Like A Berean - The End Times

Eschatology is the category of systematic theology that deals with the end times or - last things?

Death, heaven, hell, the second coming of Christ, the rapture, the tribulation, the millennium, the resurrections of the dead, the judgments, and the eternal state.

While much in the study of eschatology we will not experience, the purpose of the study of the end times is that we be holy in conduct and diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless 2 Peter 3:11-14.

Death

The Scriptures are clear that all people, without miraculous intervention (e.g. Enoch - Genesis 5:24, Hebrews 11:5, Elijah - 2 Kings 2:11, or raptured believers - 1 Thessalonians 4:17 will taste death and judgment Hebrews 9:27. This death is the end of physical life when the soul is separated from the body James 2:26 with no loss of our consciousness Luke 16:19-31; Revelation 6:9-11. For the believer death means to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. Luke 23:43; Philippians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:8. Those that have not placed their faith in Christ as Lord and Savior are kept under punishment until the resurrection of the unsaved Luke 16:19-26; Revelation 20:13-15.

27 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, 28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him. Hebrews 9:27-28

6 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. James 2:26

The outcome of the judgment is based on acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior which is manifested in a changed life:

16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:16-18

13 "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. 15 "Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16"You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 "So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 "So then, you will know them by their fruits. 21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22"Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' 23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.' Matthew 7:13-23

In the end there are two eternal (or final) states for all mankind: everlasting life (heaven) or everlasting punishment (hell).

46 "These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." Matthew 25:46

2 "Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. Daniel 12:2

Heaven and Hell

One of the most encouraging and hope inspiring doctrines in the Scriptures is the doctrine of heaven. Conversely, one of the most disturbing doctrines in the Scriptures is the doctrine of hell. The Scriptures, taken literally, portray a wonderful, blessed view of heaven and a horrific view of hell. Even with clear Scriptural teaching on hell, it is somewhat misunderstood and in recent years gentler doctrines of hell have gained support among evangelicals. Based on the plain, literal, historical, grammatical interpretation of Scripture it is clear that heaven and hell are literal places.

"All orthodox Christian theologians agree on the existence of two eternal destinies for all angels and human beings: heaven and hell." The Moody Handbook of Theology by Paul E. Enns

Description of Heaven

The believer's citizenship is in heaven Philippians 3:20, it is where we long to be 2 Corinthians 5:8. Believers immediately go to God's presence upon death Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:14.

We will have full knowledge of God in heaven:

12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12

We will have fullness of joy in heaven:

11 You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Psalm 16:11

Heaven will be a place of personal intimate fellowship with God:

3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, Revelation 21:3

In heaven, we will be busy worshipping God:

14 I said to him, "My lord, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 "For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. 16 "They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; 17 for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes." Revelation 7:14-17

We will not be alone in heaven:

22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel. Hebrews 12:22-24

Heaven will be a place where the ravages of sin which we now endure will be wiped away - tears, death, mourning, crying, and pain:

4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." Revelation 21:4

Description of Hell

Hell is the final place of eternal punishment of the unsaved Matthew 5:22; 18:9; 23:15, 33; 25:41, 46. It is a place of agony and misery with fire and darkness Jude 7, 13, weeping and gnashing of teeth Matthew 8:12; 13:42, 50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30, destruction 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; 2 Peter 3:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:3, and torment Revelation 20:10; Luke 16:23. Ultimately, hell is a place that is completely separated from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power 2 Thessalonians 1:9. - Hell is used 12 times in the NT and translates two words: gehenna and tartoo. Both refer to the final everlasting punishment of the wicked. The Scriptures describe hell as:

Darkness and a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth:

11 "I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; 12 but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 8:11-12

13 "Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' Matthew 22:13

51 and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 24:51

Furnace of fire

49 "So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous, 50 and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 13:49-50

Unquenchable fire

17 "His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." Luke 3:17

Eternal fire

41 "Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; Matthew 25:41

Lake of Fire

8 "But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." Revelation 12:9

14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:14-15

Everlasting torment

11 "And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name." Revelation 4:11

Separation from God

9 These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 2 Thessalonians 1:9

Intermediate State

Upon death all people enter what theologians have named the - Intermediate State. This is the period between physical death and the resurrection. The intermediate state of three groups of people is identified: NT believers, the unsaved (both OT and NT), and OT believers. First we must define some terms:

Sheol: Hebrew word for the abode of the dead - both grave and afterlife. Used 66 times in the OT.
Hades: The NT equivalent of sheol, used 10 times in the NT. This is also the Greek translation of the Hebrew sheol in the Septuagint. This is - pre-hell, a temporary place of torment of the wicked that will be thrown into the lake of fire at the Great White Thrown Judgment.

Intermediate State of NT Believers

Paul equates being absent from the body with being present with the Lord 2 Corinthians 5:1-10; Philippians 1:19-26. Since Christ was raised to be seated at the right hand of God in the heavenly realms Ephesians 1:20, believers can expect to enter His presence in heaven upon death. The bodies of NT believers will be resurrected at the rapture 1 Thessalonians 4:16 while the bodies of OT believers will evidently be raised at the end of the great tribulation Daniel 12:2; Revelation 20:4, and all will return to earth with Christ at the second coming.

6 Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord - 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight - 8 we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. 9 Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. 2 Corinthians 5:6-9

Intermediate State of the Unsaved (both OT and NT)

When the unsaved die, their immaterial nature goes to sheol (the OT term) or hades (the Greek equivalent of sheol, used in the NT) to wait for the resurrection of the body at the end of the millennium. The souls of the ungodly are outside the body in hades and the body is resurrected at the Great White Throne Judgment and will be cast into the lake of fire Revelation 20:11-15.

19 Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. 20 And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, 21 and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man's table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores. 22 Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried out and said, "Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame." 25 But Abraham said, "Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us." Luke 16:19-26

Intermediate State of OT Believers

The lack of direct Scriptural teaching on the intermediate state of believers during the OT has lead to much speculation. What can be determined is based on a few key verses and an attempt to systematize all of Scripture on the subject. Most likely OT believers went directly to heaven. When Moses and Elijah appeared at the transfiguration they appeared in glory.

29 And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming. 30 And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, 31 who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Luke 9:29-31

False Ideas of the Final State

Universalism:

The liberal belief that all people will make it to heaven. Universalists usually have a low view of Scripture and argue more from God's nature of love than from Biblical evidence. Biblical evidence includes passages which express desire for all to be saved 1 Timothy 2:4; John 12:32; 2 Peter 3:9. Of course, many other verses show that because of man's rebellion, God's desire is unrealized John 3:36; Matthew 25:46; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 4:3; Hebrews 2:3. In fact, it is the few and not the many that gain eternal life Matthew 7:13-14.

Annihilationism:

The belief that the punishment of the wicked is everlasting in consequence not in duration and the wicked cease to exist either by direct act of God or by the corrosive effect of evil. Biblical passages used to defend this view speak to the death of the wicked Romans 6:23; James 5:20; Revelation 20:14, destruction Matthew 7:13; 10:28; 1 Thessalonians 1:9, and perishing John 3:16. Other arguments say it is inconsistent with God's love to torment His creatures forever.

However, many other verses use the term "forever" or "everlasting" in regard to the punishment of the wicked Isaiah 33:14; Jeremiah 17:4; Daniel 12:2; Matthew 18:8; 25:41, 46; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Jude 6-7; Revelation 14:11; 19:3; 20:10. Also, expressions such as "fire unquenchable" Isaiah 66:24; Matthew 3:12; Luke 3:17; Mark 9:43-45 speak to an eternal punishment and not a cessation of existence. Spiritual death does not mean that the soul becomes a non-being, but that it is totally deprived of the presence of God, which is the essential condition of worthwhile existence 2 Thessalonians 1:9.

Conditional Immortality:

The belief that humans are naturally mortal and God imparts to the redeemed the gift of immortality, allowing the rest of humanity to cease to exist. The difference between annihilationism and conditional immortality is that the first believes that all are created eternal and the unsaved will cease to exist and the latter believes that all are created temporal and only the saved will be given eternal life. In addition to the verses used by annihilationists, the primary biblical text for conditional immortality is 1 Timothy 6:16, which teaches that only God is immortal (and therefore humans are not). However, God has other attributes that are based upon Him alone that He has imparted to man, for example wisdom Romans 16:27. The conditionalist believes that God gives immortality to the saved. There is no biblical evidence that God has created humans to exist temporarily. As demonstrated, there is abundant evidence that the redeemed will enjoy eternal life and the unredeemed will suffer eternal destruction.

Second-chance View:

The belief that many who are punished in hell will eventually be redeemed. This view is held by few evangelicals.

Purgatorial View:

The belief that there is a place of retribution where people who died without mortal sin go. This view is held by Roman Catholicism and Easter Orthodox. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that only those who leave this life in a state of perfection go directly to heaven. Those who have died in a state of wickedness go directly to hell. There is also a large number who do not fall into these two groups and go to an intermediate holding place. Under Catholicism there are two intermediate holding places:

a. Limbo: Limbo is for unbaptized infants. Because of original sin, which can only be removed by baptism, these infants cannot enter the presence of God. However, these infants only suffer punishment for original sin, not for actual sins committed. In addition, there is a limbo for OT believers. When Christ died, He descended into sheol and delivered these believers from their captivity and this limbo is now empty.

b. Purgatory: Purgatory, according to Catholic theologian Joseph Pohle is: "a state of temporary punishment for those who, departing this life in the grace of God, are not entirely free from venial sins or have not yet fully paid the satisfaction due to their transgressions."

The primary support for the doctrine of purgatory is 2 Maccabees 12:43-45 (an apocryphal book added to the Catholic Bible in the 16th century), which speaks of Judas Maccabaeus making atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin: "he offered an atoning sacrifice to free the dead from their sin."

Also, Matthew 12:32 is cited, where Jesus says, "But whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come." However, 2 Maccabees is not accepted as Scripture by Protestants and was only accepted as canonical by the Roman Catholics in 1548. To base a doctrine on 2 Maccabees is highly questionable. Also, Matt 12:32 does not teach that some sins will only be forgiven in the age to come. It only teaches that sin against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. Most importantly, the doctrine of purgatory implies a salvation by works. It is Christ's death alone that forgives and atones for sin. No amount of suffering on our part is required.

Metaphorical View:

The belief that biblical descriptions of hell such as fire and darkness should not be taken literally. Hell is viewed as a place of conscious suffering beyond our imagination. Held by some evangelicals.

Literal View:

The belief that hell is a literal place of eternal fire that neither consumes the resurrected body nor the soul.

The Return of Jesus

The return of Jesus is a prominent doctrine in Scripture. Evangelicals all hold that Christ will return, though they differ, sometimes significantly, on the details. Though we will touch briefly on the major doctrinal positions, the diagram below presents the premillennial second coming and pretribulational rapture position held by VBC.

There are three major views concerning the coming of Christ:

1. Postmillennialism - the coming of Christ will occur after the millennium. This position holds that the last 1000 years of the church age is the millennium. It will be a time of peace and abundance brought about through the efforts of the church after which Christ will come. Postmillennialism does not apply a literal interpretation of Scripture regarding prophecy.

2. Amillennialism - there is no earthly millennium though the current state of righteousness in heaven is the millennium. The coming of Christ is at the end of the church age when there will be a time of trouble. Amillennialism does not apply a literal interpretation of Scripture and spiritualizes the promises made to Israel as being fulfilled in the church.

3. Premillennialism - the coming of Christ will occur before the millennium. The church age ends at the tribulation (either before, during, or after) at which time Christ returns with His saints to sets up His millennial kingdom. Premillennialism follows the plain, literal, historical method of interpretation.

The Rapture

"Rapture" comes from the Latin translation of the Greek harpazo 1 Thessalonians 4:17 meaning "caught up" or snatch or take away. The rapture is the event when the Lord will come in the air for His saints: the dead in Christ will be resurrected, living believers will be changed to their glorified state, and both will meet Christ to ascend to heaven 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11; John 14:1-3.

51 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 1 Corinthians 15:51-53

Concerning the rapture:

Postmillennialists and amillennialists both see the rapture of the church at the close of this age and concurrent with the second coming of Christ. - Ryrie Study Bible NASB

Among premillenialists there are five prevalent views concerning the rapture: partial rapture, pretribulational rapture, midtribulational rapture, posttribulational rapture, and pre-wrath rapture. A pretribulational rapture appears to have the most Scriptural support.

Since the tribulation is a central factor in determining the timing of the rapture, it is important to note that the tribulation is a seven year period Daniel 9:24-27 that begins when the Antichrist signs a seven year peace treaty with Israel Daniel 9:27 and ends with Christ's return at the battle of Armageddon. It is a time of judgment upon the unbelieving world Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 12:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12; Revelation 6:8-9; 16 and persecution of Israel Matthew 24:9; 22; Revelation 12:17 by the Antichrist.

26 "Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined. 27 "And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate." Daniel 9:26-27

The partial rapture refers to the size of the group that is raptured - only those saints that are worthy at the time when the Lord descends will be raptured. The mid-tribulation rapture view holds that the rapture occurs at the midpoint of the seven year tribulation. The post-tribulation rapture view holds that the rapture occurs at the end of the tribulation preceding the second coming by a short period. The pre-wrath rapture view places the rapture after the peace treaty with Israel is signed, but before the climatic wrath of God. The pre-tribulation rapture view holds that the rapture occurs before the seven year tribulation. This view seems to hold the most Scriptural evidence because:

1. the church is promised to be kept from the hour of trouble

10 'Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Revelation 3:10

2. the restrainer (the Holy Spirit) will be removed requiring the removal of believers

6 And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. 2 Thessalonians 2:6

3. the wrath of God will be poured out in the tribulation and the church is exempt from wrath:

17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?" Revelation 6:17

10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come. 1 Thessalonians 1:10

9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Thessalonians 5:9

4. the rapture is imminent.

6 so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:6

A proposed chronology of the tribulation is:
Rapture (Unspecified Time)
Tribulation begins - Signing of a seven year peace treaty with Israel (Daniel 9:27)
Seal 1 (Revelation 6:1-2) - Cold war; Conquering by talking of peace and safety 1 Thessalonians 5:3
Seal 2 (Revelation 6:3-4) - Open warfare
Seal 3 (Revelation 6:5-6) - Famine
Seal 4 (Revelation 6:7-8) - Death; 25% of the earth's population dies by war, famine, and wild beasts
Seal 5 (Revelation 6:9-11) - Martyrdom of Tribulation Saints early in the Tribulation
Seal 6 (Revelation 6:12-17) - Cosmic disturbances
Seal 7 (Revelation 8:1-6) - Silence in heaven
Midpoint of the Tribulation - The Abomination of Desolation demands to be worshiped.
Trumpet 1 (Revelation 8:7) - Destruction of vegetation
Trumpet 2 (Revelation 8:8-9) - Destruction of seas
Trumpet 3 (Revelation 8:10-11) - Destruction of fresh water
Trumpet 4 (Revelation 8:12-13) - Destruction of celestial bodies (1/3 of sun, moon, and stars)
Trumpet 5 (Revelation 9:1-12) - 1st Woe - Scorpion locusts to torment unbelievers for five months
Trumpet 6 (Revelation 9:13-21) - 2nd Woe - 1/3 of the earth's population killed by a demon army
Trumpet 7 (Revelation 11:15-19) - 3rd Woe - The end is near - The bowl judgments
Bowl 1 (Revelation 16:2) - Open sores on unbelievers
Bowl 2 (Revelation 16:3) - Sea turned to blood and all sea creatures die
Bowl 3 (Revelation 16:4-7) - Fresh water turned to blood
Bowl 4 (Revelation 16:8-9) - Sun scorches men
Bowl 5 (Revelation 16:10-11) - Antichrist's kingdom is filled with darkness
Bowl 6 (Revelation 16:12-16) - Euphrates River dried up
Bowl 7 (Revelation 16:17-21) - Earthquake and hailstones
The battle of Armageddon
Jesus the Christ returns

The Millennial Kingdom

The millennial kingdom is Christ's foretold messianic kingdom when He will reign on the earth for one thousand years Revelation 20:1-7.

During this time the resurrected saints will reign with Christ over Israel and all the nations of the earth: Ezekiel 37:21-28; Daniel 7:17-22; Revelation 19:11-16.

The living believers at the end of the tribulation will be those who populate the millennial kingdom. The kingdom will be characterized by harmony, justice, peace, righteousness, and long life. Isaiah 11, Isaiah 65:17-25; Ezekiel 36:33-38.

Satan will be bound for the duration of the millennium and released at the end for a final confrontation with Christ where he will be cast into the lake of fire Revelation 20:1-10.

The kingdom itself will be the fulfillment of God's promise to Israel: Isaiah 65:17-25; Ezekiel 37:21-28; Zechariah 8:1-17 to restore them to the land which they forfeited through their disobedience: Deuteronomy 28:15-68.
The result of their disobedience was that Israel was temporarily set aside Matthew 21:43; Romans 11:1-26, but will again be awakened through repentance to enter into the land of blessing Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:22-32; Romans 11:25-29. TMS Website

The Judgments

Believers will be judged after the rapture according to their works done since the time of salvation. This is the judgment seat of Christ.

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10

11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. 14 If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15 If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. 1 Corinthians 3:11-15

OT believers will probably be judged at the end of the tribulation.

1 "Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. 2 "Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. 3 "Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. Daniel 12:1-3

The Gentiles living when Christ returns to set up His kingdom will be judged with the believers entering the kingdom and the unbelievers being cast into the lake of fire.

31 "But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 32 "All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; 33 and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. 34 "Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world'. 41 "Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; 46 "These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." Matthew 25:31-46

2 I will gather all the nations And bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat Then I will enter into judgment with them there On behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; And they have divided up My land. Joel 3:2

Israel will be judged at the second coming based on their acceptance of the Messiah. The saved will enter the kingdom and the unsaved will be cast into the lake fire.

37 "I will make you pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant; 38 and I will purge from you the rebels and those who transgress against Me; I will bring them out of the land where they sojourn, but they will not enter the land of Israel. Thus you will know that I am the LORD. Ezekiel 20:37-38

The fallen angels will be judged probably after the millennium and be cast into the lake of fire.

41 "Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; Matthew 25:41

4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment; 2 Peter 2:4

6 And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day, Jude 1:6

10 And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Revelation 20:10

All the unsaved dead will be judged after the millennium before the Great White Throne and be cast into the lake of fire.

11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. 12And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:11-15

The Resurrections

There are two general categories of resurrections: the - first resurrection (resurrection of the just or resurrection of life) and the - second resurrection (resurrection of the unjust or resurrection of condemnation). The first resurrection includes the dead in Christ who are raised at the rapture 1 Thessalonians 4:16, the tribulation martyrs Revelation 20:4-5, and the OT saints Daniel 12:2 at either the rapture or the second coming.

16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 1 Thess 4:16

4 Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. Revelation 20:4-5

2 "Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. Daniel 12:2

The second resurrection will include the unsaved dead of all time and will occur at the Great White Throne judgment.

The Eternal State

After the rapture, tribulation, second coming, millennium, and Great White Throne judgment the eternal state will be ushered in (Revelation 21). The current universe will be destroyed with intense heat 2 Peter 3:10 and replaced with a new earth Revelation 21:1. The new Jerusalem Revelation 21:2 will come down out of heaven and be the dwelling place of the saints: See Revelation Chapters 21 and 22.
The focus of the eternal state is the fellowship of the redeemed with their Creator Revelation 21:3-4; Revelation 22-27; Revelation 22:1-5.

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. 2 Peter 3:10

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." 5 And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new " And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true." Revelation 21:1-5