Why It Matters

What You Believe

Agenda

• Common end time beliefs• Your judgment • Why it matters what you believe about the

end times

Common end time beliefs

• The “isms”– Millennialism– Pre-Millennialism– Post –Millennialism– Amillennialsim– Preterism– Pan-Millennialism

• Common themes– Crucifixion– 1,000 year reign– Christ’s return– Final judgment– End of the world

Millennialism

• Belief in some form of the 1,000 year reign of Christ

• Based on Revelations 20:4• Belief dates back to 1st Century AD

Pre-Millennialism

• Literal 1,000 year reign

• Includes tribulation and rapture

• Second Coming and Last Judgment separatedMatthew 24:21

I Thessalonians 4:16-18; I Corinthians 15:50-58

Post-Millennialism

• Some think literal, some symbolic 1,000 year reign

• Second Coming and Last Judgment occur at the same time

• Good eventually overcomes Evil

Symbolic Millennium

Amillennialism

• Symbolic 1,000 year reign

• Symbolic 1,000 year reign

• Second Coming and Last Judgment separated

• Evil eventually overcomes Good

Preterism

• Symbolic 1,000 year reign

• Second Coming already occurred

• Full-Preterism – all prophecies fulfilled in AD 70; no “end of the world”

• Partial-Preterism – most prophecies fulfilled, a final judgment still to come

AD 70

Second Coming

Symbolic Millennium

Last JudgmentPreterism

Pan-Millennialism

It will all “pan out” in the end.

Which one?

• Discussion: Which view do you think the Church of Christ espouses?– Definitely not Full-

Preterism– Definitely not

Pre-millennialismAD 70

Second Coming

Symbolic Millennium

Last JudgmentPreterism

Symbolic Millennium

Your judgment

• We will all reach a personal end time– Hebrews 9:27 – Romans 14:10-12

• Bad news – Romans 3:23

• Good news – Romans 8:1-2

Rapture, End of the World, or RIP

Why it matters what you believe

• Discussion: Are end times beliefs matters of opinion or matters of salvation?– 2 Tim 2:16-18

Why it matters what you believe

• Discussion: What are your responsibilities regardless of which end times belief you choose?– Lead a life pleasing to God – 2 Corinthians 5:9-10– Temperate in all things – I Corinthians 9:24-27– Test the Spirits – I John 4:1– Finish what you start – 2 Timothy 4:6-8