Unfortunately, the doctrine of the last days, or eschatology, has been greatly distorted and exaggerated. Consequently, this has led to fear and confusion among even believers. Across the West and in Africa, many have fallen prey to false teachings about the end times. Despite all this, we, as followers of Jesus, must examine ourselves to see what emotion it stirs up within us—is it joy or fear?
If everything we find in the scriptures is trustworthy, let us fix our eyes on the scriptures with awe, rather than getting caught up in sensational stories and strange experiences. We must trust the word of God alone to define Eschatology. In simple terms, eschatology is the study of the end times. It includes death, the second coming of Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the dead, judgment, heaven, and hell.
Key Definitions
Theologians hold different views on the events that will precede and follow the return of Christ. However, the scriptures provide clues in both the Old and New Testaments about what to expect on that great and terrible day. Here are some critical terms to understand as we delve deeper into this conversation.
Rapture: a state or experience of being carried away. The English word comes from the Latin word rapio, meaning “to seize” or “snatch.” The rapture of the Church refers to the event in which the Church is carried away from earth to heaven.
Tribulation: This generally refers to the suffering and anguish that God’s people experience. The term “Great Tribulation” refers to a time of trouble that will usher in the second coming of Christ (Matthew 24:21; Revelation 2:22; 7:14). Jesus warned that the Great Tribulation would be so intense that its calamities would nearly wipe out all life (Matthew 24:15–22). His words in Matthew 24:29 may allude to Daniel 12:1, which speaks of “a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time.”
Millennium: This is the “thousand-year” period of Christ’s reign on earth, characterized by justice and peace, before the immediate end of world history.
Schools of Thought
Many people hold different views regarding the timing of Christ’s return and the events surrounding it. Scripture warns us not to get into arguments over words. Instead, in view of the imminent reality of this great day, we should encourage one another. For the sake of knowledge, here are a few of the primary schools of thought.
Regarding the rapture
- Pre-tribulationalism: This view holds that the rapture of the Church will happen before the Great Tribulation.
- Post-tribulationalism: This view holds that the rapture will occur after the Great Tribulation.
- Mid-tribulationalism: This view holds that the rapture will happen in the middle of the Great Tribulation.
Regarding the millennial reign
- Pre-millennialism: Proponents of this view believe that Christ’s second coming will occur before the millennium, at which time he will rule over the nations for a thousand years.
- Post-millennialism: This view posits that Jesus will return after a millennial “golden age,” during which good progressively triumphs over evil through the spread of the Gospel.
- A-millennialism: This view rejects the idea of a future earthly millennium, interpreting John’s vision symbolically as Christ’s reign from heaven during the present church age.
Whatever school of thought you subscribe to—and it is critical to study and find what the Bible says about this important event—we must agree that Christ’s return is imminent, and we need to be ready.
When Christ Shall Come!
Paul introduces the theme of Christ’s return with a call to living lives that are pleasing to God (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18). This should be no surprise. Christ had warned about false teachers who would deceive and divide the flock. Jesus is coming for a pure bride. Whether or not you believe in the various schools of thought may not matter. What matters now is the question, “Is my life pleasing to God?”
How are we to live a life pleasing to God as we prepare for his return? In the following two ways.
- Sanctification: We are to walk in a manner pleasing to God by pursuing a life separated from the love of this world. It means evading sexual immorality, handling our bodies honorably, and avoiding relationships filled with lustful passions. This is the will of God. Anyone who walks an immoral, lustful road does not know God. Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Anyone who dismisses this command should not expect anything but wrath when Christ comes. God warns that he will surely avenge those who have flirted and toyed with other people’s feelings (defrauding).
- Brotherly Love: Secondly, another way to prepare for the day when Christ shall come is not to argue and try to find new visions or hidden truths in the Bible, but to express brotherly love. This forms the basis of Paul’s discussion about Christ’s return. Do you want to please God? Live a sanctified life and a life of love for one another.
Our Eternal Hope
Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 offer an eternal hope. We are encouraged to grieve with hope, unlike the hopeless Gentiles. Why? Because if indeed Christ rose from the dead, we know that we too shall appear with him in glory. One day, there will no longer be a need to struggle with worldly lures and personal failures! As Paul urges us, “Therefore encourage each other with these words.”
Why Preach This Gospel?
Jesus is coming back again, whether you are pre-millennial or post-millennial. The question for us is, what are we to do about it? We know these amazing, heartwarming truths, but what is our role now? To preach. Jesus said that before the end comes, this Gospel of the Kingdom must be preached to the ends of the earth. Why is it our business to warn and call people out of their ignorance of sin?
God’s love is free to all. Everyone needs to be warned and called to respond to this Gospel. The stakes are high, and the Lord is willing. John 3:16 reminds us of the power of God’s love—he gave his one and only Son. Romans 5:6-8 tells us that God came to us in our weakness and death, and Christ died for us. He didn’t wait for us to clean up our mess. In 2 Corinthians 5:21, Paul tells us that God made him who knew no sin to be sin for us. Love is the central theme of God’s song.
Death is real for all. We must all die. Hebrews 9:27 reminds us that it is destined for man to die once, and after that, face judgment. We all live twice. This life must open its windows for us into another realm. Don’t just sit back while those around you take their last breath without knowing the Savior.
Judgment is coming. There is nothing as frightening as the reality of one day standing before the one who knows you through and through. Hellfire is real, as is the torture Jesus himself faced at the cross. Judgment day is a great and terrible day indeed, as the prophets forewarned. Don’t let anyone’s blood be on your hands. Urge them. Plead with them. Cry out for them in prayer as you ask the Lord to help you be a good witness.
Hell and heaven are real. It is not a light thing. It is more real than the air we breathe. There is fire and glory. Please go out and preach so that many get to share in this resurrection that is soon to come.
What Kind of Lives Should We Live?
As Jonathan Edwards used to warn his congregations, “Hold loosely these earthly loves you have.” I warn us today to do the same. Let us not be consumed by the passing pleasures of this life. Let us not be too easily pleased with temporal treasures. We must never forget that we have a better home and hope. Therefore, whatever school of thought you subscribe to, death is here, the world will end, and Jesus will return. Will you be among his flock?