The Future of the Believer Message Introduction

We’re nearing the end of our message series called “Understanding the End Times.” Why are we studying the end times? Because the Bible tells us that we are living in the last days. Not only does the Bible tell us that we are living in the last days, but it reveals information and direction to us. God’s Word opens our eyes to understand the incredible spiritual warfare that characterizes the last days.

God wants us to not just perceive physical reality, but also the underlying spiritual reality of our world. Everything that God reveals to us in His Word is important for us to understand. God’s Word gives hope to those living in these last days. God’s Word provides motivation and encouragement to live and work for the Lord in these last days.

Today, our message is entitled “The Future of the Believer.” In this message, we’re going to be learning about the end of the end times. What marks the end of the end times? The return of Jesus Christ to the planet that He created for human beings to live on. When Christ returns, history will transition from what the Bible calls this present age into the age to come. Next Sunday, we’ll talk more about the age to come, as we look at the new heavens and new earth.

In these last days, the powers of the age to come are already breaking into this present evil age through the Holy Spirit. However, we are still living in mortal physical bodies that are not suited for eternal life. Something has to happen to us in order to live forever.

1 Corinthians 15:50-52 (NIV)  I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.  Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed–  in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.