Condensed Theology

A Primer in Systematic Theology 

Eschatology
What does the Bible teach about last things? 

Definition of Terms 

Definition of Terms
Eschatology  The Millennium (see Revelation 20)


Premillennialism  Postmillennialism  Amillennialism  Dispensational (two redemptive purposes of God) Premillennialism

 The

(secret) rapture (see 1 Thess 4:14-17)  The tribulation period (see Dan 9:24-27) 

Keys to Understanding Eschatology 

Keys to Understanding Eschatology


Eschatology is understandable.
Like any doctrine of Scripture, there are aspects of eschatology that are difficult to understand;  Nevertheless, considered as a whole discipline, the doctrine of last things is in general clearly expressed in Scripture.  This even includes our capacity to understand the book of Revelation.
 

Keys to Understanding Eschatology


Eschatology encapsulates the Bible’s entire outlook
It must not be limited to the events surrounding the end of one’s life or even the end of history;  Rather, God’s redemption in Jesus Christ is linear and has always been heading toward its final goal.
 

Keys to Understanding Eschatology


Eschatology is understood in retrospect.
That is, in order to understand how Scripture anticipates the end, we need to read the Bible backwards.  The NT teaches us how to understand the OT prophetic material.  If we do not read the Bible backwards, we run the risk of falling into the same trap as Jesus’ contemporaries and missing the message.
 

Categories in Eschatology 

Categories in Eschatology


Personal eschatology
Death  The intermediate state  The final judgment




General eschatology
The bodily return of Jesus Christ  The final judgment  The new heavens and the new earth
 

Conclusion 

Conclusion


Terms
Eschatology  The Millennium

 Premillennialism  Postmillennialism  Amillennialism  Dispensational
 

(two redemptive purposes of God) Premillennialism
The (secret) rapture (see 1 Thess 4:14-17) The tribulation period (see Dan 9:24-27) 

Conclusion


Keys to understanding eschatology
Eschatology is understandable  Eschatology embraces the Bible’s entire outlook  Eschatology is understood in retrospect
