Eschatology with Scott Richey
Christians believe that Jesus Christ will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end, we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen..
But there is disagreement over the nature and timing of Christ’s return. One word dominates the discussion: "millennium."
Only one chapter of the Bible—the very last—discusses the millennium. The Bible says the devil is bound for a millennium in Revelation 20. A time of unprecedented peace, during which Christians rule alongside Jesus, starts when Satan’s influence over the world is removed. But, the specifics of the millennium, including its length, are hotly debated.
The term "eschatology," which means "the study of last things" or "the study of the end times," is derived from various Greek words.
Eschatology refers to the time of Jesus' second coming, as well as death, the afterlife, judgment, the millennium, heaven, and hell.
Why should we study eschatology?
Even though opinions on the end days are divided, we should still study them. It plays a significant role in the Bible, and the Bible exhorts us to heed the whole counsel of God, not just the parts that are simple to read and understand. This includes last time themes and events, such as the impending judgment on unbelievers and the creation of a new heaven and new earth (1 Peter 3:13).
I want to encourage people to seriously study the text of the Bible, and
then to have the courage to be willing to test the so-called experts.
Eschatology in the Old Testament.
Most could argue that the garden of Eden, where God is fully present with Adam and Eve, marks the beginning of eschatology in the Old Testament. Humanity lost its relationship with God after the fall. The rest of the Bible details God's plan for returning us to holiness.
He tells the Israelites, for instance, to construct a sanctuary in Exodus 25:8 so that His presence will follow them wherever they go. Christians will experience God once more with His people in holiness at the end of the age.
Eschatology in the New Testament.
In the New Testament, we see both individual and corporate eschatology that is focused on God's people being reconciled into God's presence in the New Jerusalem. A returning of God’s people to the garden of Eden.
The gospels' eschatology is centered on the establishment of God's kingdom. Opposition to God's kingdom grows and Jesus predicts the "end of the age" and the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem in 70AD.
The Epistles expand on both individual and corporate eschatology. They refer to believers who have passed away but are still looking forward to Christ's return by using phrases like "fallen asleep" (1 Cor 15:18).
Of course, they also discuss the approaching second coming of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 15:24, Paul expands on the idea that although the kingdom of God is already present, Christ has not yet arrived. Christians endure tension and eagerly await Christ's second coming. Although Christians do not know the exact day or hour of Christ's return, Paul exhorts them to be prepared (1 Thess 4:13–18). The temple is no longer in Jerusalem, but rather in the believer's heart until the time of Christ's second coming (Eph 2:22).
In Revelation Chapters 21 and 22, John describes his vision of the new Jerusalem. God's presence among people (Rev. 21:3) and including the tree of life (Rev. 22:2; see Gen. 2:9), the new Jerusalem's description sounds like the garden of Eden.
I’m going to talk about four major viewpoints; preterism, amillennialism, premillennialism, & postmillennialism.
As we look at these different views let’s remember that the Jews in the OT thought they understood how the Messiah would arrive. They were looking for a strong political leader. Despite the many clearly stated prophecies, when He arrived, few people recognized Him and many are still looking for His arrival. Do not presume that we have the ability to perfectl
