Last Days Timeline
The Cross - Jesus Christ took our judgment on the cross.
Resurrection – Spirits of the Old Testament Saints in “paradise” or “Abraham’s Bosom” are removed to heaven at Christ’s Ascension (Eph 4:8-10). Christ’s Ascension (Acts 1:9).
Pentecost- Holy Spirit’s descent – Acts 2 – Church Age or Age of Grace begins.
Rapture of the Church - Rapture – from greek word ekklesia – to call out of the world. See also Harpazo = caught up. Church goes to heaven to become the Bride of Christ. (1 Thess 4:17, 1 Cor 15: 51-52). The living believers will be caught up in the air to be with the Lord. For those believers already dead, their bodies are resurrected to join their spirits which are already with Christ. The greek word for resurrection is anastasei which means to stand up – a bodily resurrection. If this were only a “spiritual” resurrection, this word would not fit. A spirit should not need to stand. Remember at a believer’s death their spirit is immediately with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8).
Judgment Seat of Christ – (Bema Seat) 2 Cor. 5:10 – Judgment of believers occurs sometime during the tribulation just prior to the marriage of the Lamb in heaven (Rev. 19:6-10).
Tribulation – Once the church is removed from the earth the tribulation period begins. Great Tribulation = 7 years – a period divided into 2 periods of 3.5 years. The last half is referred to as the Wrath of God. (Daniel 9:23-37) During the last half the Antichrist establishes self worship (Rev. 13:1-10).
Second coming of Christ – referred to as the Glorious Appearing. At the end of the 7 year tribulation, Christ will come down to the earth. All eyes will see him. The war of Armageddon will take place (Rev. 19: 17-21). At this time the Beast and the False prophet are cast into the lake of Fire (Rev. 19). Satan is bound in the abyss (bottomless pit, a separate place which is not the lake of fire) for 1000 years. (Rev. 20:1-3).
1000 year Millenium begins – Final testing of Man under ideal conditions. Old Testament saints and Tribulation Saints are resurrected (bodily) before the millennium begins (Daniel 12:1-2, Isa 25:8-9, Rev. 20). The marriage supper of the Lamb takes place during the millennium. Multitudes not only enter the millennium but are born during the millennium (Isa 11:6, 65:20).
End of Millenium – Satan is released for a time to deceive the nations again (Rev. 20:7-8). Fire comes down from heaven to end the rebellion. (Rev. 20:9).
Great White Throne Judgment – The judgment of satan and all unbeliever’s. Unbelievers of all ages stand before God. Those that are already dead are raised from Hades. Their works are judged. Afterwards they are sent to the lake of fire (Rev. 20: 10-19, Matt. 25:41). This is eternal and absolute separation from God. Lost souls are no longer in Hades, but now go to the lake of fire.
1st Resurrection – not a single event. It includes the resurrection of Christ (1 Cor. 15:23), the resurrection of the Church at the rapture (1 Thess. 4:13-18), the resurrection of the 2 witnesses (Rev. 11:11), and the resurrection of the tribulation saints (Rev. 20:4, Dan 12:2). All who have ever been saved take part in the 1st resurrection.
2nd Resurrection – takes place at the Great White Throne Judgment. At this judgment nobody is saved because you cannot be saved by your works (see John 5:22, 26-29). There are 2 resurrections at different times.