What if your eschatology made all of the difference in how you viewed current events?
An intriguing question, isn't it? And it seems a tad risky to ask about eschatology because that is like asking about Calvinism or Arminianism. All three topics seem to be taboo. Yet if we want to have a biblical understanding of today's news shows, we need to have a good grip on our eschatological perspective. However, if you are squeamish about this topic, come back tomorrow for another topic.There are several views of how the End Times play out. Did you know that? I must admit that I was ignorant of this subject most of my life. Years ago, we had a, then dubbed, "Prophecy Conference" at church. I thought that it was fascinating and informative. What I did not know at the time was that the conference was espousing a certain brand of eschatology that was common to our stripe.
Eschatology can be divided into three broad categories: Pre-Millenial, Pos-Millenial and Amillennial. If you are like me, then you want to know what the Bible says about all of these. Because it is the Bible that will decide where I hang my proverbial hat.
The three views, roughly speaking, tell different stories about how the world ends. Reading, and studying, the same Bible, the three perspectives come to very different conclusions. Pre-Millenial people can even be divided into three different categories: Pre-Tribulation Rapture, Mid-Tribulation Rapture and Post Tribulation Rapture.
Sounds complicated and it is. Here is my best shot at a quick explanation of the three major positions.
Pre-Tribulation Rapture. Christ will come in the air and "snatch" His church away, secretly, to a meeting in the air. The church will then be taken to heaven where it will celebrate the marriage supper of the Lamb during a seven-year period. On earth, there will be Great Tribulation. At the end of those seven years, Christ and the Church will return to destroy evil and set up a 1,000-year reign. After which will come the eternal state.
Post-Tribulation Rapture. The church will go through the tribulation and in fact, is already in that period. Most of that Tribulation is related to what happened in 70A.D. when Rome sacked Jerusalem and destroyed the Temple. The end of the Jewish age marked the beginning of the Church and the time of tribulation. However, the Great Commission that Christ left for the Church to fulfill will indeed be fulfilled and there will be a yet future age of great evangelism. So great that the world will come to a glorious age when Christ comes to set up His Kingdom. It may be hundreds or thousands of years until that event takes place.
Amillennial Rapture. This view believes in a Millenial Reign of Christ. However, that reign began when Jesus ascended into the presence of the Father in Acts 2. The Millenium is an ongoing age of splendour where the dead in Christ are living now. The Tribulation occurred in 70 A.D. when Rome sacked Jerusalem and it is an ongoing period that will culminate with the return of Christ with his saints. At His return, living believers will meet Christ in the air. However, they will return immediately with him as he comes to conquer and reign for Eternity.
Where are you in this somewhat confusing topic. It may affect your take on the Nightly news.
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