Adult Education: Fall 2009

The Return of the King

Discussion Question: Try to state what your functioning assumption is about where the world is headed. Are things getting better and better on a path toward perfection and universal joy? Are things getting worse and worse on a path toward destruction? Will your descendants enjoy a better or worse life than you’ve had?

Eschatology is the study of the last things or the age to come. Throughout Paul’s writings we see that he believes that the future age has been inaugurated through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. At the same time time believers still await the final fulfilment of God’s saving purposes at the parousia (the return of Christ and the beginning of his kingdom).

The common illustration for this concept of the already and not yet is the stretch between D-Day and VE Day of WWII.

Paul realized that the age to come had already begun in the resurrection of Jesus

Overlap of old and new age

Reign of Christ on Earth

ConsummationParousia

Old age:•Law•Sin •Death

New age:•Jesus•Cross•Resurrection•Spirit

Paul’s View of the End Times

Elements in Paul’s View of the End Times

•The Holy Spirit is a sign of and gift for the New Age, yet he will come in fullness later.•Paul speaks of salvation, redemption, freedom, inheritance and righteousness as things believers participate in now and anticipate for some future day when they will be experienced fully.•The present reality of the new age is somewhat invisible or hidden•Paul does not want believers to become fascinated with the details of the coming world such as timing or dates.

Before the End: The Lawless One and Israel’s Fate

The Lawless One—the idea that before Christ returns (the Parousia) there will be a time of suffering, temptation, and tribulation (Great affliction, trial, or distress).

For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, as though sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to mortals. 10We are fools for the sake of Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. 11To the present hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed and beaten and homeless, 12and we grow weary from the work of our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13when slandered, we speak kindly. We have become like the rubbish of the world, the dregs of all things, to this very day.—I Cor. 4.9-13

Just as Christ has suffered, so does Paul suffer. Additionally, all Christians share in Christ’s sufferings

There is a burgeoning new atheist movement that may change the climate for Christians in coming years. Among their activities has been a billboard campaign. Christians may be learning freshly what Paul is talking about in dealing with suffering as a prelude to the coming of Christ.

Paul’s View of His Nation Israel

I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?—Romans 11.1-2

Paul argues that the gospel is first for the Jew then the Gentile, not the Gentile instead of the Jew, as if God has written off Israel.

Paul expresses the hope that the hardening of Israel is temporary, and once the appointed number of Gentiles experience salvation, then, he says ‘all Israel will be saved.’

Parousia—the presence or arrival of Jesus; the second coming.

It has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.—I Tim. 1.10

He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.—I Cor. 1.8

The Second Coming of Christ entails…

•The full manifestation of the Kingdom of God•The dissolution of the old age•Jesus returns to reign and rule•Everyone will worship him•Upon Christ’s return there will be a general resurrection•Jesus will transform our lowly bodies so they will be like his glorious body•Jesus hands over the kingdom to God the Father when he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.

The Stages of the Second Coming of Christ …

1.Christ’s resurrection2.The resurrection of believers at the parousia, and then3.The end

Personal Destiny: For believers who are not living at the time of Christ’s Return

•There is an afterlife•At death, believers put on a heavenly dwelling from God and go to be with Christ