The Future
God’s promises about the future are certain because it is under God’s control. Christians should live on the basis that these promises, which focus on the return of Jesus Christ, will be fulfilled.
Key Aspects of Future Hope
- Believers will go to heaven.
1 Pe 1:4 – to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, Lk 16:22; Lk 23:43; Jn 14:2–3; 2 Co 5:1; Col 1:5; 1 Th 4:16–17.
- Jesus Christ will come again.
Ac 1:11 – who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” Da 7:13; Mt 24:30; Php 3:20; 1 Th 4:16; 2 Th 2:1; Heb 9:28; Jas 5:8.
- The dead will rise .
1 Co 15:52 – in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Da 12:2; Jn 5:28–29; Jn 6:39–40; Ac 24:15; 2 Co 4:14; Re 20:4–5; Re 20:12
- Final judgment
2 Co 5:10 – For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Ps 62:12; Mt 16:27; Mt 25:31–32; Heb 9:27; 2 Pe 3:7; 1 Jn 4:17; Jud 14–15; Re 20:13.
- The devil and evil will be destroyed.
Re 20:10 – The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. 2 Th 2:8; Heb 2:14; Re 7:16; Re 11:18; Re 19:20–21.
- God’s kingdom will be fully established.
Re 11:15 – Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” Is 11:6–9; Zec 14:9; 1 Co 15:24; Re 21:1–5.
Proper attitudes towards the future
- Looking forwards rather than backwards.
Php 3:13–14 – Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Ge 19:17; Is 43:18–19; Col 3:1–2; Heb 12:1–2
- Having perseverance and faith.
1 Co 15:58 – Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. Ga 6:9; Heb 11:6–8; Heb 11:17–19; 1 Pe 1:13; Re 3:11.
- Avoiding occult predictions and false prophecies.
Je 27:9 – Therefore do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your dreamers, your soothsayers, or your sorcerers, ….” Is 44:25–26; Je 29:8; Eze 13:3–7; Zec 10:2; Ac 16:16–18.
