The Last Things When a person dies his body goes to the grave, in a state the Bible likens to sleep, to await the resurrection, or reuniting of body and soul. The unrighteous soul waits in a place of unrest, while the righteous soul is at rest (Luke 16:22-28). The temporary abode for souls of the dead is Sheol (Hebrew) or Hades (Greek) (Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:27). When Christ rose from the dead, He conquered Hades and death, and as part of His victory He apparently led the righteous souls out of Hades (Ephesians 4:8-10). When a Christian dies today, his soul rests in the Lord's presence (11 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:21-24). The next great event for the church is the catching away of the saints and the return of Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13). At the catching away (sometimes called the rapture) the dead in Christ will be resurrected and the living saints will be transformed, both receiving immortal, glorified 'bodies (I Corinthians 15:51-54; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Together they will meet the Lord in the air to live with Him eternally. An unparalleled time of great tribulation will come upon the world (Matthew 24:21; Revelation 6-19). Satan will seek to dominate the earth through a man and system described as 'the beast" (sometimes called the Antichrist) (Revelation 13). The beast and his false prophet will establish a religious, political, and economic system to control the world. These satanic maneuvers will bring war, famine, and death. Eventually the beast will claim to be God and desecrate the rebuilt Jewish temple. Those who oppose this evil system and turn to God will be persecuted and martyred; some will have divine protection. In the middle of the tribulation, God will pour out His judgment upon unrepentant, degenerate mankind by various great plagues (Revelation 6-18). Many believe that the church will be caught away before the tribulation, while some believe the church will go through part or all of it. In any event, the church will be protected from God's wrath (Luke 21:36). At the close of the tribulation, the satanic armies will gather in the Valley of Armageddon to crush all opposition. Seemingly victorious, they will march to Jerusalem to claim their prize. Then Jesus Christ will physically return to earth with His saints, descending to the Mount of Olives (Zechariah 12-14; Acts 1:9-12; Revelation 19). The Jewish nation will recognize Him as their Messiah, and He will destroy the beast and his armies. Jesus will establish His kingdom on earth for 1,000 years (often called the Millennium), and the saints will rule with Him (Revelation 20). Satan will be bound, but at the end of the age he will be loosed for a short time. He will foment a final rebellion, which God will destroy with fire from heaven. Then will come the Last, or White Throne, Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). All those not in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire (also caused Gehenna in Greek), there to be separated eternally from God. God will destroy the present world and create a new heaven and a new earth. The saints will live with Him forever in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21-22). The Bible describes many signs that will precede Christ's second coming, and they are being fulfilled today (Matthew 24:1-39; Luke 21:7-31; 11 Thessalonians 2:1-8; 11 Timothy 3:1-13). The present age will soon end. Despite different ideas about prophetic details, several key truths are evident from any literal interpretation of Scripture: 1. Jesus Christ will soon return to earth physically. 2. No one knows or can set the time of His coming; the church must be ready at all times (Matthew 24:42-44; Mark 13:33-37; Romans 13:11-14). 3. Every person will face Him in the judgment to receive either the reward of eternal life or the punishment of eternal death. What is the proper response in light of these awesome truths? 'The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely... He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus' (Revelation 22:17, 20).