WHAT WILL JESUS DO WHEN HE RETURNS TO THE EARTH?
One of the key events is the ‘resurrection and judgment’ that we have just referred to which is confirmed yet again in 1 Corinthians 15:3,4 & 12-20. We should remember that Christ is the ‘firstfruits’ (1Corinthians 15:20) and living proof (Acts 17:31) that God will raise the dead. “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. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord”. 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17. Those still alive at Christ’s coming will be gathered by the angels to stand before him: John 5:25-30
Not everyone shall hear the trumpet sound! There are many who will 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.
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.