“ESCHATOS” in Greek means the end. ESCHATOLOGY therefore refers to the Doctrine or Study of the end times.

WHAT IS ESCHATOLOGY?

REASONS FOR STUDYING ESCHATOLOGY

It is affords us an insight into God’s plan for mankind.

It shows us the conduct we need to put to fulfill God’s will for mankind.

It reveals to us the relevance of the future on the present.

The study helps us to nurture the proper attitude to the 2nd coming.

Believe His coming. 1 Thess 4:14Pray for His coming. Matt. 6:10; Rev. 22:20. Love His coming. 2 Tim. 4:8Preach His coming. 2 Tim. 4:1,2Watch for His coming. 1 Thess 5:6Expect His coming. Rom. 8:19,23Look for His coming. Mark 13:35: Titus 2:13Wait for His coming. 1 Thess 1:10; 2 Thess

3:5Do not despise His coming. 2 Peter 3:3, 4

Hasten His coming. 2 Peter 1:16Power of His coming. 2 Peter 1:16Live His coming. Phil. 3:20Unashamed at His coming. John 2:28 It gives us hope and strength through the present trials and tribulations.

The study helps us to nurture the proper attitude to the 2nd coming.

GOD’S TIME PLAN FOR MANKIND

God has revealed Himself in different dispensations to man. A dispensation is a moral or probationary period of angelic or human history during which God deals with angels, and men according to a test or responsibility, under which each is supposed to remain true to his trust of administering affairs for God under His direction.

THE DISPENSATIONS

The Dispensation of Angels: Angels were given rulership under God to administer the will of God and rule the earth and other planets. Isaiah 14:12-14; Eze. 28:11-17; Rev. 12:7-10; 20:10

- From time earth was created in angelic presence to time of chaos and defeat of satan.

THE DISPENSATION OF INNOCENCE (Gen 2:8-25; 3:2)

Man placed on probation to remain true to his trust under favourable conditions.

THE DISPENSATION OF CONSCIENCE (Gen. 3:22-8:14)

Man was tested to see whether he will obey his own conscience regarding right or wrong. Man given freedom to do as he pleased.

THE DISPENSATION OF HUMAN GOVERNMENT. Gen. 8:15; Rev. 19:10

Human laws and human government were instituted to regulate man’s life after a period of freedom of conscience. Than was given responsibility for self government.

THE DISPENSATION OF PROMISE. Gen. 12:1; Ex 12:37. God made promises under the covenant with Abraham and his seed.

THE DISPENSATION OF LAW

God gave laws to Moses as part of the rule of faith. God’s people were to obey Him, and make a commonwealth of nations headed by Israel and governed by His chosen men.

THE DISPENSATION OF GRACE (CHURCH AGE) The fullness of Grace was brought by Jesus (John 1:16-17). God purpose is to save all men who believe and call out for Himself a people and build His Church. John 3:16, Eph. 2:14-22.

THE CURRENT CHURCH AGE

The Church Age has seven different expressions of churches:

1.The Ephesian Church (Rev. 2:1-7). The church without its first love.

2.The Myrne Church (Rev. 2:8-11): The persecuted church

3.The Pergamum Church (Rev. 2:12-17): The corrupt Church in marriage to the world.

4.The Thyatira Church (Rev. 2:18-29: The compromising or Permissive church

5.The Sardis Church (Rev. 3:1-6): The Church with Reputation but dying.

6. The Philadelphia Church (Rev. 3:7-13): The Faithful and Living Church.

7. The Laodicea Church (Rev. 3:14-22): The Rich Church characteristics of the Church Age.

Which type of church do you belong to?

The Church Age has these key characteristics:

It has a fulfilled promise of the Holy Spirit sent to her.

It has a fulfilled release of ascension ministries to the Church.

It has a major expectation of Jesus’ second coming.

THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES (Matt. 24:3-15)

Many shall come in my NameSome shall say “I am Christ”Wars and Rumors of WarNations rise against Nations and Kingdoms

against Kingdoms. Famines and Pestilences Earthquakes in diverse placesDeliver you to be afflicted and kill Ye shall be hated of nations for my name’s sakeMany shall be offended

Many shall betray one anotherMany shall hate one anotherMany false prophets shall rise and deceive many. Iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax

cold. The gospel shall be preached in all the world. 2 Tim. 3:1-7Perilous times shall comeMen shall be lovers of themselves Covetous, Boasters, Proud, BlasphemersDisobedient, without natural affection, Traitors,

Hendy, HighmindedDespisers of those that are good

Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of GodForm of godliness but deny powerLead captive silly women laden with sinsEver learning and never come to the knowledge of

truth. Luke 21:25, Dan. 12:4Many shall run to and froKnowledge shall be increasedIsrael regathered and restored (Isaiah 43:5-6; Jer.

30:3; Eze. 34:11-13; 36:34; 37:1-14)Reuniting of the Roman Empire ( Babylon, Medo

Persia, Greece and Rome have all ruled the world before. Dan 2 and 7)

The rebuilding of the Temple (Dan 9:27; 12:11, Matt. 24:15). Preparations are under way in Israel to rebuild the Temple.

THE RAPTURE

The term Rapture per se, does not appear in the Bible, but it refers to the phenomenon of being caught up to meet a descending Jesus in the air – 1 Thess. 4:7

Rapture is derived from the Latin, “rapere”, i.e. caught up. The Greek is harpazo.

John 14:1-3; 1 Thess. 4:13-17; and 1 Cor. 15:51-53.

The Rapture involves the following: A Realisation (1 Thess. 4:13) A Repose. 1 Thess. 4:14A Revelation. 1 Thess. 4:15aA Return. 1 Thess. 4:10A Resurrection. 1 Thess. 4:16A Removal. 1 Thess. 4:17a A Reunion. 1 Thess. 4:17A Reassurance. 1 Thess. 4:18

REASONS FOR THE RAPTURE

To escape God’s wrath. 1 Thess. 1:10; 5:9To receive our rewards. 2 Cor. 5:10To participate in the marriage supper of the

Lamb. Rev. 19:7To escape the wrath of the antichrist. Dan 12:7To be united as one family. John 10:16To join God’s powerful army. Rev. 6:15To escape the cataclysmic events. Luke 21:25The trumpet of God will summon us to battle and

worship as in the Old Testament. Num 10:1-4

The Rapture is Different Event from the Second Coming (Return of Christ)

THE RAPTURE THE RETURN (SECOND COMING OF CHRIST)

Christ comes in the air ( 1 Thess. 4:16-17)

Christ returns to the earth. Zech. 14:4

Christ comes for His Saints Christ comes with His Saints. 1 Thess. 3:13; Jude 14

Christ claims His bride Christ comes with His bride

Not in the Old Testament In the Old Testament

No sign Many signs

A time of blessing and comfort. 1 Thess. 4:18

A time of destruction and judgement. 2 Thess. 2:8-12

Involves believers only (John 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:51-55; 1 Thess. 4:13-18)

Involves Israel and the Gentile nations. Matt. 24:1-25, 46

Only the elect will see Christ. 1Cor. 15:51-52

Will be visible to the entire world. Matt. 24:27; Rev. 1:7

Signals the beginning of the tribulation

Signals the beginning of the millennium

Christ comes as the bright morning star

Christ comes as the sun of Righteousness. Mal. 4:2

Rapture imminent Can only occur after 7 years

Before day of wrath (tribulation) After tribulation

No mention of satan Satan buried in abyss for 1000years

The Rapture, i.e. the Blessed Hope (Titus 2:13) has no set date. Matt. 24:42,44; 25:13; Acts 1:7; Rev. 1:1,3; 3:11; 22:7,12,20.

EFFECTS OF THE RAPTUREA converting influence (Col. 2:14; 1 Peter 3:18)A caring influence (2 Cor. 5:20)A cleansing influence ( 1 John 3:2-3) A calming influence (John 4:1-3)A comforting influence ( 1 Thess. 4:13-14)A controlling influence (1 Cor. 15:28)

RAPTURE PASSAGES

JOHN 14:1-3 1 THESS. 1:10 HEB. 9:8

ROM. 8:19 1 THESS. 2:19 JAMES 5:7-9

1 COR. 1:7-8 1 THESS. 4:13-18 1 PETER 1:7,13

1 COR. 15:51-58 1 THESS. 5:9,23 1 PETER 5:4

1 COR. 16:22 2 THESS. 2:1 1 JOHN 2:28-3,2

PHIL. 3:20-21 1 TIM. 6:14 JUDE 1:21

PHIL 4:5 2 TIM. 4:1,8 REV. 2:25

COL. 3:4 TITUS REV. 3:10

SECOND COMING PASSAGES

DAN 2:44-45 MARK 13:14-27 1 PETER 4:12-13

DAN 7:9-14 MARK 14:62 2 PETER 3:1-14

DAN 12:1-3 LUKE 21:25-28 JUDE 1:14-15

ZECH 12:10 ACTS 1:9-11 REV . 1:7

ZECH. 14:1-15 ACTS 3:19-21 REV. 19:11-20; 6

MATT. 13:41 1 THESS. 3:13 REV. 22:7, 12,20

MATT. 24:15-31 2 THESS. 1:6-10

MATT. 26:64 2 THESS 2:8

SUMMARY OF EVENTS OF THE RAPTURE

The Lord Himself will descend from His father’s house, where He is preparing a place for us. (John 14:1-3; 1 Thess. 4:16)

He will come to receive us to Himself (John 14:1-3)

He resurrects those who have fallen asleep in Him. 1 Thess. 4:14-15.

The Lord shouts as He descends, all in a twinkling of an eye.

We will hear the voice of the archangel (1 Thess. 4:16)

We will hear the trumpet call of God. 1 Thess. 4:16The dead in Christ will rise first. 1 Thess. 4:16-17Those who are alive and remain shall be changed.

1 Cor. 15:51,53Then shall we be caught together (1 Thess. 4:17)With them in the clouds we have a reunionTo meet the Lord in the air (1 Thess. 4:17) To receive you to myself (John 14:3) Thus shall we with the Lord (1 Thess 4:1)The judgement seat of Christ. Roman 14:10; 2 Cor.

5:10; 1 Cor. 3:11-15The marriage supper of the Lamb follows, whilst

the world suffers great tribulation. Matt. 24:21

EVENTS OF THE 2ND COMING

Immediately after the tribulation. Matt. 24:29Cosmic phenomena in sun, moon and stars

(Matt.24:29) Heavens returns Christ appears in white

horse (Rev. 19:11) Followed by armies of heaven. Rev. 19:14Sign of Son of Man in heaven seen by

everyone (Matt. 24:30) Coming in great power and glory. Matt. 24:30Unbelievers will mourn (Matt. 24:30)

Beast (Antichrist and armies) confront Christ. Rev.19:19

Christ casts Beast and false Prophet in lake of fire. Rev. 19:20

Christ rejecters killed. Rev. 19:21Satan cast in bottomless pit for 1000 years

(Rev. 20:1-3)Resurrection of Old Testament and

Tribulation saints (Matt. 24:31; Rev. 20:4) Christ judges nations and establishes His

Kingdom. Matt. 25.

EVENTS IN HEAVEN AFTER THE RAPTURE

There will be two main Events in Heaven after the Rapture. These are:

1.Appearance before the Bema (Judgement seat of Christ)

2.The Marriage supper of the Lamb.

THE BEMA SEAT (JUDGEMENT SEAT)

The Greek Bema translated Judgement seat, was not a judicial bench for condemnation. In the Greek Olympics, the Bema was the seat where winners met to receive their rewards or crowns. The Christian life is a race (Heb. 12:1); 2 Tim. 4:7; 1 Cor. 9:24-26)

Thus at the Bema, believers will

meet to receive their crowns

from Jesus. 2 Cor. 5:10; Rom.

14:10-12; Gal. 6:7; Col. 3:24, 25;

Heb. 10:30.

LET US DIFFERENTIATE SOME OF THE VARIOUS TYPES OF JUDGEMENT IN THE BIBLE.

Judgement of sins in the believer. 1 Cor. 11:31,32; 1 Tim. 1:20 (self judgement by Christian)

Judgement Seat of Christ. 2 Cor. 5:20Judgement upon the crossJudgement of Jews. Zech. 12:10 (Israel will be

judged to see how they related to God (Rev 12)Judgement of living Nations ( Isaiah 2:4; Joel 3:12;

Matt. 13:41,42 – to see how nations treated IsraelThe Great White Throne Judgement: Rev. 20:7-10;

Matt. 10:15; Acts 2:20

The main difference between the Bema and the Great White Throne is that at the Bema only believers will stand and be rewarded. At the Great White Throne, the unsaved will also stand to determine degree of punishment in hell.

At the Bema Seat, our work will pass through fire to determine how it fares. 1 Cor. 3:10,12,13. our work is classified as gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble. Some burns, others don’t.

The things God will look for in the believers include:

Our Attitude to other believers. Heb. 6:10, Matt. 10:41,42.

How we exercise and handle authority. Heb. 13:17; James 3:1

How we use our God given talents and gifts. 1 Cor. 12:4,11; 1 Peter 4:10; Luke 19:11-26

How we use our money. 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:6,7; 1 Tim. 6:17-19

How we spend our time. Psalm 90:12; Eph. 5:16; Col. 4:5; 1 Peter 1:17.

How we suffer for Christ. Matt. 5:11,12; Mark 10:29,30; Rom. 8:18; 2 Cor. 4:17; 1Peter 4:12,13.

Hospitality. Matt. 25:35-36; Luke 14:12-14Spiritual Disciplines. Matt. 6:3-5, 17-18Faithfulness in our vocation. Col.3:22-24Living the undeserving of love. Luke 6:27-

28,35Doctrinal Integrity. 2 John 1,8Investing in people. 1 Thess. 2:19; 1Cor. 3:6-8Our motives will be judged. 1 Cor. 4:3-5Our words will be judged. Matt. 12:36Our thoughts and intentions. Heb. 4:12-13Watching for the return of Christ. Luke

12:35-38

How we run the race. 1Cor. 9:24; Phil. 2:16; Phil. 3:13,14; Heb. 12:1,2.

He we control our body. 1 Cor. 9:25-27How are witness for Christ. Prov. 11:30;

Dan. 12:3; 1Thess. 2:19,20. How we react to temptation. James 1:2,3;

Rev. 2:10How we love His imminent coming. 2 Tim.

4:8How faithful we are to God’s Word and His

flock. Acts 20:26-28; 2 Tim. 4:1,2; 1 Peter 5:2-4

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE JUDGEMENT

Fairly

Thoroughly

Impartially

Individually

Graciously

RESULTS AT THE BEMA JUDGEMENT SEAT

Some will be rewarded. 1 Cor.

3:14

Others will suffer loss. 1Cor. 3:15;

Col. 2:18; 2John 1:8; Rev. 3:11.

THE CROWNS AT THE BEMA

The Incorruptible Crown – for those who are able to control the body. 1 Cor. 9:25-27

The Crown of Rejoicing – for soul winners. Prov. 11:30; Dan. 12:3; 1Thess. 2:19,20

The Crown of Life – for those who successfully endure temptation (James 1:2,3, Rev. 2:10)

The Crown of Righteousness – for those who love the Rapture and look forward to it (2 Tim. 4:6-8)

The Crown of Glory – For faithful preachers and teachers, parties of the flock. Acts 20:26-28; 2 Tim. 4:1,2; 1 Peter 5:2-4.

Apart from the Crowns, believers at the Bema

receive special privileges:

Eating of tree of life. Rev. 2:7

Not hurt by 2nd death. Rev. 2:11

Hidden manna, white stone, new Name. rev.

2:17

Authority over nations. Rev. 2:26

A pillar in the h0use of God, and name of the

God and city written upon him. Rev. 3:12

BELIEVERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE SPECIAL HONOURS

Ruling over the earth in the

millennial kingdom. Dan 7:18

We will judge the earth and

angels. 1 Cor. 6:2-3

EXPECTATIONS FROM YOU NOW

Run the race to run well

Run the race according to rules

Be disciplined know the direction,

be determined to stay focussed.