Eschatology Made Simple

The Two Age System: The Bible’s Own System

Ever since my change of perception on Reformed Theology, and the Doctrines of Grace, I’ve been trying to open my eyes a bit more and letting scripture teach me instead of being led by the teachings of man. I realized when I saw my error regarding election and other reformed theology, that I have all along been filtering scripture through my own misconceptions. I have recently termed it “reading scripture with my blinders on”. I think this is extremely true and must be acknowledged if we are to clearly understand scripture the way that God intended us to. All of our concepts taught by worldly men and circumstances distort our view of scripture and how we absorb it.

Recently I have decided to Re-study the eschatology I had been taught as I had begun to see other distortions in my perception of scripture and my view on the end times. Formerly I had been taught the Dispensational view of the End Times, however none of those who I learned this theory from offered summaries or explanations of the other three viewpoints, only how to “disprove” these views with specific yet figurative/symbolic scriptures. None of these scriptures offered in defense of this view are very clear in meaning. I did however believe this view as do many evangelicals. I know now that I believed this theory due to not knowing the true view of the other three viewpoints on eschatology. The Dispensational view of End Times is very dramatic and complex. This fact is underscored by the series Left Behind, by Tim Lahaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. This series has sold several million copies since it’s inception. I am not in any regard putting down the series as I have read it and as a work of fiction it is well written, and very entertaining. I have recently begun to doubt the validity of this viewpoint on Eschatology due to the many holes in the theory as well as the general confusion it lead me to. The main reason however is due to a recent eye opening experience I have had with regard to my view on the general time periods in biblical terminology.

My eye opening experience occurred yesterday while reading The End Times Made Simple, by Samuel E. Waldron. For the first time since my conversion I now have a clear understanding of what each viewpoint believes. I also have a clearer understanding of the biblical view of the broad time periods discussed in Eschatology. I will outline the four views below and the time-line that each ascribes to in view of the End Times. These are the most general summaries as each viewpoint has branches of views that do not all agree on all terms. All of these viewpoints hinge upon the millennium and the return of Christ. Each differing on the relation of these two events in scripture.

Historic Premillennialism

Also known as Covenant Premillennialism as they do not believe in the separation of Israel and the Church in Scripture. This form of premillennialism rejects the idea of a “secret” rapture of the Dispensational viewpoint. This form believes in the single return of Christ at the beginning of the millennium and the end of the tribulational period. The following is a time-line of the Historic Premillennial viewpoint.

Dispensational Premillennialism

Characterized by a belief in a separation between Israel and the Church in the biblical time-line. Classic Dispensationalists believe that the biblical clock for Israel stopped running at the Resurrection of Christ which began the Church Age. The clock will begin ticking again at a “secret” rapture when Christ returns for the Church. There is much conflict over the “secret” rapture of the Church and the two returns of Christ in this viewpoint. There is also much confusion regarding the time frame of this “secret” rapture with regard to the tribulational period of End Times prophecy. Most Dispensationalists are Pretribulation rapture believers. In this viewpoint Christ returns finally at the end of the tribulation period and beginning of the millennium. The following is a time-line of the Classic Dispensational viewpoint.

Post Millennialism

Characterized by a belief in a golden age(Millennium) brought to pass by spiritual means before the return of Christ, also in direct contrast to Premillenialism. Also Post-Tribulational in relation to the Millenium and return of Christ. The following is a time-line of the Post Millennial viewpoint.

Amillennialism

Literally means no Millennialism. This view is characterized by a belief that the Millennium may not be a “literal” 1000 year time period. Those who ascribe to this belief do not believe in the Millennium in the same sense as that of the Dispensationalists. They do not believe in a “literal” 1000 year reign of Christ on earth before the eternal state brought in by Christ’s return. This Millennium period is believed to occur symbolically/figuratively between the first and second advent of Christ. The following is a time-line of the Amillennial viewpoint.

With a good general idea of the beliefs of each of the four main viewpoints and their relationship to the Millennium and the return of Christ, we can see the characteristics of each and how they relate to each other based upon these characteristics.

Basic Principles of Biblical Interpretation

There is a methodology of biblical Interpretation that follows:

• The Clear before the Difficult
• The Literal before the Figurative
• The General before the Detailed

Up until yesterday I had not been fully following this methodology in my interpretation of scriptures. I didn’t even realize this until I started to look at the scriptures outlined for the Two Age interpretation, all of which are extremely clear and literal in context. I came to the realization that I had been using figurative and symbolic passages of scripture to interpret the literal and clear passages. This is the direct opposite way that I should have been interpreting scripture and which would have given me a clearer understanding of many figurative and symbolic passages, instead of confused which is what I became.

My process of removing my worldly “blinders” and misconceptions has slowly and graciously given me a much deeper understanding of scripture, and a wonderfully clearer perception of our Amazing Lord and His Divine Grace.

The Two Age System

The scriptures clearly, concisely and literally describe all time encapsulated into two ages; This Age and the Age to come. They also clearly do not allow for any parenthetical periods between these two ages nor before or after. Let us now begin to step through each of these scriptures, examining the terminology to see exactly what I mean.

Matthew 12:32: “Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”

These two ages encompass all time. This is also confirmed by the parallel passage Mark 3:29: “But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin.”

Mark 10:30: “but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.”

This passage teaches us about the differences of what we shall receive in this age and the age to come.

Luke 16:8: “And his master praised the unrighteous manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the sons of this age are more shrewd in relation to their own kind than the sons of light.”

The clear contrast from this passage is the sons of this age and the sons of light, suggesting that the age to come is the age of light. It also suggests that the sons of this age are children of light.

Luke 20:34-36: “Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; for they cannot even die anymore, because they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.”

A clear contrast between the two ages is shown in this verse. In this age Men marry and die. In the age to come those who are worthy do not marry and do not die as they are the sons of the resurrection.

Romans 12:2: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

This passage doesn’t show a contrast between the two ages however it is a command not to conform to this (evil)age. The word world is translated here from the original word (aiwni)Aion: Age.

1 Corinthians 1:20: “Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?”

The debater is a proponent of the wisdom of this age/world.

1 Corinthians 2: 6, 8: “Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;”

Notice the uses of this age in these passages referring to the rulers of this world, and their lack of the wisdom of God.

1 Corinthians 3:18: “Let no man deceive himself If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise.”

This is a parallel passage to 1 Cor 2:6, 8 that speaks to the man who, “thinks that he is wise in this age.”

2 Corinthians 4:4: “in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

The god of this world is Satan! the contrast in this passage is the darkness of this age with the light of the age to come, the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.

Galatians 1:4: “who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,”

Our deliverance from “this present evil age” is the fruit of Christ’s death and resurrection for our sins.

Ephesians 1:21: “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.”

The king is Christ who reigns in this age but also in the age to come.

Epheisans 2:2: “in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.”

“walking according to the course of this world” is a life dominated by “the prince of the power of the air” or Satan. Those who “walk according to the course of this world” are also known as the “sons of disobedience.”

1 Timothy 6:17-19: “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.”

Here the contrast is the life of the “present world”, and the “life indeed” in the age to come, which is our hope of the eternal life.

Titus 2:12: “instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,”

Here we are instructed to live in this age according to our blessed hope in Christ’s glorious appearing mentioned in verse 13.

Hebrews 6:5: “and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,”

The powers of the age to come are already at work in the present age through the work of the Holy Spirit. This is likely a reference to the spiritual gifts given to the apostles at the time of their conversion.

The Logical Conclusion To This Clear Terminology

If one examines these passages of scripture with a clear head and an open mind and heart, one can only logically conclude that scripture teaches a two age system of time. All periods of time must reside within one of these two ages. We can also see that these terms permeate throughout the majority of the New Testament, from the Epistles to the Gospels and these terms were commonly known throughout the Inter-Testamental period.

These passages are not thought of as prophetic passages, yet they however convey clearly prophetic foundational eschatology.

After going through all of these scriptures I couldn’t deny the plain and simple fact illustrated clearly by these scriptures. I had believed all of this time in a very complex system backed by unclear, figurative and detailed scripture when the simplest most basic explanation was offered by the clear, literal and general passages all throughout the New Testament.

The Division Of The Two Ages

The next step in this process is determining the divider of the two ages. The New Testament clearly teaches that the return of Christ and the General Judgment He will deliver stand as the division of the two ages. Massive support is given for this view and here are a few examples: 1 Cor 15:22, 23, 50-55; 1 Thess 4:16; Luke 20:35; Matt 13:39-43, 24:30, 31; 25:31, 46; Titus 2:11-13.

Also looking at the scriptures used to illustrate the contrast between the two ages and one notices another clear teaching in scripture, This age is and always will be an evil age. The following is an assertion widely taught in the New Testament:

2 Corinthians 4:4: “in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

Galatians 1:4: “who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,”

Ephesians 2:2: “in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.”

The Surprising Conclusion

The conclusion all of this lead me to was completely surprising to me yet it makes the most sense given the sufficiency of the clear and literal passages given here. This plain and simple teaching does not leave any room for Premillenialism. According to all Premillennial views the millennium occurs after Christ’s second coming which would put good and evil men in the eternal resurrected state. This is a blatant contradiction of the clear scripture previously mentioned. Secondly if Christ is to return before the Millennium and the Eternal state begins with Christ’s return and Judgment then there is no need for a literal Millennium as man will be in his eternal resurrected state. Premillennialism cannot be reconciled with the plain two age time-line.

Therefore we are left with two views, Postmillennialism and Amillennialism.

Postmillennialism teaches that Christ will return after the millennium, meaning that there must be a golden age in human history culminating with the return of Christ. This is contrary to what scripture teaches. The New Testament plainly and widely teaches that this age is an evil age and will always be evil. In fact scriptures indicates that not only is this age evil, that it will get worse in the approaching time just before the return of Christ.

Matthew 24:37-39: “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. “For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.”

Genesis 6:5: “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

This would clearly indicate that Postmillenialism cannot be accurate due to these clear indications of scripture. This leaves us with Amillennialism.

This was not a conclusion I came to lightly nor was it easy for me to accept given my misconceptions and preconceived notions. However, given the plain and clear meanings of these scriptures I was forced to accept that this is the only logical viewpoint. This would mean that the “literal” millennium has to be figurative or symbolic in nature and not the literal time period I had previously thought.

Instead of being jaded and cynical however I have had my eyes opened and I now have a fresh and clearer view of scripture. I am still in my process of having my eyes opened up by the Holy Spirit, and my understanding can only deepen further. This epiphany has also restored in me a new fervor for His word. I want to restudy all of the scriptures with my “new eyes” and see where else my “blinders” have led me astray. I have a new and more voracious hunger for God’s Word, and I love it.

Finally I’d like to extend my thanks to the author of The End Times Made Simple, by Samuel E. Waldron. Much of the material summarized here has been taken from his book. I also give thanks to God for His Holy Spirit which has guided my studies since my reformation.

Yesterday our pastor was going through Hebrews 12:25-29.

See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.  Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”

And it really got me thinking about God’s Wrath in the coming judgement upon the earth. If you were in a room and someone ran into the room screaming that there was a fire, and they knew the only way out of the building. Wouldn’t we be foolish not to heed this advice? Or would we doubt this and risk perishing in the flames? This is what the first part of this passage is speaking about. Jesus came to warn us of the coming judgement, and to give us the way out at the same time.

Looking back at my life before Christ changed me, I can see that I was already amidst the flames and about to be consumed. The Wrath of God was something to that didn’t pertain to me. If I wasn’t a sinner then I couldn’t be under God’s Judgement. How foolish an idea this really is. Now that I am under Grace, I can understand the implications of God’s wrath. Nothing impure can or will escape God’s wrath. So much so that not even the Heaven’s or the Earth will escape the fire of God.

Revelation 6:12-17

I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.

Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

I don’t even like to think about what the world will be like when all the world are trying to hide in caves and praying for death to save them from looking upon God’s face.

God has provided an escape for us from His own wrath and judgement in Jesus Christ. One cannot think about God’s Grace of salvation through Jesus Christ and not be grateful to the point of tears. Our response to this gift of salvation must be worship. If we are saved we must worship God with gratitude and fear. We must fear God in the sense that we know what our penalty should be, had we not been graced with salvation. The more I learn about God and His grace, the more I fear Him; for I know what I have been saved from. I know what my God is capable of.

Our “God is a consuming fire” and all of creation will pass through it. Either we will be consumed by the fire of His wrath or we will be refined and purified by it through His grace and sanctification.

Zechariah 13:9

This third I will bring into the fire;
I will refine them like silver
and test them like gold.
They will call on my name
and I will answer them;
I will say, ‘They are my people,’
and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’ “

As I think about this passage I have to be gratful for God’s mercy and grace that he has given me. I also am saddened for those who are left out, who will be cut off, and endure the fires of hell for eternity. I think about how I can testify to God’s grace to those I know and care about. How can I explain to them the importance of this truth. And if I could, would they believe it and repent? Or, will they continue on in sin?

Only God knows how His holy plan will unveil. We are at His mercy. I pray that we will have the courage to walk through the doors that He opens and humility to walk away from the doors that He closes.

After a little bible reading and some simple observations of the world we live in, one could assume or surmise that we are living in a pivotal point in history. Matthew chapter 24 is a sort of blueprint for what to look for, or what is to come.

However I must first note that there are those out there who would have us believe that the bible is not to be taken literally. Those who spiritualize scripture and prophecy due to either a poor understanding of such passages or possibly being misled by those who claim to know and understand a particular passage of scripture. I don’t claim to understand all the prophetic pieces of scripture, far from it. However certain passages if looked at plainly and are taken literally, can be understood by any Christian.

Here we will analyze Matthew 24 using New International Version, and it’s implications in our post-modern age.

1Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 2“Do you see all these things?” he asked. “I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

3As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

We know that further reading of the bible and History that the temple Jesus spoke of was destroyed exactly as he said it would be. Not one stone remains on the original site. In verse 3 the disciples asked Jesus how they could know when He was returning. This is a question I think any one of us Christians would ask. Jesus then tells them the signs of the end of the age, or His return.

4Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.

A simple search of the internet for False Prophets/False Christs reveals a staggering amount of people claiming to be Christ or Old Testament prophets coming to save the world. This trend seems to be increasing, and thousands of people are being deceived on a daily basis.

6You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8All these are the beginning of birth pains.

The escalation of violence and wars over the centuries is plain to see with even a mediocre knowledge of history. The 20th century alone has seen more widespread war, and violent death than any other century before it. In my opinion “rumors of wars”, could mean conflicts not really classified as wars, but involve violence and death. Jesus tells us not to be alarmed by such things, as these are meant to happen. Somehow this is all part of God’s master plan. There also seems to be an alarming trend in the amount of famines in various places throughout the world, despite the wealth and prosperity of many nations. Famine continues to plague much of the world. The deaths due to these famines and the earthquakes all over the globe continue to rise.

9“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.

There is some dispute as to whether the Church is to endure The Great Tribulation. This may not be talking about a future persecution. As history shows, not long after Jesus’ death the early Church founders endure great persecution, death, and hatred. Thousands of Protestant Christians faced persecution and death by the hands of the Roman Catholic church in the Dark Ages. Thousands of Christians in modern times face persecution and imprisonment by Islamic governments bent on eliminating Christian influence.

10At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,

As one can see by alarming modern trends within the Church that this has already begun to happen. The Great Apostasy is the perversion of God’s Word, the separation from moral values taught by the Bible and the continuing trend of producing “rice Christians”, false teachings such as the “prosperity gospel”. Another alarming trend that should alarm any bible believing Christian is the Ecumenical Movement. Whose long term goals include merging Protestant, Orthodox, and Roman Catholicism under the Roman Church. The ultimate goal of Ecumenicism is uniting all religions under one faith.

11and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

I think it’s important to note that Jesus repeated his warning about false prophets in verse 11. Many times throughout His ministry Jesus repeated things that He wanted us to take special note of, or that He felt were detrimental. This was also a main point that Paul preached about in several of his letters. In verse 12 He talks about the lack of love in those times. Our modern culture is almost devoid of the selfless love that Jesus spoke of. Our culture is the “me” culture, the “self indulgent”, “I want what I want and I want it now” generations, full of selfish desires. In verse 13 Jesus tells the disciples/us that those who stand firm, not betraying or twisting God’s Word and follow it will be saved. Now if one has already placed their faith in Christ and are born again this phrase may be a bit confusing. However if we look at what the passage as a whole is talking about then we can understand he is talking of those believers who truly believe, and who have shown visible “fruit”, those who have withstood the false prophets, and their teachings, those who have shown Christ’s selfless love; will be saved.

Matthew 25:1-13

1“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

6“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

7“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

9” ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

10“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

11“Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’

12“But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’

13“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

Only Christ truly knows those who will stand firm to the end, and those who would deceive. Paul mentions this very thing in one of his last letters nearing the end of his life, writing to Timothy:

2 Timothy 4:7

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

In verse 14 Jesus then tells us that the Gospel will be preached in all nations and then the end will come. With current trends it’s only a matter of years or a decade or two at most when the gospel will have been spread through out the whole world. Then the end is going to come! What better time is there than now to prepare for His return? All the more reason to bring up our children to be God fearing, bible believing adults. What better time to share our faith with our family, friends, and co-workers.

The remainder of Matthew 24 deals with the end times, which I will save discussion for another post in the near future.

Some References Used:

• http://www.bible-prophecy.com/false.htm
• http://www.contenderministries.org/prophecy/falsechrists.php
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecumenism
• http://biblegateway.com