Eschatology
I. Death
Death is the cessation of life. There is a biological death appointed for all men (Heb. 9:27). There is also a spiritual deadness all men begin life with "second death" from which believers have been rescued (Rev. 20:4-6; cf. Rom. 6:9).
The cause of death is clear." He who pursues evil will die" (Prov. l1:19;cf. Rom. 6:23; Ezek. 18:4). Through Adam's original sin death entered the world (Rom. 5:15,17). Therefore, in our present state, all persons face both the inevitability of physical death and the danger of permanent spiritual death.
II. The Intermediate State
The state of a person between physical death and resurrection is not spelled out in Scripture. Nevertheless, two things can be asserted with biblical support. First, this is a disembodied state, unlike physical life or life after resurrection. Frequent OT and NT descriptions of death suggest the idea of " yielding up the ghost" (Gen. 49:33;cf. Job 34:14; Eccl. 8:8; Matt. 27:50; Acts 7:59). For Paul, to die meant an absence from the body (2.Cor. 5:8; cf. Eccl. l2:7). Secondly, this is a blessed state for believers "Paradise"-Lk 23:43; cf. 16:25; Phil. 1:21,23) and a wretched one for unbelievers ("Hades"- Lk. l6:23,25; cf. Rev. 6:8).
III. The Translation of the NT Church (The Rapture)
This belief is strongly contingent upon the scriptural distinction between Israel and the NT church. There is a metaphorical sense in which the church is the “New Israel” (Rom. 9:6ff.); however, my interpretation of other passages leads me to the believe that the objective distinction remains (cf. I Chron. 17:22; Dan. 9; Rom. 9-11).
A. Nature
The translation of the redeemed is their blessed hope (Titus 2:13;cf. I Thess. 4:18). Saints will be "caught up" (I Thess. 4:17). The church will go to meet her groom (Rev. 18:23, 19:7, cf. 2 Cor. l1:2). This seems to involve immediate resurrection at any moment (Lk. 2l:36, cf. l Cor. l5:52).
B. Time
The rapture is imminent (l Thess. 1:10; 5:lff;cf. Jn l4:3) usage of the emphatic present, "I come again"). Therefore, I believe the exemption of the church from the "wrath of God" which is to be poured out upon the week of Daniel 9, commonly considered as the seven year tribulation (v.27), pertains, along with the other sixty-nine weeks, to the Jews (v.24 "your people”). This appears to be a time when, once again, God is dealing in a concentrated effort with the Jewish people whom He first called.
IV. The Great Tribulation
This is the "time of Jacob’s trouble (Jer. 30:7) and great calamity worldwide (cf. Dan. 9:26; Matt. 24.21). It will be a period of unequaled anguish for those who are living upon the earth (Rev. 6:1 ff.). I think it best to understand the duration as stated, a literal seven years. The first half of the period will see relative peace and evangelistic testimony as God issues a final offer of repentance to all persons, the Jew first (Rev. l1:3; cf. Dan. 9:27). The final three and one-half years are to hear the blatant blasphemy of the Antichrist world leader and will culminate in the outpouring of the Lamb's wrath upon the earth's inhabitants (Matt. 24:15 ff; Rev. l1:3). Those saved during this period will be sealed and protected unto Christ, even though suffering martyrdom (Rev. 6:6-11, 7:3-14).
The climactic end will be a global conflict know as Armaggedon (Rev.16:13-16). Should it not be called to a sudden halt by return of Christ, it destruction will be total (Rev. l9:l1ff.).
V. Christ's Second coming to Earth
The return of Christ will be personal (Acts 1:11; I Thess. 4:16), visible (Matt. 24:30, Rev. 1:7), accompanied by his angels (2 Thess. 1:7-8) and by all of "his saints" (Zach. 14:5, 1 Thess. 3:13; cf. Col 3:4). It will be surrounded with glory and power (Matt 16:27, 26:64 cf. Dan. 7:14).
The purpose of his coming is to judge (Jn. 5:22; Rom. 2:16) and to establish his reign on the earth, commonly known as the millennium. This reign has it's roots in OT prophecies for Israel's future restoration and glory, prophecies which are yet unfulfilled (e.g. Jn. 13:17; Zach. 14:6ff; Is. 60:lff.). In the NT, John describes this period in Revelation 20:1-15. Although this is not a "hill to die on", I believe that the millennial rule should be understood literally, both with regard to the promised reign of Christ on the earth and also concerning the duration of the period (1000 years).
VI. The Resurrections and the Judgments
There is a resurrection to life for all believers (Jn. 5:29; 1 Thess. 4:16; cf. I Cor. 15:22; Phil. 3:1 0; Rev. 20:4). This is the "first resurrection: over which the second death has no power (Rev. 20:5ff.). There is also a resurrection of the unbeliever to death and condemnation (Acts 24:15; John 5:29; cf. Dan. 12:2).
For the one who has died in Christ this resurrection involves a rejoining of that person's body with his spirit, departed at death (I Thess. 4:16; cf. I Cor. 15:43fo. The nature of this body is not clear, however its germ is our physical body (I Cor. 15). We might expect it to resemble Christ's resurrected body.
There will be three judgments of Christ. First, there is coming a judgment of believers ("the judgment seat of Christ" - 2 Cor. 5:10; cf. I Cor. 4:4ff.). This will be a trying of the believer’s works "by fire" (I Cor. 3:13ff.). There will be an issuing of rewards and commendations (I Cor. 3:14; cf. Mt. 25:14ff.).
The judgment of unbelievers is before the Great White Throne in Heaven (Rev.20:11-15). It is to be thought of not so much as an ascertainment of character as it is a manifestation of it. The resultant condemnation is the only logical outcome of rejecting Christ's overtures of love and forgiveness.
Finally, Satan and his cohorts will be judged and consigned to hell (II Thess. 2:8; cf. Rev. 17:14; 11 Pet. 2:4; Jude 6).
VII. Final States
A. Hell: The Eternal Lot of Unbelievers.
Hell, referred to by Jesus as Gehenna, is a place of conscious torment (Rev. 14: 1 Of.), darkness (Matt 8:12) and total absence of God's presence (II Thess. 1:9). Its duration is forever (II Thess. 1:9) and there is some indication of degrees of severity (Luke 12:41ff.; cf. Matt. 11:21ff.).
While annihilation in hell is an attractive thought, and while it has some biblical merit (Matt. 10:28 "destroy"=napollumi, to destroy utterly), it requires a re-interpretation of "eternal" and is not consistent with other references to hell. In Matthew 25, verse 46 Jesus says that some will "go away into eternal punishment" and some "into eternal life". If the one is not eternal (lasting forever), is the others?
B. Heaven: The Eternal Home of Believers.
Heaven is God's home (Neh. 1:4; cf. Jonah 1:9; Ps. 136:26; Matt 6:8). Jesus went there to prepare a place for us (John 14:lff.). Heaven will mean unending blessedness for the believer (Rev.22:1-5). There will be permanent light (Rev. 22:5), no pain or sorrow (Rev. 7:15ff.; 21:lff.) and no temptation (Rev. 19:20ff; 20:10, 14, 15). Furthermore, we will experience the direct presence and vision of God (I John 3:2; cf. I Cor. 13:12). There we will reach our ultimate destiny and maturity. For we shall be with Him and we will be like Him (I John 3:2).
Bibliography:
The Judgement Seat of Christ. I. M. Haldeman
Things to Come. Pentecost
What is Eschatology? Buswell
Eschatology and History. C. H. Dodd (The Eschaton=The Day of the Lord; realized...Already/Not Yet)
Intermediate State. William Shedd
Old and New Hope: Resurrection. W. E. Davies (new body immediately upon death)
Last Things. E. Y. Mullins Hell. C. S. Lewis
Heaven. C. S. Lewis
Walvoord