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A basic fundamental principal of Christianity is the fact that God is the author of history, from the beginning of creation in Genesis 1:1 to the final "amen" of Revelation 22:21. The faith of Christ that is at work in the Christian recognizes that all things work together for good to those who love God. This truth thus should be inevitable whether we are discussing God creating the universe and mankind, the deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage, the resurrection of the LORD Jesus Christ, or of events to occur when Jesus comes as King and Judge to eventually lead the forces of goodness over the forces of wickedness in the final battle.
The study of final things should always be focused with a view that mankind is fallible and still in the flesh and that the secret things belong to God as opposed to the things which are currently revealed to us (cf. Deuteronomy 29:29); also we must understand that God's perfect Divine will is to be accomplished, and that is certain. We should approach the subject of last things by putting away conceit and arrogance (cf. Romans 12:16) and put on humility, as the inspired Paul wrote: "For we know in part, and we prophesy in part." (1 Corinthians 13:9).
"[For we know in part] We have here but little knowledge even of earthly, and much less of heavenly, things. He that knows most knows little in comparison of what is known by angels, and the spirits of just men made perfect. And as we know so very little, how deficient must we be if we have not much love!" - Adam Clarke, Commentary on 1 Corinthians 13:9.
And again: "For now we see through a glass, darkly;" (1 Corinthians 13:12a). At the same time, we also never lose hope: "But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." (1 Corinthians 13:10).
"The sense here is, that in heaven--a state of absolute perfection--that which is "in part," or which is imperfect, shall be lost in superior brightness. All imperfection will vanish. And all that we here possess that is obscure shall be lost in the superior and perfect glory of that eternal world. All our present unsatisfactory modes of obtaining knowledge shall be unknown. All shall be clear, bright, and eternal." - Albert Barnes, Comentary on 1 Corinthians 13:10.
Christ instructs us to be patient and fully assured that the time will come when we see Him "face to face" for eternity everlasting, (cf. 1 Corinthians 13:12; 1 John 3:2).
Ever since God completed the Bible, sometime before 100AD; scholars and students of the Word have arrived at different conclusions concerning the understanding of Biblical verses that pertain to the last things here on earth. Although there are many various understandings, a general difference is most commonly one where the question is raised if the prophecies in such books as Daniel and Revelation have already been fulfilled or are yet to be fulfilled. However, while it is certain that the inspired John in Revelation addressed Christians of seven churches during his own lifetime, the book of Revelation also addresses subjects of "things which must be hereafter." (cf. Revelation 4:1). The eternal home in heaven still awaits those for whom Christ calls HIS people: "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;" (Revelation 5:9). All the powers of evil have yet to be defeated in the final judgement, likewise, there still awaits a "new heaven and a new earth",
"And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever." (Revelation 22:3-5).
Hence, in the study of last things, there is both examples for us that have already come to pass as well as prophecy concerning the future and the end of time. In the view of this writer, it can hardly be denied that the book of Revelation is a book of prophecy by its theme, style and references to visions to be fulfilled toward the end of time and this sinful generation. While we hold strong looking forward to spiritual things which are to come, the scriptures pertaining to final things also inform us about God's purpose for our present day life, and living in a righteous manner as we patiently and readily await the return of Christ:
"When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal." - Matthew 25:31-46.
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." - 1 Corinthians 15:58.
"But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you." - 1 Thessalonians 5:1.
"Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work." - 2 Thessalonians 2:16,17.
"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." - Hebrews 10:23-25.
"Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." - 2 Peter 3:13-18.
Revelation 20 is another chapter that brings division among students and scholars of end time events; the fact that these verses have been disputed ever since the earliest part of the New Covenant, should alert one to be cautious, and not overly dogmatic about any single viewpoint concerning the final times before the return of Christ.
On the other hand, some uncertainties in these difficult areas should not be cause for discouragement, because there are many, many things the child of God can know for sure. For example, we can be sure of the resurrection of our bodies from the grave to everlasting life:
"Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day." - John 6:54.
"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." - Daniel 12:1-3.
The inspired Paul noted that Christ's resurrection is assurance of our own:
"But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." - 1 Corinthians 15:23-26.
We also can be sure that in fact Christ will return again with His angels to gather His elect forevermore:
"I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him." - Daniel 7:13.
When the disciples watched Jesus ascend into heaven, Jesus would first and prior give stern warning that "it is not for you to know the times or the seasons" - Acts 1:7; and the angels, under inspiration would be recorded as saying that they (we) would also see Him "come in just the same way"'.
"And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. " - Acts 1:7.
" But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. " - Acts 1:8.
"And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight." - Acts 1:9.
"And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;" - Acts 1:10.
"Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. " - Acts 1:11.
In the epistle to the Thessalonians, the inspired Paul noted that Christ's coming would be after the man of lawlessness.
"Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God." - 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4.
The coming of Christ will be with great power and glory!:
"And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven." - Mark 13:26,27.
Also, we can know for a fact that there will be a final judgement. In Joel chapter 3, the inspired prophet says that the LORD will judge the nations:
"Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD. Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about. Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining."- Joel 3:11-15.
Peter as well speaks of the judgement and destruction of the wicked:
"But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men." - 2 Peter 3:7.
The final judgement will take place, and no one held accountable for their sins will be able to escape it:
"And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." - Revelation 20:11-15.
In the end, when all that needs to be accomplished according to God's good will and pleasure; when all our afflictions have been suffered, when all the enemies of Jesus have been beaten, when all of our sorrows have been faced, then then New Jerusalem shall be "prepared as a bride adorned for her husband" (cf. Revelation 21:2). God will dwell in the midst of His people and wipe away every tear, every death, every sorrow and every pain. The saints will partake of the "pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb." (cf. Revelation 22:1).
The final good purpose of God will be accomplished when the countless myriads of angels and saints gather together and praise God saying:
"And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever." - Revelation 5:10-14.
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