Then Shall The End Come - Part 1

And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be 

preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and 

then shall the end come. 

Matthew 24:14

God established His church (the body of Christ) to further the gospel of the Kingdom of God.  From the beginning of the church age (refer to the book of Acts) up until the present day, the church was and is to be the key instrument through which the word of the God is spread.  This is not just ‘busy’ work or something to do to keep us occupied.  It is a part of the plan of God.   

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, . . .   Matthew 28:19

He loves us so much that He is does not desire that any should perish.  

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  John 3:16

But there will come a day when God will re-establish the heavens and the earth and those that have not given themselves to God will reside with the enemy in a place that has been prepared for Satan and all of his followers.  

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.  2 Peter 3:13

God has also prepared a place for those that have taken up their cross and followed Jesus.  Jesus promised His followers:  

. . . I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.  John 14:2-3

Jesus said He would return to earth for those who are born-again believers and take them to a special place He has prepared for them. When will this happen? No one knows the exact time except for God: 

But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of Heaven, but my Father only.  (Matthew 24:36)

We do not know the exact timing, but Jesus spoke of a key event that would let His followers know the time was near:  

And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.  Matthew 24:14

The key event which will precede the end of the world and the climax of God's plan for the nations is:

the spreading of the Gospel of the Kingdom to all people. 

What a responsibility we have in fulfilling God's plan!

We know of the task of the Church (body of Christ) and our personal responsibility as a member to fulfill this challenge. But what is the "end" of which Jesus spoke? The end is the climax of the world and time as we now know it. It is the final part of God's plan for the nations.

Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:  that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:  Ephesians 1:9-10

God did not reveal every detail about how the world would end, but He did give us an outline of the major events by prophecy. The word "prophecy" means to speak forth. Bible prophecy includes three kinds of "speaking forth":

            1.           A message of inspiration from God.

            2.           Prediction of future events in God's eternal plan.

            3.           An interpretation for man of the acts of God.

The main prophecies about the future of the world are found in the books of Daniel and Revelation. Special passages such as Matthew 24 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 provide additional information. From studying these passages, we can understand what God has revealed about the end of the world.

Here is a brief summary of what God has revealed in His Word about the end of the world:

¨     The Preaching Of The Gospel Of The Kingdom:  

This must be accomplished before the end will come:

And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.  (Matthew 24:14)

¨     The Rapture:  

After the Gospel of the Kingdom has been preached to all peoples, Jesus will return for believers. 

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  1 Corinthians 15:51-53

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

These scripture verses gives the most detail about this return which is referred to as "the rapture."

The word "rapture" is not found in Scripture but "caught up" has this meaning. From this passage we learn that:

        *     Jesus Himself will return. (verse 16)

        *     There will be a resurrection of those who were believers when they died. (verse 16)

        *     There will be a rapture, which means "the act of taking a person from one place to another."

        *     Living believers will be taken from earth to meet Jesus in the air. (verse 17)

        *     There will be a gathering between believers who have previously died, believers living at the time of the Lord's return, and the Lord Jesus Christ. (verse 17)

Our bodies will be changed:

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  1 Corinthians 15:51-53

Some people believe the rapture will occur before the tribulation and that believers will not have to experience any of this terrible time on earth. Others believe the rapture will happen midway through the period. Still others believe the rapture will happen at the end of the tribulation. The most common belief is that the rapture of believers will happen before the tribulation begins. The different views of the timing of the rapture result from various interpretations of Scripture. Actually, no one knows the exact timing of this event except God the Father: 

But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.     Matthew 24:36

What is most important is to know you are a true believer and are ready to go with Jesus in the rapture whenever it occurs.

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