Christian eschatology is the main branch of the study in Christian theology dealing with "the last things." Eschatology, from two Greek words meaning "last" (???????) and "study" (- ?????), is the study of the 'end', what is the end of the life of the individual, the end of time, the end of the world and the nature of the Kingdom of God. Broadly speaking, Christian eschatology is the study of the ultimate goal of the individual soul and of the created order, which is primarily based on biblical texts in the Old and New Testaments.
Christian eschatology sees to study and discuss such things as death and the afterlife, Heaven and Hell, the Second Coming of Jesus, the resurrection of the dead, Rapture, Tribulation, Millenialism, the end of the world, the Last Judgment, and the New Heaven and the New Earth in a world will come. The eschatological passages are found in many places in the Bible, both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament. There are also many extrabiblical examples of eschatological prophecies, as well as church traditions.
Video Christian eschatology
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Eschatology is an ancient branch of study in Christian theology, informed by biblical texts such as Olivet's sermon, The Sheep and the Goats, and other discourses about the end times by Jesus, with the doctrine of the Second Coming that Paul speaks of Tarsus and Ignatius of Antioch ( about 35-107 AD), then given more consideration by the Christian defender Justin Martir (about 100-165). The treatment of eschatology continued in the West in Tertullian teachings (c 160-225), and given more complete reflection and speculation soon afterwards by Origen (c. 185-254). The word was first used by Lutheran theologian Abraham Calovius (1612-86) but only began to be used in general in the 19th century.
Modern interest developed in eschatology associated with the development of Anglophone Christianity. Puritans in the 18th and 19th centuries were particularly interested in the postmillenium hopes that surrounded Christian conversion. This would contrast with the growing interest in premillennialism, supported by dispensational figures such as J. N. Darby. These two strands will have a significant influence on the growing interest in eschatology in Christian missions and in Christianity in West Africa and Asia. However, in the 20th century, there will be more and more German scholars such as JÃÆ'¼rgen Moltmann and Wolfhart Pannenberg who will also be interested in eschatology.
In the 1800s, a group of Christian theologians including Ellen G. White, William Miller (preacher) and Joseph Bates (Advent) began to study the eschatological implications expressed in the Book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation. Their interpretation of Christian eschatology resulted in the establishment of Seventh-day Adventist churches.
Maps Christian eschatology
Approach to prophetic interpretation
The following approaches arise from the study of the ultimate eschatological document of Christianity, the Book of Revelation, but the principles contained therein can be applied to all prophecies in the Bible. They are not at all exclusive and often combined to form a more complete and coherent interpretation of the prophetic passage. Most interpretations fit into one, or a combination, of these approaches.
Preterisme
Preterism (from Latin praeteritus, meaning "pass") is an approach that sees predictions as being especially fulfilled in the past, especially (in the case of the Book of Revelation) during the first century. Prophecy in general, therefore, has been fulfilled. In particular, many Preterists (whether they be Full Preterists or Partial Prater) see The Book of Revelation as a text that uses symbols in prophetic communication to the Early Church about the actors and events involved during the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Other Preterists regard the Book of Revelation as a symbolic prophetic presentation of the Christian struggle to survive the persecution of the Roman Empire. There are two main views in Preterism, namely partial Preterism (that many Bible prophecies are fulfilled during the life and time of Jesus and the Early Church) and Full Preterism, (that all Bible prophecies are fulfilled during the life and time of Jesus and the Early Church). Preterist beliefs usually have a close relationship with Amillennialism, the belief that the Millennial reign of Christ began at the time of the Early Church establishment. The handlers usually consider events such as the Great Tribulation that occurred during the siege and destruction of Jerusalem from 66-70. Early Preterist theologians included Eusebius and John Chrysostom.
Historicalism
Historicism is an approach that sees prophecy as fulfilled in the past, present and future, including (in the case of the Book of Revelation) for the previous two millennia. In particular, many historians see the Book of Revelation as a text that uses symbols in its prophetic communication to the Choice Church regarding the actors and events involved during the Great Controversy. In particular, historians regard the Book of Revelation as a symbolic prophetic presentation of the Protestant struggle to withstand the persistent persecution of the Papacy. Historians usually consider events such as the Great Tribulation occurred during the period of absolute pope's supremacy from 538-1798.
The subject of Revelation to John the apostle is great and complex which mostly includes the things that must occur afterwards. The vision includes the combined secular and ecclesiastical history of the Christian Creation which describes the great political changes of the Roman world together with the ecclesiastical purity or doctrinal filthiness and general apostasy of the church and the persecution of the saints who are the true people of God.
According to E.B. Elliott, the first six seals of the book of Revelation describes prosperity while the Roman Empire is disbelieved followed by its decline and fall which covers the period of time 96 966 AD The first seal, as revealed to John by angels, is to signify what will happen soon after John sees the vision in Patmos and that the second, third and fourth stamps in the same way must have their respective start dates in chronological order following the previous seal.
Futurism
In Futurism, parallels can be drawn with historical events, but most eschatological prophecies are primarily referring to unfilled events, but will occur at the end of the world and the end of the world. Most of the prophecies will be fulfilled during the time of global chaos known as the Great Tribulation and thereafter. Confidence futurists usually have a close relationship with Premillennialism and Dispensationalism. Futuristic beliefs are presented in the Left Behind series.
Idealism
In Idealism, also known as the "spiritual" or "nonliteral" approach, the Book of Revelation and other eschatological materials are interpreted symbolically. Different authors can interpret judgments and resurrections at a more existential level, arguing that Beast and Babylon represented various social injustices (including corrupt or even all-mortal governments), or seeing earth's recreation and the establishment of the heavenly kingdom as a general improvement of society.
Death and the afterlife
Jewish beliefs in Jesus' day
There are various thoughts in the hereafter in Israel during the first century AD. The Sadducees, who only acknowledged the Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament) as credible, did not believe in the hereafter or resurrection of the dead. The Pharisees, who received not only the Torah, but also the additional scriptures, believed in the resurrection of the dead, and it was known to have been the main point of dispute between the two groups (see Acts 23: 8). The Pharisees base their beliefs on verses like Daniel 12: 2, which states: "Many people who sleep in the dust of the ground will wake up: some for eternal life, the other for shame and despair."
Medium state
Some traditions (especially Seventh-day Adventists) teach that the soul sleeps after death, and will not wake up until the resurrection of the dead, while others believe the spirit goes to a transitional place where it will live consciously until the resurrection dies. According to the "soul," Seventh-day Adventist theologians mean physical persons (monism), and that there is no component of the human nature that survived death; therefore, every human being will be "re-created" at the resurrection. The Bible of Ezekiel provides proof for the assertion that the soul is immortal, "Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father And the soul of the son is mine; the sinful soul shall die." (Ezekiel 18: 4)
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says:
Purgatory
Some denominations (special exceptions are Seventh Day Advent) affirm the statement of the Catholic Church Catechism (above), with the exception of the parenthetical phrase, "through purification or immediate". It refers to Catholic belief in a spiritual state, known as the Pure Sanctuary, where souls are not condemned to Hell, but also not completely pure as required to enter Heaven, go through the final purification process before their full acceptance. to Heaven.
Eastern Orthodoxy and Protestantism do not believe in such Purgatory, although the Orthodox Church is willing to allow a period of continued sanctification (the process of becoming pure or holy) after death. Most Protestants reject the doctrine of Purgatory on the basis that first, Christ has made complete atonement for our sins on the cross, thereby removing all obstacles that prevent us from coming directly into God's presence after death; and secondly, it is not found in the Bible.
Resurrection of the dead
The Awakening Doctrine Predicts Christianity
The word resurrection comes from the Latin resurrectus, which is a participle past resurgere, which means to rise again. Although the doctrine of resurrection came to the forefront of the New Testament, it preceded the Christian era. There is a clear reference to the resurrection in the book of Job, where Job says, "I know that my redeemer lives, and that he will stand on the last day on earth, and though... worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh I shall see God. "[Job 19: 25-27] Once again, the prophet Daniel wrote," Many of them who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to humiliation and everlasting contempt. " [And 12: 2] Isaiah said: "You who die will live, along with my dead body, they will rise up and wake up, you who dwell in the dust, for your dew is as dew from the vegetation, and the earth shall be cast out the dead ". [Is. 26:19]
This belief is still common among the Jews of New Testament times, as exemplified by the passage that links Lazarus' resurrection from the dead. When Jesus told Lazarus's sister Martha that Lazarus would rise again, he replied, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day." [Jn. 11:24] Also, one of the two main branches of the Jewish religious organization, the Pharisees, believes and teaches the resurrection of the body in the future. [cf Acts 23: 1-8]
Two Awakening
The interpretation of the New Testament is the understanding that there will be two resurrections. Revelation says: "Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection, beyond that the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years." [Revelation 20: 6] The remainder of the dead "does not live until a thousand years have been completed". [Revelation 20: 5]
However, there are various interpretations:
- In the post-tribillational premillennial position there will be two physical resurrections, literally separated by a thousand years (one in the Second Coming together with the Rapture, the other after a literal 1,000 years of government);
- According to premillennial premillennia there will be three more physical resurrections (one in Rapture at the beginning of distress, the other in the Second Coming at the end of the tribulation, the last after a literal 1,000 years of rule), they claim that the first resurrection including the resurrection in the Rapture and the resurrection at the Second Coming, the second resurrection will occur after 1,000 years of rule; According to the premillennial mid-tribulation, there will be three physical resurrections as well (one in rapture in the midst of misery, others in the Second Coming at the end of the tribulation, the last after a literal 1,000 years of reign), the first resurrection is the resurrection in the Rapture and resurrection at the Second Coming, the second resurrection will occur after 1,000 years of rule.
Resurrection Body
The Gospel writers write that our resurrection bodies will be different from what we have today. Jesus said, "In the resurrection, they are not married or married, but like the angels of God in heaven." [Mt 22:30] Paul adds, "Likewise the resurrection of the dead: the body... sown as a natural body, it awakens the spiritual body." [1 Co. 15: 42-44]
In some ancient traditions, it was held that the man would be resurrected in the same place they died and were buried in (as in the case of Jesus' resurrection). For example, in the early medieval St Columba biography written by Adomnan of Iona, Columba at one point of prophecy to a penitent in the monastery on Iona that his resurrection will be in Ireland and not in Iona, and this peniten later died in a monastery in Ireland and was buried there
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According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church the body after the resurrection turns into an inanimate spiritual body:
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- [999] Christ is raised with his own body: "See my hands and feet, that I myself"; [553] but he does not return to earthly life. So, in him, "they will all rise again with their own body which they now bear", but Christ "will change our low body into the body of its glory," being "the spiritual body." [554]
Although Martin Luther personally believed and taught the resurrection of the dead in combination with the sleep of the soul, this is not the main doctrine of Lutheranism and most Lutherans have traditionally believed in the resurrection of the body in combination with an immortal soul.
The early twentieth-century American priest, Billy Sunday, epitomized the Evangelical focus on "going to heaven" in his sermon "Heaven: Great Place, Where There Is No More Death, Blessed Hope from Christians." In that message, Sunday characteristically describes the feelings of his listeners by saying "Everyone wants to go to Heaven.We all want to know.We want to know, where Heaven is, how it looks, who's there, what they wear, and how is there! " Sunday speaks of many aspects of life after death such as good weather and eternal health, though not mentioned about the resurrection of the dead. He ends with an illustration of a man who died and went to heaven crying out, "Go home, come home at last!" as if he had arrived at the end of his eschatological journey.
Some churches, such as Anabaptists and Socinians of the Reformation, then the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Christadelphians, Jehovah's Witnesses, and theologians of various traditions reject the notion of immortality of non-physical souls as a remnant of Neoplatonism, and other pagan traditions. In this school of thought, the dead remain dead (and do not immediately evolve into Heaven, Hell, or Purgatory) until the physical resurrection of some or all of the dead occurs at the end of time. Some groups, especially Christadelphians, assume that it is not a universal resurrection, and that at this resurrection, the Last Judgment will take place.
Rapture
In his letter to the church in Thessalonica, Paul wrote, "The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven... and the dead in Christ shall rise first." But he added that "we who live and remain will be lifted up with them in the clouds to meet God in the air." [1 Th. 4: 16-17] The appearance of those who are alive to join the resurrected dead is known as the Rapture . Some believe that this passage implies that Paul believes that Jesus' return, Resurrection, and Rapture will occur simultaneously.
In Futurism's Echatology, 'Appointment' is used in at least two terms, in the sense of the pre-tribulation view in which a group of people will be "abandoned" and as a synonym for the Resurrection in general.
The Great Tribulation
The end comes at an unexpected time
There are many passages in the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, which speak of a time of terrible misery as never before known, during natural and man-made disasters on a remarkable scale. Jesus said that at his coming, "There will be great tribulation, as it has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, it will not happen, and unless those days are shortened, no flesh shall be saved, the days will be shortened. "[Mat 24: 21-22]
Furthermore, the return of the Messiah and the accompanying misery will come when people do not expect it:
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- From day and hour no one knows; no, not even angels of heaven, but only my Father. But as in the days of Noah, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days before the flood, they ate and drank, married and delivered, until the day Noah entered into the ark, until the flood came and took them all away, so shall the Son of Man be. [Mat 24: 36-39]
Paul echoes this theme, saying, "Because when they say, 'Peace and security!' then sudden destruction befalls them. "[1 Thess. 5: 3]
The Abomination of Desolation
The abusive defector (or desolating sacrilege) is the term found in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Daniel. This term is used by Jesus Christ in the Olivet discourse, according to the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Mark. In the story of Matthew, Jesus was presented as quoting Daniel explicitly. Matthew 24: 15-26 (ESV) "So when you see the abomination of destruction that the prophet Daniel speaks, stand in the sanctuary (let the reader understand), then let those in Judea flee to the mountain. "
- Mark 13:14 (ESV) "But when you see the disgusting thing standing in the right place (let the reader understand), let those in Judea flee to the mountains./dd>
This verse in the Olivet Sermon also appears in the Gospel of Luke.
Many Bible scholars conclude that Matthew 24:15 and Mark 13:14 are prophecies after the siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD by Roman general Titus (see Dating of Mark's Gospel).
Christian commentators Preteris believe that Jesus cites this prophecy in Mark 13:14 as referring to an event in the future of the "first century" of his disciples, especially the pagan Roman forces during the siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD.
The Futurist Christians consider Daniel's "Abominations of Desolation" prophecy mentioned in Matthew 24:15 and Mark 13:14 as referring to an event in the future, when the 7-year peace covenant will be signed between Israel and the world ruler called "the wicked", or the "Antichrist" is affirmed by the writings of the Apostle Paul in 2 Thessalonians.
Other scholars concluded that the Abolition of Desolation refers to the Crucifixion, an attempt by the Hadrian emperor to erect a statue to Jupiter in a Jewish temple, or an attempt by Caligula to have a statue depicting himself as Zeus built at the temple.
Prophecy Seventy Weeks
Many interpreters calculate the length of misery in seven years. The key to this understanding is the "seventeenth week of prophecy" in the book of Daniel. The Seventy Septet prophecy (or literally 'seventy times seven') appears in Gabriel's angelic reply to Daniel, beginning with verse 22 and ending with verse 27 in the ninth chapter of the Book of Daniel, a work included in Jewish Tanakh and the Christian Bible; as well as the Septuagint. The prophecy is part of the Jewish record of Christian history and eschatology.
The prophet had the vision of the angel Gabriel, who told him, "Seventy weeks are prescribed for your people and for your holy city (ie, Israel and Jerusalem)." [Dan 9:24] After comparing it with events in Israel's history, many scholars conclude that every day in seventy weeks represents a year. The first sixty-nine weeks are interpreted as covering the period until the first coming of Christ, but the last week is considered to represent the years of the impending tribulation at the end of this age, which directly precedes the millennium's peaceful age:
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- The people of the coming prince will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it will flood, and until the end of the war, sadness is determined. Then he will confirm the agreement with many people for one week. But in the middle of the week, he will end sacrifices and offerings. And on the wing of abomination will be the one who makes silence, even to the fulfillment that is determined to be poured out on the desolate. [Dan 9: 26-27]
It is an obscure prophecy, but in combination with other parts, it has been interpreted that "the next prince" will make a seven-year agreement with Israel that will enable rebuilding of the temple and restoration of the sacrifice, but "in the middle of the week" , he would break the covenant and set up his own idol at the temple and forcing people to worship him - "the anguish of sorrow". Paul writes:
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- Let no one mislead you in any way, because that day will not come unless the fall comes first, and the wicked man is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalt himself above all is called God or who was worshiped, so that he sat as God in the temple, showing himself that he was God. [2 Thess 2: 3-4]
Second Coming
Signs of Christ's return
The Bible states:
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- Now when He had said these things, when they witnessed, He was lifted up, and the clouds received Him from their sight. And as they looked into heaven as he ascended, behold, two men stood by them in white garments, who also said, "Men of Galilee, why are you standing in the sky? This same Jesus, taken from you into heaven, will come like that when you see Him enter heaven. "[Acts 1: 9-11]
Many, but not all, Christians believe:
- The coming of Christ will happen instantaneously and throughout the world. "For as lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man." ~ Matthew 24:27
- The coming of Christ will be seen by everyone. "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." Matthew 24:30
- The coming of Christ will be heard. "And he shall send his angels with a great trumpet sound, and they shall gather his chosen ones from the four corners, from one end of the heaven to the other." Matthew 24:31
- Awakening the righteous will happen. "For God himself will come down from heaven with shouting, with the voice of an angel of the Lord, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first." ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:16
- In a single event, the resurrected survivor of the coming of Christ will be raised with the resurrected to meet God in the air. "Then we who are alive and will be raised with them in the clouds to meet God in the air, and thus we will always be with God." ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:17
Last Day Falsification
In Matthew 24 Jesus states:
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- Therefore there will be great tribulation, as it has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, it will never happen. For false christs and false prophets will rise up and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the chosen ones. [Matthew 24:21, 24 NKJV]
These false christians will show great signs and not ordinary people, "For they are demon spirits, showing signs, which go to the kings of the earth and the whole world, to gather them into the battle of the great day of the Lord.. " (Revelation 16:14) Satan the Devil will also appear as a righteous pastor, and Satan will appear as a bright angel. "Because they are false apostles, fraudulent workers, who transform themselves into apostles of Christ, and not surprisingly, because Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light, therefore there is nothing great if his servants also change themselves they are the servants of piety, which will last as their work. "(2 Corinthians 11: 13-15)" As a miracle of his coronation, Satan will claim to be Jesus "(Matthew 24:23, 24).
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- When the coronation acts in a major drama of fraud, Satan himself will disguise himself as Christ. The church has long admitted to seeing the Savior's arrival as a perfection from his expectations. Now the great scammer will make it appear that Christ has come. In different parts of the world, Satan will manifest itself among humans as a great creature with a brightness, resembling a picture of the Son of God given by John in Revelation. (Revelation 1: 13-15). The Great Controversy , p. 624.
The Wedding of the Lamb
After Jesus met his followers "in the air", the marriage of the Lamb happened: "Let us rejoice and shout for glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his wife has made himself ready, and for him is given that he should be bound with fine linen, clean and bright, for fine linen is the righteous act of the saints. "[Revelation 19: 7-8] Christ is represented throughout the Apocalypse as the" Lamb of the Lamb ", symbolizing the surrender of his life as a redemptive sacrifice for the people people in the world, just as a lamb is sacrificed on the altar for the sins of Israel. His "wife" seems to represent the people of God, for he wears "the righteous deeds of the saints". As the marriage progresses, there is a great celebration in heaven that involves "a great many". [Revelation 19: 6]
Armageddon
The Book of Revelation states: "I saw heaven open, and behold, a white horse, and he that sat upon it is called Faithful and True, and by righteousness he judged and fought." [Revelation 19:11] We now see Christ, not as a lamb, but as a fighter, ready to wage war against evil forces. There is a passage in Zechariah that is identified with this incident: "I will gather all the nations to wage war against Jerusalem, City will be taken, homes plundered, and women raped... Then God will go and fight against those nations.... "[Zech 14: 2-5] In Matthew, Jesus said," The Signs of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds, a heaven with great strength and glory. "[Matthew 24:30]
The army of heaven is described in the same terms as the resurrected and raised believers: "The army in heaven, dressed in fine linen, white and clean, followed him with white horses." [Revelation 19:14] Revelation continues: "I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies gathered together to fight against him that sat upon the horse and against his army." [Revelation 19:19] Yesaya also speaks about such a battle: "The Lord will come by fire and with his chariot, like a stormy wind, to make his anger with anger, and his rebuke with a flame: for by fire and by his sword the Lord will judge all men, and who are slain from the Lord many. "[I s. 66: 15-16]
Millennium
In the end, according to Revelation, the Lamb and his army win and the Beast, commonly identified as the Antichrist, are caught and thrown into the lake of fire, while the victims of his battle are left as food for the birds. Satan, the spiritual driving force behind the animals and his army, was imprisoned:
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- I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and the big chain in his hand. And he held the dragon, that old serpent, who was the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. And he throws him into the abyss and silences him, and puts a seal on him, so he must deceive the nations no more until a thousand years is over. [Revelation 20: 1-3]
While Revelation speaks of the thousand-year segment of the reign of Christ on Earth, there are many other prophecies in both the will of the future of peace. Isaiah speaks of such a time and portrays it in beautiful terms (Isaiah 11):
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- The wolf will live with the sheep; the leopard will lie down with young goats; calves, and young lions, and children together, and a little boy will lead them. Cows and bears will graze; their children will lie down together; and the lion will eat straw like a cow. The nursing child will play with a hole in the cobra; and the weaned child will lay his hand on the snake's nest. They will not hurt or destroy all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of God, like the waters that cover the oceans. [Isaiah 11: 5-9]
Just as the physical body of man is transformed into a spiritual body in the resurrection (see above), then Isaiah implies that animals will undergo a transformation that enables them to live in peace with humans and with one another. No more murders, either in the human kingdom or in animals. God reversed the covenant made with Noah where he said, "Your fears and fears will be in every beast on earth, in every bird in the air, on all that moves on earth, and on all the fish of the sea." [Genesis 9: 2] If the passage in Isaiah is interpreted literally, a return to the vegetarian diet of Eden seems to be a natural conclusion. [Genesis 1: 29-30]
Micah also expressed the same sublime thought, adding that Jerusalem would be the capital of God at that time:
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- Out of Zion the word of law will come out, and the word of God from Jerusalem. He will judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations from afar. They will forge their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. The nation will not lift the sword against the nation, nor will they learn war anymore. But everyone will sit under his vine and under the fig tree, and nothing will frighten them. [Micah 4: 2-4]
End of the World and Last Judgment
Satan released
According to the Bible, the age of the Millennium peace all but closing the history of the planet Earth. However, the story is not over yet: "When a thousand years are over, Satan will be released from prison and will go out to deceive the nations that are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for fighting, whose numbers like the sand of the sea. "[Revelation 20: 7-8]
There is ongoing discussion about the identity of Gog and Magog. In the context of this section, they seem to equate to something like "east and west". There is a part in Ezekiel, but, where the Lord said to the prophet, "Set your face against Gog, from the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him." [Yeh. 38: 2] Gog, in this example, is the name of a person from the land of Magog, who is the ruler (the "prince") over the territory of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. Ezekiel says of him: "You will go up, come as a storm, cover the ground like a cloud, you and all your troops and many people with you..." [Yeh. 38: 2]
Despite the great power of the show, the battle would be short-lived, as Ezekiel, Daniel, and Revelation all say that the last desperate attempt to destroy the people and the city of God will end in disaster: "I will bring it to court with pestilence and bloodshed I will shower him and his army, and to many who are with him: flooding rain, great hail, fire and brimstone. "[Yeh. 38:22] Revelation agrees: "Fire descended from God from the sky and swallowed them up." [Revelation 20: 9] Perhaps the flaming fire image is an ancient vision of modern weapons, others will say supernatural intervention by God, yet others refer to events in history, and some will say that they are a symbol of more ideas large and should not be interpreted literally.
The Last Judgment
After the defeat of Gog, the final judgment begins: "The devil, who deceives them, is thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet are, and they will be tormented day and night forever." [Revelation 20:10] Satan will join the Antichrist and the False Prophet, condemned to the seas of fire at the beginning of the Millennium.
Following Satan's sending to the lake of fire, his followers came to judge. This is the "second resurrection", and all that is not part of the first resurrection at the coming of Christ now rises to judge:
I saw a great white throne and he who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the sky fled, and there was no place for them. And the sea gave up the dead that were in it, and Death and Hades freed the dead that were in it. And they are judged, each according to his deeds. And Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whoever is not found written in the Book of Life is thrown into the lake of fire. [Revelation 20: 11,13-15]
John wrote earlier, "Blessed and holy is he who has a part in the first resurrection, and thus the second death has no power." [Revelation 20: 6] Those who are included in the Resurrection and Rapture are exempt from the final judgment, and are not subject to the second death. Because of the description of the seat where God sits, this final judgment is often referred to as the Great White Throne Judgment.
New Heaven and New Earth
But, according to his promise, we are waiting for a new heaven and a new earth, where the truth is at home (2 Peter 3:13).
The fundamental difference with the promises of the Old Testament is that in Revelation they also have an ontological value ( Rev 21: 1; 4 : "Then I see 'new heavens and new earth,' for the first heaven and the first earth has passed, and there is no more sea... 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes There will be no more death' or lamentation or weeping or pain, because the old order of things has passed ') and is no longer just gnosiologis ( Isaiah 65:17 : "Look, I will create a new heaven/new earth. We will not be remembered,/will not they come to mind").
New Jerusalem
The focus shifted to a city in particular, the New Jerusalem. Once again, we see the picture of marriage: "I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, down from God from heaven, prepared as a bride who was beautified for her husband." [Revelation 21: 2] In New Jerusalem, God "will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God." [Revelation 21: 3] As a result, there is no temple in it, because God Almighty and the Lamb are his temple. " The sun also does not need to be lighted, "because the glory of God illuminated it, and the Lamb is its light". [Revelation 21: 22-23] This city will also be a great place of peace and joy, because "God will wipe away all tears from their eyes. There will be no more death, sorrow, or crying, and there will be no more pain, as things have gone before. "[Revelation 21: 4]
Description
The city itself had a great wall with twelve gates in it that never closed, and which had the names of the twelve tribes of Israel written on them. Each gate is made of a single pearl, and there are angels standing in each. The wall also has twelve foundations emblazoned with precious stones, and on its foundations are written the names of the twelve apostles. Gates and foundations are often interpreted as symbols of God's people before and after Christ.
The city and its streets are pure gold, but unlike the gold we know, because this gold is described as a clear glass. The city is square, and twelve thousand long and wide (one thousand five hundred miles). If this is comparable with worldly measurements, the city will cover an area about half the size of the United States adjacent. Its height is the same as its length and width, and although it makes most people conclude that it is shaped like a cube, it can also be a pyramid.
Tree of Life
The city has a river that produces "from the throne of God and the Lamb." [Revelation 22: 1] Next to the river is the tree of life, which produces twelve fruit and produces its fruit every month. The last time we saw a tree of life was in the Garden of Eden. [Gen 2: 9] God drove Adam and Eve out of the garden, guarding it with cherubim and blazing swords, because it gave eternal life to those who ate it. [Genesis 3:22] In the New Jerusalem, the tree of life reappears, and everyone in this city has access to it. Genesis says that the earth was cursed because of Adam's sin, [Genesis 3:17] but the author of John writes that in New Jerusalem, "there will be no more curses." [Revelation 22: 3]
The Evangelical Dictionary of Theology (Baker, 1984) says:
The rich symbolism reaches beyond our best imagination, not only on the beautiful vision but also the renewed, joyful, diligent, orderly, sacred, loving, eternal, and abundant existence. Perhaps the most moving element in the description is what is missing: there is no temple in the New Jerusalem, 'for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are his temple.' Far beyond the expectations of Judaism, this declared omission marks the final reconciliation.
Major theological positions
There are various opinions about the thousand years of peace (Millennium) described in the Revelation and the events associated with it. Some people interpret the time period of a thousand years, in which Christ will rule over the Earth, a time that will be characterized by peace and harmony. Other people understand the age of peace literally, but think "a thousand years" is a metaphor. Still others see the Millennium as a symbol of the spiritual ideal, without the same worldly conditions. All of these positions fall into the category of millennialism, a broad term covering all the ideas pertaining to the millennium of Bible prophecy. The most commonly held viewpoints are usually categorized as follows:
Premillennialism
Standard premillennialism assumes that the second coming of Christ will inaugurate a thousand years of mundane kingdom. The coming of Christ will coincide with the great tribulation era. At this time, there will be a resurrection of the dead of God, and the resurrection of the living God's people, and they will meet Christ at his coming. A thousand years of peace will follow, where Christ will reign and Satan will be imprisoned in the Abyss. Those who hold this view usually enter into one of the following three categories:
Pretribulation Rapture
The pretribulationists believe that the second coming will be in two stages separated by seven years of misery. At the beginning of the tribulation, true Christians will rise to meet God in the air (Appointment). Then follow the seven-year period of suffering in which the Antichrist will conquer the world and persecute those who refuse to worship him. At the end of this period, Christ returned to defeat the Antichrist and set a time of peace. This position is supported by a scripture that says, "God does not point us to wrath, but to gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ." [1 Thessalonians 5: 9]
Appointment of Midtribulation
Midtribulationists believe that the Rapture will take place at the midpoint of the seven-year tribulation, which is after 3½ years. This coincides with the "abomination of grief" - desecration of the temple in which the Antichrist ends the Jewish sacrifice, builds his own image in the temple, and demands that he be worshiped as God. This event begins the second, most intense part of the misery.
Some interpreters find support for the "midtrib" position by comparing a passage in Paul's letters with the book of Revelation. Paul says, "We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the blink of an eye, on the last trumpet, because the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be resurrected not mortal, and we will be changed" (1 Cor 15: 51-52). Revelation divided the great tribulation into three more powerful sets of judgments: the Seven Seals, the Seven Trumpets, and the Seven Bowls, in that order. If the "last trumpet" of Paul is likened to the last trumpet of Revelation, the Rapture will be in the midst of the Tribulation. (Not all interpreters agree with the literal interpretation of this Revelation chronology.)
Posttribulation Appointment
Posttribulationists argue that Christ will not return until the end of tribulation. Christians, instead of being raised at the beginning of misery, or on the way, will live through them and suffer for their faith during the ascension of the Antichrist. Proponents of this position believe that the presence of believers during the tribulation period is necessary for final evangelistic efforts at a time when external conditions will join the gospel message to bring large numbers of converts into the Church in time for the beginning of the Millennium.
Postmillennialism
Postmillennialism does not believe in the pre-natal appearance of Christ. The postmillennial position is that the millennium begins in the inauguration of the kingdom of Christ's kingdom as it ascends to the heavenly throne and occurs, not as a result of the coming of Christ, but because the global population turns to Christianity as a result of evangelization. The period of peace is still the work of progress from divine grace, but without the real presence of Christ to replace the worldly ruler. Christ will appear at the end of the millennium to lead his people to the heavenly city of New Jerusalem.
Amillennialism
Amillennialism does not believe in the literal Millennium. "A thousand years" is an expression, a way of referring to the entire period of the first coming of Christ, two thousand years ago, until the second coming in the future. Many amillennialists believe that during this period of time, the church will continue to evangelize and grow and undergo a declination in the period until the coming of Christ. The Second Coming will be the natural peak of the world evangelization process, rather than a revolutionary event that brings sudden and dramatic changes.
Explanation of the interpretation and hermeneutics of the Bible
The hermeneutic method held by an individual or church will greatly influence their interpretation of the book of Revelation, and consequently their eschatological scheme.
Supersessionist
Supersessionism is the belief that the New Testament in Christ replaces, or replaces, the Old Testament with Israel. There are at least two forms: theology of covenant and the theology of the kingdom. That was the main doctrine of the church until the emergence of dispensationalism in the nineteenth century.
The covenant theology
- Hermeneutics
Typically grammars are written and contextualized. There are three covenants, the Work Agreement (or the Law), the Redemption Agreement and the Grace Covenant.
- Summary
Under the Human Rights Covenant, which was ultimately represented in the notion of an agreement under Adam beginning from the Garden of Eden, failed to live as God intended and condemned. But beyond the time of the Redemption Covenant was made between the Father and the Son, to agree that Christ would undergo an acceptable replacement life on behalf, and as a covenant representative for, those who would sin but would believe in Christ as their redemption redemption, which bought them into in the Grace of the Covenant. The Grace Agreement applies to all who believe in Christ for their salvation, regardless of race, and thus the Agreement includes Jews and Gentiles alike in regard to salvation, sanctification, and resurrection. The Treaty of Grace forms the basis of the next agreements with Noah, Abraham, Moses, David and the New Testament in Christ.
- Believe
It is hosted by many evangelical Protestant Reform Churches that take the historical-grammatical and typological interpretation of the Bible. Its adherents include the Reformed church, most Presbyterian churches, several low Anglican churches, several Baptist churches, several Wesleyan/Methodist churches and certain Lutheran churches.
the theology of the Kingdoms
Hermeneutics
Similar to the covenantal system, but emphasizes the Kingdom of God rather than the three covenants. Exemplified in works such as Graeme Goldsworthy Gospel and Kingdom . The Old Testament is interpreted using grammatico-historical typology and methods. Revelation is read according to the convention of the apocalyptic genre.
Overview
God's purpose all the time is to redeem for himself people through the death and resurrection of Christ. The incarnation of Christ is the focal point of the Bible and of all history. The Old Testament is understood to contain a number of covenants and "types" that are fulfilled in the work of Jesus in the past and the future.
Goldsworthy compiled the schematic of the Kingdom of God as an expression of the God's rule over the people of God in the God's place . In the beginning, God himself ruled over Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. After the fall, God's rule was revealed through the Law, the Judges, the King of Israel and finally the promise that God would write his law in the hearts of his people (Jer 31:33). "The Place of God" came to be Tabernacle in the wilderness, then the Temple in Jerusalem, and finally the promise of the Spirit of God dwelling in (Joel 2, Yeh 37). The "people" are Abraham, the Israelites, then the faithful rest of Israel, and finally the promised Messiah (Mz 2).
In the New Testament, the reign of God is exercised through Jesus Christ, the King, who is also the temple of God (John 2: 19-21), above his people the Church (which is the type of Israel). Salvation for all people at all times is found by believing (explicitly or implicitly) in Jesus. So, Abraham, Moses, David, and all Christians today are saved by the same faith. The Jews are considered special in God's plan (as in Romans and Ephesians) and yet Old Testament prophecies about Israel find their fulfillment in Jesus and the Church rather than in the literal restoration of Israel.
Adherents
Held by Reformed, evangelical Protestants (especially Anglican Sydney).
Approach to Revelation
Usually idealistic and amilenial. Revelation describes what happened throughout the Christian era, from Pentecost to the second coming. This view acknowledges that there may be a valid preteristic connection (eg seven hills = Rome) but full understanding comes through idealism-historicism (but without having to see the Roman Catholic Church as the antichrist). The events in the book, while not tied to certain historical events, still illustrate the things that will happen until Christ comes again. The book of Revelation is interpreted according to the apocalyptic convention of numbers and colors (7 = perfection/solution, white = victory) and the number of allusions to all parts of the Bible.
Dispensational
- Hermeneutics
Interpretation as "plain meanings" implies (ie the rejection of typological and allegory methods, though not rejecting the type or allegory as present in the Scriptures per se ). Similar to other literal methods it simply refuses to use the historical context of words in interpretations that support direct emotional reactions on behalf of Christian readers of the Text as a guide to interpretation. The biblical reference to Israel tends to mean ancient and modern Israel.
- Summary
History is divided into (usually seven) "dispensations" in which God tests human beings differently. The present Church dispensation concerns Christianity (especially the Gentiles) and is a sign of the main plan God deals with and blesses his Jewish people. Because of the Jews' rejection of Jesus, the Jewish sovereignty over the promised worldly kingdoms in Jerusalem and Palestine was postponed from the first coming of Christ until or just after his Second Coming when most or all of the Jews would embrace him.
There will be the removal of the non-Jewish church followed by great tribulation for seven (or three and a half years) during the Antichrist will arise and Armageddon will take place. Then Jesus will return to the earth and rebuild the nation of Israel; The Jewish temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem and the Temple on the mountain, possibly replacing the Muslim Dome of Stone (see Christian Zionism). Christ and Israel will rule in Jerusalem for a thousand years, followed by the final judgment and the new heavens and the new earth.
- Believe
Held by groups who believe the scriptures to be infallible. Held by many Protestant groups who take what they believe is a more literal interpretation of the Bible, including many, but not most, Pentecostal Churches of Charismatic and Baptist and Independent Churches and "Non-denominations" as well as some Presbyterian Churches and Churches Wesleyan/Methodist. Also held by most groups labeled Fundamentalist. The more politically active parts of this eschatological view are often very supportive of the Christian Zionism movement and the political, military and economic support linked to Israel derived from certain groups in American politics and part of Christian rights.
This view is also held in a form modified by groups such as Latter-day Saints, Christadelphians and Adventist splinter groups such as the David Branch. One of the main principles of Dispensationalism is the tightly dichotomy that dispensationalist claims exist between Israel and the New Testament Church. This is unequivocally rejected by the theologians of the covenant who claim a relationship through "Israel Spiritual". A dispensationalist will claim that none of the prophecies are related to Israel or will be fulfilled in or by the New Testament Church. The covenant theologians will claim that some prophecies relating to Israel will, or may be fulfilled in or by the New Testament Church. see supersessionism.
- Approach to Revelation
- Dispensational Futurism as opposed to Historic Futurism or the Covenant.
- Premillennial Dispensational as opposed to Historic Premillennialism or the Covenant.
Algorithm or myth
- Hermeneutics
The Bible may or may not be accurate factually but is designed to teach spiritual lessons through allegory and myth. The Bible is more literary than historical. Typically, this attitude is taken by churches and individuals who do not place a significant emphasis on eschatology altogether.
- Adherents
Held by Christian groups ranging from people who are not biblically possible to be liberal scholars who mostly belong to mainline Protestant denominations. Supporters of this position also include the Anglo-Catholic high church, the Lutheran Catholic, Eastern Orthodox church, and traditional Roman Catholic groups. Confidence in the allegorical interpretation of the Bible does not rule out belief in the praxeological or literal hermeneutics. For example, Roman Catholic hermeneutics holds that there are many notions in which the Bible is true other than the literal truth.
The Apostolic Catholic Church believes that the Bible should be allegorically interpreted. Some descendants of the Apostolic Catholic Church are also known as Irvingism, such as Apostelamt Jesu Christi, Apostelamt Juda (Germany), the Restored Apostolic Mission Church and the Old Apostolic Church also believe in the allegory interpretation of the Bible.
- Approach to Revelation
- Allegorical Idealism, or
- Catholic partial preterism
- Allegorical Amillennialism
Preterisme v. Historicism
Expositories of traditional Protestant interpretations of Revelation known as Historicism are often maintained that Revelation is written in AD 96 and not AD 70. Edward Bishop Elliott, in Horae Apocalypticae (1862), argues that John wrote the book in exile in Patmos "at the close of the Domitian government, nearing the end of 95 or the beginning of 96". He notes that Domitian was assassinated in September 96. Elliot began his long review of historical evidence by quoting Irenaeus, a disciple of Polycarp. Polycarp was a disciple of the Apostle John. Irenaeus mentions that Doomsday was seen "not too long ago [but] almost in our own time, near the end of the reign of Domitian."
Other historicists do not see significance on the date when the book of Revelation was written, and it has even been held at an earlier date while Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr., made an exegetical and historical argument for the composition of Revelation in early AD 70
Historicalism v. Futurism
The division between interpretations is rather vague. Most futurists expect the Rapture of the Church, Antichrist, the Great Tribulation and the second coming of Christ in the near future. But they also receive certain past events, such as the rebirth of the State of Israel and the reunification of Jerusalem as a precondition for them, in the way that historians have done before with other dates. Futurists, who usually do not use the principle of day-years, interpret the Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks in Daniel 9:24 as the year, just as the historians did. Most historians have chosen the timeline, from beginning to end, entirely in the past. But some, like Adam Clarke have a timeline that also begins with certain past events, but requires future fulfillment. In his commentary on Daniel 8:14 published in 1831, he declared that the 2,300-year period should be calculated from 334 BC, the year Alexander the Great began to conquer the Persian Empire. His calculations resulted in 1966. He seems to have ignored the fact that there was no "zero year" between the dates of BC and AD. For example, the next year 1 BC is 1 AD. So his calculations should take an additional year, ending in 1967. He did not anticipate the literal gathering of the Jews before the Second Coming of Christ. But that date has special meaning for the futurists because this year was the year of capture of Jerusalem by Israeli troops during the Six Day War. His comment on Daniel 7:25 contains a period of 1260 years beginning in 755 AD and ending in 2015.
See also
- 1 Maccabee
- Abomination (the Bible)
- Apocalypticism
- Bible Prophecy
- The Christian view of Hades
- Consistent eschatology
- Daniel Chapter 11
- Daniel's vision of Chapter 8
- Day-year principle
- End time
- Four Apocalyptic Riders
- Eschatology inaugurated
- Progressive dispensationalism
- Realizing eschatology
Footnotes and references
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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