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SELF-TEST
1. Write the Key Verses from memory.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. What are the two future resurrections called?
_______________________________________and______________________________
3. What two things does the Bible reveal about the destiny of all human souls?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
4. Read the statements below. If the statement is TRUE write the letter T in the blank in front of it. If the statement is FALSE, write the letter F in the blank in front of it.
a._____Those who do not die will not be resurrected.
b._____At the time of death there is a separation between spirits of those who were righteous and those who were wicked.
c._____It is important to pray for the dead to be saved.
d._____The destiny of the righteous is different now than before the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
e._____The resurrection of Jesus is important but it is not really part of the Gospel message.
5. What verses illustrate the two responses of men to the resurrection message?
________________________________________________________________________
(Answers to tests are provided at the conclusion of the final chapter in this manual.)
FOR FURTHER STUDY
The doctrine of the resurrection of the dead which you have studied and the doctrine of eternal judgment which you will study in the next chapter both concern future events. Future events are foretold in the Word of God. Although these events have not happened yet, God has provided knowledge of His future plans through prophecy.
There is much about future events which is not revealed in God's Word. That which is revealed has been interpreted several different ways by students of the Bible. It is not necessary to understand all the various interpretations of Bible prophecy given by men. Most of these interpretations center on the exact timing of certain prophetic events or specific details of these events.
What is important to foundations of the Christian faith is a general understanding of what the Bible says will happen.
The following outlines these important events:
I. The Bible teaches that the Lord will return to earth for believers. Jesus promised His followers:
...I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:2-3)
A. The Rapture: I Thessalonians 4:13-18 gives the most detail about Christ's return for believers. This return is called the rapture:
1. Christ Himself will return. (Verse 16)
2. There will be a resurrection from the grave of those who were believers when they died. (Verse 16)
3. There will be a rapture, which means "the act of taking a person from one place to another.” Living believers will be taken from earth to meet Christ. (Verse 17)
4. There will be a reunion between believers who have previously died, believers living at the time of Christ's return, and their Lord Jesus Christ. (Verse 17)
B. The Tribulation: The Bible tells of a terrible time on earth which is called the tribulation.
1. The tribulation will last for 42 months or 1,260 days (Daniel 9:24- 27).
2. It will be a very difficult time. There have been many difficult times in the world, but three things will distinguish the tribulation from all other times of trouble. a. First, it will be worldwide and not just local. (Revelation 3:10) b. Second, people will realize the end of the world is near. (Revelation 6:16) c. Third, the intensity of the trouble will be greater than ever before experienced. (Matthew 24:4-14)
3. Its description: There are a series of judgments of God on the earth during the tribulation. These are described in Revelation chapters 6, 8-9, and 16 and Matthew 24:4-14.
4. The reason for the tribulation: The wickedness of man must be punished, Satan defeated, and Jesus acknowledged as Lord of all. This completes God's plan of the ages spoken of in Ephesians 1:8-9.
C. The Timing Of The Rapture:
Some people believe the rapture will occur before the tribulation and that believers will not have to experience any of this terrible time on earth. Others believe the rapture will happen midway through this period. Still others believe the rapture will happen at the end of the tribulation.
The most common interpretation is that the rapture of believers will happen before the tribulation period begins. The different views of the timing of the rapture result from various interpretations of the prophetic information given in Scripture. What is most important is to know you are a true believer and will be ready to go with Jesus in the rapture when it does occur.
D. The Millennium:
The Millennium is a period of 1,000 years after the tribulation during which Jesus will rule the earth in righteousness (Zechariah 14:9; Daniel 7:14). The city of Jerusalem will be the center of government (Isaiah 2:3). This period will end
when Satan stages a last revolt against God (Revelation 20:7-9). God will send fire from Heaven and end all opposition. Satan will be cast into the lake of fire for eternity (Revelation 20:10).
E. Judgment:
All created beings will be judged by God. This is known as the time of eternal judgment. It is the last of the foundational principles of Hebrews 6:1-3 and is discussed in the following chapter. Those who died as unbelievers will be resurrected to face judgment. Because they did not repent from sin and accept Jesus as Savior they will be condemned to eternity in Hell (Revelation 20:12-15). True believers who repented from sin and accepted Jesus as Savior will spend eternity in Heaven in the presence of God (Revelation 21).