LifePoint

This is a wonderful world. It may destroy itself, but you’ll be able to watch it all on TV.
-Bob Hope

2 Common Methods of Approaching Prophecy:
Literal and Allegorical

Literal - Bible is interpreted as it is, based on the original language and historical context.

Allegorical - Symbolic, metaphorical, People who use this approach believe it is impossible to interpret ALL scripture literally because it uses poetry, prophecy, and story in so many places.

We believe in and accept the whole authority of Scripture

We believe that the entire Bible is fully inspired by God, that it is His perfect Word and as such, it is entirely trustworthy as our guide for truth, faith, life, and salvation. We hold a high view of the Scriptures and its authority in our lives.

Literately -Understanding that there are are times when allegory is used and there are times when we need to embrace the Word as it is.

“In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, charity.”

What is essential and non-essential?

Term-intation: Words we need to know.

First Coming of Christ - when Jesus first came to earth in bodily form

Second Coming of Christ - When Jesus will return in triumphant victory over all the earth.

The Great Tribulation - 7 years of extreme distress and trouble on the earth.

Armageddon - The War to End all Wars, the armies of earth will combine to fight against the Son of Man. This is generally seen to be an aspect of the Second Coming.

The Rapture - An unknown time when Jesus will appear in the sky and all Christians, living and dead, will be transported to meet Him in the air.

The Millennium - A thousand year period of peace on earth where Christ will reign as King in all His splendor and glory.

Final Judgement - The time when all of humanity the living and the dead will stand to give and account for their lives. For those who are in Christ, this will lead to an eternal celebration in Heaven, and that those who willfully choose against Him will face eternal damnation in Hell.

Eternity - The endless existence of our soul after physical death.

The first death is when your body ceases to be alive… but the second death is something else.

2 Huge Questions that cause all the confusion:
1. When will Jesus come back?

2 Huge Questions that cause all the confusion:
1. When will Jesus come back?
2. When will the rapture of the church take place?

3 Most Commonly held beliefs about the End

1. Premillennialism - A view based on a literal understanding of Scripture and holds that Jesus will return before the millennium.

3 views on the Rapture:

Pre-tribulation Rapture - Christ comes for the church before it all goes down.

Mid-tribulation Rapture - Christ comes for the church halfway through.

Post-tribulation - Christians will go through the entirety of the Great Tribulation and will be taken up immediately before the second coming.

2. Post Millennialism - A view based on an allegorical view of Scripture that holds that the Church is in the process of building the kingdom of God right by being salt and light in the world. Christ will return after such a kingdom has been established.

3. Amillennialism - A view that is both literal and allegorical. Amillennialists do not believe in a literal 1,000 year reign of Christ on earth, rather that we are currently living in a millennial state on earth in a spiritual kingdom. Christ’s return could happen at any time there will be a general resurrection followed by a general judgement, followed by eternity.

Premillennialism gives us a wonderful sense of evangelical urgency, Post Millennialism gives us a tremendous push for justice in the world today, Amillennialism gives us freedom not to get lost in the details.

We need to live with the urgency that the end is near and with the longview of bringing the Kingdom of God to life on earth right now, based on a solid commitment to the Word of God to direct our lives.

Eschatological Essentials: What we know for sure.

…the time is near.
-Revelation 1:3

Jesus will return…

The Judgement will take place…

And when it does we have 2 options: Hell or Heaven

God won’t send anyone to Hell. We choose it when we reject Jesus.

The central call of the Christian life is evangelism, it is about doing all we can to help other people come to know Jesus and celebrate Him forever in Heaven.

Are you ready?

Are you helping anyone else get ready?

“In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, charity.”