This blog is an answer Pastor Ruttan has provided to a question submitted through Westminster’s Q and A Forum.

The question (submitted anonymously) is this: “I’ve heard it said that when Christ returns (I believe some people refer to this as “the rapture”?), he will take all those who believed and have already died to heaven first; then he will take all the living believers. It’s a little unsettling to think that our much loved ones who were faithful believers are just hanging out somewhere waiting for that day. Could you also say a clarifying word about the terms ‘purgatory’ and ‘the millennium’?”

Please note that we’ve slightly condensed the question, but have tried to capture it’s main elements.

You can also listen to the answer in audio form by clicking here, or by finding on our podcast ‘The Word at Westminster.’

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Welcome to this episode of The Word at Westminster:

Every once in a while we have a Q and A Forum. People submit questions ahead of time, and I provide an answer.

Since I get a decent amount of questions, the answer I give to one person might helpful to others. My Approach is this: I try to answer questions through the lens of another: What does God wisely teach us through the Bible? Hopefully, I give us some helpful and biblical things to consider.

Here’s the question:

“I’ve heard it said that when Christ returns (I believe some people refer to this as “the rapture”?), he will take all those who believed and have already died to heaven first; then he will take all the living believers. It’s a little unsettling to think that our much loved ones who were faithful believers are just hanging out somewhere waiting for that day. Could you also say a clarifying word about the terms ‘purgatory’ and ‘the millennium’?”

Answer:

When it comes to the return of Christ—sometimes also called the “second coming”—there is a lot of interest and speculation. There is also a lot of confusion. The person who submitted this question wondered if they were the only one who was confused. In short, no! It just so happens that the confusion is widespread.

So let me first provide some high-level background, and then I’ll provide some more specific responses to the questions.

First, one day Jesus will return

This is taught in several places in the Bible. Jesus himself speaks of it in Matthew 24. Paul provides some details in 1 Thessalonians 4 (a passage that we’ll return to shortly). Jesus’ return is summarized in the Apostles’ Creed: “he will come to judge the living and the dead.”

Second, Jesus’ return is a part of something bigger

When Christ comes back it is a part of the renewal and renovation of all things. This is sometimes referred to as the “consummation.” But first, let’s back up.

Sin and brokenness have entered and marred God’s creation. When Jesus returns as both Judge and Saviour, sin will be judged, death will be finally vanquished, and God’s people will be redeemed. Everything will be made new. There will be a “new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13). The book of Revelation describes it as the final triumph of good over evil, the restoration of Eden, and the marriage of heaven and earth (see Revelation 21-22).

Third, we don’t specifically know when this will happen

While on earth, Jesus said that only his Father knows the day and the hour (Matthew 24:36).

Even still, he explains that several things need to occur before he returns. There will be wars and rumours of wars, famines and earthquakes (Matthew 24:6-7). There will also be, among other things, an increase in lawlessness and a lack of love (Matthew 24:12).

Even though we don’t know when it will happen, we are supposed to be ready. Jesus, Peter and Paul taught that when he returns it will be like a thief in the night (Matthew 24:43, 2 Peter 3:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:2)—i.e. by surprise. Be prepared.

Fourth, Yes, we are in the end times

People sometimes refer to the “end times” or the “last days”—meaning the “end” of human history as we now know it. Are we currently in these times? Yes, we are.

However, before you think I’m trying to say anything new or that I’m making a guess, you should know that according to the Bible we’ve been in the last days since the times of the New Testament. We are told this in Acts 2:17 and also in Hebrews 1:2. So yes, we are in the “last days.”

But when people state that the last days are upon us, what they usually mean is that we are toward the end of the end times; in other words, they are saying that Jesus’ return is going to happen soon based on how they understand unfolding events in the world (i.e. the events indicated earlier from Matthew 24 like wars, famines, earthquakes, lovelessness and a turn away from God’s law).

How do we know for sure? Only time will tell.

Fifth, the word “rapture” refers to a specific event related to Jesus’ return

The word “rapture” is Latin in origin. Its meaning is to be “caught up.” By itself, that seems vague, so here’s the context.

Speaking about Jesus’ return in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Paul says: “we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.”

There’s a lot of confusion about this verse. In recent times an idea has become quite prominent but which I think misses the point. It was made popular in the late 19th century by John Nelson Darby. It’s an idea which was further spread in the “Left Behind” series of books. I think there was a TV show and movie with this same title as well.

Basically, it envisions the following scenario. Jesus returns in secret. He “raptures” true believers—meaning they are “caught up” with him in the sky—and he takes them away. Jesus’ full return where he ushers in the news heavens and the new earth is delayed until a future date. In the meantime, the people left on earth have to fend for themselves in a miserable and hopeless existence while enduring many of the tribulations described in the book of Revelation.

However, the words used in Paul’s account are taken from a specific historical context. When we learn a bit more about it we are given more clarity about what Paul most likely meant in his original context. (Scholar N.T. Wright provides greater detail about all of this in his book, Surprised by Hope.) The wording about believers being caught up together with Jesus in the clouds mirrors language from the first century. After an important military victory, the people would go out of their city to meet their leader and usher him back into his dominion. In other words, they didn’t leave their city to abandon it; they left it to greet their leader and usher him back into his dominion with shouts of victory.

This is what will happen when Jesus’ returns. Yes, his people still on earth will be “caught up” with him in the air when he returns, but this isn’t so that they will all turn around and leave earth. This is so that they will be with him to usher him into his dominion (earth) as its victorious champion and Lord to make all things new.

When it comes to the rapture, one of the main details which some people seem to get wrong is that they think there will be a gap in time between when Jesus returns to collect his people and when he (truly and fully) return as Judge and Saviour and to usher in the “new heavens and the new earth.” It’s as if they have divided the return of Jesus into two stages—an earlier “secret” return, and then a later final return. However, I don’t believe that any such gap is taught in the Bible. From what I can tell, people who think this way have misunderstood (or missed) the historical context from 1 Thessalonians 4:17.

When Jesus returns it will not be secret. It will be a global, public event. It will be visible. It will be glorious! It will be accompanied by a general resurrection of the dead, final judgment, the end of the world as we know it, and the ushering in of the new heavens and the new earth.

Sixth, believers who have already died are not in limbo

The original question stated: “It’s a little unsettling to think that our much loved ones who were faithful believers are just hanging out somewhere waiting for that day.”

Although it’s true that the final resurrection of the dead will not occur until Jesus returns, believers who have already passed away are not in limbo. They are in Paradise! While hanging on the cross, the thief mentioned in Luke 23:43 asked Jesus to remember him when he came into his kingdom. In response, Jesus said: “today you will be with me in Paradise.” Not in a month or ten years from now, but today. In other words the thief would be in Paradise that very day. No more waiting.

We should note, however, that in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Paul describes a certain order to how things will play out. Let me quote the whole section and then provide some explanation:

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.“

It seems that some people in Thessalonica were worried that their loved ones would be forgotten when Jesus returned. Since they were already dead wouldn’t they miss out?

In short, no. Let’s note four big-picture details:
(a) God will bring with him those who have “fallen asleep” (i.e. died);
(b) Jesus will descend from heaven with accompanying public signs of triumph (“a cry of command,” “the voice of an archangel,” and “the sound of the trumpet of God”);
(c) the dead will rise first, meaning that they have not been forgotten—they will be physically raised!;
(d) they will meet the Lord in the air with believers who were still alive and everyone will be with him forever.

Were the dead just waiting around for this to happen? No. As per my previous comments, their souls have been in Paradise.

It seems that in the past hundred years, the church in North America has downplayed the new heavens and the new earth which Christ will usher in when he returns. Our perspective has become limited. We think that when believers die they go to heaven—and that is it. But that is not it. Our time in Paradise—sometimes called the intermediate state—is a glorious place. It is even more wonderful than anything we could experience here on earth. But believers are only in Paradise until Jesus returns and ushers in the new heavens and the new earth. At that point all things will be made new and believers from all time will get to enjoy and be a part of it. As a part of that we will receive resurrected bodies. When the Apostles’ Creed states, I believe “in the resurrection of the body” that’s what it is referring to—not just to Christ, but to ourselves upon his return and in the new heavens and the new earth.

Seventh, what is the millennium?

As the word itself suggests, “millennium” refers to a thousand year period in human history. More specifically, it is the thousand year period referred to in Revelation 20:1-6. After Satan is imprisoned, Jesus and his people will rule the earth in a time of glory.

But there are different ways to interpret and understand this thousand-year period. The Dictionary of Bible Themes provides a succinct summary: “This millennium is understood in different ways: as a period of unparalleled peace and prosperity for the church and the gospel at the end of this age, after which Christ will return (postmillennialism); as the time following Christ’s return when he will reign on earth (premillennialism); as a symbolic reference to the period between Christ’s first and second comings (amillennialism).”

You’re right—it’s all quite complicated. As you can see from this summary, there are different ways to understand the millennium, but they all relate to the return of Christ. If someone has been talking to you about “the millennium,” they will most likely need to provide you with more information about what they mean. Some people may not even realize that there are more than one view. It just depends on what they’ve heard or studied.

Note: If you want to learn more about various millennial views, a helpful, short and accessible resource is Jeramie Rinne’s book, “How will the world end? And other questions about the last things and the second coming of Christ.”

Eighth, what is purgatory?

The Roman Catholic church teaches that after believers die some go to a place called purgatory. Literally, it means a place of cleansing (or purging, hence the name purg-atory).

The teaching is connected to the idea that since nothing imperfect can enter heaven, people who are judged favourably by God at death but who still need to experience some suffering and punishment to atone for their sins do so in purgatory before entering heaven.

However, like other Protestants, I see no Scriptural basis for purgatory. Christ died to atone for our sins. When we trust in who he is and what he has done for us, we receive forgiveness and the promises of heaven. When we die we are judged. Those in Christ go to Paradise (right away); those who aren’t go to hell.

Ninth, a final word

Teachings to do with the end times can be exciting, but also confusing. As stated earlier, there is a lot of speculation. My advice is three-fold:

(a) Unity

I don’t believe that any of the finer points about end-times theology should divide Christians. While we should all affirm the return of Jesus as Judge and Saviour (i.e. the “second coming”), we should also acknowledge that there will be ongoing debate about the specifics of the rapture and the millennium. Just because I believe that some Christians have misunderstood 1 Thessalonians 4 by dividing Jesus’ return into two stages, that doesn’t mean I don’t think they’re genuine believers. We can still call one another brothers and sisters.

I’m not saying details concerning the rapture or millennium aren’t important; I’m just saying that they shouldn’t divide us. Let’s continue to interpret and apply Scripture in a way that is prayerful and honest.

(b) Stay focused

Some people get so focused on discerning the day or hour of Jesus’ return, or on the exact timeline of the millennium, that they forget to stay focused on what matters most. We believe in and follow the resurrected Lord. He calls us to love God and our neighbours; he calls us to make disciples of all nations. Let’s not get so focused on the future that we forget to live in the present.

Theologian Don Carson writes: “What would you like to be doing/saying/thinking when Jesus comes again? Those are the things we should be doing now.” (Carson, Basics for Believers, 137).

Can you develop a special interest in the end times and still be faithful today? Of course. It’s just a matter of keeping things in proportion. One of my former professors, Brian Irwin, wrote a book on all of these issues. He says: “Looking for Christ to come again should not distract us from his presence with and in the church by the Spirit in word and sacrament” (Brian Irwin with Tim Perry, After Dispensationalism, 295).

(c) Be ready

One of the repeated themes of Scripture is to be ready. We know it will happen, we just don’t know when it will happen. It will come like a thief in the night. What’s to be done? 2 Peter 3:11-12 tells us: We are to have “lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God…”

I’d like to let Jeramie Rinne have the final word. This is from his book, “How will the world end?”

“Have you ever sat in still wonder, watching a sunrise? Remember the feeling of the first time you fell in love? Have you ever sang in a church service where it felt that the Holy Spirit was filling your heart and shining on every face? Do you recall a holiday meal with family and friends filled with laughter and togetherness? What if all these experiences in this life are but an aroma of what God is cooking up for us in the new creation?
Jesus is coming! The world will end, humanity will be judged, and a glorious new world will begin. Let these great realities overwhelm you. Let them shake you to the core and drive you to throw yourself on the mercy of Jesus. And then let us join with the author of Revelation, in praying: “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (80)