Eschatology ST3 M4 Exam 4.docx
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Exam 4 Review Modern Treatments of Eschatology Know the six major modern treatments of eschatology: the name of its primary theologian and the basic characteristics of the position Six Major Modern Treatments of Eschatology Futurist Eschatology Primary Theologian: Johannes Vice Basic Characteristics...
Exam 4 Review Modern Treatments of Eschatology Know the six major modern treatments of eschatology: the name of its primary theologian and the basic characteristics of the position Six Major Modern Treatments of Eschatology Futurist Eschatology Primary Theologian: Johannes Vice Basic Characteristics: Sees most eschatological events as future Believes in a literal thousand-year reign of Christ on earth Emphasizes the importance of the rapture of the church Futurists believe that the events described in the Book of Revelation will occur in a literal and chronological order. This view is often associated with dispensationalism, which is a theological system that divides history into distinct periods of time called dispensations. In dispensationalism, the current dispensation is called the Church Age, which will end with the Rapture of the Church. The Rapture is a belief that all Christians will be taken up to heaven before the Tribulation, a seven-year period of judgment and suffering on Earth. After the Tribulation, Jesus will return to Earth to establish a millennial kingdom, which will be a time of peace and prosperity. At the end of the millennium, there will be a final judgment, and all people will be resurrected and either sent to heaven or hell. Historicist Eschatology Primary Theologian: Augustine of Hippo Basic Characteristics: Sees eschatological events as having already occurred in history Interprets the Bible symbolically Emphasizes the importance of the church as the body of Christ Historicists believe that the events described in the Book of Revelation have already occurred, and that the Second Coming of Jesus has already taken place in a spiritual sense. This view is often associated with Postmillennialism, which is a theological system that believes that the Church will gradually transform the world into a utopia before the Second Coming of Jesus. Postmillennialists believe that the Millennium is a symbol of the present age, and that the Kingdom of God is being established on Earth through the preaching of the Gospel. Historicists also believe that the Antichrist is a symbol of evil, and that it has been manifested throughout history in various forms. They interpret the Book of Revelation as a symbolic representation of the struggle between good and evil, which will ultimately end with the victory of Christ. Premillennialism Primary Theologian: John Nelson Darby Basic Characteristics: Believes in a literal thousand-year reign of Christ on earth before the final judgment Sees the church as distinct from Israel Emphasizes the importance of evangelism Premillennialism is a belief system that holds that the Second Coming of Jesus Christ will occur before the establishment of the Millennial Kingdom on Earth. Premillennialists believe that the Millennium will be a literal 1,000-year reign of Christ on Earth, during which time there will be peace, justice, and righteousness. This view is based on a literal interpretation of the Book of Revelation, particularly chapters 20 and 21. Premillennialists believe that the Antichrist will rise to power and persecute the Church during the Tribulation, which is a seven-year period of judgment and suffering that will precede the Second Coming of Christ. They also believe that the Rapture will occur before the Tribulation and that the Church will be taken up to Heaven to be with Christ. Premillennialism is one of the three main eschatological views, the other two being Postmillennialism and Amillennialism. Amillennialism Primary Theologian: George Eldon Ladd Basic Characteristics: Rejects the idea of a literal thousand-year reign of Christ on earth Sees the church as the fulfillment of Israel Emphasizes the importance of the kingdom of God Amillennialism is a belief system that holds that the Millennium, or the thousand-year reign of Christ on Earth, is not a literal 1,000-year period, but rather a symbolic representation of the present age of the Church. Amillennialists believe that the Second Coming of Christ will occur after the Tribulation and that the Millennium is a spiritual reign of Christ through the Church. This view is based on a symbolic interpretation of the Book of Revelation, particularly chapters 20 and 21. Amillennialists believe that the Church is already experiencing the Millennium in a spiritual sense, and that the Kingdom of God is being established through the preaching of the gospel and the conversion of sinners. They also believe that the Antichrist will rise to power and persecute the Church during the Tribulation, but that Christ will ultimately defeat him and establish His eternal kingdom. Amillennialism is one of the three main eschatological views, the other two being Premillennialism and Postmillennialism. Postmillennialism Primary Theologian: Jonathan Edwards Basic Characteristics: Believes that Christ will return to earth after a period of peace and prosperity Sees the church as the agent of social transformation Emphasizes the importance of missions Postmillennialism is a belief system that holds that the Millennium, or the thousand-year reign of Christ on Earth, will occur after a period of Christianization and peace.** Postmillennialists believe that the Second Coming of Christ will occur after the Millennium, and that the Millennium will be a time of great spiritual and material prosperity for the Church. This view is based on a literal interpretation of the Book of Revelation, particularly chapters 20 and 21. Postmillennialists believe that the Church will gradually Christianize the world through evangelism and social reform, and that this will lead to a period of peace and prosperity. They also believe that the Antichrist will rise to power and persecute the Church during the Great Tribulation, but that Christ will ultimately defeat him and establish His eternal kingdom. Postmillennialism was the dominant eschatological view among Protestants from the Reformation until the early 19th century. In recent years, it has experienced a resurgence of interest among some evangelical Christians. Existential Eschatology Primary Theologian: Rudolf Bultmann Basic Characteristics: Interprets eschatological events as existential realities Rejects the idea of a literal heaven or hell Emphasizes the importance of personal faith Existential eschatology is an approach to eschatology that focuses on the existential significance of eschatological beliefs, rather than on their historical or theological content.** Existential eschatologists argue that eschatological beliefs are not primarily about what will happen in the future, but about how we should live in the present. They believe that eschatology is not about predicting the end of the world, but about transforming the world through Christian living. Existential eschatologists often draw on the existentialist philosophy of Martin Heidegger, which emphasizes the importance of individual existence and the meaning of life. They argue that eschatological beliefs can provide us with a sense of purpose and meaning in life, and can help us to live more authentically. Existential eschatology is a relatively new approach to eschatology, and it is still developing. However, it has already had a significant impact on the way that many Christians think about eschatology. Amillennialism Postmillennialism Premillennialism Futurist Eschatology (Dispensationalist) Existential Eschatology Historical Eschatology Interpretation symbolic literal Literal Future Literal Events eschatological beliefs symbolic I0k Reign No After Peace Before Judgement After Tribulation None symbol of the present age Rapture Denies Does not believe in the rapture Occurs before the seven-year tribulation pre-tribulational event None symbol of the past Second coming of Christ after the Tribulation after the Millennium Before the millennium after the Tribulation already spiritually taken place Key Theologian George Eldon Ladd Jonathan Edwards John Nelson Darby Johannes Vice Rudolf Bultmann Augustine of Hippo The Primary Millennial Positions Identify the 4 major Millennial positions within the evangelical community Amillennialism Amillennialists believe that there will be no literal thousand-year reign of Christ on earth. They see the church as the fulfillment of Israel and the kingdom of God as a present reality. Amillennialism is the most common millennial view among evangelicals today. Postmillennialism Postmillennialists believe that Christ will return to earth after a period of peace and prosperity. They see the church as the agent of social transformation and believe that the gospel will eventually triumph over all evil. Premillennialism Premillennialists believe in a literal thousand-year reign of Christ on earth before the final judgment. They see the church as distinct from Israel and emphasize the importance of evangelism. Dispensationalism Dispensationalists believe that God's dealings with humanity are divided into seven distinct periods, or dispensations. They see the church as a separate entity from Israel and emphasize the importance of the rapture of the church. Amillennialism Postmillennialism Premillennialism Dispensationalism 10K Reign No After Peace Before Judgement Before Judgement Israel church as the fulfillment of Israel Israel has a special place during the Millennium the church as distinct from Israel church as a separate entity from Israel Emphasis the kingdom of God as a present reality church as the agent of social transformation evangelism. rapture of the church The Day of the Lord Know the definition and basic meaning of the Day of the LORD The Day of the LORD is a significant event mentioned in the Bible where God intervenes in history to bring about judgment and deliverance. Divine Intervention: God demonstrates His power and authority by actively intervening in the world. Divine Decision: God brings about both judgment and deliverance, highlighting His righteous rule and care for His people. Judgment and Deliverance: The Day of the LORD involves punishment for those who rebel against God and deliverance for those who believe in Him. Cosmic Phenomena: The Day of the LORD is often associated with dramatic cosmic events, such as the sun refusing to shine and the moon turning to blood, symbolizing God's judgment and power. Fulfillment in the New Testament: In the New Testament, the Day of the LORD is primarily associated with Jesus' second coming, the resurrection of the dead, and the final judgment, emphasizing the ultimate triumph of righteousness and salvation. Know the two primary issues connected with the Day of the LORD The two primary issues connected with the Day of the LORD are judgment and deliverance. Judgment refers to God's righteous response to sin and rebellion, bringing punishment and consequences for those who have opposed Him and His ways. Deliverance refers to God's salvation and rescue of His people, demonstrating His faithfulness, love, and protection for those who have trusted in Him. These two aspects of the Day of the LORD are often intertwined, as God's judgment brings about deliverance for His people and His deliverance involves the execution of judgment on those who have rejected Him. Know the theological significance of the Day of the LORD The theological significance of the Day of the LORD is that it is **a day of God's vindication and victory**. It is a day when God's justice and righteousness are revealed, and His ultimate triumph over evil and sin is made manifest. On the Day of the LORD, God will judge all people according to their deeds. Those who have rejected God and His ways will be punished, while those who have trusted in Him and followed His ways will be vindicated and rewarded. The Day of the LORD is a reminder that God is holy and just, and that He will not tolerate sin and evil forever. It is also a day of hope for those who have been oppressed and wronged, as it assures them that God will one day set things right and bring justice to all. The Second Coming of Christ Be familiar with Matthew 24-25 regarding the definiteness of the Lord’s return Matthew 24 and 25 affirm the definite return of Jesus Christ. Jesus says, "Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down." (Matthew 24:2) He also says, "But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Matthew 24:36) These passages make it clear that Jesus' return is certain, but the exact time is unknown. This should motivate us to be ready for His return at any moment. Know the purpose of Christ’s return To establish His kingdom. Christ will return to establish His kingdom on earth, a kingdom of righteousness and peace that will last forever. To bring salvation to its completion. Christ's return will bring salvation to its completion, delivering believers from the power of evil and death and bringing them into the fullness of eternal life. To judge the living and the dead. Christ will return to judge the living and the dead, separating the righteous from the wicked and assigning each to their eternal destiny. These three reasons for Christ's return are closely related. In establishing His kingdom, Christ will bring salvation to its completion and judge the living and the dead. His return will be a time of great rejoicing for those who have put their faith in Him, but it will also be a time of judgment for those who have rejected Him. Know what Jesus teaches about the timing of His return According to Jesus' teachings in the Gospels, the timing of His return is unknown and unpredictable: Matthew 24:36-44: Jesus states that "no one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." He emphasizes the suddenness and unexpectedness of His return, comparing it to the days of Noah when people were unaware of the flood until it came. Mark 13:32-37: Jesus reiterates the uncertainty of the timing, saying, "But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake, for you do not know when the time will come." Luke 17:20-30: Jesus teaches that His return will be like lightning, visible to all, and that it will be accompanied by judgment and separation. He warns against being distracted by worldly pursuits and encourages His followers to be ready for His coming. Overall, Jesus' teachings emphasize the importance of being prepared and vigilant for His return, regardless of the unknown timing. He calls on His followers to live faithfully and to be ready to meet Him whenever He comes. Know the characteristics of what Christ’s return will be like The characteristics of Christ's return, according to the teachings of Jesus and the New Testament: Unexpected and sudden: His return will be unexpected and sudden, like a thief in the night (Matthew 24:43-44, 1 Thessalonians 5:2). Visible and glorious: His return will be visible to all people, with great power and glory (Matthew 24:27-30, Revelation 1:7). Accompanied by judgment: Christ's return will be accompanied by judgment, separating the righteous from the wicked (Matthew 25:31-46, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10). Triumphant and victorious: Christ's return will be triumphant and victorious, marking the establishment of His kingdom and the defeat of His enemies (Revelation 19:11-21). Transformative and renewing: Christ's return will bring about a transformation and renewal of the earth, creating a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells (Revelation 21:1-7). Eternal and everlasting: Christ's return will usher in an eternal and everlasting kingdom where believers will live in the presence of God and experience fullness of joy and peace (Revelation 21:4, 22:1-5). Be able to define the Kingdom of God According to the teachings of Jesus and the New Testament, the Kingdom of God is: A present reality and a future hope: The Kingdom of God is both a present reality, experienced by believers through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and a future hope, when Christ returns to establish His kingdom in fullness. A reign of God's righteousness and justice: The Kingdom of God is characterized by the rule of God's righteousness and justice, where His will is done on earth as it is in heaven. A realm of salvation and redemption: The Kingdom of God brings salvation and redemption to all who believe in Jesus Christ, offering forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, and eternal life. A community of believers: The Kingdom of God is a community of believers from all nations, tribes, and tongues, who are united by their faith in Jesus Christ and their shared love for God and one another. A foretaste of heaven on earth: The Kingdom of God is a foretaste of heaven on earth, where believers experience the presence of God, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the joy of fellowship with one another. Identify the nature of God’s eternal Kingdom According to the teachings of Jesus and the New Testament, the nature of God's eternal Kingdom is: A kingdom of salvation: It brings about salvation, deliverance from the powers of evil, and the defeat of death. A kingdom of righteousness and justice: It is characterized by the rule of God's righteousness and justice, where His will is done on earth as it is in heaven. A kingdom of peace and harmony: There will be no more war, violence, or conflict. All people will live together in peace and harmony. A kingdom of joy and everlasting life: Believers will experience the fullness of joy and everlasting life in the presence of God. Identify what Christ’s Kingdom will entail (we mentioned 7 things) Christ’s Kingdom will entail the following: The recognition of Christ’s lordship Judgment Conquering Completing salvation, including the resurrection The Eternal State Restoration of creation Fulfillment of promises to Israel The Resurrection of the Body Be very familiar with 1 Cor. 15 and what it teaches about the resurrection of the body 1 Corinthians 15 teaches that the resurrection of the body is a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith. The apostle Paul writes, "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins" (1 Corinthians 15:17). Paul uses the analogy of a seed planted in the ground to illustrate the resurrection of the body. He writes, "What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. And what you sow is not the body that will be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or some other grain. But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body" (1 Corinthians 15:37-38). Paul emphasizes that the resurrection body will be different from the natural body. He writes, "It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body" (1 Corinthians 15:43-44). The resurrection of the body is a source of great hope for Christians. Paul writes, "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:57-58). Be able to explain the meaning of “spiritual body” A "spiritual body" is a body that is animated and guided by the Holy Spirit. It is a physical body, but it is a body that is fully and completely responsive to Christ’s perfected Spirit through the Holy Spirit. It is adapted to the kingdom environment, which is a spiritual creation of a completely new order and a completely new environment. It has both an immaterial aspect and a material aspect. It is imperishable, immortal, and has glory, power, and limitless energy. It is a body that is fit to dwell in the Kingdom of God. The Final State of the Wicked and the Righteous Identify what “heaven” and “hell” mean Heaven is the eternal dwelling place of God and those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. It is a place of perfect joy, peace, and love, where there is no more pain, suffering, or death. In Heaven, we will be in the presence of God and will be able to see Him face to face. We will be reunited with our loved ones who have also gone to Heaven, and we will be able to worship God together for all eternity. Heaven is a place that is beyond our imagination. It is a place where we will experience the fullness of God's love and glory. Hell is the eternal dwelling place of those who have rejected Jesus Christ as their Savior. It is a place of eternal torment and suffering, where there is no joy, peace, or love. In Hell, people will be separated from God and will be tormented by demons. They will experience physical pain and mental anguish, and they will never have any hope of escape. The Bible describes Hell as a place of “outer darkness,” where there is “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” It is a place where people will be “cast into the Lake of Fire,” which is “prepared for the devil and his angels.” Hell is a real place, and it is a place that we should all avoid. If you do not want to go to Hell, you need to repent of your sins and turn to Jesus Christ as your Savior. Identify the indication of what life in heaven will be like Life in heaven will be a place of unimaginable joy and peace, where we will be in the presence of God and experience his perfect love. We will be free from all sin, pain, and suffering, and we will have perfect knowledge and understanding. We will be able to see God face to face, and we will worship him forever. Here are some of the things that the Bible says about life in heaven: We will be in the presence of God. Revelation 21:3 says, "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.'" We will be free from all sin, pain, and suffering. Revelation 21:4 says, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." We will have perfect knowledge and understanding. 1 Corinthians 13:12 says, "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known." We will be able to see God face to face. 1 John 3:2 says, "Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when he appears, we will be like him, because we will see him as he is." We will worship God forever. Revelation 4:11 says, "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created." Life in heaven will be a glorious and eternal experience, where we will be in the presence of God and experience his perfect love. Know the basic teachings regarding future judgment According to the source titled "ST3-Session-4-Transcript.pdf," the Bible teaches about future judgment, which involves both salvation and deliverance for some, and punishment for others. Here are some key points regarding this topic: The day of the Lord refers to divine intervention and divine decision. God will judge His people, bringing punishment against those in rebellion against Him and deliverance for those who believe in Him. All humanity will be judged, and those who have not repented and believed in Christ will be judged according to their works and punished accordingly. The standard of judgment is the revealed will of God. The judgment of Christ will be permanent, with no opportunity for a second chance. The Effects of Eschatology on the Present Life Know the teachings of the following passages regarding what they teach about the effects of Christ’s return on life in the present world: Matt. 24-25; 1 Thess. 4:12-5:11; James 5:7-8; 1 Peter 1:6-7; 2 Peter 3:11-12; 1 John 2:28 Matthew 24-25: Jesus makes it clear that he will return, and he provides signs to watch for that will indicate his coming. The disciples ask Jesus about the signs of his coming and the end of the age, and Jesus responds by telling them about various events that will take place, including wars, famines, earthquakes, and the persecution of Christians. Jesus also warns that many false prophets will arise and deceive many people, and he tells his followers to be on guard and not be deceived. Jesus emphasizes the importance of being ready for his return and warns that no one knows the day or hour when he will come. The document also mentions that Jesus' teachings on the end times in Matthew 24-25 are consistent with other passages in the New Testament, such as 1 Thessalonians 4-5 and 2 Thessalonians 1. 1 Thessalonians 4:12-5:11 The author emphasizes that Christians should not be ignorant about the timing of Christ's return, but should be aware that it will come like a thief in the night. The author exhorts believers to be watchful and self-controlled, living in a manner that is consistent with their faith and calling. The author uses the parable of the ten virgins to illustrate the importance of being prepared for Christ's return. The five wise virgins who were prepared for the bridegroom's arrival were admitted to the wedding feast, while the five foolish virgins who were not prepared were shut out. The author concludes by urging believers to encourage and build one another up in the faith, and to live in peace and harmony with each other. James 5:7-8, This passage as a call for Christians to be patient and to strengthen their hearts as they await the Lord's coming. The author also sees this passage as a reminder that the Lord's coming is near and that Christians should be prepared for it. 1 Peter 1:6-7 speaks about the testing of faith through trials and suffering, leading to praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Verse 6: "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials." Believers may experience trials and sufferings in their lives. These trials are temporary and serve a purpose. Verse 7: "These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." The purpose of trials is to test and refine faith, making it more valuable than gold. Genuine faith will be evident and will bring praise, glory, and honor to God when Jesus Christ returns. 2 Peter 3:11-12 Be able to identify the terms used to describe how the believer is to live life in light of Christ’s immanent return Alert Watchful Faithful in our task Prepared our lives for when he does return Give service to God's people Morally sensitive and morally attentive to what's going on around us Exercise self-control Sober-minded Clear-headed Patient in our faith Using the time to strengthen ourselves in our inner person Endure the suffering that we have Live with holy conduct Live with a boldness before God
