3. Last Things in Scripture
Offer encouragement and hope
Prediction is somewhat secondary
OT fulfilled and completed in NT
The Kingdom of God
The return of Christ

4. Last Things in Scripture
We often focus on:
Daniel
Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24)
I Thessalonians 4:13-18
Revelation
Genesis on creation
Romans 8:18-30
All that Jesus said about the Kingdom

5. Restoration not Replacement
Revelation 21:5 “Behold I am making all things new.” naios = “absolutely new, totally new” kainos = “restored, renewed, remade”
Bible begins in Garden, but ends in a City – human life is affirmed and renewed
Creation to be cherished and cared for

6. Approaches to Revelation - Timeline
Spiritual
Preterist
Historicist
Futurist
30 AD
70 AD
“Present”
Parousia

7. Views of the Millennium – Revelation 20
Premillennial
Historical - Ladd
Dispensational - Darby
Postmillennial “In His Steps” (WWJD)
Amillennial Luther, Calvin

8. Concerns about Dispensationalism
A-historical, non-traditional approach to theology
Scripture is forced into systematic framework
“Israel”
Ministry of Jesus not for the church
Matthew 24:36-41 – it’s good to be “left behind”

9. Pastoral Concerns in Eschatology
Divisiveness
Fear
Creation care
Living hope

10. “Thy Kingdom Come” Where is it? Here in our midst, Luke 17:21.
Where will it be?
Here in our midst, Revelation 21:3
“The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” Revelation 11:15