The Doctrine of the Last Things
We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.—2 Corinthians 4:18
Eschatology is that branch of theology concerned with the study of the
“last things,” i.e., what will happen in the future, both to individuals and to the world as a whole.
We are going to start this course with an overview of eschatology.
TOPICS OF ESCHATOLOGY
DEATH
The Bible teaches that all humans will die (Hebrews 9:27). The only exceptions will be those still alive when Christ returns (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Physical death, or the "first death," is the separation of the soul from the body. Because of the presence of sin in the world, death has come upon everyone (Romans 5:12).
THE INTERMEDIATE STATE.
This refers to the condition of the person between the time of death and the resurrection. The traditional orthodox view is that believers experience a state of conscious bliss in the presence of the Lord, while unbelievers are tormented by separation from the presence of God. This, however, is a relatively incomplete state when compared with the final destiny of each. Some groups, such as Seventh-day Adventists, have held a belief in a type of "soul sleep," or unconsciousness, between death and resurrection. Still others, notably Roman Catholics, believe in a place of purging (purgatory) in preparation for the future life.
THE SECOND COMING.
Scripture teaches that at the end of time Christ will return in a personal, bodily form (Acts 1:11). No one knows exactly when this occurs, and it will consequently catch some by surprise, coming as a thief in the night (Luke 12:39-40). Although the time is not known, that it occurs is very definite. Many of Jesus' parables (especially in Matthew 24-25) refer to this fact and to the appropriateness of alert, faithful, and intensive activity.
THE RESURRECTION
All who died will come to life. This will be a bodily resurrection, a resumption of bodily existence of each person. For believers this will take place in connection with the second coming of Christ, and will involve the transformation of the body of this present flesh into a new, perfected body (1 Corinthians 15:35-56). The Bible also indicates a resurrection of unbelievers, unto eternal death (John 5:28-29).
THE JUDGMENT
There will be a time of judgment, in which the Lord will determine the spiritual condition of everyone who has lived, based on relationship to him. On these grounds some will be sent off to everlasting reward and others to eternal punishment. Some theologians distinguish between the time when believers and unbelievers will be judged. Some see as many as seven different judgments occurring.
THE FINAL STATES
The Bible teaches the existence of heaven, a place of eternal joy, where believers are in the presence of God, and of hell, a state of anguished separation of unbelievers from the presence of God. These are fixed states, determined by the decisions made within this life.
THE MILLENNIUM
Many Christians believe there will be an earthly reign of God, called the millennium, immediately preceding the final judgment. This belief is based on Revelation 20:4-7. Those who hold that Christ will return personally to inaugurate this period are called premillenialists. Others, who teach that the kingdom will be established through the progressive successful preaching of the gospel, are termed postmillennialists. Still others, called amillennialists, do not believe that there will be any earthly reign of Christ at all, interpreting the one thousand years of Revelation 20 symbolically.