DISCERNMENT

ACTS 10:42

⁴² And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.

What is the end game in the bible?

In Christian theology, the “end game” often refers to the final culmination of God’s plan for humanity and creation, which is often described as the end times or the eschaton. This is the time when Christ returns, defeats evil, judges the living and the dead, and establishes a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells. 

Several Bible verses describe this “end game“:

1. The Second Coming of Christ and Final Judgment: These verses describe the powerful return of Jesus Christ for judgment and rule and the visible, powerful return of Jesus, accompanied by cosmic signs.
   • Revelation 19:15-16 ¹⁵ Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. ¹⁶ And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
   • Matthew 24:29-30 ²⁹ “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ³⁰ Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
2. The New Heaven and New Earth: These passages describe the transformed state of creation, free from suffering and pain, and God’s renewed dwelling among humanity. They also confirm the promise of a new, righteous dwelling place for believers.
   • Revelation 21:1-4 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. ² Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
   • 2 Peter 3:13 ¹³ Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
3. The Hope for Believers: These verses describe the transformation of believers at the time of Christ’s MID-AIR return, overcoming death and receiving immortality, and the “catching up” or rapture of believers to meet Christ.
   • 1 Corinthians 15:52-54 ⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. ⁵³ For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. ⁵⁴ So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
   • 1 Thessalonians 4:17 ¹⁷ Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
4. The Emphasis on God’s Victory and Grace: This verse highlights God’s grace and the believer’s role in the “endgame” as recipients of his kindness and participants in good works.
   • Ephesians 2:6-10 ⁶ and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast. ¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

In summary, the “end game” in the Bible, as described in these verses, is about the completion of God’s redemptive plan through the return of Christ, the final judgment, and the creation of a new heaven and earth. It is a time of both hope and judgment, where believers receive their reward and experience eternal life in God’s presence, while those who have rejected God face the consequences of their choices.

Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!