Xenos Christian Fellowship

Christian Ministry Unit 1

Predictive Prophecy

Week 3 – Revelation & End-Times Events

Introduction





The Church Age

(Romans 11:25) “I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.”

Old Testament believers looked forward to God’s kingdom on earth:

But they were unable to see the mystery Paul refers to:

Matthew 13: Parables that describe the ‘Mysteries of the Kingdom’

PARABLE

The "MYSTERY" PHASE OF THE KINGDOM Jesus announced

The MESSIANIC KINGDOM the Jews hoped for.

Soils
13:3-9,18-23

The kingdom is spread by communicating the gospel, and people respond to this message in various ways.

The kingdom will come with irresistible force.

Wheat & Tares
13:24-30,36-43

The righteous and the unrighteous live together in the same world.

God will separate the righteous from the unrighteous.

Dragnet
13:47-50

False members will be swept into its sphere of influence.

God will separate all false members from the righteous.

Mustard Seed & Leaven
13:31-33

God's kingdom starts small and grows gradually to become large.

God's kingdom dramatically covers the whole world.

Pearl & Treasure
13:44-46

God's kingdom is inconspicuous, yet of inestimable value.

The surpassing value of God's kingdom will be apparent to everyone.


Signs of the end of the church age - Matt. 24:1-31

(Matthew 24:3) "Tell us, (1) when will these things happen, and (2) what will be the sign of Your coming, and (3) of the end of the age?"

They evidently thought that these three things (destruction of the Temple, Jesus’ coming, and the end of the age) must occur at the same time. But Jesus reveals that they are separate events, each with its own “sign.” Matthew, Mark and Luke record different parts of Jesus’ answer--so we have to consult all of them to get the fullest account of his response.

“When will these things happen?”

Luke 21:20-24

Fulfillment:

“What will be the sign of the end of the age?”

First, don’t be fooled!

Matthew 24:4-8

Matthew 24:9-13

Fulfillment: Two things that must happened before the end…

1.

Matthew 24:14

NOTE:

2.

Matthew 24:15-22

“What will be the sign of your coming?”

Matthew 24:26-31

Fulfillment:

How should this affect our lives?”

Matthew 24:42

What does it look like to “be ready?”

The Regathering of Israel & Jewish Revival

Old and New Testament passages predict the dispersion of the Jewish nation for their sins – and their future regathering as a precursor to the end of the age.

1. Israel will be dispersed and then regathered as a nation as a precursor to the end of the age and the Messianic kingdom (Deut. 28:58-68; 30:1-6; Ezek. 37:1-6,10,21-22,26-28; 38:8).

Fulfillment:

2. Jerusalem will be back in the hands of the Jews (Zech. 12,14; Lk. 21:24).

(Luke 21:24) They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

Fulfillment:

3. The Jewish temple will be rebuilt and sacrifices resumed by the mid-point of the Tribulation. (Dan. 9:27*; Matt. 24:15).

(2 Thess. 2:4) He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

Fulfillment:

4. The Jews will be regathered while still in an unregenerate state (Ezek. 37:1-14).

There are evidently two great movements of the Jews to Christ.

Rev. 7:3-9 (144,000 believing Jews become powerful evangelists.)

Zech. 12:10-13:9 (1/3 of the Jews turn to Christ as Messiah at end of the Tribulation.)

Fulfillment:



The Rapture


(1 Thess. 4:16,17) For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. (17) After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.


(1 Cor. 15:50-53) I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. (51) Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed--(52) in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. (53) For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.


What will happen?





Why is it called the “Rapture?”




When will it occur?


Covenantalists: Because Covenantalists see the Church replacing Israel, they see the Rapture as the first event of the Second Coming (POST-TRIBULATIONAL VIEW).


Dispensationalists: Because Dispensationalists see the Church as a parenthesis in God's working through Israel, they see the Rapture as a distinct event separated by a period of time (PRE- or MID-TRIBULATIONAL VIEWS). If the Dispensational hermeneutic is accepted, there is ample additional support for the Rapture as an event which precedes the Second Coming by a significant period of time.


Why do we think the rapture is disctint from the Second Coming?


Rapture

Second Coming

Believers meet Christ in the air (1 Thess. 4:17)

Believers meet Christ on the ground (Zech. 14:4,5)

Believers involved become immortal (1 Cor. 15:51-53)

Believers involved remain mortal (Is. 65:20; Rev. 19:18)

Believers involved go immediately to heaven (1 Thess. 4:17)

Believers involved stay on earth to populate the Millennial Kingdom (Mt. 25:31-34; Zech. 14:9ff)

Note: The desire to believe in a pre-tribulational Rapture because it means deliverance from suffering is suspect and unhealthy. The New Testament predicts that all committed Christians will be persecuted to some extent (2 Tim. 3:12), and the majority of Christians in the world today are experiencing this. Do you hold this view because you don't want to suffer—or because it makes the most sense? For more information on when the rapture may occur, see the appendix.

Application:


(1 Thess. 4:13,18) But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope . . .  (18) Therefore comfort one another with these words.



(1 Cor. 15:58) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.


Revelation

A series of visions about future events:

Purpose:

Vision 2: God’s judging & saving activity at the end of the age (4-16)

Revelation 4 & 5: The Courtroom Scene in Heaven

Theme:

Why does God have the right to rule?

Reason #1:

(Revelation 4:8) “Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.’”

Reason #2:

(Revelation 4:9-11) “. . . They lay their crowns before the throne and say: ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.’”

Reason #3:

(Revelation 5:11-12) “. . . Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders . . . In a loud voice they sang: ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!’...”

Will you embrace God’s rule over your own life?

(1 Corinthians 6:19,20) “. . . You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”

Revelation 6-16: The Great Tribulation and the Beast

(Revelation 7:14) “. . . These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

(Matthew 24:21,22) “. . . for then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall. And unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved . . .”

Main theme:

God’s judging activity:

How does God judge?


God’s redemptive activity

The Beast – Revelation 13:1-18

(Revelation 13:1,2) “. . . And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns . . . The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion . . .”

Vision 3: The victorious return of Jesus to establish God’s kingdom (17-20)

Jesus’ return to earth (19:11-16)

What happens?

Jesus’ 1000 Year Reign (20:1-10)

The Great White Throne Judgment (20:11-15)

Who is judged at the judgment?

Why are the people condemned?

What is their fate?

(2 Thess. 1:9) And these will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power . . .

“The books” and “The book of life”

Vision 4: The “New Jerusalem” (21, 22)

Our culture today: “What matters in life is the journey - not the destination.”

The Bible’s point of view: “The destination is what makes the journey meaningful!”

Common Misconceptions about Heaven

What will it be like?

(Revelation 21:1) “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.”

(Revelation 21:2,3) “And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and he shall dwell among them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be among them.’”

The Judgment-Seat of Christ (Bema)

(1 Cor. 3:10-15**) According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But let each man be careful how he builds upon it. (11) For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (12) Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, (13) each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. (14) If any man's work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward. (15) If any man's work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire.

(2 Corinthians 4:17) For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

What is the purpose of this judgment?

When will it occur?

What is the reward?

(1 Corinthians 3:13)  . . . each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work.

(1 Corinthians 4:5) Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God.

(Matthew 25:20-23) “And the one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, 'Master, you entrusted five talents to me; see, I have gained five more talents.'” (21) “His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave; you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter into the joy of your master.'” (22) “The one also who had received the two talents came up and said, 'Master, you entrusted to me two talents; see, I have gained two more talents.'” (23) “His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave; you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.'”

(Luke 19:17-19) "And he said to him, 'Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, be in authority over ten cities.' (18) "And the second came, saying, 'Your mina, master, has made five minas.' (19) "And he said to him also, 'And you are to be over five cities.'

How can we accumulate this reward?

(Daniel 12:3) “Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”

(1 Thes. 2:19,20) For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? (20) For you are our glory and joy.

(1 Pet. 5:2-4)  . . . shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; (3) nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. (4)And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

(1 Cor. 9:24-27) Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. (25) And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. (26) Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; (27) but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.

(2 Peter 1:5-7,11) Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge; (6) and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness; (7) and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love...(11) for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

(Jas. 1:12) Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

(Luke 14:12-14) And He also went on to say to the one who had invited Him, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return, and repayment come to you. (13) "But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, (14) and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

(1 Tim 6:18,19) Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, (19) storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed."

How should looking forward to this judgment affect us?

(2 Tim. 4:1, 5, 8) I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom . . . fulfill your ministry . . . (8) in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

(1 Cor. 4:3-5) But to me it is a very small thing that I should be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself. (4) For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord. (5) Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God.

(1 Cor. 3:10b,15) According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But let each man be careful how he builds upon it . . . (15) If any man's work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire.

(Rom. 14:10-12) But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God. (11) For it is written, "AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD." (12) So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Conclusion

Factoring in everything we’ve covered over the last three weeks, we now have a fairly detailed picture of what to expect during the end-times:

For the exam, know these events, in this order and be able to give a brief description each one.

Memory Verses

Matthew 24:1-31** - The Olivet Discourse—Jesus' description of the signs of the end of the age, including the Church Age, Tribulation, and Second Coming.

1 Corinthians 3:10-15** - Christ's judgment and reward of Christians.

Revelation 19:11-21:8** – the chronology of events from the second coming to the new heavens and new earth.

Assignment

Appendix: Rapture Views


Christians are divided on when the rapture occurs. Some say it will happen before the tribulation (pre-tribulational view), others say it will happen in the middle of the tribulation (mid-tribulational view), and still others say it will occur after the tribulation (post-tribulational view).


None of the verses that describe this event state directly when it takes place. Opinions on when the rapture occurs are instead based on inferences made by comparing several passages AND one’s millennial view. That it will happen is more important than when it happens.

Dispensationalists typically hold to a pre- or mid- tribulational view. Covenantalists usually see the rapture and second coming as one event that occurs after the tribulation.


The Pre-Tribulational View


1. Contrasts between the Second Advent and the Rapture:

a. Rapture - Believers meet Christ in the air (1 Thess. 4:17)
Second Advent - Believers meet Christ on the ground (Zech. 14:4,5).

b. Rapture - Believers involved become immortal (1 Cor. 15:51-53).
Second Advent - Believers involved remain mortal (Is. 65:20; Rev. 19:18).

c. Rapture - Believers involved go immediately to heaven (1 Thess. 4:17).
Second Advent - Believers involved stay on earth to populate the Millenial Kingdom (Mt. 25:31-34; Zech. 14:9ff).

>> Therefore. . .go to #6


2. Scriptural account of the Tribulation

a. Both the Old Testament and the New Testament depict it as Jewish (Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:15-20; Rev. 4-l9).

b. Scripture never mentions the church in the Tribulation.


3. The contrast between the "day of Christ" and the "day of the Lord."

a. The "day of Christ" is for the church and is looked forward to (1 Cor. 1:8; 1 Cor. 5:5; 2 Cor. 1:14; Phil. 1:6).

b. The "day of the Lord" is for Israel and unbelievers and is feared as a time of God's judgment (Is. 13:6,9 Is. 34:8; Ezek. 30:3; Amos 5:18; Zeph. 1:7-13; 1 Thess. 5:2; 1 Thess. 3:2; 2 Thess. 2:2).


4. The fact that the Church Age is depicted in scripture as a "parenthesis" militates for a pre-tribulational Rapture.

a. Lk. 21:24 and Rom. 11:25 both speak of the church as a parenthesis.

b. There is a clearly implied "gap" between the 69th and 70th weeks of Dan. 9:26,27.

c. 1 Cor. 15:51 describes the Rapture as a "mystery"--unrevealed in the Old Testament or by Christ. Thus, it is probably the concluding event of the "mystery" portion of the Kingdom (Mt. 13)--the Church Age.


5. If the Rapture occurred at the end of Tribulation, there would be no need for the "sheep and goats" judgment (Mt. 24:31-34), yet the passage clearly states that this occurs immediately after the Second Advent and before the beginning of the Millenial Kingdom.


6. Intervening events between the Rapture and Second Advent require time:

a. There must be enough time for people to get saved, because mortal believers inhabit the Millenial Kingdom (Is. 65:20).

b. Rev. 20:4 and Dan. 12:2 imply that there must be enough time for some of the above believers to die.


7. Some passages seem to promise that the church will be delivered from the Tribulation. Rev. 3:10; 1 Thess 1:10; 1 Thess. 5:9 all promise deliverance from "wrath," which, in context, seems to refer to the end times. Compare this to Rev. 6:17, which describes the Tribulational period as the time of God's wrath.


The Mid-Tribulational View


1. The last trumpet in 1 Cor. 15:52 is connected with the trumpet judgements in Rev. 8. A chronology is adduced to show that this means the middle of the Tribulation is intended.

a. However, the chronology of Revelations is very uncertain at this point. There is no adequate evidence for basing anything on it. It would seem that the seventh trumpet of Revelation goes to the end of the Tribulation.

b. The last trumpet could instead refer to the trumpets that were sounded when Israel would break camp during the Exodus period. The last one was the signal to move (Num. 10:1-6).

2. Mid-Tribulationists assert that only the last 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation is called the "Great Tribulation" (Mt. 24:21). They suggest that this is the only period that stands solely for judgment.


The Post-Tribulational View


1. The word parousia ("coming"), which is repeatedly used to refer to the second coming of Christ, has a special meaning in some cases. When a general staged a triumphal entry into a city, the citizens would go out to meet him, and immediately return in company with him and his army and/or captives. This could be the intended meaning of the word when it is used in passages like 1 Thess. 4:15; 1 Cor.15:23.

a. On the other hand, parousia is also used frequently in the more common sense of "coming" throughout the New Testament. The burden of proof lies with those who feel that it is being used in a technical sense.


2. 2 Thess. 2:1-3 is cited to prove that Paul must have believed in a post-tribulational rapture. "It will not come . . . " is said to refer to "our gathering together to him" (i.e. the Rapture).

a. However, the pronoun reference ("it" in vs 3) is referring to "the day of the Lord" (probably the Tribulation), not to the Rapture. Besides, if Paul taught a post-tribulational view of the Rapture, how could the Thessalonians think that it had already occurred? This would mean that they thought the millennium had already begun, whereas they were actually under persecution.


3. The major reason for holding this view is to harmonize with Amillennial eschatology. For more on Amillennialism, see Christian Ministry week 8.


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