Post on 05-Jan-2016
Why It Matters
What You Believe
Agenda
• Common end time beliefs• Your judgment • Why it matters what you believe about the
end times
Common end time beliefs
• The “isms”– Millennialism– Pre-Millennialism– Post –Millennialism– Amillennialsim– Preterism– Pan-Millennialism
• Common themes– Crucifixion– 1,000 year reign– Christ’s return– Final judgment– End of the world
Millennialism
• Belief in some form of the 1,000 year reign of Christ
• Based on Revelations 20:4• Belief dates back to 1st Century AD
Pre-Millennialism
• Literal 1,000 year reign
• Includes tribulation and rapture
• Second Coming and Last Judgment separatedMatthew 24:21
I Thessalonians 4:16-18; I Corinthians 15:50-58
Post-Millennialism
• Some think literal, some symbolic 1,000 year reign
• Second Coming and Last Judgment occur at the same time
• Good eventually overcomes Evil
Symbolic Millennium
Amillennialism
• Symbolic 1,000 year reign
• Symbolic 1,000 year reign
• Second Coming and Last Judgment separated
• Evil eventually overcomes Good
Preterism
• Symbolic 1,000 year reign
• Second Coming already occurred
• Full-Preterism – all prophecies fulfilled in AD 70; no “end of the world”
• Partial-Preterism – most prophecies fulfilled, a final judgment still to come
AD 70
Second Coming
Symbolic Millennium
Last JudgmentPreterism
Pan-Millennialism
It will all “pan out” in the end.
Which one?
• Discussion: Which view do you think the Church of Christ espouses?– Definitely not Full-
Preterism– Definitely not
Pre-millennialismAD 70
Second Coming
Symbolic Millennium
Last JudgmentPreterism
Symbolic Millennium
Your judgment
• We will all reach a personal end time– Hebrews 9:27 – Romans 14:10-12
• Bad news – Romans 3:23
• Good news – Romans 8:1-2
Rapture, End of the World, or RIP
Why it matters what you believe
• Discussion: Are end times beliefs matters of opinion or matters of salvation?– 2 Tim 2:16-18
Why it matters what you believe
• Discussion: What are your responsibilities regardless of which end times belief you choose?– Lead a life pleasing to God – 2 Corinthians 5:9-10– Temperate in all things – I Corinthians 9:24-27– Test the Spirits – I John 4:1– Finish what you start – 2 Timothy 4:6-8