Overview of Eschatology

Eschatology has traditionally meant:

• study of the last things
• question concerning the consummation of history
• the completion of God's working in the world

Does eschatology focus only on the future? There are a number of varying ways to interpret ideals in Scripture that deal with eschatology. Some view eschatology as events that will transpire at a future date, while others believe it is about the here and now. Still another view is that universal or timeless truths are portrayed, ones that don't point to a specific time and place. They are true now, always have been, always will be.

There is debate about the relationship between eschatology and other doctrines as well. Some consider it a part, or completion of another doctrine, such as the doctrine of salvation. Others have made it their entire theology.

Eschatomania:

Speculation and infatuation about the possibilities of the future, based on the recent past, has given rise to a discipline called "futurism." Furthermore, eschatology has gained prominence with the rise of the Third World. With the threat of nuclear destruction, the eschatological fire is fanned. This list goes on and on. Christian thought has become increasingly focused on eschatology in recent history. In some cases the book of Revelation and the end times is all that preachers want to talk about. Authors like Hal Lindsay are known to have a Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other, forecasting doom.

-------> How do you see the end times? Have you had any experiences with other people on this topic?

Eschatophobia:

This is characterized by a fear or aversion to eschatology. Often times this is a reaction to other people who feel they have a definite interpretation to the prophecies in the Bible, or possibly that interpret every element in Scripture to correspond to an event in the world. Not wanting to be looped into this category, some people / preachers / ministers avoid this topic altogether.

A Healthy Perspective:

Eschatology must simply fulfill its proper role in our view of the Bible, and our faith. Among many other things, eschatology is designed for comfort and assurance for believers in times of trial, and for their departed loved ones.

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

What Exactly Are The Different Views On Eschatology?

Futurist:

Most of the events described are in the future. They will be fulfilled at the close of the age. Note: In Revelation it is typically held that Chapter 4 starts "the future."

Preterist:

The events viewed take place at the time of the writer, so they are in the past.

Historical:

The events described were in the future at the time of writing, but refer to events that took place during Church history. Thus we can possibly discern that certain events are history, others may be happening right now, and others are still to come.

Symbolic / Idealist:

The events shouldn't be seen as in a time sequence at all. The truths expressed are timeless in nature.

Amidst these views there are many varying degrees. Some see the future in an optimistic light, that things are getting better, all the time. Some see it as negative, the circumstances of the humanity are deteriorating as we speak. Some see the end times as a divine activity, where basically God will come down an initialize them. Others, that they will occur through natural processes. Is the eschatological focus this-worldly or other worldly? Those who hold the former typically pursue secular hopes, while the latter hold the fulfillment is spiritual in nature. These variations go on and on as well.

-------> What view do you feel yourself more inclined towards? Why?

For the sake of one session, and to get a better idea about how varying beliefs on the end times can really be, let's continue our bird's eye view (Rev 8:13) of the eschaton:

The Millennium

For those interpreting the Bible, the concern of the millennium is not Y2K.

It is the nature of this extended period of time promised in the Bible. It is clear that the second coming of Christ will occur (Mt 24:30; 26:64; Acts 1:11). He will come riding on the clouds of heaven. This second coming is imminent, and could happen at any moment (Mt 24-25; Ro 8:19-25; 1 Co 1:7; Phil 4:5; Titus 2:13; James 5:8-9; Jude 21). When Jesus comes he will resurrect the dead (Da 12:2; Mt 22:29-32; Mk 12:24-27; Lk 20:34-38; 1 Th 4:13-16; 2 Co 5:1-10), and God will judge sin (Rev 6:10, 20:11-15). However before the world consummates, there will be a tribulational period for believers, followed by a millennial period where Christ and believers will reign (Rev 20:1-7).

Debates arise as to what the nature of these two periods are, such as when and how they will occur.

Post-Tribulational (Classic, Historic) Pre-Millennial:

Christ will return after the Church and the world endure the great tribulational period, when he will then resurrect the dead and introduce the millennial reign. There will be a final loosing and defeat of Satan, followed by judgment and eternal state (heaven / hell). This view is Post-Tribulational as Christ comes after the the tribulation, and Pre-Millennial as he comes before the millennial period.

Pre-Tribulational (Dispensational) Pre-Millennial:

Christ will return to secretly rapture the Church (taking believers-both living and resurrected-with him to heaven) followed by a seven year tribulational period. Christ will then return, and reign for 1,000 years with those who came to faith during the tribulation. Following this, the final loosing and defeat of Satan will occur, then the judgment and final state.

Amillennialism:

Earth history will simply transpire, through the tribulation, then Christ will return. Immediately following this, he will judge all, and then the eternal state will occur. There is no literal millennium, earth history simply comes to a close.

Post-Millennialism:

Church history from the time of Christ's death and resurrection until the end of all things is considered a non-literal millennial period. Satan is loosed, and the tribulation for the Church and the world occurs. Christ then returns to induce the resurrection, judgment, and eternal state. This view teaches a non-literal millennial period, marked by Church expansion, and the working of the Spirit.

-------> What do you believe is most likely to occur and why? What view is least likely to occur?

Conclusions:

Read Matthew 25:1 - 13 and Revelation 12:11.

Overall the important point thing is not to focus too much on eschatology, and not to shy away from it. Christians should hope for Christ's return, and stay faithful unto death (Rev 2:26; 3:5; 3:11; 4:21). This has been the Christian message all along.

-------> What are your overall thoughts on eschatology?