it is in fact essential for the life of God’s people today.
Underscoring each of the central chapters of this book (chs. 6–11) will be the importance of understanding the significance of these issues as it relates to the present life of the people of God. That is, much of the popular ideas on the end times, with its fascination with contemporary world events and how such may fulfill prophecy, is the assumption that the end times are primarily about the future. This future focus can be potentially dangerous for the life of the Christian. For it can lead to apathy. This, as I see it, is a significant problem for many in the church today—especially among the younger generation. For many of them, end times speculations are not worth the time and energy. And I understand why they might say this.
But if, as I will argue, there is a present importance to the temple, the tribulation, and Armageddon, then we may need to heed the biblical exhortations related to each theme as it relates to us. That is, if we are the temple of God, then should we not strive for holiness now? And, if the notion of tribulation refers to some extent to the life of the follower of Christ now, then should we not be prepared to overcome? And if the notion of Armageddon refers to the present lives of the people of God throughout history, then should we not prepare to endure and to provide for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are enduring such today?
Furthermore, understanding the end times matters because the very nature of Scripture is such that the eschatological promises of the OT have been inaugurated in Christ. Understanding the end times, then, is vital. For to understand the end times is to understand the biblical story that the kingdom has begun. More than that, if we, the people of God, are missionally called to carry forth this kingdom, then understanding the end times is central for the very mission of God’s people.
Overview of This Book and Its Conclusions
I will begin in chapters three and four by examining the hermeneutical issues that are the primary source of the many differences among evangelicals. I will contend that a proper method of biblical interpretation has Jesus at the center. In chapter 3, I contend that the NT writers understood the entirety of the OT story as applying to Jesus. That is, he is the fulfillment of the story of Israel and the OT, and not merely certain isolated verses.17 In chapter 4, I will further suggest that we must also understand the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the coming of the Spirit, and the mission of the NT people of God from the perspective of the end times. Thus, the New Creation has come in Christ, continues in the life of God’s people, and looks forward to the consummation.
Chapter 5 will then include a look at the nature of biblical prophecy. I will note that the prophets were very concerned with the people of their day and their obedience, or the lack thereof, to the covenant. Thus, I will contend that the prophets must be understood in light of the historical era in which they prophesied. Our study of the prophets will include a look into their use of apocalyptic language.
After these opening chapters, I will turn our focus to four issues that are commonly misunderstood in regards to the end times. First, in chapters 6 and 7 we will explore the theme of the temple throughout Scripture in order to determine the nature and purpose of the temple and how this relates to the end times. I will begin by contending that one of the goals of creation is for God to dwell among his people. In light of this, I will show that Eden is understood in Scripture in terms of a temple, with Adam as a priest in the garden-temple. Moreover, I will contend that after the expulsion of humankind from Eden, God permitted temporary structures to serve as the place of his dwelling among his people. These included the tabernacle of Moses and the temple of Solomon. After the destruction of Solomon’s temple, the prophets looked forward to a restoration of the presence of God among his people—that is, a future temple—in terms more fitting of Eden than of a physical building in Jerusalem. We will see that, contrary to some of the popular suggestions that a future temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem prior to the return of Christ, all of these OT promises find their fulfillment in Jesus. I will also note that the theme of the temple in Scripture does not end with Christ and his resurrection. For, Paul refers to the people of God as the temple in the exact same manner as Christ. Furthermore, the Scriptures look forward to the New Jerusalem as the consummation of God’s promises regarding the temple. That is, the New Jerusalem is itself a temple, a restored Eden, and the climax of the dwelling of God among his people.
Chapter 8 will then examine the notion of “tribulation” in Scripture. The popular conception of the tribulation is that it represents a seven-year, or three-and-a-half-year, period of time immediately prior to the return of Jesus. As such, the tribulation is often viewed as exclusively in the future. We will observe, however, that the NT’s focus on “tribulation” and “affliction” relates consistently to the current plight of the people of God. That is, the people of God are to be fulfilling the mission of God in building his kingdom, but to do so we must endure tribulation.
Chapters 9 and 10 will then examine what the Bible says about the second coming of Jesus. I will contend that the NT affirms three “signs” related to the time of Jesus’ return, and that these signs relate to the present conduct of the people of God. First, the nations will be converted before Christ returns. Secondly, the holiness of the people of God will hasten the day of Christ. Finally, the suffering of God’s people will ultimately cause him to delay no longer. I will note that each of these three elements have tremendous implications for Christian living. For, instead of passively watching for the alleged signs of Jesus’ imminent return in the newspaper, the people of God are to be busy studying Scripture, applying it to our lives and our witness, and preparing to suffer for the sake of the kingdom!
In chapter 10, I will conduct a brief excursus and examine Jesus’ end-times sermon (Matt 24–25; Mark 13; Luke 17, 21). This sermon is often understood as Jesus’ message that delineates the events that will occur prior to his return. Instead, I will contend that, in light of the fact that Jesus does not know the hour of his return, the focus of this message is not on the signs that will occur immediately prior to his coming, but on the readiness of the people of God. That is, Jesus was not giving us details of what will transpire before his return so that we will know when his coming is near. Instead, Jesus was primarily concerned with what we are doing until he returns! Thus, again, the end times are missional and ethical!
In chapter 11, I will look at the use of “Armageddon” and “war” in the book of Revelation. I will contend that Revelation depicts a battle waged between Satan and God. Satan empowers the kings of the earth to do his bidding. But, instead of waging a pointless war against God himself, Satan employs the kings of the earth to attack the people of God.
In chapter 12, I will endeavor to take all that we have learned and ask what all this might mean for the people of God today. I will affirm that a proper understanding of the end times is essential for the life of the people of God in the present and for how we are to understand the Scriptures. I will conclude that, in light of the whole of the biblical story, the New Creation has already begun in Christ, continues by means of the Spirit in the life of church, and that we look forward to its consummation in the New Jerusalem. This New Creation is a restoration and glorification of God’s creation in Eden. And, this restoration is one in which God’s people are called to participate. Our participation in God’s work of restoration entails tribulation and suffering now! But, it ultimately results in our resurrection, when there will be no more suffering, pain, or death!
5. Jürgen Moltmann, Theology of Hope, 16.
6. See Kyle, Last Days are Here Again. Kyle chronicles many of the instances throughout history in which men have attempted to predict the time of Jesus’ return.
7. Some good works that provide an understanding of the biblical story in terms of the overall narrative of the Bible include:
