Seven events of the Last Day:
1. Christ’s visible return
2. Resurrection of the dead
3. Judgment of all mankind
4. Rapture of the saints
5. Burning up of planet earth
6. Destruction of Satan
7. Entering New Jerusalem
Seven events of the Last Day:
1. Christ’s visible return
2. Resurrection of the dead
3. Judgment of all mankind
4. Rapture of the saints
5. Burning up of planet earth
6. Destruction of Satan
7. Entering New Jerusalem
Does the Bible teach that there will be one last day for this world? Does it tell us what events will happen on that last Day?
We do not know when the end of the world will be, but we do know the events of the last day —the day of the second coming of Christ. The last day of the world may come within our lifetime. It could even be today or tomorrow. But even if we die before it comes, we will be there, alive again, to experience it all. So we need to know exactly what events will take place at the second coming. Therefore the Bible is very plain about the events of the last day.
Paul tells us about how, at the second coming of Christ, "The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire..." (2Th 1:5-10). John tells us, "Behold he is coming with the clouds and every eye shall see him..." (Rev 1:7).
According to Paul, this will be "a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked" (Act 24:15). Paul has wonderfully explained and described this resurrection (1Co 15:35-58).
Long ago, Daniel was promised he would rise from the dead (Dan 12:13). Jesus tells us how the dead will be raised at his second coming: "An hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; those who did the good, to a resurrection of life, those who did the evil to a resurrection of judgment." (Jhn 5:28-29).
Jesus describes how, when he comes in his glory, all nations will be gathered before his throne, and all mankind will be separated either to eternal life or eternal punishment. (Mtt 25:31-46).
Paul says that Jesus will "judge the living and the dead at his appearing" (2Tm 4:1), and "we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ" (Rom 14:10).
Are you ready for the Judgment Day?
Imagine the event that Paul describes when "the Lord himself shall descend with a shout" and "we shall be caught up together... in the clouds to meet him in the air" (1Th 4:13-18). Imagine first that you are in that company, rapturously rising into the sky, forever to be with the Lord and his angels in heaven. Then, on the other hand, imagine that you are left behind watching them go. What do you choose? .
This planet will be "burned up" (2Pe 3:10-13). You won't be able to stay here any longer. So take the Hebrew writer's advice: "Let us gratefully offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire" (Heb 12:27-29).
God has prepared eternal hell for the Devil and the demons (Mtt 25:41,46). In the final visions of the Revelation, the casting of Satan into hell is vividly portrayed (Rev 20:7-10). The most important thing for us, is that we do not unwittingly get caught up in this, but that we grasp the salvation that Jesus offers (Rev 20:11-15).
Jesus promised, "In my Father's house are many mansions... I go to prepare a place for you... I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am there you may be also" (Jhn 14:2-3). In John's visions, this is represented as the new Jerusalem, the heavenly city of God in a new heavens and new earth (Rev 21:1-7).