Several passages in the New Testament describe the end of time and the coming judgment. Jesus’ coming is described as “thief in the night” and at that time the “heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat” (2 Peter 3:10).
Paul said, “Behold, I tell 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 trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52). This also agrees with his statement in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: “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.”
It is on this last great day that Jesus will judge us in regard to what we’ve done in our lifetime (John 5:28-29; 6:39-40, 44, 54; Romans 2:6; Revelation 20:11-15). As you will note, there is no mention of a “rapture” nor a “tribulation” at the end of time in any of these texts. In fact, according to the point that Jesus made concerning the “last day” in John’s gospel, there cannot even be a millennial reign by Christ on the earth.
Paul said again in 1 Corinthians 15: “But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end …” (vv. 23-24). Paul discusses the resurrection and says that the “end” occurs at that time! All of us need desperately to prepare for that final day. There will be no second chances. When Christ comes again, you will be judged for what you have done. Are you ready to face Him?
Kyle Campbell
