Outline of the End Times

C.S. Lewis once wrote in his book The Problem of Pain this,

We are very shy nowadays of even mentioning Heaven. We are afraid of the jeer about “pie in the sky,” and of being told that we are trying to “escape from the duty of making a happy world here and now into dreams of a happy world elsewhere.” But either there is “pie in the sky” or there is not. If there is not, then Christianity is false, for this doctrine is woven into its whole fabric. If there is, then this truth, like any other, must be faced, whether it is useful at political meetings or no.

The Scripture is clear that for the believer heaven  is our hope (Philippians 3:20-21). Further thinking of the end times and the coming of our king ought to be our motivation in this life (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). In this post we will work our way in outlining the events of the end time from a dispensational view point.

An Overview of the End Times Events

The Rapture

The coming of Christ for His church meeting her in the sky. The church (living and dead) is raptured to meet the Lord in the air either at the beginning (pre-tribulation view) of the seven years of tribulation; tribulation saints and Old Testament dead will be raised at the end of the tribulation (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; John 14:1-3; Revelation 3:10).

For a biblical evidences for a pre-tribulational rapture see this article by Mike Vlach. Mike Vlach is a professor at the Master’s Seminary in California.

The Judgement seat of Christ: (Greek, bema)

In heaven the saints of the church age are being judged (rewarded) for their service to Christ during their time on earth (Romans 14:10-11; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:9-10; 1 John 2:28; Revelation 3:11-12).

For a biblical treatment of the judgment seat of Christ look up this article by R. Bruce Compton professor of biblical languages and exposition at Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary.

The Tribulation

Earth will experience tribulation that has never experienced before.  A seven-year period (the 70th week of Dan 9:25-27) containing the reign of the Anti-Christ just prior to the millennium; restoration of Jews to Israel, conversion of the remnant of Israel, temple rebuilt, priesthood, sacrifices restored.

A Gap of 45 Days Period

This time window (Daniel 12:11-12) when the Old Testament saints will be raised from the dead (Daniel 12:1-3).

Millennium – A thousand years

Christ will return at the end of the tribulation to institute a 1000 year rule from a holy city (the New Jerusalem); those who come to believe in Christ during the tribulation (including the 144,000 Jews) and survive will go on to populate the earth during this time; those who were raptured or raised previous to the tribulation period will reign with Christ over the millennial population (Isaiah 11:4; Jeremiah 3:17; Zechariah 14:9; Revelation 20:2-7).

For a short defense of the pre-millennium position, i.e. the coming of Christ before the beginning of the millennium see this article.

for a longer and comprehensive defense of the pre-millennium position see article by Walter C. Kaiser Jr. “What’s So Important About Pre-Millennialism?”

Post Millennium

Satan, bound during Christ’s earthly reign, will be loosed to deceive the nations, gather an army of the deceived, and take up to battle against the Lord; the battle will end in the judgment of the wicked and Satan, followed by entrance into the eternal state of glory by the righteous (Revelation 20:7-10).

Eternal State

The Great White Throne

This time the Lord will judge the wicked according to their works (Revelation 20:11-15). All those who refused to believe in the Lord Jesus and trust in Him as their Savior they will be thrown into the eternal fire.

New Heaven and New Earth

The dwelling place of the righteous who is saved by faith in the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Revelation 21, 22).

Major proponents: John Whitecomb, John Walvoord, Charles Ryrie, Louis Sperry Chafer, J. Dwight Pentecost, Norman Geisler, Charles Stanley, Chuck Smith, and Chuck Missler.

For a visual chart of the events of the end times look at this chart.

In order to listen to John MacArthur explains what is dispensationalism and end times.

Dispensationalism – Part 1 (Bible Q&A)

Dispensationalism – Part 2 (Bible Q&A)

Q&A on Heaven and the Rapture (John MacArthur)

I am Discouraged-Where Do I Find Encouragement?

We live in a world that is tainted with pain and suffering. Where ever we go there is disappointment from family, friends, coworkers, and so on. Sin entered every aspect of our human experience. Humans in their totality are tainted by sin emotionally, physically, and volitionally (Ephesians 2:1-3). Thus humans will always, as long as we are on this earth, experience pain, suffering, disappointments, discouragements. But how can we as Christians, followers of Jesus Christ, be encouraged in the midst of all that. Here is some practical points:

Encouragement from the Bible

The Scriptures were written for our instruction and encouragement. We should not turn to psychology for our remedy but we should turn to God and seek to know His truth for our sin. Paul in Romans 15:4-5 write to us concerning the Scripture saying, “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus” (ESV). Realize that discouragement is not the heart issue that you are dealing with but you are dealing with other issues in your heart. May be disappointment with God, or high expectation from others. Whatever the issue is allow the Bible to test the motivation of your heart (Hebrews 4:12).

Encouragement from the Cross

Know that what you are going through right now is only a mere shadow of the glory that you will experience if you are a true follower of Christ Jesus. Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 says, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (ESV). And know that what you are going through Christ went through. For he experienced every human experience of suffering and pain. In Hebrews 4:14-16 the author of Hebrews write for our encouragement saying, “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (ESV). So be encouraged Christ Jesus knows what you are going through right now and he is able to sympathize with your weaknesses. Draw to Him for He is our source of life and comfort.

Encouragement from the Brothers and Sisters in your Local Church

Our design the church to be a source of encouragement and a means of grace to the believers. When we say church we are talking about the body of believers that church consist of. Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too” (ESV). You ought to be involved with other believers sharing with them your suffering and pain and receive encouragement and comfort.

Encouragement from Using the Resources Online

The world-wide web is a blessing in the 21st century. We have a wealth of resources from good and godly preachers, professors, and teachers of the Bible. We ought to be taking advantage of it. Research good preachers and tools online to have good resources that you can go back to in times of discouragement.

Bible Concordance Tools

Bible Gate Way – this website provide for us a tool to search for word in the Bible. You can type the word in the icon and their engine will find Bible verses that match this word. This will help you find some Bible verses that speak about this subject that you are dealing with. Memorize a verse or two that you find to help you meditate on God’s Word.

Hebrew and Greek Concordance – if you wish to study the original languages check strong concordance on this website.

Biblical Sermons: Online

Sermonaudio.com – Wealth of sermons on nearly every topic and every book in the Bible. There is speakers around the spectrum of evangelicals and denominations. My favorite speakers John Whitcomb, David Doran, Bruce Ware, David Jeremiah, John MacArthur, John Piper, Mark Dever, Rick Holland, etc.

OnePlace.com – Another website  and Christian radio that have many sermons online for well known speakers like Mike Fabarez, David Jeremiah, Alister Begg, etc.

Biblicaltraining.org – they have seminars, lectures about different theological topics such as systematic theology, church history, preaching, etc. Great website!

SermonCentral.com – It’s out there. I never actually used it.

Biblical Articles

Bible.org Ministry – great website and they have hundreds of biblical articles by good authors. They also have the theology program where they take you through the main Christian theology categories.