What Will Happen When Jesus Returns?

We spend a lot of time talking about the return of Christ, don't we? Most people in Christendom agree that Jesus is going to return. This is common ground. The question is: how is He going to return and what will happen in the end?

The most common answer is that at some point in the future Jesus will rapture His church. This rapture will be secretive and silent. Millions of people worldwide will just disappear. Planes will come crashing down and cars will collide. There is a popular bumper sticker which says, "In case of rapture, this car will be unmanned." While the church is taken to heaven, the unbelievers will be "left behind" on earth to suffer seven horrible years of tribulation during which the Antichrist will reign over all mankind. In the beginning, the Antichrist will promise peace, but then he will become increasingly wicked. Halfway through the tribulation period he will be assassinated, and then three days later he will be resurrected and indwelt by Satan himself. God will execute His seal, trumpet and bowl judgments on sinful mankind during this time. The saints (converted since the rapture) will be persecuted. Overall, it will be a really bad time. Then, the tribulation will end with the famous battle of Armageddon, a literal battle that will take place in the valley of Megiddo between the armies of Christ and Satan. Of course, Christ will win. Satan will be bound for a thousand years while Christ reigns in His millennial kingdom. Then there will be a great day of judgment that will conclude all things.

This is how most people view the end of the world.

But the fact is, it's wrong.

There will be no secretive, silent rapture. No one will be left behind on earth when Jesus returns. There will be no seven year period of tribulation. There will be no one-man Antichrist who will rule the world. There will be no literal battle of Armageddon in Megiddo. None of this will happen. SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN, but this is not it.

Do I have your attention?

Beginning on Monday, August 17th, I am going to write one article each day for five days that will set forth the biblical teachings on the return of Christ. Tune in Monday as we begin this exciting study.