WHAT WILL JESUS DO WHEN HE RETURNS TO THE EARTH?
One of the first acts of Jesus at his return is the ‘resurrection’ of those responsible to the judgment. All who have known God’s truth will be brought to the judgment seat of Christ. This is confirmed yet again in 1 Corinthians 15:3,4 & 12-20. A reminder is given that Jesus Christ is the ‘firstfruits’ (1Corinthians 15:20), and living proof (Acts 17:31) that God can and will raise the dead. As the apostle Paul confirms: “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 Thessalonians 4:14-17. Those still alive at Christ’s coming will also be gathered by the angels to stand before him. This is confirmed by Jesus own words in John 5:25-30
The resurrection implies that the dead remain so until Jesus second coming! This is the direct teaching of the Bible! The resurrection is a very important consideration in light of the often taught concept of ‘going to heaven at death’.
Not everyone who hears the trumpet sound will rejoice! There are many who will fear his coming as can be read in 2 Thessalonians1:6-10. not rise from death, Psalm 49:12-14 & Daniel 12:2. While God will raise whomsoever, Jesus informs us that those who rejected the WORD, have already judged themselves unworthy, John 12:47,48. Only the responsible, namely, those who hear the word of God, whether or not they choose to obey or not, will be resurrected. Those who rejected the word of God will “perish without the law” Romans 2:12. See also John 5:29: “and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment”. Obedience to the word requires faith, actions to support one’s faith, and baptism, Mark 16:15,16.
The purpose of the resurrection is presented clearly in 2Thessalonians 1:6-9. Jesus will confer a blessing upon the faithful: Matthew 25:21-23 “Well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord”.
The faithful will become equal unto the angels, Luke 20:36, and will live and reign with Christ on earth during the millennium (1000 years) Revelation 5:10 & Revelation 20:6. The role of the faithful will be to work with Jesus Christ to bring lead nations into subjection to Christ as revealed in Psalm 149:4-9. At the end of the millennium, the kingdom will be given to God who will be “all in all” 1 Corinthians 15:23-28.