Condensed Theology

A Primer in Systematic Theology

Eschatology
What does the Bible teach about last things?

Review

Review

Redemption history is understood to unfold in two successive ages: this present age and the age to come. This present age, characterized by sin and death and that which is temporal and transient will come to an end. The Second Coming of Jesus to the earth will mark the end of the age. When he comes he will resurrect the just and unjust, judge the believing and unbelieving in righteousness, and glorify the creation.

Review

Jesus Second Coming will usher in the age to come, an age characterized by righteousness and life and that which is permanent and everlasting. The age to come has been inaugurated by the person, ministry, and work of Jesus Christ in his life, death, burial, and ascension. We await the consummation of the age to come with the return of Jesus Christ. Through our relationship with Christ we experience the blessings of our future life now in the present time and await their consummation at the end of the age.

The Expectation of the Second Coming

The Expectation of the Second Coming

Matt 24:36: But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. This the key text of Scripture addressing our expectation of Christs return.

First, it means that none of us can claim to know when Christs return will take place. Second, it means that every statement that Jesus makes regarding his return cannot be interpreted as indicating the time of his return.

With this in mind, let us look at three elements of the expectation of the Second Coming:

The Expectation of the Second Coming

It is imminent It is delayed It is uncertain

The Expectation of the Second Coming

Imminent

The Expectation of the Second Coming: Imminent

By saying that Christs Second Coming is imminent we do not mean that

Jesus and Paul believed Jesus would return within the lifetime of the apostles Jesus Second Coming could take place at any second (this will become especially clear as we look not only at texts from the epistles regarding imminence, but also as we develop the idea of postponement regarding Jesus return).

The Expectation of the Second Coming: Imminent

Matt 16:28: Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom. And parallels Mark 9:1; Luke 9:27.

This does not mean that Jesus thought he would return within the lifetime of the apostles. Two lines in Jesus predictions of his future: resurrection and return. The resurrection of Christ (already) is the guarantee of his Second Coming (not yet).

The Expectation of the Second Coming: Imminent

Matt 24:34: Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. And parallels Mark 13:30; Luke 21:32.

This does not mean that Jesus thought he would return within the generation of those who heard him. All these things refers to all of the elements of the present age described in Matt 24:4-28. It is a word that goes to its certainty as the next verse attests: Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away (Matt 24:35).

The Expectation of the Second Coming: Imminent

Matt 10:23: But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes.

This does not mean that Jesus thought he would return within the lifetime of the Twelve. Instead, it is a prediction/promise of a continuing mission to Israel until the return of Christ. Or, it is a prediction/promise of the completion of a mission to the cities of Israel until Christ returns to judge Israel through the sacking of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple.

The Expectation of the Second Coming: Imminent

1 Cor 7:29: But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none Phil 4:5b: The Lord is near.

The Expectation of the Second Coming: Imminent

Rom 13:11-12: Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Rom 16:20: The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

The Expectation of the Second Coming: Imminent

Heb 10:37: FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY. Jas 5:8-9: You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door.

The Expectation of the Second Coming: Imminent

1 Pet 4:7: The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Rev 1:1: The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bondservant John. Rev 22:20: He who testifies to these things says, Yes, I am coming quickly. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

The Expectation of the Second Coming: Imminent

On the basis of the texts from the epistles, imminence is what we might call redemptivehistorical nearness; In other words, we are living in the last days, the days which have been inaugurated (especially) by the resurrection of Christit is in this sense that Jesus return is soon. This idea harmonizes perfectly with the already, not yet of biblical eschatology.

The Expectation of the Second Coming

Postponed

The Expectation of the Second Coming: Postponed

Matt 24:6: You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. Matt 24:14: This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. Mark 14:7-9: For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me. She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial. Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.

The Expectation of the Second Coming: Postponed

Several of Jesus parables indicate a delay in Jesus return:

The Parable of the Virgins

Matt

25:5: Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. 25:19: Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them.

The Parable of the Talents

Matt

The Expectation of the Second Coming: Postponed

Several of Jesus parables indicate a delay in Jesus return:

The Parable of the Servants

Luke 12:45: But if that slave says in his heart, My master will be a long time in coming, and begins to beat the slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk Luke 19:11: While they were listening to these things, Jesus went on to tell a parable, because He was near Jerusalem, and they supposed that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately.

The Parable of the Pounds

The Expectation of the Second Coming: Postponed

2 Pet 3:3-4: Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.

The Expectation of the Second Coming: Postponed

Acts 9:15: But the Lord said to him, Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel Acts 27:24: Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.

The Expectation of the Second Coming: Postponed

The idea that time would pass before Christ returned in glory does not at all militate against the notion that Christs return is redemptive-historically near;
For from the perspective of redemption history, the end of the age and the kingdom of God have been inaugurated. Secondarily, since the days of the apostles, there has not been much left on the divine timetable ending in the consummation.

The Expectation of the Second Coming: Postponed

But redemptive-historical nearness and a delay in Christs return should not be taken to mean that we can predict the time of the Second Coming. In other words, we cannot say, Before Christ comes back, certain things must take place, so I can rest on my laurels until he arrives. This is true for two reasons:

The timing of his return is uncertain The certain things which must take place cannot be plotted in a specific place on a timeline

The Expectation of the Second Coming

Uncertain

The Expectation of the Second Coming: Uncertain

Matt 24:36-41: But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left. Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.

The Expectation of the Second Coming: Uncertain

Mark 13:33-37: Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come. It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert. Therefore, be on the alertfor you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morningin case he should come suddenly and find you asleep. What I say to you I say to all, Be on the alert!

The Expectation of the Second Coming: Uncertain

Luke 12:35: Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit. Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks. Luke 12:39-40: But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into. You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.

The Expectation of the Second Coming: Uncertain

1 Thess 5:2-4: For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, Peace and safety! then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief.

The Expectation of the Second Coming

Conclusion

The Expectation of the Second Coming: Conclusion

In light of what we have seen in Scripture we may say that the Second Coming is impending (which, incidentally is what imminent means)we have already entered the last/latter days. Although Jesus and Peter predict/assume a delay in Jesus return, the length of his delay cannot be determined (not even by Jesus himself).

The Expectation of the Second Coming: Conclusion

This leads us to the subject of the signs of Christs return. It has been commonplace to use the signs of Christs return to say, Before Christ comes back, certain things must take place, so I can rest on my laurels until he arrives. Such thinking represents a gross misunderstanding of the nature and purpose of the signs of the times.

The Signs of the Times

Common Misunderstandings

The Signs of the Times: Common Misunderstandings

The signs of Christs return refer to the time immediately before his return.

Matt 16:1-3: The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. But He replied to them, When it is evening, you say, It will be fair weather, for the sky is red. And in the morning, There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening. Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times? Jesus and Paul were speaking to their contemporaries; they did not speak over their heads.

The Signs of the Times: Common Misunderstandings

The signs of Christs return refer to extraordinary, supernatural, and spectacular events.
As we shall see, the events that dominate the signs of Christs return are not extraordinary, supernatural, or spectacular; Rather, they are events associated with life in this fallen world as we move toward the Day of Judgment.

The Signs of the Times: Common Misunderstandings

The signs of Christs return are meant for us to use to date the time of the Second Coming.
Matt 24:36: But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. If Jesus didnt know the time of his return even as he taught the disciples what to look for, we must never infer that the signs are meant to be used for date-setting of any kind.

The Signs of the Times: Common Misunderstandings

The signs of Christs return are pre-written history; in other words, they are newspaper articles of the future in the hands of the men of the past.

This was one of the main stumbling blocks to first century Jews, including John the Baptist.

Matt 11:2: Now when John, while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to Him, Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else? Matt 3:12: His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

The Signs of the Times

When will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age? (Matt 24:3)

The Signs of the Times

Read Matthew 24

The Signs of the Times

Signs of Grace

The Signs of the Times: Signs of Grace

The proclamation of the gospel to all nations

Isa 40:5: Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, And all flesh will see it together; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. Isa 42:6: "I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I will also hold you by the hand and watch over you, And I will appoint you as a covenant to the people, As a light to the nations Isa 45:22: Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other.

The Signs of the Times: Signs of Grace

The proclamation of the gospel to all nations

Matt 24:14: This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matt 28:20: teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

This sign does not allow us to set a precise date for the Second Coming; Instead, the progress of the gospel means that Christ is certainly coming back.

The Signs of the Times: Signs of Grace

The salvation of all the elect

Rom 11:11-12: I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be! Rom 11:25-26: For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery-- so that you will not be wise in your own estimation--that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB.

The Signs of the Times: Signs of Grace

The salvation of all the elect

Rom 2:28-29: For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God. Rom 9:6: But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel.

This sign does not allow us to set a precise date for the Second Coming; Instead, the continuing salvation of both Jews and Gentiles means that Christ is certainly coming back.

The Signs of the Times

Signs of Judgment

The Signs of the Times: Signs of Judgment

The presence of false teachers Matt 24:11: Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Matt 24:24: For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.

The Signs of the Times: Signs of Judgment

The presence of false teachers

1 Tim 4:1-4: But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.

This sign does not allow us to set a precise date for the Second Coming; Instead, it means that the presence of false teachers is a sign that Jesus is certainly coming back.

The Signs of the Times: Signs of Judgment

Apostasy (by definition this is something that can only be committed by professing Christians) Matt 24:4-5: And Jesus answered and said to them, "See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, I am the Christ, and will mislead many. Matt 24:10-12: At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most peoples love will grow cold. Matt 24:24: For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.

The Signs of the Times: Signs of Judgment

Apostasy 1 Tim 4:1: But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons. 2 Tim 3:1-5: But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power.

The Signs of the Times: Signs of Judgment

Apostasy (already and not yet)

2 Thess 2:1-3: Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction. 2 Thess 2:7: For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.

The coming apostasy is an intensification of the present apostasy in the church, which as we have seen has already begun. Thus apostasy is evident throughout this present age, but will come to a climax just before Christ returns.

The Signs of the Times: Signs of Judgment

Apostasy The nature of this sign still does not allow us to set a precise date for the Second Coming. How will you know that youve reached the climax of apostasy? How bad does it have to be? Is most people 51% of people, 78% of people, 99% of people? You know that it was the climax because Jesus return has happened. So the presence of apostasy signifies that Christ is certainly coming back.

The Signs of the Times: Signs of Judgment

Birth pangs: Wars, famines, earthquakes, pestilences

Matt 24:6-8: You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. The nature of this sign does not allow us to set a precise date for the Second Coming; Instead, the presence of these things indicates that Jesus is certainly coming back.

The Signs of the Times: Signs of Judgment

Antichrist Matt 24:5: For many will come in My name, saying, I am the Christ, and will mislead many. Matt 24:24: For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.

The Signs of the Times: Signs of Judgment

Antichrist 1 John 2:18: Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour. 1 John 2:22: Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son.

The Signs of the Times: Signs of Judgment

Antichrist 1 John 4:2-3: By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world. 2 John 1:7: For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.

The Signs of the Times

Read 2Thessalonians 2:3-12

The Signs of the Times: Signs of Judgment

Antichrist 2 Thess 2:3-4: Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. 2 Thess 2:6-7: And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.

The Signs of the Times: Signs of Judgment

Antichrist 2 Thess 2:8-10: Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.

The Signs of the Times: Signs of Judgment

Antichrist As with other signs we have seen, the appearance of the antichrist/man of lawlessness is of a piece with the antiChristian, lawlessness that currently exists in the world; Thus we cannot even use the revelation of the antichrist to set a precise date for the Second Coming; You will know that a particular individual was the incarnation of lawlessness, of antichrist because the Lord has returned to destroy him. So the presence of antichrist/lawlessness and the appearance of the antichrist/the man of lawlessness means that Christ will certainly come back.

Conclusion

Conclusion

The signs of the times include the following:

The success of the gospel among the nations The salvation of all the elect Tribulation for Christians (judgment for Jews by the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 AD) The presence of false teachers Wars, famines, pestilence, earthquakes Apostasy from the faith which intensifies immediately before Jesus return The appearance of antichrist invisibly through false teachers and visibly immediately before Jesus return

Conclusion

The expectation of the Second Coming can best be described as imminent, or impending, the signs of the times being characteristic of the time between Jesus first and second advent. And although with respect to apostasy and antichrist, there appears to be climax of antichristian apostasy immediately before Jesus arrival, it is impossible to know when it is intense enough to be considered the climax.

Conclusion

These ideas cohere beautifully with Jesus insistence on our constant readiness:
Matt 24:42: Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. Matt 24:44 For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will. Matt 25:13: Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.

Recap

Recap

Redemption history is understood to unfold in two successive ages: this present age and the age to come. This present age, characterized by sin and death and that which is temporal and transient will come to an end. The Second Coming of Jesus to the earth will mark the end of the age. When he comes he will resurrect the just and unjust, judge the believing and unbelieving in righteousness, and glorify the creation.

Recap

In the time between his first and second comings, the church will continue to prosper even while it and the creation face trouble. The trouble of the time between his first and second comings will come to a climax immediately before his return. When the climax will occur is impossible to know. Whether we are in the midst of the climax is also impossible to know; it is only when Jesus returns that we will know that the climax has occurred.

Recap

Jesus Second Coming will usher in the age to come, an age characterized by righteousness and life and that which is permanent and everlasting. The age to come has been inaugurated by the person, ministry, and work of Jesus Christ in his life, death, burial, and ascension. We await the consummation of the age to come with the return of Jesus Christ. Through our relationship with Christ we experience the blessings of our future life now in the present time and await their consummation at the end of the age.