Eschatology - Study Of The End Times. Series

Eschatology -- THINGS TO COME

REVIEW/INTRODUCTION

We have given consideration to some basic consideration regarding war. Why is there war? We have war because of the wickedness and selfishness of men. What is God's perspective on war? God makes war and uses war on the basis of three basic principles: defense, liberation and judgment.

Our war with Iraq could be defended as a just war of defense as well as liberation and from God's perspective, perhaps a judgment. Our primary response should be prayer for revival and renewal of America, Iraq and all who were touched by the war.

Our final question we set out to address has been somewhat answered by the end of the war. Is this the beginning of the end? I am afraid there are some excitable preachers and teacher left with egg on their face over these past few days. If the War over Kuwait was not the end, what will the end be like? How will things line up at the end times?

This morning we want to do three things.

1. Gain a perspective on prophecy

2. Provide a prophetic panorama

3. Attempt a prophetic progression

I. PROPHETIC PERSPECTIVE

Why part does prophecy play in God's plans? What should be our perspective regarding the issues of prophecy?

A. Prophecy is essentially "baby food".

Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. Heb 6:1-2

There are certain truths that serve as a foundation of our faith. Once they are learned we are to move on to other issues. It seems that consideration of future events "eternal judgment" is among those foundational issues. So often people get so excited about prophecy, they forget the essential issues of the Christian life.

B. Prophecy provides a general recognizable scheme of what is to come.

Prophecy was meant to give us a hope and certainty as to what God is planning for the future of the human race.

C. Prophetic specifics can only be certified AFTER the fulfillment.

The Old Testament prophets to whom God revealed these predictions didn't even understand.

Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. 1Pe 1:12

Out of all the prophecies concerning Messiah, most Jews missed the fulfillment. They had a general feeling that the time was near but missed the direct application to Jesus of Nazareth. Only afterward, did some realize Jesus as Messiah and yet some still at John's writing refused to recognize and receive Him as Messiah.

Although God is very specific in prophecy concerning future events like the gambling for Christ's clothes, those specifics remain clouded before the fact. There are many examples of Old Testament prophecy declared fulfilled by the New Testament that we would not in a million years have identified as a prophetic passage. For example, "Out of Egypt have I called my Son."

Prophecy also often has a double fulfillment. Where the prophecy would find fulfillment in two or more periods of history.

Prophecy regarding the destruction of Babylon is a good example. Babylon was judged but will face final judgment and destruction in the very last days according to Revelation 19. Also Joel two speaks of an outpouring of God's Spirit and Peter declared fulfillment in Acts yet not all the predictions of Joel 2 came to pass in Early Church history. There is to be in my estimation yet another outpouring of God's Spirit in the very last days.

Sometimes the complete fulfillment of a particular prophecy was interrupted by many years. One prime example of this practice is the prophecy concerning Christ declared by Christ Himself as a fulfilled in Him.

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." Luk 4:19-21