Why It Matters What You Believe

Agenda Common end time beliefs Your judgment Why it matters what you believe about the end times

Common end time beliefs The “isms” – Millennialism – Pre-Millennialism – Post –Millennialism – Amillennialsim – Preterism – Pan-Millennialism Common themes – Crucifixion – 1,000 year reign – Christ’s return – Final judgment – End of the world

Millennialism Belief in some form of the 1,000 year reign of Christ Based on Revelations 20:4 Belief dates back to 1 st Century AD

Pre-Millennialism Literal 1,000 year reign Includes tribulation and rapture Second Coming and Last Judgment separated Matthew 24:21 I Thessalonians 4:16-18; I Corinthians 15:50-58

Post-Millennialism Some think literal, some symbolic 1,000 year reign Second Coming and Last Judgment occur at the same time Good eventually overcomes Evil Symbolic Millennium

Amillennialism Symbolic 1,000 year reign Second Coming and Last Judgment separated Evil eventually overcomes Good

Preterism Symbolic 1,000 year reign Second Coming already occurred Full-Preterism – all prophecies fulfilled in AD 70; no “end of the world” Partial-Preterism – most prophecies fulfilled, a final judgment still to come AD 70 Second Coming Symbolic Millennium Last Judgment Preterism

Pan-Millennialism It will all “pan out” in the end.

Which one? Discussion: Which view do you think the Church of Christ espouses? – Definitely not Full-Preterism – Definitely not Pre-millennialism AD 70 Second Coming Symbolic Millennium Last Judgment Preterism Symbolic Millennium

Your judgment We will all reach a personal end time – Hebrews 9:27 – Romans 14:10-12 Bad news – Romans 3:23 Good news – Romans 8:1-2 Rapture, End of the World, or RIP

Why it matters what you believe Discussion: Are end times beliefs matters of opinion or matters of salvation? – 2 Tim 2:16-18

Why it matters what you believe Discussion: What are your responsibilities regardless of which end times belief you choose? – Lead a life pleasing to God – 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 – Temperate in all things – I Corinthians 9:24-27 – Test the Spirits – I John 4:1 – Finish what you start – 2 Timothy 4:6-8