I appreciate this synopsis, Mr. Brauns, thank you so much.
The physical presence of other Christians is a source of incomparable joy and strength to the believer
For sure.