In John 6:39-40, Jesus says, “And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” This passage emphasizes the promise that Jesus will resurrect believers on the last day, fulfilling God’s will for eternal life. Similarly, in John 6:44, Jesus adds, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day,” reinforcing that the resurrection of believers is tied to the last day. John 6:54 also echoes this with, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day,” emphasizing the intimate connection between faith in Christ and resurrection.
In Matthew 24:29-31, Jesus describes events after the tribulation: “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, 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 out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” This passage highlights that Jesus’ return and the gathering of believers will occur after the tribulation, giving specific timing related to the end times.
1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 provides a picture of the rapture: “According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” This shows the resurrection of the dead in Christ followed by the gathering of those still alive at His coming, but without specifying whether this happens before or after the tribulation.
In 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4, Paul clarifies the timing of the Day of the Lord: “Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.” This passage suggests that the return of Christ and the gathering of believers will not occur until after key events in the tribulation, such as the rise of the man of lawlessness.
In Revelation 7:14, John writes about those who endure through tribulation: “I said to him, ‘Sir, you know.’ And he said to me, ‘These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.’” This refers to the faithful who have remained through the great tribulation, having been purified by their faith in Christ.
Jesus teaches about endurance in Matthew 24:13: “But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” This speaks to the necessity of remaining steadfast in faith through the trials and tribulations leading up to the end times.
In Revelation 2:10, Jesus encourages believers to stay faithful through suffering: “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” This verse highlights the reward of eternal life for those who remain faithful even unto death.
In Revelation 3:10, Jesus promises protection for those who endure: “Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.” This is often seen as a promise of God’s preservation during times of global trial and tribulation.
Romans 5:3-4 explains the purpose of suffering: “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” This teaches that suffering and tribulation are part of the believer’s journey, producing endurance and spiritual growth.
In 2 Timothy 2:12, Paul writes, “If we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us.” This passage reinforces the reward of endurance, promising that those who endure will reign with Christ.
James 1:12 speaks of the blessing for enduring trials: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” Endurance through trials leads to eternal rewards.
In Revelation 14:12, the endurance of the saints is emphasized: “Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.” This verse shows that even in the midst of tribulation, believers are called to maintain their faith and obedience.
In Mark 13:13, Jesus says, “And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” This passage emphasizes the necessity of enduring persecution and remaining faithful through trials.
John 16:33 offers encouragement in the face of tribulation: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Jesus acknowledges that tribulation is inevitable but offers peace and the promise of victory in Him.
Hebrews 10:36 says, “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.” This highlights the importance of endurance in order to obtain God’s promises.
In John 12:48, Jesus speaks of judgment on the last day: “There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.” This passage connects the last day with judgment for those who reject Christ.
In John 11:24, Martha expresses her belief in the resurrection on the last day: “Martha said to him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.’” This reveals that the concept of a final resurrection on the last day was a common belief, affirmed by Jesus.
In John 5:28-29, Jesus teaches about the resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked: “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.” This passage reveals the dual resurrection on the last day, with both rewards for the righteous and condemnation for the wicked.
Matthew 25:31-33 describes the final judgment: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.” This depicts the final judgment where Jesus separates the righteous from the wicked, pointing to the last day as a moment of eternal division.
Finally, in John 5:24, Jesus assures believers of eternal life: “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” This verse highlights the immediate assurance of eternal life for those who believe in Jesus, although the full realization of this comes on the last day.
ChatGPT, 2024
