ESKATOLOGY

Introduction

Once again, I would like to remind that the discussion of Eschatology in this Staff Orientation is
it is not intended to discuss it comprehensively as
discussed in a seminar or theology school that requires at least one
semester (sometimes two semesters). The important thing is the basic understanding.
about this doctrine and what important points are conveyed to
students when discussing this doctrine in one or two sessions.

INTRODUCTION

The teaching of eschatology (end times) is also commonly referred to as

The second coming of Christ has sparked much controversy in
among Christians. There is confusion among believers and
This raises many questions about this teaching. Why?
On one side there are certain churches that are so enthusiastic
discussing it by holding an end times seminar that sometimes does not
proportional because they are so bold in predicting the second coming of Lord Jesus
Definitely. Instead of providing clarity, what happens is confusion.
in the midst of the congregation.
On the other side, there are churches that consider this teaching to be not
important that it is rarely talked about. As a result, the congregation does not
understand anything about the teachings of the end times and what the congregation needs
understand that. In fact, the Bible clearly talks about it and Jesus asks
People believe in 'reading the signs of the times.'
An intense attitude that invites sensations and predictions.
excessive and an attitude of ignorance and indifference towards the teachings of the end times
There are two wrong attitudes. What should the correct attitude be? We
to learn it in the light of the Bible so that we remain "alert and vigilant"
when His day has come.

THE IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING ESCHATOLOGY

There are several reasons why we study this teaching:

The Bible teaches that history will not unfold by itself like that.
yes, but it is in Allah's control. The history of the world will end and that will happen.
at the time of Christ's second coming, namely the end of times.
Hoekema excellently discusses the meaning of history in his book the Bible.
and the End of Days
We believers who live in this world should not be too busy.
by this world and attached to it, so that we forget that we will later
receiving "a part that cannot perish, that cannot be contaminated, and
that does not wither, which is kept in heaven for us (1 Pet 1:4). Therefore we
We must connect what we are doing now with our understanding.
the second coming of the Lord. As Martin Luther said, 'I only
 There are two days, today and that day. I want to live today in the light.
that day (the day of the second coming of Christ)
3. That the crimes and suffering occurring in the world will only end at
the end of times. Our hope and longing for a world full of happiness and
The ideal can only be fulfilled at the end of time. Indeed, we cannot be too...
optimistic about the state of the world, for it is written, 'whereas the wicked
but evil men will grow worse and worse” (2 Tim 3:13).

RAMAL-MERAMAL TIME OF GOD

Initially, we mentioned the existence of certain groups that are so fervent.

talking about the end times and confidently predicting the time of arrival
God. This has happened a long time ago. For example, they mention the year 1000, 1260,
1420, 1533, 1843, 1844, 1847, 1851, 1914, 1918, 1925, 1941, 1975, 1982, 1988, 1992
since 1998. What happened? Everything turned out to be a lie. But many people
not deterred, once a person confidently said that the end times will be
happened in the year 2000.
What is the basis for these groups to make predictions? Some
the principles of the forecasts underlying their calculations are as follows:

For the faithful (children of the day: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11) and those who receive power
The Holy Spirit (Acts 1:6-8), the time of Jesus' arrival is considered to be knowable. That means
the Christian community that receives the Spirit (baptized with the Spirit and speaks in tongues) will
know exactly when Jesus will return.
2. The attempt to calculate the numbers in the Bible that
considered capable of accurately predicting the events of the end times
and the second coming of the Lord.
3. Generally, the formula used for calculation is 1 day = 1 year (Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel
4:4-6) and 1 day = 1000 years (2Pet 3:8; Ps 90:4) as a calculation formula
to indicate the exact year of the event.
The creation of the earth in 6 days concluded with the Sabbath on the 7th day is considered
equal to 6000 years of Earth's history and ending with 1000 years of Sabbath
(the kingdom of a thousand years), and the day of creation is considered to be in the year 4000 BC, and
The Thousand Year Kingdom is considered to have begun in the year 2000. The calculation above.
based on the formula that 1 day equals 1000 years, and it is considered that the kingdom
one thousand years (Why 20) equals 1000 x 365 days, not the meaning of the symbol.
5. The end times are also linked to the establishment of the state of Israel (1948) as
the fulfillment of the budding of the fig tree where Jesus is considered to come in
the period of one generation/one generation (Mat 24:32-34) after that year. There is
those who argue 50 years until Jesus is sure to come in 1998.
10 European countries that joined the ME are interpreted as fulfillment
The revelation about the 10 fingers of the statue (Daniel 2:31-45) and the beast with 10 horns
(Daniel 7:7-10; Revelation 1:1-2), while the king in Daniel 9:27 is regarded as the president
The European Union that will function as the Antichrist whose government
brings great suffering. At the end of the last seven years, Jesus
will come to earth accompanied by His holy people and will rule the earth for
1000 years (Why 20) and the Devil is bound. At the end of the thousand-year reign, the Devil
will be released in a moment and then the final punishment will occur.
After that, the New Heaven and Earth appeared.
BIBLICAL TEACHING ON ESCHATOLOGY

Can the interpretations and forecasts stated above be

is it accountable for its accuracy? What is actually being said and
What is meant by the Bible about the end times / the second coming of Jesus?

A. Christ Will Surely Come Again

The Bible clearly says that Christ will certainly return.

He himself talked about it at length with His disciples (Matt 24-
25). Some verses need our attention:
- For this reason, keep watch, because you do not know on what day...
Your God is coming.
- Matthew 24:44: "Therefore, you also be ready, for the Son of Man"
comes at an unexpected time.
When Jesus ascended to heaven, the disciples were gazing up at the sky, two men
dressed in white said to them:
O men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus,
the one who was lifted to heaven leaving you, will return in a way
the same” (Acts 1:11).
Paul often writes about this in his letters and is very
missing the event. For example:
Now there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me

to me by God, the Just Judge, on His day; but not only

to me, but also to all those who long for His coming
(2 Tim 4:8).
Even in his first letter to the Thessalonian church, Paul
touching on this in each chapter, for example 1:9-10; 2:19-20; 3:13; 4:13-18;
5:23
The other disciples of Jesus also talked about it, for example Peter (1 Pet 1:7,13;
2 Peter 1:16; 3:4,12), John (1 John 2:28); James (James 5:7-8).
From that explanation of the Bible, we must reject the theories that cause doubt.
His second coming. He will surely come, but what is uncertain is
the time of His arrival. There are indeed people who try to predict it with
speculative or in some way labeled "based on the Bible." But
they must
remembering that the Lord Jesus said, "but about that day or hour no one knows
no one knows ...” (Mark 13: 12) and “You do not need to know the times
the time, which the Father has set by His authority” (Acts 1:7). If Jesus said
thus,
What does it mean if there is a servant of God who teaches about dates and years?
The arrival of Jesus for sure?

B. The Nature of Christ's Coming

1. Personal
Kis 1:11; 14:3b; 1Tes 4:16-17.
2.Physical/With Body
 The second coming of Jesus is not spiritual, but believers will see.
His arrival in a physical form has a resurrected body, a glorious body (Acts
1:11).
3.Visible
He will come in the same way you saw Him go up.
heaven" (Acts 1:11). Also, pay attention to the words of the Lord Jesus in Matthew 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 gaze and they will see the Son of Man.
coming above the clouds in the sky with all power and
His glory.
4.Unexpected
-Mat 24:38-39: His coming is compared to the coming of the Flood.
in the time of Noah.
-1 Thessalonians 5:1-3: The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
The parable of the wise and foolish virgins (Matt 25:1-13).
5. Triumphant and Glorious
Matthew 24:30: He comes with all glory and power.
-1 Thessalonians 4:16: He will come with the archangel.

C. The Purpose of Christ's Coming

1. The resurrection of the dead – the believers and the unbelievers (John 5:28-29).
2. The final judgment (those who do not believe and reject Christ will
live in hell forever (Revelation 20:11-15)
3. To gather His people (1 Thessalonians 4:17; Revelation 6:4).
4. To complete the work of God's salvation
a. Sin, death, and the devil will be removed from the world belonging to God (1 Cor 15:22-
28;42-57; Why 12:7-11; 20:1-10)
b. The new era established (2 Pet 3:1-13; Rev 22:1-5)

D. Signs Before the Coming of Christ

The emergence of the antichrist (Matt 24:23-24). "The Abomination of Desolation" [Matt 24:15]
The existence of deceiving spirits (Mark 13).
The spread of the Gospel to all nations (Matt 24:14).
Severe and widespread persecution of the believers (Dan 11:44; Mat
24:9,10; Mark 13:9,12,13; Luke 21:12-17.
The number of people who fall away from faith is accompanied by the emergence of false prophets.
with
signs and wonders (Matt 24:10-11; 1 Tim 4:4,1; 2 Tim 4:3-4; 2 Thess)
2:3,9).
A mighty earthquake and famine (Why 6:12; 18:8; Luk 21:10,11).
The gathering of the nation of Israel and their repentance (Rom 11).
The arrival of this world dictator (Why13:7).
The destruction of humanity by fire (Revelation 8:7-8).

KINGDOM OF A THOUSAND YEARS

 One of the most debated topics among biblical scholars is
about the Thousand Year Kingdom. This topic is also what divides Christians into
In certain fortifications. Millennium (Latin), mille = thousand, annus = year.
In Revelation 20 it is written: 'He (the angel) seized the dragon, that old serpent,'
that is the Devil and Satan. And he bound him for a thousand years" (2) "I also
seeing their souls, which have been beheaded for the testimony about
Jesus and because of the Word of God... and they lived again and ruled as
reign together with Christ for a thousand years" (verse 4).
The question is, is that thousand-year kingdom literal?
or not (symbolically)? If indeed that thousand-year kingdom will truly be
It truly happens on Earth, the next question is whether Jesus Christ will come.
before or after the millennium. Let us examine the following four perspectives.
(Anthony Hoekema discusses this topic in depth in his book The Bible and
End of Times

1. Premillennium - Dispensational.
This view states that Christ will come again before
the kingdom of a thousand years. They believe in parousia (the coming of Christ)
the second) will happen twice. First, Christ will come secretly to
believers and takes all believers to the clouds/sky (rapture) during
approximately 7 years. Second, Christ will come with the believers to the earth
and together with them Christ will reign on earth for a thousand years.
At this time, the Devil is bound for 1000 years. After this period of 1000 years
finished, the devil will be released for a short time, but Christ will soon
it was destroyed. Then a new heaven and earth were formed.
This group does not see the continuity between the people of God in the Old Testament.
(Israel) with the people of God in the New Testament (the church of believers). They see
that these two groups are separate groups. Therefore, God
treating them as 2 separate groups of people until
eternity. Many of God's promises to His people (Israel) do not go unnoticed.
its fulfillment in the PB but during the era of the 1000-year kingdom. The principle of approach
this group towards the Bible is a literal interpretation. According to them, this is
the correct method of interpretation, the others are wrong. Therefore, Revelation 20 must also be
understood literally.
Another view from the Dispensation Group is the occurrence of several times.
the resurrection of humans and at least three times of the final judgment.
(
2. Premillennium - Historical.
This view states that Christ will come again to the earth and
together with the believers will reign for 1000 years. This group
believe in the existence of two resurrections of the dead, namely, first, at the beginning
the second coming of Christ at the beginning of the millennium, the second, is at the end
millennium. This view is based on Revelation 20, where they argue
that 1000 years is literal and the first resurrection in verse 6 is
the resurrection of the body.

This group also believes that in the time before the millennium will
terrible torture occurred, cosmic chaos and great suffering. However
In the worst of times, Christ will come to establish the kingdom.
a thousand years. This time is a time full of peace and truth.
3. Post Millennium.
 Adherents of this view believe that a great evangelization will occur on earth,
as it is written in Matt 24:14 "And this Gospel of the Kingdom will be proclaimed in
the whole world becomes a testimony for all nations, after that it will come
the end.” (Mat 24:14). They believe that a golden age of the church will come.
The prayer taught by Lord Jesus: 'Your kingdom come on earth as in heaven.'
Heaven will truly come to pass. The reign of Christ, where He
governing in the hearts of humans will happen perfectly and universally.
That is why this view is called 'An optimistic view'.
According to this view, the world to come has no differences.
essential with today's world. The world will become better along with
the more the Gospel spreads and the more people in the world become
Crime does not completely disappear, but it is decreasing.
until it reaches the minimum point. This is a consequence of the human heart on earth
is increasingly changing. All the problems that occur will be resolved. This period
will be concluded with the parousia, accompanied by the resurrection of the dead and
the last judgment.

4. Amillennium.
A.A. Hoekema, in his summary of the Amillennial position, divides
eschatology is divided into two, namely:
inaugurated eschatology
-future eschatology.
What is meant by inaugurated eschatology is the aspect of eschatology.
which has occurred now, in the period when the church exists
and developed - the era of good news. Meanwhile, what is meant by the future
Eschatology is the aspect of its fulfillment, which is when Christ comes for the second time.
Regarding inaugurated eschatology, Hoekema mentions several
hal
Christ has perfectly triumphed over sin, death, and Satan.
Through the sinless life of Christ and His death on the cross because
our sins, then Christ has overcome sin. And through His death
his victory when He rose, death has been defeated. Christ has
defeating the devil through His perfect obedience to the Father and
win over various trials.
The Kingdom of God has two sides, the current aspect and the aspect that will come.
come.
This group believes that the kingdom of God was established by Christ when He
Living in this world and moving towards its perfection in the hereafter.
Read: Matt 12:28; Luke 17:20-21; Rom 14:17; 1 Cor 4:19-20; Col 1:13-14
Aspects to note: 1 Corinthians 6:9; Galatians 5:21; Ephesians 5:5; 2 Timothy 4:18.

3. Although the last day is yad, we are living now in an era

last days (last days). What is meant by the last days (last days)
is the time between Christ's first coming and Christ's second coming
coming for the second time. Acts 2:16-17; 1 Corinthians 10:11; 1 John 2:18.
Also read about the last day in: John 6:39-40, 44, 54; 11:24; 12:48.
4. In relation to Revelation 20, about the 1000-year kingdom, we are currently
living in a kingdom for 1000 years.
Here the 1000-year kingdom is understood to begin with the first coming of Christ.
until the coming of Christ the second time. At this time, the devil is bound in
art cannot hinder/stop the spread of the Gospel and cannot deceive
 nations. According to this view, during this 1000 years, the soul of the people
Believe that those who have passed away are now in heaven. They are now alive.
and reign with Christ, while they await the resurrection
their body. Thus, the millennium in Revelation 20 is not
literally, but referring to a quite long period. A thousand years
considered a multiple of ten, which means expressing a perfect number - old
once. There are even those who believe that the binding of the Devil for 1000 years,
actually expresses the perfect victory of Christ. So, people
martyr in Christ, is currently experiencing perfect victory,
reigning in Heaven with Christ. Thus, this vision provides
comfort for the early congregation that suffered so much because of their faith,
and whose family members have become martyrs. According to this view,
this world will eventually come to an end with the coming of the second Christ, at the time
there will be a general resurrection and final judgment.

WHICH VIEW IS MORE BIBLICAL

Reading the lengthy explanation from A.A. Hoekema about the Kingdom of a Thousand
In Wayu year 20, personally I tend to choose to be in a position
It is more comprehensive in its presentation about Revelation 20 because it is strictly
considering the principles of interpreting the Book of Revelation as a whole, namely parallelism
progressive, an approach that divides the seven parts of the Book of Revelation that are of a...
parallel to one another.. Each parallel depicts the history of the church
and the world began from the arrival of Christ to us until His coming
the second time. Also, the person concerned pays attention to the genre of the Book of Revelation as
book of prophecy and apocalypse, which indeed has many symbols
The parallels are articles 1-3, 4-7, 8-11, 12-14, 15-16, 17-19, 20-22.
(A lengthy explanation about this progressive parallel is discussed by A.A. Hoekema)
in his book The Bible and the End Times

CLOSING

Christ will surely return. When? No one knows. What does it mean?
for us? To remind us of how our life is right now? Are we
according to His will, serving Him or far from God?
And the most important thing: are we ready? So, be alert and on guard.
Behold, for Jesus said, "YES, I AM COMING SOON!" (Revelation 22:20).
Amen.