End Of The World As We Know It

A Controversial Post, Book Reviewers Needed, Plus a Poem About Missing Jesus

Before His death, Jesus and His disciples chatted about the end of the world.

Because, why not? Nothing else was quite normal either. The disciples just didn’t know the extent of it yet.

“When will it happen? And how will we know?” The disciples asked with urgency—maybe even a hint of panic—when Jesus spoke of things to come. But clearly, they didn’t need the answer in their lifetime. Which suggests something profound: those words were meant for us.

Rarely shy with answers (although sometimes He does avoid answering certain things in current accounts of people going to and returning from heaven), Jesus gave them the list of what to watch for:

1. The temple will experience destruction (note the temple is adorned with beautiful stones, like many report seeing in heaven as part of buildings and gates).

2. Many will come and claim to be God and say that the time is near.

3. There will be wars and uprisings that must happen first, and do not fear. (strikingly similar words to what He told my friend Jennie when He gave her a tour of the upcoming time).

4. Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom.

5. There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences (had to look that one up!) in various places, fearful events, and great signs from heaven.

6. Before all this, humans will be seized and persecuted. People will be handed over to synagogues, become imprisoned, and judged—all on account of His name.

7. But He will give those who love Him words and defense no one can argue with.

8. People will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and some will be killed.

9. Everyone will hate Believers because of Jesus in their lives. But no hair on their heads will perish (I’m thinking this is eternally since physical death is listed in the last point?). They are to stand firm.

10. Jerusalem will be surrounded by armies. It will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

11. There will be great distress in the land and wrath against the people.

12. His followers will fall by the sword and be taken as prisoners to all the nations.

13. There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars.

14. Nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.

15. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.

16. The day will come suddenly, “like a trap”.

But then, wait! At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. ¹

But Are We Here For This?

Believers who believed in Him before this may be around for all that—or they may not be.

Think of the end times like a wild theme park ride called The Great Tribulation. Pre-Tribbers believe they get whisked away before the ride even starts—fast pass to safety, no screaming involved. Mid-Tribbers think they’ll buckle in for the first few loops but get airlifted out right before the worst drops hit. Post-Tribbers are strapping in for the whole gut-wrenching experience—screams, spins, and all—trusting they'll be safely delivered once the ride screeches to a stop.

Same park, same ride, just different exit strategies.

I’ve always been a Pre-Tribber. However, going to heaven challenged my faith in a few ways, and that was one of them. Why was I Pre-Trib? Was it because my parents believed that (and do they?) Did my church teach that? The Bible College I went to? Hmm.

I wonder if it was more because I felt the loving God I know surely would pull us out before this mass destruction occurred. But of course, we are all familiar with the “if He loves us so much, why would He send people to hell” argument.

The Bible does say: Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. Revelation 3:10 NIV

Are There Two Events?

Many Pre-tribbers seem to feel that two events would support scripture: a rapture and Jesus's second coming. Believers are protected because they will rise during the rapture if they are still around—and also rise if they are dead in a grave.

A multi-phase event is possible, beginning with the rapture, pushing the earth into the tribulation, and ending with the grand finale of the second coming.

The rapture will be unexpected and very fast. See Matthew 24:40-41 and Luke 17:34-35. Then we see the specific order of these verses in Thessalonians:

Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. I Thessalonians 4:17 NIV

And then, a gap in time, perhaps, and here is the next one:

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 1 Thessalonians 4:18 NIV

I don’t find any indication in scripture that He returns to heaven after the second coming. Instead, it indicates that He brings us along (if we were already in heaven) and that He and we will be on the new Earth to stay.

Jerusalem, now in the center of heaven according to a few near-death accounts, descends to earth, as told in Revelation 21 and 22. Heaven rolls up like a scroll.

Won’t that be a sight?

With this view, here is the timeline:

The Important Part

Whether you're Pre-Trib, Mid-Trib, Post-Trib, or haven’t quite decided, the final chapter isn’t up for debate—Jesus triumphs. Evil is defeated, sorrow is silenced, and God's people enter a forever joy unlike we’ve felt before.

End-times prophecy isn’t a puzzle to fear—it’s a promise to treasure. Whenever He arrives, His presence is worthy of every breath we’ve given in faith, trials we’ve endured, and longings we’ve carried.

No matter the rollercoaster, the clock, or the camp you’re in—Jesus is coming.
He wins. Evil ends.
Whether we rise before the storm or stand through it, we come out in glory.
The King returns. Justice reigns.
We see His face. We’re finally home.
We win.

It can’t get better than that.

My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Proverbs 4:20-22 NIV

---

Here is a poem I wrote recently when really missing Him.

Dear Jesus

Dear Jesus, I want to sit on a bench with you -
And gaze at the river of living water, splashing, gurgling, and frothing. 
While hearing the praises rise from the flowers in your garden, each petal and leaf lifting their unique song.
And tasting the fruits from the tree of life, each one popping with more flavor than the last.
And smelling the sweet, heavy jasmine scent that fills and penetrates the air.

While holding your warm hand in mine,
feeling the comforting weight of your arm around my shoulders. 
While soaking in your intense love for me. 
Senses intensified. 
Friendship personified. 
My Lord, glorified. 

Heart on overflow. 

---

Death Cafés—ever heard of them? I hadn’t, until recently. My friend Jan Johnson connected with a new collective on the Oregon Coast that’s working to build community, spark honest conversations about death, and help people plan ahead. It's thoughtful, bold, and beautifully human. You can check out the podcast episode here.

Looking Through A Sea of Glass: Four Inspirational Words From God, a free download from Ardith Arnelle Price. Of course, I had to check this one out since I saw the glass, jeweled kaleidoscopes when I was in heaven, and when I got home and read “sea of glass” in Revelation, I yelled, “Hey! That was it! That’s what I saw!” :-)

Coming Out of Egypt (Christian Suspense) by Angela Joseph. Marva never meant to kill her father—but now he’s dead, and she has a sister to protect. After years hidden away in Egypt Village, Trinidad, she sees the accident as a way out. Maybe now, she and June can finally escape.

Be one of the first! I NEED A FEW MORE REVIEWERS for Innocent Souls, which will release on June 20. You would receive it before then in an E-Book or PDF format. Although this is book 3 in a series, early readers confirm that it is also a stand-alone book. (Whew! That was the plan!) You will still understand it all if you haven’t read the first two, and I promise there isn’t a boring backstory to try and catch you up. :-) I also promise you that despite the subject matter, it ends well.

“Innocent Souls is Julie Bonn Blank’s best book yet! The themes of perseverance, faith, trust, justice and forgiveness prevail. While the reader will appreciate getting to know and love the characters in Innocent Lives and Innocent Voices, and experiencing their stories and development, Innocent Souls very much stands alone on its own strength and merit. It’s a page-turner! I could hardly put it down!” -Cathie Blackstock, Proofreader

About the Book:

Some girls disappear into darkness. Others claw their way toward the light.

Jasmine has found a sliver of healing—but peace is fragile, and someone is working to shatter it. Confined to a psychiatric facility, she battles fractured memories and shadowed threats determined to keep her silent. With an unlikely ally on the inside, she fights for her freedom—and her life.

Cienna isn’t just searching for healing anymore—she wants justice. When danger strikes close to home, she’ll risk everything to protect her daughter and bring down the man who disappeared a decade ago. But the deeper she goes, the more it feels like a trap.

Their paths collide in a race against time, where danger is constant, trust is scarce, and freedom doesn’t come without a fight.

Gripping and redemptive, the grand finale in this powerful series explores courage, healing, and the unseen war for every captive soul—with a touch of romance, humor, and unshakable hope.

Apply to Review the New Book Here

1. Luke 21: 5-28 NIV