Dear Evan,

My apologies for the delay in replying.

I am sorry to hear that people have been scaring you. Christians have nothing to fear about the end times, only non-Christians. Below is a summary on what will happen in the end times.

The Bible tells us that the Lord Jesus Christ will return ‘The Lord himself will descend from heaven"with the sound of the trumpet of God’ (1 Thessalonians 4:16). No one knows when he will return - we are told that his return will be unanticipated, it will come like"a thief in the night’ (1 Thessalonians 5:24). Christians who have died before Christ returns, will at that time rise from their graves (1 Thess 4:16b). Christians who are alive when Christ returns ‘will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord’ (1 Thess 4:17) - and from then on, Christians will always physically be with the risen Christ. Christians will be transformed into Christ’s likeness and raised with an imperishable body (Philippians 3:20-21: 1 Corinithians 15:50-55).

Although Christ’s death on the Cross and resurrection has defeated Satan (Colossians 14b-15: Hebrews 2:14-15), Satan currently deceives people with his lies (John 8:44; Revelation 20:10a). But on the final day, Satan will be finally destroyed (Revelation 20:10).

There are other cosmic implications of Christ’s return. This world will be done away with and a new heavens and a new earth created (2 Peter 3:7). There will be a great wedding feast celebration of Christ being united with his people (Revelation 21).

Since God has handed all judgment to his Son (Acts 17:31) - when Christ returns, we will all be judged by him (2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 2:5b-11). At this time, all our ‘secret’ actions and thoughts will be revealed (1 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Peter 3:10b; Revelation 20:12). Those people who are not Christian (ie ‘those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel’) will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction (2 Thess 1:7-10; Matthew 25:46l:2 Peter 3:7b)) - there will not be a second chance for them to repent! - the time to repent is now. God is currently patient with non-Christians and wants them to repent (2 Peter 3:9). The future non-Christian condemnation is referred figuratively as being thrown into hell - ‘the lake of fire’ (Revelation 20:14-15) where the fire is not quenched (Mark 9:47-48). . Even non-Christians who have died before Christ returns will be judged at his return (Revelation 20: 13).

Since Christ’s return will come ‘like a thief in the night’, the timing of his return cannot be predicted. So any proclamation that current events are a sign of Christ’s imminent return is to be dismissed. Christians should live their lives knowing that Christ may return at any time. And non-Christians need to turn to Christ to be ready for when he returns and issues judgment.

As to how to become a better Christian, read your Bible regularly and pray and meet with and encourage other Christians. And keep asking questions of your leaders of things that you don’t understand. I promise to pray for you in this.