Amen. Come Lord Jesus!
Revelation 22:20
In order to embrace the “whole counsel of God”, we must also consider what God’s end game is and how it will come about. The end times include the tribulation, rapture, millennial reign of Christ, return of Christ, final judgment, receiving resurrection bodies, and the creation of the new heavens and new earth. Differing views on how this plays out arise because scripture offers bits and pieces here and there. Scripture delivers this with literal events and conditions and also a fair amount of imagery that may or may not be taken at face value. To find proper perspective and truth, we affirm that:
We Enter into Error and Miss-focus of the End Times when It:
Is held as the most important thing to study in the Bible
Consumes us and our present life is diminished or ignored
Goes beyond scripture and into futile speculation (Matthew 24:36)
Brings confusion and doubt (2 Peter 3:1-10)
Divides Bible honoring Christians – becoming a test of orthodoxy
We Embrace the Significance of the End Times because it:
Is in the Bible – God’s word to us and true (2 Timothy 3:16)
Reveals a part of God’s will – all of God’s will is important (Matthew 6:10)
Offers hope and encouragement – view of God in control (1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11)
Reminds us to be constantly faithful and expectant (Matthew 25:1-13 & 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11)
Is decidedly Christ-centered (Revelation 5)
Jesus Christ will come again to the earth – personally, visibly, and bodily – to judge the living and the dead, and to consummate history and the eternal plan of God. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” (Rev. 2:20) –
(Evangelical Presbyterian Church – Essential #6 [the shortest one])
