What is Eschatology?
How does it affect every one in the world?
Why should we study the end of things?
When people say the end of the world, they are really basically misunderstanding what the end times means. It will not be the end of the world. It will be the end of the way things have been for nearly 6,000 years. It will be Christ our Messiah,coming to rule the world, a thousand years of peace and prosperity. A wonderful life, that people the world over, wish it was right now. In fact the people who are involved in trying to make the new world order, the one world government are in fact, hoping to achieve this utopia, where there is no crime no sick people, only wealthy, healthy, people. The sad fact is, it can never be done without God.
Eschatology is the study of end times prophecies in the bible. It is a deep look at what is coming, and how it will all start and end. This is the study of the ultimate destiny of human kind. The study of the final confrontation between the forces of good versus evil, and the establishment of a realm of deliverance from suffering and sin based on the restoration of an original world of goodness. There are many forms of Eschatology,such as the Jewish, the Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist,and of course Christian. I pay attention to the Jewish,and the Christian,with a bit of study on the Muslim end times study as well.
I am not in any way shape or form a Muslim,but being aware of the biggest enemy of the Christian religions eschatological views, is quite important. It parallels ours (Christian) so very well. Where we have our savior coming back to the earth, at the end of the whole thing, with the culmination of Armageddon. The Muslims expect their messiah to come as the twelfth Imam or the Mahdi, at the beginning of troubles. They believe they must create Chaos on the earth, to usher in their messiah. While our beliefs are, we must tell the whole world of Jesus Christ, and then the bad times come, then the taking away of those who are truly Christs own.
That is called the rapture to most people. There is no such word in the bible as rapture. It is either called harpazzo the Greek word, which means caught up, or parusia, another Greek word which means, to be present with,such as being present with the Lord. Then comes the battle of Armageddon, in which all the armies of the world come together at the valley of Meggido, to come against Israel, and that is when the Lord steps in.
There is a great need today to study eschatology (the doctrine of future things) as God’s Word unfolds before our very eyes. There are many Christians today who know very little about God’s plans for the here-and-now, and they know even less about God’s plans for their future. The Scriptures give several reasons why the study of eschatology is profitable for us. First of all it is for the purity in the believer’s life 1 John 3:3. It comforts the believer in their time of bereavement 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Thirdly, the study of eschatology gives us a divine viewpoint in our outlook 2 Corinthians 4:16-18. And finally, study produces motivation for the believer’s faithful service 2 Timothy 4:7-8.
Now Matthew chapter 24 is the best New Testament start to finish explanation of the end times, by Christ to His disciples. The book of Revelation is the explanation of what will be happening through the tribulation period into the millennial kingdom,which is when Christ will reign on earth with His elect or saints,which are those of us who are Christs own. We have been chosen by God to receive salvation,and we have accepted the free gift of God’s grace for the forgiveness of our sins. The bible tells us many have been called but few are chosen. Matthew 22:14.
Here is a link to be able to read all of Matthew chapter 24 for yourselves. If the link is not click able please copy and paste into your browser. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2024&version=AMP
I would ask that you who read that chapter, would pay close attention to the words of Jesus in verse 29 when it says AFTER those days of tribulation. Too many people do not seem to see those words,or they disregard them.
The end times are through out the entire bible, but there are some that are much deeper involved in the study, of end of the age studies than others. In the Old Testament the book of Jeremiah,the book of Daniel,the book of Isaiah,the book of Ezekiel,the book of Amos and Joel and Zechariah ,Malachi and more. It is amazing to study these prophecies, and then watch the world news, at least world news that tell you the truth, and do not hide information from you. Watching the news these days is like reading your bible,and suddenly getting an understanding you never understood before. Seeing the very steps that are being taken world wide, to bring us to the end of the age.
The New Testament, has many prophecies of the end of the age too. It is exciting to this writer to read and get understanding, of what the Lord is telling us. The preparations He has set in His Word for us. But to get the blessings that are coming in the end of the age, you must be one of Christs own. To become one of Christs called ones, or chosen ones, we must become born again in order to receive the promises in the Word of God.
Here is the prayer you say to become born again. No one needs to know you said this prayer, but eventually the changes that take place in you are going to show up, but by then you will be proud to let the world know you are one of Christs.
“Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”
I’ve Prayed It; Now What? If you’ve prayed this prayer of salvation with true conviction and heart, you are now a follower of Jesus. This is a fact, whether or not you feel any different. Religious systems may have led you to believe that you should feel something – a warm glow, a tingle, or some other mystical experience. The fact is, you may, or you may not. If you have prayed the prayer of salvation and meant it, you are now a follower of Jesus. The Bible tells us “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
Welcome to the family of God! I encourage you now to find a local church where you can be baptized and grow in the knowledge of God through His Word, the Bible.
As we go along, my hope is that you will understand very well the end times prophecies. May God Bless and watch over you. May the Lord guide you in wisdom and knowledge,and grow you into a strong and joy filled Christian.
Love in Christ, Tammy