087 Eschatology: Defining Our Terms

“How we comprehend and view eschatology affects how we conduct our lives, and what we may expect to happen in the overall plan of God.” - Pastor Jeff Cranston  

Merry Christmas Kitchen Table Theology Family! In this episode, Pastor Jeff and Jen Denton kick off a new series on the End Times or Eschatology. We define our terms and give an overlay of everything that will be discussed in the next few episodes.

 

[00:01] Introduction

• Email pastorjeff@lowcountrycc.org with your questions on the end times 
• Recalling end-times predictors that made international news 
• Eschatology is a popular topic, but a very often misunderstood one as well 
  • The contention on the rapture 

[04:55] What is Eschatology?

• The study of what the Bible says is going to happen in the end times
• How we comprehend and view eschatology affects how we conduct our lives and understand the overall plan of God
• How we should NOT study eschatology 
  • We should be so fixated on the future, that we ignore the present
• How eschatology can help our Christian walk 

 

[08:38] A Biblical Grounding on the End Times

• As Christians, we have a future beyond the pain of this world (Titus 2:11-15)
• The Rapture, we can define is an instantaneous gathering-up of the whole church from the earth to meet Christ in the air and be with Him forever (1 Thes 4:13)
• The Second Coming, Rapture, Tribulation

 

[17:11] Understanding the Millenium 

• The 1000 year period in which Christ will reign on earth and fulfill the Abrahamic, Davidic, and New Covenant 
• Premillennialism andPostmillennialism 

 

[21:22] Understanding the Rapture

• Pre Tribulation -  the rapture will occur before the beginning of a seven-year tribulation period, while the second coming will occur at the end of it
• Mid Tribulation - the view that the rapture will take place at that three and a half year point
• Post Tribulation - a view that the rapture will coincide with the second coming of Christ at the end of the tribulation

 

[26:23] Closing Segment

• This episode is brought to you by Your Greatest Adventure and Happily Ever After by Pastor Jeff Cranston 
• Closing words and Christmas chats! 

 

Key Quotes

“Eschatology unfolds the prophetic program that God has for humanity, for Israel, for the church, and for the entire created order of the universe.” - Pastor Jeff Cranston 

“It's unhealthy for us if we were to have such a fixation on the future, that we ignore the present.” - Pastor Jeff Cranston 

 

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Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!