The S.H.I.F.T.

INTRODUCTION

Eschatology is one of the most disputed subjects amongst the Christian community. The great tribulation, the mark of the beast, the abomination of desolations, and the rapture are all topics that bring heated debate.

Why is eschatology so important? Why does it matter that we believe anything in particular about it? There are some who believe it does not matter at; however, I beg to differ on this point. During the next several weeks of this intense bible study, I intend to demonstrate that what we believe and the views we hold concerning eschatology could have eternal consequences that we may not want to live with.

In this lesson, I will define eschatology, identify the various eschatological views, and give you a high-level, general overview of eschatological events. This is all in preparation for the more detailed study that is to come over the next several weeks.

WHAT IS ESCHATOLOGY?

Es·cha·tol·o·gy – A belief or a doctrine concerning the ultimate or final things, such as death, the destiny of humanity, the Second Coming, or the Last Judgment.

Eschatology is even more simply defined as the study of the times of the end. Jesus addresses this subject in Matthew chapter 24 when His disciples asked Him,

Matthew 24:3

“…when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?”

KJV

The end of the world as we know it is coming, and it is coming sooner than we think. Every day, biblical prophecy is being fulfilled right before our very eyes – we are indeed living in biblical times. It is therefore, of the utmost importance that we as followers of Jesus Christ, gain an understanding of what is going on around us everyday.

Many Christians do not want to deal with this subject because it forces us to live the life that Jesus taught us to live – the life that most Christians dance around and try to avoid by “doing church” and “playing church”. Jesus teaches us to live lives of faithfulness, conviction, holiness, and power. Why? Christians are to set the example of righteousness, and warn sinners that our Lord is coming soon to take all believers to heaven for eternity. We are to preach the gospel, teach the word of God, minister to the suffering, and win the lost to Christ.

Unfortunately, most Christians are too busy trying to be so inwardly spiritual that they do not get any outward work done. In addition, there are those so busy trying to acquire this worlds goods and riches, that they do not have time to minister to others about the riches that are found in Jesus Christ.

We need to study eschatology so that we can gain an eternal perspective of life and living. We need to know that this world is not our home, and that Jesus is preparing an eternal home in heaven for us right now:

John 14:1-4

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.”

KJV

ESCHATOLOGICAL VIEWS

There are several views that individuals maintain concerning eschatology. I personally do not hold to any particular view because the moment I do, then I become dominated by the views teaching. Rather, I believe a person should study the Word of God to find the answers to the questions raised by end-time issues.

Never the less, I am going to at least give you a brief definition of the various views so that you will be familiar with them. First, there are two primary focus areas:

1. Millennial Focus – This focus area derives its conclusions about end-time events based on the time frame in which Jesus Christ will rule the current earth for one thousand years – this one thousand year period of Jesus’ rule is called the “Millennium” (Revelation 20:4)

2. Tribulation Focus – This focus area derives its conclusions about end-time events based on the time frame in which the “Great Tribulation” that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24 will occur in relation to the rapture of the church.

Millennial Focus

The millennial focus area has four (4) views of eschatology, they are:

1. Amillennialism – This view teaches that there will be no one thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ on the earth, as we know it. It teaches that the one thousand-year reign of Jesus is a heavenly rule not an earthly rule, and that it has already begun according Acts 2:30-32.

2. Premillennialism – This view teaches Jesus will rule this current earth from Jerusalem in Israel, but before the one thousand-year time period begins.

3. Postmillennialism – This view teaches that Jesus is already ruling from a heavenly throne right now, and that after Jesus finishes His reign of this present age (or time of life for humans), a new age will begin on this current earth where Jesus rules in righteousness for one thousands years before the final judgments.

4. Preterist – This view teaches that most or all of bible prophecy has already been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. In addition, this view teaches that Jesus has already returned and that His coming occurred in 70 A.D. after the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple by Titus emperor of Rome.

Tribulation Focus

The tribulation focus area has three (3) views of eschatology, they are:

1. Pre-tribulation – This view teaches that the rapture (or catching away) of the church will occur before the seven-year period of time known as the “Great Tribulation” (Matthew 24:21). One reason this view is popular is because the “Great Tribulation” is viewed as being the time when God’s wrath is poured out upon the earth, and by being taken to heaven prior to this time, the church will escape its fury.

2. Mid-Tribulation – This view teaches that the rapture of the church will occur three and one half years into the “Great Tribulation”. The basis of this concept is that the Anti-Christ will rise to power and make a peace pact between Israel and the Arabs. This peace plan is to be so good that the whole world is in favor of it. Unfortunately, half way through the plan the Anti-Christ shows his true satanic colors and begins an assault on Christianity that will be quickly interrupted by the rapture of the church. The next three and one half years are to host the pouring out of God’s wrath upon the earth (Daniel 9:27).

3. Post-Tribulation – This view teaches that the rapture of the church will occur after the “Great Tribulation”. (Matthew 24:29-31) This is a very unpopular view because it indicates that the church will have to endure the “Great Tribulation” before being taken away to be with Jesus.

   
   

CONCLUSION

While there are several views, some of which have very plausible points, we cannot allow ourselves to be convinced by anything other than the teachings of scripture. We must study the Word in all diligence, but more importantly, we must study it in context, so that scripture interprets itself.