The Last Days
In these last days, between the first and second coming of Christ,
the church carries out its mission in the world. Believers often
endure suffering and persecution because of their witness to
Christ. In spite of opposition by evil powers, the church is
assured of the final victory of Christ's kingdom. These last
days come to an end with Christ's return.
Death
Since Christ destroyed the power of death by His resurrection,
believers need not be afraid of death, the last enemy. Christ's
followers go to be with the Lord when they die. When Christ
returns they will be raised and receive new bodies. Believers
who are alive at Christ's coming will be transformed and will
also receive new and glorious bodies, fit for life in God's
eternal kingdom.
Judgment
When Christ returns He will destroy all evil powers, including
the Antichrist. Satan and all those who have rejected Christ
will be condemned to eternal punishment in hell, forever separated
from the presence of God. Believers must appear before the judgment
seat of Christ to have their lives examined and their labors
rewarded. By God's grace they will enter into the joy of God's
eternal reign.
The New Creation
All God's children will be united with Christ when He appears,
and they will reign with Him in glory. Pain, sorrow and death
will be abolished, and the redeemed will be gathered into the
new heaven and new earth where together with the angels they
will worship God forever. God will make all things new, and
God will be all in all. This is the blessed hope of all believers.
Matthew 24:29-31; Matthew 25:13; Mark 13:32-37; Luke 16:9; Luke
23:43; John 14:1-3; Acts 2:17; Romans 8:18-22; I Corinthians 3:13-15;
I Corinthians 15:26; II Corinthians 5:10; Philippians 1:23; I
Thessalonians 4:13-18; I Thessalonians 5:1-11; II Thessalonians
1:5-12; II Thessalonians 2:1-12; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:2; Hebrews
9:26-28; I Peter 1:20; I Peter 4:7; I John 2:18; I John 3:2-3;
Revelation 19:17-21; Revelation 20:7-15; Revelation 21-22.
