Condensed Theology, Lecture 49 (49a), Eschatology Part 05

8/6/2019 Condensed Theology, Lecture 49 (49a), Eschatology Part 05

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Condensed Theology

A Primer in Systematic Theology



Eschatology

What does the Bible teach aboutlast things?



Review



Review Redemption history is understood to unfold in

two successive ages: this present age and theage 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 inrighteousness, and glorify the creation.



Review Jesus’ Second Coming will usher in the age to come, an

age characterized by righteousness and life and thatwhich 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 andawait their consummation at the end of the age.



The Expectation of theSecond Coming



The Expectation ofthe Second Coming

Matt 24:36: But of that day and hour no one

knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor theSon, but the Father alone. This the key text of Scripture addressing our

expectation of Christ’s return.

First, it means that none of us can claim to knowwhen Christ’s 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:




It is imminent

It is delayed

It is uncertain




Imminent



The Expectation ofthe Second Coming: Imminent

By saying that Christ’s 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 “atany second” (this will become especially clearas we look not only at texts from the epistlesregarding imminence, but also as we developthe idea of postponement regarding Jesus’return).




Matt 16:28: Truly I say to you, there are some of

those who are standing here who will not tastedeath until they see the Son of Man coming inHis 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).




Matt 24:34: Truly I say to you, this generation

will not pass away until all these things takeplace.

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 thepresent age described in Matt 24:4-28.

It is a word that goes to its certainty as the next verseattests: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but Mywords will not pass away” (Matt 24:35).




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 ofIsrael 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 amission to the cities of Israel until Christ returns to judge Israel through the sacking of Jerusalem and thedestruction of the temple.




1 Cor 7:29: But this I say, brethren, the

time has been shortened, so that from nowon those who have wives should be asthough they had none…

Phil 4:5b: The Lord is near.




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 webelieved. The night is almost gone, and the day

is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds ofdarkness 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 LordJesus be with you.




Heb 10:37: FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE

WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILLCOME, AND WILL NOT DELAY.

Jas 5:8-9: You too be patient; strengthen

your hearts, for the coming of the Lord isnear. Do not complain, brethren, againstone another, so that you yourselves may

not be judged; behold, the Judge isstanding right at the door.




1 Pet 4:7: The end of all things is near;

therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spiritfor the purpose of prayer.

Rev 1:1: The Revelation of Jesus Christ, whichGod gave Him to show to His bond-servants, thethings which must soon take place; and He sentand communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John.

Rev 22:20: He who testifies to these thingssays, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come,Lord Jesus.




On the basis of the texts from the epistles,

imminence is what we might call “redemptive-historical nearness”;

In other words, we are living in the last days, the

days which have been inaugurated (especially)by the resurrection of Christ—it is in this sensethat Jesus’ return is soon.

This idea harmonizes perfectly with the“already,” “not yet” of biblical eschatology.




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 thingsmust take place, but that is not yet the end.

Matt 24:14: This gospel of the kingdom shall bepreached in the whole world as a testimony to all thenations, 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; butyou do not always have Me. She has done what she

could; she has anointed My body beforehand for theburial. Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel ispreached in the whole world, what this woman has donewill 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.

The Parable of the Talents

Matt 25:19: Now after a long time the master of

those slaves came and settled accounts with them.



The Expectation of


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 masterwill be a long time in coming,” and begins to beat the slaves,

both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk…

The Parable of the Pounds

Luke 19:11: While they were listening to these things, Jesuswent on to tell a parable, because He was near Jerusalem,and they supposed that the kingdom of God was going toappear immediately.



The Expectation of


2 Pet 3:3-4: Know this first of all, that in

the last days mockers will come with theirmocking, following after their own lusts,and saying, “Where is the promise of His

coming? For ever since the fathers fellasleep, all continues just as it was fromthe beginning of creation.”



The Expectation of


Acts 9:15: But the Lord said to him, “Go,

for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, tobear My name before the Gentiles andkings and the sons of Israel…”

Acts 27:24: “Do not be afraid, Paul; youmust stand before Caesar; and behold,

God has granted you all those who aresailing with you.”



The Expectation of


The idea that time would pass before

Christ returned in glory does not at allmilitate against the notion that Christ’sreturn is redemptive-historically near;

For from the perspective of redemptionhistory, the end of the age and the kingdom ofGod have been inaugurated.

Secondarily, since the days of the apostles,there has not been much left on the divinetimetable ending in the consummation.



The Expectation of

the Second Coming: Postponed But redemptive-historical nearness and a delay

in Christ’s return should not be taken to meanthat we can predict the time of the SecondComing.

In other words, we cannot say, “Before Christcomes back, certain things must take place, so Ican 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




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 theFather alone. For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days beforethe flood they were eating and drinking, marrying andgiving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the

ark, and they did not understand until the flood came andtook them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Manbe. Then there will be two men in the field; one will betaken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at

the mill; one will be taken and one will be left. Thereforebe on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lordis coming.



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 fortheir master when he returns from the weddingfeast, so that they may immediately open thedoor to him when he comes and knocks.

Luke 12:39-40: But be sure of this, that if thehead of the house had known at what hour thethief was coming, he would not have allowed his

house to be broken into. You too, be ready; forthe Son of Man is coming at an hour that you donot 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 aresaying, “Peace and safety!” then

destruction will come upon them suddenlylike labor pains upon a woman with child,and they will not escape. But you,brethren, are not in darkness, that the daywould overtake you like a thief.



The Expectation of theSecond 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 isimpending (which, incidentally is whatimminent 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 byJesus himself).



The Expectation of

the Second Coming: Conclusion This leads us to the subject of the signs of

Christ’s return. It has been commonplace to use the signs of

Christ’s return to say, “Before Christ comes

back, certain things must take place, so I canrest 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 Christ’s 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 asign from heaven. But He replied to them, “When it is

evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky isred.’ And in the morning, ‘There will be a stormtoday, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do youknow how to discern the appearance of the sky, butcannot discern the signs of the times?

Jesus and Paul were speaking to theircontemporaries; they did not speak over their heads.




Common Misunderstandings

The signs of Christ’s return refer to

extraordinary, supernatural, andspectacular events.

As we shall see, the events that dominate the

signs of Christ’s return are not extraordinary,supernatural, or spectacular;

Rather, they are events associated with life in

this fallen world as we move toward the Dayof Judgment.




Common Misunderstandings The signs of Christ’s return are meant for

us to use to date the time of the SecondComing. Matt 24:36: But of that day and hour no one

knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor theSon, but the Father alone.

If Jesus didn’t know the time of his returneven as he taught the disciples what to lookfor, we must never infer that the signs aremeant to be used for date-setting of any kind.




Common Misunderstandings The signs of Christ’s return are pre-written

history; in other words, they are newspaperarticles of the future in the hands of the men ofthe 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 toHim, “Are You the Expected One, or shall we look forsomeone else?”

Matt 3:12: His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will

thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather Hiswheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff withunquenchable fire.




“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 TimesRead Matthew 24




Signs of Grace




Signs of Grace The proclamation of the gospel to all nations

Isa 40:5: Then the glory of the LORD will berevealed, And all flesh will see it together; For themouth 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 andwatch over you, And I will appoint you as a covenantto the people, As a light to the nations…

Isa 45:22: Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends ofthe earth; For I am God, and there is no other.

Th Si f h Ti




Signs of Grace The proclamation of the gospel to all nations

Matt 24:14:This gospel of the kingdom shall bepreached 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, evento the end of the age.

This sign does not allow us to set a precise datefor the Second Coming;

Instead, the progress of the gospel means thatChrist is certainly coming back.

Th Si f h Ti




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 hascome to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. Now if theirtransgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches forthe Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be!

Rom 11:25-26: For I do not want you, brethren, to beuninformed of this mystery-- so that you will not be wise in yourown estimation--that a partial hardening has happened to Israeluntil the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israelwill be saved; just as it is written, “THE DELIVERER WILLCOME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESSFROM JACOB.”

Th Si f th Ti




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 Jewwho is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of theheart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not frommen, but from God.

Rom 9:6: But it is not as though the word of God has failed. Forthey are not all Israel who are descended from Israel.

This sign does not allow us to set a precise date for theSecond Coming;

Instead, the continuing salvation of both Jews andGentiles means that Christ is certainly coming back.




Signs of Judgment

Th Si f th Ti




Signs of Judgment The presence of false teachers

Matt 24:11: Many false prophets will ariseand will mislead many.

Matt 24:24: For false Christs and falseprophets will arise and will show greatsigns and wonders, so as to mislead, if

possible, even the elect.





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 spiritsand doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liarsseared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men whoforbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which Godhas 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.





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 comein My name, saying, “I am the Christ,” and will misleadmany.

Matt 24:10-12:At that time many will fall away and willbetray one another and hate one another. Many false

prophets will arise and will mislead many. Becauselawlessness is increased, most people’s love will growcold.

Matt 24:24: For false Christs and false prophets willarise and will show great signs and wonders, so as tomislead, if possible, even the elect.





Signs of Judgment Apostasy

1 Tim 4:1: But the Spirit explicitly says that in later timessome will fall away from the faith, paying attention todeceitful spirits and doctrines of demons.

2 Tim 3:1-5: But realize this, that in the last days difficulttimes will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers ofmoney, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient toparents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable,malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters ofgood, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of

pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form ofgodliness, although they have denied its power.





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 toHim, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or bedisturbed 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 anyway deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comesfirst, 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 theway. 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.





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 you’ve reached the

climax of apostasy? How bad does it have to

be? Is “most people” 51% of people, 78% ofpeople, 99% of people? You know that it was the climax because Jesus’

return has happened.

So the presence of apostasy signifies that Christis certainly coming back.





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 thosethings must take place, but that is not yet the end. Fornation will rise against nation, and kingdom against

kingdom, and in various places there will be faminesand earthquakes. But all these things are merely thebeginning of birth pangs.

The nature of this sign does not allow us to set aprecise date for the Second Coming;

Instead, the presence of these things indicates thatJesus is certainly coming back.





Signs of Judgment Antichrist

Matt 24:5: For many will come in Myname, saying, “I am the Christ,” and willmislead many.

Matt 24:24: For false Christs and falseprophets will arise and will show great

signs and wonders, so as to mislead, ifpossible, even the elect.






1 John 2:18: Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, evennow 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 andthe Son.





Signs of Judgment Antichrist 1 John 4:2-3: By this you know the Spirit of

God: every spirit that confesses that JesusChrist has come in the flesh is from God; andevery spirit that does not confess Jesus is notfrom God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, ofwhich you have heard that it is coming, and nowit is already in the world.

2 John 1:7: For many deceivers have gone out

into the world, those who do not acknowledgeJesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is thedeceiver and the antichrist.



The Signs of the TimesRead 2Thessalonians 2:3-12





Signs of Judgment Antichrist 2 Thess 2:3-4: Let no one in any way deceive

you, for it will not come unless the apostasycomes first, and the man of lawlessness isrevealed, the son of destruction, who opposesand exalts himself above every so-called god orobject of worship, so that he takes his seat in thetemple 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. Forthe mystery of lawlessness is already at work;only he who now restrains will do so until he istaken out of the way.





Signs of Judgment Antichrist 2 Thess 2:8-10: Then that lawless one will be

revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breathof His mouth and bring to an end by theappearance of His coming; that is, the onewhose coming is in accord with the activity ofSatan, with all power and signs and falsewonders and with all the deception ofwickedness for those who perish, because theydid not receive the love of the truth so as to besaved.






As with other signs we have seen, the appearance of the

antichrist/man of lawlessness is of a piece with the anti-Christian, lawlessness that currently exists in the world;

Thus we cannot even use the revelation of the antichristto set a precise date for the Second Coming;

You will know that a particular individual was theincarnation of lawlessness, of antichrist because theLord has returned to destroy him.

So the presence of antichrist/lawlessness and theappearance of the antichrist/the man of lawlessnessmeans 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 thedestruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 AD)

The presence of false teachers Wars, famines, pestilence, earthquakes

Apostasy from the faith which intensifies immediatelybefore Jesus’ return

The appearance of antichrist invisibly through falseteachers and visibly immediately before Jesus’ return



Conclusion The expectation of the Second Coming can best

be described as imminent, or impending, thesigns of the times being characteristic of the timebetween Jesus’ first and second advent.

And although with respect to apostasy andantichrist, there appears to be climax ofantichristian apostasy immediately before Jesus’arrival, it is impossible to know when it is intenseenough 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 beready; for the Son of Man is coming at anhour when you do not think He will.

Matt 25:13: Be on the alert then, for you donot 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 transientwill come to an end.

The Second Coming of Jesus to the earth willmark the end of the age.

When he comes he will resurrect the just and

unjust, judge the believing and unbelieving inrighteousness, and glorify the creation.



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 thereturn of Jesus Christ.

Through our relationship with Christ we experience theblessings of our future life now in the present time and

await their consummation at the end of the age.

Condensed Theology, Lecture 49 (49a), Eschatology Part 05

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