Crosstalk: January 17, 2019

Dr. Ed Hindson is the founding dean of the School of Divinity and Distinguished Professor of Religion at Liberty University. He’s the speaker on The King is Coming broadcast, an active conference speaker and has served as the editor of five major study Bibles. He’s the author, co-author or general editor of over 40 books, many on the topic of Bible prophecy including, ‘Can We Still Believe in the Rapture?’ and ’15 Future Events That Will Shake the World’.

What awaits the believer after the rapture? According to Dr. Hindson, Paul was looking forward to the return of Christ (the blessed hope as described in the book of Titus). Paul was emphasizing that those who are loving and anticipating the appearance of Christ will ultimately receive a crown of righteousness.

So with the rapture, believers will be caught up into the Lord’s presence and taken to the Father’s house in heaven (fulfilling John 14). They move on to the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10). This is where they will receive rewards (or lack thereof) and their entire lives are evaluated by the Lord (The Bema Seat judgment). From there believers go to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. (Revelation 19).

After the marriage and believers have received white robes (the gift of righteousness from the Lord himself) believers return to earth with Christ where he defeats the antichrist and sets up His millennial kingdom (thousand year rule and reign).

Beyond this there’s the new heaven, the new earth and the new Jerusalem, the latter being the eternal city, the dwelling place with God for believers forever. The saved are there in a glorified body and a glorified spiritual state in a time Dr. Hindson believes will include busyness and service to the Lord in peace and security in the vast universe He’s created.

But what about the unbeliever? What are they to make of the rapture with so many people gone? That leads to the following questions answered by Dr. Hindson:

• Is the rapture the event that brings about the appearance of the antichrist?

• Will the U.S. be a superpower after the rapture?

• What is the mark of the beast?

• Will there be nuclear destruction?

• Will some people follow Satan when he’s released after the millennium?

• What eventually happens to Satan?

• What is the Great White Throne judgment?

• Is the lake of fire eternal?

• What about those who say they want nothing to do with the God of the Bible if he’s going to send people to hell?