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CCS SysTheoCCS SysTheo

Universal Eschatology

Some Key Texts and GenresSome Key Texts and Genres• Ezekiel 40-48Ezekiel 40-48

• DanielDaniel• Various Minor ProphetsVarious Minor Prophets

• Matthew 24-25 (Olivet Discourse)Matthew 24-25 (Olivet Discourse)• 1 Corinthians 151 Corinthians 15

• 1 Thessalonians (Especially Chapter 4-5)1 Thessalonians (Especially Chapter 4-5)• 2 Thessalonians (Especially Chapter 2)2 Thessalonians (Especially Chapter 2)

• Titus 2:13Titus 2:13• 2 Peter 32 Peter 3

• RevelationRevelation

Some TermsSome Terms• Tribulation -The internal and The internal and

external suffering of God’s people external suffering of God’s people which, according to NT teaching, which, according to NT teaching,

followers of Jesus Christ are to followers of Jesus Christ are to expect as a matter of course. The expect as a matter of course. The

NT references to the “great NT references to the “great tribulation” describe an tribulation” describe an

unprecedented period of global unprecedented period of global suffering that will mark the time suffering that will mark the time

just prior to the parousia. just prior to the parousia.

Some TermsSome Terms• Rapture - From the Latin From the Latin rapio rapio

(caught up), the belief that the (caught up), the belief that the church will be caught up (Greek church will be caught up (Greek

harpazo, 1 Thess 4:17) and united harpazo, 1 Thess 4:17) and united with Christ at his second coming.with Christ at his second coming.

– PreTrib – Rapture happens before Tribulation Period

– MidTrib- Rapture happens during Tribulation Period

– PostTrib - Rapture happens after Tribulation Period

Some TermsSome Terms• Millennial Kingdom - Arising from the Arising from the

Latin word for “thousand,” the Latin word for “thousand,” the millennium refers to the thousand-millennium refers to the thousand-

year reign of Christ mentioned in year reign of Christ mentioned in Revelation 20:1–8.Revelation 20:1–8.

– PreMill – Rapture and Tribulation before literal 1,000 year reign of Christ

– PostMill – Future reign of Christ ushered in by global and exhaustive Gospel

Progress– Amill – No literal 1,000 years – spiritual

ideals and Christ rules now in the hearts of the people

Some TermsSome Terms• Second Advent/Coming - Literally - Literally meaning “coming” or “arrival,” this meaning “coming” or “arrival,” this

term, “advent” refers to the coming term, “advent” refers to the coming of Jesus Christ to earth to provide of Jesus Christ to earth to provide

salvation by his life, death, salvation by his life, death, resurrection and ascension. resurrection and ascension.

Christians now anticipate a second Christians now anticipate a second advent when Christ will return to advent when Christ will return to

earth in bodily form to receive the earth in bodily form to receive the church and to judge the nations. church and to judge the nations.

Some TermsSome Terms• ParousiaParousia -A Greek word used -A Greek word used

to refer to the second coming to refer to the second coming of Jesus Christ at the end of of Jesus Christ at the end of

history. Literally, the term history. Literally, the term means “presence.” Hence it means “presence.” Hence it designates Christ’s return as designates Christ’s return as the point at which he will be the point at which he will be fully present to the world or fully present to the world or

his presence will be fully his presence will be fully revealed.revealed.

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Eschatology – Case Studies in 1 & 2

Thessalonians/Revelation

1&2 1&2 ThessaloniansThessalonians

1 1 ThessaloniansThessalonians

1 & 2 ThessaloniansAuthorship: 1 Thessalonians 1:1: Paul.Destination: Show Thessalonica on a map Origin: Paul first went to Thessalonica on his

2nd Missionary Journey (Acts 17-18). After, he went to Berea, Athens and then spent 18 months in Corinth (about 51-52). While in Corinth, he wrote 1 & 2 Thessalonians.

Date: During his stay in Corinth: about A.D. 51Audience: 1 Thess 1:1 believers in

Thessalonica Genre: Letter

ThessalonicaThessalonica

1 & 2 ThessaloniansAuthorship: 1 Thessalonians 1:1: Paul.Destination: Show Thessalonica on a map Origin: Paul first went to Thessalonica on his

2nd Missionary Journey (Acts 17-18). After, he went to Berea, Athens and then spent 18 months in Corinth (about 51-52). While in Corinth, he wrote 1 & 2 Thessalonians.

Date: During his stay in Corinth: about A.D. 51Audience: 1 Thess 1:1 believers in

Thessalonica Genre: Letter

1 ThessaloniansOutline: I. Paul's Authority and the Church’s Place with the

Gospel as Center (1:1-3:13)A. Introduction (1:1-10)B. Paul’s Ministry to Thessalonica (2:1-16)C. Paul’s Desire for Return for

Encouragement (2:17-3:13)II. Last Things and Final Instructions

On Holy Living (4:1-5:28)A. Instruction on Christian Living (4:1-12)B. Teaching on Last Things (4:13-5:11)C. More Instruction on Christian Living (5:12-28)

Thematic Expansions in 1 Thessalonians

How many ways to skin a cat?• Why so many ways?

– Thematic Analysis– Outline– Thematic Expansion

• Different angles• We are after Meaning

• Why not just an outline!?

How many ways to skin a cat?• Ancient World• Eastern World• Thought ,

communication and writing

• Linear vs. Circular• Chiasms,

Statement/Restatement, Etc.

• Meaning is the key, not just Form

1 & 2 ThessaloniansPurpose: The themes, portray the purposes of

the epistles. “Remembering Truth, Excelling in

Sanctification”

1 ThessaloniansPurpose: 1) Questions about the authority and intensions of Paul (1

Thess 1-3 )2) Encouragement in not being moved by false teachings,

but rather Remember what was taught (1 Thess 1:5; 2:1,2,9,10,11,13; 3:3,4; 4:1,2,6; 5:2 [2 Thess 2:5-6, 15; 3:7])

3) Motivation to pursue excellence in sanctification (1 Thess 4:1,10)

4) Comforting words on the coming of Christ and those who “fall asleep” before that event (1 Thess 4:18, 5:11)

5) Clarification on the Day of the Lord (1 Thess 5)

Remembering Truth• “Just as You Know”• “You Yourselves Know”• “You Recall”• “You are Witnesses”• “You Heard from Us”• “We Kept Telling You”• “As You Received”• “We…Told You Before

“Excel Still More”

• 1 Thess. 4:1 – Holiness– Explanation in vs. 2-8– Abstain from sexual

immorality– Do not Transgress– Do not Defraud– Be Obedient to the

Commands

• 1 Thess. 4:10 – Love– To all Men– See also:

• Phil. 1:9• 1 Thess. 3:12• 2 Thess. 1:3

– Why “still more?”• God’s Character• Infinitude

Things to Come

• Most likely an answer to a direct question• Not a new concept – “A faint cry”

A faint cry of what’s to come…

• “To wait for His Son” 1:10– From heaven– Raised from the dead– Jesus– Rescues us from the wrath to come

• “Presence of our Lord Jesus at His Coming”2:19

• “Coming of our Lord Jesus with His Saints”3:13

“Parousia”Presence

“The Day of the Lord”

1 Thessalonians 5 and

2 Thessalonians 1-2

Things to Come

• Most likely an answer to a direct question• Not a new concept – “A faint cry”• Purpose (So That) – encouragement – 13, 18• “Asleep” means dead• The process

– Coming of the Lord– Dead rise– Living “caught up”

“The Rapture”1 Thessalonians 4

Arguments Against Pre-Trib.• “Trumpet of God” – Before first Trumpet :Rev.

6:16 – Mid-trib. View

• “To Meet” (eis apanteesin) Matt. 25:6, Acts 28:15 & 1 Thess. 4:17 – Harpadzo (Matt. 11:12, 13:19; John 10:28-29; 2 Cor. 12:2-4; Rev12:5

– Post-Trib View• Fear of Error (Cannot find enough Evidence)

– Any-other-than-Pre-trib. View

Revelation 6:16

• NAU Revelation 6:16 and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb;

Matthew 25 and Acts 28

• 6 "But at midnight there was a shout, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.‘

NAU Matthew 25:6 [speaking of the ten virgins – or bridesmaids, not to be confused with the Bride]

• 15 And the brethren, when they heard about us, came from there as far as the Market of Appius and Three Inns to meet us; and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. NAU Acts 28:15

1 Thessalonians 4:17

• NAU 1 Thessalonians 4:17 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.

Harpodzo• NAU Matthew 11:12

"From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force.

• NAU 2 Corinthians 12:2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago-- whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows-- such a man was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know how such a man-- whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows-- 4 was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.

• Pretribulational• Midtribulational• Posttribulational• Partial Rapture• Prewrath

• Pretribulational – Purpose (Daniel 9:24)

Eschatology in 1 Thessalonians

• Study of Last Things• Imminence

•Death• The Rapture• Day of the Lord

Eschatology in 2 Thessalonians• Study of Last Things• Day of the Lord• Discernment• Great Tribulation• Antichrist• Imminence

Day of the LordDay of the Lord• About 20 uses in the Old About 20 uses in the Old

TestamentTestament• About 4 in the New Testament About 4 in the New Testament

(2 in 1 and Second (2 in 1 and Second Thessalonians)Thessalonians)

• Get the broader viewGet the broader view– Refers to terrifying JudgmentRefers to terrifying Judgment– Is a specific time within a specific Is a specific time within a specific

ageage– Is fully enacted Is fully enacted afterafter the Seven the Seven

Year TribulationYear Tribulation

Passages of Interest

• Matthew 24-25 – Olivet Discourse [READ]

• I Thessalonians 5 [READ]

• 2 Thessalonians 2 [READ]

• Revelation

When?• Moment or time?

– “Peace and Safety”– “Thief in the night”– “Labor Pains”

• Purpose – Encourage – now– “Children of the Day”– Not “of night or darkness”– Faith, love and hope – See 1:2-3– Not destined for wrath

Personal Eschatological Perspective

• Study of Last Things• Imminence (Reign of Fire)• Death• Parousia• Day of the Lord

Reign of Fire

Bedtime “Prayers”• Quinn Abercromby: What do we do

when we are awake? The Children: Keep two eyes on the sky. Quinn Abercromby: What do we do when we sleep? The Children: Keep one eye on the sky. Quinn Abercromby: What do we do when we see them? The Children: Dig hard, dig deep, go for shelter, and never look back.

Personal Eschatological Perspective

• Study of Last Things• Imminence (Reign of Fire)• Death• Parousia• Day of the Lord

HAVE YOU EVER NOTICED . . . the last versesthe last verses

Because He Lives

• And then one day, I'll cross the river,I'll fight life's final war with pain;And then, as death gives way to vict'ry,I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!

All Creatures of our God and King

• And thou most kind and gentle Death,Waiting to hush our latest breath,O praise Him! Alleluia!Thou leadest home the child of God,And Christ our Lord the way hath trod.

Amazing Grace• Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,

And mortal life shall cease,I shall possess, within the veil,

A life of joy and peace.• The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,

The sun forbear to shine;But God, who called me here below,

Will be forever mine.• When we’ve been there ten thousand years,

Bright shining as the sun,We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise

Than when we’d first begun.

And Can it Be?

• No condemnation now I dread;Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;Alive in Him, my living Head,

And clothed in righteousness divine,Bold I approach th’eternal throne,

And claim the crown, through Christ my own.Bold I approach th’eternal throne,

And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Are you Washed in the Blood?

• When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white?Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?Will your soul be ready for the mansions bright,And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?

At the Name of Jesus

• Brothers, this Lord Jesus shall return again,With His Father’s glory, with His angel train;

For all wreaths of empire meet upon His brow,And our hearts confess Him King of glory now.

Be Still My Soul

• Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening onWhen we shall be forever with the Lord.

When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.Be still, my soul: when change and tears are

pastAll safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.

Blessed Assurance• Blessèd assurance, Jesus is mine!

O what a foretaste of glory divine!Heir of salvation, purchase of God,

Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.• Perfect submission, perfect delight,

Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;Angels descending bring from above

Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.• Perfect submission, all is at restI in my Savior am happy and blest,

Watching and waiting, looking above,Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Come Thou Fount

• O that day when freed from sinning,I shall see Thy lovely face;

Clothed then in blood washed linenHow I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace;

Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,Take my ransomed soul away;

Send thine angels now to carryMe to realms of endless day.

The PointExpectation

What happens at the end?• Judgments

– The nature of judgment is the revelation of a person’s works and status

– Jesus is the Judge (John 5:22)– Some see a single general judgment (Reformed)– Some see multiple judgments

• Judgment seat of Christ (Romans 14:10-12; 2 Cor. 5:9-10)– Rewards (1 Cor. 3:14)– Christ’s Bride (Rev. 19:7-8)– Life deeds (2 Cor. 5:10)– Judgment of wickedness (1 John 2:28)– Ultimately for Christian, there is joy (Rev. 19:7-8)

Multiple Judgments Cont.• Judgment of Tribulation Saints (Rev. 20:4-6)• Judgment of OT Saints (Daniel 12:2)• Judgment of Living Israel (Zech. 12:10-14)• Judgment of Gentile Nations (Joel 3:1-2; Matt. 25:31-

46)• Judgment of Satan and the Fallen Angels (Rev. 12:7-9

& 20:1-3)• The Great White Throne Judgment of the Wicked (Rev.

20:11-15)• The Judgment of the Heavens and Earth (2 Peter 3:10)

The Big Picture

GOD and Man*

Man vs. GOD GOD and a

chosen People

The GOD-Man*

GOD and a chosen People

GOD and Man*

Man vs. GOD

What we DO Know

• Jesus is coming back (John 14:3)

• We do not know when (Matthew 24:36)

• Perhaps today…

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Eschatology – Case Studies in 1 & 2

Thessalonians/Revelation

RevelationApokalupsis Iesou

Christou

RevelationAuthorship: Gospel of John, Epistles of John,

Revelation: John, Son of Zebedee Destination: Show Churches on a map. Origin: John from exile (banishment) on the

Island of Patmos, southwest of Ephesus.Date: Later date of 95 A.D. is preferred.Audience: Seven Churches in Asia and

Cyclical Genre: Apocalypse, Prophecy and Letter

Genres

• Apocalypse: An unveiling of “heavenly” mysteries

• Prophecy: A foretelling of future events

• Epistle: A personal letter with personal attributes

Interpretive Views of Revelation

Preterist

Revelation 1-3Historic Churches

Revelation 4-19Symbolic of

ContemporarySituations

Revelation 20-22Symbolic of Heaven

and Victory

Idealist

Conflict of GoodAnd Evil

Revelation 20-22Victory of Good

Historicist

Historical events: Fallof Rome, Islam,

Catholicism and Ref.

Revelation 20-22Final Judgment of

some kind & EternalState

Futurist

and/orStages of Church

History

Revelation 4-19Future Tribulation

Revelation 20-22Millennial Kingdom,Judgment of Wicked

& Eternal State

RevelationAuthorship: Gospel of John, Epistles of John,

Revelation: John, Son of Zebedee Destination: Show Churches on a map. Origin: John from exile (banishment) on the

Island of Patmos, southwest of Ephesus.Date: Later date of 95 A.D. is preferred.Audience: Seven Churches in Asia and

Cyclical Genre: Apocalypse, Prophecy and LetterView: Futurist

RevelationOutline: I. Introduction (1:1-8) A. Prologue (1:1-3) B. Greetings and Doxology (1:4-8)II. Vision of the Son of Man Among the Seven Churches of

Asia (1:9-3:22) A. The Son of Man Among the Lampstands (1:9-20) B. The Letters to the Seven Churches (2:1-3:22) 1. To Ephesus (2:1-7) 2. To Smyrna (2:8-11) 3. To Pergamum (2:12-17) 4. To Thyatira (2:18-29) 5. To Sardis (3:1-6) 6. To Philadelphia (3:7-13) 7. To Laodicea (3:14-22)

RevelationOutline: III. Vision of the Seven-Sealed Scroll, the

Seven Trumpets, the Seven Signs, and the Seven Bowls (4:1-19:10) A. The Seven-Sealed Scroll (4:1-8:1) B. The Seven Trumpets (8:2-11:19) C. The Seven Signs (12:1-14:20) D. The Seven Bowls (15:1-19:10)

RevelationOutline: IV. Vision of the Return of Christ and the Consummation of

This Age (19:11-20:15) A. The Rider on the White Horse and the Destruction of

the Beast (19:11-21) B. Binding of Satan and the Millennium (20:1-6) C. Release and End of Satan (20:7-10) D. Great White Throne Judgment (20:11-15)V. Vision of the New Heaven and the New Earth and the New Jerusalem (21:1-22:5) A. The New Jerusalem (21:1-27) B. The River of Life and the Tree of Life (22:1-5)VI. Conclusion (22:6-21)

Thematic Expansions in Revelation

You have seen1:1-20

Which are2:1-3:22

After these things4:1-22:21

RevelationPurpose: 1) To prepare believers for the Revelation of

Jesus Christ2) To Bless those who heed the words of the

Book (1:3)3) To address issues with in seven churches

in Asia (2:1-3:22) 4) To reveal the divine judgments of the

coming Day of the Lord5) To pray to the Lord Jesus to return soon

RevelationKey Verse: Revelation 1:3

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near. (NAU)

RevelationPurpose: 1) To prepare believers for the Revelation of

Jesus Christ2) To Bless those who heed the words of the

Book (1:3)3) To address issues with in seven churches

in Asia (2:1-3:22) 4) To reveal the divine judgments of the

coming Day of the Lord5) To pray to the Lord Jesus to return soon

Eschatology in Revelation

• Study of Last Things• Day of the Lord• Millennial Kingdom• New Heaven and New Earth

A Brief Look at

Eschatology

The TribulationRevelation 4-19

Millennial Kingdom

Revelation 20

• Premillennial• Amillennial• Postmillennial• Panmillennial

• Premillennial – Structure (Revelation 20:1-8)

What we DO Know

• Jesus is coming back (Acts 1:11)

• We do not know when (Matthew 24:36)

• Perhaps today…

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