The Last Days
Eschatology - the study of last things.
In the grand scheme of things, your view of eschatology doesn't matter so much! What a follower of Jesus believes about the end times is NOT so important. Believing that Jesus Christ is God's only provision for forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal life is what matters.
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Hebrews 1:1-3
1] God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
[2] Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
[3] Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
What is going to happen in "The Last Days"? This is a common and often captivating question.
- What does the Bible say about "the last days"?
- What does "the last days" mean?
One can organize what Christians believe about the last days primarily around the subject of what is called the millennium.
These views have become popularized beginning in the 18th century.
The differing views are as follows:
- Amillennialism (no physical millennium)
- Postmillennialism (the millennium after Christ's return)
- Premillennialism (millennium)
A Good Source: COMMON VIEWS OF THE MILLENNIUM
Amillennialism
Amillennialism is a Christian belief that there will not be a millennial reign of Jesus on Earth. It's a position that contrasts with premillennialism and postmillennialism.
- Amillennialists believe that the "thousand years" in Revelation 20 refers to the current age of the church.
- They believe that Christ is currently reigning through the church.
- They believe that the church age began at Christ's resurrection and will continue until his Second Coming.
- They believe that Christ's victory over sin and Satan was definitive.
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They believe that we are currently in the end times and will continue to suffer with Christ until he returns.
Postmillennialism
Postmillennialism is a Christian belief that Jesus will return after a period of peace and prosperity called the Millennium. The term "postmillennial" comes from the words "post" (after) and "millennial" (1,000).
- The current age is the kingdom of God
- The Church will mediate Christ's return to Eden
- The gospel will be preached, leading to the conversion of most people
- The world will gradually become Christianized
- The second coming of Christ will occur after the Millennium
- Postmillennialism was first taught in the 17th century
- Some theological leaders who held this view include John Owen, Jonathan Edwards, and Charles Hodge
- Postmillennialists often interpret passages like Matthew 24 as already fulfilled
- Some say that postmillennialism interprets Bible prophecy subjectively
- Others say that a normal interpretation of Scripture rejects postmillennialism
Premillennialism
Premillennialism is a Christian belief that Jesus will return to Earth before a thousand-year period of peace, called the Millennium.
Types of premillennialism
- Historic premillennialism: This view is similar to the premillennialism of ancient times, known as chiliasm.
- Dispensational premillennialism: This is another type of premillennialism.
Three Divisions of Premillennialists
- Premillennial, Pre-tribulation Rapture
- Premillennial, Mid-tribulation Rapture
- Premillennial, Post-tribulation Rapture
The Most Prevalent, Contemporary View
- A pre-tribulation rapture of the church followed by a literal 1,000 year reign of Christ on the earth
- Timeline:
- Rapture of Church - still future
- Judgment Seat of Christ (for Christians only) - still future
- Seven Years of Tribulation on earth - still future
- 1,000 Years of Christ's reign on earth - still future
- Loosing of Satan from prison for short season - still future
- Satan deceives the nations - still future
- Battle of God and Magog - still future
- Great White Throne Judgment (for unbelievers only) - still future
- New Heaven, New Earth, New Jerusalem - still future
The Newest Contemporary View
Little Season Eschatology
The most basic tenants of this school of thought are numbered in the timeline list below.
- Popularized in the 21st Century
- Timeline:
- Rapture of Church - completed
- Judgment Seat of Christ (for Christians only) - completed
- Seven Years of Tribulation on earth - completed
- 1,000 Years of Christ's reign on earth - completed
- Loosing of Satan from prison for short season - completed
- Satan deceives the nations - in process now
- Battle of God and Magog - still future
- Great White Throne Judgment- still future
- New Heaven, New Earth, New Jerusalem - still future
- Learn More About Little Season Eschatology
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