860 likes | 1.05k Views
CCS SysTheo. Universal Eschatology. Some Key Texts and Genres. Ezekiel 40-48 Daniel Various Minor Prophets Matthew 24-25 (Olivet Discourse) 1 Corinthians 15 1 Thessalonians (Especially Chapter 4-5) 2 Thessalonians (Especially Chapter 2) Titus 2:13 2 Peter 3 Revelation. Some Terms.
E N D
CCS SysTheo Universal Eschatology
Some Key Texts and Genres • Ezekiel 40-48 • Daniel • Various Minor Prophets • Matthew 24-25 (Olivet Discourse) • 1 Corinthians 15 • 1 Thessalonians (Especially Chapter 4-5) • 2 Thessalonians (Especially Chapter 2) • Titus 2:13 • 2 Peter 3 • Revelation
Some Terms • Tribulation -The internal and external suffering of God’s people which, according to NT teaching, followers of Jesus Christ are to expect as a matter of course. The NT references to the “great tribulation” describe an unprecedented period of global suffering that will mark the time just prior to the parousia.
Some Terms • Rapture - From the Latin rapio (caught up), the belief that the church will be caught up (Greek harpazo, 1 Thess 4:17) and united with Christ at his second coming. • PreTrib – Rapture happens before Tribulation Period • MidTrib- Rapture happens during Tribulation Period • PostTrib - Rapture happens after Tribulation Period
Some Terms • Millennial Kingdom - Arising from the Latin word for “thousand,” the millennium refers to the thousand-year reign of Christ mentioned in Revelation 20:1–8. • PreMill – Rapture and Tribulation before literal 1,000 year reign of Christ • PostMill – Future reign of Christ ushered in by global and exhaustive Gospel Progress • Amill – No literal 1,000 years – spiritual ideals and Christ rules now in the hearts of the people
Some Terms • Second Advent/Coming- Literally meaning “coming” or “arrival,” this term, “advent” refers to the coming of Jesus Christ to earth to provide salvation by his life, death, resurrection and ascension. Christians now anticipate a second advent when Christ will return to earth in bodily form to receive the church and to judge the nations.
Some Terms • Parousia -A Greek word used to refer to the second coming of Jesus Christ at the end of history. Literally, the term means “presence.” Hence it designates Christ’s return as the point at which he will be fully present to the world or his presence will be fully revealed.
CCS SysTheo Universal Eschatology – Case Studies in 1 & 2 Thessalonians/Revelation
CCS SysTheo 1&2 Thessalonians
CCS SysTheo 1 Thessalonians
1 & 2 Thessalonians Authorship: 1 Thessalonians 1:1: Paul. Destination: Show Thessalonica on a map Origin: Paul first went to Thessalonica on his 2nd Missionary Journey (Acts 17-18). After, he went to Berea, Athens and then spent 18 months in Corinth (about 51-52). While in Corinth, he wrote 1 & 2 Thessalonians. Date: During his stay in Corinth: about A.D. 51 Audience: 1 Thess 1:1 believers in Thessalonica Genre: Letter
Thessalonica Paul labors at Thessalonica; departs for Beroea, Athens, and Corinth (Acts 17:1–15; 18:1).
Thessalonica Timothy rejoins Paul at Athens; is sent to strengthen the church at Thessalonica; rejoins him at Corinth (Acts 17:14–15; 18:5; 1 Thess. 3:1–6).
Thessalonica Soon after Timothy’s return Paul writes two letters to the Thessalonians, c. A.D. 51 (1 Thess. 1:1; 2:17; 3:6–10; 2 Thess. 1:1).
1 & 2 Thessalonians Authorship: 1 Thessalonians 1:1: Paul. Destination: Show Thessalonica on a map Origin: Paul first went to Thessalonica on his 2nd Missionary Journey (Acts 17-18). After, he went to Berea, Athens and then spent 18 months in Corinth (about 51-52). While in Corinth, he wrote 1 & 2 Thessalonians. Date: During his stay in Corinth: about A.D. 51 Audience: 1 Thess 1:1 believers in Thessalonica Genre: Letter
1 Thessalonians • Outline: • Paul's Authority and the Church’s Place with the Gospel as Center (1:1-3:13) • Introduction (1:1-10) • Paul’s Ministry to Thessalonica (2:1-16) • Paul’s Desire for Return for Encouragement (2:17-3:13) • Last Things and Final Instructions On Holy Living (4:1-5:28) • Instruction on Christian Living (4:1-12) • Teaching on Last Things (4:13-5:11) • More Instruction on Christian Living (5:12-28)
How many ways to skin a cat? • Why so many ways? • Thematic Analysis • Outline • Thematic Expansion • Different angles • We are after Meaning • Why not just an outline!?
How many ways to skin a cat? • Ancient World • Eastern World • Thought , communication and writing • Linear vs. Circular • Chiasms, Statement/Restatement, Etc. • Meaning is the key, not just Form
1 & 2 Thessalonians Purpose: The themes, portray the purposes of the epistles. “Remembering Truth, Excelling in Sanctification”
1 Thessalonians Purpose: 1) Questions about the authority and intensions of Paul (1 Thess 1-3 ) 2) Encouragement in not being moved by false teachings, but rather Remember what was taught (1 Thess 1:5; 2:1,2,9,10,11,13; 3:3,4; 4:1,2,6; 5:2 [2 Thess 2:5-6, 15; 3:7]) 3) Motivation to pursue excellence in sanctification (1 Thess 4:1,10) 4) Comforting words on the coming of Christ and those who “fall asleep” before that event (1 Thess 4:18, 5:11) 5) Clarification on the Day of the Lord (1 Thess 5)
Remembering Truth • “Just as You Know” • “You Yourselves Know” • “You Recall” • “You are Witnesses” • “You Heard from Us” • “We Kept Telling You” • “As You Received” • “We…Told You Before
“Excel Still More” • 1 Thess. 4:1 – Holiness • Explanation in vs. 2-8 • Abstain from sexual immorality • Do not Transgress • Do not Defraud • Be Obedient to the Commands • 1 Thess. 4:10 – Love • To all Men • See also: • Phil. 1:9 • 1 Thess. 3:12 • 2 Thess. 1:3 • Why “still more?” • God’s Character • Infinitude
Things to Come • Most likely an answer to a direct question • Not a new concept – “A faint cry”
A faint cry of what’s to come… • “To wait for His Son” 1:10 • From heaven • Raised from the dead • Jesus • Rescues us from the wrath to come • “Presence of our Lord Jesus at His Coming”2:19 • “Coming of our Lord Jesus with His Saints”3:13
“Parousia” Presence
“The Day of the Lord”1 Thessalonians 5 and 2 Thessalonians 1-2
Things to Come • Most likely an answer to a direct question • Not a new concept – “A faint cry” • Purpose (So That) – encouragement – 13, 18 • “Asleep” means dead • The process • Coming of the Lord • Dead rise • Living “caught up”
Arguments Against Pre-Trib. • “Trumpet of God” – Before first Trumpet :Rev. 6:16 • Mid-trib. View • “To Meet” (eis apanteesin)Matt. 25:6, Acts 28:15 & 1 Thess. 4:17 – Harpadzo (Matt. 11:12, 13:19; John 10:28-29; 2 Cor. 12:2-4; Rev12:5 • Post-Trib View • Fear of Error (Cannot find enough Evidence) • Any-other-than-Pre-trib. View
Revelation 6:16 • NAU Revelation 6:16 and they said to the mountains and to the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb;
Arguments Against Pre-Trib. • “Trumpet of God” – Before first Trumpet :Rev. 6:16 • Mid-trib. View • “To Meet” (eis apanteesin)Matt. 25:6, Acts 28:15 & 1 Thess. 4:17 – Harpadzo (Matt. 11:12, 13:19; John 10:28-29; 2 Cor. 12:2-4; Rev12:5 • Post-Trib View • Fear of Error (Cannot find enough Evidence) • Any-other-than-Pre-trib. View
6 "But at midnight there was a shout, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.‘ NAU Matthew 25:6 [speaking of the ten virgins – or bridesmaids, not to be confused with the Bride] 15 And the brethren, when they heard about us, came from there as far as the Market of Appius and Three Inns to meet us; and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. NAU Acts 28:15 Matthew 25 and Acts 28
1 Thessalonians 4:17 • NAU 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.
NAU Matthew 11:12 "From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force. NAU 2 Corinthians 12:2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago-- whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows-- such a man was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know how such a man-- whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows-- 4 was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. Harpodzo
Arguments Against Pre-Trib. • “Trumpet of God” – Before first Trumpet :Rev. 6:16 • Mid-trib. View • “To Meet” (eis apanteesin)Matt. 25:6, Acts 28:15 & 1 Thess. 4:17 – Harpadzo (Matt. 11:12, 13:19; John 10:28-29; 2 Cor. 12:2-4; Rev12:5 • Post-Trib View • Fear of Error (Cannot find enough Evidence) • Any-other-than-Pre-trib. View
Views • Pretribulational • Midtribulational • Posttribulational • Partial Rapture • Prewrath • Pretribulational – Purpose (Daniel 9:24)
Eschatology in 1 Thessalonians • Study of Last Things • Imminence • Death • The Rapture • Day of the Lord
Eschatology in 2 Thessalonians • Study of Last Things • Day of the Lord • Discernment • Great Tribulation • Antichrist • Imminence
Day of the Lord • About 20 uses in the Old Testament • About 4 in the New Testament (2 in 1 and Second Thessalonians) • Get the broader view • Refers to terrifying Judgment • Is a specific time within a specific age • Is fully enacted after the Seven Year Tribulation
Passages of Interest • Matthew 24-25 – Olivet Discourse [READ] • I Thessalonians 5 [READ] • 2 Thessalonians 2 [READ] • Revelation
When? • Moment or time? • “Peace and Safety” • “Thief in the night” • “Labor Pains” • Purpose – Encourage – now • “Children of the Day” • Not “of night or darkness” • Faith, love and hope – See 1:2-3 • Not destined for wrath
Personal Eschatological Perspective • Study of Last Things • Imminence (Reign of Fire) • Death • Parousia • Day of the Lord
Bedtime “Prayers” • Quinn Abercromby: What do we do when we are awake? The Children: Keep two eyes on the sky. Quinn Abercromby: What do we do when we sleep? The Children: Keep one eye on the sky. Quinn Abercromby: What do we do when we see them? The Children: Dig hard, dig deep, go for shelter, and never look back.
Personal Eschatological Perspective • Study of Last Things • Imminence (Reign of Fire) • Death • Parousia • Day of the Lord
the last verses HAVE YOU EVER NOTICED . . .
Because He Lives • And then one day, I'll cross the river,I'll fight life's final war with pain;And then, as death gives way to vict'ry,I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!