THE LAST THINGS

PART 6:

ETERNAL LIFE WITH CHRIST

© 2003 David K. Bernard

The First Resurrection

•Resurrection of saints at Rapture and Second Coming

•Unsaved await the Last Judgment“But the rest of the dead did not live again until the

thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a

thousand years” (Rev. 20:5-6, NKJV).

Millennial Reign of Christ, Rev. 20

• Judgment of nations, Mt. 25:31-46

• Survivors of Tribulation enter Millennium

• Satan bound 1,000 years

• 1,000-year reign of Christ on earth

• Saints reign with Christ

• End: battle of Gog and Magog

• Satan cast into lake of fire forever

Purposes of the Millennium

• Fulfill promises to Abraham, David, Israel

• Restore the world to God’s creative intent; liberate it from the curse of sin

• Reward the saints by ruling with Christ

• Note: premillennialism (rather than post- or amillennialism) is a more literal view: Christ comes to earth before the Millennium

The Last Judgment, Rev. 20

“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:11-15, NKJV).

New Heaven & New Earth, Rev. 21

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, 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 heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself shall be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away’” (Rev. 21:1-4, NKJV).

New Jerusalem, Rev. 21

• For all who desire and overcome, verses 6-7

• No sin will enter there, verses 8, 27

• City of pure gold, walls like jasper, 12 gates of pearl, 12 foundations, streets of pure gold, verses 9-21

• Lamb is its temple and light, verse 22-23

• All nations shall walk in its light and bring glory and honor there, verses 24-26

Eternal Life, Rev. 22

“And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever” (Rev. 22:1-5, NKJV).

Admonition

“‘And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.’ Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. ‘I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star’” (Rev. 22:12-16, NKJV).

Conclusions

• Jesus Christ, who is God manifested in the flesh, is coming back to earth again

• He will bring ultimate victory over all sin, evil, death, and the devil

• There will be a final judgment, with eternal life for the righteous and eternal death for the unrighteous

• We must be ready for His coming

Appeal

“And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely…. He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:17, 20, NKJV).