Chapter 4 - An Examination of the End Times (Continued)
Book of Acts and the Epistles
Acts
Jesus will return to earth in the same manner He left. We read in the book of Acts about how Jesus went into heaven. “And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:9-11) Jesus was lifted up accompanied by a cloud and will be seen again in a cloud.
In Paul’s epistle (letter) to the church in Rome, he paused after presenting essentially the gospel message in the first eight chapters, to talk to his Hebrew brethren in chapters nine through eleven. Paul is explaining that there is a partial hardening on the people of Israel. Calling it a mystery (something that has not been previously revealed), Paul notes that God is responsible for the callousness and the insensitivity the Jews have toward Jesus. He further notes that this ‘blindness’ will continue until the fullness of the Gentiles have come into the kingdom. They will remain hardened until the last non-Jew that is to receive Jesus has accepted him as their Savior. At that time “all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26b). This is not a statement that they will be free of sin, but that the nation of Israel will be saved, as Paul then quotes Isaiah 59:20-21. “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” (Romans 11:26c-27) Paul recognized that the Jews will one day realize their error regarding Jesus and prophesied that when Jesus returns, He will forgive their sins and they will be saved (see Matthew 23:37-39; Luke 13:34-35).
In the middle of Paul admonishing some Christians from judging or despising other Christians, he reminds them that all Christians will one day stand before the judgment seat of God and then quotes Isaiah 45:23, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” (Romans 14:11) Saying that we all will give an account to God. It should be noted that this judgment seat is not the great white throne in Revelation 20:11-15 where Jesus condemns non-believers to the lake of fire (hell) at the end of His millennial reign. This is identified as a ‘bēma’,[1] a seat typically used for public judging such as for races, various competitions, or even Jesus (see Matthew 27:19). Here it is used to review and evaluate a believer’s commitment and faithfulness to Jesus and the work of the kingdom, it is not a judgment for salvation as Jesus already did all the work.
Near the closing of this epistle, Paul reminds his readers that Jesus came to save both the Jews and the Gentiles (see Romans 15:8-9). To emphasize that this was God’s plan from the beginning he quotes several Old Testament passages (see Romans 15:10-12, see also Deuteronomy 32:43; 2 Samuel 22:50; Psalm 18:49; 117:1; Isaiah 11:10). Each of these passages refer to the future of God’s mercy and grace of being offered also to the Gentiles, something that will have ultimate fulfillment in Jesus’ millennial reign and then on into eternity.
In his final greeting, Paul notes that, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” (Romans 16:20) Paul is promising that in the future Satan will no longer influence believers. While the Greek word translated here as ’soon’ is often debated, we know that life with Jesus in heaven will be sin and lust free.
1 Corinthians
In response to Paul being informed about a number of issues transpiring at the church in Corinth, he wrote this epistle. He had heard the church was being influenced by petty bickering, disputes, division and outright sin. He tells them that when he was with them he fed them milk, not solid food, as they were not ready for the ‘meat’ of Christian doctrine.
In chapter three, Paul teaches them that even though he laid a foundation for their church, like a master builder, and that someone else is building on it, one should be careful how they build on that foundation. Since that foundation is Jesus Christ, they need to understand that what building materials they use in building on that foundation matters. If they use wood, hay, or straw, being things that are representative of being self-indulgent, apathetic, or indifference, their life’s work will be destroyed when disclosed by the fire of judgment. But if they build using gold, silver, and precious stones, things that not only represent value, but also dedication, faithfulness, and love of Jesus, their work will survive and last forever (being influential for others to find Jesus), and they will receive a reward (see 1 Corinthians 3:10-14). But, “If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.” (1 Corinthians 3:15) As Christians, our priority is Jesus, to serve Him, not ourselves. When the end comes, each faithful believer will receive a reward, believers that were not faithful will still be saved and enter heaven, but only by “the skin of their teeth!”
Paul tells them that they should consider themselves as servants of Christ, and be faithful stewards. Something they should not judge for themselves, nor should anyone else judge themselves or another before Jesus comes back, as He will bring to light those things now hid in darkness and will disclose the intentions of the heart. At that time each will receive their commendation from God (see 1 Corinthians 4:1-5).
Later in the epistle Paul asks the question, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.” (1 Corinthians 9:24) He is pleading for Christians to not only be believers, but be true disciples of Jesus and run the race of life with the thought of winning the prize. He is not implying that being a Christian is a competition, but that one should keep in Spiritual ’shape’ through self-discipline and by keeping the body under control (avoid lusts and doing things that would compromise the teaching of Jesus), as we race for an imperishable crown (see 1 Corinthians 9:24-27).
Paul inquires that if they are preaching that Jesus rose from the dead, why are some of them saying that there is no resurrection? He explains that if there is no resurrection then Jesus didn’t rise either and without His resurrection their faith is useless and their sins remain unforgiven. He then professes, that Jesus did in fact rise from the dead, being the firstfruits (the first and the best of the harvest, remember He rose on the Feast of Firstfruits) of those who have died (see 1 Corinthians 15:12-20). Paul further explains with a timeline, for by man came death, for by another the resurrection of the dead. That everyone in the line of Adam die, and all in Christ shall be made alive. Jesus was the first to rise, followed by those who belong to Him. “Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.” (1 Corinthians 15:24) Jesus will then reign after He humbles and destroys every enemy.
Near the end of the epistle, Paul notes that our corrupt physical human bodies cannot inherit the kingdom of God. So he reveals a mystery, that not all will die, but will be transformed (Greek ‘allagēsometha’,[2] to change form or nature), from our mortal bodies into immortal bodies. He also explains that it will happen in a blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For when the trumpet sounds, those that had died will also receive their new immortal bodies (see 1 Corinthians 15:50-52, see also 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17). This transformation will occur at the time of the rapture (see 1 Thessalonians below). Note: There is significant debate regarding the term “the last trumpet,” some believe that since there are several more trumpet soundings in Revelation that the rapture will not occur until after the tribulation period is over. Others believe that the last trumpet is a reference to the last ‘blast’ a believer will hear before meeting Jesus.
2 Corinthians
In his second letter to the church in Corinth, Paul tells us that we should always have confidence in Jesus. Even though while on earth in our bodies we are away from Him, we still walk by faith, not by sight, knowing that we would rather be away from our bodies to be with Him. So regardless of where we are, we aim to please Him, because we will all appear before the judgment seat (‘bēma’) of Christ, so that we may receive what we deserve for the good or evil that was done in our bodies (see 2 Corinthians 5:6-10).
1 Thessalonians
In one of the more debated passages in the Bible (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), Paul outlines a unique event that some call the second coming of Jesus. He begins with an important point for all believers to have comfort in, that when a believer dies they will be seen again, unlike those that have no hope. To convey that comfort to the believers in Thessalonica, Paul tells them that those still living will not precede those that have died, as Jesus Himself will descend from heaven and shout, along with the trumpet of God, then the bodies of believers will rise from their graves. Then the believers that are alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet Jesus in the air and all believers will be with Jesus from that moment on into eternity. Remember, this event, as discussed before is known as the rapture, it is not the “second coming” of Jesus. This event occurs before the second coming, which is described in Scripture as a time of war, judgment, and punishment that heralds the beginning of Jesus’ earthly millennial reign. This event is described very differently, speaking of resurrection and the removal of believers before God’s wrath begins.
After Paul offers that reassurance, he begins to discuss the “Day of the Lord.” He points out that it will come like a thief in the night. While people think they are safe and secure, destruction will come quickly. As children of the day, we are to remain alert and clearheaded and not be surprised when the Day of the Lord arrives. Paul contrasts that to those who are of the night being in darkness, those who sleep and get drunk at night (see 1 Thessalonians 5:1-7). “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.” (1 Thessalonians 5:8-10). Note Paul’s reference to the fact that God “has not destined us for wrath,” is another point to support the rapture event.
Many believers that do not accept the concept of the rapture is often due to the misapplication of the context of verses that contain words that are translated either persecution, tribulation, or judgment. Persecution from the world is inevitable for Christians. It is true that a time of tribulation can come from persecution, but if it involves punishment from God, it is likely a verse that pertains to judgment directed to the unrepentant, not a believer. Just like He brought the eight members of Noah’s family through the flood and Job’s family out of Sodom, God has not destined His believers for His wrath and took them in the rapture.
2 Thessalonians
Due to the people of this church being persecuted and enduring suffering (see 2 Thessalonians 1:4), they were undoubtedly curious to hear more about the events Paul spoke about in his first epistle. Paul acknowledges their hardship and tells them that God, in His justice, will send affliction on those that were afflicting them. He tells them that when Jesus returns He will come with His angels in flaming fire, bringing judgment and vengeance against those who do not know God and those who do not accept and obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus (see 2 Thessalonians 1:5-8). He describes their punishment as, “They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.” (2 Thessalonians 1:9) Paul is describing hell, a place of eternal destruction away from Jesus. Since it is Jesus who holds all things together (see Colossians 1:16-17), would that mean being separated from Him that nothing else exists? A hell consisting of ’nothingness’ forever would indeed be eternal destruction. Paul continues by saying that when Jesus comes He will be glorified and praised by His saints, including those from this church for they believed in Him (see 2 Thessalonians 1:10).
After encouraging them to faithfully follow Jesus, Paul continues to describe the return of Jesus. He first advises them not to be alarmed if they are told that Jesus had returned, even if it was written in a letter supposedly by him, because it would not be true. Before that day there will be a rebellion and a man of lawlessness, the son of destruction, will be revealed. He will exalt himself and deny God and every object of worship. He will even sit in the Temple and call himself God (see 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4). Paul tells them that he can only be revealed when He who is restraining him allows him to proceed. This man was sent by Satan to do his work and will be armed with counterfeit power to do many signs and wonders. Paul writes that, “He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies. Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth.” (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12, NLT) Paul reveals that this ‘lawlessness’ is already at work, Satan has been working against Christians and churches from the beginning. Jude even warned years ago that corruption has already entered the church, “For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” (Jude 4) False teaching was and still is a serious problem in Christianity, remember there is only one book that matters, the Bible, and it must be thoroughly studied by every Christian. Paul then tells them that when Jesus returns, He will kill this man of lawlessness, who has been given the name “the antichrist” by theologians. John wrote about ‘antichrists’, those who deny Jesus as being the Christ and how they are at work against God. However, John does not connect this man of lawlessness as ‘the’ antichrist, he just fits the same description (see 1 John 2:18-27).
2 Timothy
In his second epistle to his protégé Timothy, Paul gave him a look into future society. While this list does not describe any events, it gives insight to a much greater darkness, the human heart. He tells Timothy that in the last days people will be, “Lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.” (2 Timothy 3:2b-5) While these conditions have always been sporadically evident in humanity, Paul is addressing a time when these become almost like an epidemic, being the normal behavior for many. He tells Timothy to avoid such people. It is interesting to note Paul adds that these people are, “always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 3:7) They are driven to learn but fail to see the truth. Today we see many seeking knowledge from science, heightened spirituality, philosophy, and even theology but refuse the truth of God. Based on Paul’s description of the last days, it appears we are near! This chapter will be reviewed several times in this book.
Peter, in his second epistle, wrote “by way of reminder,” for us to remember the predictions of the prophets and the words of the apostles that in the last days scoffers will come following their sinful desires (see 2 Peter 3:1-3). Peter exposes one of the greatest lies that much of science today have embraced. He says that these scoffers will ask, “Where is the promise of his coming?” But then will state, “all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” (2 Timothy 3:4) A prophetic statement that accurately describes science’s acceptance of the philosophy that “the present is the key to the past,”[3] which ignores the Second Law of Thermodynamics, also known as entropy, or in simple terms, it means things are slowing down, and are moving from order to disorder. But this philosophy is saying the opposite, this ‘uniformitarianism’ thinking wrongfully opens the door for believing the earth is billions of years old, allowing time for life to ‘evolve’. Peter points out a flaw in their thinking, “they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished.” (2 Peter 3:5-6) Here Peter is saying that catastrophes do happen and that they can radically affect things. He uses as an example, perhaps the greatest catastrophe in the past, the worldwide flood during Noah’s time. Note that Peter emphasizes that they deliberately ignored the Word of God. Noah’s flood was a real event in earth’s history, regardless of the prevailing teaching taught in classrooms today (see commentary on 2 Peter 3:4b-6, see also full commentary on Peter's epistles).
Peter continues by noting that by the same word of God, the heavens and earth are stored up for fire, waiting for the day of judgment and the destruction of the ungodly (see 2 Peter 3:7). Peter further notes that God is outside of time, something we cannot relate to, so we need to be patient and know everything will occur at the right time. Since He wants all to be saved, there will be a delay until the last person who will accept Jesus actually does, then the end will come (see 2 Peter 3:8-9). Peter warns, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.” (2 Peter 3:10) He then asks, if everything is going to be destroyed, how should we live? The answer he gives is to have a life full of holiness and godliness, as we have been promised new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness will dwell (see 2 Peter 3:11-13).
1 John
The apostle John wrote extensively on prophecy yet-future in the book of Revelation, but not so much in his three epistles. In his first epistle he advises us to abide in Jesus (to trust and walk in His ways) so that when He appears, we will have confidence and not shy away from Him (see 1 John 2:28). John shortly afterwards briefly touches the subject of our glorified bodies, he wrote, “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2) Not much detail given, but we are given two facts, the first is that when Jesus appears we shall be like Him, and secondly, we shall see Him as He is, perhaps just as Peter, John, and James saw Him during His transfiguration (see Matthew 17:1-9; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36). John then adds one very important point, “And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” (1 John 3:3) Everyone will be pure, without sin!
Jude
Jude, the half-brother of Jesus, was motivated to write this epistle because he saw that corruption and false teaching had entered the church. Here during the early stages of church growth, Jude describes those involved and how they have been intentionally misleading people. He notes that they will indeed be judged, quotes what may be the oldest prophecy in the Bible. “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” (Jude 14b-15) Jude attributes the quote to be from Enoch (see Genesis 5:18-23) which can be found in the pseudepigraphal book[4] of 1 Enoch. Jesus will return with all of His saints and will immediately execute judgment and convict the ungodly of their ungodly deeds and any ungodly words spoken.
Jude reminds his readers about the prophecies given to the apostles and specifically mentions that in the last days there will be scoffers (see 2 Peter 3:3) that will be following their own ungodly passions (see Jude 17-18). He then warns that these people are the ones who cause divisions, as they are worldly minded and are devoid of the Holy Spirit (see Jude 19). Instead, believers are to build themselves up in their holy faith, to love God, to pray in the Holy Spirit, and to wait for the mercy of Jesus, which leads to eternal life (see Jude 20-21).
The last book of the Bible is truly a unique book. It begins by stating that it is, “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place.” (Revelation 1:1a) Jesus is revealed in this book of prophecy by His Father to be given to believers so they will know what will take place in the future. All made known to the apostle John, the author of the book. It is also the only book of the Bible that promises a blessing to the reader (see Revelation 1:3).
John was instructed to, “Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.” (Revelation 1:19) Which appears to be an outline of the book, “things that you have seen,” being the past as recorded in chapter one; “those that are,” the present, being chapters two through three; and “those that are to take place after this,” referring to the remaining chapters, four through twenty-two.
But these are not the only things that make this book unique, it is the most controversial of all the books in the Bible. Due to its vivid imagery many are confused and stop reading while others create elaborate allegories to fit their beliefs. It has gained a reputation that it is either ‘too hard’ to understand or that it is unimportant, and therefore Christians don’t need to read it. That is why it is not taught in many churches (and even many seminaries).
The book was written by John “to show his servants,” that’s us! It should not be, nor can it be, ignored, the book will be fulfilled regardless if studied or not. But since it promises a blessing and that we know all Scripture should be studied (see 2 Timothy 3:16-17), the book of Revelation should be on every Christian’s list to read and understand. In a sense it is like an objective lens placed at the end of a telescope that brings everything into focus. Placed at the end of the Bible, the book of Revelation brings all of Scripture into focus, allowing for deeper understanding.
So why is it often thought that the book is confusing? Since the book of Revelation contains over 800 allusions to the Old Testament in its 404 verses (that’s an average of two Old Testament references per verse), without the study or thorough knowledge of the Old Testament, reading it would be difficult.
Since the book is indeed important to read and understand, the following section will be an expository commentary instead of a summary review. But even this commentary should be considered cursory as the Bible and the book of Revelation could be studied for several lifetimes and still not see everything God has provided for us! Before beginning, please pray for proper discernment as we need to “rightly divide the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15b)
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[1] Strong’s Greek 2532.
[2] Strong’s Greek 236.
[3] From the three-volume book titled, Principles of Geology: Being an Attempt to Explain the Former Changes of the Earth's Surface, by Reference to Causes Now in Operation. Written by the Scottish geologist Charles Lyell, first published in 1830.
[4] A falsely attributed writing, the claimed author is not the true author.