During his earthly ministry, our Lord Jesus Christ was asked when the end of the world would be. His answer was very clear. He said,“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matthew 24:36). The Bible repeatedly warns us about trying to set a date for the return of Christ (Mark 13:32-33; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3; 2 Peter 3:10). We are not to speculate when Jesus will return. Rather, we are to be ready at all times for His return (Matthew 24:33, 42-44; Luke 21:28; 1 Thessalonians 5:6).
What are the signs of the end times?
Every generation should expect Christ’s return as they see the signs of the end times. The most important sign of the end is the preaching of the Gospel to all nations (Matthew 24:14; Mark 13:10). The time between Christ’s birth and His return is the great missionary age—the time that God is calling all people to be saved. It is the time that was predicted by the Old Testament prophets (see Isaiah 2:1-4; 42:6-7; 49:6; 52:10; Amos 9:11-12).
Other signs that the world will come to an end include wars, earthquakes, famines and widespread diseases. These are all indications of God’s divine judgment. The Bible describes these signs in many places (see, for instance, Isaiah 19:2; 2 Chronicles 15:6; Matthew 24:6-8; Mark 13:7-8; Luke 21:9-11, 25-26; Joel 2:30-31).We are not to see every incident of natural disasters as a direct punishment from God (cf. Luke 13:1-5). The upheaval and troubles in the world of nature should always remind us that our present fallen world is under the curse of God on account of sin (Genesis 3:17; Romans 8:19-22). These signs show us God’s wrath and are signals to us that all sinners need to repent (Luke 13:3, 5; Revelation 9:20-21; 16:9). Christians especially are urged by God in His Word to regard these signs as“birth pangs”of a new and better world to come (Romans 8:22; Matthew 24:8; Revelation 21:1-4). Believers in Christ can take comfort in God’s promise to protect and preserve us even in the midst of suffering (Revelation 3:10; 7:3-4).
Jesus warned us that trouble would lie ahead for His people (Matthew 5:10-12; John 15:18-20; 16:33). Because the world will continue to oppose the Kingdom of God, Christians can expect to suffer persecution in a variety of forms throughout the time between Christ’s birth and His second coming. It is for this reason that God calls on us to endure to the end, and gives us the strength to do so (Matthew 24:9; Mark 13:9-13; Luke 21:12-19).
What will happen when Christ returns?
The Bible teaches that the following events will take place when Jesus returns:
1. Christ will come visibly and all people will see Him (Acts 1:11; Matthew 24:27, 30; Luke 17:22-24; 21:27, 35; Mark 13:24- 26; 14:62; Revelation 1:7).
2. Christ will come in glory surrounded by His angels (Matthew 13:39-43, 49; 16:27; 24:30-31; 25:31; 2 Thessalonians 1:7; Revelation 19:11- 14; Titus 2:13; Jude 14, 21; 1 Pet. 4:13; Zecheriah 14:3).
3. When Christ returns, a bodily resurrection of all the dead will take place. Believers will be raised to salvation and unbelievers to damnation (John 5:27-29; 6:39-40, 44, 54; Rev. 20:11-15; 1 Corinthians 15:12-57; Daniel 12:1-2). All believers, both the dead and the living, will be“caught up” to “meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). Death will be destroyed (1 Corinthians 15:26, 54-57; Revelation 20:14).
4. When Christ returns, He will judge all people, both the living and the dead (Matthew 25:31-46; John 5:27; Acts 10:42; 17:31; Romans 2:16; 2 Timothy 4:1, 8; Jude 14-15; Revelation 20:11-15). Believers will receive eternal salvation and unbelievers eternal damnation (Matthew 25:31-46; 1 Peter 1:4-5, 7; 5:4; 1 John 3:2; Hebrews 9:28; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10). Satan and Antichrist will be destroyed (2 Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation 12:10-11).
5. When Christ returns, a “new heavens and a new earth” will be created (2 Pet. 3:10-13). Nowhere, however, do the Scriptures teach that at His return Christ will establish a this-worldly, political kingdom or “millennium.”
Dr. A.L. Barry’s “What About the New Millennium?”
Trinity Lutheran Church 
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