02.15. Eschatology (Last Things)
ESCHATOLOGY (LAST THINGS) I. Key Terms to the Second Coming of Christ Parousia – 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:15; lit. ’being by’ ’presence’
Apocalypse – 1 Corinthians 1:7; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7; 1 Peter 4:13; lit. ’revelation’
Epiphany – 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:8; Titus 2:13-14; lit. ’appearance’
II. Rapture: Pre-tribulation- Christ will come for His saints before the 7-year. trib. period; afterward He will come with His saints. The first stage is Rapture; the second, Revelation.
Other Views: Partial Rapture – only believers who are watching and waiting for the Lord will be raptured at various times before and during the 7-year. trib. Mid-tribulation – the church is raptured in the middle of the tribulation period, prior to the Great Tribulation. Post-tribulation – living believers are to be raptured at the second coming of Christ, which will occur at the end of the Tribulation.
Daniel’s 70th Week is the Tribulation period of 7 years (Daniel 9:24-27)
Signs – Matthew 24:1-51 : Wars, False Teachers, Persecution, Apostasy, Callousness, Return of Jews, Restoration of land (Isaiah 35:1); Trees plantation (Ezekiel 36:30); Inhabiting desolate cities (Isaiah 54:3); Federation of Nations (Daniel 2:44).
III. Millenium: Dispensational Premillenialism – Christ’s revelation (2nd phase of 2nd Coming) will be followed by a literal 1,000 years. of reign on earth during which time the Abrahamic covenant will be completely fulfilled in Israel (Genesis 12:1-3). Its outworking is seen in the Palestinian, Davidic, and new covenants. The church shares the blessings of the new covenant, but does not fulfill its promises (Galatians 3:16). Historic, Classical, nnd Nondispensational Premillenialism – The rapture will occur at Christ’s second coming and will be followed by an earthly kingdom of Christ. Church goes through the future Tribulation. Millenium is both present and future. Christ is reigning in heaven. Millenium not necessarily 1,000 years. Postmillenialism – The kingdom of God is now extended through teaching, preaching, evangelization, and missionary activities. Tribulation is experienced now. The world is to be Christianized and followed by a long period of peace and prosperity called the Millenium. This would be followed by Christ’s return. Amillennialism or Realized Millenialism – There is no literal Millenium on earth after 2nd coming. The kingdom of God is now present in the world through His Word, His Spirit, His Church. Christ’s return is a single event. Tribulation is experienced in this present age. Church is the new Israel.