The Bible has a lot to say about the end of the world, also known as eschatology. This article will provide an overview of the major biblical teachings about the end times and what the Bible says will happen leading up to and during the end of the age.
The Return of Jesus Christ
One of the most prominent eschatological themes in Scripture is the second coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself predicted that He would return again to judge the world and establish His eternal kingdom (Matthew 24:44, John 14:3). The New Testament writers also spoke frequently of Christ’s return (Titus 2:13, Hebrews 9:28, 2 Peter 3:3-4).
The Bible teaches Jesus will return bodily and visibly at the end of the age (Acts 1:11, Revelation 1:7). His coming will be sudden and unexpected, like a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2, 2 Peter 3:10). The purpose of His return will be to defeat God’s enemies (Revelation 19:11-16), resurrect the dead (1 Corinthians 15:52), issue final judgment (Matthew 25:31-46), and usher in the new heavens and new earth (2 Peter 3:13).
There are many signs given in Scripture that will precede Christ’s return, such as wars, famines, earthquakes, persecution, apostasy, and the gospel being preached to all nations (Matthew 24:6-14). However, the precise timing of His coming is unknown (Matthew 24:36).
The Great Tribulation
The Bible prophesies a time of unparalleled suffering and turmoil on the earth prior to Christ’s second coming, known as the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21). This 7-year period will see the rise of a satanic world ruler called the Antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, Revelation 13:1-10). It will commence with a peace treaty with Israel that he will break halfway through (Daniel 9:27).
The Great Tribulation will be characterized by martial law, famine, natural disasters, demonic activity, persecution of believers, and catastrophic events including meteor strikes, scorching solar heat, and pollution of freshwaters (Revelation 6:1-8, 8:6-12, 16:1-21). God will pour out His wrath on the earth to shake people out of rebellion (Revelation 6:16-17). Many will turn to faith in Jesus during this time (Revelation 7:9-14).
The Rapture
The rapture refers to the event in which believers in Christ, both dead and alive, will be “caught up” to meet Jesus in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). This will precede God’s judgments being poured out during the Tribulation. There is considerable debate about the timing of the rapture in relation to the Tribulation period.
Pre-tribulationists believe the rapture happens before the Tribulation, sparing believers from having to endure it. Mid-tribulationists believe the rapture happens halfway through the seven years. Post-tribulationists say the rapture happens at the end of the Tribulation period.
Regardless of timing, Scripture portrays the rapture as the blessed hope for believers, when they will receive their resurrection bodies and escape the coming wrath on the world (Titus 2:13, 1 Thessalonians 1:10).
The Millennial Kingdom
After Jesus returns, He will establish His kingdom and reign on earth for 1,000 years, known as the millennium (Revelation 20:1-6). Old Testament prophecy described this as a time of perfect peace, justice, and prosperity when the earth will be restored to Eden-like conditions (Isaiah 11:6-9). It will commence with the defeat of God’s enemies at the battle of Armageddon (Revelation 19:19-21).
Believers will rule and reign with Jesus in resurrected bodies during this golden age (2 Timothy 2:12, Revelation 20:4-6). Long lifespans will return and the earth will be abundantly fruitful (Isaiah 65:20-23). The world will be filled with the knowledge of God (Habakkuk 2:14). But ultimately, the millennial kingdom is meant to demonstrate that even under perfect conditions, the human heart can still resist God apart from Christ.
Satan’s Final Defeat
At the end of the millennium, Satan will be briefly released from captivity to deceive the nations into rebelling against God one final time (Revelation 20:7-9). This underscores humanity’s sin nature. But fire from heaven will consume the rebels and Satan will then be thrown into the lake of fire forever (Revelation 20:10). His final, ultimate defeat is certain.
The Great White Throne Judgment
At the close of the millennium, there will be a final judgment before God’s great white throne for unbelievers throughout history (Revelation 20:11-15). The dead will be resurrected and judged according to their deeds. Since no one can be justified by works, they will be condemned to eternal punishment in the lake of fire.
This final judgment reveals the great divide between believers whose names are in the Book of Life and unbelievers who rejected Christ. It also shows that in the end, evil will not go unpunished but will face absolute justice.
New Heavens and New Earth
After the Great White Throne judgment, God will create a new heaven and new earth free from sin, death, and suffering (Revelation 21:1-5). Pain, sorrow, and tears will be no more. All things will be made new for eternity. The New Jerusalem will descend from heaven as the dwelling place of God and His people (Revelation 21:10-27). Here, believers will experience unspeakable joy in the presence of God forever.
The culmination of biblical eschatology is the creation of an entirely new order for humanity to live joyfully in God’s presence for eternity. Though the present world is flawed, the best is yet to come for believers!
Israel’s Role
Israel plays a central role in end times prophecy. God’s covenant with Abraham regarding his descendants remains valid (Genesis 12:1-3). The focus will be back on Israel after “the fullness of the Gentiles has come in” to the church (Romans 11:25).
The regathering of Jewish people to Israel, beginning in the late 1800s, as well as Israel’s rebirth as a nation in 1948, are seen as fulfillment of prophecy (Ezekiel 37:21-22) and preparation for coming end time events. The Antichrist will make a peace treaty with Israel at the start of the Tribulation (Daniel 9:27). Two prophets will minister in Jerusalem during the first 3.5 years (Revelation 11:3-12). The nations will gather against Israel at Armageddon to “the valley of decision” (Joel 3:2, 14). Jesus will return to the Mount of Olives to save Israel from annihilation (Zechariah 14:3-4).
The Resurrection of the Dead
A key end times event is the resurrection of the dead. The Bible teaches that when Christ returns, there will be a resurrection of believers to eternal life and unbelievers to eternal judgment (John 5:28-29, Acts 24:15).
The rapture involves the resurrection of deceased believers along with the translation of living believers into their eternal resurrection bodies (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). Saints who die during the Tribulation will be resurrected at its conclusion (Revelation 20:4). The unsaved dead will be resurrected at the end of the millennium to face the final judgment (Revelation 20:5, 11-15).
Jesus’ own resurrection guarantees the future resurrection of the dead. Just as His body was resurrected and transformed into an imperishable glorified body, so too will believers receive imperishable spiritual bodies fashioned like His (1 Corinthians 15:20-23, 42-44, 49).
The Fate of Unbelievers
The Bible gives sobering details about the final state of unbelievers. Scripture unequivocally states that those who reject Christ face eternal conscious punishment after death (Revelation 20:15). This eternal state in the lake of fire is also called the second death (Revelation 21:8). It is irreversible, unrelenting, and terrible beyond comprehension.
Some key points about the eternal punishment of the lost according to Scripture:
- It is eternal in duration (Matthew 25:46).
- It involves varying degrees of torment (Luke 12:47-48).
- It includes being cut off from God’s presence (2 Thessalonians 1:9).
- It is a place of flames, darkness, and anguish (Matthew 8:12, Luke 16:23-24).
The Bible compels us to proclaim the gospel and plead with people to be reconciled to God so they can avoid this terrifying fate (2 Corinthians 5:20). The doctrine of eternal punishment for unbelievers should instill in believers a sense of urgency to spread the good news of salvation in Christ before it is too late.
A New World Order
A frequently discussed aspect of biblical eschatology is the concept of a one world government that will emerge in the end times under the leadership of the Antichrist (Revelation 13:7-8). This will culminate in all the nations being united in war against Christ at His return (Revelation 16:13-16, 19:19).
Today, globalization and international cooperation are often seen as laying the groundwork for this prophesied unified world order to materialize. Advances in technology, communications, economics, and politics continue moving humanity toward a convergence that could facilitate the Antichrist’s global rule.
From the European Union to the United Nations to surveillance technology, many perceive end time events unfolding on the world stage. While the Bible does prophesy a one world system arising, the precise geopolitical details are unclear. As with other aspects of biblical prophecy, wisdom suggests neither minimizing nor sensationalizing this topic.
Be Ready
A key theme when examining what the Bible says about the end times is to be prepared. Believers in Jesus are told to be alert, sober-minded, steadfast in the faith, courageous, and focused on the hope of Christ’s return amid a darkening world (1 Thessalonians 5:6, 2 Thessalonians 2:15, Hebrews 10:23-25, Jude 1:20-21).
Rather than obsessing over prophetic details, Scripture calls us to trust in God’s sovereignty, share the gospel, minister to hurting people, pursue holiness, and remain faithful to Jesus no matter what happens. If we stay focused on following Christ each day, we will be ready whenever He returns.
The biblical story of the end times concludes with assured victory through Jesus, the marriage supper of the Lamb, and eternity in God’s presence for all who have accepted Christ’s sacrifice on their behalf. Therefore, we can look forward to the end of the age with hope and confidence in God’s good plans to make all things new for those who love Him.