Order of Events

 •  4 min. read  •  grade level: 8
by R. B. Wallace,
The Secrets of the Lord
“Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets." Amos 3:77Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. (Amos 3:7). The morning comes, but alas, for a sleeping world in moral darkness, also the night! The following appears to be the order of events subsequent to the close of the Church's history on earth:
1. The rapture.
2. The judgment seat of Christ.
3. Presentation of the Church.
4. Marriage of the Lamb.
5. King of kings comes forth.
6. The holy Jerusalem descending.
7. Millennium.
8. Eternal state.
It is important to remark that 2 Thess. 2:11Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, (2 Thessalonians 2:1), "the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ," and 2 Thess. 2:22That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. (2 Thessalonians 2:2), "the day of Christ," are two different and very distinct events. The former word meaning "presence" does not necessarily mean manifestation; whereas the latter word "day" is constantly used in the Old Testament in connection with judgment.
Judgment Seat of Christ
The judgment seat of Christ will follow the rapture (2 Cor. 5:1010For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10)). Notice well that the saints will be glorified before this moment. This arraignment before Him bears no relation whatever to the question of guilt. It will be a survey which will remove everything offensive, that the bride may be presented to Himself "not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing." We sometimes speak of it as a time when rewards will be given for what has suited Himself, and all else will be consumed. We shall then be in the full light of His presence. Thus the majesty of God will have been maintained by His judgment at the same time that the perfection and tenderness of His dealings will be the eternal recollection of our souls.
Brought Into the Light of God's Presence
Light without cloud or darkness will be understood in its own perfection. To understand it is to be in it, and light is God Himself. How wonderful!
Man become One of Us”
What love is that which in its perfect wisdom, in its marvelous ways overruling all evil, could bring such beings as we are to enjoy this unclouded light. Such beings have had testimony enough in their conscience as to the judgment of God, making them avoid Him and be miserable, but nothing in them to draw them to Him who alone could find a remedy! What love and holy wisdom which could bring such to the source of good, of pure happiness, in whom the power of good repels absolutely the evil which it judges.
Presentation of the Church
Next comes the presentation, "not having spot, or wrinkle." Eph. 5:2727That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:27). Where is it that the bride is presented to the Bridegroom? Naturally it would be in the Father's house.
Marriage of the Lamb
King of Kings
The King of kings now comes forth as "The Word of God" (Rev. 19:1313And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. (Revelation 19:13)), accompanied by the saints. He executes judgment upon the great confederacy gathered at Armageddon (Rev. 19:11-2111And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. 17And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 18That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. 19And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. (Revelation 19:11‑21)).
The Holy Jerusalem Descending
In the progress of these heavenly wonders, we now see the bride under the figure of a city. She descends to take her place over the millennial scene (Rev. 21:1010And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, (Revelation 21:10)). We know this city is the bride, verse 9 clearly tells us this—"the bride, the Lamb's wife.”
Millennium
Eternal State
Here we see the "new Jerusalem" still the bride in all her freshness after 1000 years (Rev. 21:22And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (Revelation 21:2)). The sun which measures our little day sets forever. The new heaven and new earth, wherein God dwells with men, come into view (Rev. 21:1-81And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:1‑8)).