Eschatology

The doctrine of last things, eschatology, is considered by many to be the most controversial doctrine of study within the church today. The study of eschatology is the essential capstone to studying theology. It is either underemphasized or overemphasized. Many in today’s church attempt to align events in the news with the fulfillment of Bible prophecy. This is inappropriate because believers are no to waste time trying to predict the time of the rapture of the church, but are to be ready all of the time, as Jesus can come at any time (Matt. 24:36).[1]

The first thing to consider is physical death. Death is not a cessation of life. From Eden, God never created man to die but sin came as a result of the Fall and brought it. For the believer, those that “sleep” in Jesus are resting in Him. The soul and spirit will not pass away with the physical death. In the resurrection, it is the body that will be raised from the grave at the time of the rapture (Jn. 5:28-29; Acts 1:11; 1 Thess. 4:16-17). This will precede the time of the Tribulation (1 Thess. 1:10; Rev. 3:10). The imminence of the rapture implies that it will precede the Tribulation period (1 Thess.5:2).[2][3] This return of Christ will be dramatic and visible. The more that believers long for Christ’s return, the more they are reflective in the spiritual condition that is to be reflected within the believer. It is man’s duty to preach the gospel to all nations, as it was initially fulfilled during the first century (Col. 1:5-6).[4]

The connection between the believer’s glorified body and the new creation is crucial to the final understanding of glorification. Humanity fell at the Fall (Gen. 3:14-19) and it in subjection to vanity (Rom. 8:18-25). As man’s original dwelling was to be at Eden, God will make all things new (Rev. 21:1-2) because the Son of God will be the light therein.

In Revelation 20:12, the lost will be judged according to their works at the Great White Throne Judgment following the Millennium and, with Satan, will be cast unto the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:11-15), but the believer will be judged based on the book of life (2 Cor. 5:10-11).

The seven-year Tribulation period will immediately follow the rapture of the church (Dan. 9:24-27). During this time, the Anti-Christ will take power and demand to be worshipped as God (Matt. 24:15). He is referred to as the “beast” (Rev. 13).[5] The beast will only be in power for the last half of the Tribulation period (3 ½ years). After the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:7-8), Jesus will return to the Valley of Megiddo to defeat the Anti-Christ and his army to Armageddon. Following his defeat, the Anti-Christ and False Prophet will be cast into the Lake of Fire.

Following the battle of Armageddon, Jesus must then judge the nations and prevent the unsaved from entering the millennium. As C.I. Scofield writes, “This judgment is to be distinguished from the judgment of the great white throne. Here there is no resurrection; the persons judged are living nations; no books are opened; three classes are present, sheep, goats, and brethren; the time is at the return of Christ (Matt. 25:31-46).”[6] The contrast of sheep and goats represent the saved and unsaved (Jn. 10:7, 14, 25-26). The best works of the goats are no more than filthy rags (Is. 64:6).[7] The sheep are known by the shepherd (Jn. 10:25) and are able to build works on the foundation of Christ which will be rewarded in the life to come. However, those that trust Christ during the Tribulation will not be members of the body of Christ, as the church will have already been raptured to heaven. These individuals will fall under “Old Testament saints” (Dan. 12:13). During the time of the millennium, Satan will be bound for 1,000 years in the bottomless pit (abyss) (Rev. 20:1-3a). During the time of the millennium, Christ will reign on earth. Following this, Satan will be loosed to deceive the nations (Rev. 20:7-8). Referencing the Gog and Magog of Ezekiel 38-39, Revelation 20:8-9 discuss a final attack on the nation of Israel that is perpetrated by Satan.[8] The conclusion of this battle will result in total destruction with Satan finding himself in the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:10).

Finally, Revelation 21-22 details the New Heaven, New Earth, and New Jerusalem, a place where Christ will reign forever. It is in this place that the believer may rest their hope. With the groom representing Christ (Rev. 21:2b), the bride (the church) and groom will live together for eternity in the restored creation, as God originally intended before the Fall in Genesis 3.

The heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, is described in several ways; however, the Bible is not clear concerning life in the eternal kingdom. However, it is possible to have a glimpse of the life to come. The focus of the eternal state should be fixed on God’s glory (1 Jn. 3:2). The eternal recipient of our attention will be with the Lord, “Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood...” (Rev. 1:5-6), as we eternally proclaim, “Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.” (Rev. 7:12). As the believer prepares for eternity in this life, the words of Fanny Crosby in “Blessed Assurance” which read, “Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine!” (Phil. 1:21) should be considered.[9] For the unbeliever, the choice is theirs to make – because Jesus Christ is worth it all.

[1] Grudem and Thoennes, Systematic Theology, 1094-1095.

[2] Geisler, Church and Last Things, 329.

[3] Grudem and Thoennes, Systematic Theology, 1092.

[4] Ibid., 1100.

[5] Geisler, Church and Last Things, 356.

[6] C.I. Scofield, "Matthew 25 Commentary," Scofield Bible Commentary, accessed November 12, 2018, http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/cmt/sco/mat025.htm.

[7] Ibid.

[8] Ibid.

[9] Fanny Crosby, "Blessed Assurance," 1873, accessed November 14, 2018, https://hymnary.org/text/blessed_assurance_jesus_is_mine.