Bible Questions and Answers

There is some ongoing discussion about this but the generally accepted order of events is:

The world spirals into a state of chaos, violence and immorality accompanied by unprecedented natural disasters.  Daniel calls this a time of trouble the like of which has never before been seen on the earth [Daniel 12:1-4].  Jesus says that the world will be in such a state that it will be like the days of Noah - interesting that for the first time in history we have the cultural situation of Noah's day - communication, entertainment, travel for the first time since then really encompasses the entire planet and, like Noah's day, [see Genesis 6] "...every imagination of the thoughts of their heart was evil" and the earth was filled with corruption and violence.  He also said that people's hearts would be failing them for fear "in perplexity" - means "seeing no way out" or "not knowing which way to turn." See Matthew 24:37; Luke 17:26; 21:25.

Israel is invaded by a coalition of nations led by one from the "uttermost parts of the north" [see Ezekiel 38:15; 39:2 - where the AV uses the rather weak "north parts" - RSV and ESV use "uttermost parts of the north" and NIV "far north" and Rotherham "remote parts of the north."]  Most Christadelphian Bible students view this to be Russia although some have more recently identified the invader as a coalition of Arab forces.  My own feeling is that the identification of Russia is probably correct given the description of "uttermost parts of the north" and "far north".  Whoever the protagonists are, Israel is definitely to be invaded, as both Ezekiel and Zechariah [see chapters 12-14] state in some detail, at the time of the return of the Lord.

A coalition of pro-Israeli forces led by the UK, USA and many of the former nations of the British Empire and perhaps some others oppose the invasion but, for some reason, are in such a weakened state that they can only only plaintively protest but take no action.  See Ezek. 38:10-13

Christ returns to liberate Israel, destroy the invader, and begin the proces by which the Kingdom of God will encompass the earth.  The benefits of Jesus' reign will first be felt in the Middle East. One of my favourite passages in this regard is to be found in Isaiah 19:22-25 - a wonderful picture indeed considering the hatred and violence that currently characterizes that entire region.

Sometime during all this, those responsible to Judgement, living and dead, are taken away to the judement seat of Christ. Of course, those who are dead at that time will first have to be raised. Those judged worthy will reign with Christ for a Millennium until the earth is restored to the state God first intended.  That period will be an intense era of hard work and amazing fellowship. When the work is finished, there is no need for a "kingdom" or indeed for hierarchies of any kind so the Lord steps down from his "kingship" and hands the completed work to his Father. Then human history begins to unfold as it was meant to - eternally and in full relationship with the Creator of the universe. 1 Cor.15:22-28.

Here is some information available on the website on this topic:

I hope this has been helpful.

God bless,

Mike