THE GOD OF JUDGMENT AND GRACE

THE GOD OF JUDGEMENT AND GRACE

Why place judgement first?  Firstly, Jesus did in the two synoptic passages below; it is better to finish on Love and Grace; and it is not possible to see Love without noting Judgement first.

Matthew 23:23

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

Luke 11:42

“Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.

In each passage, justice comes first!  Jesus would be the World’s best Barrister; but He is coming as Judge.  Mercy and love can be offered as grace within the proclamation of the Gospel, in this life.

I notice, on good authority, a Vicar and a Lay Reader, who have changed the balance of God’s word: “there is no Satan”, and “everybody goes to Heaven” – to be politically correct, and socially acceptable.  To market a product inaccurately in commerce, is a criminal offence; to portray the Christian message in a modified state, knowingly, is to be cursed by God’s wrath; especially on those who claim authority, and hold responsibility in Christ’s Church.  One highly respected vicar did change his view, during our house group he was leading.

Today's society seriously lacks a sense of Judgment to follow death (Hebrews 9:27).  This was illustrated for me in a twelve hour time slot listening to the BBC Radio 4, and 24 Hour News:
in a detailed programme on the Director Zeffirelli, there was no mention of his epic film "Jesus of Nazareth"; a very rich and famous American fashion star, who experienced tragedies, and careless living was exalted; similarly a Pop Star's mother, who led a dissolute life and brought several children into the World outside marriage, but the cruelty of judgmental Nuns was stressed; Jo Brand the comedienne was rightly criticised for a bad joke encouraging violence - for which she quickly apologized (exaggeration is a form of humour - in the Bible it is called Oriental Hyperbole); Sir Elton John, in a  same sex relation, was awarded France's highest civilian award - the Legion of Honour; a newspaper reviewer blasphemed - "My God"; our potential next Prime Minister was described as a "bed hopper".  Our society is well defined by such episodes.  

The famous words from the last chapter of the Bible – although in the Book of Revelation, they obviously refer to the whole of Scripture.

Revelation 22:18, 19

“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.  ¹⁹ And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

People often try to drive a wedge between the two testaments; but there is much grace and mercy, for Jew and Gentile in both.  When speaking to Jewish people I often referred to Psalm 86:5 – the whole Psalm tells of the mercy of God:

“You are forgiving and good, O Lord,

abounding in love to all who call to you.” NIV

“For Thou, LORD, art good, and ready to forgive;

And plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee.” KJV

Genesis 18:25c   Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?”

Psalm 111:7-8 The works of his hands are faithful and just;

all his precepts are trustworthy.

They are steadfast for ever and ever,

done in faithfulness and uprightness.

Daniel 12:1c-2 But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.

Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.

JUDGEMENT IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

The Parable of the Tenants 
Luke 20:16 He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.”

John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.

John 8:21  Once more Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come.”

John 8:24  I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am  [the one I claim to be],  you will indeed die in your sins.”

Revelation 20:12-15

“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 he had done.

Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.

If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

Revelation 20:6

“Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.”

Revelation 20:14 

“Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.”

Revelation 21:8 

“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

This is why we must fear God, and be faithful and brave in preaching the saving good news of Jesus.

There is a Heaven to gain, and a Hell to shun!

It is God’s responsibility and duty to set kind rules for our protection, and to punish and discipline.  Against the background of human freewill, He can then offer forgiveness and mercy, in the Gospel.

Matthew 7:13-14  “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins

Matthew 25:10c-13 And the door was shut.

“Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’

“But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”

The Parable of the Talents

Matthew 25:30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

And then there is the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:31-46) – which I take to refer to a pre-Christian society

The story of Dives and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)

Let us be faithful in trying to present the whole counsel of God.  Let us rush to take hold by faith in the loving kindness and mercy of God in Christ.

Here is a prayer you might like to pray:

Lord Jesus Christ, I confess that I deserve the wrath of God on my sins; but I believe you died to obtain my forgiveness, in your love for me and mine.  Please save me, and accept my submission to your Lordship.  Amen

My own conversion took place in the silence of a Forces Church.  I was reading the Bible through, and praying, when I saw a clear picture – a vision, of myself falling down a deep shaft.  I knew this was a picture of what I deserved: the punishment of Hell for my sins.  But as I fell, there was Jesus standing on a ledge in the side of the shaft.  He held out His hands for me to grasp to halt my fall, which I accepted.  It was the strength of His grip, which saved me.  I heard the Holy Spirit saying: “You are willing to accept Jesus as Lord and teacher; but you must trust Him as Saviour!”

In my recent travels the following experience transpired.

I walked into a church charity shop. The two managers invited comments.  After a chat, I asked what they would say, if someone came in and asked them: “How do I become a Christian?”  To help, I went out of the shop and came in again – to act the part.

“This is a nice charity shop; it’s a church one, isn’t it?  Could you tell me how I can become a Christian?”

“Yes.  What do you already know about Jesus?”

“I have read the Gospels: about His life and teaching; and parts of the Old Testament.”

“You need to realise that Jesus died for your sins, on the cross, and rose from the dead.  You then need to pray - giving your life to God, who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  And ask for forgiveness.”

“I’m doing that, and I am starting to feel better, already!”

“You must learn more about the holy life, by reading the Bible.”

“Do I have to start going to Church?”

“It does help.”

“Oh dear!  But someone once said: ‘Don’t judge the Star, by the Fan Club.’”

I was sitting at my desk in the War Office, about a year after the vision mentioned above.  Like all human beings, I had a lapse of memory: could I remember asking the Lord Jesus to save me?  It was too important an issue to be left unresolved; so I went to a quiet place and prayed along these lines: “Dear Lord, I have a poor memory, but I want to be sure you have saved me – please forgive me; but save me now, please, just in case I have not asked before.”  Perhaps, if you are uncertain, you might pray something like this prayer now.

I was sitting at my desk in the War Office, about a year after the vision mentioned above.  Like all human beings, I had a lapse of memory: could I remember asking the Lord Jesus to save me?  It was too important an issue to be left unresolved; so I went to a quiet place and prayed along these lines: “Dear Lord, I have a poor memory, but I want to be sure you have saved me – please forgive me; but save me now, please, just in case I have not asked before.”  Perhaps, if you are uncertain, you might pray something like this prayer now.

END OF THE WORLD Chart, and Dictionary article

Enlarge    Meant for printing; should be possible by "clicking" on the diagram, or saving into a file.

MY SIMPLE SUMMARY

From the teaching of the Lord Jesus, the Old Testament Prophets, and the New Testament Apostles, the fact of Christ Jesus’s Return is well established as a coming event – at any time.

Searching for an understanding arrives at the following:

1.   Jesus may return for the Church before the Tribulation brought about by the Antichrist – whose rule comprises a seven year period.

2.   Jesus will also return to the Mount of Olives, to save the Jewish Nation, and set up His Millennium Kingdom. This will be spectacular and seen worldwide.

3.   The final events comprise: the Judgment of the Lost Humans, Satan – who will all join the Fallen Angels, the False Prophet, and the Antichrist in the Lake of Fire and Sulphur, forever. The destruction of the Old Heaven and Earth. Creation of the New Heaven and Earth – the coming of God’s Glory and the New Jerusalem to Earth. [There are varying views of the order and details.]

^{Acts 1:7} He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.

Here is perhaps an intimation that the finer details are too difficult and complex for us to understand.

The End Time covers a period of the future: the preaching of the Gospel of hope, the appearance of the Antichrist, the suffering for at least the Jews - The Great Tribulation, the Resurrection and Rapture of the Church - Judgment, Acquittal, and Rewards, the Coming of Christ to the Earth, the Millennium and the imprisonment of Satan, the brief threat of the the Last Battle, the Resurrection of the rest of humankind, the damning of Satan and the Lost, the Coming of Heaven to a New Heavens and Earth, and the Marriage of the Lamb.

There is serious concern over Global Warming, and Ecological Breakdown; but the Scriptures make all this quite clear: there will be a terrible time of Great Tribulation coming on the Earth; see, starting at Revelation chapter 6, and a possible Nuclear War (Zechariah 14:12 This is the plague with which the LORD will strike all the nations that fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths.)

ESCHATOLOGY

In Theology, the study of the biblical beliefs about the end of this World, and what happens next, is called Eschatology. Here are the main areas, in my opinion.

The punishment of Israel, the Jewish people, for rejecting their Messiah: this meant the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple, and the scattering of the people.

The return of the Jewish people, and the restoration of their nation in the Promised Land.

The Rapture: the coming of the Lord Jesus to take His Bride, the Church of Believers to share His glory in Heaven. The dead in Christ will rise first, followed by those of the Church, who are alive on earth, who will be changed, and caught up to be with Christ for ever.

At some point there will be the First Judgment – which is not to judge the eternal destination of God's People, but more an Awards Time. The nature of this event is its main feature, not the timing.

The Tribulation: when God lays severe punishment on the people and the physicality of the Earth. Opinion is divided about which of these events occurs first. They are called Rapture Pre-Trib and Rapture Post-Trib.

Anti-Christ: in the place of Christ, or against Christ; a World Ruler of horrible cruelty. He may have experienced a resurrection, and facial injury, will make a seven-year pact with the Jewish people, but will break it half-way through, and will desecrate the Temple, which will have been rebuilt by this time.

Glorious Return of the Lord Jesus the Messiah, to rescue the Jewish people, and to rule the World for a Thousand Years – the Millennium. Satan is banished to the Pit for this epoch.

Final Judgement of all evil forces, and those humans outside God's Kingdom. This is the Second Resurrection. At some time there will be this Judgment: to condemn the unsaved rebellious to Eternal Damnation.

The present Heaven and Earth are destroyed.

A new Heaven and Earth are created.

The Holy City, the New Jerusalem, comes to Earth to be God's Dwelling.

^{Acts 1:7} The Lord Jesus said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.”

The first two items have already taken place.

Many of the prophecies are in a style called Apocalyptic. This is found in the histories of Joseph and the Pharaoh I Genesis chapters 37, 40 and 41. But the main passages are: Jesus' Prophecies in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. Other Scriptures can be found in Daniel, and Zechariah, and of course, the book of Revelation – the Apocalypse. Not all are in the style of strange, other-worldly visions. 

July 2022

There is the question of whether Ezekiel 38 and 39, have yet to be enacted: a huge but totally unsuccessful united onslaught against Israel. And then we have Zechariah 14: with the serious cruel defeat of Israel, their cry for help. and the return of the Lord Jesus the Messiah, to the Mount of Olives.      

Hebrews 12:25-29 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?  At that time [in the past] his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”

Christians should be seen to care for the World and not bring about its End - and Christ's Return, by destructive attitudes.  The real process is to PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY PERSON, AND REACH EVERY NATION WITH THE GOSPEL. Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased men for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation." 

When Jesus returns, for God's people, it will be like a trillion holidays, all rolled into one.
For the lost it will be eternal hell - please, flee from the wrath to come, NOW.

Scripture Passages

Isaiah 24:21-23 In that day the LORD will punish
the powers in the heavens above
and the kings on the earth below.
22 They will be herded together
like prisoners bound in a dungeon;
they will be shut up in prison
and be punished after many days.
23 The moon will be abashed, the sun ashamed;
for the LORD Almighty will reign
on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem,
and before its elders, gloriously.

See: Psalm 72:8-11, 82:8-11, 110:5-7,  Isaiah 9:3-7, 34, 51:6,  65:17-25, 66:22-24,   The Book of Daniel, 2:27 ff, 7, 8, 12:1-3,  Zechariah 14:1 ff,   Matthew 5:29-30, 7:13-14, 8:29, 10:15,42,  11:22-24, 12:32,36, 13:30,37-43,47-50, 16:27, 18:8-9, 19:21,28-30, chapter 24, 25:13,30,31-46, 26:29,64, 28:20,  Synoptic equivalents plus more:   Mark 4:29, 8:38, 9:43-48, 10:30, 40, 12:25-27,38-40, chapter 13, 14:25,62, 16:16,   Luke 1:32-33, 8:30-31, 9:26, 10:10-16, 12:40 (in context), 13:18-30,35, 14:14, 16:19-31, 17:24-37, 18:8,30, 20:35-38, chapter 21, 22:16-18,69,   John 1:51, 3:16,36, 5:26-29, 6:40,44,54, 11:24-26, 14:1-3, 17:24, 21:22-23,     Acts 1:7,11, 2:17-21 (Joel 2:28-32), 3:20-21,23, 7:13, 10:42, 17:31, 24:25,   Romans 2:16, 8:23-25, 13:11, 15:12(Isaiah 11:10),     1 Corinthians 1:7-8, 3:10-15, 4:5, 5:5, 11:26, 13:12, 15:20-58,   2 Corinthians 1:14, 4:14, 5:1-10, 11:2(Revelation 21:2),14,  Galatians 4:26(Revelation 21:2), 5:5, 6:9,   Ephesians 1:13-14,18,21, 2:7, 3:11, 4:30, 5:27,32, Philippians 1:6,10,23, 2:9-11,16, 3:14,20-21, 4:3,   Colossians 1:3,12, 3:4, 3:24-25,    1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians generally,   1 Timothy 4:8, 5:24-25, 6:14-15,  2 Timothy 1:12,18, 2:10-12, 3:1-9, 4:1-5,8,18,  Titus 2:13, 3:7,   Hebrews 2:2-3, 4:13, 6:2,12,17-20,  9:15,28, 10:23,29-31,36-37,  11:16,26,35,39-40, 12:22-23,29, 13:14,20-21,   James 1:18, 2:5,19, 5:1-8,   1 Peter 1:3-13,17, 2:8,12, 3:7,15, 4:7,13, 5:6,        2 Peter 3:3-18, 1:11, 2:4,9, 3:4-18,    1 John 2:17-29, 3:2-3, 4:3, 2 John verses 2,7,   Jude verses 6,14-15,18,21,24-25,    Revelation - the whole Book

My daughter's illustration of the Four Beasts of Daniel 7.  Interestingly: Daniel was one of the three ribs in the mouth of the Bear, and the Corinthian Christians would be particularly intrigued by the portrayal of Alexander as the Leopard.  This style of Apocalyptic Prophesy is continued in The Book of Revelation.

ESCHATOLOGY The New International Dictionary of the Bible, redacted, (es-k a-tol'o-ge, Gr. eschatos, last - and logos (ordered statement). The study of the last things to happen on this earth in this present age. The word is used to cover the study of such important events as the second coming/parousia of Jesus Christ, the judgment of the world, the resurrection of the dead, and the creation of the new heaven and earth. Related topics include the kingdom of God (the saving rule of God exhibited in Jesus Christ and experienced now through the Holy Spirit in anticipation of its fullness in the new heaven and earth of the age to come), the nature of the Millennium, the intermediate state, the concept of immortality, and the eternal destiny of the wicked. Since the article KINGDOM OF GOD treats that topic as well as the MILLENNIUM, only passing reference will be made to these two topics here.

Since the Lord is presented in Scripture as the Creator, Preserver, Redeemer, and King, that which will bring the present age to its end and inaugurate the new age is seen as being very much under his control. Thus, the believer is to have hope. However, it is helpful, in order to do justice to the tension within the NT between salvation already (but partially) experienced and salvation not yet (wholly) experienced, to speak of “inaugurated” eschatology and “fulfilled” eschatology. The people of God are living in the last days, but the Last Day has not yet arrived. The new age broke into this present evil age when Christ rose from the dead, but the new has not yet wholly replaced the old. The Spirit of Christ brings into the present age the life of the age to come; so what he makes available is “firstfruits” (Romans 8:23), and he is the “guarantee/guarantor” or “pledge” of the fullness of life to come (2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5; Ephesians 1:14).

As the people of the new age yet living in the old world and age, the church is called to engage in mission and evangelism (Matt 24:14; 28:19-20) until Christ’s return to earth. Signs of the times—i.e., that the end is sure and near—include the evangelization of the world, the conversion of Israel (Rom 11:25-26), the great apostasy (2 Thessalonians2:1-3—see also APOSTASY), the tribulation (Matt 24:21-30), and the revelation of Antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; see also ANTICHRIST). These signs are seen during the whole of the “last days,” particularly in the last of the last days.

I. The Second Coming. Christ is now in heaven, seated at the right hand of the Father as our exalted Prophet, Priest, and King, waiting for the time appointed by the Father to return to earth. Three Greek words—parousia (presence, 1 Thessalonians 3:13), apokalypsis (revelation, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8), and epiphaneia (appearance, 2:8)—are used of this event in the NT. This coming will be nothing less than the personal, visible, and glorious return of the same Jesus who ascended into heaven (Matthew 24:30; Acts 1:11; 3:19-21; Philippians 3:20). It will be an event of which everyone on earth will be abruptly aware, for it will mean the end of things as they are and the universal recognition of the true identity of Jesus of Nazareth. (Note: The position adopted here is the classic position, found in the ecumenical creeds—Apostles’ and Nicene—but other scholars hold that Christ will come in two stages: first, secretly (a Secret Rapture), to gather his faithful people, and then, seven years later, openly to be seen by all. This is part of the system of pretribulational dispensationalism and is expounded in the Scofield Reference Bible.)

II. The Resurrection of the Dead. Christ himself rose bodily from the dead. His body was a real, yet spiritual, body, and he is the “firstborn” from the dead (Romans 8:11, 29; Colossians 1:18) and the “firstfruits” of the resurrection of all believers (1 Corinthians 15:20). The resurrection (Gr. anastasis) of each and every person who has ever lived is part of God’s plan for the human race (Dan 12:2; John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15); but the resurrection of the wicked will be the beginning of God’s judgment on them, while the resurrection of the righteous will be the beginning of their life in Christ in the fullness of the kingdom of God. At the second coming of Christ, the dead will appear in their resurrection bodies; those who are alive will find that their bodies are marvellously changed, even though they remain the same individual persons. Little is taught in Scripture concerning the new bodies of the wicked; but we learn that the resurrection bodies of the righteous will be incorruptible, glorious, and spiritual (1 Corinthians 15:35 ff.) and like Christ’s glorious body (Philippians 3:21). Life in the new age of the kingdom of God in the new heaven and earth will be everlasting, abundant life in an immortal body. The NT has no doctrine of the “immortality of the soul.” (Note: Again, this is the classical tradition that there is one resurrection of the dead at Christ’s coming. However, premillennialists maintain that there will be two resurrections—one of believers at the beginning of the one thousand years and one of unbelievers at the end of the Millennium. Those who adopt the dispensationalist premillennial approach specify two other groups that will be resurrected—saints from the Tribulation at the end of the seven years and saints from the Millennium at the end of the one thousand years.)
One should distinguish between (1) the resurrection to mortal life, that is, life that will involve death—as happened to the widow’s son (1 Kings 17:17-24), the son of the Shunamite woman (2 Kings 4:32-37), the widow of Nain’s son (Luke 7:11-17), the daughter of Jairus (Matt 9:18-26), and Lazarus (John 11:38 ff.)—and (2) the resurrection to immortality, of which Jesus is the supreme example and the “prototype.” The nature of the resurrected bodies of those who came to bodily life as Jesus expired on the cross (Matthew 27:51-52) is difficult to determine.

III. The Last Judgment. Having returned to earth, Jesus Christ will be the judge of the nations and of every person who has ever lived. In the name of God the Father (Romans 14:10; 1 Peter 1:17), Jesus the Lord acts as universal judge (Acts 17:31). This judgment, however, is not to fix but to confirm the eternal destiny of human beings according to their acceptance or rejection of the gospel. Further, it is an examination of the motives and deeds of everyone, believer and unbeliever, together with judgment based on this evidence (Matthew 11:20-22; 12:36; 25:35-40; 2 Corinthians 5:10) and on the human response to the known will of God (Matthew 16:27; Romans 1:18-21; 2:12-16; Revelation 20:12; 22:12). True believers will, in this judgment, be shown to be those in whom faith has manifested itself in love and deeds of mercy (Matthew 7:21; 25:35 ff.; James 2:18). Therefore, there are spiritual rewards in the age to come for those in this life who have faithfully served the Lord (Luke 19:12-27; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; cf. Matthew 5:11-12; 6:19-21). Those who hold to dispensationalism refer to several judgments—of the sins of believers (at Calvary), of the works of the believer (at the time of the Rapture), of individual Gentiles (before the Millennium), of the people Israel (before the Millennium), of fallen angels, and of the wicked (after the Millennium). After the second coming of Christ and the final judgment, those who are judged to be the righteous begin their life in the new heaven and earth, while those who are judged to be unrighteous are consigned to everlasting punishment.

IV. Eternal Happiness in the New Order of Existence (New Heaven and Earth). At or following the second coming of Christ, the old universe will be marvellously regenerated (Acts 3:19-21; Romans 8:19-21; 2 Peter 3:2) in order to be reborn as the “new heaven and earth,” the new cosmos/universe. This is described in Isaiah 65:17-25; 66:22, 23; 2 Peter 2:13; and Revelation 21:1-4. In Revelation 21-22, God himself is presented as dwelling with his people in this new order of existence, and, thus, they are supremely happy with Christ as the centre and light of all. It is fitting that those with resurrection bodies should dwell with their God in a regenerated universe, from which heaven—as God’s place and sphere—is not separated but is rather present. This is the force of the picture of the descent of the heavenly Jerusalem in Revelation 21:2, to be the centre of the new universe.

V. Eternal Misery and Punishment in Hell. Jesus himself had more to say about hell (see HELL) than any other person whose teaching is recorded in the NT (e.g., Matthew 5:22, 29-30; 10:28; 13:41-42; 25:46). Through a variety of pictures and images, the NT presents a frightening portrayal of the everlasting suffering of those who have rejected the gospel. Since this is a difficult and hard teaching to accept, two alternatives have been proposed and remain popular. The first is universalism, which insists that God is love and that ultimately all people will receive God’s salvation. This approach involves the denial of the commonsense interpretation of many NT passages. The second is annihilation—the wicked cease to exist after the Last Judgment. This involves the view that human beings are mortal beings (like animals) who, unless they are given the gift of immortality through grace, return to nothingness.

VI. Immortality. God alone truly possesses immortality (aphtharsia, 1 Timothy 6:16), for he is the eternal source of life. Human beings were created for immortality (rather than created with immortal souls); and this immortality, in the sense of receiving and enjoying God’s life, is given to the righteous at the resurrection of the dead, in and through the gift of an imperishable and immortal new body (1 Corinthians 15:53-55). This immortal/eternal life, anticipated with the gift of the Spirit in new birth in this age, is fully given at the Resurrection. At all times the immortality of the redeemed sinner is dependent on the gift of God, the source of eternal life. Careless talk about the immortality of the soul can eclipse the biblical emphasis that immortality belongs to God alone and is given to believing human beings in and through a body (2 Corinthians 5:1-4). The wicked retain their personal existence but away from the holy love and immortal, abundant, eternal life of God. They are never said to have immortality or to exist eternally in immortal bodies, for the NT use of immortality is to denote the immunity from death and decay that results from sharing in the divine life.

VII. The Intermediate State. Those who are alive at the second coming of Christ will experience the transformation of their earthly, perishable bodies. But what of those who have died and will die before the end of the age and the resurrection of the dead? We know that their bodies return to dust. Since the emphasis of the NT is on the events that bring this age to an end and inaugurate the age of the kingdom of God, little is said about the existence of those who die before the Second Coming. This interim period when they await the resurrection is often called the Intermediate State. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) suggests that there is conscious existence and that this can be of misery or of rest/happiness. Certainly the NT points to the comfort and security of those who die as disciples of Jesus (Luke 23:42-43; 2 Cor 5:6-8; Philippians 1:21-23; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; see also HADES; PARADISE; SHEOL). One of our problems in understanding this period is that it involves the great problem of the relation of time and eternity.
Bibliography: John Baillie, And the Life Everlasting, 1933; K. Hanhart, The Intermediate State in the New Testament, 1966; G. E. Ladd, Presence of the Future, 1974; R. G. Clouse (ed.), Meaning of the Millennium: Four Views, 1977; A. A. Hoekema, The Bible and the Future, 1978; M. J. Harris, Raised Immortal, 1984.

Peter Toon, M.A. (University of Liverpool), M.Th. (University of London), D.Phil. (Oxford University). Director of Post-Ordination Training, Diocese of St. Edmundsbury and Ipswich.


THE NEW INTERNATIONAL DICTIONARY OF THE BIBLE

J. D. Douglas, Revising Editor Merrill C. Tenney, General Editor, First Edition Steven Barabas, Associate Editor, First Edition Consulting Editors for the Revision: F. F. Bruce, Walter A. Elwell, Thomas E. McComiskey, J. A. Motyer, Peter Toon

Zondervan Publishing House
Grand Rapids, Michigan

A Division of Harper Collins Publishers

Zechariah 14:1-21  This is a key passage. As I understand the events: they follow the calling of the Church and true people of God, to meet the Lord in the clouds; then will be the deceptive rule of the Antichrist, culminating in what we find here in this chapter: the terrible treatment of the people of Jerusalem, what might well be a nuclear war, infighting of the enemies of Israel, the coming of the Messiah with His people to stand on the Mount of Olives to commence His Millennium rule.

My other Blogs: Heaven, Hell

When we meet Christ in the next life, after the resurrection – as everybody will, He will be seen as far more splendid, glorious, powerful, and wonderful, then we ever imagined. BUT STILL SHOWING THE WOUNDS OF THE CRUCIFIXION - ETERNALLY.

SIGNS OF HIS COMING

Major Allister W. Smith, BA (Salvation Army)

Headings and references

1. SPEED AND TRAVEL

Daniel 12:4; Nahum 2:4

2. INCREASE IN KNOWLEDGE

Daniel 12:4

3. GOSPEL TO ALL NATIONS

Matthew 24:14

4. JEWS RETURN TO ISRAEL

Ezekiel 34:13; 36:24; 37:12 and 21

5. JUVENILES OUT OF HAND

2 Timothy 3:2

6. IMMORALITY

2 Timothy 3:3

7. PLEASURE

2 Timothy 3:4

8. FALSE RELIGION

Matthew 24:11; 1 Timothy 4:1

9. APOSTACY

Matthew 24:12; 2 Thessalonians 2:3

10. EARTHQUAKES

Matthew 24:7

11. FAMINES AND PESTILENCE

Matthew 24:7

12. SCOFFERS

2 Peter 3:3-4; Jude 18

Eternal Hope: Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3:2) 

We may not find this an easy task, and although these notes are a start, please give thought and add more of your own insights.

If you have come to this site without an assurance of your nearness to God: knowing that you are not sinless, but aware that Christ died for you on the Cross, and rose from the dead to give us hope; please pray to Him – “I accept you to be my Saviour, and to be Lord and Master of my life.”  Ask Him to seal you with His Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 13:14   For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our city in heaven, which is yet to come.

Hebrews 12 (18)   You have not come to a physical mountain.

(22) No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to thousands of angels in joyful assembly. (23) You have come to the Assembly of God's firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge of all people. And you have come to the spirits of the redeemed in heaven who have now been made perfect. (24) You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which graciously forgives….

^{1 Chronicles 16:27} Splendor and majesty are before him;

strength and joy in his dwelling place.

^{Job 19:23-27} “Oh, that my words were recorded,

that they were written on a scroll,

²⁴ that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead,

or engraved in rock forever!

²⁵ I know that my Redeemer lives,

and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.

²⁶ And after my skin has been destroyed,

yet in my flesh I will see God;

²⁷ I myself will see him

with my own eyes—I, and not another.

How my heart yearns within me!

^{Isaiah 26:19} But your dead will live;

their bodies will rise.

You who dwell in the dust,

wake up and shout for joy.

Your dew is like the dew of the morning;

the earth will give birth to her dead.

Hebrews 12:1 ff  And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. (2) We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honour beside God's throne in heaven. (3)

Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him….

Hebrews 11 (13) All these faithful ones [the great people of this chapter] died without receiving what God had promised them, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed the promises of God. They agreed that they were no more than foreigners and nomads here on earth. (14) And obviously people who talk like that are looking forward to a country they can call their own. (15) If they had meant the country they came from, they would have found a way to go back. (16) But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a heavenly city for them.

Hebrews 10 (37) "For in just a little while,

the Coming One will come and not delay.”

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When we realize the cost of the Atonement, and the love of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we will be overwhelmed with gratitude, praise and worship.

We will be enabled to have wonderful fellowship with our Heavenly Father, who is omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, and fully loving (hesed).

We will understand the Trinity

Jesus will be able to show us the infinite wonders and size of Glory.  We will enjoy being with the Creator of all of Earth’s beauty.  His scientific knowledge will be explained and understood. 

Wikipedia will be far too simple and inaccurate, compared with Heaven’s information.

There will be music in Heaven – billions of times billions, better than all the composers of this life put together.  We will have marvellous capabilities and skills of our own, to enable us to join in.

There will be explanations of all the mysteries we need to know about.

See the worshipping angelic presence.

See the Throne of the Divinity.

Look around the New Universe.

There will be perfect love, joy and peace; with deep emotion.

Total healing of all infirmities, sadnesses, regrets, unfulfilled hopes, woes, sins, and mistakes.

Total resurrection health.

How old will we be?  Perhaps thirty-three and a half: like Jesus when he arrived home.

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Hebrews 9:11 ff

(11) So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that great, perfect sanctuary in heaven, not made by human hands and not part of this created world. (12) Once for all time he took blood into that Most Holy Place, but not the blood of goats and calves. He took his own blood, and with it he secured our salvation forever.

(13) Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow could cleanse people's bodies from ritual defilement. (14) Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our hearts from deeds that lead to death so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. (15) That is why he is the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, so that all who are invited can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant.

(23) That is why the earthly tent and everything in it--which were copies of things in heaven--had to be purified by the blood of animals. But the real things in heaven had to be purified with far better sacrifices than the blood of animals.

(24) For Christ has entered into heaven itself to appear now before God as our Advocate. He did not go into the earthly place of worship, for that was merely a copy of the real Temple in heaven. (25) Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, like the earthly high priest who enters the Most Holy Place year after year to offer the blood of an animal. (26) If that had been necessary, he would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began. But no! He came once for all time, at the end of the age, to remove the power of sin forever by his sacrificial death for us.

(27) And just as it is destined that each person dies only once and after that comes judgment, (28) so also Christ died only once as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again but not to deal with our sins again. This time he will bring salvation to all those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Hebrews 10 (19) And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. (20) This is the new, life-giving way that Christ has opened up for us through the sacred curtain, by means of his death for us.

(34) You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail. When all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew you had better things waiting for you in eternity.

(35) Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens. Remember the great reward it brings you! (36) Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

(37) "For in just a little while,

the Coming One will come and not delay.

(28) Since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be destroyed, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.

^{Matthew 5:11-12} “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

^{Matthew 25:21} “His master replied, ’Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’  [From the Parable of the Talents]

2 Corinthians 5:1-10 For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down--when we die and leave these bodies--we will have a home in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. (2) We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long for the day when we will put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. (3) For we will not be spirits without bodies, but we will put on new heavenly bodies. (4) Our dying bodies make us groan and sigh, but it's not that we want to die and have no bodies at all. We want to slip into our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by everlasting life. (5) God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit.

(6) So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. (7) That is why we live by believing and not by seeing. (8) Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. (9) So our aim is to please him always, whether we are here in this body or away from this body. (10) For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in our bodies.

^{Philippians 1:20-23} I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

²¹ For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

²² If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! ²³ I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far.

^{Philippians 3:12-15} Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

¹³ Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵ All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.  ¹⁶ Only let us live up to what we have already attained. 

^{Philippians 3:18-21} For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.

¹⁹ Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. ²⁰ But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

^{James 1:12} Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

^{1 Peter1: 3-7} Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, ⁵ who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

⁶ In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. ⁷ These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

^{1 Peter 1:11 c}  …the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.

^{1 Peter 1:13 b} set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

^{1 Peter 4:13} but rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

^{1 Peter 5:1} to the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed.

^{1 Peter 5:10} “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while.”

^{2 Peter 1:4} “Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”

^{2 Peter 1:10 b-11} For if you do these things, you will never fall,

¹¹ and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

^{2 Peter 1:19 c} until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

^{2 Peter 3:13-14} But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

¹⁴ So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

^{1 John 3:2-3} “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.  ³ Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.”

^{Jude 1:21} Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

^{Jude 1:24} To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—

^{Jude 1:25} to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen

 As we would expect, a whole new vocabulary will exist in Glory, even in the Book of Revelation symbolism has to stretch human language to try to convey the realities of the abode of God.  Heaven will be far more wonderful than words in this life can describe!

^2:26 To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations.  [Is this a rule in this life, or on the New Earth?]

^3:12 Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.  [Here are several important features of Heaven.]

Chapter 4  God’s Throne, and the Four Living Creatures

Chapter 5 The Lamb in the Throne

^5:10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,

and they will reign on the earth.”

 ^5:11-14 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.  [The impressive angelic presence]

¹² In a loud voice they sang:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength

and honor and glory and praise!”

¹³ Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb

be praise and honor and glory and power,

for ever and ever!”

¹⁴ The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Revelation 7  Worship in Heaven

                        Life with The Lamb

Revelation 12  A significant Period of Earth’s History, including the Incarnation

The Only and Most Undesirable Alternative

^14:9-11 A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand,

¹⁰ he, too, will drink of the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.

¹¹ And the smoke of their torment rises forever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name.”

The Blessing of the Righteous Death

^14:13 Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”

“Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”

Mentions of the Temple in Heaven

3:12, 7:15, 11:1,

^11:19 Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. [We rarely mention these heavenly elements, which in history have been reflected on Earth.]

^14:17-18 Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle.

¹⁸ Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, “Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth’s vine, because its grapes are ripe.”

^15:5 After this I looked and in heaven the temple, that is, the tabernacle of the Testimony, was opened.

^15:8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.

^16:1 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple

^16:17 The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, “It is done!”

[See chapter 21:22 below]

Revelation chapter 17 The Lamb’s War

Revelation chapter 19 Judgment and the Wedding of the Lamb

Revelation chapter 20

vv1-6 The First Resurrection, and the Thousand Year Reign

6 Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

The Last Battle

Final Judgments, and The Lake of Fire

Revelation Chapter 21 The New Heaven and the New Earth, and the New Jerusalem of God coming down to Earth

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.

7 He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.

8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

9 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.

11 It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a great high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. 13 There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

15 The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls.

16 The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 (1,400 miles, NLT) stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long. 17 He measured its wall and it was 144 (216 feet NLT) cubits thick, by man’s measurement, which the angel was using. 18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. 19 The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.

21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.

22 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.25 On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. 26 The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Revelation chapter 22

1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

6 The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.”

12 “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”

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A recent question: How will the left-behind-World explain the Rapture of the Church?

The People of God – the Ekklesia, some unexpected will have gone, some equally unexpected will be left! A lack of accurate research always covers up the reality.

Much of Scientific, and very expensive, space exploration is geared to finding extra-terrestrial life – hoping to prove the Evolutionary Paradigm; which it will not.  In this kind of thinking, Alien Abduction will be easy to postulate....

Cf. Prophetic Witness

 

Some of the best teaching on the End of All Things can be found in the talks by Derek Prince (DPM).