Rightly Dividing (2 Timothy 2:15)

Divisions Lesson #3

So far in this series we have studied four divisions found in the word of God. Innocence in the Garden, Before the Law, The Law, and The Church Age. This lesson will finish our series on the divisions by looking at The Tribulation, The Millennium, and Eternity.

 Division Five (The Tribulation)

The Church Age ends with the church, body of Christ, being raptured and taken to heaven for the Judgement Seat of Christ and the Marriage of the Lamb (1 Corinthians 15:51-57 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). After this the 7 Year Tribulation will begin on earth with the first three and half years being good years. But at the midway point the anti-christ will break the covenant (Daniel 9:27). At this point the Jews will no longer be able to sacrifice and they will be persecuted mercilessly by the anti-christ. This period is called the great Tribulation in Matthew and is shown to us in detail in Revelation 6-19. It is during this time that the anti-christ will set up his image and require everyone to receive the mark of the beast.

When it comes to the subject of righteousness in the Tribulation, we see that it will be connected with personal righteousness once again (Revelation 12:11 ; Revelation 14:12). In the Tribulation Jesus will make an appearance to Israel therefore they must have the faith of Jesus but they must also keep the commandments of God (Not just the law, but Matthew 5-7, remember Jesus fulfilled the Law), and not take the mark of the beast.

Gentiles can also have righteousness by doing the same things (Revelation 7:9-17). Therefore, righteousness during the division called the Tribulation is a personal righteousness that is once again doing by faith what God says.

It is important to note that in the Tribulation when they believe on Jesus Christ (faith of Christ) they receive the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 6:4-6), but they are not eternally secure as in the Church Age because they are not baptized by the Holy Ghost into the body of Christ or spiritually circumcised. The Body of Christ was removed at the rapture of the Church and is in heaven during this time. This is why they must endure to the end (Matthew 24:13).

Division Six (The Millennium)

At the end of the Tribulation Jesus returns and destroys the anti-christ along with his army (Revelation 19:11-21). Satan is bound in the bottomless pit and Jesus will reign on the earth for a period of 1000 years (Revelation 20:1-7). This is the kingdom that Israel was looking for Jesus to set up the first time he came. During this time there will finally be peace on earth because Jesus is ruling with a rod of iron.

For some characteristics of this period look at Isaiah 11:6-8 and Isaiah 65:19-25. During this time Jesus will rule as King and it will be do as he says or else. Therefore, righteousness during this time will be by works, doing what he says.

Eternity:

At the end of the Millennium Satan will be loosed, gather and army, destroyed by fire, and thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:7-10). Then the Great White Throne Judgment will take place (Revelation 20:11-15).  

God will create a new heaven and a new earth with no more sea Revelation 21:1-2. This will be the beginning of Eternity. Where we will live with God forever and ever.

Rightly Dividing (2 Timothy 2:15)

Divisions Lesson #3 : Handout

1)  What are the divisions that we are going to study in this lesson?

2)  What event ends the Church Age?

3)  How is someone righteous in the Tribulation?

4)  What happens regarding the Holy Spirit and righteous people during the Tribulation?

5)  What are some characteristics of the Millennium?

6)  How is someone righteous during the Millennium?