The End?

As I float around the blogosphere and various discussion boards I find discussions of the Tribulation and the questionable theology surrounding this. There are many who speak of things as facts when their mention in Scripture is in apocalyptic literature. When Christ, Peter, and Paul speak of Christ's return they are very matter of fact.

First of all, when Christ returns we will all see him. He will return with great glory. No one will just suddenly disappear. (Matt. 24:27; Luke 21:27; Acts 1:11; 2 Peter 3: 10; Rev. 1:7) When Christ returns, He'll judge the world. He'll raise the dead and separate the sheep from the goats. He's not coming to set up an earthly government. (Sounds a little too much like the Muslim view of His return, IMO.) (Matt. 25: 31-32; John 12: 48; John 18:36; 2 Cor. 5: 10) Only God knows when Christ will return. Speculation on our part is silly and futile. Believing someone else's speculation is silly and futile as well. (Matt. 24:44; Mark 13:32; Acts 17:31) The idea of tribulation isn't false. There is tribulation mentioned in Scripture and it will be real. However, it's not what many people believe it will be. Things will continue to get harder and harder for believers as well as the rest of the world.(Matt. 24:7,22; 1 Tim. 4:1) The return of Christ is a source of hope and joy for Christians. Believers have nothing to fear. It is something for us to look forward to. (Luke 21:28; Heb. 9:28; Titus 2:13; Rev. 22:20)

Revelation is a beautiful book. The language is rich and vivid. However, it's not depicting events in chronological order nor is it to be read as narrative prose. It's apocalyptic literature and filled with numbers, colors, visions, etc. to convey its message.

When Christ comes He'll judge the world. Those who are believers will receive their new bodies and live forever in His kingdom. Those who are not will be condemned. There will be no more earthly governments and no extra time for more people to believe or not. When He comes, that's it. There's a great deal of comfort in that knowledge.