Jim's Eschatological Info

The first eschatological framework concerning the timing of Jesus’ 2nd advent I’m going to briefly discuss is called the “Millennial Sabbath“. Simply stated it is the idea that the period from creation to the eternal state is a span of seven thousand years, with the last one thousand years constituting Christ’s Kingdom here on the earth. The most reliable Bible chronologists (IMO) agree, noting creation to Abraham as 2000 years, Abraham to Christ’s crucifixion as 2000 years, the crucifixion to Christs return another 2000 years, followed by a Kingdom reign of 1000 years, a seventh or sabbath millennium. It is beyond the scope of this article to detail this chronology, but I will provide links to the internal Bible documentation upon request. This millennial sabbath is based on the statements in psalms and Peter that a day with the Lord is as a thousand years. This is confirmed in Genesis where Adam was warned that he would die in the “day” he ate of the forbidden fruit. Obviously, he didn’t die in that 24 hour day, but returned to dust just prior to 1000 years of life. It’s also based on Paul’s writing in Hebrews chapter 4 about entering God’s rest which is compared to God’s seventh day of creation where He rested. Paul states that there remains a sabbatical (rest) for god’s people where they will cease from their works. This rest is equated to Christ’s coming Kingdom in 2 Thess. 1:5. Revelation states clearly that His Kingdom is for 1000 years. If the seventh “day” rest is 1000 years in length, it follows that the first six were also 1000 years in duration. Early church Fathers had a near consensus on this issue. I’ll give you one quote from Hippolytus: “And six thousand years must needs be accomplished in order that the Sabbath may come, the rest, the holy day on which God rested from all His works. For the sabbath is the type and emblem of the future kingdom of the saints, when they shall reign with Christ, when He comes from heaven, as John says in his Apocalypse. ‘For a day with the Lord is as a thousand years.’ Since, then, in six days God made all things, it follows that six thousand years must be fulfilled.”

Based on the above, we can simply add 2000 years to the year of Jesus’ crucifixion to find the year of Jesus’ coming. It’s commonly believed that Jesus died between AD 27 and AD 33 with a probable date of AD 30. This would mean Jesus is returning in 2030. However, while the AD 30 date is reasonable, it is not certain. There is also the caveat that Daniels 70th week might be an add-on, which would make it seven years later. Nonetheless, it should be sobering to note that 2030 is less than nine years from now. In Post # 2 I’ll discuss the Jubilee calendar that results in a similar chronology.

I’m devoting the next several posts to scriptures that point to the specific time of Jesus’ return. Taken together, I think they’ll alert you to the nearness of the approaching end-times. I’ll number each of the posts so you can easily refer to them. Keep in mind, when discussing these end-time issues, they are not talking about the end of the world, but the end of human government, and the beginning of the 1000 year Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ when He will rule the world. As a reminder, if you click on “comment” near any post, you can sign up to receive notifications of new posts. Also, you can post a link to various social media platforms. This can help to spread these timely messages. I’ll be posting number one shortly.

Amillennialism represents the theology that there is no 1000 year reign of Christ in the flesh here on the earth as indicated in Revelation chapter 20. The prefix “A”(pronounced ah) means “no” and millennium means 1000. Hence, no millennium. Amillennialism theology believes that the Kingdom of God is a present day reality with Christ ruling from heaven. This view is wide spread throughout Christianity including Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and many Protestant denominations. It has its roots in the teachings of men like Augustine, Calvin, Luther, and others. But, is it Scriptural ? It is a much disputed theology amongst Christians, many who believe in a literal reign of Christ here on earth, from a restored world capital of Jerusalem for 1000 years based on a literal understanding of Rev.20. Here’s what Rev. says about the period immediately following the great tribulation and Jesus’ second coming:

“He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the devil and satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years are finished……Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus…….they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison.….” (Revelation 20:2-7)

A simple basic hermeneutic (principal of scripture interpretation) states the following: If there is no inherent symbolism or reason to interpret metaphorically, the passage is to be interpreted as literal. Amillennialists interpret these passages as symbolic, without a clear textual basis. I personally follow a simple rule of scripture interpretation; The default hermeneutic is literal. This is the only objective approach. The subjective approach as demonstrated by amillennialism can be applied at whim. In the above scripture, a thousand means a thousand, with no supplied reason for any symbolism.

Make no mistake, Jesus will be returning shortly as a glorified man and will set up His Kingdom based out of Zion (Jerusalem) from where He will rule the world for a 1000 (millennial) year period assisted by His people (believers) who will rule and reign with Him. After the 1000 years comes satan’s release and final defeat and the “great white throne judgment” when all the rest of mankind will be judged. Concluding; “Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.” (1 Corinthians 15:28)

There is much discussion these days of just when is the “rapture” (resurrection of the righteous) in relation to other eschatological events. Evangelicals in particular, argue whether it will occur prior to Daniel’s 70th week (pre-trib), three and one half years into the week (mid-trib), somewhere during the final half of the week (pre-wrath), after the seven years are completed (post-trib), or some other nuanced timing. I think the bible is quite clear that Jesus will resurrect His church immediately following the 70th week – a post-trib event. Fortunately for us, the bible has several clear “when” verses so there need not be any doubt. Following is a list of these verses:

1. John 6:39-44, 11:24 Jesus will raise believers on the “last” day of this age. Last means last. The Greek word is eschatos which translated is farthest, final, or uttermost. The “When” here is clear.
2. 1st Cor. 15:52 When ? At the Last trumpet. Again, last here is eschatos. I believe this to be the trumpet of the 120th jubilee year from the fall. (Lev. 25:9)
3. 2nd Thess. 1:3-10 Saints are not given “rest” until (when) Jesus comes in judgment on the day of the Lord. See also Hebrews 4:1-8
4. 2nd Thess. 2: 1-4 Our gathering together unto Him cannot occur until great apostacy happens and the antichrist is revealed declaring himself to be god on the temple mount. The “when” here is the day of the Lord when we are gathered to Him.
5. 1st Cor. 15:23 The resurrection of Christians is when? At His coming (gr. parousia). Christs parousia is His glorious visible coming.
6. Mat. 24:29-31 Jesus had just spoken of “great tribulation”- the final three and one half years of Daniels seventieth week. He then stated when His coming would be when He would gather all His elect; “immediately after the tribulation of those days“. It doesn’t get any more precise then that!
7. Mat. 24:13 After Jesus tells His apostles all the signs of His second coming, He tells them that those who endure to the “end” will be saved. Here, end means- uttermost, final. The when is also quite clear in this passage – after all these things take place.
8. Rev. 20:4-6 The martyrs of the tribulation are raised in the first resurrection. When is the first resurrection? At the beginning on Christs millennial reign.

Following is a list of Scriptures concerning how we should be preparing for the prophesied time of trouble soon coming on the whole earth. Take the time to review them and also – take them to heart.

Physical Preparation: Mt 6:25-34, 6:19-21, Phil. 4:19

Deception: Mt 24:4, 2Pet. 3:17, 2Thess. 2:9-12, Rev.13:3

Persecution: Mt 24:9, 5:11, 10:22, 1Pet. 2:19-21

Mental/Spiritual: 2Pet. 3:18, 1:5-6, Rom. 12:2

Warfare: Eph. 6:10-17

Service: Mt 24:45

Comfort Scriptures: Psalm 23, 27:1-6, John 14:25-27, Mt 28:19-20

I wrote a brief article on Turkey and its prophetic significance. I’ll link to it here and below for future reference. Let me know what you think. Jim

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1edZDz6Qd3aufE7vpjmLnmugfHSkirOvWxIAvC0bIvsQ/edit?usp=sharing

A brother in the Lord from Sweden by the name of Anders Gardenborn has painstakingly put together a manuscript on Bible chronology entitled “Bible Chronology For The Last Generation Christians”. It’s a work that reflects my general thinking concerning the timing of Jesus’ second coming. Interpreting Biblical prophesy, especially accurate chronology, is a difficult task requiring much effort. Anders has done his homework while relying heavily on Tim Warner’s groundbreaking chronology in his book “Time of The End”(available at Amazon). All dates are entirely Scripture derived, so no secular history dating is used. If you’re serious about studying Bible chronology so as to put a timeline on events leading up to the second advent, this manuscript will provide you with much to think about. And, yes, he does come up with a tentative date for our Lords return. But, always remember, this is prophesy, and all conclusions are fallible, so; keep watching.

https://masterdirigentensverk.se/PDF/Manuscript_BCL_v0.51_LR.pdf

I’m sure you’re all wondering what on earth is going on in our country and the world as well. It’s difficult to not be affected by the constant turmoil caused by Covid 19 restrictions, riots and protests in our cities, economic collapse, tense situations in the middle east, etc., etc. Well, relax, because it’s just the god of this world doing what he always does. Remember, he goes about as a roaring lion seeking whomever he can devour. He is the consumate liar and the father of lies. Jesus said he comes to steal, kill, and destroy. This he is definitely doing. But, always keep in mind that we have the Holy Spirit residing within us giving us authority over the devil. We are promised that if we resist him he will flee from us. We must also remember that our battle (and it is a battle) is not with flesh and blood (rioters, politicians, dictators,etc.) , but against “principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this age, and spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12). These are battles we fight on our knees in prayer and our steadfast witness for Jesus and His coming kingdom.

I sincerely believe God is allowing these things as a wake up call to his people so that we can be prepared for the full wrath of satan when he is permanently cast out of heaven to the earth at the start of the “Great Tribulation”. Satan at that time will be allowed free reign to do as he pleases. He then has great wrath because he knows his time is short. We ain’t seen nothing yet ! Right now we are probably seeing ‘false contractions’, leading to the beginnings of birth pangs, followed by full labor -The Great Tribulation. Be strong in your faith. Stay tuned.

Jim

The LGV is a literal translation of the New Testament by one of my favorite Greek scholars. It consists of the New Testament minus Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Acts. These are forthcoming, as it is a work in progress. I think it is the best of the literal translations including Youngs. It is translated with notes acknowledging bible chronology that places us as the generation likely to witness end-time events leading up to Christ’s physical return. While the footnotes are valuable commentary, remember that translator bias plays a role, as in all translations. I’ve found his footnotes to be helpful when studying the NT. As of now, the LGV can only be accessed on-line here: http://www.4windsfellowships.net/LGV.html

I’ll provide a permanent link below, so you can always find it on this site. You’ll also find it enlightening to read the “preface”, “book order”, and “appendices”

I’ve posted a link to another article dealing with proper bible study methods. I hope it will be a help to you as you study the Scriptures. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RywMeLReqO_QpiXpvfRRsWJdnui3xoksUqmwRB9Lixs/edit?usp=sharing