Lesson 11: What We Believe About Eschatology

A. INTRODUCTION

1. Eschatology literally means “the study of last things.

2. Two doctrineal sections of Eschatology.

a. The study of God’s final judgments and the eternal state, Heaven and Hell.

b. Future events on earth (Rev. 1:19).

3. Abuses in Eschatology.

a. Date-setting.

b. Making controversy over minor points.

c. Ignoring the future.

d. Getting caught up in details and forgetting Christ (Rev. 1:1).

4. Why study Eschatology?

a. The certainty that He will return (John 14:3).

b. He may return at any moment (Matt. 25:13).

c. Motivates us to develop Christian character (Titus 3:12-13).

d. Motivates us in our Christian life.

e. Motivates us to become involved in Christian service.

B. SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

1. Natural signs (Matt. 25: 6,7).

2. Biblical signs.

a. The church epistles of Revelation 2 and 3.

b. Look to Israel.

(1) Restoration of Israel to the Promised Land (Ezek. 37: 11-14).

(2) A regeneration of the nation (Ezek. 37:14).

(3) Israel is in the land in unbelief (Deut. 30:1-3), but the stage may be set for a great national revival which will result in many coming to Christ (Rom. 11:25-26).

3. The growth of internationalism, a world government (Rev. 13:7) and world religion (Rev. 17:1).

C. THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH.

While there are certain signs associated with the Second Coming of Christ, there appears to be no pre-conditions established for the rapture of the church.

1. The word “rapture” (which does not occur in Scripture) means, “caught away” (I Thess. 4:17).

2. Scripture distinguishes between the rapture and the revelation of Christ.

D. THE GREAT TRIBULATION.

1. God will deal with the nation for “seventy weeks” (Dan. 9:24), i.e., seven years.

a. Time of great distress (Zeph. 1:15).

b. Time of judgment (Rev. 14:7).

c. Time of darkness (Amos 5:18, 20).

d. Time of suffering (Matt. 24:21).

2. Three distinct series of judgments.

a. Opening a seven-sealed scroll in Heaven (Rev. 6:1-17; 8:1).

b. Blowing seven trumpets in Heaven (Rev. 8:1-10; 19).

c. Bowls of God’s wrath being poured out upon the earth (Rev. 16:1-21).

3. Description of life during the Tribulation.

a. Begin with the promise of peace.

b. The leadership of a Satan-inspired political leader.

c. Conflict directed at the nation of Israel.

d. Significant losses of life.

e. Serious negative environmental changes.

f. Economic centers of the world will collapse.

g. Ends in an ultimate conflict with the hosts of Heaven and the return of Christ to earth.

4. The kingdom of God.

a. Jesus will return to establish His kingdom on earth.

b. For a thousand years He will bring about a reign of peace on earth under conditions of general prosperity.

c. Creation will be released from bondage.

d. Jerusalem will become God’s royal capital.

5. The judgments of God.

a. The millennium ends with Satan and all his followers being cast “into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:14).

b. Other judgments.

(1) The Cross was God’s judgment upon sin (Gal. 3:13).

(2) Believers’ self-judgment (I Cor. 11:28).

(3) The judgment seat of Christ (I Cor. 3:12-15).

(4) God will judge the Gentile nations on the basis of their treatment of His “brethren” (Matt. 25:32-45).

(5) Angels will be judged (I Cor. 6:3).

6. Hell.

a. Hell is the eternal destiny of Satan and all who refuse God’s gracious offer of salvation.

b. A loving God does everything in His power apart from violating a person’s will to encourage him or her not to go to Hell.

7. Heaven.

a. In contrast to Hell, which is probably far worse than we could imagine with our limited human ability, Heaven is probably far greater than we could ever hope in our wildest imagination.

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at etowns@elmertowns.com and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.