1. In View of the End What can we expect? Version: 01.30.2008
Author’s Note: Following are the presentation notes for the study “In View of the End.” The  icon signifies to click the mouse (or spacebar) to advance the slide animation to synchronize the display with the presentation notes. The  icon on a line by itself at the bottom signifies a mouse click to advance to the next slide.
Welcome to the study of the End Times according to scripture. This study will probably not be entirely like any you have heard up until now. But it is important for us to know what to expect – and not just what we have been taught through various teachers and books, but what the scriptures say. There is so much speculation and assumption about the end times and yet there is more scripture on the return of Christ than almost any other topic. So, let’s look at what the Bible says! 
What can we expect?
© 2005 Elbert D. Charpie

2. The End of Time The Millennium Daniel’s 70th Week
Overview
The Millennium
Daniel’s 70th Week
The Rapture & The Day of the Lord
The Wrath of God
As we look at what the scripture teaches about the end of time, we will be looking at several major topics including: 
The Millenium 
Daniel’s 70th Week 
The Rapture and the Day of the Lord 
The Wrath of God 
© 2005 Elbert D. Charpie

3. The Millennium
(Rev 20:1-3 NIV) And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. {2} He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. {3} He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.
In this first session we will look at what the Bible says about the Millennium. The millennium is a period of 1,000 years predicted in Rev.20:1-3.
Revelation 20:1 (NIV) And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. 
© 2005 Elbert D. Charpie

4. The Millennium vs. Christ’s ReturnOF
CHRIST?
1000 Years
The reason we are all here in this study is that Christ predicted His return to this earth over two-thousand years ago. Along with that prediction, He spoke of a time when He would return to rule the earth for 1,000 years. The prediction of the 1,000 year or millennial reign of Christ is most explicitly found in the book of Revelation chapter 20 verses 1 through 3. The question that faces interpreters of these predictions is: When and what is the millennial reign of Christ and how does it fit in with His return for His people? 
Rev. 20:1-3
© 2005 Elbert D. Charpie

5. 3 Theories of the Millennium
A-millennial View
Post-Millennial View
Pre-Millennial View
The Millennium is the event predicted in scripture when Jesus Christ will rule this earth for 1,000 years. There are three theories about how these scriptural predictions are interpreted. 
The A-millennial View 
The Post Millennial View and the 
Pre-Millennial View
We will discuss each of these and what they mean, but it is important to note that none of these views is universal or definitive. If you find two people that claim to be A-Millennialists, you will most likely find that they will still have significant differences in their interpretations. The descriptions that follow are typical descriptions of those that hold each of these views. 
© 2005 Elbert D. Charpie

6. Amillennial View
That the millennial reign of Christ is figurative as is most of the book of Revelation in most of its symbolism. The Millennium is symbolic of heaven – the world will get progressively worse until Christ comes.
The first view is called the A-Millennial View. The “Ah” in the Greek language is a form of negation, so the name “A-Millennial” means “No Millennium.”
 The view is probably one of the most prevalent views today, particularly in the scholarly realm. Because of the problems of interpreting all the prophecies surrounding the return of Christ, many have chosen, to view the millennium as figurative or symbolic. They also view most of the book of Revelation in the same way.
Those who hold to this view see the millennium as prophetic of Heaven. They believe the world will get progressively worse until Christ returns. 
© 2005 Elbert D. Charpie

7. Post-Millennial View
Most of the book of Revelation is historical and culminated at the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. We are now in the millennial reign of Christ and will evolve into a “new heaven and a new earth.” Things will continually get better until Christ comes to reign per-sonally. The thousand years is a figurative analogy and not necessarily a literal 1000 years.
The Post Millennial view was much more prominent in previous generations than it is now. It is sometimes called the Preterist View.  Those who interpret the millennium in this way see most of the book of Revelation as historical. They see the millennium as beginning at the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. They see the millennium as symbolic of the age we are living in right now. Christ does not rule in a physical sense, but in a spiritual sense. They see the world evolving in to a “new heaven and a new earth.” Things will continually get better until Christ comes to reign personally. By the way, they see the millennium as a figurative amount of time and not as a literal 1,000 years. 
© 2005 Elbert D. Charpie

8. 1000 (???) Years You Are Here! Post-Millennial View Rev. 20:1-3
RETURN OF CHRIST
1000 (???) Years
According to the Post-Millennial View,  we are somewhere around here in the millennial reign waiting for the world to get better! 
Rev. 20:1-3
© 2005 Elbert D. Charpie

9. Pre-Millennial View
That there IS a literal 1000 years reign when Christ will rule this earth. It is a future event that will be preceded by a seven year period, known as the tribul-ation, where God will pour out His judgment upon this world.
The third view is called the Pre-Millennial View and it is probably the most well-known and accepted among most people that have an opinion.
 It is the most literal interpretation of the scripture and views the millennium as a literal 1,000 years. It sees the millennium as a future event preceded by a seven year period commonly known as the Tribulation Period. It is during this seven year time when God will judge the world and set up His millennial kingdom. 
© 2005 Elbert D. Charpie

10. Pre-Millennial View 1000 Years 7 Years Dan. 9:27 Rev. 20:1-3
RETURN OF CHRIST
NEW HEAVEN/EARTH
Now if you will look on the next page of your workbook we want to fill in this chart. We’ll come back in a minute and fill in those remaining blanks.
The Pre-Millennial View is depicted by this illustration. The Millennial reign of Christ will take place  right after Christ returns to this earth.
 After the millennium it is prophesied that God will create a new heaven and a new earth. We are told in Revelation 21:1 (NIV) Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." 5 He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." 
Now the millennial reign will be preceded by a seven year period prophesied in Daniel 9:27. This time has most commonly been called the Tribulation Period. Now there is some question about how the return of Christ will fit against this seven years, but we’ll get to that later. Now let’s get back to the blanks we left in the workbook. Make sure you record the scriptures for the 7 year period and the millennium.  Now we want to focus on this seven year period before Christ returns. 
7 Years
Tribulation Period
Dan. 9:27
1000 Years
Millennium
Rev. 20:1-3
© 2005 Elbert D. Charpie

11. The Tribulation Period
7 Years
Daniel’s 70th Week
The Tribulation Period
(Dan 9:27 NIV) He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him."
Now this seven year period we said was most commonly called the Tribulation Period, but a more accurate, scriptural name would be Daniel’s 70th Week. Daniel chapter 9 records future events about a ruler who is to come – whom we know as the Antichrist.  In verse 27, we are told
Daniel 9:27 (NIV) He will confirm a covenant with many for one `seven.' In the middle of the `seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing [of the temple] he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him." We get deeper into this later. 
© 2005 Elbert D. Charpie

12. Pre-Millennial View 1000 Years 7 Years You Are Here! (The Church Age)
RETURN OF CHRIST
NEW HEAVEN/EARTH
You Are Here!
(The Church Age)
7 Years
Tribulation Period
Dan. 9:27
For now we see that this seven year period will precede the millennium. According to the Pre-Millennial View of things,  we are here – prior to any of these last things happening. We are still in a period commonly called the “church age.”  Now, lets look at the prophecies in the book of Revelation that tell us about this millennium. 
1000 Years
Millennium
Rev. 20:1-3
© 2005 Elbert D. Charpie

13. The Millennium
(Rev 20:1-10 NIV) And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. {2} He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. {3} He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.
Revelation chapter 20 tells us…
Revelation 20:1 (NIV) And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. 
© 2005 Elbert D. Charpie

14. The Millennium
{4} I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Revelation 20:4 (NIV) I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 
© 2005 Elbert D. Charpie

15. The Millennium
{6} Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.
Skipping to verse 6…
Revelation 20:6 (NIV) Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. 
© 2005 Elbert D. Charpie

16. The Millennium
{7} When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison {8} and will go out to de-ceive the nations in the four corners of the earth Gog and Magog--to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. {9} They marched across the breadth of the earth and sur-rounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. {10} And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Revelation 20:7 (NIV) When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth--Gog and Magog--to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Here in Revelation we have quite a detailed description of this thousand year period. This is why many hold to a more literal interpretation of the millennium, and this is the position of this study.
An important point to note is that these three views of the millennium not only represent a difference in viewpoint of end-time prophesy, but more importantly they reflect a differrence in interpreting scripture. 
© 2005 Elbert D. Charpie

17. Hermeneutics Understanding Scripture
2 COR 1:13
Understanding Scripture
(2 Cor 1:13 NIV) For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand…
There is a fancy word that means the science of interpreting scripture. It is the word “Hermenutics” (Her-man-new-tics).  It simply means “understanding scripture.” The Apostle Paul wrote… 
2 Cor 1:13 (NIV) For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand…
God gave us His word so that we might understand His purposes. But how do we interpret scripture? 
© 2005 Elbert D. Charpie

18. Hermeneutics Understanding Scripture ALLEGORICAL METHOD
2 COR 1:13
Understanding Scripture
ALLEGORICAL METHOD
THE READER DETERMINES WHAT SCRIPTURES TEACH
FACE VALUE METHOD
THE READER DISCOVERS WHAT SCRIPTURES TEACH
These different views of the millennium reveal that there are two basic ways to interpret the Bible.  The first is the allegorical method. The allegorical method sees everything as a symbol of something else. Both the A-Millennial and Post-Millennial views are allegorical interpretations. They see most prophecies as symbolic. The problem with an allegorical interpretation is that ultimately the reader determines what what the scripture teaches because he has to decide what each symbol means.  Now opposed to that is the “Face Value Method.” This takes scripture at its most literal, customary meaning. Even a “face value method” recognizes that sometimes the scripture obviously is meant to be taken symbolically – especially in prophesy. But in those instances it is still a face value method in that a symbolic interpretation is clearly taught and often explained. The result is that rather than the reader making a determination of what is being taught, the reader simply discovers what the scripture teaches as it is taken in its most literal sense. 
© 2005 Elbert D. Charpie

19. For Futher Study Sources:
Van Kampen, Robert., The Sign 2nd Ed. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1999.
Van Kampen, Robert. The Rapture Question Answered. Grand Rapids: Fleming H. Revell, 1997.
Rosenthal, Marvin J. The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990.
At this point we need to make a couple of disclaimers. First the major sources for this study are these three books, among other minor sources. If you would like to dig deeper into this subject these books are a great place to start.
There is one other thing that needs to be mentioned. As we continue into this study you will hear some teaching that you have probably never heard before. There will be some of you that will end this studying thinking, “Well I understand what you are saying, but that’s just not what I believe!” – and that’s ok.
The purpose of this study is NOT to change your mind, but to open you up to what the scripture says and to other possibilities. 
© 2005 Elbert D. Charpie

20. Disclaimer M R Ducks M R Not O S A R C M Wangs L I B M R Ducks
There is a children’s rhyme that is made up of letters and it goes like this…
M R Ducks (Them are ducks)
M R Not (Them are Not)
O S A R C M Wangs (Oh yes they are see them wings)
L I B M R Ducks (Well I’ll be, them are ducks.)
The purpose of this study – especially if you DON’T agree, is to expose you to another possibility so that if the end times unfold in this way – you may be able to say, “Well I’ll be, M R Ducks!”
The is the end of our first session, but we will begin next time looking at how prophecy unfolds at the end of time.
© 2005 Elbert D. Charpie