Eschatology, the study of last times

Eschatology is the branch of theology that focuses on "Last Things". Eschatology comes from the Greek word eskhatos, which means last, extreme. The study of last "Last Things" or the "End Times" includes those that are still in the future to come. The study of Eschatology includes biblical teachings about the present state, the resurrections, the Rapture, the Second Coming of Christ, and His Millennial Reign. The study of past prophecies fulfilled and of those to come gives proof to the reliability of Scripture. Those that will happen in the future cannot be predicted as to the actual date they will happen.

There are three basic beliefs in Eschatology. These are termed as premillennialism, postmillennialism, and amillennialism. Throughout history, Christians have held different views as to what will occur in the last days. Many combine various elements of each. Even though there are different views, they all lead to the same conclusion that Christ will return and the God does have a plan and His will in history will happen. The Bible provides clear detailed teachings concerning the future so that one may know with certainty what lies ahead.

Whatever the belief, there is a definite outline of events that will take place according to the scripture. Much of this information is found in the book of Revelation. Revelation was recorded by the apostle John after it was given to him in a vision by God. It is addressed to God’s servants and those who read, hear, and keep what is written. It is also addressed to anyone who has ears to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The book of Revelation is broken down into four sections. These sections include the introduction, the Seven letters to the churches as dictated by Christ, the vision of the throne room in heaven, and closing challenges. It is written in the style of apocalyptic literature, a form of Jewish writing produced between 200 BC and 100 AD. This form of writing was used to remind the reader of the supernatural battle that has been taking place.

Jesus addressed the seven churches after appearing to John. John’s description of Jesus was used to convey Christ’s authority and power. In the letters, Jesus warns believers to be ready for the Second Coming. He also relayed their strengths, weaknesses and advised them what to do. The strengths of the church in Ephesus were hard work, endurance, and intolerance of wickedness while they weak by abandoning their first love. He warned them to remember the works they first did and to repent or he would remove their lampstand until they did. The strengths of the church in Smyrna were there suffering and poverty while remaining faithful. There were no weaknesses mentioned. Christ reminded them to be faithful unto death and their reward would be the crown of life. The strengths of the church in Pergamum were that they held fast to His name without denying Him. He faulted them for having nonbelievers amongst them. His warning was to return or He would wage war against them. The church of Thyatira had love, faith, service, and endurance. He faulted them for tolerating Jezebel and her false teachings. His warning to the believers was to hold fast until I come. To the church in Sardis, there were no strengths mentioned, only that they existed and their spirit was dead. His warning was to remember what they had received and heard and to awaken and repent. The church in Philadelphia was strong in that they kept the word and did not deny His name. He mentioned no weak points while saying He would make those against them bow before them. To the church of Laodicea, Christ told them they were neither cold nor hot and because they were lukewarm, he would spew them out of his mouth. His warning was to change their actions and their thoughts.

The beginning of the end is known as the tribulation period or the Great Tribulation. The Lord describes the time as "such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world". He further warned the disciples that they would have tribulation themselves. The fact that distinguishes their tribulations from the Great Tribulation is that the Great Tribulation will be worldwide. The Great Tribulation will affect the entire world. While giving no time frame, Christ did give a lot of information as to when the time is near. The familiar Mount of Olives message has some of these: wars, rumors of wars, famine, and earthquakes (Matthew 23:3-8). Other signs are that wickedness will be commonplace in the last days (Matthew 24:37-39). In 2 Timothy 3:2-6, other signs are, "Men will be lovers of self, money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, inhuman, implacable, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God". Other signs that the time is near are people living as if God does not exist, explosion of knowledge and freedom of travel, breakdown in families, materialism, acceptance of immoral behavior, and significant shifts in political power and influence.

The tribulation will begin with the signing of a covenant between the antichrist and the Jewish people. This will set in motion the events of Daniel’s prophecy of 70 weeks or seven years. The antichrist is also known as the "littlehorn" (Daniel 7:8 and Daniel 7:24-25) and the "man of lawlessness" (2 Thess.2:3). He heads the coalition of the Western nations and is also referred to as the "beast" in Revelation. The treaty will align the West to the Jewish nation (Israel). This treaty is to allow Israel protection an allow her to reestablish the ancient rituals of Judaism, including animal sacrifices. Some interpret that this will also allow the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. Solomon’s temple was the first temple built (1Kings 6) and Herod’s was the second temple (Luke 1:5-9) and Luke 21:5-6). Presently, Islam’s Dome on the Rock sits on the site of the first two temples. This is a hotly contested are in the Holy City. So far, the third temple does not seem imminent in being rebuilt, but the Temple Institute in Jerusalem has already recreated about two-thirds of the artifacts that were used in the temples sacrificial services. Later, during the period of Daniel’s 70 weeks, the "beast" will break his covenant, persecute the Jews, defile the temple, and demand that he be worshipped.

The Great Tribulation is broken down into three sets of judgements. These are called the scroll, trumpet, and bowl judgements. Each set of judgements is in a series of seven that follow in succession. Many believe the seal judgements will happen in the first year of the Great Tribulation. The first seal is the person riding the white horse. Many think this is the "man of lawlessness". He will conquer without war and bring the nations into a time of "peace" and "safety". The second seal describes a person riding a red horse, possibly signifying bloodshed. He is given a great sword and rides around the world causing wars to break out. The third seal is broken and the rider is on a black horse. This rider is given a set of scales. Foods and luxury items become scarce while oil and wine are available at an unusual abundance. The fourth horse is called the Death and is the only horseman named. His horse is described as yellowish green or pale. Death’s judgement is devastating. One-fourth of the world’s population will be killed by various means including war, famine, plagues, diseases, and beasts. The opening of the fifth seal results in a warning from God who pronounces judgement on those who persecute His believers. The sixth seal unleashes massive havoc on earth. It includes six major events: a massive earthquake that shakes the foundation of the earth, the sun will be darkened as black as sackcloth, the moon will become red as blood, there will be falling stars, Heaven will open to men to allow a glimpse of the awesome scene with God on his throne, and every island and mountain will be moved. The seventh seal results in heaven growing silent as seven angels prepare to blow the trumpets of judgement.

During the first part of the Great Tribulation, other alliances will be in the making. Egypt will continue to be a strong nation threatening Israel until placed under control by "man of lawlessness". In Daniel 11:40-43, this is prophesized. Russia and her allies will attempt to destroy the Jewish people. According to scripture Persia (Iran), Ethiopia (Sudan) Put (Libya) Gomer (part of Turkey and the Ukraine) and Togarmah (a part of Turkey near the Syrian border) will try to invade Israel from the north and cover her like a cloud. The West will protest to no avail. According to Ezekiel 38:21-39:7, God will step in and destroy these forces. Although these forces seem to be invincible with superior odds, they will be easily defeated and routed accordingly. Because the seventy weeks of Daniel are divided in the middle, the "beast" is able to resume his plans.

The introduction of the "two witnesses" adds more opposition to the "beast". The "two witnesses" preach for 1,260 days. The "two witnesses" spread the gospel and possess supernatural powers. They will be given the power to stop rain, turn water to blood and cause plagues. They will be invincible for three and a half years. After they have finished their mission, God will allow the "beast" to kill them. Making martyrs out of the "two witnesses" will make the "beast" a worldwide hero. According to scripture, the "beast" will not be satisfied only by their deaths. He decries their bodies to remain on the streets as a public spectacle. The people who had been subjected to the "two witness’s" message will rejoice that they are dead, that they will no longer have to be subjected to their messages.

It will not be enough to merely see the "two witnesses" dead bodies decaying and rotting in the streets. Those that were threatened will celebrate as if a holiday over the deaths of those two who were probably referred to as lunatics. This is the only time during the Great Tribulation that people are described as rejoicing. Many will be so overjoyed of the death of the "two witnesses" that they will be sorely disappointed at their impending resurrection. If they had paid attention to the "two witnesses" preaching, they would be overjoyed as to what was about to take place. After three and one-half days, the bodies of the "two witnesses" are resurrected and enter the Kingdom of Heaven. At this time, an earthquake centered in Jerusalem will occur. It will destroy one-tenth of the city and kill 7,000 people. This is also when the "beast" will destroy the church and demand he be worshipped.

After destroying the church, the "beast" will issue an ultimatum to worship him. The power of Satan will be behind him. He will deceive many into worshipping him after seemingly being wounded to death and rising from the dead. This will make many people wonder after him. He will speak blasphemy against God, make wars, and defile the temple by having people worship him in it. He will have a second helper known as the "second beast’. The "second beast" is empowered through Satan to make fire come from the skies and other miracles mimicking those of the "two witnesses". He will have an image of the beast made by men then make it seem to come to life. The "beast" will also succeed in controlling all commerce. He will require anyone wanting to buy or sell to carry his mark. This mark will be on either the forehead or the right hand. Those who refuse the mark may either starve or be killed.

The seven trumpet judgements will start to occur. The first trumpet sounds and fiery hail will fall to the earth. One-third of the earth and trees will be burned along with all of the grass. When the second trumpet sounds, a mountain of fire will be hurled into the sea. This will turn one-third of the see to blood while killing one-third of the sea creatures and destroying a third of all ships. When the third trumpet sounds, there will be a flaming star known as wormwood that destroys a third of the world’s fresh water by pollution thus many people will die. When the forth trumpet is blown, one third of the sun, moon, and stars will be darkened. This results in there being more darkness each day. When the fifth trumpet is blown, a "darkened star" will hit the earth. The bottomless pit is opened. Scorpion-like locusts will come forth and will torture non-believers for five months. Men will seek death but it shall escape them. When the sixth trumpet is blown, war will break out resulting in another third of the world’s population dying. The seventh trumpet announces that the end is near. It signifies that the bowl judgements are about to take place.

The seven bowl judgements are the last and final pronouncements from God against the earth. The first bowl will result in painful, foul smelling sores erupting on those who worship the beast. The second bowl will turn the rest of the sea to blood and kill the rest of its inhabitants. The third bowl will turn all the rivers and fresh water to blood. Without water, man will surely die. The forth bowl allows the sun to severely burn people. This will result in some further hardening their hearts against God. The fifth bowl will plunge the world into darkness. The thought of darkness is depressing but men will continue to curse God. The sixth bowl dries up the great Euphrates River. This sets up the pathway for the gathering of the armies from the east to gather at Armageddon for the final battle. The seventh bowl signifies the end. Lightning, thunder, hail, and earthquakes will happen. Cities will collapse men will be killed, while others continue to harden their hearts. A great voice will come out of the temple declaring "It is done!"