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Introduction To Eschatology
Eschatology: es'ka-tol'o-je, n. [Gr. eschatos, Last, and logos, discourse; word.] Theol. The discourse of the last or final things; Kingdom and end time doctrines such as the after life, judgments, apostasy, Christ's return, and the final destination of the soul; Declaration of future prophecy or biblical events; also Prophesy. --es-cha-to-log-i-cal, es'ka-to-loj'i-kal, a. --es-cha-to-log-i-cal-ly, adj.--es-cha-to-o-gist. n.The subject of Eschatology in Reformed Christianity is one which has been much neglected. In fact, it is very difficult to even find anything substantive at all (from Biblical perspectives) about chapters such as Revelation or Daniel. Unfortunately, in some Christian circles the subject is treated as if it were unimportant or even taboo. Curiously, some consider these scriptures dangerous, or at best a non-issue. But while caution may be somewhat understandable (considering the wild and unscriptural prophesies proliferating Christian literature today) it is nontheless a great disservice to God. For God did not incorporate eschatology into the Holy canon to be ignored, or cast aside as insignificant in our relationship with Him. False eschatology is not an excuse to shun eschatology. For true Christianity is defined in the prophesies and hope of eternal communion with God, an eschatology essential to sound Christian doctrine.
For these reasons we have created this subject page as a vehicle for informed and biblically minded Christians' to openly examine some of these doctrines in the light of the scriptures. Biblical Christianity in its truest form rests upon the understanding that 'interpretations belong to God -gen. 40:8, 41:16' and thus truth is discerned by the careful study of His word in a systematic and ordered manner. Wisdom is in approaching the word of God in the right Spirit of humility and open-mindedness (to scripture), which will only extend our understanding. These are essential elements to sound Biblical studies. God's Spirit bearing witness with our spirit is how we come to understand His truth. Because it is ultimately His Spirit that teaches 'through' His word. No scripture is of private interpretation, nor subject to it--and neither is Eschatology!
-Tony Warren
The Millennial Reign
- Riddlebarger Responds to MacArthur on Amillennialism and Calvinism
John MacArthur on Calvinism, Dispensationalism, Israel and Hermeneutics: A Few relevant Comments. This is hard to say, but in his lecture Dr. MacArthur set up and repeatedly attacked a straw man. His was a pyrrhic victory over a phantom foe.
- Historic Amillennialism
The Millennial Reign of Christ from the historic Protestant Reformation church perspective (today called Amillennialism) of establishment of the kingdom.
- Revelation Chapter 20
A verse by verse Biblical expostion of Revelation Chapter 20's Millennial (1000 year) Reign of Christ and its relationship to the binding of Satan. Has Messiah already established this reign and kingdom?
- We Shall Also Reign With Him
If both tribulation and the millennial reign span the entire church age, then the teaching concerning them is a comfort to believers in any age. Instead of the first-century Christian being bewildered by vague descriptions of twentieth-century military hardware, he is heartened by a vision of victory.
- The Feast of Tabernacles
The prophetic significance of the Feast of Tabernacles to the Church, in the fulfilling of the Millennial Reign of Christ.
- They Shall Beat Their Swords Into Plowshares
One of the central doctrines of Christianity is the teaching of the establishment of the Messianic Kingdom of God. Though Isaiah chapter 2:1-5 concerns this coming Kingdom, there has been some confusion on the understanding of beating swords into plowshares.
- Why Every Christian Should Consider The Amillennial View
For those who may not be familiar with the term Hermeneutics, it refers to our method of interpreting the Bible. The Scriptures are inspired by God and as such, we must approach them with an appropriate level of humility, reverence and caution. A good Hermeneutic provides rules of Biblical interpretation that keep us from drawing unwarranted conclusions from a text of Scripture.
- The Second Coming of our Lord and the Millennium
The desire for a literal millennium on evangelistic grounds is partly due to an exaggerated and unduly optimistic conception of what this world is intended to become through the influence of Christianity in the present dispensation. An ideal state in which the forces arrayed on the side of Christ shall be in full control of all spheres of life is looked forward to.
- The Term Amillennialism
Amillennialism, the doctrine both of the Bible and historic Christianity, has always been the authentic confession of the Christian faith. It is found in brief form in the oldest confession of the Christian church, the "Apostles' Creed." The truth of this position was further illustrated by Augustine in his book, The City of God, at the time the Visigoths sacked the city of Rome.
- Making Sense of the Millennium
Let’s come to Revelation 20. You’ll notice quickly that I believe that the text lends itself to an amillennial interpretation. And hopefully, that’s not just because I want to pick a camp that Reformed people are in, but because it is, in fact, biblical. But I encourage you to be Bereans and search the scriptures for yourselves on these things. The millennium question does matter, but I certainly think it’s less important than many people have made it to be.Other Excellent Studies
on the Kingdom
- A Defense of (Reformed) Amillennialism
By Prof. David J. Engelsma, A.B., B.D., Th.M.
- The Thousand Years of Revelation 20
By Prof. Fernando D. Saraví, Dipl Th, MD, Ph.D.
- A Present or Future Millennium?
By Kim Riddlebarger, B.A., M.A.R., Ph.D.
- The Significance of Covenant Theology in Reformed Eschatology
By Nollie F. Malabuyo, B.S., M.Div.
- Will There be a Golden Age before Christ's Return?
By Lee Irons, B.A., M.Div.
- The Messianic Kingdom and Civil Government
By Prof. David J. Engelsma, A.B., B.D., Th.M.
- Christian Zionism and Messianic Judaism
By James B. Jordan, Th. M.
- Land, Seed amd Covenant in the Abrahamic Covenant
By Nathan Pitchford, B.S.
- Amillennialism: Part I (from Grace Online Library)
Amillennialism: Part II (from Grace Online Library)
Amillennialism: Part III (from Grace Online Library)
By Rev. Anthony A. Hoekema
- Why I Believe Eschatology the Way I Do
By Rev. Orval Heath
- The Millennial
By Rev. Herman Hoeksema
- Creedal Amillennialism
By Rev. Ron Cammenga
- The Kingdom of God (What it is and is not)
By James M. Renihan
- The Davidic Covenant (Setting Forth The Doctrines of Grace In Salvation)
By Doyle Dewberry
- The Nearness of Christ's Coming
By Prof. David J. Engelsma, A.B., B.D., Th.M.
- Reformed Eschatology (Amillennial) Since the Reformation
By Rev. Charles J. Terpstra
- Eschatology in the Book of Genesis
By Christopher K. Lensch, B.A., M.Div.
- Why the Early Church Finally Rejected Premillennialism
By Charles E. Hill
- Prophetic Idiom
By Lee Irons, B.A., M.Div.
- The Athanasian Creed and the Early Church (Clearly Amillennial)
By Martin R. Bachicha
- Reigning With Christ: Revelation 20:1-6!
By Don Garlington, B.A., M.Div., Th.M., Ph.D.
- Common Bounty or Grace (Postmillennial Critique)
By Prof. David J. Engelsma, A.B., B.D., Th.M.
- Princeton and the Millenium (A Study of American Postmillenialism)
By Kim Riddlebarger, B.A., M.A.R., Ph.D.
- The Millennium is for Missions
By Rev. Vernon Pollema
- Dispensationalism: A Reformed Evaluation
By Dr. J. Ligon Duncan III, M.Div.
- The Reformed Worldview (The Failure of Common Grace)
By Prof. David J. Engelsma, A.B., B.D., Th.M.
- The Reformation's Repudiation of Chiliasm
By Prof. Russell Dykstra
- The Premillennial Deception (Chiliasm Examined in the Light of Scripture)
By Brian Schwertley
- Calvin's Interpretation of Isaiah 2:1-4
By Prof. Russell Dykstra
- The Threat of Christian Zionism
by Nathan Pitchford, B.S.
- An Eschatology of Grace (Reformation and Eschatology)
by Prof. David Engelsma, A.B., B.D., Th.M.
- The Amillennial View of the Binding of Satan
by Rev. Carl A. P. Durham
- The Postmillennial Error (or the Golden Age of Righteousness and Peace)
By Rev. D. H. Kuiper
- The Premillennial Error (or the Rapture and the Revelation)
By Rev. D. H. Kuiper
- Amillennialism (or the truth of the Return of the Lord Jesus)
By Rev. D. H. Kuiper
- Kingdom of God-Kingdom of Heaven! (Is There a Difference?)
By Ward Fenley
- The Lost Thousand Years Between Two Resurrections
By Rev. Nollie Malabuyo, B.S., M.Div.
- The Myth of Consistent Literalism! (Examining Literalism as a test of Orthodoxy)
By Jack Van Deventer
- Almost ... But Not Yet! (The New Covenant in the Hermeneutics of Progressive Dispensationalism)
By Matthew Morgan
- This Age, and the Age to Come!
By Matthew J. Slick, B.A., M.Div.
- The Millennium of Revelation 20
by David A. Sherwood
- My Kingdom is not of this world
by Gilbert Beebe
- Signs of the Times (The assurance of faithfulness is a sign)
by Rev. Cornelius Hanko
- Timely Questions about Preterism
by Prof. David Engelsma, A.B., B.D., Th.M.
- Is The Pretribulation rapture Biblical (is it the hope of the Reformed Church)
by Brian M. Schwertley
- Jewish Dreams (is it the hope of the Reformed Church)
by Prof. David Engelsma, A.B., B.D., Th.M.
- A Letter and Response on "Jewish Dreams" (a letter of objection, and my response)
by Prof. David Engelsma, A.B., B.D., Th.M.
- Pentecost
by Kim Riddlebarger, B.A., M.A.R., Ph.D.
- Amillennialism
by Prof. Robert B. Strimple
- When Will Christ Return
by Dan Harris
- Moses or Christ: Paul's Reply To Dispensational Error
by Charles D. Alexander
- A Biblical Refutation of Dispensationalism
by Arthur W. Pink
- Twentieth Century Dispensationalism: When and Whence?
by Philip Mauro
- History of Millennialism
by Lonnie Kent York
- Christian Zionism: A Historical Analysis and Critique
by John Hubers
- A Study of Biblical Eschatology
by G. I. Williamson
The Rapture
- The Timing of the Rapture and Great Tribulation
A Biblical examination of the theory that the Church must be taken out of the world, and that the Rapture must occur "before" the Great Tribulation Period!
- The Rapture of the Church
Some Christians believe that the bible teaches that the Church of Christ will not go through the final outburst of evil, led by the Antichrist, that is to happen just before the coming of the Lord in judgment (2 Thess 2:1-12). Is this teaching Biblically sound?
- Is The Pretribulation Rapture Biblical?
This doctrine is so popular that it is even considered a test of a person’s orthodoxy in some denominations, Bible colleges and seminaries, the exegetical and theological arguments are all classic cases of forcing one’s theological presuppositions onto particular texts (eisegesis).
- The Rapture
When is the rapture and what's God's purpose for it? Pretribulation rapture or after? You may find that what the Bible says on this subject is quite different from what you have been taught. by James M. FryeThe Apostasy
- 2nd Thessalonians Chapter 2
The prophesy of the "Apostasia!" The forsaking, or separation from God by the unfaithful Church, which must take place before Christ's second Parousia, or advent.
- The Great Falling Away
As we think about this sign of the Great Apostasy or falling away, we should remember to love the truth of God’s word, to love Jesus Christ Himself, and to put our faith and trust in Him. As we do this, we have the love of truth, and we'll try the spirits to test for false teaching.
- The Apostate Church
The Bible teaches that as the age comes close to its end there will be a time of Great Tribulation. Jesus gave his disciples information about the nature of this Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:15 - 28).
- Mystery Babylon The Great
Is this Great Harlot Woman Babylon, the false Church as she appears on earth? Indeed, is she already beginning to be well developed in our own time, the church (as a whole) that has abandoned the truth of the word of God?
- Antichrist and the Apostasy: the Antithesis in Doctrine and Life
The latest fad in so-called Christian literature is to portray the years between today and Christ’s return as characterized by an evil apparition known as the Man of Sin or the Antichrist. This, simply put, is bad eschatology
- The Man of Sin, the Son of Perdition
In this verse we have these two things: 1. Caution against the error that time concerning Christ's sudden coming was imminent. 2. The refutation of it, disproved by two forerunners of his coming, (1.) A general apostasy, or defection of the visible church from the true state of Christianity; (2.) The revelation of Antichrist, who is that man of sin and a son of perdition.
- Come Out of Her My People
In this chapter John describes the certain judgment of God upon all false congregations, religions or Churches, symbolized by Babylon, the great whore. Come out of her My people. This is the command our Lord gives to his elect in every age. Be not partakers of her sins, that ye receive of her plaques.
- The Rise of Counterfeit Christianity
Christ says that so great will these signs and wonders be that they will deceive the masses of professing Christians. We will see the church world following en masse after a counterfeit Christianity. So great will the apostasy of the last days be that if it were possible, the very elect themselves might be deceived. That is how great the strong delusion and seduction of that day will be.
- Spiritual Coldness
How prevalent today is this terrible phenomenon of the love of many waxing cold. Let us beware, be sober, watchful unto prayer. This is a sign of the imminent return of Jesus Christ, our Lord. May we lift up our heads and through this phenomena expect our Saviour from heaven, the Son of God, Who will then deliver us completely from the wrath to come.
- Modernism and the Wrath of God
Do Modern People Have Room for the Wrath of God? How do we think about disasters? On 9/11, disaster struck in the form of plane hijackings, loss of lives, the collapse of the World Trade Center Towers, and the damage to the Pentagon. A few years later, a tsunami struck in southern Asia. Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans. Some Christians thought that one or more of these disasters were judgments from God.
- 7 Characteristics of false Teachers
Thomas Brooks (1608-1680) examines the deceiving nature and discernable characteristics of false teachers, and their devices to snare the unwary!
- Discipleship in the Face of Apostasy
"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first." Apostasy in the church, therefore, is one of the signs of Christ's coming.
- What Is The Abomination of Desolation
Is the Abomination of Desolation prophesied by Christ in matthew 24, Past, Present, or Future, and what is the Biblical warrant for it being said to occur in a literal Temple in Jerusalem?
- The Alignment Of The New Evangelicals With Apostasy
A clear call to biblical separation from Rome and “Protestants” who teach and practice Roman Catholic doctrine. Richard Bennett as a former Roman catholic priest demonstrates the advantage he has in rebuking wayward Protestants as they fall into Romish errors regarding salvation.
- Who is the Antichrist!
A short exposition on the Prophesy of the coming of Antichrist. Who is he, and what do the scriptures have to say about his presence?
- The Mark of the Beast (666)
An exposition on the Mark of the Beast, the number 666, and how scriptures instructs the wise and understanding to count the number to discern it's meaning. Count the number six hundred sixty and six!
- The End Time State of the Church
The Bible tells us many things about the End-Time state of "the church". In this series we will be looking at many of those things. Many Christians look around them at "the Church" today and everything seems rosy. But is it?
- The Illusory Hope of Postmillennialism
Postmillennialism is based on an interpretation of prophecy which, much like premillennialism, fails to reckon with the typical character of the Old Testament and interprets various prophecies in earthly terms.
- Perilous Times
The words a warning of imminent dangers. We see four things: First, the manner of the warning. Second, the evil itself that they are warned of. Third, the way of their introduction. Fourth, the time and season of it: "They shall come in the last days."
- Who is the Antichrist
A short study on 1st John 2:18, 22; 4:3; and 2nd John 7 concerning the Antichrist. by pastor Doyle Dewberry, retired pastor of sovereign grace baptist proclaimer.
- The Antichrist
The second important point regarding Antichrist, which is often overlooked by many, is also clear from the passage just cited. Not only has Antichrist already come, but John indicates that there is not merely one Antichrist, but a series of such enemies of Jesus Christ.Messiah's Covenant with Israel
- The New Covenant with Israel
If all we had was the Old Testament we would all be dispensationlists. Since they are caught up in the earthly significance of the nation Israel, they place a restoration of that nation in a future millennium, and the entire body of such is stamped primarily with the word "earthly."- The Promises to the Israel of God
The Promise of a New Covenant with Israel (Jeremiah 31). Is it a Covenant with a literal genealogical people or geo political nation, or with a spiritual house wherein will dwell Righteousness?- Paul's Theology of Israel's Future
A non-millennial interpretation of Romans 11. Non-millennial rather than amillennial (though it is certainly that) in order to accent the fact that this interpretation sees neither pre- nor postmillennialism in this passage. By Lee Irons, B.A., M.Div.- My Shift To Covenant Theology and Amillennialism
I recall John Walvoord's demands for a scriptural statement that the church will go through the tribulation. He feels the lack of such a statement is a serious weakness to any position other than the pre-mil/pre-trib. position. It appears he is looking for the exact words "the church will be present during the tribulation." But the Scipture does give a chronology of events that demonstrate the Church is present during these events. By David L. White- Eschatology: The Future of the Jews
Questions about eschatology eventually must deal with the matter of the future of the Jews. It must not be forgotten that they were not 'chosen' simply to enjoy the blessings of God by themselves. Instead, they were chosen 'by grace alone' to be servants of God. By O Palmer Robertson, ThD- Dispensationalism and Zechariah 14
Dispensationalism and its relationship to Zechariah 14 and the earthly Judaic expectations that Christ rejected are explored. A fundamental problem with Premillennial Dispensationalism is its inability to discern the difference between the literal and figurative elements of the Scriptures. Those who do not recognize this basic Biblical principle are doomed to failure in their interpretation of Biblical text. By Wayne Jackson- The Dispensational Origins of Modern Premillennialism
The shift away from historic Christianity stemmed from a novel approach to Bible interpretation called Dispensationalism, which was developed in the 1830s and popularized with the 1909 publication of the Scofield Reference Bible. By Jack Van Deventer- Romans Chapter 11
A verse by verse exposition of Romans chapter eleven. "And so all Israel shall be saved". But how God will save all Israel is the controversial question.- The Hope of Israel
For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you and to speak with you; because that for the Hope of Israel I am bound with this chain" (Acts 28:20). Study on the The Hope of Israel, with an examination of Dispensationalism and the Scofield Bible. by Philip Mauro- Who Is Israel
God's divine plan from Creation establishes that If all of national Israel should prove unworthy, God would if necessary raise up seed to Abraham from the very stones, that his covenant might to kept and his purposes fulfilled. by Louis F. DeBoer- The Messenger of The Covenant
(malachi 3:1) "and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in" by Rev. Steven R. Houck- Covenant Theology
In the promise that Abraham and his offspring should inherit the Promised Land, we see illuminated in the New Testament that the land of Canaan was a shadow, a sort of down payment or token revealing a much greater fulfillment in God's covenantal blessings to all His people. By Dennis N.- The Sabbath as an Eschatological Sign
Israel's Sabbath, on the last day of the week, is a sign of the works principle which was in operation under the old covenant. The elect among Israel were saved by faith alone in Christ alone. God republished the covenant of works with Israel, not as a means of justification, but as a disciplinarian unto Christ.- So All Israel Shall be Saved
Romans 11 says nothing whatever about national Israel's future salvation, yet it is now commonly interpreted to predict that the nation is to be healed of its spiritual blindness.- The 70 Weeks of Daniel Chapter 9
An Exposition of the 70 weeks of Daniel Chapter 9 from a solid scriptural perspective. The Confirmning of the Convenant, the why, the how, and by whom.- The Coming of The Head of The Covenant
Prof. David J. Engelsma asks, how many will celebrate Christmas as the coming of God's Christ for the covenant?- The True Israel of God
Are most professing Christians blind to the wondrous truth of the Church, instead obsessively preoccupied with the nation of Israel and the Jewish race?- The Two Olive Trees
Unless one understands the two Israels, the term "all Israel" is an enigma. Those who hold to the continual use of a literal translation face a great problem with the term.- Galatians 6:16 and The Israel of God
The phrase “the Israel of God” in Galatians 6:16 has long been a matter of contention. Scholars and theologians, as well as pastors and church leaders have debated whether or not the Church should be included in Paul’s descriptor “the Israel of God”.- The 10 Lost Tribes of Israel
It has been over 2,700 years since the Assyrians conquered the northern kingdom of Israel and exiled them from their land. Why are we hearing of a return of lost tribes? Are the 10 lost tribes of Israel fact or fiction?- The Problem with Radical Discontinuity
An essay on the Continuity of the Old and New Testaments in Covenant Theology as contrasted not only with Dispensationalism, but also with "New Covenant Theology. It may seem at first glance that the people of God in the Old Testament were national Israel and that this has changed in a radical way when the Gentiles were brought in after Pentecost. But is this accurate?- The Hope of Israel
The Hope of Israel was the Apostle Paul's last dialogue with his Jewish kinsmen in the Book of Acts. Some theologians find it problematic that Luke ends the Book in a way that may seem abrupt but we must again remember the purpose of the Book. The goal is to trace the expanse of the Gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. Since Rome represents that far away place, we can understand why it should end here in this city. by Brian Evans, M.A., B.A., Th.D., M.Div.The Ekklesia (Church)
- Corporate and Individual Election
There are passages which make clear that those who departed from the faith have forfeited much, in a sense severed from the Church. Yet there is another sense in which they never were a part of God's Church.
- Revelation Chapter 7
A verse by verse exposition of Revelation Chapter 7, of the sealing of the one hundred forty and four thousand from the twelve tribes of Israel. Does it express the securing of 14400 Jewish saints, or the security of the saints of all families, and in all ages?
- Revelation Chapter 11
The (much misunderstood) Two Witnesses, their work, power, prophesy, and their killing at the hands of the Beast from the bottomless pit!
- Revelation Chapter 12
The Deliverance of the Woman in travail by the Man Child, who is caught up to be with God. Her subsequent being fed for 1260 days in the wilderness!
- The Church and Israel
Is the modern state of Israel and Zionism in general the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham? Classical Dispensationalism presents two programs of salvation, though recent revisions have toned down on the radical discontinuity. In classical Dispensationalism, God's ultimate program involves the nation Israel. The Church is a "parenthesis" (Chafer), a sort of footnote or sidetrack in contrast to God's main mission to save ethnic, national Israel.
- Thou hast Left Thy First Love
First works are begotten of first love--which is to have charity towards those less fortunate, to preserve the great commission and the [agape] love wherein it was instituted. First love is not only revealed in our love for Christ, but also in our principle desire to work to bring the love of Christ to others.
- The Mother of God's Children
If God is your father, then who is your mother? No one, you say? Well, God tells us something different in Galatians 4:26 'But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother.' So then, the Jerusalem that is above is the mother of God's children. But what is the Jerusalem that is above?
- The Woman and The Dragon
A Study of Revelation Chapter 12 by Pastor Gene Breed. The Woman in travail is the Church, and the Man Child Christ!
- Woe Unto Them With Child, And That Give Suck
An exposition of the allegory of woe or great sadness and suffering from loss or misfortune to the Woman who nurses at her breasts, and to her children at this time because of their sins.Practical and Existential Eschatology
- Where Do We Go When We Die
Since the Christia believes that death is not the end of a person's existence, the question frequently asked is, "When a person dies, where does his or her spirit or soul go?"
- Does Eschatology Matter
Have you ever heard someone say that studying eschatology is a waste of time? It is not uncommon for evangelicals to dismiss the biblical teachings of prophecy as irrelevant or unimportant."Extra-Biblical Phenomena
- Is Speaking In Tongues Biblical
Is the modern day phenomenon in the Church of the so-called "Speaking in Tongues" or glossolalia, biblical for Christians today? What does the Bible really say (or not say) concerning Tongues?
- These Signs Shall Follow Them That Believe
These passages from Mark Chapter 16 have been the source of some controversy. This article is a biblical exposition on the real nature of the signs that Mark chapter 16:17-18 declares will follow all those who believe.
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