If you’ve ever wondered how events like the Rapture, the Tribulation, or the Millennium fit into God’s plan for the future, this guide will help. In this overview of Bible prophecy, you’ll learn the key events of eschatology—from Christ’s return for His church to the creation of the new heaven and earth.

The rapture is an event where Jesus will one day return for the church (1 Corinthians 15:51-57 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). At the rapture: the Lord will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with a trumpet of God, the dead in Christ will be raised first and given glorified bodies, those who are alive when this event happens will be given glorified bodies, those who are alive will be caught up together with those who were resurrected to meet the Lord in the clouds. There are 4 main views on when the rapture will take place in relation to the tribulation period: pre-trib, mid-trib, pre-wrath, and post-trib.

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"Glorification" is the term used to describe the transformation our bodies will undergo at the rapture. Our current corruptible mortal bodies will be changed to incorruptible immortal bodies (1 Corinthians 15:51-54). Scripture tells us that the same resurrected body Jesus has, we also will have because we will be like him (1 John 3:2). Our bodies will be conformed to His body (Philippians 3:20–21). Paul describes this as the "redemption of our bodies" (Romans 8:22-23).

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The Judgment Seat of Christ (also known as the “Bema” seat or “Bema” seat judgment) (Romans 14:10), is an event where all believers will give an account of our lives to the Lord. This "judgment" does not deal with salvation, rather, our works for the Lord will be judged. This judgment will result in rewards gained or lost (1 Corinthians 3:9-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10).

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The tribulation (also referred to as Jacob's Trouble, Daniel's 70th Week, and the Day of the Lord) is a 7-year period of time that will be the worst period of time in human history. An event known as the abomination of desolation divides this time into 2 parts, each being 3 1/2 years. The tribulation is meant to bring Israel back to God (Zechariah 12:10, 13:8-9) and judge sinful mankind.

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After the tribulation, Jesus will return to the earth with the angels and His saints (Zechariah 14:1-2, 5; Jude 1:14-15; Revelation 17:12-14, 19:17-21). It's at this point that Jesus will judge all surviving humanity. Nonbelievers will be cast into hell while believers will enter into the Millennial kingdom (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, 47-50; 25:31-46).

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The Millennium (also referred to as the Millennial reign of Christ) is a 1,000 year period of time where Jesus is going to rule on earth with His saints (Revelation 2:26-28; 3:31; 20:1-6). There are 3 views of the millennium: premillennialism, amillennialism, and postmillennialism. During the millennium there will be no war or violence (Isaiah 2:4), humans and animals are at peace (Isaiah 11:6-8, Isaiah 65:25), people will live long lives (Isaiah 65:20), Satan will be bound (Revelation 20:1-3), and much more.

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At the Great White Throne Judgment, all nonbelievers spanning the entirety of human history, both dead and alive, will be judged for their works and thrown into the lake of fire. This event takes place after the millennial reign of Christ (Revelation 20:11-15).

We read in scripture that God will create a new heaven and earth (Revelation 21:1-5). As the bible beautifully describes to us, from this point on, till forever, there will no longer be death, pain, or tears for the Lord will make all things new. We will dwell with the Lord, and He, with us, forever.