By
Bishop Elijah H. Hankerson III, BA, MA, DD
LESSON NOTES:[1]
I.
WHAT IS ESCHATOLOGY? The doctrine of last things deals with the
final conditions of the world, or the end of time. Endeavoring to understand what
the Bible teaches, we begin with the premise that the Bible alone supplies us
with the only authentic revelation of the future of Saint and Sinner alike, and
it is our duty to exhort all men, as Amos did, to "prepare to meet thy
God" (Amos 4:12).
II.
BE CAREFUL HOW YOU ACT. The doctrine of last things is a powerful
factor in shaping conduct, quickening conscience, and enforcing the obligations
of service for God and man.
1 John 3:1-3 1Behold, what manner of love the
Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God:
therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2Beloved,
now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we
know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as
he is. 3And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself,
even as he is pure.
III.
THE OLD TESTAMENT. In Christian eschatology, Old Testament saints
looked for a city whose builder and maker is God.
Hebrews 11:9-10 9By faith he sojourned in the land
of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and
Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10For he looked for a
city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
IV.
THE NEW TESTAMENT. New Testament teachings of the Last things, by
Christ and His apostles, lead us to consider what the coming years, and the
eternity beyond, hold for the Christian and the non-Christian alike.
V.
QUESTIONS ARE ANSWERED. The doctrine of the last things speaks out on
important issues such as: Physical Death. Bodily Resurrection, the Intermediate
State, the Second Coming of Christ, the Anti-Christ, the Tribulation, the
Battle of Armageddon, the Millennium the Judgments, after the Millennium, the
Future of the Wicked, and Heaven.
VI.
HERE IS THE BIBLICAL POSITION:
A.
PHYSICAL DEATH: We believe death is inevitable and uncertain
(Heb.9:27); Some shall not experience death (1 Thess. 4:17). It is not the
termination of our existence. It is an act and not a state. Physical death
occurs when the Spirit and Soul leave the body. Spiritual death is to be
separated from life in God. (Rev. 21:8) (Rev. 6:9-10). Death for the saint is described
as a sleep (John 11:11); fleeing as a shadow (Job 14:2): as the putting off of
the tabernacle, (2 Cor. 5:1; II Peter 1:14).
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die,
but after this the judgment:
B.
THE BODILY RESURRECTION: We believe that Jesus clearly taught a
resurrection from the grave. (John 5:28- 29). The Apostle Paul taught the same
thing (Acts 24:15; 1 Cor. 15:22): that "the dead in Christ shall rise
first" (I Thess. 4:15-16). Daniel also hinted at two resurrections in
Daniel 12:2.13. There is a space of 1000 years between the two resurrections
(Rev. 20:4-5). In the first resurrection, John first saw them in their martyred
condition, then he saw them rise from the dead, and they with the first
Resurrection Saints, reigned with Christ a thousand years (Rev. 20:6, 14, 15).
Our Lord became the First Fruits, which implies and involves the similar
resurrection of all who died in Him (John 6:39, 40, 44, 54; 11:25; 14:19;
Romans 6:5. 8; 8:11:1 Cor. 6:14. 15; II Cor. 4:14; 13:4).
1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 15For
this we say unto you by the word of the LORD, that we which are alive and
remain unto the coming of the LORD shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For
the LORD himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the
archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then
we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the
clouds, to meet the LORD in the air: and so shall we ever be with the LORD.
C.
THE INTERMEDIATE STATE: Deals with the question, Where are the Dead?
2 Corinthians 5:8 8We are confident, I say, and
willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the LORD.
D.
THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST: We believe in the Second Coming of Christ and
he shall come from heaven to earth, personally, bodily, visibly (Acts 1:11;
Titus 2:13; Matt 16:27; Titus 2:11) and that the church, the bride, will be
caught up to meet him in the air (I Thess. 4:16-17). It is scripturally sound
that the judgment and the rewarding of men are related to his return (I Cor.
15:25- 28).
Titus 2:13 13Looking for that blessed hope,
and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
E.
THE ANTICHRIST: While Gen 3:15 speaks of Christ as the seed of
the woman, it also prophetically declares the Anti-Christ as being the seed of
the Serpent. The seed of the serpent which is the Anti-Christ is mentioned
throughout the Bible.
1 John 2:18 18Little children, it is the last
time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many
antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
F.
THE TRIBULATION PERIOD: Is to be a judgment period when divine anger
will be emptied out upon Jews and Gentiles alike. Judgments as to come upon the
apostate Church; a rebuilt Babylon, apostate Israel; the Beast and the false
prophets; and upon apostate Nations. This is one reason why the saints of God
must be caught up with Christ before judgment breaks loose. Chapter 4- 19 of
the book of Revelation should be read and studied for details.
Matthew 24:21 21For then shall be great
tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no,
nor ever shall be.
G.
THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON: Rev. 19:19-20 reveals this to be a battle
between Christ and the Anti- Christ to be fought on the Plain of Esdraelon at
the end of the Great Tribulation just before the Millennium begins. This battle
will end with the complete annihilation of the Anti-Christ's army. The false
prophet and the Anti-Christ will be cast into Hell.
Revelation 16:15-17 15Behold, I come as a thief.
Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and
they see his shame. 16And he gathered them together into a place
called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. 17And the seventh angel
poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the
temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
1.
THE MILLENNIUM: The Millennium is the thousand- year reign of
Christ with his saints, following the Great Tribulation Period. The Millennium
we recognize, is not a scriptural word, but conveys a scriptural truth. Much
debate on this issue has developed three distinctive views:
2.
PRE-MILLENNIALISM, POST-MILLENNIALISM, AND
A-MILLENNIALISM. We believe that Christ
will return for his Church before the Millennium. We recognize that even among
those who embrace Pre-Millennialism there are vast differences of opinions.
Therefore, we urge our members not to debate this doctrine, but believe that
the most important truth of this doctrine is that Christ is to return to this
earth for his Church. We strongly urge all to be ready for his soon return.
Revelation 20:4-6 4And I saw thrones, and they sat
upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that
were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had
not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon
their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a
thousand years. 5But the rest of the dead lived not again until the
thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed
and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second
death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall
reign with him a thousand years.
G.
THE JUDGMENTS: The justice of God as taught in scripture, bear eloquent
testimony to the truth that Christ shall judge the whole earth. We believe the
scriptures speak of one judgment as being in the "Air" (1 Thess.
4:16. 17; II Cor. 5:6-10); another on the Earth" (Matt 25:31-46); and the
third in "Heaven.'" the earth and its atmosphere having fled away
(Rev. 20:11-15). These three separate judgments are associated in scripture
with three different Thrones:
1.
"THE THRONE OF GLORY" "ON THE
EARTH"; for the Nations (Matt
25:31, 32).
Matthew 25:31 31When the Son of man shall come in
his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne
of his glory:
2.
"THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST" "IN
THE AIR"; for believers only (II
Cor. 5:10).
2 Corinthians 5:10 10For we must all appear before the
judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his
body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
3.
"THE GREAT WHITE THRONE" "IN
HEAVEN"; for the wicked dead
(Rev. 20:11. 12). The scripture speaks of basically "Five Separate
Judgments:
Revelation 20:11 11And I saw a great white
throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled
away; and there was found no place for them.
4.
JUDGMENT OF SIN UPON THE CROSS (Rom. 8:1.2; John 5:24. Rom 10:4).
5.
JUDGMENT OF SINS IN THE BELIEVERS (I John 2:1, 1 John1:9; Heb. 12:5-11; I Cor.
11:31. 32).
6.
JUDGMENT OF THE JEWS (Zech. 12:10; 14:4; 12:10; Isa. 66:8).
7.
JUDGMENT OF THE LIVING NATIONS (GENTILES) (Matt 25:31-46; Joel 3:1. 2).
8.
JUDGMENT OF THE WICKED DEAD BEFORE THE GREAT
THRONE (Rev. 20:11-5). This
divine judgment is the most terrible of all. It is called "The Day of
Judgment-' (Man. 10:15), and the “Great Day” (Acts 2:20), and is described by
Peter and Jude in vivid terms (II Peter 2:3.4.7. Jude 6). The wicked or ungodly
will not be judged to see whether they are entitled to Eternal Life but to
ascertain the degree of their punishment (Rev. 20:12; Rom. 2:5. 6).
H.
AFTER THE MILLENNIUM: We believe that "When the thousand years
have been terminated Satan shall be released from his prison, and shall deceive
the nations of Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle.” And Rev.
20:7-9 concludes, "And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and
compassed the Camp of the Saints about, and the beloved city; and fire came
down from God out of Heaven, and devoured them."
I.
THE FUTURE OF THE WICKED: We believe that "Gehenna" or the
"Lake of Fire" is prepared for the Devil and his angels, into which
the "Wicked" after the "Great White Throne" Judgment, will
be cast to spend eternity. (Matt 25:41; Rev. 20:12-15). The first persons to
get into it are the "Beast" and the" False Prophets" (Rev.
19.20), then "Satan" and his "Angels" 1000 years later
(Rev. 20:10). And then after the "Great White Throne" Judgment the
“Fallen Angels" now confined in Tartarus, and the wicked whose names are
not found written in the "Book of Life" (Rev. 20:12-15).
J.
HEAVEN: We believe that Heaven is a piece and not a state or condition.
(John1 4:2; Rev. 21:9-10; Heb. 11:10; Heb. 13:14). The Scriptures speak of
three Heavens:
1.
THE HEAVEN OF THE EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE. "God gave you rain from Heaven," I
Acts 14:17)
2.
THE HEAVEN OF THE STARS. "The High Places" where the
"Principalities and Powers" of evil have their residence. (Eph. 6:12)
3.
THE HEAVEN WHERE GOD DWELLS. (Acts 14:19-20; II Cor. 12:1-4). Heaven, then,
is a place that is reserved only for the Godly or the Righteous.
VIII.
PRAYER
FOR SALVATION. As we close, if you
have not received this Jesus pray this simple prayer:
"Father, I know that I have sinned against You. Please
forgive me. Wash me clean. I promise to trust in Jesus, Your Son. I believe
that He died for me—He took my sin upon Himself when He died on the cross. I
believe that He was raised from the dead. I surrender my life to Jesus today.
"Thank You, Father, for Your gift of forgiveness and eternal
life. Please help me to live for you. In Jesus' name, Amen."
[1] [1]
Range, C. F. Church Of God In Christ Official Manual. COGIC: Memphis,
1973.
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