Eschatology (lit. 'study of the last') is a part of theology and philosophy concerned with what are believed to be the final events in history, or the ultimate destiny of humanity, commonly referred to as the end of the world. ◦ Wikipedia contributors. "Eschatology." Wikipedia, The

Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 5 Apr. 2010. Web. 12 Apr. 2010.

Prophecy acquaints us with the most important subject of the ages, God’s plan for man.

Studying Bible prophecy convinces us that there really is a God.

The literal fulfillment of prophecy teaches us that prophecy should be interpreted literally.

The study of prophecy prepares the Christian to avoid the deceptions of the many false prophets [of the day.]

The only book in the Bible that comes with a blessing to any and all persons who read it. (Revelation 1:3)

But, the only book that comes with a warning not to add words to it, or take away any of its words. ( Revelation 22:18-19)

The study of prophecy promotes an evangelical church.

The study of prophecy tends to purify the believer.

Prophecy offers confident hope in a hopeless age.

Lahaye, Tim. Charting the End Times, 2001. Harvest House Publishers

1. Jesus Christ is coming again.2. Evil will be judged.3. The dead will be raised to judgment,

resulting in eternal life or eternal destruction.

An Introduction

It is the only prophetic book in the New Testament. (17 in the OT)

The author, John, reaches farther back into eternity past than does any other writer in Scripture. (John 1:3)

There is a special blessing which is promised to the readers of this book (Rev. 1:3); and there is also a special warning …to those who tamper with its contents. (Rev. 22:18)McGee, J. Vernon. Thru the Bible 1 Corinthians through Revelation. 1983.

Thomas Nelson Publishers

It is not a sealed book. Daniel was told to seal the book until the end of time (Dan. 12:9); but John is told not to (Rev. 22:10).

It is a series of visions expressed in symbols which deal with reality. The literal interpretation is always preferred unless John makes it clear that it is otherwise.

McGee, J. Vernon. Thru the Bible 1 Corinthians through Revelation. 1983. Thomas Nelson Publishers

Genesis RevelationEarth created Earth passes awaySatan’s first rebellion Satan’s last rebellionSun, moon, and stars for earth’s government

Light from God through the Son for earth’s government

Darkness was called night There is “no night there”Waters were called seas There is no more seaEntrance of sin Exodus of sinThe curse was pronounced The curse is removedDeath entered There is no more deathBeginning of sorrow and suffering

There will be no more sorrow and no more tears

Marriage of the first Adam Marriage of the last AdamWe saw man’s city, Babylon built

We see man’s city destroyed, and a New Jerusalem

Satan’s doom pronounced Satan’s doom executed

[1] McGee, J. Vernon. Thru the Bible 1 Corinthians through Revelation. 1983. Thomas Nelson Publishers

Dragon =Satan First Beast (out of the sea) =Antichrist Second Beast (out of the earth)=False

Prophet

The events of history Reveals mankind’s depravity Portrays God’s authority over the events of

human history

Seven Seals Seven Trumpets Seven Bowls

The Four Horsemen represent God’s judgment of people’s sin & rebellion

“Given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.”

Trumpets

Bowl Judgments

It Is Well With My Soul When peace like a river, attendeth

my way,When sorrows like sea billows roll;Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain:It is well, with my soul,It is well, with my soul,It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,Let this blest assurance control,That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!My sin, not in part but the whole,Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:If Jordan above me shall roll,No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,The sky, not the grave, is our goal;Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,Even so, it is well with my soul.

Horatio Spafford

When and how will Christ return? Could he come back at any hour?

Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology, 1994. Zondervan

There will be a sudden, personal, visible, bodily return of Christ.

We should eagerly long for Christ’s return.

We do not know when Christ will return.◦ “Anyone who claims to know specifically when

Jesus is coming back is automatically to be considered wrong.”

◦ “Anyone who claims to know the date on which Christ will return—from whatever source—should be rejected as incorrect.”

All evangelicals agree on the final result of Christ’s return.

There is disagreement over the details of future events.

Could Christ come back at any time?

What is the millennium? When does it occur? Will Christians go through the Great

Tribulation?

Who will be judged? What is hell?

Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology, 1994. Zondervan

Contemporary◦ they had a direct message to the local churches of

the John’s day. ◦ John was writing to churches that he well knew.

Composite◦ Each one is a composite picture of the church. ◦ There is something that is applicable to all churches

in all ages in each message to the individual church. Chronological

◦ The panoramic history of the church ◦ From Pentecost to the upper air

Commendation Condemnation

Ephesus

Smyrna

Pergamum

Thyatira

Sardis

Philadelphia

Laodicea

[1] McGee, J. Vernon. Thru the Bible. 1983. Nashville: Nelson.

Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994.

If this significant event were to happen, we might at least expect that explicit teaching to that effect would be found in the New Testament

Throughout history, I Thess. 4:17 and I Cor. 15:51-52 have been understood not of a secret rapture of the church before the tribulation, but of a very visible public rapture (or “taking up”) of the church to with Christ just a few moments prior to his coming to earth with them to reign during the millennial kingdom

It is difficult to understand I Thess. 4:17 as a secret coming of the Lord if in I Thess. 4:16 it says that, “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.” (That seems open and public)

Moreover, even if one believes this doctrine to be in Scripture, it is taught with such little clarity that it was not discovered until the nineteenth century. This does not make it seem likely.

The loud trumpet call to gather the elect in Matthew 24:31, the sound of the trumpet of God in I Thess. 4:16 and the last trumpet at which our bodies are changed in I Cor. 15:51-52 all seem to be the same trumpet—the last trumpet that is blown just before the millennium. If it is indeed the “last trumpet” (I Cor. 15:52), then it is hard to see how another loud trumpet call (Matthew 24:31) could follow it seven years later.

In addition, Matthew 24 is very difficult to understand as referring not to the church but to Jewish people who would be saved during the tribulation. Jesus is addressing his disciples (Matt. 24: 1-4) and warning them of persecution and suffering to come.

Finally, the New Testament does not seem to justify the idea of two separate returns of Christ

(once for his church before the tribulation and then seven years later with his church to bring judgement on unbelievers).

It seems best to conclude, with the great majority of the church throughout history, that the church will go through the time of tribulation predicted by Jesus. We would probably not have chosen this path for ourselves, but the decision was not ours to make.