Eschatology can be theologically complex. Many of the passages that refer to the end times are in the genre of apocalyptic prophecy. These are books like Daniel and the Revelation that use complex imagery. To understand these passages requires an understanding of this imagery and the role of such prophecy in the history of Israel.

In addition, a study of eschatology uses terms that are not frequently used in interpreting other parts of the Bible. The goal of this post is to create some basic definitions as a starting point for the rest of the discussion.

Eschatology - Generally, eschatology is the study of last things. This topic includes the return of Christ, the end of the world, and the judgment for sins.

Millennium - This is one of the critical terms for parts of what we will study. The Millennium refers to a period of one thousand years that is referenced in Revelation 20:1-10. In this passage, John describes in his vision that Satan is bound and thrown into a bottomless pit for a thousand years. During this period, Christ is described as reigning, along with those who had been martyred for their faith. In the next post, I will begin setting forth the major interpretations of this passage.

Apocalypse - The Revelation is referred to as the Apocalypse of Jesus Christ. This Greek word literally means unveiling, or revelation. Generally speaking, apocalyptic literature is prophecy that contains “revelations of heavenly secrets or of the events which will attend the end of the world and the inauguration of the kindgom of God.” (G.E. Ladd, in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Walter Elwell, ed.,”Apocalyptic”, at p. 62 (1984 Baker House).)

Rapture - The rapture is an event that is primarily discussed from a dispensational, premillenial point of view. This event is a time in which God miraculously removes all living believers from the world to spare them from a time of judgment that will come upon the world. The rapture figures prominently in the Left Behind series of novels by LaHaye and Jenkins. It is worth pointing out that these books are fictional, and should not be the basis for determining a view of eschatology. Large numbers of Christians in the world do not agree with the interpretation set forth in these books.

Second Coming - Jesus repeatedly promised that He would return. By way of example, in John 14:1-3, Jesus promised:

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

The second coming refers to the fulfillment of this promise. This is the aspect of eschatology that is the greatest source of hope for a believers: that Christ will return to claim His bride.

Judgment - This is the aspect of eschatology that many unbelievers have a problem with. While Jesus promises to return to bring His disciples into glory, He also promises to return as a judge. Matthew 25 describes this judgment as the culling of sheep and goats. The sheep are taken into glory, the goats are cast off in judgment. Many have a hard time accepting that they merit judgment for their sins. This is a hard point, but one that can not be denied as scriptural.

Dispensational - Dispensationalism is one of the major schools of theology. In particular, this school teaches that God has administered his plan in different ways at different times. (Admittedly, this is a gross generalization; there are many variations within dispensational thought.) In the next post, when I describe the beginning points for understanding the Millennium, I will try to give more time to an explanation of dispensational thought. However, this blog will not be a treatise on dispensationalism.

Preterist - Preterist theology is, generally, an alternative to dispensational thought, at least in the area of eschatology. Preterist teaching is focused primarily on the view that many, if not all of the prophetic predictions that are made in the New Testament were fulfilled during the first century. As with dispensationalism, there are many flavors of preterist thought. The two major differences are those who believe that all New Testament prophesies have been fulfilled (full preterist) versus those who believe that only some have been fulfilled (partial preterist).