Eschatology and Ecclesiology The Eternal State And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away... (Rev 21:1a)

A Timeline of Last Things Believer’s judged before bema seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10). 2nd Res. Great White Throne Judgment Christ’s 2nd Coming, Sheep & Goats Judgment; binding of Satan Resurrection & Rapture New Heavens & New Earth 1st Res. OT & Trib. Saints Present Church Age Tribulation 7 years (Judgment on Israel & nations) A good way to review what we have covered thus far. Talk about similarities and distinctions between millennial kingdom and eternal state...an issue largely resolved if you take Rev 21 and 22 as being a chronological sequence. Millennium 1000 years

Eternal State of the Wicked Terminology used to describe the eternal state of the wicked: Eternal fire (Matt 25:41) and lake of fire (Rev 21:8) Outer darkness (Matt 8:12) Torment (Rev 14:9-11) Eternal punishment (Matt 25:46) Wrath of God (Rom 2:5-8) Second death (Rev 21:8) Eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord (2 Thess 1:9)

Scriptures that Imply Degrees of Punishment Matt 11:21-22: "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. Nevertheless I say to you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment, than for you.” Luke 12:47-48: "And that slave who knew his master's will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, shall receive many lashes, but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. And from everyone who has been given much shall much be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.”

The Scriptures Teach Eternal Punishment Matt 25:46: “And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Other opinions: Restorationism (universalism) – teaches that though there may be some severe punishment for the wicked, all eventually arrive in heaven. Annihilationism – wicked are eventually annihilated, either after a second chance at death or after prolonged punishment. Conditional Immortality – teaches that humans are not inherently immortal, but have immortality conferred upon them as part of the experience of salvation. As difficult as the doctrine of eternal punishment is to comprehend, it is clearly taught in the Word of God, and we must accept it for what it declares. Same word for eternal is used in both cases.

Man’s Immortal Soul “. . . by virtue of its original creation in the image of God, the human soul is naturally immortal;. . .neither for the righteous nor the wicked is death a cessation of being;. . . on the contrary, the wicked enter at death upon a state of conscious suffering which the resurrection and the judgment only augment and render permanent” (A. H. Strong, Systematic Theology, 1035).

Eternal State of the Righteous Predicted as early as the Prophet Isaiah (Isa 65:17; 66:22). Anticipated by the Apostles Peter (2 Pet 3:10-13) and Paul (Rom 8:20-21). Explained most fully by the Apostle John in Rev 21-22. Renovation, or newly created heavens and earth?

Correspondence Between Genesis 1 – 3 and Revelation 20 – 22 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Gen 1:1). ...and the gathered waters He called “seas” (1:10). ...the darkness He called night (1:5). God made the two great lights (1:16). I saw a new heaven and a new earth (Rev 21:1). ...and there is no longer any sea (21:1). ...there shall be no night there (21:25). And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon (21:23).

Correspondence Between Genesis 1 – 3 and Revelation 20 – 22 “In the day that you eat from it you shall surely die” (2:17). “I will greatly multiply Your pain” (3:16). “Cursed is the ground because of you” (3:17). Satan appears as the deceiver of mankind (3:1). Man was driven away from the Tree of Life (3:22-24). Man is charged to subdue the earth and rule over it (1:28). There shall no longer be any death (21:4). There shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain (21:4). And there shall no longer be any curse (22:3). Satan goes into the Lake of Fire forever (20:10). The Tree of Life re-appears (22:2). Man will reign with God forever and ever (22:4, 5). From the very beginning it was God’s design to reach all the nations through Israel Church Paradise… Lost! Paradise… Restored! Israel

Next Week: The Meaning and Uses of the Word “Church” Syllabus pp. 128-132 Saucy pp. 7-56 This will be our last lesson in Eschatology