The Return of Christ – Eschatology: Part 1

 

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In the course of human history, few narratives hold as much intrigue, anticipation, and profound significance as the promise of the return of Christ. Across centuries, cultures, and continents, the idea of Christ's second coming has been a focal point for theologians, believers, and seekers alike. It represents the culmination of divine promises, the fulfillment of prophecies, and the ultimate hope for redemption.

 

In this series of blogs, we embark on a journey to explore the multifaceted dimensions of the return of Christ. We delve into its theological underpinnings, historical interpretations, and contemporary relevance. Beyond doctrinal debates and eschatological speculations, we seek to unravel the profound implications of this event on individual faith, societal ethics, and global consciousness.

 

Christ’s return is our great hope of salvation and initiates spending a glorious eternity with God. Consequently, the study of eschatology (end times) is critical to understanding our salvation and is a great blessing (Revelation 1:3). Let's take the next few blogs to consider the return of Christ in detail and what scripture says. 

 

Although the exact nature of Christ’s return is controversial among theologians, it is important to base our beliefs on scripture, which will be the basis of our discussion. 

 

Scripture prophecy 

 

End times biblical literature in the New Testament includes major prophetic passages in:

 

• Revelation
• Chapters 4-18 – The tribulation
• Chapters 19-20 -The second coming of Christ
• Chapters 21-22 – Eternity
• Matthew 24 and 25 - The “Olivet discourse”, discusses the tribulation, 2nd coming and judgment, leaning to a Jewish perspective

• 1 Corinthians 15:51ff – The rapture
• 1 Thessalonians 4 – The rapture
• 1 Thessalonians 5 – Second coming
• 2 Thessalonians 1 – Tribulation
• 2 Thessalonians 2 – Antichrist

 

There is also extensive prophetic literature in the Old Testament detailing the first and second comings of Christ, Christ’s kingdom reign, and prophecies already fulfilled in the Old Testament itself. Many prophecies related to Christ are dealt with in our chapter, the Plan of God. The kingdom reign of Christ is discussed here. Prophecies fulfilled in the Old Testament itself are beyond the scope of this Resource Center. Please see the helpful references below for further reading.

 

Although opinions vary, proper interpretation of scripture should be a normal, literal meaning that should consider the style of writing in the original text. For instance, prophecy literature should allow symbols to be symbols, as intended by the original author, to represent actual events, not to be spiritualized or understood verbatim.

 

Our discussion is based on a normal literal interpretation of scripture. Other traditional alternative beliefs to the end times exist but are not included in this chapter because of the lack of substantiation in scripture. Several references are included below for your convenience for deeper reading.

 

Key definitions 

 

• The term ‘end times’ is derived from scripture ‘last days’. This term and its derivatives typically mean the time of the church as well as Christ’s second return and ensuing eternity. It can indicate, however, only Christ’s return and beyond which is the case for our study in this chapter.
• Eschatology – This is the study of end times taken from the Greek word ‘last’ (ἔσχατος, eschatos).

 

End times events in order

 

• The rapture (1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18; Revelation 4:1; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58) – This important event includes the following:
• It occurs at a time known only by God
• A trumpet, shout, and announcement shall be heard, and Christ will return in the clouds
• Christ will take dead and living Christians out of the world to be with Him for eternity
• Those taken our bodies will be changed to be incorruptible forever
• The rapture initiates the series of events leading to Christ’s return and begins specifically the tribulation (see below).
• Although beliefs differ, scripture indicates the church is taken out of the world before the tribulation because it is promised to Christians that they will not know God’s wrath (Revelation 3:10; 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:9), which is the purpose of the tribulation. The church is not mentioned in tribulation passages.

 

Well, that starts our discussion of end times and takes us through the rapture allows those living on earth to begin their experience with eternity, avoiding the wrath to come.

 

Thanks be to God for his wonderful promises of eternal life through our faith alone in Jesus Christ. Join us next time as we continue this wonderful journey of our overview of the end times.

 

Books to expand on this topic:

Messiah in the Old Testament, The: Kaiser Jr., Walter C.: 9780310200307: Amazon.com: Books

Systematic Theology (4 Volume Set): Chafer, Lewis Sperry: 9780825423406: Amazon.com: Books

Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth: Ryrie, Charles C.: 9780802427342: Amazon.com: Books

 

William C. Stewart, MD

 

Email - info@teleiosresearch.com

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Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author alone and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.

 

The Wonderful Plan of God: Part3

The Holy Bible is an amazingly unified text that encompasses the whole plan of God to bring salvation to man through Jesus Christ and complete all of history in our Savior (Ephesians 1:10). Knowing the plan of God helps us realize the meticulous detail by which He brought us eternal life through His wisdom, knowledge, and love, for His good pleasure and praise (Ephesians 1:4-8).  

Key to this plan are: 

·     The structural elements to bring salvation. 

·     The teaching elements to allow us to recognize the Savior. 

 

In the last several blogs, we've covered God's plan throughout the Old Testament, especially Israel's time in the desert and the prophets. This week, let's look at the gospels and the church. These vital parts of scripture detail Christ’s coming, His sacrifice and resurrection, the body of Christ (the church), and the commandments to Christians. 

 

The Gospels

 

At the right time, God sent His only begotten Son to the world to fulfill His promise of the coming Messiah who would save people from their sins (Isaiah 59:20-21). In doing so, Christ presented the promised Kingdom to the Jews, indicating they should believe in Him as Messiah to save their souls and gain entrance into His kingdom. (Matthew 3:7; Matthew 4:16; Matthew 10:7; John 3:3,16). God sent John the Baptist as the prophesied forerunner to announce that the Messiah had arrived (Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1; Malachi 4:5). 

 

·        Presentation - Important in the message of the gospels, Jesus proved His messiahship through: 

 

o    His lineage from King David (2 Samuel 7:14: Matthew 1, Luke 3). 

o    The virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14: Matthew 2:15). 

o    He would be  called out of Egypt (Matthew 2:15). 

o    Fulfillment of specific Old Testament prophecies (please see prior section). 

o    His power and purity at the temptation (Matthew 4:1-12). 

o    His miracles (Isaiah 61:1 fulfilled in Luke 4:16; Isaiah 42:1-4 fulfilled in Matthew 12:7-10). 

o    The witness of God the Father (Matthew 3:14, Matthew 17:7, John 12:28). 

o    The witness of the Spirit (Matthew 3:14). 

o    His teaching in parables (Matthew 13:39; Psalm 78:2). 

o    His death (Matthew 27). 

o    His resurrection (Psalm 2:7-8, 16:8-10). 

 

·        Course of his ministry - The Jews rejected Christ’s claim of messiahship (Matthew 12:22-45). They crucified Him in an unjust death on the cross, for which He died for our sins to provide a way of salvation. On the third day, Christ was resurrected from the dead (Matthew 28:1-10) to provide eternal life for all who believe by faith alone. 

 

He then appeared to the disciples, to the women, and to 500 others (1 Corinthians 15:4-7). At Pentecost (Acts 1),  He ascended from the Mount of Olives to heaven, so completing His work as Savior, He then sat down at the right hand of God the Father and sent His Spirit to begin the church (Acts 2:4). 

 

The church 

 

The church is the body of Christ. Its membership consists of all Christians (New Testament believers) under the headship of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 1:18). It began when Christ ascended to heaven and sent the Holy Spirit back to seal and empower believers (Acts 2:4; Ephesians 1:20-23). Christ tasked the apostles to spread the gospel across the world in the great commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and, just before His ascension, predicted the completion of His command (Acts 1:8). Its fulfillment is noted in Colossians 1:6. 

 

The early church in Jerusalem (Acts 2-6) had the following characteristics. It was: 

 

·        Essentially Jewish

·        Small in number

·        Led by the apostles with help from deacons

·        Presented with signs and wonders similar to the gospels to connect Christ’s ministry with the apostles.

 

Importantly, God connected the message of Christ in the Gospels to the early church through Peter’s preaching and miracles. 

 

Starting in Act 7, the church was persecuted and spread far from Jerusalem, helping to fulfill Christ’s prediction (Acts 1:8). Saul was converted in Acts 9 and then called Paul. He was personally taught by Christ (2 Corinthians 12:2-5) and became the major apostle to complete the knowledge of the New Testament (Colossians 1:25; Ephesians 3:2-3) as well as designated as the apostle to the Gentiles (non-Jewish peoples, Romans 15:16). Paul and the other apostles established local churches and God’s commandments (detailed in Romans through to Revelation 3) for the 2nd generation Christians and beyond (apostolic authority). 

 

Characteristics of the more mature church were that it:

 

·        Was very large in number 

·        Spread across the world (Colossians 1:6) 

·        Demonstrated God’s intended church structure, led by elders in every city and assisted by deacons

·        Primarily gentile: though many congregations seemingly had a large proportion of Jews, such as Rome, Corinth, and northern Asia Minor.

·        Experienced the completion of miraculous signs over time (Matthew 11:13; 1 Corinthians 13:8-13). 

 

The commandment given by Christ mostly to Paul, as set down in the epistles, is how God communicates in the current church age (Colossians 1:25; Ephesians 3:2-3; Hebrews 1:1-2). The church acts as the body of Christ to accomplish His will, spread the gospel, and mature and nurture believers in their walk with God. 

 

End Times 

 

At the end of the church age, God promises to conclude all things in Christ (Ephesians 1:10-11), which will involve the fulfillment of his covenant with Abraham and include His glorious return to bring all believers in Himself and to eternal life. Christ also will fulfill the promises given to the Jews for their Kingdom and their land as part of the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant (Revelation 4-22; 1 Thessalonians 4, 5; 2 Thessalonians 1, 2). The details will be detailed in the coming blogs.

 

Summary 

 

God has initiated and will complete His marvelous plan of salvation. The plan began before all time by God developing the plan of salvation through Christ, choosing His believers and then through the ages, convicting them, and dragging them to Himself. God then caused them to believe in Christ’s death and resurrection and gave them positions of eternal security through their legal innocence and membership in God’s family and the church. He also sealed them by the Spirit, creating a new regenerated person in them. 

 

By structure, this great salvation was accomplished through the Abrahamic Covenant, which provided for the seed (who is Messiah {Galatians 3:16]) through Isaac to bring salvation to man as well as the physical seed of Israel through Jacob to provide the man Jesus Christ through the Covenant of David (2 Samuel 7:14). God will fulfill all His promises to His chosen individuals, and to Israel through Jesus Christ (Romans 11:29; Ephesians 3:6) 

 

God will bring His believers to salvation for eternity with Him, providing us now with great hope, confidence, and an anchor for our souls (Hebrews 6:19).  

 

Thanks be to God that we have such a blessed Savior! All honor and glory are due to God and Christ! 

 

Join us again next time and share this important blog with your friends and family!

 

William C. Stewart, MD

 

Email - info@teleiosresearch.com

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Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author alone and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the