Unraveling the End A Biblical Synthesis of Competing Views

Unraveling the EndUnraveling the EndA Biblical Synthesis of Competing ViewsA Biblical Synthesis of Competing Views

““Few doctrines unite and separate Few doctrines unite and separate Christians as much as eschatology...Christians as much as eschatology...

...One of the most divisive elements in ...One of the most divisive elements in recent Christian history.”recent Christian history.”

Christianity TodayChristianity Today February 6, 1987; p-1-IFebruary 6, 1987; p-1-I

FoundationalFoundational Beliefs:Beliefs:

Inspiration, Inerrancy & InfallibilityInspiration, Inerrancy & Infallibility

TrinityTrinity

Deity of ChristDeity of Christ

Test everything, hold on to the good Test everything, hold on to the good 1 Thess. 5:21 1 Thess. 5:21

More noble character More noble character Acts 17:11Acts 17:11

2 Guidelines2 Guidelines

1)1) Sola Scriptura Sola Scriptura

2)2) In LoveIn Love

What is eschatology?What is eschatology?

• TechnicalTechnical: A subset/branch of Theology: A subset/branch of Theology

Gr. Gr. Theos Theos (God) + Latin suffix- (God) + Latin suffix- logylogy = the = the study of God and his relations with man study of God and his relations with man

and and the universe.the universe.

EschatologyEschatology: Gr. : Gr. Eschatos Eschatos (last) + (last) + logy logy = = the study of last things.the study of last things.

• PracticalPractical::

EschatologyEschatology = the study of the completion = the study of the completion of of God’s plan of redemption (salvation).God’s plan of redemption (salvation).

Four Chief Moments (Events)Four Chief Moments (Events)

1)1) The Return (Second Coming) of Christ The Return (Second Coming) of Christ

2)2) The Judgment The Judgment

3)3) The Resurrection of the Dead The Resurrection of the Dead

4)4) The Consummation – or “end of the The Consummation – or “end of the world”world”

5)5) *The Afterlife*The Afterlife

7 Reasons Why Your E/T View 7 Reasons Why Your E/T View (or Non View) Is So Vital (or Non View) Is So Vital

1)1) How much of the Bible is involved? How much of the Bible is involved?

7 Reasons Why Your E/T View 7 Reasons Why Your E/T View (or Non View) Is So Vital(or Non View) Is So Vital


““It has been argued that no less than It has been argued that no less than two two

thirdsthirds of the content of the New Testament of the content of the New Testament

is concerned directly or indirectly with is concerned directly or indirectly with eschatology.” eschatology.”

R.C. Sproul, “A Journey Back in Time,” R.C. Sproul, “A Journey Back in Time,” TabletalkTabletalk, January 1999, 5., January 1999, 5.



““an eschatological dimension to every aspect of an eschatological dimension to every aspect of Christian faith and reflection . . . . because it Christian faith and reflection . . . . because it touches so many of the central themes of faith.”touches so many of the central themes of faith.”

Brian E. Daley, Brian E. Daley, The Hope of the Early The Hope of the Early Church Church (Cambridge, MA.: Cambridge University (Cambridge, MA.: Cambridge University

Press, Press, 1991), 21991), 2..


1)1) How much of the Bible is involved?How much of the Bible is involved?

2)2) How much salvation do we currently How much salvation do we currently have?have?




3)3) How much of the kingdom do we How much of the kingdom do we currently have?currently have?




3)3) How much of the kingdom do we How much of the kingdom do we currently have?currently have?

4)4) What do you do with the modern-day What do you do with the modern-day nation of Israel?nation of Israel?


5)5) It’s the focal point of the liberal-skeptic It’s the focal point of the liberal-skeptic attack on the Bible and Deity of Christ.attack on the Bible and Deity of Christ.



6)6) It makes a difference in your worldview.It makes a difference in your worldview.

““If we think we are facing an irresistible cosmic If we think we are facing an irresistible cosmic force of evil, it will invariably lead to giving in and force of evil, it will invariably lead to giving in and giving up - usually with very little resistance. If giving up - usually with very little resistance. If you can convince yourself that you are helpless, you can convince yourself that you are helpless, you can then stop struggling and just "let it you can then stop struggling and just "let it happen." That will seem a great relief - for a happen." That will seem a great relief - for a while...But then you will have to deal with the while...But then you will have to deal with the consequences. And for normal human beings consequences. And for normal human beings those are very severe.”those are very severe.”

Dallas Willard, Dallas Willard, The Divine ConspiracyThe Divine Conspiracy (San (San Francisco, CA.: HarperSanFranciso, 1997), 343.Francisco, CA.: HarperSanFranciso, 1997), 343.



6)6) It makes a difference in your worldview.It makes a difference in your worldview.

7)7) It makes a difference in your life and It makes a difference in your life and family.family.

SUMMARY:SUMMARY: 7 Reasons Why Vital7 Reasons Why Vital

1)1) How much of the Bible is involved? How much of the Bible is involved? 2)2) How much salvation do we currently have?How much salvation do we currently have?3)3) How much of the kingdom do we currently How much of the kingdom do we currently

have?have?4)4) What do you do with the modern-day nation What do you do with the modern-day nation

of Israel?of Israel? 5)5) It’s the focal point of the liberal-skeptic It’s the focal point of the liberal-skeptic

attack on the Bible and Deity of Christattack on the Bible and Deity of Christ..6)6) It makes a difference in your worldview It makes a difference in your worldview 7)7) It makes a difference in your life and familyIt makes a difference in your life and family


Four ViewsFour Views

A Modern-day Parable

Four AbusesFour Abuses

1)1) Tendency to Tendency to import import or or addadd things not things not there in the text.there in the text.

2)2) InconsistentlyInconsistently applying literal or symbolic applying literal or symbolic meanings.meanings.

3)3) Accepting a belief because it was simply Accepting a belief because it was simply ““told ustold us.”.”

4)4) Stubborn Stubborn resistanceresistance to to changechange when when confronted with scriptural evidence.confronted with scriptural evidence.

MillennialismMillennialism

OnlyOnly mentioned in mentioned in oneone place in the Bible place in the Bible

Revelation 20:1-10Revelation 20:1-10

The centerpieceThe centerpiece

Another modern-day parableAnother modern-day parable

??????

• a Second Coming, a temple, a re-built a Second Coming, a temple, a re-built temple, re-institution of animal sacrifices, temple, re-institution of animal sacrifices, or Jesus sitting on an earthly throne? or Jesus sitting on an earthly throne?

• Israel, an earthly Jerusalem, a gathering of Israel, an earthly Jerusalem, a gathering of

the Jews back to Palestine, a revived the Jews back to Palestine, a revived Jewish kingdom, an earthly utopian Jewish kingdom, an earthly utopian paradise, or material prosperity on the paradise, or material prosperity on the earth? earth?

““Few doctrines unite and separate Few doctrines unite and separate Christians as much as eschatology...Christians as much as eschatology......One of the most divisive elements ...One of the most divisive elements

in recent Christian history.”in recent Christian history.”

Christianity TodayChristianity Today February 6, 1987; p-1-I February 6, 1987; p-1-I

Four AbusesFour Abuses

1)1) Tendency to Tendency to import import or or addadd things not things not there in the text.there in the text.

2)2) InconsistentlyInconsistently applying literal or symbolic applying literal or symbolic meanings.meanings.

3)3) Accepting a belief because it was simply Accepting a belief because it was simply ““told ustold us.”.”

4)4) Stubborn Stubborn resistanceresistance to to changechange when when confronted with scriptural evidence.confronted with scriptural evidence.

Four ViewsFour Views(in order of prominence)(in order of prominence)

#1 – Premillennial (Dispensational)#1 – Premillennial (Dispensational)#2 – Amillennial#2 – Amillennial#3 – Postmillennial#3 – Postmillennial#4 – Preterist#4 – Preterist

#1 – Premillennial #1 – Premillennial (Dispensational) View(Dispensational) View

Christ’s Second Coming/Return is Christ’s Second Coming/Return is FUTURE.FUTURE.

(happens (happens BEFOREBEFORE the 1,000 years). the 1,000 years).

““the hope of every true believer.” the hope of every true believer.” John MacArthur, John MacArthur, The Second ComingThe Second Coming, 81., 81.


THREE VARIETIES:THREE VARIETIES:

• Dispensational Premillennialism or Classic Dispensational Premillennialism or Classic DispensationalismDispensationalism

• Classic or Historic PremillennialismClassic or Historic Premillennialism

• Progressive DispensationalismProgressive Dispensationalism


• Agreement – all four chief moments are future.Agreement – all four chief moments are future.• Agreement on the millennium.Agreement on the millennium.• Disagreement on the 7-year Tribulation and Disagreement on the 7-year Tribulation and

Rapture. Rapture.

PRE-trib, MID-trib, 2/3s [pre-wrath], = two future PRE-trib, MID-trib, 2/3s [pre-wrath], = two future comingscomings

POST-trib. = one future coming.POST-trib. = one future coming.


Three Resurrections for Pre-Tribbers:Three Resurrections for Pre-Tribbers:

1)1) Prior to G.T. – all the righteous dead of Prior to G.T. – all the righteous dead of history and the Rapture of those alive on history and the Rapture of those alive on planet Earth. planet Earth.

2)2) At the beginning of 1,000 years – all the At the beginning of 1,000 years – all the righteous who died during G.T. righteous who died during G.T.

3)3) At end of 1,000 years – all the wicked.At end of 1,000 years – all the wicked.

More ProblemsMore Problems

11) What does the Bible say about a future 7-year ) What does the Bible say about a future 7-year period of tribulation?period of tribulation?

NOTHINGNOTHING

2) The Antichrist making a 7- or 3 ½-year 2) The Antichrist making a 7- or 3 ½-year covenant with the Jews?covenant with the Jews?

NOTHING!NOTHING!

3) God withdrawing Jesus’ kingdom because most 3) God withdrawing Jesus’ kingdom because most of the Jews rejected Him?of the Jews rejected Him?

NOTHING!NOTHING!


4) The world getting worse and worse?4) The world getting worse and worse?NOTHING!NOTHING!

5) Jesus coming back and setting up his 5) Jesus coming back and setting up his kingdom in Jerusalem and giving it back kingdom in Jerusalem and giving it back to the Jews?to the Jews?

NOTHING!NOTHING!6) A rebuilding of a third Jewish Temple?6) A rebuilding of a third Jewish Temple?

NOTHING!NOTHING!


7) A reinstitution of animal sacrifices in it?7) A reinstitution of animal sacrifices in it?

NOTHING!NOTHING!

8) What did Jesus say about the Rapture 8) What did Jesus say about the Rapture

idea of a removal of believers (or a group idea of a removal of believers (or a group of) from planet Earth?of) from planet Earth?

He prayed against it. – John 17:15, 20He prayed against it. – John 17:15, 20


9) An end-time Antichrist – “the Antichrist”?9) An end-time Antichrist – “the Antichrist”?

1 John 2:18, 22; 4:2-3; 1 John 2:18, 22; 4:2-3;

2 John 72 John 7


10) “the most dangerous heresy currently to be 10) “the most dangerous heresy currently to be

found within Christian circles.” found within Christian circles.” Henry A. Virkler, Henry A. Virkler, HermeneuticsHermeneutics, 122., 122.

The dichotomy between Israel and the Church.The dichotomy between Israel and the Church.

• TWOTWO different different peoplespeoples of God. of God.• TWO TWO different different plansplans of salvation. of salvation.• TWOTWO different different destinies.destinies.

#2 – Amillennial View#2 – Amillennial View

The word “amillennial” is misleading and a The word “amillennial” is misleading and a misnomer. misnomer.

• (prefix “a” means “no” or “not”) – not right.(prefix “a” means “no” or “not”) – not right.

• All amils believe we are currently living in All amils believe we are currently living in the 1,000-year reign.the 1,000-year reign.

• Christ’s Second Coming and the other Christ’s Second Coming and the other three chief moments are all future.three chief moments are all future.

• No one can know when these will occur.No one can know when these will occur.


““ambiguity” and “uncertainty.”ambiguity” and “uncertainty.” Anthony A. Anthony A. Hoekema, The Bible and the Future,

34-35, 121, 136.

Amils Warn:Amils Warn:

• ““those who think they know will in all likelihood those who think they know will in all likelihood soon join the ranks of those who thought they soon join the ranks of those who thought they knew in times past and lead others down that knew in times past and lead others down that same misguided path.” same misguided path.”

• ““the details of His return are not fully clear in the details of His return are not fully clear in Scripture.” Scripture.”

• ““the world may get both better and/or worse the world may get both better and/or worse before the end comes. . . . it may get better and before the end comes. . . . it may get better and worse simultaneously.” worse simultaneously.”

Jerry Newcombe, Jerry Newcombe, Coming AgainComing Again

Amils Further Believe:Amils Further Believe:

• ““time seems to be of little importance in God’s time seems to be of little importance in God’s kingdom.” kingdom.”

• ““we can agree on this: Jesus is coming back one we can agree on this: Jesus is coming back one day. That will be the climax of history as we day. That will be the climax of history as we know it.” know it.”

• ““the postmil and amil views of the end times are the postmil and amil views of the end times are much more difficult to peg than the premil view much more difficult to peg than the premil view because prophecies aren’t taken literally.” because prophecies aren’t taken literally.”

Jerry Newcombe, Jerry Newcombe, Coming AgainComing Again

One Thing Many Amils Know:One Thing Many Amils Know:

• The Church has replaced Israel in the plan The Church has replaced Israel in the plan of God. of God.

• ProblemProblem: What does the Bible say about : What does the Bible say about this?this?

• NOTHING!NOTHING!

• To the contrary, Paul teaches that we To the contrary, Paul teaches that we Gentiles were and are Gentiles were and are “grafted into” the “grafted into” the “holy root” (Rom. 11:11-24)“holy root” (Rom. 11:11-24)

#2 – Amillennial View#2 – Amillennial ViewSummarySummary

• The weakest interest in E/T prophecy. The weakest interest in E/T prophecy.

• De-emphasize the importance of De-emphasize the importance of eschatology in the life of the believer. eschatology in the life of the believer.

• Differences among amils are not as Differences among amils are not as precise or categorical as within the other precise or categorical as within the other views. views.

• Things are more difficult to pin down.Things are more difficult to pin down.


• The four chief moments have been The four chief moments have been partially fulfilled. partially fulfilled.

• Happened during the Jewish-Roman War Happened during the Jewish-Roman War of A.D. 66-70 and in association with the of A.D. 66-70 and in association with the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple.destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple.

• Called a “partial preterist” position.Called a “partial preterist” position.

““I am convinced that the I am convinced that the substancesubstance of the Olivet of the Olivet Discourse as Discourse as fulfilled in A.D. 70fulfilled in A.D. 70 and that the and that the bulkbulk of of Revelation was likewise fulfilled in that timeframe. . . .Revelation was likewise fulfilled in that timeframe. . . .

““While While partial preteristspartial preterists acknowledge that in the acknowledge that in the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 was destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 was aa parousia or parousia or coming of Christcoming of Christ, they maintain that it was not , they maintain that it was not thethe parousiaparousia. That is, the coming of Christ in A.D. 70 was a . That is, the coming of Christ in A.D. 70 was a coming in judgment on the Jewish nation, indicating the coming in judgment on the Jewish nation, indicating the end of the Jewish age and the fulfillment of a day of the end of the Jewish age and the fulfillment of a day of the Lord, Lord, Jesus really did come in judgment at this timeJesus really did come in judgment at this time, , fulfilling his prophecy in the Olivet Discourse. But this fulfilling his prophecy in the Olivet Discourse. But this was was not the final or ultimate coming of Christnot the final or ultimate coming of Christ. . . . [which . . . . [which will be] universal in scope and significance. It will come . will be] universal in scope and significance. It will come . . . at the end of human history as we know it. It will be, . . at the end of human history as we know it. It will be, not merely a day of the Lord, but the final and ultimate not merely a day of the Lord, but the final and ultimate day of the day of the Lord.”Lord.”

R.C. Sproul, R.C. Sproul, The Last Days According to Jesus, The Last Days According to Jesus, 158.158.


““End-of-Time” ParadigmEnd-of-Time” Paradigm

““final return” final return” ““final consummation” final consummation” ““final resurrection” final resurrection” ““last judgment” or “final judgment” last judgment” or “final judgment”

NOTHING! And for GOOD REASON.NOTHING! And for GOOD REASON.


Unraveling the End A Biblical Synthesis of Competing Views

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