We finish this season with the subject of ‘Eschatology’ which deals with the doctrine of last things. Thankfully this present world system will come to an end. Sin in this world as we know it is a temporary state. Understanding this and how God is going to wrap up this age is vital for the believer. This is the Hope that we have as Christians, finality to this chapter of human history and the misery that has plagued this earth for far too long. For the redeemed we emerge completely victorious while the unbelieving are eternally condemned. How fitting it is for our last episode for this season to cover the Biblical truths that describe the manner in which God brings closure to the fall of Mankind in the Garden of Eden.
1. A Sign of the Times
Have you noticed how the world mocks those whom they call ‘Doomsday Prophets’ with signs depicting God’s impending judgment? Well, what the world has subconsciously dreaded will come upon them and in a manner and intensity beyond their wildest dreams. For Christians, it’s not a matter of ‘if’ but rather a matter of ‘when’ the end will come. We don’t know when the Tribulation Period begins. The main prerequisite to Jesus’ return is the preaching of the gospel to the whole world.
2. The Tribulation Period
In Mathew Chapter 24, Jesus is asked by His disciples concerning the end of this age. It is important to note that Jesus at that moment of time was living under the Old Testament Period. His description of the end times was in relation to what the Jewish nation was going to experience during the Tribulation Period.
3. The Second Advent
If the importance of a Bible subject can be judged by the frequency of references to it, then the Second Coming of Christ is indeed a subject of primary importance. Christ’s coming is mentioned more than 300 times in the New Testament; that means that it is mentioned on the average of once in every twenty-five verses. We don’t know the day or hour when Jesus will come to rapture His Church from the earth, so it is with the Second Advent- but we must be ready!
4. Judgements
All people, whether saint or sinner will stand in judgment for a life lived on this earth before God, the big difference between the two judgments is the end results. God’s holiness requires that all sin be punished and every soul be held accountable. The first judgment occurred at the Cross where all the sins of the world were laid upon Jesus who took the wrath of God as our substitute for sin- John 1:29.
5. The Endless Age
Words cannot describe even now how wonderful it will be when the ‘Old Order’ of things pass away, no more crying and no more pain. What has happened during our time will become a distant memory in the eons of time. Interesting that there will be no more oceans or seas. Planet earth becomes the new throne of God, the new heaven if you will, the capital of God’s universe.
6. Seals, Trumpets & Bowls
We will cover the scriptures of the seven seals, seven trumpets and seven bowls of God’s judgment upon this present evil world system that Satan is the god over; along with the purpose for them.