intro to eschatology?

[jason_r]

first of all, sorry for my ignorance in this area. it seems like a pretty complex topic that i'd like to know more about and i think the easiest way would be if someone can provide a short intro to this subject.

i've read prophecies here and there throughout the bible of the last days, but i'm not really sure in what order they're supposed to happen. and the book of revelation is greek to me (bad pun!). what are the prophecies that are to be fulfilled in the last days and in what order? also, have they started being fulfilled (is this what's referred to as preterism)? if so, which ones?

thanks a lot for any help on this.

jason

[studyhound]

http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10992
Check out this thread, defined many of the points you are asking there. :teeth:

Ya I am a eschatology Geek!

[Chief of Staff Lizard]

That's a pretty open question. Do have any frame of reference you want to start with?

IOW Do you favor one of the major eschatological schools, Preterism, Futurism, Historicism, or Idealism? or are you wide open?

Also did you have any particular prophecy in mind?

[jason_r]

thanks for the replies. i'll check out the link and ask any follow up questions that i may have here. although, i did skim parts of the link and i have a feeling it's going to make my head spin. :tongue:

[studyhound]

jason_r:

thanks for the replies. i'll check out the link and ask any follow up questions that i may have here. although, i did skim parts of the link and i have a feeling it's going to make my head spin. :tongue:

Dizzy, I'm so dizzy my head is spinnin. . . . . whoa '80's flashback :noid:



:studyhound:

[Rev John Hansen]

Dear Jason: One thing that really helped me with the study of eschatology, was the discovery that the book of Revelation is very much a "history book" written about 80 a.d. with past history, present history and future history as the subject and especially as it relates to the church. It is very much written in Analagous and Symbolic language, commonly known to many in the Christian and Jewish people alive in 80 a.d. If one takes the time to study the meaning of this symbolic language and takes the time to actually understand church and ancient history, the book of Revelation becomes very meaningful and understandable. Sincerely yours, John

[Ted]

Jason,

Before you dive into prophecy, please back up a moment and consider the purpose of prophecy. God gives prophecy to inform us as to His purposes (Amos 3:7). He also gives it to give us faith from fulfilled prophecy (John 13:19; 14:29).

God's ultimate purpose is to redeem fallen humanity and prevent sin from ever arising again. This means that He has to refute Satan's false accusations in a way that is absolutely convincing to everyone, including the angels who did not fall.

Satan thought it to be unjust that only Yahweh was to be worshiped (Isa 14, Ezek 28). God is a liar (Gen 3). God is corrupt (Job 1). God unfairly rewards His friends with salvation (Zech 3). Each of these accusations must be refuted completely. And this is the framework on which all of history and prophecy runs.

God allows the events of history (and by reference, prophecy) to transpire in such a way as to be a completely convincing demonstration of His mercy and justice, while similarly showing Satan's actions to be irretrievably wicked.

If you keep this principle in focus, it will help you to properly understand prophecy. Otherwise, you may solve a puzzle, but will not learn about God's incredible grace and mercy. And it is likely that your solution will be wrong.

You will notice that I have not picked a school of thought to support. But if you follow this principle, you will find that those who focus on geo-political events, or who decline to consider the Old Testament context of New Testament expressions are solving Rubik's Cube wrongly. Keep your eyes on Christ.

Ted