The one of first things John saw in Heaven was The Judgment Seat of Christ. Revelation 4-5
All believers will be judged. Romans 14:10 “… for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ”. Everything will be judged by the Lord, good and bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10 “… according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad”.
The way of the Judgment and the results are found in 1 Corinthians 3:9-15 The foundation is the Lord Jesus. The building is built by the Believer – “gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble” Tested by fire (foundation is secure) Remains determine the reward. Nothing left – no rewards BUT still has salvation.
In Heaven there is a gala event for believers following the Judgment … … The Marriage supper of the Lamb. Revelation 19:6-9
The Marriage supper of the Lamb
Revelation 16:7 “… for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.” Many believe ‘his wife’ is the Church. (true Believers)
A comparison is found in a parable the Lord Jesus taught. Matthew 22:1-14
The supper has been likened to an awards banquet where the rewards from The Judgment Seat of Christ are awarded.
Meanwhile a period of 7 years begins on earth … but first … why a pre-tribulation rapture? Jeremiah 30:7 “… it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble …” This is speaking to Israel – it’s NOT for the Church. The Church is in Heaven (The Judgement – The Marriage) during this 7-year period. How can the church return with Christ? (The Return) Romans 5:9 “… being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him”. The Tribulation is a judgment against the Jew, but the whole earth will be affected. It is broken down into two 3 ½ year periods. It will consist of a one world government, one world leader, probably one world money and perhaps only two religions; Judaism and a one world church. Daniel 9:27 is an overview of the 7 years. (week = 7 years) Daniel 11:36-45 a description of Anti-Christ and his reign and during this period; The Anti-Christ is made known – The Temple is rebuilt – Animal sacrifice for atonement is resumed. At the end of 3 ½ years the Anti-Christ defiles the Temple, entering into the Holy of Holies, proclaiming himself as God. Daniel 12:11-12 This alerts the Jew that this is not the Messiah they are looking for and the great persecution begins.
3 ½ years done, 3 ½ more to go…. The Anti-Christ goes after the Jew to eradicate all of them from Earth. Matthew 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. Daniel 7:25 The work of Anti-Christ (Satan) Daniel 12 gives an overview of this period, which he “understood not”. Revelation 12:6-17 The Anti-Christ (now indwelt by Satan) goes after God’s people, the Jew to eradicate all of them from Earth. The Jew is forced to run for their lives: (The woman is Israel; the Child is Christ. Time, Times and half a Time=3 ½ years)
Matthew 10:17And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Revelation 12:9 … cast out into the earth … Joel gives some details of this period. Joel 2:1-10 (Peter warns Israel Acts 2:17-21)
This all leads to a Hugh Battle for control of the Earth …
Revelation 16:16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue … ARMAGEDDON …..
Joel 3:2-15 reasons for and details of the Battle. Zechariah 14:1-2 (the horrors of the war) Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
Amos 9:8-10Behold, the eyes of the Lord GOD are upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from off the face of the earth; saving that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob, saith the LORD. For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth. All the sinners of my people shall die by the sword, which say, The evil shall not overtake nor prevent us. Note: As you read this, remember: Jacob is the natural Jew (unbeliever), Israel is the Spiritual Jew (Believer).
Revelation 19:17-19 (more details) And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God. That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
And just when it looks like the Anti-Christ will emerge the victor.
A 1000 years of peace Isaiah 2:2-4And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. This is also promised in Micah 4:1-8, Zechariah 14:16-21, Amos 9:11-15 Another reference is Psalm 110 concerning end times The Lord Jesus will fulfill ALL of the Promises made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob: the Jewish Nation.
Revelation 20:8-9 Final War (bigger than Armageddon) More on final battle Described in Ezekiel 38-39 20:10 End of the Devil 20:11 2nd Resurrection and Final Judgement – Heaven and Earth destroyed 20:17 The Books (Psalm 149) The judgement (Psalm 110)
3:5 Book of Life 20:12 Book of Works 21:27 Lamb’s Book 20:14 Death and Hell cast into the Lake of Fire For more see Book 0f Life – Lamb’s Book
