To say that the theological study of Christian Eschatology is also a study of the world’s history is probably an understatement. When we look at the events involved when God decided to end this world, there was only one judgment and one event; a great flood.
Looking back at what happened, if one wanted to say that there were corporate and personal decisions that were made at the time, I guess if one was to consider all the years that Noah spent preaching and preparing for the flood, each person did have the opportunity to repent and seek God. But obviously, God’s judgment was a corporate one, because everyone and everything was affected; animals, insects, birds, the land, and all the people from this one event. Ironically, when God meted out His judgment on the world the first time, there was one group of people spared; the Christian Community which consisted of Noah, his wife, his sons, and their wives. This time, when this world is finally destroyed, once again the Christian Community we be spared, but not all of them at the same time; and this time there will be more than just one terrible event taking place, there will be many more terrible events taking place.
There are some people who think that each of these events will be taking place during a different time period, or dispensation. I want them to understand that even though these events will be taking place over a span of years, it is still considered one time period. During this time period there will be different events taking place (The Rapture, Tribulation period, Armageddon, Millennial Kingdom, Judgment, then man’s eternal state), but they will be chronicled from different points of views and perspectives (heavenly, earthly, demonically, spiritually, naturally, supernaturally, etc.); not so much different than how the Gospels are written; one time period, four different perspectives.
Each one of these events (and more), will help to make up the eschaton. Understand that when the subjects of individual, corporate, pastoral (Placher as reference), and general eschatology is discussed, each one of these events have their place.
Jesus told us in John 14:3 that not only was He going to prepare a place for us, but He was coming back to receive unto Himself. This coming back is known as The Rapture. I believe that the Rapture ushers in the events that highlight the eschaton. We understand that this term is not mentioned in the Bible, but we also know that Jesus is not a man that He should lie. The word of God tells us in 1 Thess. 4: 16:” For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
The Christians who are alive at this time will be caught up along with those who have already died in Christ, then together they will all be caught up with Christ in the air! Even though this event with the dead in Christ being resurrected is part of the Rapture, it is an event that is sometimes referred to as the “First Resurrection” by some people. Every Christian looks forward to this blessed hope. Jesus gives Christians the ultimate assurance in the last promise and prayer in the Bible: ” Surely I come quickly. Amen.” (Rev. 22:20).
We need to understand that even though the second Advent, the Rapture, and the Tribulation period are all separate events, they all take place so close together that they are almost considered to be at the same time by some people. Each of these events are looked upon as corporate events, because everyone is affected by them in some way or manner. But on the other hand, some might look at these events individually, because they only affect certain people directly.
During the Tribulation period, there will be a chain of events taking place that will affect everyone left on the earth. The Tribulation period was referred to as the time of Jacob’s Trouble, and was first spoken of in the book of Jeremiah 30:3-7. Then it would be spoken of again in the book of Daniel, in the ninth chapter in this way:
“ 27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.”
Even though the entire Tribulation period will cover the span of seven years, those years will be divided into two three and one-half year intervals. During the first three and a half years, it will be a time of world peace. But not only will this be a time of world peace, but it will also be a time when the nations of the world will be united under the leadership of a Western European leader, and there will also be a false Messiah who will make his appearance in Israel.
Many Bible scholars and Theologians agree that this Great Tribulation period will start in the middle of the 70th week spoken of in Daniel. This will be the time when the overspreading of abominations takes place; after the first three and a half years of great world peace of this seven year Tribulation period. The following three and a half years do not look so peaceful, because this will be the time of “Jacob’s Trouble” during this Tribulation period.
This second half of the Tribulation period will begin with the man of sin entering into the Temple, thus ushering in the time of Jacob’s Trouble. There are some who believe that World War Three may also begin during this time.
Chapters 4-21 of the book of Revelation quite vividly point out many events that will be happening in heaven which will have devastating affects on those who are left on earth. Even though these events can be considered as corporate, there will be some individuals who will not be affected in the same way as others, because even during this time there will be people who will accept Jesus as Savior. Some of the events which will be taking place is the Opening and closing of the Book of the Seven Seals, the actual Opening of the Seven Seals, the blowing of the Seven Trumpets, the Seven Vials, the Seven Thunders, and of course, the Seven Plagues.
The word Armageddon, as it mentioned in Revelation 16, means Mount Megiddo in the Hebrew. It has been the scene of many important battles in Israel’s history. The the Lord routed Sisera before the armies of Deborah and Barak (Judges 4–5), Gideon obtained victory over the Midianites and the Amalekites (Judges 6–7), King Saul’s army was defeated by the Philistines there (1 Samuel 31), and this was also the place where King Josiah was slain in battle by the Egyptian army of Pharaoh Necho (2 Kings 23:29).
The book of Revelation (chapters 15-16), describe in detail, seven Angels who will pour seven bowls of God’s wrath in the Euphrates River, drying up the river, and making way for entrance of the “Kings of the East (Revelation 16:12-16). There is also the mention of three demonic spirits who will go and cause the entire world to gather for a great battle on the day of God the Almighty (Revelation 16:12-16). Revelation 16:16 tells us that this battle will take place at Armageddon. Looking back at Israel’s history of battles that took place at Armageddon, it is with good reason that the name Armageddon has become synonymous of a battlefield; at least it seems that way in the book of Revelation.
Then there will be the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ. Even though the term Millennium is not in the Bible, we do find the phrase “A thousand years” spoken in the book of Revelation six times in chapter 20:2-7, and “a thousand years” is what the word millennium means. It is during this time that Satan will be bound, and the world will witness the millennial kingdom of Jesus Christ reigning on earth.
Then there will be Judgment. When it comes to Judgment, we need to understand that the Bible does not teach a corporate judgment in the sense that there is one judgment for everyone. What we see in the scriptures is judgment based on subjects, places, time, and results (Lockyer, p. 276).
Pre-Millennialists believe that there will be a corporate judgment; a judgment in that everyone will be judged, but it won’t take place at the same time. I want to point out seven judgments meted out by the Lord that did not take place at the same time:
When Jesus judged man’s sins on the cross (John 5:24), when Jesus judges sin in Christians (1 Cor. 11:31-32), the judgment seat of Christ for Christians (Romans 14:8-10; 1 Cor. 4:5; 2 Cor. 5:9-10; 2 Tim. 4:8), the Judgment of the world and the Angels by Christians (1 Cor. 6:2-3).
Then there is The Judgment of the Jews. While the Church is being judged by Jesus in the air, the Jews will be judged by the antichrist; and he will bring a great deal of suffering to them (Revelation 12). When the Son of Man returns to earth, He will then judge the Gentile Nations (Isaiah 2:4; Joel 3:1-2).
Then finally the Great White Throne Judgment. Not only is this the last judgment, but this will be without a doubt the most horrific judgment, for it will bring down Heaven’s judgment on the rebellious people of the world, along with God’s final judgment on the devil. This judgment will take place at the conclusion of Jesus’ Millennial reign (Romans 2:16; 1 Cor. 4:5; Jude 6; Rev. 20:11).
We also have to look at Judgment. “ And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not (Rev. 2:21).” We know God to be a just and fair Judge. We do not see where the Bible teaches of a judgment that will fit every person, situation, time, and place; to the contrary, we see that God’s judgments fit the person(s) and situations.
Lastly, there is the issue of man’s eternal state . . . Heaven and Hell. Because the Theologians and Bible scholars have not come to terms on this issue, I am going to approach it from this perspective. Jesus went to prepare a place for Christians in His Father’s house (John 14:2-3).
Jesus then let us know that He lives there, and Christians will live there too. Jesus also said that He would come back for the Christians (the Parousia). The word also assures Christians that: “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” (2 Cor. 5:1).
As for the issue of hell, there are equally as many (or more) verses in the Bible which confirms that there is a place called hell for those who are not of Christ. The Bible does not teach that there is a purgatory, an infant hell, or even a pre-hell for the wicked to go to after death. What was said of the rich man who chose not to share his table with Lazarus was: “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” (Luke 16:23)
These are just some of the key events that cover the doctrine of eschatology. We get the chance to witness how God’s initial plan for man to spend eternity with Him has been replaced with a plan that has made a way for anyone who is willing to, to become part of the body of Christ. We also see what’s in store for those who refuse to become a follower of Jesus Christ; they will be taken to a place prepared for Satan and his followers. God is going to judge everyone, corporately and individually, and He will mete out the righteous judgment that should be meted out.