End Times - Last Days - Eschatology
The study of the Bible prophecies about the end times, the last days, is called Eschatology.
God has not given any firm dates on the end-time events; there are signs that God is in control. Debate amoung Christian is how much of the end-time Bible prophecies are literal, historical events or symbolic representations of spiritual truths, and the timing of these events. Christians should not argue about end-times, but friendly debates are fine. Since God has kept His past promises, we can be sure that He will keep His future promises for a New Creation.
Matthew 24:36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."
1 Thessalonians 5:1-2: "Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night." Just as a thief does not tell anyone when he is coming, so is the point. No one knows. The Bible does state that in the New Creation, people from every nation, tribe, people, and language will be present. (Revelation 7:9-10). This does not give us a set time, but it does tell us that the good news of Jesus Christ must first reach all the people groups of the Earth. This is also found in Matthew 28:18–20 - the great commission.
The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is the anticipated future, visible, and physical return of Christ to Earth. He will defeat evil and establish His kingdom of peace. It is a central hope for Christians worldwide that He will establish a new heaven and earth, called the New Creation (heaven). It signifies the end of the age and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan for mankind. The triumphant return of Jesus Christ as King of Kings is at the end times. The New Creation will have no pain, no suffering, no evil, no shame, and no death. New Creation will have very different dimensions of space and time, as well as different laws of physics. All Christian denominations anticipate the return of Jesus.
Bible prophecies about the end times here on earth describe global turmoil, moral decay, and signs leading to the second coming of Jesus Christ. Signs include: wars, rumors of war, natural disasters, the rise of false prophets (salvation by works, not grace and forgiveness), and the global preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Matthew 24, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, and the Book of Revelation.
While there is debate about the when and how of the End Times, there are some clear teachings of core ideas in the Bible:
End time predictions: Increased natural disasters, pestilences, wars ("nation rising against nation"), widespread lawlessness, false prophets Matthew 24:6-8, Luke 21:11, 2 2 Timothy 3:1-5 A period of extreme selfishness, greed, moral decay, and vanity.
Great commission completed, Believer in every tribe. The Bible into every language. Matthew 28:18-20, Revelation 7:9-17
Jewish evangelists during the tribulation. Revelation 7:4-8, Revelation 14:1-5
Jesus returns. Matthew 24:30, 1 Thessalonians 5:2, 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17
Resurrection of death, 1 Corinthians 15:52-53, 1 Thessalonians 4:16, John 5:28-29, and Isaiah 26:19.
Rapture: The Rapture refers to the believers being "catching away" to meet Christ. (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17)
Final judgment: When believers are the judged, God will not see their bad deeds, as they have on Christ's righteousness. Those who rejected Christ, God will be fair and judge them on their deeds. Revelation 20:11-15, Revelation 21:27 See Bible Terms page
New Creation Rev. 21
Return and Rapture: 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17: "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever." Also see Matthew 24:30-31
Debated views:
Common Views on the Tribulation (a 7-year span) ( Matthew 24:21, Revelation 7:14)
1) Pre-Tribulationism: Holds that the church is raptured (departs) before the seven-year tribulation begins, protecting believers from God's wrath.
2) Mid-Tribulationism: Suggests the church will go through the first 3.5 years of less intense tribulation but will be raptured before the "Great Tribulation" (the final 3.5 years).
3) Post-Tribulationism: Believes the church will endure the entire seven-year period on earth and be raptured at the end when Christ returns.
4) Pre-Wrath Position: A modification of the mid-tribulation view, placing the rapture closer to the end of the tribulation but before the final outpouring of God's wrath.
5) Preterism: Views the tribulation as a historical event, particularly the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by Rome in A.D. 70.
Common Views on the Millennium (The Bible writes about a 1,000 year on earth): (Revelation 20:1–6) (peace, justice, and righteousness on Earth)
1) Premillennialism: Christ returns before a literal 1,000-year reign on earth.
2) Postmillennialism: Christ returns after a long period of peace on earth brought about by the Gospel.
3) Amillennialism: The millennium symbolizes Christ's current reign from heaven during the church age (which began after Jesus' Resurrection).
See: New Creation page