This document discusses Christian eschatology, which is the doctrine of last things. It covers individual eschatology, which concerns what happens after death, and cosmic eschatology, which concerns the end of the world and Christ's return. On individual eschatology, it describes that Christians believe either in conscious existence with God after death or soul sleep until resurrection. It also discusses the resurrection of the dead and final judgment. On cosmic eschatology, it outlines different views on interpreting prophecy, such as futurist, preterist, and historical views. It also briefly defines terms related to eschatology.

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10.ESCHATOLOGY (THE DOCTRINE OF LAST THINGS)
10.1. INTRODUCTION TO ESCHATOLOGY
10.1.1. The whole area of Eschatology has excited both Christians and not-yet-
Christians for the past 2000 years. It seems like everyone wants to know something about
the end times. Elaborate, sometimes complicated time lines of the events of the end of the
world. Eschatology, however, is more than just the study of the events surrounding the
end of the world; it is also the study of the events surrounding the end of our lives on earth
and the transition from earth to heaven.
10.1.2. The study of the events surrounding our personal transition from earth
to heaven is called, Personal, or Individual Eschatology, and the study of the events
surrounding the end of the world is called Eschatology.
10.2. BAPTIST CONFERENCE OF THE PHILIPPINES STATEMENT OF
FAITH
10.2.1. The Statement of Faith of the BCP has the following to say
about the Last Things:
10.1.1.1.1. “We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus
Christ to earth and the establishment of His kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of
the body, the final judgment, the eternal felicity of the righteous, and the endless
sufferings of the wicked.”
10.1.1.1.2. Naniniwala kami sa personal at nakikita pagbabalik ng
Panginoon Jesu-Cristo sa lupa at ang pagtatatag ng Kanyang kaharian. Naniniwala kami
sa muling pagkabuhay ng katawan, ang huling paghuhukom, walang hanggan ligaya ang
matuwid, at ang walang katapusang paghihirap ng masama.
10.1.2. The Statement of Faith of PMF
10.1.2.1. We believe and will teach the following theology concerning the Last Things
(Eschatology) but we will not exclude people into our fellowship who believe in other theologies, (i.e.
post tribulation, mid tribulation). For us this is a non-essential and therefore grace and charity should
abound.
10.1.3. The Statement of Faith of PMA
10.1.3.1. In the resurrection of both the saved and lost: those who are saved, unto
resurrection of eternal life with God, and those who are lost, unto resurrection of eternal damnation.
10.1. INDIVIDUAL ESCHATOLOGY

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10.1.1. Death. It is obvious that most believers in the Lord Jesus Christ have
died, along with those who believed before the Lord Jesus came to the earth. Where do
they go? What is their condition? What about those who do not believe--what happens to
them?
10.1.1.1. Death is the result of sin in the world. People only live one life and die
one physical death. Death is the separation of the material parts of humans from the
immaterial parts of humans. The perishable material parts (i.e. the body) return to dust
but the immaterial parts are joined to a new, imperishable body (see 11.2.1, below) and go
to their eternal state – those of the righteous to the presence of the Lord, and those of the
wicked to hell.
10.1.1.1.1. Ro 6:23 -- “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is
eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
10.1.1.1.2. 2Co 5:8 -- “We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away
from the body and at home with the Lord.”
10.1.1.1.3. See also Philippians 1:23; Lk 16:19-31
10.1.1.2. Before the Death and Resurrection of Christ. There seems to be a
difference between what happened to those believers who died before Christ and those
who died (and die) after that time. There is not a lot of revelation concerning the is
subject, but what there is seems to indicate that those who died prior to the time of Christ
did not go directly to heaven, but did go to a place of conscious, enjoyable existence, often
designated “paradise” or “Abraham’s side.”
10.1.1.2.1. Lk 16:19-31 -- “The time came when the beggar died and the
angels carried him to Abraham's side.”
10.1.1.3. Since the death and resurrection of Christ.
10.1.1.3.1. The New Testament gives and answer to the age-old question,
“What happens when we die?” For the believer in Christ his/her future is transformed
from a big question, to that of quiet confidence. It is hard to improve on the words of the
Apostle Paul, “Absent from the body, present with the Lord” (2Co 5:8). But what will be
our condition when death takes place? Consider four options:
10.1.1.3.2. Soul Sleep. There are a number of professing Christian groups
that believe there will be a time of “soul sleep” between the death of the believer and the
resurrection. They believe that we will cease to consciously exist during hat time.
10.1.1.3.3. Intermediate body. Some very sound theologians believer that
there will be some form of body that we will possess in between the time of the death of

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this present earthy body and the resurrection. This is based on some of the things said in
2Co 5:1-8, particularly the statement found several times in the passage, “to be clothed.”
10.1.1.3.4. Conscious Soul/Spirit existence. The New Testament teaches
that we will continue to exist following death in a conscious, disembodied condition in
heaven. The Bible seems clear on the fact that this is possible, is in effect the reality of
our condition. Compare Christ between death and the resurrection, and the teaching of
2Co 5.
10.1.2. Resurrection of the Dead. When Jesus returns, the dead will be
physically resurrected. The resurrected bodies will be new and immortal. There are
10.1.2.1. Philippians 3:20-21 -- “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we
eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables
him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will
be like his glorious body.”
10.1.2.2. See also 1Th 4:13-18; 1Co 15:35-58
10.1.3. Judgment. After people die, regardless of their spiritual condition,
they face judgment by God. This includes both believers and unbelievers. People will be
judged by what they have done with their lives, as well as whether their name appears in
the Book of Life or not. Those whose names do not appear are thrown into hell.
10.1.3.1. Re 20:11-15 -- “Then I saw a great white throne … And I saw the dead,
great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was
opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as
recorded in the books .… If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was
thrown into the lake of fire.”
10.1.4. The Eternal State. The Bible clearly teaches that humans will no
cease to exist at some time in the future but will live forever. As such, there are three
abodes for humans after death--earth, heaven, or hell.
10.1.4.1. Earth. Revelation 21:1 says, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new
earth ….” But why a new earth? Isn’t God just going to be through with it, destroy it and
live happily in heaven for evermore? Or is there something about the earth that is
important to God. Maybe this time will be a return to the paradise-like conditions of the
Garden of Eden. Perhaps this will be the time when the prophecies concerning the
establishment of the land for the people of God to live in will be fulfilled.
10.1.4.1.1. 2Pe 3:10 -- “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The
heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth
and everything in it will be laid bare.”

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10.1.4.2. Heaven. The dwelling place of God is in heaven along with the seat of
his rule. Jesus talks of preparing places in his Father’s house for His people to dwell in.
In the end, people from all nations will dwell eternally with God, drinking from the river
of life and eating from the tree of life.
10.1.4.2.1. Jo 14:1-3 -- “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not
so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and
prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be
where I am.”
10.1.4.2.1.1. See also Mt 6:9; Re 21:1-7; 22:1-5
10.1.4.3. Hell. The wicked will spend eternity in the torment of hell, where
there will be “weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth.” This torment will be a conscious,
endless suffering. Hell is also referred to as the second death. Satan and his angels will
also join the wicked.
10.1.4.3.1. Mt 25:41,46 -- “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from
me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’ …
Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
10.1.4.3.2. Re 21:8 -- “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the
murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all
liars–their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulphur. This is the second death.”
10.1.4.3.3. Re 20:10 -- “And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into
the lake of burning sulphur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They
will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”
10.1. INTERPRETATION OF PROPHECY
10.1.1. Introduction. Your eschatology will be a reflection of a decision you
make concerning how you are going to interpret the many sections of the Bible which deal
with eschatological truth. It will probably be a reflection of modification of the following:
10.1.2. Futurist View. Most of the events of prophetic truth are yet to be
fulfilled in the future.
10.1.3. Preterist View. The events described were taking place at the time
written, and therefore are past from our perspective.
10.1.4. Historical View. The events prophesied were future at the time they
were given, but were to be fulfilled sometime in history. They may be fulfilled already,
may be being fulfilled, or may yet be fulfilled in the future.

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10.1.5. Symbolic View. The events mentioned are timeless in their teaching,
and do not refer to some historical fulfillment, either past, present, or future.
10.2. DEFINITION OF TERMS
10.2.1. In order to understand the terminology it might be well to have some
brief definitions in mind:
10.2.2. Second Coming. Christ will return to earth again visibly and bodily.
The purpose of that return will be consistent with your view of the rapture and
millennium.
10.2.3. Tribulation. There will be a period of persecution on the earth before
the second coming of Christ. It may last for seven (7) years or for a period of time
represented by the number seven (7).
10.2.4. Rapture. Christ will receive His church to Himself in the clouds and
they will return with Him to heaven.
10.2.5. Pre-Tribulational Rapture. Christ will return for the church and take
it to be with Him before the tribulation period begins.
10.2.6. Mid-Tribulational Rapture. The Rapture will take place in the middle
of the Tribulation.
10.2.7. Post-Tribulational Rapture. The Rapture will take place and the end
of the tribulation.
10.3. RETURN OF CHRIST
10.3.1. It is important to recognise that no matter what decision you make
concerning the millennium, the reality of the second coming of Jesus Christ has been a
part of Orthodox theology since the time of Christ.
10.3.2. The Certainty of His Coming.
10.3.2.1. The Prophecies of Christ.
10.3.2.1.1. Mt 24:30 -- “At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear
in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man
coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.”
10.3.2.1.2. Mt 26:64 -- “’Yes, it is as you say,’ Jesus replied. ‘But I say to all
of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty
One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’”

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10.3.2.2. The Testimony of the angels.
10.3.2.2.1. Ac 1:11 -- “’Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here
looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will
come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.’”
10.3.2.3. The teaching of the apostles.
10.3.2.3.1. Peter -- Ac 3:19-21 -- “… turn to God … that he may send the
Christ, who has been appointed for you--even Jesus. He must remain in heaven until the
time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy
prophets.”
10.3.2.3.2. 2Pe 3:3-9 -- “… in the last days scoffers will come …. They will
say, ‘Where is this “coming” he promised?’ …. But do not forget this one thing, dear
friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day
.… He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to
repentance.”
10.3.2.3.3. Paul -- 1Th 4:15-16 -- “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.”
10.3.2.3.4. Titus 2:13 -- “… while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious
appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ …”
10.3.2.3.5. John -- 1Jo 2:28 -- “And now, dear children, continue in him, so
that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.”
10.3.2.4. The Final Promise of Christ.
10.3.2.4.1. Re 22:7 -- “Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps
the words of the prophecy in this book.”
10.3.3. The Time of His Coming. History from the time of Christ to the
present is full of testimony to the seemingly irresistible temptation to deny the very words
of Christ and set the date for His return. In response to the disciples’ question, “When?”
Christ responded, “It is not for you to know” (Ac 1:6-7). However, the Bible does give us
some indications of the things that must happen before Christ returns. For example, Mk
13:10 says, “And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.”
10.3.3.1. Mt 24:36 -- “No-one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels
in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

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10.3.3.2. Ac 1:6-7 -- “So when they met together, they asked him, ‘Lord, are you
at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He said to them: ‘It is not for you to
know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.’”
10.3.3.3. 1Th 5:1-3 -- “Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to
write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the
night. While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety’, destruction will come on them suddenly,
as labour pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.”
10.3.3.4. Mt 24:14 -- “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the
whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
10.3.4. The Purpose of His Coming. Down through the ages people have been
encouraged by the promise of His coming, partly because they believe it will be wonderful
to see Him face to face, and that is certainly true, but also because the coming of Jesus
Christ will vindicate them in their faith before all who have ridiculed, mocked and even
persecuted them.
10.3.5. If that is true, and it certainly is, how much more, infinitely more, will
this be true when God is finally vindicated. It started with the angels when Lucifer
decided that he could challenge God and win. It started with the very first man and
woman when they decided that they knew better than God what was “good” for them.
Since that first sin men and women have continued to say and/or live as if God were not
really God, at least not the God the Bible claims Him to be. That challenge to everything
that God is will be put down when Jesus Christ comes back. “And then that lawless one
will be revealed who the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end
by the appearance of His coming” (2Th 2:8).
10.3.6. The Millennium
10.3.6.1. Introduction to the Millennium. The word millennium is a Latin word
that is made up of two separate words mille = “thousand,” and anus = “year.” Hence it
means 1000 years. The concept is found in Revelation 20:1-6 and the Greek word used
there is cilia eth (chilia ete), which basically means the same thing. What has the
church throughout history done with these verses? Books have been written trying to
defend, explain, and or modify the concept. What are the basic positions held?
10.3.6.1.1. Re 20:1-6 -- “[A]n angel … seized … Satan, and bound him for a
thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep
him from deceiving the nations any more until the thousand years were ended. After that,
he must be set free for a short time. I saw thrones … And I saw the souls of those who had
been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus …. They came to life and reigned with
Christ for a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand
years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who have part

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in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests
of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.”
10.3.6.2. Amillennialism (see Fig. 11.1., below). Also called Realised
Millennialism, the amillennialist believes that there will be no future reign of Christ on
earth. Rather the kingdom of God is now present in the world through His Word, His
Spirit, and His church.
10.3.6.2.1.1.1. Church. The church fulfils the promises of God
given to Israel because Israel and the church are one and the same--the body of Christ.
10.3.6.2.1.1.2. Covenants. The covenants given by God in the Old
Testament were either conditional, and therefore they are broken and are no longer
applicable, or they are viewed as fulfilled through the church today.
10.3.6.3. Postmillennialism (see Fig. 11.2., below). Believes that the world will
increasingly respond to the preaching of the gospel by the church over an extended period
of time, after which Christ will
return.
10.3.6.3.1. How?
God will use His church to
establish the Kingdom on this
earth.
10.3.6.3.2. How
Long? An extended, indefinite
period of time, but not limited
to 1000 years.
10.3.6.3.3. When
does it Start? The present age
blends into the millennial age.
Most Postmillennialists believe
this kingdom has already
begun on earth.
10.3.6.3.4. Curre
nt Status of the belief. Because
the basic tenet of
Postmillennialism is the belief
that the church will grow and
increasingly influence the
world toward the kingdom, and
because he current conditions

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of the church and the world do not indicate this kind of growing goodness, the position has
basically lost its popularity.
10.3.6.4. Premillennialism. Believes that the Lord Jesus Christ will return to
this earth sometime in the future and will at that time establish His Kingdom upon the
earth for a 1000 year period, after which will come the eternal state. There are two major
types of Premillennialism in Christian Theology today, Historic Premillennialism and
Dispensational Premillennialism.
10.3.6.4.1. Historic Premillennialism (see Fig. 11.3., above) believes in the
millennial reign of Christ on the earth but does not believe in a pretribulational rapture.
Nor is there a difference between Israel and the church.
10.3.6.4.2. Dispensational Premillennialism (see Fig. 11.4., above) is
characterised by a belief in the difference between Israel and the church and (usually) by
the belief in a pretribulational rapture.
10.3.6.5. Panmillennialism. The panmillennialist looks at all of the above views
(and the arguments that are produced among people holding opposing views) and rejects
them all as far more involved and complex than what Scripture teaches. The
panmillennialist says, “Everything will just pan out in the end!” 
10.3.7. The Tribulation
10.3.7.1. The Bible speaks of the persecution and tribulation of the people of God.
10.3.7.2. De 4:30 -- “When you are in distress and all these things have
happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and obey him.”
Fig. 11.5 Views Concerning Last Things
Categories Amillennialism Postmillennialism Historic Premillennialism Dispensational Premillennialism
Christ’s
Second
Coming
1 event; no distinct.
betw/ rapture & 2nd
coming; Intro Eternal
state
1 event; no distinct.
betw/ rapture & 2nd
coming; Christ returns
aft. 1000 yrs
Rapture & 2nd coming @
same time; Christ returns
to reign on earth
Second coming in 2 phases:
Rapture for church; 2nd coming
to earth 7 years later
Resurrection
General Resurrection
of all people at 2nd
coming
General Resurrection of
all people at 2nd coming
Resurrection of believers
at beginning of 1000 yrs;
Resurrection of
unbelievers at end of 1000
yrs.
Distinc. in Resurrections: 1-
Church at rapture; 2-OT/Trib
saints at 2nd coming; 3-
Unbelievers at end of 1000 yrs.
Judgments
One judgment for all
people
One judgment for all
people
1st judgment at 2nd
coming. 2nd judgment at
end of Trib.
Distinction in Judgments: 1-
Believers' works at rapture; 2-
Jews/Gentiles at end of Trib.; 3-
Unbelievers at end of 1000 yrs.
Tribulation
Experienced in present
age
Experienced in present
age
PostTrib: Church goes
through Trib
PreTrib: church raptured prior to
Trib.
Millennium
No literal 1000 yrs on
earth after 2nd coming.
Kingdom present in
church age.
Present age blends into
1000 yrs because of
progress of gospel.
1000 yrs is present &
future. Christ is reigning in
heaven. 1000 yrs not
necessarily 1000 yrs.
At 2nd coming Christ
inaugurates literal 1000 yr, reign
on earth.
Millennium
No literal 1000 yrs on
earth after 2nd coming.
Kingdom present in
church age.
Present age blends into
1000 yrs because of
progress of gospel.
1000 yrs is present &
future. Christ is reigning in
heaven. 1000 yrs not
necessarily 1000 yrs.
At 2nd coming Christ
inaugurates literal 1000 yr, reign
on earth.
Israel &
Church
Church is New Israel—
no distinctions
Church is New Israel—
no distinctions
Some distinctions; future
for Israel but church is
spiritual Israel
Complete distinct. betw/ Israel &
church. Distinct program for
each

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10.1.1.1. Mt 24:21 -- “For then there will be great distress, unequalled from the
beginning of the world until now--and never to be equaled again.”
10.1.1.2. Jo 16:33 -- “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have
peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
10.1.1.3. Ac 14:22 -- “…strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to
remain true to the faith. ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of
God,’ they said.”
10.1.1.4. Ro 5:3-4 -- “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because
we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character,
hope.”
10.1.1.5. 1Th 3:4 -- “In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we
would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.”
10.1.1.6. Re 7:14 -- “I answered, ‘Sir, you know.’ And he said, ‘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.’”
10.1.1.7. The Rapture
10.1.1.7.1. Pre-Tribulation Rapture (see Fig. 11.6., below). This view
maintains that the church will be taken out of the world prior to the beginning of the time
of the tribulation on this earth. All believers who are a part of the church, both dead and
alive, will be resurrected, or transformed, and go to be will
Jesus Christ for that period of trouble that will sweep this
earth in unbelievable fury during that time. Most
pretribulationists would believe that the tribulation period
will last for about seven years.
10.1.1.7.2. Mid-Tribulation Rapture (see Fig.
11.7., below). This view believes that the church will go
through the first half of the tribulation period and will then
be removed at the middle, before the worst part takes place.
10.1.1.7.3. A modification of this view is the
Partial Rapture position. Some hold that only those who are
practicing righteousness and who are expecting the return of
Christ will be taken in the Rapture, and the rest will be left
on this earth to either by martyred, or to go through the
tribulation.

11. SEATS-SOM-TOPC-08 Eschatology 197
10.1.1.7.4. Post-Tribulation Rapture (see Fig. 11.8., below).
Posttribulationists believe that the church will go through the tribulation period. They
often make a distinction between “tribulation” and “wrath.” The Bible does teach that we
will be delivered from “wrath.” Therefore it is claimed that believers will go through the
tribulation, but will be miraculously kept from the wrath, which is a part of that time.
THE END