What's waiting for us

Finally, a few thoughts on the chronological order of end-time events as reflected in the Word of God.

a) Rapture of the bridal community

It is the first part of Christ's return, which will take place invisibly to the world:

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words. 2. Thessalonians 4:16-18 (ESV)

b) Wedding of the Lamb

Afterwards, the wedding feast, which will probably last seven years, will take place in heaven:

"Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready"
Revelation 19:7 (ESV)

During this time, the Antichrist establishes his empire on earth and the Great Tribulation takes place:

"nd then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming."
2. Thessalonians 2,8 (ESV)

c) Millennium

With the destruction of the Antichrist just mentioned, the “Mileennium” also begins, in which Christ will rule the earth together with the believers and establish a kingdom of peace, of which it is already said in the Old Testament:

"The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den.."
Jesaja 11:8+9 (ESV)

d) The new Jerusalem

In Revelation John reports:

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”"
Revelation 21:1-4 (ESV)

What wonderful hope for everyone,

"...and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing" 2 Timothy 4:8 (ESV)

The Lord is coming soon, Hallelujah,
Rules the earth's circle
And fill it completely, Hallelujah,
With his name price.

Finally, I would like to tell you a little story.
A hiker unexpectedly came across a magnificent villa on the banks of a picturesque lake in Switzerland, far from the paths inundated with tourists. He knocked on the gate, which was opened by an old porter. He seemed pleased to see him and showed him around in his garden. "How long have you been working here?" - "Twenty-four years" - "And how often did you see the owner during this time?" - "Four times." - "And when was the last time he was there?" - "Twelve years ago." - “Does he write often?” - "Never" - "Who else comes over?" - "Nobody. I'm almost always alone. Even strangers rarely get lost here!" - "And yet you have the garden in such perfect order. Everything is blooming as if your master would come tomorrow." - "As if he's coming today, today!" cried the old man with conviction.

If a gardener keeps his house and garden in impeccable order in anticipation of his Lord's return, how much more should we believers expect the return of the Son of God every day and fulfill the task entrusted to us so well that our Lord will proclaim when he returns :

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.[5] You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’"
Matthew 25:21 (ESV)

Be ready to stand before him,
to see His glory;
What he promises, Hallelujah,
This will happen to us!

Autor: Karl-Otto Böhringer
Pictures: https://pixabay.com/de/