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Condensed Theology

A Primer in Systematic Theology

Eschatology
What does the Bible teach about last things?

Review

Review
Terminology

Definition of Terms
Eschatology: The study of last things. The Millennium: The one-thousand year period referred to in Rev 20:2-7.

Premillennialism: Christ returns before the thousand years of Revelation 20, which thousand years refer to the rule of Christ on the earth before the earths glorification.

Definition of Terms

The Millennium (continued)

Postmillennialism: Christ returns after the thousand years of Revelation 20, which thousand years refer to the Christianization of the world.

Definition of Terms

The Millennium (continued)

Amillennialism: Christ returns after the thousand years of Revelation 20, which thousand years refer to the other-worldly rule of Christ that was inaugurated by his resurrection/ascension. Thus Revelation 20 is understood as depicting life between Christs first and second advents.

Definition of Terms

The Millennium (continued)

Dispensational Premillennialism: Christ returns before the thousand years of Revelation 20, which thousand years is a nonfigurative reference to the rule of Christ over a restored Israeli kingdom on the earth as the earth is before its glorification. The millennium is distinctly Jewish, complete with the celebration of national feasts, the reinstitution of Temple worship, and the occupation of the ancient land of Canaan.

Definition of Terms

The Rapture: This refers to the saints being caught up together with Jesus in the clouds at the Second Coming of Christ. It is most often used by Dispensational Premillennialists to refer to a secret return of Jesus before his visible return prior to the millennium. The Tribulation Period: This is a term used exclusively by Dispensational Premillennialists to refer to the seventieth week of Daniels prophecy in Dan 9:24-27, a seven-year period of intense trial for the entire planet, which the raptured saints will not have to experience. Things will get intensely more difficult three-and-a-half years into the Tribulation Period, when the Antichrist will break his pact with the Israeli nation, which will then unleash the disasters described in Revelation 4ff.

Review
Three Keys to Understanding Eschatology

Keys to Understanding Eschatology


Eschatology is understandable. Eschatology encapsulates the Bibles entire outlook. Eschatology is understood in retrospect.

The Structure of Eschatology

The Structure of Eschatology


Two Ages

The Structure of Eschatology: Two Ages

The Bible understands history to unfold in two successive ages:


This present age The age to come

Matt 12:32: Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come. Mark 10:30: .but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.

The Structure of Eschatology: Two Ages

The Bible understands history to unfold in two successive ages:


This present age The age to come

Eph 1:20-21: which [the Father] brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

The Structure of Eschatology


Characteristics of This Present Age

The Structure of Eschatology: This Present Age

It is an age in which people marry and are given in marriage: Luke 20:34: Jesus said to them, The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage.

Put differently, it is connected with temporal life: 1 Cor 7:29-31: But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none; and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess; and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the form of this world is passing away.

The Structure of Eschatology: This Present Age

It is an age that is evil: Gal 1:4: who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father It is an age to which Christians must not conform themselves: Rom 12:2: And do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

The Structure of Eschatology: This Present Age

It is an age without spiritual understanding: 1 Cor 2:6-8: Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

The Structure of Eschatology: This Present Age

It is an age that implicitly honors Satan and that does not understand the gospel: 2 Cor 4:4: in whose case the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

The Structure of Eschatology: This Present Age

It is an age of spiritual death: Eph 2:1-2: And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this age, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.

The Structure of Eschatology: This Present Age

Yet it is an age under the rule of Jesus Christ: Eph 1:20-21: which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

The Structure of Eschatology: This Present Age

It is an age of blessings for those who embrace the gospel: Mark 10:30: but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.

The Structure of Eschatology: This Present Age

And it is an age characterized by the presence of Christ with believers: Matt 28:20: teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

The Structure of Eschatology


The End of the Age

The Structure of Eschatology: The End of the Age

Matt 13:39-40: and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels. So just as the tares are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age.49So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous, Matt 24:3: As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age? Matt 28:20: teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

The Structure of Eschatology


The Events of the End

The Return of Christ in Power and Glory

The Structure of Eschatology: The End of the Age

The return of Jesus Christ in power and glory: 2 Thess 1:6-10: For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believedfor our testimony to you was believed.

The Structure of Eschatology: The End of the Age

The return of Jesus Christ in power and glory:


1 Thess 4:13-5:6 2 Thess 2:1-2: Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.

The Resurrection of the Just and Unjust

The Structure of Eschatology: The End of the Age

The resurrection of the just and the unjust: Matt 24:30: And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.

The Structure of Eschatology: The End of the Age

The resurrection of the just and the unjust: 1 Thess 4:13-17: But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.

The Structure of Eschatology: The End of the Age

The resurrection of the just and the unjust:

John 6:39-40, 44, 54: This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.44No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.54He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. John 5:28-29: Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.

The Structure of Eschatology: The End of the Age

The resurrection of the just and the unjust:


John 11:24: Martha said to Him, I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day. John 12:48: He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. 1 Cor 15:23: But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at His coming.

The Structure of Eschatology: The End of the Age

The resurrection of the just and the unjust: 1 Cor 15:50 Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory.

The Judgment of Humanity

The Structure of Eschatology: The End of the Age

The judgment of humanity:

Matt 13:36-40: Then He left the crowds and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field. And He said, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one; and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels. So just as the tares are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age. Matt 13:49: So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous, and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matt 25:31-46

The Structure of Eschatology: The End of the Age

The judgment of humanity:


1 Cor 1:8: who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor 3:12-15: Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. 1 Cor 5:5: I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

The Structure of Eschatology: The End of the Age

The judgment of humanity: 1 Cor 15:24-28: Then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. For HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET. But when He says, "All things are put in subjection," it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.

The Structure of Eschatology: The End of the Age

The judgment of humanity: Phil 1:6, 9-11: For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.9And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

The Restoration of All Things

The Structure of Eschatology: The End of the Age

The restoration of all things: Acts 3:20-21: and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.

The Structure of Eschatology: The End of the Age

The restoration of all things: Rom 8:19-20: For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it.

The Structure of Eschatology: The End of the Age

The restoration of all things: 1 Cor 15:22-28: For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. For HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET. But when He says, "All things are put in subjection," it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.

The Structure of Eschatology: The End of the Age

The restoration of all things: 2 Pet 3:10: But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

The Structure of Eschatology: The End of the Age

The restoration of all things: Matt 24:29-31: But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.

The Structure of Eschatology


The End of the Age: Summary

The Structure of Eschatology: Summary of the Events of the End of the Age
This present age ends with the return of Christ in glory, The resurrection of the just and unjust, The judgment of the just and unjust, And the restoration of all things.

The Structure of Eschatology: Summary of the Events of the End of the Age
There is nothing in the texts we have observed that indicates that these events are not coordinate with one another; In fact, the presence of the trumpet indicates that these events happen at the same time.

The Structure of Eschatology: Summary of the Events of the End of the Age

The Structure of Eschatology: Summary of the Events of the End of the Age
Matt 24:29-31

The Structure of Eschatology: Summary of the Events of the End of the Age
Matt 24:29-31 The trumpet heralds the restoration of all things, the return of Christ, and the gathering of the elect from the earth (see Matt 13:49-50).

The Structure of Eschatology: Summary of the Events of the End of the Age
Matt 24:29-31 The trumpet heralds the restoration of all things, the return of Christ, and the gathering of the elect from the earth (see Matt 13:49-50).

1 Cor 15:23-54

The Structure of Eschatology: Summary of the Events of the End of the Age
Matt 24:29-31 The trumpet heralds the restoration of all things, the return of Christ, and the gathering of the elect from the earth (see Matt 13:49-50). The trumpet heralds the return of Christ, the restoration of all things, and the resurrection of the dead (see John 5:29).

1 Cor 15:23-54

The Structure of Eschatology: Summary of the Events of the End of the Age
Matt 24:29-31 The trumpet heralds the restoration of all things, the return of Christ, and the gathering of the elect from the earth (see Matt 13:49-50). The trumpet heralds the return of Christ, the restoration of all things, and the resurrection of the dead (see John 5:29).

1 Cor 15:23-54

1 Thess 4:16

The Structure of Eschatology: Summary of the Events of the End of the Age
Matt 24:29-31 The trumpet heralds the restoration of all things, the return of Christ, and the gathering of the elect from the earth (see Matt 13:49-50). The trumpet heralds the return of Christ, the restoration of all things, and the resurrection of the dead (see John 5:29). The trumpet heralds the return of Christ and the resurrection of the dead (see John 5:29).

1 Cor 15:23-54

1 Thess 4:16

The Structure of Eschatology


Characteristics of the Age to Come

The Structure of Eschatology: The Age to Come

It is an age of eternal life:

Mark 10:30: but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life. Matt 25:21, 23: His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master. 23 His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master. Matt 25:46: These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.

The Structure of Eschatology: The Age to Come

It is an age of resurrection, without marriage or betrothal: Luke 20:34-36: Jesus said to them, The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; for they cannot even die anymore, because they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.

The Structure of Eschatology: The Age to Come

It is an age under the rule of Jesus Christ: Eph 1:20-21: which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

The Structure of Eschatology: The Age to Come


In addition, we may also glean other characteristics of the age to come by what we have learned about the end of this present age; For as we have seen, when Jesus comes at the end of the age, he brings with him his radical transformation and alteration of life in this present age.

The Structure of Eschatology: The Age to Come

It is an age of restoration:

2 Pet 3:13: But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. 1 Cor 15:54-55: But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?"

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