Looks Like This Is the End

Looks Like This Is the End!

We would all like to know how our lives are going to turn out.

Let me put it this way—some of you will read the end of a book before you come close to finishing it because you want to know how it ends. Why do you do that? Because you want to know if the ending is satisfying or not. Does the story end happily ever after? Does the hero get the girl? Does the good guy defeat the villain?

As we are beginning our journey through Daniel, and last week the vision of Nebuchadnezzar gave us a glimpse of the end, I thought it would be wise to take a look at an overview of the primary end times views.

Let’s read together Matthew 24:1-14

Mat 24:1-14 (ESV) Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. [2] But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” [3] As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” [4] And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. [5] For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. [6] And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. [7] For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. [8] All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. [9] “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. [10] And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. [11] And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. [12] And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. [13] But the one who endures to the end will be saved. [14] And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

It is not my goal to create confusion, but any time you do an overview of a difficult subject like this, it will probably create more questions than it will provide answers. So let me just encourage all of us—keep studying, keep digging, don’t ever think you’ve got the end all figured out. (Key passages—Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Zechariah, Matthew, 2 Thessalonians, Revelation.)

I want to begin with a definition and then  look at the differences among the views and then we will conclude with the areas surrounding the end upon which we can all agree.

Eschatology—the study of last things.

(focuses on matters surrounding death and hell, the return of Christ, the judgment, the resurrection, the New Heavens and the New Earth, the millennium, etc.)

The labels for the end times views are all built around Revelation 20, which is the only place where the term “millennium” is used.

1. Premillennialism—Jesus will return before and usher in the millennial reign.
2. Postmillennialism—Jesus will return after the millennium which is the golden age of the church. The church will accomplish the Great Commission and usher in the kingdom return of the Lord.
3. Amillennialism—“no millennium”. Not really accurate. They believe in a millennium but it is more spiritual than physical.

The Differences: (See the chart)

• When will Jesus return?
• Do the rapture and the second coming of Christ occur at the same time?
• Will there be a great tribulation?
• Will Christians suffer during the tribulation?
• Will there be a literal 1,000-year millennium?
• Is the modern state of Israel relevant to the prophecies in Revelation?

You can hold differing views on the end times and still be faithful believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. We can have differing views on the end and still love one another and serve alongside one another to advance the gospel around the world.

The Agreement:

• Jesus Christ is coming back physically to earth.
• Jesus wins. Righteousness triumphs.
• Those who believe are saved.
• Those who don’t believe are condemned.
• God is going to bring peace on earth.
• We will see God’s face and enjoy him forever.

Rev 22:1-7 (ESV) Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb [2] through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. [3] No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. [4] They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. [5] And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. [6] And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.” [7] “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

Lord’s Supper

We can discuss and debate the end of times because, Jesus, the Lamb of God, whose throne will be in the New Heavens and the New Earth, has made it all possible. Jesus shed his blood to cancel the curse and to restore righteousness.

We take the Lord’s supper this morning to proclaim the Lord’s death, and his resurrection, and his return. We celebrate our Savior who makes all things new.

We can have this discussion of the end because Jesus has given us the victorious end through his cross.

We take the bread this morning to remember the lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Jesus had already chosen to die before we ever died spiritually. He died so that we could live.

We drink the juice this morning to remember the lamb who shed his blood to cover our sins.

Let’s close our time together through a time of prayer and praise. Spend time thanking Jesus for the victory that we have through him. Praise him for being our coming King. Spend time praying for the people and for the problems in your life. Let me say specifically that what we’ve looked at today is of supreme importance. The end has been written. It is certain that Jesus will return one day to establish a kingdom where only righteousness dwells. The only way for us to be a part of that kingdom is for Jesus to take away our sinfulness and to replace it with his righteousness. You must place your faith in Jesus and repent of your sin to be made right with God. If you need to do that right now, we would love to talk with you.

 Life Group Discussion Guide

1. Why is it important to study and to try and understand how the end will come?
2. Why is the study of end times not worth fighting about?
3. List out some of the end times points we all agree on. Why should we focus on those more than the disagreements?
4. What is your current end times view? Why? Is it possible you could be wrong?