Chronology of Christ’s Return

1. When the Lord returns, it will be sudden and unexpected (Matt. 24:36-44; 1 Thess. 5:2-4; 2 Pet. 3:10), “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye” (1 Cor. 15:52).


2. He will descend from heaven in the clouds (Acts 1:9-11; Thess. 4:16),
accompanied by a loud command, an archangel’s voice, God’s trumpet, and mighty angels in flaming fire (1 Cor. 15:52; 1 Thess. 4:16; 2 Thess. 1:7-8).


3. All the dead will be raised (John 5:28-29; Rev. 20:13), first the righteous, who will meet the Lord in the air with the living righteous (1 Thess. 4:16-17; Matt. 24:40-41).

4. All will be transformed from corruptible mortals to incorruptible (1 Cor. 15:51-54).


5. Then comes the end (1 Cor. 15:24a); enemies will be conquered (1 Cor. 15:24-26, 54-56) and the physical universe destroyed (2 Pet. 3:10-11; cf. Rev. 20:11).


6. All will be gathered before the heavenly judgment seat (Acts 17:31; 2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Pet. 4:5), the righteous and unrighteous will be separated (Matt. 25:31-46), judged by the same divine standard (Matt. 7:21-23; John 12:48; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:12-13).

7. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Jesus is Lord (Phil. 2:10-11; cf. Rom. 14:10-12).


8. All who are covered by Christ’s blood, citizens of God’s kingdom, will escape divine wrath (Rom. 8:1; 1 Cor. 5:7; 1 Pet. 1:17-19) and be delivered to the Father (1 Cor. 15:24) to live eternally in heaven (2 Tim. 4:8; 1 Pet. 1:4).


9. All others will receive everlasting punishment separated from God (Matt. 25:46; 2 Thess. 1:8-9; Rev. 20:15).

10. “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matt. 24:44 ESV).

--Kevin L. Moore

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