God's Plan - The Future

Introduction

There is probably more discussion on this topic among Christians than any other. Prophetic passages comprise the most hotly debated of any in Scripture. The reason? They haven't happened yet! Hindsight is 20/20 as they say, so it is very obvious when history takes place and we see prophecy fulfilled. However, eschatological prophecy (prophecy of the end times) is different. Many symbols are used, and colorful language is used that we are not accustomed to hearing. Differing viewpoints on interpretation abound because we can find holes in all models of our future. With nearly 1/3 of Scripture having to do with prophecy, this is no great wonder! It is for this reason that there is an entire section devoted to prophecy on this website.

Can we agree on anything?

If you take 5 theologians and ask them what will take place at the end of the world, you're likely to get 6 answers! The details to be worked out are in so great a number that the possible combinatins may seem endless. But there are certain basics, the main things, that Christians do agree on. Without comment as to the variables involved - the basic, historic, Christian concept of the end of the world includes the following events:

  • Christ's Second Coming: Christ returns to defeat Satan once and for all  (Acts 1: 6-11).
  • The Resurrection: Dead believers rise to meet Christ in the air at His return  (1 Thess 4:16).
  • The Judgment: God judges all people on the basis of their faith and believers in Christ are rewarded with eternal life with God in Heaven (Rev 21:1-9) while non-believers suffer eternal separation from God in hell  (Rev 20:11-15).

Each of these is affirmed in the historic Christian creeds. Anyone familiar with today's popular positions will notice several elements missing from this list, also from many church's doctrinal statements! As can be seen here, there is a lot of room for movement within the orthodox view. Other variables include:

  • The Apostasy: a worldwide turning from God (2 Tim 3:1; 2 Thess 2:3).
  • The Rapture: Living believers caught up into the air to meet Christ at His return (1 Thess 4:17).
  • The Antichrist: an end time world ruler who is controlled by Satan (2 Thess 2:2-10).
  • The Tribulation: the trials that the world will endure prior to Christ's return (Rev 7, 8-9, 16).

We do know that Christ will return bodily believers will be caught up together with Him to be with Him always, and He will judge the world in perfect righteousness, resulting in the eternal separation of believers and unbelievers. Beyond that, it's pretty much up for grabs.

Does It Matter?

Many people were speculating about what would happen to the world once the new millennium was upon us, much as they did during the last one (although legends of mass hysteria are now being regarded as highly exaggerated). Will the world end? Will we see a great purge of the unenlightened ushering in a New Age of peace and prosperity? Will our "alien space brothers" finally come down to earth and tell us what's really going on in the universe?  The Bible has much to say about what will happen at the end. Sadly, however, most people will be surprised when it comes for lack of knowledge (1 Thess. 5:4). Some of this lack comes from within the church itself, as publishing houses are interested only in low grade novels or speculation by "prophecy experts" that seem to spend more time in the newspaper than the Bible.

I am concerned that the Christian church (particularly in America) has been given a false sense of security on matters of the end of the age. A sort of spiritual malaise seems to have set in with regard to eschatology (God wouldn't dare disrupt our American Dream would He?). I have heard all too many times the idea that prophecy is "just a side issue" that really isn't important. Somehow knowledge of Biblical prophecy is not important because "in the end we know who wins!" While true from an eternal perspective, that statement seems to have been (mis)understood to mean, "none of it will happen to us, so who cares what it says?" But it must be asked: Is any part of God's Word unimportant? Would anyone dare question or (worse) ignore God's teaching on anything He puts emphasis on? Should believers be willing to ignore a full 1/4 of God's Word because it sounds too confusing or scary??? Consider the following:

  • 25% of the Bible is prophetic in nature.
  • 224 out of 333 prophecies concerning the Coming of Christ regard His Second Coming
  • More OT prophets speak of Christ's Second Coming, than of His First Coming. 
  • In over 50 verses in the New Testament, believers are given warning to be ready for the events occuring at the end.

    • If these teachings do not concern believers, then why did God spend so much time and space imparting them to us? The Bible is profitable in all it says, so we are to know prophecy as well.