return. Grudem states that there are many examples of believers being eager for Christ’s return in the new testament. He suggests, that our attitude should mimic verses like Philippians 3:20 which says, “Our commonwealth is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Though most Christians agree on the final outcomes of Christ’s return, many disagree on the details of the future. These disagreements come largely from the order of Christ’s return and the relationship of Christ’s return to the millennium (Grudem 427-37). Grudem’s words best describe the millennium:
The word millennium means “one thousand years” (from Lat. millennium, “thousand years”). The term comes from Revelation 20:4–5, where it says that certain people
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Amillennialism is the belief that the millennium is a heavenly reign rather than a body one. Postmillennialism is the idea that Christ will return after the millennium. And lastly, premillennialism is the belief that Christ will return before the millennium. Grudem states that he is in favor of premillennialism (Grudem 438-53). When discussing the doctrine of the future, it is important to examine the final judgment. The new testament reputedly affirms the fact that there will be a final judgement. This final judgment will occur after the millennium. 2 Timothy 4:1 says, “Jesus Christ who is to judge the living and the dead.” This verse affirms the fact that Jesus will be the judge. During this time, believers and non-believers will be judged alike. Scripture makes it clear that God will be just in this time of judgment. This is affirmed by 1 Peter 1:17 which says, “judges each one impartially according to his deeds.” The final aspect of the doctrine of the final judgment is hell. Grudem defines hell as “a place of conscious punishment.” Hell is a doctrine that has many conflicting views amongst Christians. Many struggle with idea of eternal punishment and believe in alternatives (Grudem 453-64). After judgment day, those with faith will live with God forever in a new heaven and new earth (Grudem 465-70). Overall, the doctrine of the future is very complicated and confusing. I am not completely confident in a position
Kenneth Gentry begins with a quote, “The closer we get to the year 2000, the farther we get from the events of Revelation.” This sentence summarizes the Preterist view nicely. The Preterist places weight on the historical aspect of Revelation by relating it to its original author and audience. The author was mainly concerned with the seven churches of Asia Minor who were facing difficulties during that time. John’s target audience was neither churches nor the 21st century. As most evangelical scholars would affirm, Revelation contains prophecies which were fulfilled in John’s near future. Their manifestation might not have been as graphic or literal as one might imagine, because John uses “poetic hyperbole,” yet these events were actually fulfilled in history. He argues that the use of highly figurative speech and symbolism is “not a denial of historicity but a matter of literary genre.” These were events that were to take place soon because the time was near. Then Gentry uses study of Greek language to support this. He argues that lexicons and modern translators agree that these terms indicate temporal proximity indicating that they expected to see the events in their lifetime. As much as a word study can be helpful, it can also be limiting. One certainly cannot base interpretation of the whole book on a loosely used term. Similarly, while the Apostle Paul spoke to the Thessalonians with urgency in plain language, we know that the Second Advent is yet to happen.
Both in the Old and New Testament, the Antichrist is described as this wicked individual who appears at the end of the age. Rising up politically to become the most powerful man on the planet, he will be regarded a Hero — the world’s Savior. Out of a power block of ten nations (or territories) rooted in the old Roman empire, he will establish some type of world government. Under his authority, Babylon (Iraq) will be rebuilt into the commercial center of the world. Through his mystical right hand man, a commercial mark will be instituted, enabling the Antichrist to control all buying and selling on earth. Peace between Israel and her surrounding Arab nations will be established when he institutes a seven-year treaty allowing the Jews to rebuild their holy temple; a temple he will later defile when he stands in its midst and proclaims himself — god. Satan himself will possess him. An anthropomorphic image, called the Beast will be created — through great signs and wonders — that all will be commanded to worship. Towards the end of his reign, he will bring the armies of the world together in Israel for the great battle known as Armageddon. The globe will experience what is called the Great Tribulation leading up to this time involving terrible cosmic and supernatural judgment. This seven-year tribulation starts when
...cape her judgment nor argument with her edicts will sway her. Hell is an absolute, and all the more forbidding because of it. Though the violence depicted in these myths varies, the overall story remains unchanged. Disobeying the laws and strictures set forth by the government and religious doctrines will exact a hefty price, perhaps eternally.
Hell will exist forever as place to hold Satan. The demons and those who choose him rather than Christ. But Heaven is the throne of God's glory and the reward for the righteous. We will receive our resurrection body and all pain of any kind will be gone for those in Heaven.
Bauer & Johannes, 1970, p.64). As a bonus his death not only offers redemption for mankind but also introduces the aspect of new life. Starting over and new life is not an aspect discussed in the Old Testament. Finally despite the perfection of Christ’s redemption of mankind, believers will have to wait until the return of Christ for this particular redemption to be complete.
Amillenianism literally means no millennium. This name stems from the disbelief that there will be a literal thousand year period called the golden age, either before or after the return of Christ (Gregg 459). This view unlike the others, is not a new concept, even though the name is new. In fact, R.B. Strimple claims this particular view has been around as long as Christianity (83).
"God hath promised the hypocrites, men and women, and the rejecters of Faith, the fire of Hell; therein shall they dwell; sufficient is it for them: for them is the curse of God, and an enduring punishment." (9:68)
All are tormented and tortured, in isolation from God, without any hope of mercy or relief (Robinson). Many Christians believe that when a person dies, they enter into complete oblivion – a state of non-existence. They remain in dormancy. At the time of the second coming of Jesus, the dead are resurrected and judged. Those who have been saved while on earth will be given special bodies and go to Heaven, unlike the unsaved who will go to Hell for eternal punishment (Robinson).
There will be an examination of every believer where their works are tried by fire by the judge, who is Jesus as stated in John 5:22 “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son” There will be a one on one between every believer and Jesus, not about whether they have salvation, but about what they did in their life for to glorify God. Nor is the judgment seat for believers about sins they have committed as Romans 8:1 says “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” The sins of believers were forgiven at the cross so there is no judgment for sins committed in the life of a Rewards are given for good works. In Ruth 2:12 it says “The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.” Proverbs 11:18 says “The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.”
The Last Judgment is the moment when Jesus comes back into the Earth to judge the souls of the living and the dead to determine who goes to heaven and who goes to hell for eternity. The tympanum,
The millennium is a period of time in the book of Revelation consisting of a thousand years. During this time the earthly reign of Christ is fulfilled according to the Old and New Testament scriptures. The Old Testament describes God’s kingdom on earth and the Son of Man along with the saints of ...
Sinners are placed in Hell according to the severity of their sins, lower for those who commit more grave sins. Dante’s placement of sinners can sometime be unjust and biased because of his personal beliefs and the beliefs of the Catholic church at the time. Dante unfairly places those who did not even have the option of being Christian in Hell and his little knowledge of mental illnesses combined with his old-fashioned Catholic beliefs prompts him to put those who committed suicide in Hell. Dante’s nationalistic and political bias also leads him put people he feels wronged him personally in the lowest circle of Hell. Dante speaks heavily about Divine Justice and God’s punishment but his choice of sinners seems too biased and ignorant to be the product of Divine
During this period, Satan will be bound and man’s responsibility will be to simply submit to Christ’s rule (Korver, 2015). At the completion of the 1000 years, Satan will be loosed one final time to tempt others into a final upheaval against God (Pentecost, 1995). Satan, in addition to Satan’s aggregate kingdom, will be defeated and cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10), Christ will then judge all unbelievers throughout history, and finally, end sin and death (Korver, 2015). Key to the Millennial Kingdom is the unconditional Abrahamic Covenant that applies to all people (Genesis 12:3). The full provisions of the Abrahamic covenant are to make Abraham’s name great and to make Israel a great nation (Korver, 2015). Hence, God blessed Abraham, and therefore, Abraham was a blessing for the purpose of blessing others (Korver, 2015). Nations who choose to bless or curse Abraham, and the nation of Israel, are to be blessed or cursed by God (Korver, 2015). Lastly, all nations are to be blessed by and through Abraham and the nation of Israel (Korver, 2015). Upon Christ’s return, all provisions from the Abrahamic Covenant and each successive unconditional covenant, consisting of the Land, Davidic, and New Covenants, will receive complete fulfillment and be applied. Israel
From the time of the creation of God’s Kingdom and the earth until present day in the eternal life, God has intended for His people to live as full human beings in order to live a fulfilled life, and a life of salvation and redemption through His son Jesus Christ. Through living the eternal life and living within God’s Kingdom, the anticipation of the return of Christ and the beginning of the New Heaven and the New Earth is what Christians are currently living for and anticipating. New Heaven and New Earth are both goals Christians work towards through their faith in Christ, along with the anticipation and work towards the eschatological goal as we work and live towards the future and end result, while some aspects of life will continue and some will discontinue in the New Heaven and the New Earth. While the New Heaven and New Earth is an opportunity to refresh our spirituality and redeem ourselves in a spiritual way through the work of the Holy
The Bible describes Hell as a place of darkness, a lake of fire and brimstone. Matthew 25:41, describes Hell as a pit of fire that is prepared for Satan the devil, his demonic cohorts, and the other souls that chose to serve him during the trials of life on earth. The citizens of Hell will be populated with the souls of those who died without accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. These souls will experience the nashing of teeth, endless pain from the tortureous fire, and ultimately eternal death. The citizens of Hell will not reunite with God`s presence. The Bible states in Luke 16:19-28, that souls cannot pass from Hell to Heaven or vice versa. Fire is not the only form of eternal punishment. Eternal thirst and great pain are other forms of punishment that will be experienced by the citizens of Hell. Christians believe that the souls in Hell will be able to see the souls that are in Heaven and vice versa. The souls in Hell simply chose a life of sin, non-repentance, and rebellion against God Word. Revelations 20:12-15, states the following: "And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for aeons of aeons."