Purpose of Eschatology

Revelation 1:1–3 KJV 1900

1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Eschatology...

What a word...

What a topic...

here we have a word that is hard to spell, pronounce or even understand...

What is it?

Why does it matter?

Eschatology comes from the combination of 2 greek words:

escatos - last

logos - word, significance...

It refers to the doctrine of last things...

Eschatology is the branch of systematic theology that deals with the study of the last things… end times...

The doctrine of the last things: Eschatology - come down to 4 different outworkings of God’s purposes....

The Doctrine of the Last Things: - Slide

The Kingdom of God

Life after death

Jesus’ Second Coming

The Final Judgments

The study of the book of Revelation is a study that is filled with questions...

So many types

So many events

So many figures...

It is definitely a book that will take a lifetime to glean some of the truths contained… by no means do I profess myself to be a scholar of prophecy… but as I have studied the scriptures over these many years - read books, sat at the feet of men of renown… I have learned a few things...

Some are tempted to have an answer and explanation for everything… It makes me a little leery when a mortal man claims to understand all the mysteries of an omniscient God...

Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Revelation

Revelation

A janitor would wait patiently each week for a group of seminarians to finish their basketball game. While he waited, he would study his Bible. One day, as the seminarians were leaving the gym, they noticed the janitor carefully reading the text in his lap. One young man asked which biblical book was the subject of the janitor’s study. The old man answered, “The Book of Revelation.” The ballplayer was surprised and asked the janitor if he understood the complicated book. “Oh, yes!” the man answered. “I understand it. It means that Jesus is gonna win!”

And that is a most accurate analysis of the Book of Revelation!

Source of Comfort

1 Thessalonians 4:15–18 KJV 1900

15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Source of Encouragement

1 Corinthians 15:51–58 KJV 1900

51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Source of Anticipation

Matthew 25:14–21 KJV 1900

14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Watch

Wait

Serve

HA Ironside tells of a young preacher who was speaking to his people and finished his sermon, he told the people that if they did not accept the Savior that they would experience Escha-ta-logical consequences...

After the service, one of the layman came to the preacher and asked him if he was talking about hell… the preacher responded yes - the layman - a little confused and frustrated… Then why didn’t you say that????

There is a lot to look forward to - and the scripture tells us of the consequences of rejection - but it isn’t complicated and we need to communicate the truth of God’s plan for the end days...

Source of Hope

Titus 2:11–15 KJV 1900

11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

because of the Lord’s promised return, we have hope!