CCS SysTheo

Eschatology

The Up front Stuff

• Eschatology = The Study of Last Things• Greek, eschatos/eschatov = last, final• There are mutiple versions of “eschatomania”– Left Behind– Late great Planet Earth

• What we know for sure:– The Death rate is one per personThe Death rate is one per person– Jesus is returning, we don’t know when – perhaps Jesus is returning, we don’t know when – perhaps

today . . . today . . .

Distinctions

• Personal eschatology• Universal eschatology• These obviously overlap as each person is a part

of the universe, but it must be seen as affecting every person

• As everlasting beings, we have a beginning, but As everlasting beings, we have a beginning, but no ultimate end – although we have certain no ultimate end – although we have certain “ends” of sorts (physical death, separation, etc.)“ends” of sorts (physical death, separation, etc.)

Personal Eschatology• Death– Death rate is one per person– We struggle with the belief that we are here and

now immortal (funerals)– Hebrews 9:27– We are spiritually immortal

• Afterlife• 1 Corinthians 15

Personal Eschatology

• The Nature of Death– Mankind made to live forever, as it were

• Genesis 3:22-23, Rev. 2:7– Death is not a natural part of life– Gen. 2:17– Death is the result of turning away from God – it is

THE enemy– 1 Cor. 15:50-58

• Isaiah 25:8• Hosea 13:14• Rev. 20:14, 21:4

Personal Eschatology

• Eschatological truths are meant to encourage– 1 Cor. 15:58– 1 Thess. 4:18

• “You cannot plan the ends and not plan the Means” – Caedmans Call

• Remember John 3:16 – You cannot offer “eternal life” if you do not control eternity

20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. To Live Is Christ

21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean

fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.

23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;

CCS SysTheo

Eschatology

Personal Eschatology Cont.

• The Intermediate State?• The Resurrection– Old Testament Teachings– New Testament Teachings– Ancient Middle Eastern Views

• GlorificationGlorification– Bodily ResurrectionBodily Resurrection– New BodyNew Body

The Intermediate State?• Hades as a “Holding Place”– See Other Slide Pack– Not considered the best use of these

phrases/texts– Just the grave– Focus is Death – and that’s bad enough– NOT AN ACCEPTABLE VIEW

Intermediate State?• Soul Sleep – Person is unconscious between

death and resurrection• There is a good bit language about “sleep”

when talking about death– John 11:11; Acts 7:60, 13:36; etc.

• Seventh-Day Adventist view • But, immediacy is more persuadingBut, immediacy is more persuading

– Jesus crying out, “Into Thy hands I commit My Spirit.” (Luke 23:46)Jesus crying out, “Into Thy hands I commit My Spirit.” (Luke 23:46)– Jesus promising to the thief on the cross, “Today you will be with Me Jesus promising to the thief on the cross, “Today you will be with Me

in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)– NOT AN ACCEPTABLE VIEWNOT AN ACCEPTABLE VIEW

Intermediate State?• Purgatory• Roman Catholic Doctrine• The Wicked go to Hell, the Righteous Penitent go to Heaven, the Righteous Not-

Enough Penitent go to Purgatory• Extra Biblical support proposed

– Thomas Aquinas proposed doctrine• 2 Maccabees 12:43-46

• Scriptural support proposed– Matthew 12:32Matthew 12:32– 1 Cor. 3:151 Cor. 3:15Many other texts contradict and this cannot be supported by Scripture aloneMany other texts contradict and this cannot be supported by Scripture alone

Galatians 3:1-14; Eph. 2:8-9; Hebrews 9:27Galatians 3:1-14; Eph. 2:8-9; Hebrews 9:27THIS IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE VIEWTHIS IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE VIEW

RESOLUTION?

• Immediacy at Death– 2 Cor. 5:1-10– Phil. 1:19-26

• Quickening at Return of Christ– 1 Thess. 4:13-18

• Instantaneous JudgmentInstantaneous Judgment– Hebrews 9:27Hebrews 9:27

CCS SysTheo

Eschatology

PERSONAL ESCHATOLOGY – THE PERSONAL ESCHATOLOGY – THE RESURRECTIONRESURRECTION

The Resurrection

• Old Testament – Psalm 16:10– Daniel 12:2– Ezekiel 37:12-14

• New Testament– John 5:29, 11:24-25John 5:29, 11:24-25

• Ancient Middle Eastern WorldAncient Middle Eastern World– Matthew 22:23Matthew 22:23– Acts 17:22-34Acts 17:22-34

The Resurrection is Physical

• Romans 8:11• The Pattern of the believers body is Christ– Phil. 3:21– 1 John 3:2– A genuine Body – Luke 24:39

• The believers’ body is incorruptible and glorious – this is glorification– 1 Cor. 15:42-431 Cor. 15:42-43

• The general relation of the resurrected Body will be the body The general relation of the resurrected Body will be the body that experienced death – 1 Cor. 15:36-38that experienced death – 1 Cor. 15:36-38

The Order of the Resurrections• The Resurrection of Christ – the Firstfruits– 1 Cor. 15:23; Col. 1:8

• The dead Church Saints– 1 Cor. 15:23– 1 Thess. 4:13-18

• The two witnesses of the Tribulation* (Rev. 11:11-12)• The Old Testament Saints at the end of the Tribulation* (Dan.

12:1-2; Matt. 8:11)• The tribulation martyrs at the end of the Tribulation* (Rev. The tribulation martyrs at the end of the Tribulation* (Rev.

20:4)20:4)• Resurrection of the wicked (Rev. 20:11-14)Resurrection of the wicked (Rev. 20:11-14)

The Resurrection Text in Context• 1 Corinthians 151 Corinthians 15

– 1-2: The Gospel named– 3-11: The Gospel

“event” told– 12-19: Resurrection

must be real– 20-28: The details of

resurrection– 29-57: The qualities of 29-57: The qualities of

resurrectionresurrection– The encouragement of The encouragement of

resurrectionresurrection

• Christ really . . . – Lived– Died– Rose from the Dead– The resurrection is

empirical - verifiable• The resurrection affects

us• The resurrection is what

everything hangs on – everything hangs on – everything (15:14 &17)everything (15:14 &17)

1 Corinthians 15:17

“. . . and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.”

TRULY . . .

It was life that we were given back . . . That is, sin separated us from God – killed us. We were meant to live.

THIS LIFE . . . A MIST, A MOMENTTHIS LIFE . . . A MIST, A MOMENT . . . THEN COMES THE NEXT . . . THEN COMES THE NEXT

(JAMES 4:14)(JAMES 4:14)

So, do you believe all this ?

• . . .

And if you do, how does it

affect how you live?

CCS SysTheo

Eschatology

JUDGMENTPersonal Eschatology - Judgment