Understanding Biblical Themes: A Guide to End Times Perspectives

The study of eschatology, or the "end times," is a complex and often debated area within Christian theology. It deals with the ultimate destiny of humanity, the return of Christ, and the final judgment. Many believers and scholars have differing views on how and when these events will unfold, leading to the development of various doctrines and interpretations.

In this article, we will explore some of the most prominent eschatological views, including Pre-Tribulation, Post-Tribulation, Pre-Millennialism, Post-Millennialism, Preterism, and Rapture Theology.

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End Times

The term "End Times" encompasses all the events associated with the final period of human history as described in the Bible. This includes the Tribulation, the Second Coming of Christ, the millennium, the final judgment, and the creation of a new heaven and earth.

The Importance of Understanding the End Times

For Christians, understanding the End Times is crucial as it relates to their hope in the future and their daily walk with God. Different interpretations of these events can significantly influence how believers live their lives, their sense of urgency in evangelism, and their views on current events.

Rapture Theology

Rapture Theology revolves around the belief in the rapture, the event where believers are caught up to meet Christ in the air, as described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. This event is seen by some as separate from the Second Coming of Christ.

Different Views on the Rapture

There are various interpretations of the timing of the rapture in relation to the Tribulation, leading to the Pre-Trib, Mid-Trib, and Post-Trib positions. While Pre-Tribulationists believe the rapture occurs before the Tribulation, Mid-Tribulationists place it at the midpoint, and Post-Tribulationists believe it happens at the end, coinciding with Christ’s return.

Pre-Tribulation

Pre-Tribulation, often referred to as "Pre-Trib," is the belief that Christians will be raptured, or taken up to heaven, before the seven-year Tribulation period begins. This view is popular among many evangelical Christians and is often associated with the teachings of dispensationalism.

The Foundation of Pre-Tribulation Belief

Pre-Tribulationists interpret key biblical passages, such as 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 and Revelation 3:10, as evidence that believers will be spared from the wrath of God that will be poured out during the Tribulation. They see the rapture as a separate event from the Second Coming of Christ, which they believe will occur after the Tribulation.

However, few people are actually aware that rapture theology was based upon a dream a young lady, a fifteen-year-old called Margaret McDonald had from Scotland, England in 1830.  Whilst people at the time believed it to be evil, the dream was relayed to John Nelson Derby (1800-1882) who took this ‘dream’ to the U.S.A.  This ‘theology’ was used as a convincing ruse to convince the so-called early settlers to believe in Christ as they would be transported out of the demonic trials to come.

The key passage is about being caught up in the air to meet the King.  However, unbeknownst to many, this was a common activity of ‘the people’ when a King would return to the castle.  They would meet him in the air.  Same thing! 

Post-Tribulation

In contrast, Post-Tribulationists believe that Christians will endure the entire Tribulation period and that the rapture and the Second Coming of Christ are one simultaneous event.

Biblical Support and Criticism

Post-Tribulationists argue that passages like Matthew 24:29-31 and Revelation 7:14 suggest that believers will go through the Tribulation, facing trials and persecution alongside unbelievers. This view emphasises the endurance of faith through suffering and rejects the notion of an early escape from tribulation.

Pre-Millennialism

Pre-Millennialism is the belief that Jesus Christ will return to earth before the millennium, a literal thousand-year reign of peace and righteousness. This view often coincides with the idea that the Tribulation will precede the millennium.

Key Scriptural Interpretations

Pre-Millennialists base their views on passages like Revelation 20:1-6, which they interpret as describing a future physical reign of Christ on earth. They believe this millennium will be a time of fulfilment of God's promises to Israel and the world, following the judgment of the wicked.

Post-Millennialism

Post-Millennialism, on the other hand, holds that Christ's Second Coming will occur after the millennium. In this view, the millennium is not necessarily a literal thousand years but a symbolic period during which the world will increasingly reflect Christian values and principles.

The Optimistic Outlook of Post-Millennialism

Post-Millennialists often interpret passages like Psalm 22:27-28 and Isaiah 2:2-4 as indicating that the Gospel will gradually lead to a golden age of Christianity, where most of the world is converted. After this period of widespread peace and righteousness, Christ will return, leading to the final judgment and the establishment of a new heaven and earth.

Preterism

Preterism is a view that interprets many of the prophecies in the Bible, particularly those in the book of Revelation, as having already been fulfilled in the past, specifically in the events surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.

Full vs. Partial Preterism

Full Preterists believe that all biblical prophecy was fulfilled by the end of the first century, including the Second Coming of Christ, which they interpret as a spiritual event. Partial Preterists, however, believe that while many prophecies were fulfilled in the first century, some, such as the final resurrection and judgment, are still future events.

Typical Conclusion

Eschatology, or the study of the End Times, is a rich and varied field within Christian theology, offering multiple perspectives on how biblical prophecy will unfold. Whether one leans towards Pre-Tribulation or Post-Tribulation, Pre-Millennialism or Post-Millennialism, Preterism, or embraces a particular view of the rapture, the ultimate focus for Christians remains on living a life of faith, anticipating the return of Christ, and preparing for eternity. Understanding these theological concepts helps believers to navigate their spiritual journey with greater clarity and conviction, as they look forward to the fulfilment of God's promises.

And Finally

There is one more less common, but extremely valid view and one based upon much evidence which is; Satan’s Little Season which is mentioned in Revelation 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle; the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

In conjunction with all prophecy, those who believe we are in Satan’s Little Season believe so for the following reasons:

Scripture says in multiple places that Jesus will return in the lifetime of those He is speaking to prior to His death and resurrection.  In Matthew 16:28 Jesus says, “Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom”. 

The end times tribulation already happened thanks to the demented mind of Emperor Nero.  The Sibylline Oracles label Nero a ''great beast.'' and the early Christian author, Lactantius, calls him a ''noxious wild beast.'' It's a historical fact that Nero began to persecute the Christians throughout the Roman Empire in mid-November 64 AD. This intense persecution only ended when Nero committed suicide in June 68 AD. Thus he made war on the saints for a period of exactly 42 months. *

Revelation 13:5 says, And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

Jesus returned in approximately 70AD and so began the Millennial Reign for 1,000 years.

After the 1,000 years, Satan was released, and this is the world in which we live now.  Once he was release, a series of cataclysmic events happened, such as the Mud Flood, comets, city fires, the destruction of the old world, old/antique technology and Tartaria. 

Coinciding with his ‘release’, dates and historical events were changed or erased and those who knew or were aware of the Millennial kingdom were placed in mental asylums which appeared around the world and the same time as thousands of orphans appeared.

It does not take a great deal of imagination to understand or realise that we are indeed in a very unstable time in our lives, however, whilst preachers will spout we are heading towards End Times and the seven year tribulation, there are some who rightly believe this has already happened which paves the way for a massive deception, prior to the final cataclysmic event and final judgement of God on the people of the earth.

My money is on Satan’s Little Season!  I would urge you to read the book listed below as it provides an extremely good illustration and explanation how all of this fits together.

*Extract from Lucifer’s Flood & Satan’s Little Season by Allan Cornford, available on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C9SHFT6Q