why we've grouped some questions around Eschatology?
Eschatology is “a branch of theology concerned with the final events in the history of the world or of humankind.” Websters goes on to add, “specifically, any of various Christian doctrines concerning the Second Coming, the resurrection of the dead, or the Last Judgment.”
Often, teachings on eschatology might be referred to as “end times doctrine”. Other, closely related, doctrines that the Bible Study Framework tackles include premillennialism and preterism (aka realized eschatology, AD70 doctrine).
Studies in eschatology and all of its related theologies commonly includes fantastical descriptions, elaborate charts, and vastly differing conclusions. This is due to the fact that, as a biblical theology, it is based largely on interpretations from the prophetic texts of the Bible (e.g. Ezekiel, Daniel, Revelation, etc.). Consequently, these texts, by their very nature of being prophetic literature, are highly symbolic and allegorical lending themselves to imaginative speculation.
Many have speculated about the identity of the man of lawlessness. Some have suggested that he will be a specific individual who will rise to power in the end times (the “Antichrist” with a capital “A”), while others have [more]
Categories: EschatologyTags: antichrist, definitions, end times, premillennialism, sinDefining the day of the Lord is an increasingly important exercise when it comes to eschatological, or ‘end times’, Bible study. Many have hijacked this term or expression and imposed either partial or completely inaccurate definitions to it. For [more]
Categories: Eschatology, ProphetsTags: AD70, definitions, end times, judgment, kingdom, premillennialism, prophecy, prophetsThe apostle Peter writes that “the end of all things is at hand”1 in the first of two letters to Christians that had been scattered abroad. This verse can raise some questions in regards to the expression “at hand.” Some [more]
Categories: Eschatology, PreterismTags: AD70, end times, false teaching, judgment, prophecy, prophetsWondering if Jesus already returned is as old as the gospel itself. It was something the first-century Christians were concerned about. We have the record of Paul assuring the Thessalonians that Jesus had not yet returned (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 ). [more]
Categories: Eschatology, PreterismTags: AD70, end times, false teaching, Jesus, judgment, kingdom, premillennialism, prophecyRecognizing the difference of God’s time in relation to man’s time is a fundamental Bible concept. Its misunderstanding can cause problems in other, more advanced, areas of Bible study. For example, misunderstanding God’s time in relation to man’s can affect [more]
Categories: Bible Concepts, Eschatology, PreterismTags: AD70, end times, faith, God, Old Testament, premillennialism, prophecy, providenceThe question of the physical bodily resurrection is an important one to resolve. The first century controversy over the resurrection, at least generally, is well documented. There was the sect called the Sadducees who said there was no resurrection8 which [more]
Categories: Eschatology, PreterismTags: AD70, end times, judgmentThe first resurrection in Revelation is peculiar indeed. Of course, the Bible makes mention of many resurrections at different times, not the least of which is the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. However, only once is the [more]
Categories: Eschatology, PremillennialismTags: AD70, baptism, definitions, end times, judgment, kingdom, passage exegesis, premillennialism, prophecyThe second death in Revelation is mentioned four times in the Bible and only in the book Revelation1,2,3,4. One of these1 gives a fairly explicit definition. It states that the second death is “the lake of fire”. But what more [more]
Categories: EschatologyTags: AD70, definitions, end times, judgment, passage exegesisMany in this world speculate about what happens next. Religious leaders are busy pondering the “end times”. They have elaborate expectations about what happens next in the Bible. For example, a search on “end times timeline” reveals countless charts, documents, [more]
Categories: Eschatology, Premillennialism, PreterismTags: AD70, antichrist, end times, judgment, premillennialism, prophecyHe came to earth once, and when Jesus returns it will be different. He came to earth the first time on a mission. When Jesus returns a second time, there won’t be a literal thousand year reign nor [more]
Categories: Eschatology, Jesus the Son, PreterismTags: AD70, antichrist, church, end times, kingdom, premillennialism, salvationEvents in the world today have many asking, “Are we entering the tribulation?” Do events in the world around us suggest that the tribulation is beginning or about to begin? For the Christian, the “tribulation” is ongoing. New [more]
Categories: EschatologyTags: antichrist, end times, false teaching, judgment, premillennialism, truthThe idea of Jesus establishing His kingdom comes from Jesus Himself, but was Jesus’ kingdom established when He walked on earth in the first century? The question of “When?” regarding Jesus’ kingdom is debated. Some even say that Jesus [more]
Categories: Eschatology, Premillennialism, PreterismTags: AD70, authority, church, end times, Jesus, kingdom, premillennialism, prophecy, prophetsA Google search on the word “tribulation” yields front page results about the Tribulation (capital “T”) or even the Great Tribulation. Whether it’s talked about as ‘a tribulation’, ‘the Tribulation’, or even the ‘Great Tribulation’, it all revolves around [more]
Categories: EschatologyTags: antichrist, end times, false teaching, judgment, premillennialismA literal return of King David is a tenant of much of the modern religious thought today. Purveyors of premillennial doctrine, such as David Jeremiah, teach that King David will return in the flesh to rule alongside Jesus during the [more]
Categories: Eschatology, Jesus the Son, Premillennialism, ProphetsTags: church, doctrine, end times, false teaching, judgment, kingdom, Old Testament, premillennialism, prophecy, prophetsCentral to this question of will Elijah return is a prophecy given by Malachi. Elijah was a prophet that lived during the final days of the judges, just before the first King Saul was installed over the twelve tribes of [more]
Categories: Eschatology, Premillennialism, ProphetsTags: antichrist, doctrine, end times, false teachers, false teaching, Old Testament, premillennialism, prophecyOne of the oft debated questions about the remnant of Israel described in God’s word is how many it will include. There are different ideas, but one of the most prominent beliefs about the number in [more]
Categories: Bible Concepts, EschatologyTags: end times, kingdom, prophecy, prophetsHow we interpret Bible prophecy presents a unique challenge, at least to the extent that the question should be asked…Is Bible prophecy even something we can interpret?
interpret (verb): 1-to explain or tell the meaning of : present in [more]
Categories: Eschatology, Preterism, ProphetsTags: AD70, antichrist, authority, prophecy, prophets, special revelation, theology, Word of GodSo much is made today about the Antichrist (capital “A”). A search on YouTube for prognosticators about “Who is the Antichrist” – his appearing, his personality, his birthplace, etc. etc. – will garner videos with hundreds [more]
Categories: Eschatology, PremillennialismTags: antichrist, definitions, end times, false teachers, false teaching, premillennialism, prophecy, prophetsThe phrase “last days” is a common one throughout Scripture, especially with the prophets of the Old Testament. They often speak of the “last days” and other derivative phrases such as “days are coming” or “latter days” or “in/on [more]
Categories: Eschatology, Premillennialism, PreterismTags: AD70, church, definitions, end times, kingdom, Old Testament, premillennialism, prophecy, prophetsThe awaiting of Jesus’ second coming and Jesus return to earth are synonymous. (Of course, just like some false teachers taught in the first century, some believe Jesus has already returned.) Our emphasis here is the “to earth” [more]
Categories: Eschatology, Jesus the Son, Premillennialism, PreterismTags: AD70, end times, Jesus, judgment, kingdom, premillennialism, prophecyA literal one thousand year reign of Jesus on His throne. There are many that believe Jesus’ return is for just that – a literal one thousand year reign (millennium) on earth. It is widely taught and even passed down [more]
Categories: Bible Concepts, Christian Theology, Eschatology, Jesus the Son, PremillennialismTags: antichrist, doctrine, end times, false teaching, Jesus, judgment, kingdom, premillennialism, prophecy, Scripture weighting