Biblical Eschatology: A Brief Overview

History moving toward God’s intended goal

 

 

 

 

 

Biblical eschatology is the study of God’s final plans for history as we know it. This theme covers all of God’s creation: the destinies of individuals (humans and angels), world history (the gradual and climactic implementation of the kingdom of God), and creation itself (as it waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God, Romans 8:19-21). The body of what is called prophetic Scripture focuses on Israel, the church, and the nations.  In an overall sense, “biblical eschatology rests on faith in the God who comes with the anticipation of His final coming— a major theme of biblical prophecy” (adapted from: Expositors Bible Commentary, Vol. 1, Robert L. Saucy, p. 110).

 

The first promise of the Lord’s coming is given to Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:15. The primary emphasis of Old Testament prophetic Scripture is on our Lord’s coming in relation to His covenant people Israel. This is especially noticeable in the unfolding of the covenant promises.

 

 1. Abrahamic Covenant (Gen. 12:2-3; 13:14-17; 15;7-21; 22:16-18), confirmed with Isaac (Gen. 26:1-4), confirmed with Jacob (Gen. 28:13-15; 35:9-12; 48:3-4), during the time of Joseph (Gen. 50:24-26), Moses (Ex. 2:24; 6:2-8), David (I Chron. 16:15-18), Zacharias (Lk. 1:67-75), see also Acts 3:12-15, 25:26; Heb. 6:13-18).

  

2. Palestinian Covenant (Deut. 28-30 w/Hos. 3:5; Zech. 12:10; 13:1; Rom. 11:25-32).

 

 3. Davidic Covenant ( II Sam. 7:8-16; 23:5; II Chron. 7:18; 21:7; Ps. 89:3-4, 28-29, 34-37; Jer. 33:19-26; Mt. 1:1; Lk. 1:31-33; Acts 2:30; Isa. 9:7), future focus (Dan. 7:13-14 w/Mt. 24:29-31; Mt. 25:31-46; Zech. 14:4,9; Rev. 11:15).

 

 4. New Covenant (Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:26-27; 37:23-24). 

Concerning the duration of the covenants (see: Rom. 11:28-29; Gal. 3:15).

 

The focus of OT anticipation is on the first and second advent of our Lord with allowance for an interpolation (Isa. 61:1-2 w/Lk. 4:17-21; I Pet. 1:10,11; Dan. 9:24-27; Hos. 3:4-5; Ps. 110:1-2). The Jewish rejection of the Messiah gave way to the present age between the advents (Mt. 21:42-43; Acts 28:25-28; Rom. 11). The present age (i.e. the church age) was not revealed to OT saints and prophets (Eph. 3:4-6, 9-10). The first advent of our Lord brought history into “the fullness of time” (Gal. 4:4), also referred to as “the end of the ages” (I Cor. 10:11), “the end of the times” (I Pet. 1:20), “these last days” (Heb. 1:2), and “the consummation of the ages” (Heb. 9:26), (cf. “The end of all things has come near” I Peter 4:7).

 

These last days bring with them increased difficulty (Acts 14:21-22; Jn. 16:33; I Tim. 4:1-3; II Tim. 3:1-5, 13; II Pet. 3:1-4; Jude 17-19), and should lead to a purifying expectation for our Lord’s soon return ( Ja. 5:7-8; I Pet. 4:7-10; II Pet. 3:10-14; I Jn. 3:2-3).

 

 “Even as His first advent, the second coming of Christ is a complex series of related events that take place over a period of time. Two primary phases involve the descent of Christ in the air to catch the church up to Himself (I Thess. 4:13-18 ) and the later coming to earth in radiant glory to establish his reign (Zech. 12:10; 14:3-4; Mt. 24:39).  (E.B.C. Vol. 1, Robert Saucy, P. 111)

 

 

Steve Cornell