Driverless cars, trains, and planes will crash. There will be a cry all over the world! Millions of people will disappear from TV screens, schools, offices, holiday paradises, hotels, and a thousand other places in the blink of an eye (“in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye”, 1 Corinthians 15:52).

There will be no “prelude” to what is about to happen, or time to prepare.

The greatest miracle in history will then occur: The Rapture of God’s church has taken place. Those who were not ready will be left behind. They will be frightened, questioning, excited to see that some of their closest ones have disappeared without a trace. What in the world has happened? Where have they gone? About this event, Jesus says:

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17

All believers will receive new, heavenly, imperishable bodies, like Jesus’ resurrection body (1 Corinthians 15:51–54; Philippians 3:21; 1 John 3:2). The word used for “air” here refers to the air we breathe. We also meet Jesus and all believers somewhere up in the atmosphere, where “the prince of the power of the air” (the devil) reigns (Ephesians 2:2). Here, Jesus demonstrates His power over the kingdom of darkness.

The Rapture happens for two reasons: First – God will conclude the church’s dispensation. Second: He will deliver His bride from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10).

“For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Thessalonians 5:10

Jesus says: “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. 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 to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

John 14:2–3

The return of Jesus will consist of two phases. First: The Rapture, invisible coming, only for His bride, to take His bride and bring her to heaven. Then He comes with His bride: the visible return of Jesus to earth, where “every eye will see Him” (Revelation 1:7). Right after the Rapture, only unsaved people will be here. They will come up with many explanations for the phenomenon. Have they been taken by UFOs? There is only one good answer to the phenomenon: “the Bridegroom”, Jesus Christ, has taken His “bride” (Matthew 25:6).

At this time, right after the Rapture, the Antichrist appears (1 John 2:18, 22; 2 John 1:7; 2 Thessalonians 2:6–8; Revelation 13). He will become a religious and political world leader (Revelation 13:3). Together with his closest associate, the false prophet, the mark of the beast will be introduced on the foreheads or right hands of followers, likely a chip and tattoo – for economic and religious control of humanity (Revelation 13:16–17). He will change God’s laws and attack those who accept Jesus during this time (Daniel 7:25). Many will be killed (Revelation 6:9–11).

Great judgments will come over the earth. Three-quarters of the world’s population will perish. There will be few left (Isaiah 13:12). You can read about this 7-year tribulation period in Revelation chapters 6 to 19. God’s judgment over sin will come in the form of seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls (Revelation 6–18). Large earthquakes, meteor swarms, and “a great burning mountain” will hit the earth (Revelation 6:13; 8:8).

Famine and drought, lawlessness, and diseases will come over the earth. Seven years after the Antichrist has emerged and become the world leader, Jesus will return to judge the world. Then all the world will “see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:30; Revelation 1:7). The believers will return with Him to earth “on white horses” (Revelation 19:14). “At that time His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives” (Zechariah 14:4). The world will then be gathered before His glorious throne, the unbelievers on the left and the believers on the right. The unbelievers who were not ready will die (Matthew 25:31–46). The Antichrist and the false prophet (his closest associate) will be cast straight into hell (Revelation 19:20, the first to go there).

Then Jesus will become the King of the world. He will reign over the whole world for 1000 years from Jerusalem (Revelation 20:4–6; Psalm 2). The deceiver, the devil, will be put into God's prison for evil spirits, “the abyss” (Revelation 20:1–3).

Shortly after the Millennium has come to an end, the world and the entire universe will perish, burn up (2 Peter 3:13; Matthew 24:35; Revelation 21:1). The devil will be cast “into the lake of fire and brimstone”, where the Antichrist and the false prophet already are (Revelation 20:10). Judgment Day has come.

“And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”

Revelation 20:15

The glory of heaven and the magnificent “the holy city, New Jerusalem” (Revelation 21:2) will come down to the new earth. It is built of pure heavenly gold, like a cube, 1500 miles in all directions (Revelation 21:9–21).

Paradise has returned, only in an even better form than the first, clothed in incorruption and in a heavenly, radiant glory.

End-time preaching has been scarce over the past few years. Only ten percent of today’s preachers speak about the signs of the times and Jesus’ return. But God wants this message to be preached.

Jesus says:

“And at midnight a cry was heard: Behold, the Bridegroom is coming; go out to meet Him!”

Matthew 25:6

Jesus wants us to shout it out so that people will seek salvation before it is too late. If you are reading this and have not been saved, you should make things right with God, believe that Jesus has died for all your sins. He is eager to forgive you and give you eternal life. Turn away from your sin and ask Him to come into your heart. Read more about the way to salvation in this guide!