September 1996 - The End of Time
The End of Time
Rusty MillerJanuary 1991. President George Bush announces that the United States is at war with Iraq in the Persian Gulf. Within days, religious bookstores are filled with books explaining how these events are tied to the end of the world. Most of these volumes use the book of Revelation as their "jumping off" point, with some even being so bold as to name Saddam Hussein as the beast of chapter 13, explaining how the letters in his name "add up" to 666. A few even offer "prophecy" stating that the end of the world is imminent. Small groups of overly zealous believers in these prophecies begin to quit their jobs and transfer their families to a central location to "wait on the Lord." more...
Can We Predict the End of Time?
Mark RobertsFor believers in Jesus no event is more anticipated or longed for than His Second Coming. It will mean vindication and glory and redemption and heaven. In our hearts we long for it, pray for it, and hope for it soon (1 Cor. 16:22). Unfortunately, many do more than that. They predict the exact time of Jesus' arrival. more...
Are We Now In the Last Days?
Jerry FiteTo the modern Premillennialist, one sign of the beginning of the last days came on May 14, 1948 when the Jewish nation became known as the State of Israel. Since then, every report of rumbling earthquakes, erupting volcanoes, or Middle East disturbances has the Premillennialist thinking the Lord's return is imminent, or the "last days" are here. Should we believe that the last days have at long last come upon us who live in the latter half of the twentieth century? Does the Bible tell us when the last days began? Were the first century Christians living in the last days? more...
What Will Happen on Judgement Day?
Ricky Jenkins"The deeds we do, the words we say, into the still air they seem to fleet, we count them ever past; but they shall last, - in the dread judgment they and we shall meet" (John Keeble). On judgment day the Lord shall descend from Heaven (1 Thess. 4:16). The dead shall be raised and the living changed (1 Cor. 15:52; Jn. 5:28-29). There will be universal wailing (Rev. 1:7; 6:16-17). All nations shall be gathered before the great judge (Mt. 25:32). No one will be exempt. Then He will separate the sheep from the goats, wheat from the chaff. The great judge will welcome the righteous home, and He will condemn the wicked to everlasting punishment (Mt. 25:34, 41). Judgment will be individual and according to man's works (2 Cor. 5:10). We will stand alone. Judgment will be according to God's word. There will be no plea bargaining or excuses. Judgment will be complete, including: our thoughts and our words (Matt. 12:36-37). We will have no secrets or hidden skeletons as we stand before the judge (Rev. 20:12-14). Judgment will be final (Matt. 25:41-46). There will be no procrastination. Today is our second chance; at judgment all opportunities will have ceased. I don't know about you but just to consider these things is pretty weighty and sure makes me want to do better at serving God. more...
Will There Be a Rapture?
Lawrence KellyThe word rapture never appears in the Bible, however there is a "catching up into Heaven" spoken of in 1 Thes. 4:15-17. The passage says,"For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words." more...
The Millenial Reign
Steve DewhirstFew scriptures have sparked more imaginations than Revelation 20. Theories are legion about John's statement, "And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years" (vs.4). more...
The Church and the Kingdom
Foy VinsonA prominent theme in the New Testament is the kingdom of God. No serious student of scripture can have failed to observe that in the teaching of Jesus Christ a leading place was given to this kingdom. This is seen most strikingly in the account of Matthew. Here Jesus is continually speaking of the kingdom of heaven or the kingdom of God, and he leaves no doubt that a rich blessing awaits those who become a part of it, that it is the thing to be sought "first" in one's life and indeed is the "pearl of great price." more...
Will God Punish the Wicked Eternally?
Larry BrownTwo young boys were talking. "Do you believe in the devil?" The second boy replied, "Naw, the devil is just like Santa Clause, he's your dad!" Unfortunately, many people have this same attitude, thinking there is no devil, hell, or eternal torment; they are simply figments of man's imagination, created to frighten people. If it is not an out-right denial of the existenct of hell, then it usually goes something like, "I don't believe a loving God would punish anyone." From this idea comes the doctrine of "Once Saved Always Saved." This may give comfort to those who believe this doctrine, but it is a false comfort. Thus, the question "Will God Punish the Wicked Eternally?" Actually this is not one question, but three: (1) Will God Punish? (2) Who will God Punish? and (3) What is the Nature of this Punishment? Let us examine each of these questions individually. more...
Is Hell Real?
Scott EversoleMany people are thrilled and anxious about the glories of heaven but find it difficult and unpleasant to face the realities of hell. This has led some to deny the very existence of hell and its accompanying punishment. Instead of eternal punishment they suggest that at death the body and soul of the unrighteous are destroyed at once. A God that promises eternal happiness with minimal consequences for disobedience is a "comforting" thought in some ways. It diminishes the fear of failing and heightens the contrast of success. However, they proclaim these views in direct contradiction to the scriptures. By doing so they endanger their own souls as well as the thousands they come in contact with. more...
The Beast and 666
Allen DvorakThe number "666" is recognized by nearly everyone as a special number. It is associated in the minds of people with evil and power and frequently used as a symbol of evil by those who are involved in occult practices. And yet perhaps many people are not aware of the number's connection to the Bible or its significance. more...
Fatal Flaws of Premillenialism
Mark RobertsPremillenialism is one of the most common viewpoints about the end times. Simply stated it postulates that before Jesus' return, and during or immediately preceding a time of intense tribulation, all faithful Christians will be "raptured" or suddenly snatched away to heaven. Shortly following this dramatic event Jesus will return to earth to establish a physical, earthly kingdom in Israel (finally fulfilling God's promises to Abraham) and reign there for 1000 years. There are many other ideas and doctrines that come with premillenial belief, but that is a fair summary of the basic and most crucial tenets of this view of the end times. Dallas Theological Seminary has cranked out numerous writers and preachers who have pressed this viewpoint, not the least of which has been Hal Lindsey. Mr. Lindsey's best-sellers, like The Late Great Planet Earth and 1980's: Countdown to Armageddon have taken the technical and theological complexities out of premillenialism and given it to the common man. Yet many don't realize how badly they are being misled. Premillenialism is not biblical, nor is it true. It utterly fails because: more...
Is Modern Israel Important?
Kevin KayJerry Falwell: "God has raised up America in these last days for the cause of world evangelism and for the protection of His people, the Jews. I don't think America has any other right or reason for existence than those two purposes." .... "To stand against Israel is to stand against God." more...
Apocalyptic Literature
Mark RobertsThe key texts for the majority of premillenial doctrine come from the apocalyptic books of the Bible. The term "apocalyptic" means an "uncovering" or "revealing," and it refers to those books that disclose divine secrets by means of signs and symbols. But how do we make a proper use of apocalyptic books, like Daniel, Zechariah, and Revelation? more...
The New Heavens and the New Earth
David HolderWhen the day of God comes, the heavens and earth will be destroyed. "But," the apostle Peter declares, "according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells" (2 Peter 3:13). Peter's description of "new heavens and a new earth" is a rich Old Testament allusion. We understand it properly only by turning first to its use in Isaiah 65:17 and 66:22. more...
The End of Time:
A Reminder From Jesus
David Thomely
Even a cursory reading of the gospels will impress one with the concept of judgment which was so prominent in the teachings of Jesus. Many of the parables were built around a judgment theme. The discussion of the wheat and tares culminates with an affirmation that a separation would come, and the tares would be burned. Or, the kingdom of heaven is likened to a net cast into the sea, which gathered fish of every kind. At last, however, the fish would be separated and some would be cast out. Jesus often spoke of humanity in terms of a two-fold division: the wheat and chaff, the sheep and goats, the wise and foolish builders, the prepared and unprepared wedding guests. more...
What is Revelation About?
Rusty MillerIn the second and third chapters of the Revelation of John, our Lord and Savior writes letters to seven churches. The message is not one of joy and peace, but of oncoming tribulation and sorrow, as Jesus explains the persecution and trials these Christians will soon face. The letters though, are far from depressing, because contained in each message is a phrase of immense hope, a comforting expression of the promises of God. Each of these phrases is addressed "To him who overcomes . . ." and offers great reassurance of the power of the King they served (2:7,17,26-28,3:5,12,21). more...
Was A.D. 70 the End?
Melvin D. CurryEschatology is the study of Christ's final coming, the resurrection of the dead, the last judgment, and the new heavens and the new earth; some persons believe all these "last things" have already been accomplished. One small group of realized eschatologists have targeted ad 70 as the time of the end when the "last things" occurred. Michael Hill writes: "Christ's eschaton . . . began at the cross and ended in his parousia (presence/coming) at Jerusalem at the end of the 7-year war with Rome . . . Thus, true to Jesus' words, that old world ended, the dead were judged, the saved were resurrected, and a whole new realm of grace began" (The Cure for Millennial Madness, p. 3). Therefore, they say, the Bible teaches absolutely nothing about any event that will occur beyond ad 70. more...
What is God Waiting For?
Warren BerkleyYou may enjoy no certainty about the weather, national politics, your own health and finances or the future of your local church, but you can be certain of this: "...the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night!" more...
The End - Are You Ready?
Tony MauckThe matter is often given very little thought. Few people relish thinking about one's own death. Some actually approach life's end in virtual denial. Young people usually carry on with feelings of immortality. The thinking is, "Death is only for old folks." Seriously, when you pillow your head at night, does the thought ever occur to you that there might not be a tomorrow? We hear of people who died early and tragically. Our hearts touched, we experience remorse over the crash victims whose plane was bombed out of the sky. But death possibly knocking at my door? We don't want to think about it. The Bible records the words of a man who wanted to contemplate the end. In an unusual request, David prayed, "Lord, make me to know my end and what is the extent of my days. Let me know how transient I am" (Psalm 39:4). more...
After the End for Christians
Stewart CoffmanI frequently find myself reminding patients I see in the emergency room of what they have to live for. Many of my patients have lived tragic, unrewarding lives and believe terminating their physical body will relieve them of their hurt and pain. Preparing this article has transformed my thinking. Rather than remind them of what they might have to live for, I should instead remind them they have nothing to die for. They will perish, and far from removing their pain, will have to endure an eternity of weeping. Christians, however, have nothing to "live for" in this sense and everything to die for. We know we are but sojourners (I Peter 1:17-19) on this physical earth and our reward awaits us and is being held secure for us by Christ on the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1-4, I Peter 1:4). more...
The Preacher's Pen
Mark RobertsWhile doing research for this issue of Abundant Life I came across the sad story of a misguided "preacher" who told his flock the world was ending and God wanted them to go to Florida. So off they went, driving from the panhandle of Texas toward the Atlantic coast. Along they way they decided that money and clothes were possessed by the devil and so they threw them all away. As their cars ran out of gas, they just piled more people into fewer cars. more...