God’s Prophetic Plan

With so many prophetic events yet future, it is understandable how one could become confused as to their sequence. The following is a list of most of the major prophetic occurrences with a brief description and the order in which they will happen. While each event is accompanied by a Scripture passage or two, this does exhaust all that the Bible has to say on that particular subject.

First in order of occurrence is the resurrection of the saved dead accompanied by the translation of the living saints, commonly called the “Rapture” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). These individuals, upon their entrance into Heaven, will be judged at the bema, referred to as the “judgment seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10). This judgment is not for salvation, but rather to ascertain whether their labor was worthy of reward (Romans 14:10, 1 Corinthians 3:11-15). When this has been concluded, they then go to the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7-9).

Upon the removal of the Church from the Earth, the Antichrist makes his appearance, posing as a man of peace (Revelation 6:2). He is received with special favor by the nations of the world, and especially by the Jews with whom he makes a covenant which grants them special favor (Daniel 9:27). For the first 3-1/2 years of this period, known as the 70th week of Daniel, all goes well. However, at that point, he violates his covenant with Israel and reveals himself to be the Antichrist (Daniel 9:27, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10). This inaugurates the great tribulation, the time known as “Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7, Daniel 12:1). It is during this seven-year period, commonly called the “Tribulation,” that the judgments pictured by the seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls of Revelation Chapters 6-18 unfold.

The Antichrist’s reign is brought to an end at the Battle of Armageddon. Here, Christ, accompanied by the armies of Heaven, crushes the armies of the Earth which have gathered in the Mideast in an attempt to exterminate the nation of Israel (Revelation 19:11-21). This great victory, resulting in the virtual annihilation of those vast military forces, is followed by the doom of the Antichrist and the False Prophet, who both are thrust alive into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20). Then ensues the binding of Satan, who is placed in the bottomless pit, there to be incarcerated for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:1-13). 

These events have now prepared the way for the glorious reign of Jesus Christ on the Earth during the Millennium, the 1,000 years of Heaven on Earth (Isaiah 11-12, Revelation 20:6). It is during this time that the restoration of Israel will be accomplished under the totalitarian rule of Jesus Christ on the Earth. At the conclusion of the 1,000 years of Christ’s Kingship, Satan is released (Revelation 20:7), the purpose being to test the reality of the conversions of those who professed faith in Jesus Christ during His reign. The sad truth that many were not genuine is demonstrated by the fact that Satan is able to gather a large number of rebels who join forces against Jesus Christ and the saints of God in the battle of Gog and Magog (Revelation 20:7-9). Following their destruction, Satan is banished forever, joining the Antichrist and the False Prophet in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10).

The plan continues with the resurrection of the unsaved, where at the great white throne they are judged according to their works (Revelation 20:12-13). Here only the unsaved appear, with the dreadful result that each is banished eternally to the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15).

Some provision must be made for the righteous who lived in the Millennium as well as for any righteous who may have died during that period. It is entirely possible that a rapture and a resurrection would take place at this time, drawing those people up to Heaven. The purpose would be to ensure their safety while the Earth is destroyed by fire (2 Peter 3:10-12).

The final phase of the prophetic program pictures a new Heaven and a new Earth (Revelation 21:1), and a new Jerusalem described in great detail (Revelation 21:2, 9-27). Here, the saved of all ages will dwell with God for all of eternity.