By Seth Myers Via Bulletin Gold
Popular doctrine claims that the Lord will return “secretly” to
take away the saints. As seen on TV, a certain number of people
will simply vanish from the earth! While “the Rapture” may be
exciting, it is simply not scriptural.
Here is what the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27) says
will happen “when the Son of Man comes” (Matt. 25:31):
1. When the Lord returns, the entire world will know (Matt.
25:31,32a; 1 Thess. 4:16).
2. “AI|” the angels and faithful dead will be with Him (Matt.
25:31; 2 Thess. 1:7; 1 Thess. 4:14b).
3. The bodies of the dead will be raised [to be reunited with their
spirits] (Jn. 5:28,29a; 1 Thess. 4:16b; 1 Cor. 15:52; cf. Jas.
2:26a).
4. The faithful then living will join the Lord and His saints in
the air” (1 Thess. 4:17).
5. “Earthly” bodies will be “changed” from mortal to immortal
(1 Cor. 15:51,52).
6. Every human being since the beginning of time will stand
before God in judgment (Matt. 25:31,32; 2 Cor. 5:10a; cf. John
5:27; Rom. 14:10; Heb. 9:27).
7. The entire physical Creation will be utterly and permanently
destroyed (2 Pet. 3:10-12).
8. Jesus will “deliver the kingdom,” which He had received and
established after His resurrection/ascension, over to the Father (1
Cor. 15:24; cf. Acts 2:30,3 1 a; Dan. 2:44).
9. Each person will be consigned to one of two eternal destinations-
chosen for themselves while in the body” (Matt. 25:33,41,46; John
5:29; 2 Thess. 1:7-9; cf. 2 Cor. 5:10b).
10. This is called “the last day” (John 5:39,40,44,54; 12:48) and “the
end” (1 Cor. 15:24a).