When discussing the end of times, most people think of a mix between the various Hollywood depictions and their own religious interpretation. The Bible, however, has a lot to say about the timing and events leading up to the end of times. When it comes to end times, some Biblical teachings are quite straightforward, while others are subject to interpretation.
The Bible certainly speaks about the coming of Christ and his return. Jesus himself taught about God’s call for watchfulness and being ready for his return. He said, “Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give everyone according to his work” (Revelations 22:12). The Bible also speaks numerous other times about the return of Christ.
One of the Bible’s clearest descriptions of the reality of our time is found in the book of Matthew. In this section, Jesus warns of a time when earth’s final judgement is unavoidable and where evil and suffering will abound. “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginnings of sorrows.” (Matthew 24:7-8).
For some, the end of times is viewed as a time when God will bring justice and reckoning. The Bible outlines several of the processes and events which will accompany the period leading up to the end. For example, there is the Day of the Lord, in which God will judge both the righteous and the unrighteous. Additionally, the Bible describes a period of tribulation in which the wicked will face final judgment.
Fortunately, the Bible also speaks of hope. It mentions a period of peace and joy lasting 1000 years following the end times. During this period of peace and harmony, the prophets believe that every tear will be wiped away, every injustice righted, and all will be reunited in perfect love. Although the exact timing and length of this period is unknown, most Christian denominations agree that this period of peace will follow the end of times.
Furthermore, the Bible also speaks of a “new heaven and new Earth” that will follow the 1000 years of peace. In this world, God’s children will experience an everlasting joy and peace. This will mark the end of all suffering and the ultimate victory of God against evil. As such, the ultimate goal of the end of times is to bring about a divine Victory of God over evil.
Heaven
The Bible speaks about the realm of Heaven which is the realm of the Lord and is where believers go after physical death. It is said to be a beautiful and joyous land where people live in perfect peace and harmony. Heaven is also the place where Christ will eventually return when the end of times arrives.
Believers accept that they will all eventually be united in Heaven, and the Bible promises that even those who don’t accept Jesus will still be accepted by God. Throughout scripture, God’s love is praised as a key component of His plan: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west” (Isaiah 43:5). God’s love for everyone is unconditional, no matter what their religion or beliefs; God desires for all of His children to find their home in the Kingdom of Heaven.
The Bible also clearly states that the souls of the dead will ascend to Heaven and not be confined to earth; Heaven is a spiritual realm where believers can experience an everlasting peace and joy. It is interesting to note that for some religious denominations, there is also a belief in an intermediate physical realm between our earthly realm and Heaven (often referred to as Purgatory).
Regardless, the Bible is clear on the concept of Heaven; it is the waiting place for believers while they await the Final Judgement. Though the exact timing of the Final Judgement is up for debate, it is safe to say that Heaven is waiting for us all.
Signs of the End
The Bible speaks of specific signs that will accompany the end of times. These signs are meant to warn us of what is to come and to prepare us for the events that will lead up to the end of times.
One of the most notable signs mentioned in the Bible is the Rapture. The Rapture is an event mentioned in the Book of Revelations and from that passage, the phrases “come up hither” and “gather the elect” are commonly used to refer to this event. It is believed that during the Rapture, believers all over the world will be taken up to Heaven to meet the Christ and await the Final Judgement.
In addition to the Rapture, other signs mentioned in the Bible include earthquakes, wars, famines, and pestilence. These natural occurrences are meant to be viewed as warning signs; scientists studying these phenomena often correlate some of these events with End Times prophecies.
The Bible also speaks of the Antichrist. The Antichrist figure is portrayed as a powerful and false messiah who will attempt to challenge Christ in the physical plane. Though the Bible doesn’t explicitly specify who the Antichrist figure is, it does mention that he will be able to perform many miraculous feats.
The Bible is quite clear that these signs serve as a warning: to prepare us for the events that will lead up to the end times. It is important that we take heed of these warnings, for without keen observation and righteous action, the Final Judgement may catch us unaware.
God’s Judgement
The Bible speaks of a final Judgement from God where all the unredeemed will be judged according to their deeds. This Judgement will be the ultimate culmination of events leading up to End Times and will be when God finally brings justice to the world.
The Judgement is a significant event that is mentioned in many places in the Bible. The first mentions and descriptions of this final Judgement are found in the books of Daniel and Revelations. In the book of Daniel, it is written that, “the court was seated and the books were opened” (Daniel 7:10). This imagery signifies the commencement of the Final Judgement, where all the good deeds that have been done and all the evil committed will be revealed and judged according to God’s law.
In the book of Revelations, it is stated that the judgement will happen on the last day, and everyone will be judged according to their deeds and beliefs. Jesus had declared that “he who believes in me shall never die” (John 11:25), therefore, those who believe in Jesus will be spared and will ascend to Heaven to join God.
God’s judgement is both fearsome and comforting; it is fearsome because of the consequences of judgement and comforting in that those who seek God will eventually find Him. In the Bible’s depictions, the Judgement is the ultimate source of redemption and justice, and those who are judged will receive the harmonious outcome they deserve.
The New Heavens and Earth
The final event of End Times is the new Heavens and Earth. This new world will be the ultimate place of joy and peace where believers will dwell in perfect harmony with God. This is the ultimate goal of the end times; to bring about a new world in which everyone experiences the divine love and grace of God.
The new Heavens and Earth are mentioned multiple times in the book of Revelations. In the first chapter of Revelations, Jesus says “Behold, I make all things new”. In this section, Jesus promises an end to suffering, evil, and death and proclaims that a new world will be established in which there’ll be peace and justice. Later in the book, it is also proclaimed that the new Heavens and Earth will be a place where “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelations 21:4).
The new Heavens and Earth will also be a place of eternal love and joy, where believers are finally reunited with their friends and family. This new world will be free of suffering and pain; it will be a perfect place of paradise where death will never visit. The Bible’s depiction of the perfect future is filled with hope and reassurance; this is the ultimate goal of End Times and one that every believer looks forward to.
The Final Battle
The Bible speaks of the final battle which will take place at the end of times. This battle will take place between the forces of Good and Evil; the forces of the antichrists and the children of God. The Bible describes it as “the battle of that great day of God Almighty” (Revelations 16:14).
The Bible states that the final battle will be a decisive moment where Good will triumph over Evil. It will be a climactic moment in which God will finally usher in justice and peace. It is also written that this battle will initiate the 1000 years of peace and joy. That being said, it is important to note that the Bible does not give a clear outline of this battle; it leaves the specifics of this fight to be interpreted by believers.
The Bible’s portrayal of the final battle is one that is filled with hope and anticipation. The fight between Good and Evil is an age-old battle that has been echoed throughout history. The Bible’s vision of the end times is one that reassures us that ultimately, Good will always win over Evil.
Conclusion
Though the Bible doesn’t give an exact timeline for End Times, it speaks in clear terms about what will happen at the end of times. End Times is a period where God will bring justice and redemption to the world, and all those who have followed Him will be rewarded. By understanding the Bible’s teachings, believers can be better prepared for the end of times and the joyous and perfect world God has promised us.
