Unraveling the End A Biblical Synthesis of Competing Views

Unraveling the EndUnraveling the EndA Biblical Synthesis of Competing ViewsA Biblical Synthesis of Competing Views

Time of the End TimelineTime of the End Timeline

The Appointed Time of the EndThe Appointed Time of the End

““For the revelation awaits an For the revelation awaits an appointedappointed timetime; it speaks of the ; it speaks of the endend and will not and will not

prove prove falsefalse. Though it linger, wait for it; . Though it linger, wait for it;

it will certainly it will certainly comecome and will and will not delaynot delay.”.”

(Habakkuk 2:3)(Habakkuk 2:3)

7 Century B.C.7 Century B.C.

Daniel’s Two Time PropheciesDaniel’s Two Time Prophecies

Daniel’s 70 Weeks / Time of the EndDaniel’s 70 Weeks / Time of the End• FulfilledFulfilled – literally, exactly, chronologically, and – literally, exactly, chronologically, and

sequentially.sequentially.• Within their Within their twotwo respective respective timetime periods. periods.• Precisely as Precisely as foretoldforetold. . • No gaps, no gimmicks, no delay. No gaps, no gimmicks, no delay. • The The historical settinghistorical setting and and defining characteristicdefining characteristic

of Daniel’s “time of the end” achieved fulfillment. of Daniel’s “time of the end” achieved fulfillment. • When the “the When the “the powerpower of the holy people” was of the holy people” was

““finallyfinally broken” (Dan. 12:7). broken” (Dan. 12:7).

Daniel’s Time of the EndDaniel’s Time of the EndTimelineTimeline

ThusThus

• The The endend the Bible proclaims is the Bible proclaims is pastpast. .

• NotNot the end of human history, the end of the end of human history, the end of time, or the destruction of the physical time, or the destruction of the physical creation.creation.

• The The biblicalbiblical “last days.” “last days.”

• BehindBehind us, not us, not aheadahead of us. of us.

• PastPast, not in the , not in the futurefuture. .

Divine PerfectionDivine PerfectionProposition #3Proposition #3

• OneOne and and onlyonly End the Bible End the Bible consistentlyconsistently proclaims. proclaims.

• Covenantal, Covenantal, notnot cosmic. cosmic.

• Timely, and Timely, and notnot delayed. delayed.

• FramingFraming context for the context for the timetime and and naturenature of of eschatological eschatological fulfillmentfulfillment. .

• Everything Everything elseelse was to was to happenhappen “at just the “at just the rightright time”—at time”—at thisthis time. time.

The End TimesThe End TimesLast DaysLast Days

← ← Fullness of TimeFullness of Time →→

Daniel’s Daniel’s

7070thth Week Week

A.D. 27-34A.D. 27-34

FRONT FRONT

BOOKENDBOOKEND

Daniel’sDaniel’s

Time of the EndTime of the End

A.D. 66-70A.D. 66-70

BACKBACK

BOOKENDBOOKEND

NT TestimonyNT Testimony

How all this fulfillment How all this fulfillment fitsfits, ,

matches upmatches up, and/or , and/or dovetailsdovetails with Jesus, with Jesus,

the early Church, and the NT writers. the early Church, and the NT writers.

Perfectly!Perfectly!““Earnestly Earnestly contend for the faith that was contend for the faith that was onceonce forfor allall delivereddelivered to the saints.” to the saints.”

(Jude 3)(Jude 3)


• ExpectedExpected Him to Him to comecome on the clouds and on the clouds and fulfillfulfill all things within their all things within their lifetimelifetime. .

• ““Their Their MasterMaster had told them so.” had told them so.”

• Where? When?Where? When?

• Jesus’ Jesus’ timetime statements. statements.

Time StatementsTime Statements

Matthew 10:23Matthew 10:23

““When you are persecuted in one place, When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another, I tell you the flee to another, I tell you the truthtruth, you will , you will not finishnot finish going through the cities of Israel going through the cities of Israel beforebefore the Son of man the Son of man comescomes.”.”


Matthew 16:27-28Matthew 16:27-28

““For the Son of Man is going to For the Son of Man is going to comecome in in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to he will reward each person according to what he has done. I tell you the what he has done. I tell you the truthtruth, , somesome who are standing who are standing herehere will will not taste not taste deathdeath before they before they seesee the Son of Man the Son of Man comingcoming in his kingdom. in his kingdom.””


Matthew 26:64 Matthew 26:64

“…“…In the future In the future youyou will will seesee the Son of the Son of Man Man sittingsitting at the right hand of the Mighty at the right hand of the Mighty One, and One, and comingcoming on the on the cloudsclouds of of heaven.”heaven.”


Matthew 24:3, 27, 30, 34 Matthew 24:3, 27, 30, 34 “’“’Tell us,’ they said, ‘Tell us,’ they said, ‘whenwhen will will thisthis happen, and happen, and what will be the what will be the signsign of your of your comingcoming and of the and of the endend of the of the ageage... so will be the coming of the Son ... so will be the coming of the Son of Man... At that time the of Man... At that time the signsign of the Son of Man of the Son of Man [Jesus] will[Jesus] will appear in the sky, and all the nations appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man Man comingcoming on the on the cloudsclouds of the sky, with power of the sky, with power and great glory... I tell you the truth, and great glory... I tell you the truth, thisthis generationgeneration will certainly not pass away until all will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.”these things have happened.”


John 21:22 John 21:22

““Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alivealive untiluntil I I returnreturn, what is that to you? , what is that to you? You must follow me.”You must follow me.”


• GuidedGuided into into all truthall truth and and toldtold the things the things that were yet to come by the that were yet to come by the Holy SpiritHoly Spirit (John 16:13). (John 16:13).

• The The rubrub—if their Holy-Spirit-guided —if their Holy-Spirit-guided expectations expectations provedproved false. false.

• How can we How can we trusttrust them? them?

• To have To have conveyedconveyed other aspects of the other aspects of the faith along to us faith along to us accuratelyaccurately? ?


• NoNo Holy-Spirit-guided, New Testament writer Holy-Spirit-guided, New Testament writer everever corrected these 1st-century corrected these 1st-century expectationsexpectations. .

• They did just the They did just the oppositeopposite..• As Jesus’ literal, forty-year, “As Jesus’ literal, forty-year, “this generationthis generation” ”

time period wound time period wound downdown (from A.D. 30 to A.D. (from A.D. 30 to A.D. 70).70).

• The sense of The sense of nearnessnearness language in the New language in the New Testament dramatically Testament dramatically picked up.picked up.

NT Intensification of NT Intensification of Nearness LanguageNearness Language

• A countdown by using A countdown by using “T” minus“T” minus the the number of years remaining. number of years remaining.

• In Jesus’ In Jesus’ forty-yearforty-year, this-generation time , this-generation time period.period.

• Along with the approximate Along with the approximate datesdates when when these works were these works were writtenwritten. .

• AskAsk yourself how would yourself how would youyou have have understood their words if you had been understood their words if you had been living living back then?back then?

Intensification Countdown Intensification Countdown (A.D. 30-70)(A.D. 30-70)

T - 40 yearsT - 40 years (circa A.D. 30) (circa A.D. 30)

Jesus said: Jesus said:

““I tell you the truth, this generation will I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these certainly not pass away until all these things have happened” things have happened” (Matt. 24:34).(Matt. 24:34).

Intensification CountdownIntensification Countdown(A.D. 30-70)(A.D. 30-70)


Paul wrote:Paul wrote:

““The fullness of time was come”The fullness of time was come” (Gal. 4:4). (Gal. 4:4).



Paul wrote: Paul wrote:

““Time is short Time is short . . . . . . . . The world in its present The world in its present form is passing away”form is passing away” (1 Cor. 7:29, 31). (1 Cor. 7:29, 31).




““Understand the present time. . . . because Understand the present time. . . . because our salvation is nearer now than when we our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here”day is almost here” (Rom. 13:11-12). (Rom. 13:11-12).




““The God of peace will soon [shortly] The God of peace will soon [shortly]

crush Satan under your feet (Rom. 16:20).crush Satan under your feet (Rom. 16:20).



James wrote:James wrote:

““be patient and stand firm, because the be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near (at hand). . . . The Lord’s coming is near (at hand). . . . The judge is standing at the door!”judge is standing at the door!” (Jas. 5:8-9). (Jas. 5:8-9).



The writer of Hebrews wrote:The writer of Hebrews wrote:

““but in these last days he but in these last days he [God] [God] has has spoken to us by his Son. . . .”spoken to us by his Son. . . .” (Heb. 1:2). (Heb. 1:2).



The writer of Hebrews wrote:The writer of Hebrews wrote:

““In just a very very little while, ‘He who is In just a very very little while, ‘He who is coming will come and will not delay. . . .’”coming will come and will not delay. . . .’” (Heb. 10:37).(Heb. 10:37).


T – 3-5 yearsT – 3-5 years (circa A.D. 65-67) (circa A.D. 65-67)

Peter wrote:Peter wrote:

““The end of all things is at hand.” The end of all things is at hand.”

(1 Pet. 4:7 KJV).(1 Pet. 4:7 KJV).



Peter wrote:Peter wrote:

““For it is time for judgment to begin with For it is time for judgment to begin with the family [the house] of God. . .”the family [the house] of God. . .”

(1 Pet. 4:17 [KJV]).(1 Pet. 4:17 [KJV]).



John wrote:John wrote:

““Little children, this is the last hour . . . it is Little children, this is the last hour . . . it is the last hour” the last hour” (1 John 2:18).(1 John 2:18).

““the very last hour, the very last hour, remainsremains future.” future.” Carl F.H. Henry, “The Very Last Day, The Very Last Hour,” Carl F.H. Henry, “The Very Last Day, The Very Last Hour,” Decision, Decision, September 2000, 27.September 2000, 27.


Some ReflectionsSome Reflections

““No No otherother interpretation is possible if the interpretation is possible if the words are words are takentaken in the ‘plain, primary, in the ‘plain, primary, ordinary, usual, or normal ordinary, usual, or normal sensesense, that is , that is they are interpreted they are interpreted literallyliterally.”.”

Gary DeMar, in Foreword to Francis X. Gumerlock’s, Gary DeMar, in Foreword to Francis X. Gumerlock’s, The Day and the Hour: Christianity’s Perennial The Day and the Hour: Christianity’s Perennial Fascination with Predicting the End of the World,Fascination with Predicting the End of the World, xxivxxiv. .


Some ReflectionsSome Reflections• NoNo NT writer ever NT writer ever correctedcorrected their their

expectations.expectations.• Perfect Perfect harmonyharmony and and consistencyconsistency with . . . with . . . • The plain, natural, and literal The plain, natural, and literal

understanding understanding of of JesusJesus’ words. ’ words. • The literal, exact, chronological, and The literal, exact, chronological, and

sequential fulfillment of sequential fulfillment of Daniel’sDaniel’s “time of “time of the end” the end” prophecyprophecy..



• How far can we stretch nearness (imminency) before nearness loses its value?

• How else could they have said it?

• Or made it any more clear?

• What was so monumental and so impending, right there and then?


Some ReflectionsSome Reflections• How much of the content was relevant

to the original audience? • Premillers say, “none” or “little of it was.” • Amillers and postmillers say, “some of it was.” • Preterists say, “all of it was”—and perfectly

fulfilled.• Who’s right?



• Jerusalem and the Temple were totally destroyed exactly as and when both Daniel and Jesus had perfectly prophesied.

• Was this also Jesus’ Second Coming / Return ???



• Preterists say Preterists say yesyes—and there is —and there is no otherno other..

• Amillers and Postmillers say Amillers and Postmillers say nono—but it —but it waswas aa coming— coming—justjust notnot thethe Second Second Coming / Return.Coming / Return.

• Premillers Premillers denydeny it was it was eveneven a coming. a coming.

• Who’s Who’s rightright ??? ???

The Second Coming / Return The Second Coming / Return of Jesus Christ? of Jesus Christ?

Did this happen, Did this happen, tootoo, at the “time of the end” , at the “time of the end”

in A.D. 70?in A.D. 70?

Or, is this Or, is this stillstill future? future?

What does the Bible What does the Bible saysay and and not saynot say??

The Second Coming / Return The Second Coming / Return of Jesus Christ?of Jesus Christ?

• Preterist viewPreterist view – it is – it is pastpast and occurred in and occurred in A.D. 70. A.D. 70.

• Premillennial viewPremillennial view – it is – it is futurefuture and very and very soonsoon will occur. will occur.

• Amillennial viewAmillennial view – it is – it is futurefuture and and nono one one can can knowknow when it will occur. when it will occur.

• Postmillennial viewPostmillennial view – it is – it is futurefuture but will but will notnot occur any time occur any time soonsoon..

2 Guidelines2 Guidelines

1) Sola Scriptura

2) In Love

Group PollGroup Poll

QuestionQuestion::In your opinion, over the In your opinion, over the entireentire course of course of

human historyhuman history——past, present, and future—past, present, and future—

howhow manymany comings of Jesus are there? comings of Jesus are there?

Answers:Answers: A) None? B) One? C) Two? A) None? B) One? C) Two? D) Three? E) Four? F) More?D) Three? E) Four? F) More?


““The Bible speaks The Bible speaks extensivelyextensively about the about the SecondSecond ComingComing of Christ, of Christ, mentioningmentioning it more than it more than 300300 timestimes in the New in the New Testament. By comparison, repentance . . . is Testament. By comparison, repentance . . . is mentioned about mentioned about 70 times70 times, and baptism . . . is mentioned , and baptism . . . is mentioned about about 20 times20 times. .

It is obvious, then, that the Holy Spirit, who inspired the It is obvious, then, that the Holy Spirit, who inspired the Scriptures, places Scriptures, places great importancegreat importance on the on the returnreturn of of Jesus Christ.” Jesus Christ.”

Billy Graham, “The End of the World,” Decision, January 2004.


• What does the Bible say about a “Second Coming” of Jesus?

Nothing!

• What about a “return?”

Nothing!Nothing!


““The words ‘The words ‘returnreturn’ and ‘’ and ‘secondsecond comingcoming’ ’ are are notnot properly speaking properly speaking BiblicalBiblical words in words in that the two words do that the two words do notnot represent any represent any equivalentequivalent Greek words.” Greek words.”

George Eldon Ladd, George Eldon Ladd,

The Blessed HopeThe Blessed Hope, 69., 69.


““So Christ was sacrificed once to take So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will away the sins of many people; and he will appear appear a second timea second time, not to bear sin, but , not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” for him.”

(Hebrews 9:28) (Hebrews 9:28)


• Why the Bible Why the Bible nevernever calls Jesus’ birth and calls Jesus’ birth and earthly life his earthly life his ”first coming”first coming”?”?

• Because it Because it wasn’twasn’t!!

• To To StephenStephen (Acts 7:55-56).

• To Saul (Acts 9:1-8).

• To John (Rev. 1).

• How do you count or discount those comings?

Definition of Definition of a Coming of Jesusa Coming of Jesus

““A personal and bodily A personal and bodily interventionintervention and/or and/or manifestationmanifestation of Jesus into the life of an of Jesus into the life of an individualindividual, a , a groupgroup, or a , or a nationnation on this earth. on this earth. There are many different There are many different typestypes of comings for of comings for different different purposespurposes, and they occur at different , and they occur at different timestimes and and placesplaces. Some are . Some are visible visible appearances; some are appearances; some are invisibleinvisible interventions. interventions. Some are Some are physicalphysical (seen, heard, felt); some are (seen, heard, felt); some are spiritualspiritual (an internal illumination or revelation); (an internal illumination or revelation); and some are cand some are combinationsombinations.”.”


• The word “The word “returnreturn” is also ” is also nevernever used. used.

• NonNon-scriptural terminology.-scriptural terminology.

• One One clarificationclarification – parable (Luke 19:12f). – parable (Luke 19:12f).

• Nobleman certainly represents Jesus.


• Authentic Christianity does Authentic Christianity does notnot stand for a stand for a departeddeparted or or absentabsent Christ—absent the Christ—absent the entire length of the Christian age! entire length of the Christian age!

• A A presentpresent and and activeactive Christ who Christ who never leftnever left..

• He He saidsaid so! so!

• “And surely I will be with you always, to [until] the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20b)

ComparativeComparative

NIV (incorrect)NIV (incorrect)Matt.24:46Matt.24:46 returns returns

John 14:3John 14:3 come come backback

John 14:28 coming backJohn 14:28 coming back

John 16:28 going backJohn 16:28 going back

John 21:22-23 I returnJohn 21:22-23 I return

Acts 1:11Acts 1:11 come come backback

Lit. GreekLit. Greek KJV KJV (correct)(correct)

coming coming cometh cometh

again I come come againagain I come come again

I comeI come come come againagain

go togo to go to go to

until I comeuntil I come till I come till I come

will comewill come shall so come shall so come


• ““What will be the What will be the signsign of your of your comingcoming” ” (Matt. 24:3).(Matt. 24:3).

• The Greek The Greek wordword translated as “coming” translated as “coming” here is here is parousia.parousia.

• Literally Literally meansmeans “presence” as “presence” as opposedopposed to to “absence.”“absence.”

• Our physical/material Our physical/material mindsetmindset. . • BlindsBlinds us to the realities of the us to the realities of the spiritspirit realmrealm..


• ““I will come to you” and “you will see me.” I will come to you” and “you will see me.”

(John 14:18, 19; also John 16:16) (John 14:18, 19; also John 16:16) • He He diddid and they and they diddid. . • ““We have We have heardheard from the Law that the from the Law that the ChristChrist

will will remainremain forever... ” forever... ” (John 12:34). (John 12:34). • ““The disciples went out and preached The disciples went out and preached

everywhere . . . the Lord worked everywhere . . . the Lord worked with with themthem . .” . .” (Mark 16:20). (Mark 16:20).

• EverEver sincesince..


• Old Old habitshabits are hard to are hard to breakbreak. .

• IndispensableIndispensable to a correct to a correct understandingunderstanding of the New Testament. of the New Testament.

• HistoricalHistorical Jesus. Jesus.

• ContemporaryContemporary Christ. Christ.

• The The traditionstraditions of men “ of men “nullify[ingnullify[ing] the word of ] the word of God” or making it of “God” or making it of “nonenone effect” effect”

(Mark 7:13; Matt. 15:6 – NIV/KJV). (Mark 7:13; Matt. 15:6 – NIV/KJV).


Conclusion and Conclusion and IMOIMO . . . . . .

• Non-biblical, un-biblical, and yet long-perpetuated tradition to give way to revealed truth.

• “Second coming” and “return” of Christ are biblically and historically . . .

• Inappropriate expressions and concepts.

This Unraveling Mean?This Unraveling Mean?

1.1. If this world is If this world is withoutwithout end? end?

2.2. If “the end” If “the end” forfor the world has the world has alreadyalready come—is come—is pastpast, not future? , not future?

3.3. If truth does If truth does notnot reside in a “second reside in a “second coming” or “return” of Jesus but in the coming” or “return” of Jesus but in the manymany comingscomings of Christ—past, present, of Christ—past, present, and future—as He and future—as He remainsremains withwith us? us?


1) If this world is 1) If this world is withoutwithout end? end?

#1 reason#1 reason so many so many

have been have been hamstrunghamstrung

in their understanding in their understanding

of of end-timeend-time prophecy. prophecy.



• Why endsaying prophets of doom have Why endsaying prophets of doom have continuallycontinually been proven been proven wrongwrong? ?

• Not their Not their timingtiming that is wrong. that is wrong.

• Their Their conceptconcept that is wrong. that is wrong.

• FailedFailed prophets of a prophets of a falsefalse premise. premise.

• Continually trying to predict something Continually trying to predict something that’s that’s notnot going to happen. going to happen.



• Crying wolf when there is no wolf.

• How can we be so sure?

• “How do I know? The Bible tells me so.”



““There is one thing stronger than all the There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world; and that is an idea armies in the world; and that is an idea

whose time has come.whose time has come.

Victor HugoVictor Hugo



• A A paradigmparadigm shift! shift!

• Reexamine Reexamine otherother beliefs. beliefs.

• Isn’t our Isn’t our rolerole in taking care of it, and of in taking care of it, and of each other, even each other, even moremore significant? significant?

• MoreMore reason and reason and greatergreater responsibility. . . responsibility. . .

• To pass it along to future generations in a To pass it along to future generations in a betterbetter conditioncondition than we found it? than we found it?


2) If “the end” 2) If “the end” forfor the world has the world has alreadyalready come—is come—is pastpast, not future?, not future?

• ““When the When the normalnormal sense makes sense sense makes sense seek seek no otherno other sense.” sense.”

• Doesn’t Doesn’t exactnessexactness demonstrate God’s demonstrate God’s sovereignty and perfection sovereignty and perfection betterbetter thanthan gaps, gimmicks, and delay theory?gaps, gimmicks, and delay theory?

• ““The The historicallyhistorically defensible interpretation defensible interpretation has has greatestgreatest authority.” authority.”


““The historically defensible interpretation The historically defensible interpretation has greatest authority. has greatest authority. That is, That is, interpreters can have maximum interpreters can have maximum confidence in their understanding of a text confidence in their understanding of a text when they base that understanding on when they base that understanding on historically defensible arguments.” historically defensible arguments.” Klein, Blomberg, & Hubbard, Klein, Blomberg, & Hubbard,

Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, 149.Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, 149.

What Does All This Mean?What Does All This Mean?

2) If “the end” 2) If “the end” forfor the world has the world has alreadyalready come—is come—is pastpast, not future?, not future?

• Reexamine and rethink Reexamine and rethink otherother end-time end-time assumptions, prophecies, and beliefs, too? assumptions, prophecies, and beliefs, too?

• Guide us into a Guide us into a betterbetter understanding of the understanding of the BibleBible and and historicalhistorical Jesus? Jesus?

• To know the To know the contemporarycontemporary Christ? Christ?• What He is What He is likelike and what He is and what He is doingdoing in our in our

world world todaytoday!!


2) If “the end” 2) If “the end” forfor the world has the world has alreadyalready

come—is come—is pastpast, not future?, not future?

• The overriding The overriding precedentprecedent..

• The The starting pointstarting point for total prophecy for total prophecy reformreform. .

• The The ultimateultimate apologetic. apologetic.

The ESSENCE of The ESSENCE of the Great End-time Fiascothe Great End-time Fiasco

Part 1Part 1 – Things that were supposed to – Things that were supposed to happen happen didn’t happendidn’t happen . . . . . .

as NT expectations proved as NT expectations proved falsefalse. .

Part 2Part 2 – So the Church – So the Church inventedinvented “delay “delay theory”—in direct theory”—in direct contradictioncontradiction of of Scripture. Scripture.


• The God of the Bible is the God of The God of the Bible is the God of orderorder and and designdesign. Everything He created He did . Everything He created He did so with a so with a planplan, , purposepurpose, , timeframetimeframe, and , and timely precisiontimely precision..

• The The stampstamp or or fingerprintfingerprint of divinity. of divinity.


• The God of the Bible The God of the Bible foretoldforetold—many times —many times and in many ways—what was going to and in many ways—what was going to happenhappen in the in the futurefuture. .

• And it And it allall happened. happened.

• No otherNo other god, faith, religion, or ideology in god, faith, religion, or ideology in the world the world can claimcan claim this. this.

• NorNor has anything to has anything to comparecompare with the with the validatingvalidating evidence of fulfilled prophecy. evidence of fulfilled prophecy.


• Everything Everything elseelse the God of the Bible the God of the Bible promised and prophesied via his prophets promised and prophesied via his prophets regarding his regarding his plan of redemptionplan of redemption

• (e.g., (e.g., savingsaving us human beings from us human beings from sinsin and and restoringrestoring our fellowship with Him) our fellowship with Him)

• AlsoAlso happened “at just the happened “at just the rightright time . . . in time . . . in its its properproper time.” time.”


How we humans can How we humans can knowknow Who the Who the oneone truetrue God is: God is:

Isaiah. 44:6-8 Isaiah. 44:6-8

Also seeAlso see Isaiah 41:21-24; 42:8-9; Isaiah 41:21-24; 42:8-9;

45:20-22; 46:9-11; 48:3-645:20-22; 46:9-11; 48:3-6


• OneOne and and onlyonly End the Bible End the Bible consistentlyconsistently proclaims. proclaims.

• Covenantal, Covenantal, notnot cosmic. cosmic.

• Timely, and Timely, and notnot delayed. delayed.

• FramingFraming context for the context for the timetime and and naturenature of of eschatological eschatological fulfillmentfulfillment. .

• Everything Everything elseelse was to was to happenhappen “at just the “at just the rightright time”—at time”—at thisthis time. time.


3) If truth does 3) If truth does not not reside in a “second coming” reside in a “second coming” or “return” of Jesus but in the or “return” of Jesus but in the manymany comingscomings of of

Christ—past, present, and future—as He Christ—past, present, and future—as He remainsremains withwith us? us?

• UnshacklingUnshackling Christianity from its Christianity from its two-adventtwo-advent mindset.mindset.

• SynthesizingSynthesizing four views into four views into oneone. . • ““Just could be the spark that ignites the next Just could be the spark that ignites the next

reformation of Christianity” reformation of Christianity” – – Dr. James Earl Massey.Dr. James Earl Massey.

Unraveling the EndUnraveling the EndA Biblical Synthesis of Competing ViewsA Biblical Synthesis of Competing Views

1.1. Your Your prayersprayers..

2.2. Being a Being a heraldherald (Hab. 2:2). (Hab. 2:2).

Next WeekNext Week

≈≈

The The manymany comingscomings of Jesus of Jesus

——past, present, and future—past, present, and future—

Unraveling the End A Biblical Synthesis of Competing Views

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