Concerning Last Things
The Intermediate State:
At death, the souls of the redeemed pass immediately into the presence of Christ and there remain in joyful fellowship until the first resurrection, that is their bodily resurrection unto life. The souls of the unsaved at death descend immediately into Hades where they are kept under punishment until the second resurrection, that is their bodily resurrection unto damnation (Matt 24:30-31; Luke 16:22-23, 23:43;
2 Cor. 5:8; Phil 1:23; Revelation 20:4-5).
The Rapture of the Church:
The next great event in the fulfillment of prophecy will be the personal, bodily coming of the Lord in the air to receive to Himself into heaven both His own who are alive and remain unto His coming, and also all who have fallen asleep in Jesus. At that exact moment, every believer will be conformed unto His image. This event is the blessed hope set before us in Scripture and we are encouraged to be constantly looking for it (John 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:51-52; Phil 3:20-21; 1 Thess 4:13-18; Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 3:2).
The Tribulation Period:
After this removal of believers from the earth, the righteous judgments of God will be poured out upon the unbelieving world. These judgments will be climaxed by the return of Christ in glory to the earth, at which time the Old Testament and tribulation saints will also be raised and the living will be judged (Dan. 12:1; Jer. 30:7; Matt 24:15; 2 Thess 2:7-12; Revelation 6:1-9,21).
The Millennium:
After this judgment Christ will establish His Messianic Kingdom in which the resurrection saints will reign with Him over Israel and all the nations of the earth for one thousand years (Isaiah 11:1-16, 65:15-17; Ezek 37:21-28; Revelation 20:1-6).
The Eternal State:
At the close of the millennial reign, the unsaved dead will be raised and judged and committed to eternal punishment and the saved will enter the eternal state of glory with God. Having fulfilled His redemptive and kingdom missions as the Son of Abraham and the Son of David, Christ will deliver up the kingdom to God the Father that the Triune God may reign forever in all spheres (; 1 Cor 15:24-28; 2 Thess 1:9-10; 2 Pet 3:10-13; Revelation 20:11-15, 21:1-4, 22:5).