The Timeline of the End Times and the Tribulation
We’ve already talked about the signs of the end times and the rapture of the church. Now, let's dig into the timeline of the end times and the tribulation. I put together a timeline to help you understand how this is all going to play out. And by timeline, I mean the chain of events, not specific dates. The interesting thing about Bible prophecy is that we can know what is going to happen next, but we cannot predict the exact time it is going to happen. So when you hear someone give you a date the rapture is going to happen, or a date anything is going to happen, take it with a grain of salt. They’re probably wrong.
Regarding the sequence of events, we are currently in the church age. We are at the end of the church age, and the next thing that is going to happen is the rapture of the church. Specifically, the following sequence illustrates the chain of events:
| Phase | Key Event | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Church Age | The current era before the rapture. |
| 2 | The Rapture | Believers are taken before the tribulation. |
| 3 | Judgment Seat | Believers give an account for their earthly deeds. |
| 4 | Marriage Supper | A seven-year feast with the Lord in heaven. |
| 5 | Tribulation | A seven-year period of suffering on the earth. |
First Judgement: The Judgment Seat of Christ
As soon as we are raptured, all believers will approach the judgment seat of Christ. This is not to judge whether you are saved or not, because salvation is a gift that can only be received by believing in Jesus Christ. Plus, the only people who will get raptured are those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ. So the simple fact that you were raptured proves that you are saved. Your salvation is secure through your faith in Jesus Christ, but you will be judged on what you did here on the Earth.
2 Corinthians 5:10 NLT - For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.
This scripture is written to believers who will spend eternity in heaven. But first, they must give an account for what they did in their earthly body. The Apostle Paul relates our earthly lives to building a house. All believers are building their lives on the same foundation: Jesus Christ. No matter what you build, the foundation is strong and secure, but it is important to give attention to how you are building on this foundation.
Building with Gold, Silver, and Jewels
The Apostle Paul explains why the materials we use matter:
1 Corinthians 3:12-15 NLT - Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.
This is a clear explanation of the judgment seat of Christ. It is extremely clear that even if everything is burned up in that judgment, you will be saved. On this judgment day, Jesus is going to blast this earthly house you’ve built with fire. Everything you did that was evil or worthless will be destroyed in a second. Then, you will look around to see what survived and you will receive a reward for all the good things you did while on the earth. This scripture makes it clear that some people will look around after the fire with nothing left to show. Make it your goal to have lots of gold, silver, and jewels survive that fire.
Marriage Supper of the Lamb and the Seven-Year Tribulation
After this day of judgment, we will enter the marriage supper of the lamb. While the earth is experiencing tribulation, we’ll be having a seven-year feast with the Lord. The marriage supper of the lamb is revealed in Revelation 19:7 NLT: Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself.
While we are enjoying the marriage supper of the lamb, the earth will be suffering through the tribulation. The tribulation is split in half. The first half will be somewhat mild compared to the last half.