Page 129 - Apologetics Student Textbook (3 Credits)

based on what God does, what He has done in the past, what He is doing in the present, and what He is
going to do in the future – history past, present, and future.

Is the end of the world coming soon?

By this question, I am assuming you are talking about the death of all the
population of the earth. The answer to that question is NO, not anytime
soon or in the far future of the earth, according to the Bible.

However, the Bible does tell us that an event is coming in the future which
will change the earth so that life as we know it today will be totally
different. And many Bible scholars predict that this event is coming very
soon. It is called the rapture of the church followed by the Great
Tribulation and second coming of Jesus Christ to earth, all happening in
sequential fashion.

The word rapture is actually not found in the Bible, but the event is described in detail.

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I Thessalonians 4: 16-18 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice
of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we that are
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alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and
so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
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John 14:1-3 Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are
many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I
go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I
am.

The rapture is an event which will happen in an instant. All those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus
Christ as their Savior and Lord will hear a trumpet and will disappear to meet Christ in the clouds. You
can imagine the massive confusion this event will bring to the earth. Millions of people will instantly be
gone. Cars will crash, airplane will fall from the sky, and the world will be brought to utter confusion. It
could be that this event brings down the economies of many nations in the world.

Once the Lord removes believers from the world, a seven year period of tribulation is described in the
Bible. It is described in detail in the book of Revelation.

Matthew 24:21-22 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of
the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be
saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened.

It is at this period of time a one-world leader will rise to power and control the economy of the entire
world. People will fall down and worship him as God. Revelation 13 tells us that people will not be able
to purchase or sell items unless they receive his mark on their foreheads or fore hands. He will control
every person’s life.

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