The Bible and “End Times”
Pat McIntosh
Most of the religious world believes, to some extent, in a doctrine known as “Premillennialism.”
In short, this doctrine presents the view that Jesus is going to come back to this earth and reign
on David’s throne for a literal period of 1000 years. Included in this doctrine is something known
as “the tribulation” another period of seven years, which is a time following the resurrection of
the righteous. Much more can be said of these doctrines as they are complicated. However, these
statements will suffice to at least partially describe these mistaken views.
As is always the case, we should get our answers to such things from God’s Word. The clear
teaching of the Bible shows these views to be false. Paul made the “timeline” of events very
clear. Addressing the church at Thessalonica, he wrote: “For the Lord Himself will descend from
heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead
in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them
in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” (1 Thes.
4:16-17). Note that nothing is said of time, nor is it even implied that Christ will come again to
rule from David’s throne. There will be a single resurrection in which the righteous and the
unrighteous will be raise together, with a great separation to follow in the judgment. There will
be no warnings and no signs.
There are two primary bits of information with which we should encourage one another. Get
ready. Stay ready. Preparation is key. Are we ready? If not, we must begin to do so today to
insure we inherit the home prepared for us.
Sunday A.M. Sermon – The Bible and End Times
Introduction – Five “Planks” of Premillennialism
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Prophecy Unfulfilled – Gen. 12:7; 15:18; 13:14-15; 1 Kgs. 4:21; 2 Sam. 7:12-13; Isa. 9:7;
Heb. 1:3; Acts 20:30-33 -
Rejection by the Jews – Isa. 53:3; Psa. 118:22; Mk. 9:1
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The Imperfect Church – Eph. 3:8-12; Acts 20:28; Matt. 16:18-19
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The Rapture – Jno. 5:28-29; Acts 24:15
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The 1000 Year Reign – 1 Thes. 4:15-17; 1 Pet. 3:1-14; 1 Cor. 15:23-24
Sunday P.M. Sermon – A House for God (Hag. 1:3-6)