The events following the Second Coming of Christ, based on Scripture, particularly as it pertains to the final victory over sin, the establishment of God’s kingdom, and the restoration of the earth. Below are some key stages of events following Christ’s return, as outlined by AI:
1. Resurrection of the Righteous Dead
The resurrection of the righteous dead at the Second Coming is clearly taught in Scripture:
2. Destruction of the Wicked
The destruction of the wicked by the brightness of Christ’s coming is a significant aspect of the Second Coming:
3. The Judgment of the Wicked
The judgment of the wicked, as part of the final separation of the righteous and unrighteous, is a theme in Scripture, particularly in the context of the Second Resurrection and final judgment:
4. The Millennium
The 1,000-year period during which the righteous reign with Christ in heaven, while the earth is desolate, is described in Revelation:
5. Final Destruction of the Wicked (The Second Death)
After the Millennium, when the wicked are raised and attempt to take the New Jerusalem, fire from heaven destroys them:
6. The New Earth
After the final destruction of the wicked, God will create a new heaven and a new earth, where the righteous will dwell forever:
Summary of Bible Verses:
1. Resurrection of the Righteous Dead
The resurrection of the righteous dead at the Second Coming is clearly taught in Scripture:
- 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 – "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord."
- 1 Corinthians 15:52 – "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."
2. Destruction of the Wicked
The destruction of the wicked by the brightness of Christ’s coming is a significant aspect of the Second Coming:
- 2 Thessalonians 2:8 – "And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming."
- Matthew 24:30-31 – "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."
3. The Judgment of the Wicked
The judgment of the wicked, as part of the final separation of the righteous and unrighteous, is a theme in Scripture, particularly in the context of the Second Resurrection and final judgment:
- Revelation 20:12-15 – "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."
- Matthew 25:31-33 – "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats."
4. The Millennium
The 1,000-year period during which the righteous reign with Christ in heaven, while the earth is desolate, is described in Revelation:
- Revelation 20:4-6 – "And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 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."
5. Final Destruction of the Wicked (The Second Death)
After the Millennium, when the wicked are raised and attempt to take the New Jerusalem, fire from heaven destroys them:
- Revelation 20:7-9 – "Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them."
- Revelation 20:14-15 – "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."
6. The New Earth
After the final destruction of the wicked, God will create a new heaven and a new earth, where the righteous will dwell forever:
- Revelation 21:1-4 – "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had 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 will 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.'"
- Isaiah 65:17 – "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind."
Summary of Bible Verses:
- Resurrection of the Righteous Dead:
- 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
- 1 Corinthians 15:52
- Destruction of the Wicked:
- 2 Thessalonians 2:8
- Matthew 24:30-31
- The Judgment of the Wicked:
- Revelation 20:12-15
- Matthew 25:31-33
- The Millennium:
- Revelation 20:4-6
- Final Destruction of the Wicked (Second Death):
- Revelation 20:7-9
- Revelation 20:14-15
- The New Earth:
- Revelation 21:1-4
- Isaiah 65:17
The destruction of the wicked occurs first in Rev 20, THEN there is a resurrection.