I know...there's an end times thread. I'm just such a novice that I felt this belonged in the general talk forum.
So, I was saved by The Pentecostals. Love those guys, really. They believe in The Rapture and all that. I was raised and counseled by Calvinists. They...don't. I'm not even clear on what traditional Calvinists believe re: The End Times. Doesn't seem to be a huge deal for them.
So please...help a Baby Christian out and just break it down for me. If you have a strong preference, please tell me why and throw some Scripture my way. I'm terribly, terribly confused about the whole thing.
Let me generalize this more than most people have been doing so far - at the risk of patronizing you. But hey, you wanted simple...
Eschatology is a study of the "Last things". The word comes from the Greek word
eschaton which occurs several times in the New Testament including:
Acts 2:17, 1 Cor 15:52, Hebrews 1:2, James 5:3, 1 Peter 1:5, 20, 2 Peter 3:3, 1 John 2:18, Jude 1:18 (click to read on BibleGateway - variously translated as "last days" or "last times").
Utimately this "study" of last times is a doctrinal attempt by Christians of various backgrounds, denominations, and theological convictions to understand how the end times will unfold. As it turns out, many of the details (which people try to infer based on extrapolations beyond what is actually written) are, as a matter of fact, not even necessary to know. The chief benefit of studying eschatology (objectively speaking - for those who have not lost sight of it in the course of protecting their paradigms so much that they have forgotten why they first sought them) is
to prepare the reader to ready themselves for Jesus' second coming. That goal includes purifying one's self, being prayerful, and soberly keeping watch. Many Scriptures can be given to defend that statement.
A particular verse that I have printed in large letters and stuck to my refrigerator is
Luke 21:24-26:
"
But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Beyond this, what does eschatology seek to establish? I will briefly summarize with some of the chief questions it seeks to answer:
- When will certain things prophesied take place?
- In what manner will such prophesies be fulfilled (figuratively or literally?)
- How will it take place? What are the details?
- How does this relate to God's eternal plan and His loving yet righteous nature?
- (And often) What paradigm can I espouse that explains all these elements satisfactorily?
As to all these questions: here is where it gets really "confusing" and "bewildering". Taking for example just a sample of views possible (in all their jargon):
Amillenialism, Premillenialism, Postmillenialism, Preterism (believes most things have already been fulfilled), Post-/Mid-/Pre-Tribulation Rapture, "There is no Rapture" (view), Final Judgment after the Tribulation, Final Judgment after the Millenium, Eternal Kingdom is in Heaven, Eternal Kingdom is on Earth, "Lake of Fire for the Wicked will be Visible to believers for all of Eternity" (view - following Isaiah 66), Universal Reconciliation (which thinks everyone will be forgiven regardless and the Lake of Fire will one day be emptied - I regard this as heresy), etc.....
You will have to just begin studying Scripture and occasionally read commentaries if you want to understand how your understanding of Scripture lines up with these paradigms. Ultimately though as I pointed out the important part is how you respond to what the Bible reveals about what will happen in the last days, and what that means for your relationship with God and how your should conduct your life in light of it.
I hope that helps.
God Bless,
Josh
