Eschatology

Question 1

I. On what basis do you believe that the Lord Jesus Christ will personally and physically return to the earth?

Answer 1

1. Acts 1:11: … “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come back in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.”
2. 1 John 2:28: “And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears we may have confidence and not shrink from Him in shame at His coming.”
3. Revelation 22:12: “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.”

Question 2

II. When do you believe the rapture of the church will occur?

Answer 2

1. First, there will be a rapture: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voce of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
2. Second, the rapture will be before the tribulation: Revelation 3:10: “Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.”
3. Ultimately, I have to ask, “What is the purpose?”
4. I see no purpose in the bride of Christ suffering through the tribulation.

Question 3

III. Define, and give Scriptural evidence, of the imminence of Christ’s return.

Answer 3

1. Imminent Definition: about to happen
2. Christ’s return will happen soon and without warning.
3. Revelation 22:7: “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book”
4. Revelation 16:15: “Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”
5. 2 Peter 3:8: “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”
6. Christ exists outside of time. It doesn’t matter if He comes tomorrow or in another 4,000 years, the timing of His return will be as He stated: SOON, and it will be without warning.

Question 4

IV. What biblical passages have been major factors in developing your convictions concerning the Second Coming of Christ and related events?

Answer 4

1. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voce of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
2. Acts 1:11: … “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come back in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.”
3. Revelation 3:10: “Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.”