With all the buzz about the “end of the world” shenanigans lately promoted by the Family Radio false prophets, I started thinking about what the next step for us truly look like. Scripture is clear that we will head into a time of tribulation, and will have both the advent and demise of a man called “the beast” with his devious cohort “the false prophet”. There will be the much debated “mark of the beast” given to all who give their allegiance to this man and his world system. But the Christians who have the faith to hold out until the end will get a special treat: they get to see the much anticipated return of Jesus himself.
“But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.” 1 Cor 15:51-53
And look at this:
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.” 1 Thes 4:16-18
So it is clear that there will be many who are changed, and meet the Lord in the air at his triumphant return. Jesus comes back down, extinguishes the evil ones from off of the face of the earth. And then he sets up his millennial kingdom. What happens to those who have been lifted off the earth, and then return with him:
“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.” Revelation 20:2-6
So those who are alive at the return of Jesus, who have kept themselves free of the beast's system, and who have not lost their faith; get to reign with Jesus for a thousand years. But what will that kingdom look like? If he comes soon, he will meet a generation of very tech savvy people in the air. And he will take those people to the next millennium. This is a generation that is used to cable television, the internet, and Apple products. Will Jesus set up his reign “old school” with a simple type of life? Or will he take full advantage of technology? Will we have access to Jesus through some type of social media? Or will Jesus have us live a lifestyle like it was 2,000 years ago. Will there be flight in manufactured machines? Or will we have the abilities with our spiritual bodies to appear like Jesus did and walk through walls.
If people like Michael W. Smith get to go, will he write amazing material for his King and publish it through technology channels for all on the planet to enjoy? Will we get to hear sermons and teachings from Jesus archived? Or does one have to be there? If this is true:
“That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Cor 2:9
Then we probably have no idea what a future filled with technology invented non-selfishly, but purely for the pleasure of our King would look like. Either way, it will be nice when the trash is taken out, a king we have never seen but worshiped is readily available, and there is something we can only imagine: world wide peace. Maybe I'll tweet about it.
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