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1 ESCHATOLOGY Part One The Doctrine of the End Times Steps Wallen Baptist Church
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ESCHATOLOGY
Part One
The Doctrine of the End Times
Steps
Wallen Baptist Church
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Introduction
There are many passages in both the Old and New Covenant that deal with the end times in our Bible.
I have listed just a few for now. We will look at many throughout this study. The question that has
troubled many in the study of Eschatology is to what degree is a passage taken in its normal usage or
is it to be considered hyperbole, figurative, or allegorical.
Hyperbole: Exaggeration for beyond the realm of reality, 2 Sam 1:2-3. The speed of Saul and
Jonathan was said to be swifter than that of eagles etc.
Figurative: A form of expression where other than the plain and normal sense is intended,
Gal 2:9. Peter, James and John are “pillars of the church”.
Metaphor: An implied comparison between two different objects, Matt 5:13. “Ye are the
salt of the earth.”
Simile: Makes a formal comparison between two different objects. The difference between
a Simile and a Metaphor is a Simile will use “like or as” in the comparison,
Matt 17:2. At the transfiguration of Christ the bible states, “face did shine as the sun” etc.
Allegory: An extended Metaphor. “Its words are not to be understood in their literal sense,
John 15:1-8, the vine and branches we see the extended Metaphor.
There is a deeper, hidden spiritual meaning to the passage.
HIS RETURN IS CERTAIN
John 14:1-4 (ESV) 1
"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2
In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a
place for you? 3
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I
am you may be also. 4
And you know the way to where I am going."
The promise of our Lord’s coming is clear and will happen. The issue facing the Bible student is to
determine how that coming occurs.
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STATEMENT OF FAITH
Wallen Baptist Church
We believe in the personal, bodily return of Jesus Christ for His own people, giving hope for the
future to all who believe in Him.
Statement of Belief:
1. We believe that when Jesus Christ returns, the dead in Christ will be raised in glorified
bodies and the living in Christ will be given glorified bodies.
2. We believe that Jesus will also come as judge of the wicked who will be cast away from
God’s presence, in judgment forever.
3. We believe that Satan will be judged and cast into the lake of fire, prepared for him and
his angels, where he will be forever tormented.
4. God will establish a new heaven and a new earth for His people.
5. We believe that the redeemed will eternally serve, worship, and glorify God in the new
heaven and new earth.
The Near and Far Issue
Other than determining how a text should be looked at when using metaphors or similes to describe
the prophetic passages, mainly found in Revelation, there is the issue of near and far prophecy.
An example is Jesus pronouncing Jerusalem being surrounded by its enemies. This did occur in AD
70, however there are many scholars that teach this will again occur close to Christ’s second coming.
Thus we have near and far Zech 14:1-4 would be the text one would use.
Jesus states in His Olivet Discourse that “when you see the Abomination of desolation which was
spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand)”
Matthew 24:15 He is referring to the soon destruction of Jerusalem but many believe that 2 Thess. 2
makes this also a far prophecy.
Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV) 6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his
name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7
Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over
his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth
and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
I choose this passage because we see both advents of Christ. First He is born as a child and in life
fulfills that last sentence of the passage. The center of the passage is yet future.
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Systems of Thought about the Eschatos At no point in biblical interpretation is a hermeneutical
presupposition more compelling than in the study of the end times. In approaching eschatological
materials that often make use of highly symbolic language, the questions arise: “To what degree are
the subjects broached in the text to be taken literally?” and “To what degree should they be taken in a
figurative fashion?” As an example of the problem, the passages in Isaiah that foretell a wolf lying
down with a lamb might be interpreted to belong to an actual kingdom age in which all animals live at
peace with other animals and with their human neighbors. On the other hand, some interpreters insist
that this be understood figuratively. Isa 2:2-4 Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary.
Your position is only as strong as its weakest link. While at Case Western Reserve University we
brought to campus several scientists that presented a case for creation. One thing the main speaker
stated is that a scientific theory is only as strong as its weakest link. I submit, as we study theology
that our position on any issue is only as strong as its weakest link. This is especially true in our study
of Eschatology. As you study ask yourself, “what is my weakest link and can it be supported by
scripture? One rule I have used in any study of the Bible do not build your theology on a simple
preposition.
Our study cannot be solely intellectual. The purpose of this study is to encourage godly living
and purpose in our walk in Christ. Too often believers do not look at Eschatology in the manner
in which our Lord taught.
Mark 13:32-37 (ESV) 32
"But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but
only the Father. 33
Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. 34
It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with
his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. 35
Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening,
or at midnight, or when the cock crows, or in the morning— 36
lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37
And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake."
The Key Text of Bible Prophecy Today
In my own studies of bible prophecy perhaps the one passage that I have spent the most time on is the
one following. There are probably more books written on these few verses than any other in the Bible.
Daniel 9:24-27 (ESV) 24
"Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put
an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and
prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. 25
Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to
the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall
be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. 26
And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the
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people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a
flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. 27
And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put
an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate,
until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator."
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ESCHATOLOGY
THE DOCTRINE OF LAST THINGS
I. Introduction
A. Definition--the study of the end times or last things.
B. The importance of the study.
1. It is a dominant theme in the bible. (1/3 is given to it)
2. It brings comfort to sorrowing believers, 1 Thess 4:13-14; Jn 14:1-4.
3. It brings to the believer enduring testing. 2 Cor. 4:14-18.
2 Corinthians 4:14-18 (ESV) 14
knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us
with you into his presence. 15
For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may
increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. 16
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is
being renewed day by day. 17
For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory
beyond all comparison, 18
as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the
things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
4. It brings rebuke to the lazy, unfruitful believer. 2 Cor. 5:9-10
5. It brings corrections to the believer who places too much value on this life,
2 Peter 3:10-12.
2 Peter 3:10-13 (ESV) 10
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away
with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and
the works that are done on it will be exposed. 11
Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in
lives of holiness and godliness, 12
waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the
heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they
burn! 13
But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in
which righteousness dwells.
6. It brings reproof for the believer who becomes doctrinally careless,
2 Thess. 2:5; 2 Peter 1:19.
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7. It brings cleansing to the believer who has unconfessed sin, 1 Jn. 3:2-3.
II. Death
A. The nature of death.
1. The basic meaning of death is separation, Lk 23:46; Acts 7:59; James 2:26
2. Three kinds of death.
a. Spiritual death, Eph 2:1, 5.
b. Physical death, James 2:26.
c. Eternal death or the second death, Rev. 21:14.
3. Remedies to death.
a. Spiritual death - salvation.
b. Physical death - resurrection.
c. Eternal death - none.
B. Characteristics of physical death.
1. It does not involve a cessation of being (annihilation or soul-sleep).
a. The Bible gives examples of many who did not cease to exist at death.
Samuel
Elijah and Moses
Abraham, the rich man, and Lazarus
Spirits and souls under the altar in Revelation 6:9-10.
b. The Biblical references to death as “sleep” (Acts 7:50, et. al.) are
euphemisms for the experience, Acts 7:60.
c. The Bible clearly states that the righteous do not pass out of
existence, but go to be with the Lord, 2 Cor. 5:6-8.
Philippians 1:23 (ESV) 23
I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ,
for that is far better.
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2. Physical death does bring to an end a man’s opportunity to repent.
a. Bible always teaches the state of man is fixed at death, Lk. 16; Jn 8:24.
b. Bible represents death as the decisive time for which a man must be ready
be ready, Heb. 9:27.
C. Significance of physical death.
1. Man in general.
a. It is inevitable.
Ecclesiastes 2:15-16 (ESV) 15
Then I said in my heart, "What happens to the fool will happen to me also. Why then
have I been so very wise?" And I said in my heart that this also is vanity. 16
For of the wise as of the fool there is no enduring remembrance, seeing that in the
days to come all will have been long forgotten. How the wise dies just like the fool!
b. It is a deep mystery, Job 14:14.
c. It is regarded as a great enemy, Job 18:14; 1 Cor. 15:26.
2. To lost humanity.
a. It means the loss of all that is good and desirable, Eccl. 15:15,16.
b. It is sometimes desired as an escape from evil, Job 3:21, 1 Chron.
40:4,5; Rev. 9:6.
c. It is in reality only a precursor of divine judgment, Heb. 9:27.
3. To Old Covenant saints.
a. It was regarded as a dreadful experience, Is. 38:10-12, 18.
b. This fear caused bondage, Heb. 2:14, 15; 10: 1-4.
Hebrews 2:14-15 (ESV) 14
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise
partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has
the power of death, that is, the devil, 15
and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong
slavery.
c. This bondage was somewhat alleviated by the revelation that was
given to these saints, Job. 19:25-27; Ps 16:8-11.
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4. To New Covenant saints.
a. It is no longer feared, Ro 8:2; 1 Cor 15:56, 57; 2 Cor 5:6-8.
b. Yet death remains a difficult experience, even for the saints.
c. Christians do not sorrow as men who have no hope, 1 Thess. 4:13.
III. The Intermediate State.
A. Definition.
1. The conscious existence of personality of both the godly and ungodly between
physical death and the resurrection.
2. Although the scriptures clearly teaches there is such a conscious state of existence
between death and the resurrection, they reveal comparatively little about that state.
3. The Old Covenant saints knew less about this state than we do: hence their fear
of the grave, Job 19:26-27.
B. Biblical terminology for the Intermediate State.
1. Sheol: 65 times in the Old Covenant. (KJV)
a. Translated grave 31 times.
b. Translated hell 31 times.
c. Translated pit 3 times.
2. Hades: 11 times in New Covenant. Hades means “the unseen.”
3. Identity of the meaning. Sheol and Hades are the same, Acts 2:27 & 31 are
quotes form Ps 16:10.
4. Other terms found in the bible:
a. Abraham’s bosom or side, Luke 16:22.
b. Paradise, Luke 23:43.
c. Lowest Sheol, Deut. 32:22.
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Side note: This is not the pit or bottomless pit, as this is for the devil and his angels.
C. Personal inhabitants of the Intermediate State.
1. All lost humanity
2. All saved people.
3. Demons
4. A particular group of fallen angels?? 2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6, 7.
2 Peter 2:4 (NASB) 4
For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and
committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment;
5. The devil - 1000 years in the bottomless pit, Rev. 20:1-3.
D. Description of the Righteous State.
1. There is a division within Sheol - Hades, Lk 16:26.
2. Description of the Righteous State.
a. At present believers go to be with Christ, but did not until after the cross.
b. The state is generally to be preferred to that of even the most mature
Christian’s present life, Phil 1:23.
c. The inhabitants are truly alive and conscious, 1 Thess 5:10.
d. The inhabitants are at rest, Rev. 14:13.
e. The inhabitants are yet in a state of incompleteness.
1). Because the resurrection body is not yet received, I Thess 4:16, 17.
2). Because rewards are not yet distributed, 2 Tim 4:8.
3. Description of the Wicked State.
a. The wicked are under restraint, 1 Pet 3:19 - “spirits now in prison”.
b. They endure a conscious torment, Lk 16.
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c. They are already receiving punishment from God, Lk 16.
E. Geographical location of the Intermediate State.
1. It is an actual place.
2. At present the righteous go to heaven.
3. Old Covenant went to Sheol and the present wicked state in “lower than the earth:
in the heart of the earth”. Gen 37:35; Is 5:14; Ezek 18:21; Matt 12:40.
F. Reorganization of the Intermediate State at Christ’s resurrection.
1. Christ descended into Sheol - Hades.
a. Peter said David’s prophecy was fulfilled, Ps 16:10; Acts 2:27-31.
Psalms 16:10 (NASB) 10
For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy
One to undergo decay.
Acts 2:27-31 (NASB) 27
Because You will not abandon my soul to Hades, Nor allow Your Holy One
to undergo decay. 28
'You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of
gladness with Your presence.' 29
"Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he
both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30
"And so, because he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with
an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne, 31
he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was
neither abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh suffer decay .
b. Paul declared that Christ was there, Ro 10:7; Eph 4:9.
c. Christ said that he would be with the penitent thief in Paradise, the upper
part of Sheol at that time, Lk 23:43.
2. Christ made proclamation,
1 Peter 3:18-19 (ESV) 18
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might
bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19
in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison,
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1 Peter 4:6 (ESV) 6
For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though
judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.
3. Christ emptied paradise below, Mt 27:50-54; 2 Cor 12:1-4; Eph 4:8.
Matthew 27:50-54 (ESV) 50
And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. 51
And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.
And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52
The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen
asleep were raised, 53
and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city
and appeared to many. 54
When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus,
saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said,
"Truly this was the Son of God!"
2 Corinthians 12:1-4 (ESV) 1
I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on
to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third
heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. 3
And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or
out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4
and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.
Ephesians 4:8-10 (ESV) 8
Therefore it says, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he
gave gifts to men." 9
(In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended
into the lower parts of the earth? 10
He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens,
that he might fill all things.)
4. The present situation.
a. The saved do not go to Hades, Mt 16; Rev 1:18.
b. Saved go to be with Christ, Acts 7:55, 59; Phil 1:23; 2 Cor 5:8.
c. There is no change for the wicked - they still go to Hades, 2 Pet 2:9.
5. The future situation - Sheol/Hades will be merged with the Lake of Fire after the
Great White Throne judgment, Rev 20:14.
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IV. The General Nature of the Second Coming of Christ.
A. Various theories of the Second Coming of Christ.
1. Spiritual theory: the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
2. Conversion theory: the coming of Christ into the believer’s heart. Acts 1:11
the writers of the epistles were looking for His coming.
3. Destruction theory: the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Most scholars place
Revelation after the destruction of Jerusalem.
4. Death theory: the coming of Christ for the believer at the believer’s death.
The bible states death is the enemy and Christ conquered this enemy.
5. Postmillennial theory: the coming of Christ at the end of the millennium.
a. Through social and medical advances the world is getting better.
b. Evangelical preaching of the gospel will get things better.
c. There is no millennium, just a movement into a better world that could be
considered the millennium.
d. This view became less and less acceptable after World War II.
6. Amillennial theory: the coming of Christ to usher in eternity, but there will be no
Millennium. (a=no; millennium)
a. Some who hold this view say there is no rapture or tribulation.
b. Is often cited as the view of the Reformation.
c. Others, the millennium is now, in the church, as Christ’s kingdom.
d. Requires spiritualization of many millennial texts.
7. Premillennialism (pre=before; millennium): Christ returns before the
millennium begins.
a. The Old Covenant teaches judgment and a kingdom.
Jeremiah 30:7-10 (ESV) 7
Alas! That day is so great there is none like it; it is a time of distress for Jacob;
yet he shall be saved out of it.
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8 "And it shall come to pass in that day, declares the Lord of hosts, that I will
break his yoke from off your neck, and I will burst your bonds, and foreigners
shall no more make a servant of him. 9
But they shall serve the Lord their God and David their king, whom I will raise
up for them. 10
"Then fear not, O Jacob my servant, declares the Lord, nor be dismayed, O
Israel; for behold, I will save you from far away, and your offspring from the
land of their captivity. Jacob shall return and have quiet and ease, and none shall
make him afraid.
Daniel 2:34-35 (ESV) 34
As you looked, a stone was cut out by no human hand, and it struck the image
on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. 35
Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold, all together were
broken in pieces, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and
the wind carried them away, so that not a trace of them could be found. But the
stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.
b. Judgment and the second coming are taught in the gospels, Matt 13:36-40
c. Revelation teaches a great tribulation, the second coming and the
millennial reign of Christ.
Revelation 20:6 (ESV) 6
Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over
such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and
of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.
B. Biblical development of the Second Coming of Christ.
1. Old Covenant: see above.
2. New Covenant.
a. The progressive development.
1) Gospels: Life and resurrection pointing to second coming.
2) Acts and epistles: Details on the second coming (rapture and coming)
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3) Detailed description of heaven and earth as the second coming
unfolds.
b. Key terms: are not technical terms. They are terms denoting the second
coming.
1) Original Word: παρουσί α, parousia. : lit., "a presence," para, "with," and ousia, "being" (from eimi, "to be"), denotes both an "arrival" and a consequent "presence with." Vine's Expository
Dictionary of Old Testament and New Testament Words. 1 Thess
4:15; 5:23.
2) Word: ἔ ρχομαι, erchomai
Usage Notes: the most frequent verb, denoting either "to come, or to
go," signifies the act, in contrast with hēkō
3) ἥκω, hēkō
Usage Notes: means (a) "to come, to be present" (see above, on No.
1); (b) "to come upon, of time and events," Matt. 24:14; John 2:4;
2 Pet. 3:10; Rev. 18:8; (c) metaphorically, "to come upon one, of
calamitious times, and evils," Matt. 23:36; Luke 19:43.
4) καταβαί νω, katabainō
Usage Notes: signifies "to come down," e.g., Matt. 8:1.
5) παρουσί α, parousia
lit., "a presence," para, "with," and ousia, "being" (from eimi, "to be"), denotes both an "arrival" and a consequent "presence with." ,
a) Of Christ, 2 Peter 1:16; 1 Cor 15:23; 1 Thess 4:15; 5:23.
b) The man of sin, 2 Thess 2:8.
6) Apokalupsis: ἀποκάλυψις, apokalypsis
lit., "an uncovering, unveiling" (apo, "from," kalyptō, "to hide, cover"), denotes "a revelation, or appearing" (Eng., apocalypse). It is
translated "the appearing" in 1 Pet. 1:7, AV (RV, "revelation").
http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Mt+24%3A14http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Jn+2%3A4http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=2Pe+3%3A10http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Rev+18%3A8http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Mt+23%3A36http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Lk+19%3A43http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=Mt+8%3A1http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?ref=1Pe+1%3A7
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all quotes above are from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old
Testament and New Testament Words.
V. The Rapture
A. General information concerning the rapture.
1. Some believe that there are two main phases to the second coming.
a. The rapture.
b. The Revelation of Jesus Christ
Rapture Revelation
1) Before the tribulation, Rev 3:10. 1) After the tribulation, Matt 24;29-30.
2) A blessing for the church, JN 14:3 2) A judgment on enemies, 2 Thess 1:8
3) Christ comes for His saints, 1 Thess 4:3 3) Comes with His saints, Jude 14.
4) Meets saints in the air, 1 Thess 4:17 4) Descends fully to the earth, Zech 14:4
2. Old Covenant saints translated, Enoch, Elijah and yet future the two witnesses
of Revelation 11.
3. The rapture was a mystery in the Old Covenant, 1 Cor 15:51-53.
4. The first possible mention of the rapture is found in John 14:1-3.
5. The rapture of the church was possibly foreshadowed in the Old Covenant, Enoch
(Gen 7:16), Elijah (2 Kings 2;11-12, possibly Noah and Lot and his family.
6. Some say the rapture of the church is the next event in biblical prophecy and
is imminent.
James 5:8-9 (ESV) 8
You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at
hand. 9
Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged;
behold, the Judge is standing at the door.
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1 Thessalonians 1:10 (ESV) 10
and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus
who delivers us from the wrath to come.
B. Biblical description of the rapture
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (ESV) 13
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you
may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14
For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will
bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15
For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left
until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16
For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of
an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise
first. 17
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.
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1 Corinthians 15:51-53 (ESV) 51
Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52
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 shall be changed. 53
For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on
immortality. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
1. Christ will return 1 Thess 4:16.
a. It’s the Lord Himself.
b. Are three audio aids.
1). The shout “cry of command”.
2). Voice of the archangel.
3). Trumpet of God - trumpet sounds were often used to call an
assembly together.
2. There will be a resurrection, 1 Thess 4:14; 1 Cor 15:52.
3. Events that will occur at the rapture.
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1) The alive and the dead of all believers to be with Jesus Christ.
2) Souls of the dead with their new bodies.
C. Theories of the rapture.
1. Partial Rapture Theory.
a. Not held much today.
b. Explanation.
1) Only the faithful in the church will be raptured and resurrected.
2) Stress is placed on works of the faithful and watching.
3) There is no objective way of knowing who is faithful.
4) Intention is to put pressure on believers to live faithfully.
c. Refutation.
1) This position is based on confusing interpretation of bible.
a) Olivet discourse is for the church and not Israel.
b) 1 Thess 5:6 Contrasts light and darkness, they interpret
this as about carnal and spiritual believers.
c) 2 Tim 4:8 State this is talking about the Rapture. When
context is about rewards and crowns.
2) Clear passages of the bible teach all church believers will be raptured
and or resurrected, 1 Cor 15:51-52; 1 Thess 4:13.
3) Theory undermines the doctrine of salvation by grace, it places an
emphasis on works.
4) Ecclesiastically, this doctrine destroys the doctrine of the church
because it divides the body of Christ.
5) 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 is written against a false view of the Rapture
and Second Coming.
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2. Mid-Tribulation Theory.
a. This theory is similar, with a few exceptions, to the Pre-Wrath Theory, which
has gained a great deal of acceptance in the church today.
b. Explanation.
1) The last trump of 1 Cor 15:52 is the 7th
angelic trumpet of Rev 11:15.
1 Corinthians 15:52 (ESV) 52
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 shall be changed.
Revelation 11:15 (ESV) 15
Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in
heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our
Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever."
2) “for half of the week”, Dan 9:27 and “out of the way”, refer
2 Thess 2:7 are the same.
3) Rapture of the 2 witnesses of Rev 11:2, in the midst of the tribulation
is symbolic of the church.
4) The seal and trumpet judgments of Rev 6-9 are merely the
“beginning of sorrows”.
5) The church escapes the “great tribulation”, last 31/2 years.
b. Refutation
1) Identification of the people and events are superficial likeness.
2) Confuses the church and Israel.
3) The term “great tribulation” may refer to the first 31/2 years
of the tribulation.
Revelation 7:13-15 (ESV) 13
Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, clothed in white
robes, and from where have they come?" 14
I said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones coming
out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white
in the blood of the Lamb.
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15 "Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in
his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
4) There is no evidence in the bible to connect the “last trumpet”
with the 7th
Angelic Trumpet.
5) The chronology of rapture events and Rev 11 are different.
a) 1 Thess 4--Trump and then Rapture
b) Rev 11:14-15--Rapture then Trump.
3. Postribulationalism a view held by many Evangelicals today.
a. Origin
1) It can be traced back to the early church history in a broad, general
system, though not in the same form as it is usually found today.
found today.
2) Roman Catholics, Greek Catholics, Amillenialists, and some
premillenialists hold forms of post tribulationism.
b. Various posttribulational views. Most exponents of the following
view are also premillenialists.
1) Classic posttribulational Interpretation. J Barton Payne, The
Imminent Appearing of Christ. The view that was held by the
Church Fathers.
a) The view does spiritualize the tribulation to mean it is past and
present.
b) Spiritualizes details of the tribulation.
c) Does believe in immanency.
d) Rev 4-18 is spiritualized, Rev 19-22 then is literal.
2) Futurist Posttribulational Interpretation, George Allen Ladd,
The Blessed Hope.
a) Literal tribulation, last 7 years Christ returns after tribulation.
b) Difficulty with immanency.
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c) Can anyone see any other difficulty???
d) Claims this is the historical view of the church fathers.
e) Saints go through the tribulation, but are protected like Israel.
3) Dispensational Posttribulational Interpretation.
a) Keeps the church and Israel separate.
b) Denies immanency.
c) “Day of the Lord” begins at the battle of Armageddon.
d) Rapture occurs just before the battle of Armageddon.
e) The Olivet Discourse of Mt 24 & 25 refer to the church and
not Israel.
c. Theological presuppositions of Posttribulationalists.
1) The church is made up of all the saved of all ages.
a) Church = all saved.
b) Saved are in the tribulation.
c) Therefore the church is in the tribulation.
2) There is only one, general resurrection for the saved of all ages
Rev 20.
a) There is one resurrection.
b) We know there is a resurrection after the tribulation.
c) Therefore the resurrection and rapture occur at the same time.
3) The “day of the Lord” begins with the second coming of Christ
to earth at the beginning of the Millennium.
a) Rapture is often associated with the “day of the Lord”.
b) Rapture occurs at the beginning of the Millennium.
d. Claim that this view has Ecclesiastical tradition.
1) Calls itself historic Premillennialism.
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2) Since more theologians accept post-tribulationalism it is correct
D. Pretribulational View of the Rapture.
1. Position stated, the church is raptured before the beginning of the tribulation.
2. Position supported.
a. The church is not Israel.
1) The “mystery” characteristic of the church, Eph 3:5-6.
2) Matt 16:18 still yet future.
3) Tribulation passages never mention the church, Jer 30.
b. The promises of Scripture.
1) 1 Thess 1:10.
1 Thessalonians 1:10 (NASB) 10
and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead,
that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.
2) 1 Thess 5:9
1 Thessalonians 5:9 (NASB) 9
For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
3) Rev 3:10-said to the church of Philadelphia.
Revelation 3:10 (ESV) 10
Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep
you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those
who dwell on the earth.
c. Dan 9:27--see introduction--verse is specific to the nation of
Israel, not the church.
d. The teaching or doctrine on immanency.
1) Many sign’s proceed the second coming, but not the rapture.
2) Paul was anticipating being taken away, 1 Thess 4:18; 5:6-10;
Titus 2:13; James 5:8-9.
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e. The restraining influence of the Holy Spirit, 2 Thess 2:6-7. (There
is considerable question if this is what these verses are referring).
f. The absence of mention of church on earth during this time, Rev 4-19.
(Admittedly by those in favor of this position not the best argument).
g. The position of the 24 elders of Revelation 4-5 in heaven.
1) Old Covenant saints, not likely.
2) Are not the 12 apostles, but 25 elders, Greek work is presbyteros.
3) Angels, again wrong Greek word, if angel would be angelos.
4) Elders maybe referring to the church, however the Jewish Synagogue
did have Elders.
5) Rev 5:10. They are priests, only church saints are called priests
and are referred to being ones who reign with Christ on earth.
Revelation 5:10 (ESV) 10
and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they
shall reign on the earth.
h. The Bride of Christ in heaven, Rev 19:1, 7-8.
VI. The Judgment Seat of Christ.
A. The meaning - “bema seat”.
1. Was a position of prominence.
2. The seat Pilot sat on in judging Jesus was a “bema seat”.
3. Can be a place of reward and punishment.
4. Official pronouncements were made from this location.
5. Signified the one on the seat is a ruler.
B. The time of the Judgment Seat.
1. It is in heaven while the judgments are poured out on the earth.
I Corinthians 4:5 (NASB) 5
Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord
comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose
the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God.
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2 Corinthians 5:8-10 (ESV) 8
Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at
home with the Lord. 9
So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may
receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
2. We know from Rev 19:7-8 the marriage of the Lamb to the Bride is taking place,
thus conclude it occurs prior to the Millennium.
C. The judge is Jesus Christ, 1 Cor 4:5; 2 Cor 5:10.
D. The results of the judgment seat.
1. It has nothing to do with salvation.
2. There are two kinds of works that will be revealed in Believers, I cor 3:9-15
a. Rewards: gold, silver and precious stones.
b. Loss: Wood, hay stubble.
3. 2 Cor 5:10 teaches that some works will be worthless.
4. Appears motives behind what believer’s do will determine the reward.
1 Corinthians 4:4-5 (ESV) 4
I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the
Lord who judges me. 5
Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes,
who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the
purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.
5. Acts of righteousness (Rev 19:8) will be the wedding garment.
6. One’s sins will not be judged here.
Hebrews 8:12 (ESV) 12
For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no
more."
7. However sin can and does hinder what we do for the Lord, thus sin may prevent
receiving a reward because our sin kept us from proper service.
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VII. The Marriage of the Lamb.
A. The parties of the marriage.
1. The church, presently betrothed, 2 Cor 11.
2. Jesus Christ the groom, Rev 19.
B. The time.
1. Location is in heaven, assumed to be after the bema seat.
2. Appears to occur towards the end of the tribulation as Rev 18 details the end of
apostate Babylon.
C. The purpose of the marriage.
1. To bring out into the open that which was true about the church but never really
known to the world.
Colossians 3:4 (ESV) 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
2. To celebrate the formal union of Christ and His church in an eternal relationship.
Col 3:4; 1 Thess 4:17; Rev 20:6.
D. The results of the marriage.
1. A reception for the bride and groom will be held on earth with numbers of
attendants from Old Covenant saints, tribulation saints and other, Rev 19:9 and
possibly Mt. 8:11.
2. The bridegroom will be admired in all of His glory, 2 Thess 1:10-12
3. The admiration of the bride will be closely linked with the adoration paid to the
bridegroom, Col 3:4; Rev 20:6.
4. The church will rule with Christ (Rev 20:6) and there will be free movement
between heaven and earth for 1000 years, Jn 1:51.
