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1. What Are the End Times?
The end times (Greek: eschaton) refers to the period of human history leading up to and including the return of Jesus Christ, the final judgment of humanity, and the establishment of God's eternal kingdom. The study of these events is called eschatology, from the Greek word meaning "study of last things."
Christians across all traditions believe that human history is moving toward a definitive conclusion orchestrated by God. While there are differences in interpretation about specific events and their timing, the core beliefs unite all Christians:
The end times are fundamentally about hope. Scripture presents these events as the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan and the ultimate answer to human suffering, injustice, and death.
"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."
Revelation 21:42. Biblical Foundation
End times teaching appears throughout Scripture, from the Old Testament prophets to Jesus' own words to the apostolic letters and the Book of Revelation.
Old Testament Prophecies
The Hebrew prophets spoke extensively about "the Day of the Lord" - a time when God would intervene decisively in human history to judge evil and establish His kingdom:
- Daniel - Visions of world empires, the "abomination of desolation," and resurrection (Daniel 7-12)
- Isaiah - New heavens and new earth, the suffering servant, and God's final victory (Isaiah 65-66)
- Ezekiel - Valley of dry bones, Gog and Magog, and the restored temple (Ezekiel 37-48)
- Joel - Cosmic signs, the Spirit poured out, and judgment (Joel 2-3)
- Zechariah - The Messiah's return to the Mount of Olives (Zechariah 14)
Jesus' Teaching (Olivet Discourse)
In Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, and Luke 21, Jesus gave His most detailed teaching about the end times to His disciples on the Mount of Olives:
"For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man... They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory."
Matthew 24:27, 30Apostolic Teaching
Paul, Peter, John, and other apostles elaborated on end times themes:
- 1 Thessalonians 4-5 - The resurrection and "catching up" of believers
- 2 Thessalonians 2 - The man of lawlessness and apostasy
- 1 Corinthians 15 - The resurrection body and Christ's final victory
- 2 Peter 3 - The Day of the Lord and new creation
- 1 John 2 - The Antichrist and last hour
Book of Revelation
The final book of the Bible, written by the Apostle John, provides the most detailed (and most debated) vision of the end times. It uses highly symbolic language drawn from Old Testament imagery to depict the cosmic conflict between God and evil, culminating in Christ's victory.
Revelation is walked through chapter by chapter in our complete guide to the Book of Revelation.
3. Daniel's Prophecies & The 70 Weeks
The Book of Daniel contains some of the most important and detailed prophecies about the end times. Written during the Babylonian exile (6th century BC), Daniel received visions that have shaped Christian eschatology for two millennia.
Daniel's Four Kingdoms (Daniel 2 & 7)
In Nebuchadnezzar's dream and Daniel's vision, four successive world empires are revealed, followed by God's eternal kingdom:
| Symbol (Dan 2) | Symbol (Dan 7) | Kingdom | Historical Fulfillment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head of Gold | Lion with Eagle Wings | Babylon | 626-539 BC |
| Chest of Silver | Bear raised on one side | Medo-Persia | 539-331 BC |
| Belly of Bronze | Leopard with four wings | Greece | 331-146 BC |
| Legs of Iron | Terrifying Beast | Rome | 146 BC - 476 AD (and beyond?) |
| Feet of Iron/Clay | Ten Horns | Divided Kingdom | Future world system? |
| Stone (not cut by hands) | Son of Man given dominion | God's Eternal Kingdom | Christ's Kingdom |
"In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever."
Daniel 2:44The 70 Weeks Prophecy (Daniel 9:24-27)
This is perhaps the most precisely dated Messianic prophecy in Scripture. The angel Gabriel revealed to Daniel a timeline of "seventy sevens" (490 years) for Israel:
"Seventy 'sevens' are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place."
Daniel 9:24The Timeline Breakdown:
7 Weeks (49 years)
From the decree to rebuild Jerusalem until it's completed. Starting point: 458 or 445 BC (Artaxerxes' decree)
62 Weeks (434 years)
Jerusalem rebuilt "in times of trouble." Ends with the arrival of "Messiah the Prince."
Messiah "Cut Off" (crucifixion)
"After the sixty-two 'sevens,' the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing." (Daniel 9:26)
Gap? (Church Age)
Many believe a "prophetic gap" exists between week 69 and 70, during which the Church age unfolds.
70th Week (7 years)
"He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering." (Daniel 9:27)
The Little Horn (Daniel 7:8, 8:9-14)
Daniel describes a "little horn" that arises and speaks boastfully against God:
- Uproots three of the ten kings
- Has "eyes like the eyes of a human being"
- Speaks against the Most High
- Oppresses the saints for "a time, times and half a time" (3.5 years)
- Attempts to change set times and laws
This figure is widely identified with the Antichrist of the New Testament and the Beast of Revelation.
Daniel 11-12: Kings of the North and South
These chapters provide remarkable detailed prophecies about conflicts between the Ptolemaic (Egypt) and Seleucid (Syria) kingdoms, with verses 36-45 transitioning to end-times events. Chapter 12 explicitly mentions:
- A time of distress "such as has not happened from the beginning of nations"
- Michael the archangel standing guard over Israel
- Resurrection: "Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake"
- The wise will shine "like the brightness of the heavens"
- 1,290 days and 1,335 days as significant time periods
"But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge."
Daniel 12:4Daniel's seventy weeks, the four kingdoms and the 1,290- and 1,335-day figures are worked through verse by verse in our complete guide to Daniel's end-time prophecies.
4. Signs of the End Times
Jesus warned His disciples not to be deceived by false predictions, yet He also gave them signs to watch for. These signs serve as indicators that the end is approaching, though Jesus emphasized that "no one knows the day or hour" (Matthew 24:36).
Signs Jesus Mentioned
False Messiahs and Prophets
"Many will come in my name, claiming 'I am the Messiah,' and will deceive many." (Matthew 24:5)
Wars and Rumors of Wars
"You will hear of wars and rumors of wars... Nation will rise against nation." (Matthew 24:6-7)
Natural Disasters
"There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains." (Matthew 24:7-8)
Persecution of Believers
"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations." (Matthew 24:9)
Apostasy and Betrayal
"Many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other." (Matthew 24:10)
Increase of Wickedness
"Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold." (Matthew 24:12)
Gospel Preached Worldwide
"This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:14)
Additional Biblical Signs
- Israel's restoration - The fig tree budding (Matthew 24:32-33), often interpreted as Israel's rebirth as a nation in 1948
- Days of Noah - People living normally, unaware of coming judgment (Matthew 24:37-39)
- Scoffers - People mocking the promise of Christ's return (2 Peter 3:3-4)
- Technology enabling global control - The mark of the beast for buying and selling (Revelation 13:16-17)
- Knowledge increasing - "Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased" (Daniel 12:4)
Wars, famines, earthquakes and the warning against date-setting are read in context in our guide to the Olivet Discourse.
5. The Rapture Explained
The Rapture is the belief that living believers will be suddenly "caught up" to meet Christ in the air. The term comes from the Latin rapio (to seize or snatch), used in the Vulgate translation of 1 Thessalonians 4:17.
"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 4:16-17Views on the Rapture's Timing
Pre-Tribulation Before the Tribulation
Believers are raptured before the 7-year Tribulation begins. The church is spared from God's wrath. Popular in evangelical and Pentecostal churches. Promoted by John Nelson Darby and the Scofield Reference Bible.
Key verse: "God has not appointed us to suffer wrath" (1 Thessalonians 5:9)
Mid-Tribulation Middle of the Tribulation
Believers are raptured at the midpoint (3.5 years in), before the "Great Tribulation" intensifies. The church experiences some tribulation but not God's full wrath.
Key verse: The two witnesses are taken up in Revelation 11:12
Pre-Wrath Before God's Wrath
Believers are raptured sometime during the second half of the Tribulation, specifically before the bowl judgments which represent God's direct wrath.
Key verse: "Immediately after the tribulation... they will see the Son of Man coming" (Matthew 24:29-30)
Post-Tribulation After the Tribulation
The rapture and Second Coming are a single event occurring after the Tribulation. Believers are caught up to meet Christ as He descends to earth. Held by many Reformed and historic Protestant churches.
Key verse: "At the last trumpet... the dead will be raised" (1 Corinthians 15:52)
Catholic and Orthodox View
The Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox churches do not teach a separate rapture event. They understand 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 as describing the resurrection and glorification of believers at Christ's Second Coming - a single event, not a secret removal followed by a separate visible return.
Every position on the timing question (pre-, mid-, post-tribulation, partial and the Catholic reading) is compared side by side in our full guide to the Rapture.
6. The Great Tribulation
The Tribulation refers to a period of unprecedented suffering and divine judgment on the earth before Christ's return. Many Christians believe this will be a literal seven-year period, based on Daniel's prophecy of "seventy weeks" (Daniel 9:24-27).
Key Events of the Tribulation
Based on Revelation 6-19, the Tribulation includes:
- The Seven Seals (Revelation 6) - Conquest, war, famine, death, martyrs' cry, cosmic disturbances, and silence before the trumpets
- The Seven Trumpets (Revelation 8-11) - Increasing judgments affecting earth, sea, water, sky, and humanity
- The Seven Bowls (Revelation 16) - The final, most intense outpouring of God's wrath
- Rise of the Antichrist - A world leader who demands worship and persecutes believers
- The Mark of the Beast - Required for economic participation (Revelation 13:16-18)
- Battle of Armageddon - The final confrontation between the forces of the Antichrist and Christ (Revelation 16:16, 19:11-21)
"For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now - and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened."
Matthew 24:21-22The "Great Tribulation"
Many interpreters distinguish between the first half (3.5 years) and second half of the Tribulation. The second half, triggered by the "abomination of desolation" (Matthew 24:15, Daniel 9:27), is called the Great Tribulation and represents the most intense period of suffering and Antichrist's persecution.
Purpose of the Tribulation
- Judgment on unbelieving world - Divine response to humanity's rejection of God
- Purification of Israel - Leading to national recognition of Jesus as Messiah (Zechariah 12:10)
- Final harvest of souls - Revelation depicts a great multitude saved during this time (Revelation 7:9-14)
- Defeat of Satan's kingdom - Dismantling of evil systems before Christ's reign
What the tribulation is, whether the Church passes through it, and how preterist and futurist readings differ are covered in our guide to the Great Tribulation.
7. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
One of the most iconic images from the Book of Revelation, the Four Horsemen represent the first four seal judgments that initiate the Tribulation period. Found in Revelation 6:1-8, these riders symbolize conquest, war, famine, and death.
"I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, 'Come!'"
Revelation 6:1The White Horse - Conquest
First Seal (Revelation 6:1-2)
"I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest."
Interpretations:
- The Antichrist - A counterfeit Christ who conquers through deception (most common futurist view)
- Christ or the Gospel - Some see this positively, as Christ conquering through the gospel
- Military conquest - The spirit of imperialism and conquest
The Red Horse - War
Second Seal (Revelation 6:3-4)
"Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. To him was given a large sword."
Meaning: This rider represents warfare, bloodshed, and the breakdown of peace. The "large sword" indicates massive military conflict and civil unrest.
The Black Horse - Famine
Third Seal (Revelation 6:5-6)
"There before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, 'Two pounds of wheat for a day's wages, and six pounds of barley for a day's wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!'"
Meaning: Economic collapse and scarcity. A day's wages for basic food represents extreme inflation. The preserved "oil and wine" may indicate luxury goods remain while necessities become scarce.
The Pale Horse - Death
Fourth Seal (Revelation 6:7-8)
"I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth."
Meaning: The culmination of the first three horsemen - death through war, famine, plague, and predatory animals. The Greek word "chloros" (pale/green) suggests the color of a corpse.
The Remaining Seals
- Fifth Seal - Martyred souls cry out for justice (6:9-11)
- Sixth Seal - Cosmic disturbances: earthquake, sun darkened, moon like blood, stars fall (6:12-17)
- Seventh Seal - Silence in heaven for half an hour, then the seven trumpet judgments begin (8:1-2)
Each rider, the colour symbolism and the competing identifications of the first horseman are examined in our guide to the Four Horsemen.
8. The Antichrist & The Number 666
The Antichrist is the ultimate human opponent of Christ who will arise in the last days. The term appears only in John's letters (1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7), but the concept is found throughout Scripture under various titles.
Biblical Names and Descriptions
- The Antichrist - "against Christ" or "instead of Christ" (1 John 2:18)
- The Beast - Rising from the sea, given authority by the dragon/Satan (Revelation 13:1-10)
- The Man of Lawlessness/Sin - Who opposes God and exalts himself (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)
- The Little Horn - Speaking boastful words (Daniel 7:8, 8:9)
- The Prince Who Is to Come - Who will make a covenant and break it (Daniel 9:26-27)
"He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God."
2 Thessalonians 2:4Characteristics of the Antichrist
- Initially appears as a peacemaker and problem-solver
- Makes a covenant with Israel (Daniel 9:27)
- Demands worship and sets up the "abomination of desolation"
- Empowered by Satan with counterfeit miracles (2 Thessalonians 2:9)
- Persecutes believers who refuse his mark
- Accompanied by the False Prophet who promotes his worship (Revelation 13:11-18)
- Ultimately defeated by Christ at His return (Revelation 19:20)
The Number 666
Revelation 13:18 identifies the Beast's number as 666. Throughout history, various interpretations have been proposed:
- Gematria - Hebrew/Greek letters have numerical values; "Nero Caesar" in Hebrew equals 666
- Symbolic imperfection - 6 falls short of 7 (perfection); 666 represents complete human failure
- Future identification - Will identify the actual Antichrist when he appears
The man of lawlessness, the beast, the false prophet and the Church's caution about identifying any living figure are treated at length in our complete guide to the Antichrist.
9. The Mark of the Beast
One of the most discussed topics in end-times prophecy, the Mark of the Beast is described in Revelation 13:16-18 as a mark required for all economic transactions during the Tribulation.
"It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name."
Revelation 13:16-17Key Characteristics
- Location: Right hand or forehead
- Purpose: Required for all buying and selling
- Content: The name of the Beast or the number 666
- Enforcer: The False Prophet (second beast)
- Consequence of receiving: Eternal damnation (Revelation 14:9-11)
- Consequence of refusing: Economic exclusion, likely death
Interpretations Throughout History
| Era | Common Interpretations |
|---|---|
| Early Church | Roman emperor worship, coins bearing Caesar's image |
| Medieval | Islamic rulers, heretical movements |
| Reformation | Papal system and indulgences |
| 20th Century | Social Security numbers, credit cards, UPC barcodes |
| 21st Century | RFID chips, digital IDs, biometric data, central bank digital currencies |
Why It Cannot Be Taken Accidentally
The mark involves conscious worship of the Beast's image (Revelation 13:15, 14:9-11). This suggests:
- Clear choice between Christ and Antichrist will be required
- It's tied to worship as well as commerce
- Believers will recognize it when it comes
- It represents complete allegiance to the satanic system
Why 666 was probably a first-century cipher, and why microchips and payment technology do not fit the text, is set out in our guide to the Mark of the Beast.
10. The 144,000
Revelation 7 and 14 describe a special group of 144,000 who are "sealed" by God. This group has been interpreted in various ways throughout church history.
"Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel."
Revelation 7:4Who Are the 144,000?
Literal Jewish believers
12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel - Jewish evangelists who come to faith during the Tribulation and serve as God's witnesses. This is the most common futurist/dispensational view.
Symbolic of the Church
Represents the complete number of God's people (12 tribes × 12 apostles × 1,000 = completeness). The church is the "spiritual Israel." Common in Reformed/amillennial interpretation.
Jehovah's Witnesses
A literal number of anointed believers who will rule with Christ in heaven. (This interpretation is rejected by mainstream Christianity.)
Characteristics in Revelation 14
- Have the Father's name written on their foreheads (contrast with mark of beast)
- Sing a "new song" only they can learn
- Described as "firstfruits" to God and the Lamb
- "Did not defile themselves with women" (celibate or spiritually pure)
- "No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless"
- Follow the Lamb wherever He goes
Whether the number is literal, tribal or symbolic (and how Jehovah's Witnesses read it differently) is examined in our guide to the 144,000.
Go Deeper on the Antichrist, 666, and Revelation
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Get Pro for $49 One-time payment. No subscription. 30-day money-back guarantee.11. The Two Witnesses
Revelation 11 describes two prophetic figures who minister during the Tribulation with remarkable power, are killed by the Beast, and then resurrected publicly.
"And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth... If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies."
Revelation 11:3, 5Their Ministry
- Duration: 1,260 days (3.5 years)
- Attire: Sackcloth (sign of mourning and repentance)
- Power over rain: Like Elijah (1 Kings 17)
- Power to turn water to blood: Like Moses (Exodus 7)
- Power to strike earth with plagues: Like Moses
- Fire from their mouths: Destroys enemies
- Location: Jerusalem ("the great city")
Who Are They?
Moses and Elijah
Most common identification. Both appeared at the Transfiguration. Elijah was taken without dying and is prophesied to return (Malachi 4:5). Moses' burial was mysterious (Deuteronomy 34:6, Jude 9). Their powers mirror these prophets.
Enoch and Elijah
Both were taken to heaven without dying (Genesis 5:24, 2 Kings 2:11). Since "it is appointed for man to die once" (Hebrews 9:27), these two may return to fulfill that appointment.
Symbolic Representatives
Represent the Law (Moses) and Prophets (Elijah), or symbolize the witnessing church, or two actual but unknown future prophets.
Their Death and Resurrection
Killed by the Beast
After completing their testimony, the Beast kills them (Revelation 11:7)
Bodies Lie in the Street
For 3.5 days in Jerusalem; world celebrates their death (11:8-10)
Resurrected
"The breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet" (11:11)
Ascend to Heaven
"Come up here!" - taken up in a cloud while enemies watch (11:12)
Great Earthquake
A tenth of Jerusalem collapses, 7,000 killed (11:13)
The candidates for their identity, from Moses and Elijah to Enoch, are weighed in our guide to the Two Witnesses.
12. Babylon the Great
Revelation 17-18 describes the fall of "Babylon the Great," a symbolic entity representing the pinnacle of human rebellion against God. This is one of the most debated identifications in Revelation.
"Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit... For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries."
Revelation 18:2-3The Woman on the Beast (Revelation 17)
- Sits on a scarlet beast with seven heads and ten horns
- Dressed in purple and scarlet, glittering with gold and jewels
- Holds a golden cup "filled with abominable things"
- Name on forehead: "Mystery, Babylon the Great, Mother of Prostitutes"
- "Drunk with the blood of God's holy people"
- Sits on "seven hills" (17:9)
- The beast's ten kings will eventually destroy her (17:16)
Interpretations of Babylon
| View | Identification | Key Arguments |
|---|---|---|
| Rome (Historical) | 1st century Roman Empire | "Seven hills," persecuted Christians, commercial empire |
| Papal Rome | Roman Catholic Church | Protestant Reformation view; "seven hills" of Rome |
| Revived Rome | Future European/world system | EU, one-world religion, global government |
| Literal Babylon | Rebuilt city in Iraq | Babylon never destroyed as prophesied in Isaiah 13 |
| Jerusalem | Apostate Israel | "Where their Lord was crucified" (11:8), blood of prophets |
| World System | Global political/economic/religious system | Symbolic of all human rebellion against God |
The Fall of Babylon (Revelation 18)
Chapter 18 describes her destruction in vivid commercial terms:
- "In one hour your doom has come!" (18:10)
- Merchants weep because no one buys their cargo anymore
- Detailed list of luxury goods: gold, silver, silk, spices, slaves, "human souls"
- Kings, merchants, and sea captains mourn her fall
- Heaven rejoices: "Rejoice over her, you heavens!" (18:20)
Whether Babylon is Rome, Jerusalem, an apostate church or a world system is argued out in our guide to Babylon the Great. The woman of Revelation 12 is a separate figure, covered in our guide to the Woman Clothed with the Sun.
13. The Battle of Armageddon
Armageddon (Hebrew: Har Megiddo, "Mount of Megiddo") is the site of the final battle between the forces of the Antichrist and the returning Christ. It is the climactic military confrontation of human history.
"Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon."
Revelation 16:16The Location
Megiddo is a strategic location in northern Israel, at the Jezreel Valley. This region has been the site of numerous historic battles:
- Thutmose III of Egypt (1468 BC)
- Deborah and Barak vs. Canaanites (Judges 4-5)
- Gideon vs. Midianites (Judges 7)
- Saul's death (1 Samuel 31)
- Josiah's death against Pharaoh Neco (2 Kings 23:29)
The Campaign Across Multiple Battles
Many scholars see Armageddon as the culmination of a broader military campaign involving multiple locations:
Gathering of Nations
Demonic spirits gather the kings of the earth (Revelation 16:13-14)
Assault on Jerusalem
"I will gather all nations to Jerusalem to fight against it" (Zechariah 14:2)
Christ's Return
Jesus returns to the Mount of Olives (Zechariah 14:4)
Divine Victory
Christ destroys the armies with "the sword of his mouth" (Revelation 19:15, 21)
Beast and False Prophet Cast Into Lake of Fire
"The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake" (Revelation 19:20)
The Outcome
"I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war... Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations."
Revelation 19:11, 15This is the instantaneous defeat of all human armies by the word of Christ, a conflict decided without conventional fighting. The "battle" demonstrates the futility of human rebellion against God.
The geography of Megiddo, the gathering of the kings and the question of whether the battle is literal are covered in our guide to Armageddon. For the Ezekiel 38 invasion, see our guide to Gog and Magog.
14. The Second Coming of Christ
The Second Coming (Greek: parousia, meaning "arrival" or "presence") is the visible, bodily return of Jesus Christ to earth. This is the central hope of Christian eschatology, affirmed in all creeds and by all Christian traditions.
"They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other."
Matthew 24:30-31Characteristics of Christ's Return
- Visible - "Every eye will see him" (Revelation 1:7)
- Bodily - Same Jesus who ascended (Acts 1:11)
- Glorious - With power and great glory (Matthew 24:30)
- Sudden - Like lightning, like a thief in the night (Matthew 24:27, 1 Thessalonians 5:2)
- Triumphant - With His armies, to defeat His enemies (Revelation 19:11-16)
- To the Mount of Olives - Same location of His ascension (Zechariah 14:4, Acts 1:11-12)
What Happens at the Second Coming
Defeat of the Antichrist
Christ destroys the Beast and False Prophet, casting them into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20)
Satan Bound
Satan is imprisoned for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:1-3)
Resurrection of Believers
The "first resurrection" of those who died in faith (Revelation 20:4-6)
Gathering of the Elect
Living believers transformed and gathered (Matthew 24:31, 1 Corinthians 15:51-52)
Judgment of the Nations
Separation of sheep and goats (Matthew 25:31-46)
Establishment of Christ's Kingdom
Beginning of Christ's reign on earth (Revelation 20:4)
Creedal Affirmation
The Nicene Creed, affirmed by Catholics, Orthodox, and most Protestants, states: "He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end."
How the Second Coming differs from the Rapture, and what the Creed means by “he will come again in glory”, is explained in our guide to the Second Coming. Jesus' own account is unpacked in our guide to the Olivet Discourse.
15. The Millennium
The Millennium refers to the 1,000-year reign of Christ mentioned in Revelation 20:1-6. This is one of the most debated topics in eschatology, with three major views.
"They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years... They will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years."
Revelation 20:4, 6Three Main Millennial Views
| View | When Christ Returns | Nature of Millennium | Adherents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premillennialism | Before the 1,000 years | Literal earthly reign of Christ from Jerusalem | Many Evangelicals, Baptists, Pentecostals |
| Amillennialism | After the symbolic "millennium" | Symbolic of the current church age; Christ reigns spiritually now | Catholics, Orthodox, Reformed, Lutherans |
| Postmillennialism | After the 1,000 years | Golden age brought about by gospel's success before Christ returns | Some Reformed, historic Presbyterians |
Premillennialism
Christ returns before the Millennium to establish a literal 1,000-year kingdom on earth. Satan is bound, believers are resurrected, and Christ rules from Jerusalem. After the 1,000 years, Satan is released for a final rebellion, then the final judgment occurs.
Historic premillennialism teaches that the church goes through the Tribulation. Dispensational premillennialism teaches a pre-tribulation rapture, with distinct programs for Israel and the Church.
Amillennialism
The 1,000 years is symbolic, representing the entire church age from Christ's first coming to His second. Christ now reigns spiritually through His church. Satan is "bound" in the sense that he cannot prevent the gospel's spread. The Second Coming initiates the eternal state directly.
This view dominated from Augustine (5th century) until the 19th century and remains the official or majority position in Catholic, Orthodox, and many Protestant churches.
Postmillennialism
The gospel will progressively transform society, leading to a "golden age" of Christian influence (the millennium) before Christ returns. The world gets better as God's kingdom advances. Christ returns after this period to a largely Christianized world for the final judgment.
Popular in 18th-19th century America, it declined after World Wars but has seen some revival in Reformed circles.
Amillennialism, premillennialism and postmillennialism are compared, with the Church's rejection of millenarianism, in our guide to the Millennium.
16. Final Judgment
Scripture teaches that all humans will face a final accounting before God. This judgment determines eternal destiny and rewards.
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."
2 Corinthians 5:10The Great White Throne Judgment
Revelation 20:11-15 describes the final judgment:
- All the dead are raised and stand before God's throne
- Books are opened, including the Book of Life
- Each person is judged according to their works
- Those not found in the Book of Life are cast into the lake of fire (the "second death")
Judgment of Believers
Christians will not face condemnation (Romans 8:1) but will appear before Christ's judgment seat (bema) for evaluation of their works and rewards:
"If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is... If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved - even though only as one escaping through the flames."
1 Corinthians 3:12-15Criteria for Judgment
- Response to Christ - Faith in Jesus is the determining factor for salvation (John 3:18)
- Works - Evidence of genuine faith rather than a means of earning salvation (James 2:14-26)
- Treatment of others - Especially the poor and persecuted believers (Matthew 25:31-46)
- Words spoken - "People will have to give account for every careless word" (Matthew 12:36)
- Motives - God judges hearts as well as actions (1 Corinthians 4:5)
The particular judgment at death is distinct from the general judgment at the end of time; both are distinguished carefully in our guide to the Final Judgment and our guide to the Book of Life.
17. Hell & The Lake of Fire
The doctrine of hell is one of the most difficult but clearly taught doctrines in Scripture. Jesus spoke more about hell than anyone else in the Bible, warning of the eternal consequences of rejecting God.
Biblical Terms for Hell
| Term | Meaning | Key References |
|---|---|---|
| Sheol (Hebrew) | The grave or realm of the dead | Psalm 16:10, Proverbs 9:18 |
| Hades (Greek) | Greek equivalent of Sheol; temporary holding place | Luke 16:23, Revelation 20:13-14 |
| Gehenna | Final place of punishment; valley outside Jerusalem used for trash burning | Matthew 5:22, 10:28, Mark 9:43 |
| Lake of Fire | Final, eternal place of punishment after judgment | Revelation 19:20, 20:10, 14-15 |
| Outer Darkness | Place of exclusion from God's presence | Matthew 8:12, 22:13, 25:30 |
Jesus' Teachings on Hell
"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell."
Matthew 10:28Jesus described hell as:
- "Eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41)
- A place "where the fire never goes out" (Mark 9:43)
- Where "their worm does not die" (Mark 9:48)
- "Outer darkness" with "weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 8:12)
- Eternal punishment (Matthew 25:46)
The Lake of Fire in Revelation
- The Beast and False Prophet - Thrown in first (Revelation 19:20)
- Satan - Cast in after the Millennium (Revelation 20:10)
- Death and Hades - Thrown in (Revelation 20:14)
- Anyone not in the Book of Life - After Great White Throne judgment (Revelation 20:15)
"And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever."
Revelation 20:10Views on the Nature of Hell
Traditional/Eternal Conscious Torment
Hell involves eternal, conscious suffering as just punishment for sin against an infinite God. The majority historic Christian view held by Catholics, Orthodox, and most Protestants.
Annihilationism/Conditional Immortality
The unsaved are ultimately destroyed/cease to exist rather than suffer eternally. Held by some evangelicals, Seventh-day Adventists, and Jehovah's Witnesses.
Universalism
All people will eventually be saved; hell is remedial, not eternal. Rejected by historic Christianity but held by some liberal theologians.
The lake of fire, the second death and the difference between Sheol, Hades and Gehenna are set out in our guide to the Lake of Fire.
18. New Heaven & New Earth
The final destiny of the redeemed is dwelling with God in a renewed, physical creation. The Bible's story ends with heaven coming down to a transformed earth.
"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. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband."
Revelation 21:1-2Characteristics of the New Creation
- God dwelling with humanity - "God's dwelling place is now among the people" (Revelation 21:3)
- No more suffering - No death, mourning, crying, or pain (Revelation 21:4)
- No more curse - Eden's curse fully reversed (Revelation 22:3)
- No need for sun or temple - God's glory provides light; God Himself is the temple (Revelation 21:22-23)
- River of life and tree of life - Paradise restored and enhanced (Revelation 22:1-2)
- Reigning with Christ forever - "They will reign for ever and ever" (Revelation 22:5)
Continuity and Discontinuity
The new creation both continues and transcends the present one:
- Physical bodies - Resurrected, glorified, but real bodies like Christ's (Philippians 3:21)
- Cultural treasures preserved - "The glory and honor of the nations" brought in (Revelation 21:26)
- Creation renewed, not annihilated - Freed from bondage to decay (Romans 8:21)
The descending city, its dimensions and what “no more sea” means are examined in our guide to the New Jerusalem, alongside our guide to the Resurrection of the Body.
19. Denomination Views Compared
While all Christians affirm Christ's return, final judgment, and eternal life, there are significant differences in eschatological interpretation.
| Topic | Catholic/Orthodox | Reformed/Lutheran | Evangelical/Pentecostal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapture | Part of Second Coming, not separate | Part of Second Coming, not separate | Often pre-tribulation, separate event |
| Tribulation | Ongoing or symbolic | Varies; often symbolic or past | Often literal 7 years, future |
| Millennium | Amillennial (symbolic/present) | Amillennial (mostly) | Premillennial (mostly) |
| Israel | Church is spiritual Israel | Church is spiritual Israel | Distinct role; future restoration |
| Antichrist | Historical figures and/or future | Historical (papacy was common ID) | Usually future individual |
| Revelation | Symbolic/spiritual reading | Historicist or idealist | Often futurist/literal |
20. How to Prepare for the End Times
Jesus' teaching on the end times was meant to inspire faithful living. Here's how Scripture calls us to prepare:
Spiritual Preparation
- Know Christ personally - Salvation through faith in Jesus (John 14:6, Romans 10:9)
- Stay spiritually awake - "Keep watch, because you do not know the day or hour" (Matthew 25:13)
- Live in holiness - "Since everything will be destroyed, what kind of people ought you to be?" (2 Peter 3:11)
- Be filled with the Spirit - The oil in the wise virgins' lamps (Matthew 25:1-13)
- Hold firmly to sound doctrine - Avoid deception in the last days (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
Practical Preparation
- Share the gospel - Urgency increases as the end approaches (Matthew 24:14)
- Serve faithfully - Be found doing your Master's work when He returns (Matthew 24:45-46)
- Use your resources wisely - The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30)
- Care for the vulnerable - Judgment based on treatment of "the least of these" (Matthew 25:31-46)
- Build community - "Encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:25)
"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
1 Corinthians 15:58Attitude Toward the End
- Hope, not fear - "Lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near" (Luke 21:28)
- Longing, not dread - "Come, Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:20)
- Urgency, not anxiety - Live each day as if it could be the last, but plan as if you have decades
- Watchfulness, not obsession - Date-setting and chart-making miss the point
Be Ready Now. No One Knows the Day (Mark 13:32).
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Practical preparation without panic (and why bunkers are a false hope) is covered in our guide to emergency preparedness.
The Full End-Times Library
Each guide below goes deeper than the summary above.