by Ester yusufu | 30 August 2019 08:46 pm08
Question:
Between the Rapture, the Great Tribulation, the Battle of Armageddon, the 1000-year reign of Christ, the Gog and Magog war, and the White Throne Judgment—which event happens first and what follows?
Answer:
The Rapture is the event where Jesus Christ will return secretly (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) to take His true followers—those who have accepted Him as Lord and Savior—to heaven. This is distinct from His visible Second Coming.
The Bible teaches that only a “few” will be chosen (Matthew 22:14) because salvation requires faith and obedience through the narrow gate (Luke 13:24). This event marks the beginning of the end and is a source of hope for believers.
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”
— 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
The Great Tribulation is a period of intense suffering and judgment lasting seven years (Daniel 9:27; Revelation 7:14). During this time, the Antichrist will rise to power and demand allegiance, including the infamous “mark of the beast” (Revelation 13:16-17).
This period is a test for those left on earth, and many will be deceived by the apparent peace the Antichrist brings. However, the righteous will suffer persecution.
“For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.”
— Matthew 24:21
“Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord! Why would you have the day of the Lord? It is darkness, and not light.”
— Amos 5:18
This battle is the final confrontation between the forces of evil and Jesus Christ, who returns visibly and gloriously as King of kings (Revelation 19:11-16). Unlike human wars, Jesus defeats His enemies by the power of His word.
“Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter.’ He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.”
— Revelation 19:15
The armies gathered for this battle will be utterly destroyed.
After the defeat of evil at Armageddon, Christ will establish His kingdom on earth and reign for a thousand years (Revelation 20:1-6). During this time, Satan will be bound and unable to deceive the nations.
This reign will restore peace and righteousness, fulfilling God’s original plan for creation, akin to the Garden of Eden (Isaiah 11:6-9).
“They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”
— Revelation 20:4
At the end of the millennium, Satan is released briefly and will deceive the nations—symbolically called Gog and Magog—to rebel against God (Revelation 20:7-8).
However, this rebellion will be swiftly crushed by divine fire from heaven, showing God’s final victory over evil.
“Fire came down from heaven and devoured them.”
— Revelation 20:9
This is the final judgment for all the dead who were not part of the first resurrection. Everyone is judged according to their deeds recorded in the books of heaven (Revelation 20:11-13).
It is a solemn reminder of God’s perfect justice and the eternal consequences of rejecting Him.
“The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.”
— Revelation 20:12
Those found guilty will be cast into the lake of fire, the eternal place of separation from God (Revelation 20:14-15). This is the final destiny of Satan, his angels, and all the wicked.
After judgment, God will create a new heaven and a new earth—an eternal home for the redeemed where suffering, death, and sin no longer exist (Revelation 21:1-4).
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.”
— Revelation 21:4
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.”
— 1 Corinthians 2:9
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2019/08/30/the-order-of-end-time-events-what-happens-first-and-what-follows/
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