Why SHOULD we study escatology??

I think one reason we should study and know what will happen in the end is because of the false miracles that Jesus said would happen in the end, and also spoken about in the book of Revelation.

"And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet." "All these things must come to pass," said Christ, "but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows."
Matthew 24:1-11


If you know when Jesus is coming then you wont be deceived. and if you know the manner of His coming.

"If any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, He is in the desert; go not forth: behold, He is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many" Matthew 24:1-11.

 

The reason for studying eschatology is to enhance our serve:

2 Peter 3:10-14 (KJV1611 Edition):
But the day of the Lord wil come as a thiefe in the night,
in the which the heauens shall passe away with a great noise,
and the Elements shall melt with feruent heate,
the earth also and the works that are therin shalbe burnt vp.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolued,
What maner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conuersation, and godlinesse,
12 Looking for and hasting vnto the comming of the day of God,
wherein the heauens being on fire shalbe dissolued,
and the Elements shall melt with feruent heat.
13 Neuerthelesse wee, according to his promise,
looke for new heauens, and a new earth,wherein dwelleth righteousnesse.
14 Wherefore (beloued) seeing that ye looke for such things,
be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace,
without spot, and blamelesse.

How does it enhanse our serve to be told we shall
go through the Tribulation Period (AKA: Post-trib)?

It does enhanse our serve to be told we shall
(weather dead or alive) be glorified in Christ
BEFORE the start of the Tribulation Period (AKA: pretrib).

 

Sorry Sir, you fail to distinguish between the tribulationof the Saints
and the Tribulation Period. 'Tribualtion of the Saints' is measured
in pain, agoney, and long-suffering. The Tribulation Period is measured
in Years (seven to be exact).

Here is a writing to help you keep it straight:
--------------------------------------------------------------

The Five Tribulations
of the Holy Bible
Contrasted and compared
by ed

The following terms are used in the Holy Bible to denote
tribulation: tribulation, distress, afliction, trouble

1. tribulation due to the human condition
WHO: all the sons and daughters of Adam & Eve
WHAT: heartaches, pains, troubles, distresses, disappointements,
affliction, trouble, ordeal, suffering, wretchedness,
misfortune, worry, care, hardship, agony,
anguish, torment, adversity,
travail of a woman giving birth, disease, cancer,
famine, plague, fatigue, depression, etc.
WHEN: From Adam's explusion from the Garden of Eden
to the day a new heaven & new earth is created by
God, AKA: time as opposed to eternity
WHERE: worldwide
WHY: God only knows why, it is just the way things are,
maybe it has to do with the fall of man in the Garden of Eden?

2. tribulation of Christian Martyrdom
WHO: those Christians chosen by the Holy Spirit for special honor
WHAT: persecution by non-Christians: Pagans, athiests, and
even people who call themselves "Christian" but aren't
WHEN: 33AD to the start of the millinnial kingdom of Jesus
WHERE: worldwide
WHY: many are called to follow Jesus;
few are chosen to the honor of the spiritual
gift of martyrdom

3. tribulation of the Jews scattered among the Gentiles
WHO: Yisrael dispersed among the goy
WHAT: persecution by non-Christians: Pagans, athiests, and
usually people who call themselves "Christian" but aren't
WHEN: during the time of the Gentiles
(from Mount Calvary to Mount Olivet)
WHERE: worldwide
WHY: punishment for rejecting Messiah Jesus

4. "The Tribulation period" of those ruled by the Antichrist
(AKA: Wrath of the Lamb /Revelation 6:17/ )
WHO: citizens of the world
WHAT: a fate worse than death (Rev 6:15-17, Rev 9:6)
WHEN: during the 70th week of Daniel (first half)
WHERE: worldwide
WHY: punishment for rejecting Lord Jesus

5. "The Great Tribulation period" of those ruled by the Antrichrist
WHO: people who take the mark of the beast
WHAT: the wrath of God
WHEN: during the 70th week of Daniel (last half)
WHERE: worldwide
WHY: punishment for rejecting Lord Jesus

Note that #1, #2, and #3 are measured in travail units;
#4 and #5 are measured in time units.

Here are the names/descriptions of the Tribulation
Period found in the O.T.:

The tribulation in Deut 4:30
the day of Israel's calamity in Deut 32:35, Obadiah 1:12-14
the indignation in Isaiah 26:20, Daniel 11:36
the overflowing scourge in Isaiah 28:15,18
The Lord's strange work in Isaiah 28:21
The year of recompence in Isaiah 34:8
The day of vengeance in Isaiah 34:8, 35:4, 61:2
The time of Jacob's Trouble in Jeremiah 30:7
The day of darkness in Joel 2:2, Amos 5:18, 20; Zephaniah 1:15
See also Zephaniah 1:15-16.:

 

BobRyan: //Now I have a question for you... when it DOES come and it surely will -- how will you know whether to think of it as "more dark ages torture and tribulation that never got mentioned in scripture" (since in your view God missed that) OR will you take it as "well what do you know - the saints do go through the tribulation"??//

You point out a problem with the Post-tribualtion rapture/resurrection.
Nobody knows when the Tribulation Period starts.
It is obvious when the Tribualtion Period starts in the Pre-tribulation
rapture/resurreciton scenario: all those real
Christians will be gone-GONE- GONE!

 

I dont know anything much about escatology but Im guessing we will know its different because of the false signs and wonders?

Matthew 24:
21: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
22: And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
23: Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
24: For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.


I dont even know if thats the right tribulation LOL! are there different ones or something? I never really studied into the escatology thing.

 

Who is Mel Miller anyway?

 

Claudia_T: //I never really studied into the escatology thing.//

Interesting, I spend six months studying escatology under
an SDA pastor???

 

Mel Miller is the kindly fellow with whom I usually discuss eschatology
over in Baptist territory. I still had time to correct my
statement above and it correctly identified BobRyan, the kindly
fellow with whom I usually discuss eschatology
over in the all-faiths territory.

 

Ed,

The only thing Ive really read about it was the stuff in the Amazing Facts folders which you have probably heard of. But I pretty much have forgotten what all was in there.

I know that the subject is very important but the thing is that I wouldnt even know where to begin to try to study it. I guess I view myself as not being smart enough to understand it all.


...and when I try to read some of the stuff on here you guys post I REALLY think Im not smart enough to understand it. All the Pre-Trib and Post-Trib and all of that, I dont even have a clue what they are talking about.

Claudia

 

That's why I'm persuaded to take a historicist/ partial preterist/ Amill approach. The historic view of the majority of the church was at a time the Amill position, though now i suspect that dispensationalism is THE prevelent view. Our bretheren before had tribulation almost immediatly and were persecuted harshly after Stephen was martyred. Our bretheren around the globe are martyred even today, and yes some are even persecuted here in the States. The sci-fi tones of interpreting prophecy today (usually in the hyper dispy camp) range from odd to downright insane. All those people who try to guess when the rapture will happen are time and again disappointed when the days go buy and all cars driven by Christians still have Christians inside. I think eschatology should be studied because like all Scripture it inevitably points to Christ. It's part of the whole counsel of God, and should be studied and preached. Eschatology is one of those studies that is shaped by other theological studies. I think there's room to be wrong in interpreting events, but one day, we'll be in heaven and we'll have ALL our theology straightened out.

Grace and Peace to you,
Dustin

 

Wouldnt whatever you believe about the Millenium and "the rapture" make a big difference in deceptions?

 

No, the Millenium and rapture might take place a hundred years after I die. I might die today Lord willing I won't but Lord willing, I may. Our main focus should be on the path the Lord has ordained for us, we should be watchful also, but not so much so that we neglect our everyday duties, as God has ordained those too. I have to go now, but I'll write more on this in the evening.

May the Grace and Peace of God be with you,
Dustin

 

Right on, Bob. Scripture says it, therefore I am conformed by it. The Book of Revelation is full of hard things, but it's there for a reason. It's the consummation of all things, showing that Christ is indeed the beginning and the end of all things in the world and in redemption. When I read through it, I see hope and exhortation and comfort in knowing that through all, Christ is King, and He is in total control.

Grace and Peace to you,
Dustin

 

We should study eschatology because...

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" - 2 Timothy 3:16​

Further, what one believes eschatologically, is likely to impact their attitudes and actions.

(I'm partial pre-trib btw)