Understanding the Future

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Understandingthe Future
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The Importance of Studying Bible Prophecy

• Because it is part of God's Word
• Because nearly one third of Scripture was
  prophetic when it was originally written
• Because fulfilled prophecy demonstrates God's
  sovereignty over the events of history
• Because it gives incentive to holy living
• Because it gives hope of Christ's return
• Because it reminds us of the temporal nature of
  this world and the eternal nature of heaven

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The Dangers of Studying Bible Prophecy

• Preoccupation with current events
• Jumping to conclusions about the meaning of
  current events
• Thinking that we can know the unknowable, i.e.
  the date of Christ's return
• Pride that we have uncovered the hidden mysteries
  of God
• Pride that we are better than other believers
• Ignoring present responsibilities because we
  think that Christ is about to return

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3 Primary Views of Future

• View of Rev. 204-6 is key
• Amillennial
• 1000 years not literal but symbolic. Reign of
  Christ in hearts of believers.
• Postmillennial
• 1000 years not literal. But Christ returns only
  after world is Christianized.
• Premillennial
• 1000 years are literal. Christ will personally
  return to establish a literal, earthly kingdom.

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Amillennial View
Second Coming
Messianic Kingdom General resurrection General
judgement
Israel Church One people of God
Duration unknown
Eternal
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Postmillennial View
Second Coming
Church will establish Christs Kingdom through
spread of gospel
Messianic Kingdom General resurrection General
judgement
Israel Church One people of God
Duration unknown
Eternal
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Premillennial View
Rapture
Second Coming
Church Age
Tribulation
Messianic Kingdom
Duration unknown
Duration 7 years
Duration 1000 years
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Principles of Interpretation

• Literal (historical-grammatical) interpretation
• Understand the historical, cultural situation of
  the original recipients
• Understand the language of the original writer
• Understand the purpose of the original writer
• Understand the figures of speech

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Determine Single Meaning

• A passage of Scripture has only one basic
  interpretation. Those who would handle the Word
  of truth honestly must seek to find that before
  making any other use of the passage. The
  application of a passage of Scripture must be
  governed by the same rules of interpretation that
  apply in all handling of the Scriptures.
• John Phillips, Bible Explorers Guide

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Distinguish Israel the Church

• If we follow a literal interpretation of
  Scripture, and follow the progress of revelation
  in Scripture, we naturally arrive at the clear
  distinction of Israel and the Church.
• The nation of Israel rejected the Messiah and so
  a blindness in part has happened to Israel until
  the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
• God has now begun a new work with the Church, a
  mystery not revealed in the OT.

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The Promises of God

• Noahic Covenant, Genesis 91-18
• An unconditional covenant where God promised
  never to destroy the world again with a flood.
  The rainbow was given as the sign of the
  covenant.
• Abrahamic Covenant, Genesis 121-1517
• An unconditional covenant where God promised
  blessing to Abraham and through him and his seed,
  to the entire world. Circumcision was given as
  the sign of the covenant.

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The Promises of God

• Mosaic Covenant, Ex. 201-3118
• A conditional covenant made with the nation of
  Israel, promising blessing for obedience and
  judgement on disobedience.
• Palestinian Covenant, Gen. 1518-21 cp. Deut.
  301-10
• An unconditional covenant made with the nation of
  Israel, promising that Israel will possess the
  Promised Land forever.

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The Promises of God

• Davidic Covenant, 2 Sam. 74-16
• An unconditional covenant where God promised
  David that his throne, lineage, and kingdom will
  be eternal.
• New Covenant, Jeremiah 3131-33
• An unconditional covenant where God promised
  Israel regeneration, forgiveness, and the
  indwelling Holy Spirit.

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The Messianic Kingdom

• The message of John the Baptist and of the Lord
  Jesus
• No explanation is given by them, indicating that
  they should have known what this kingdom was
• Therefore, we should go back to the OT to
  understand what the kingdom is

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The Messianic Kingdom

• Definition The Kingdom of God may be defined
  broadly as the rule of God over His creation.
  (Alva McClain)
• Distinction between
• Gods eternal kingdom
• The mediatorial kingdom
• The mystery form of the kingdom
• The manifestation of the kingdom

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Daniels Visions
A Great Image 231-45
4 Great Beasts 73-27
Ram Goat 83-26
Symbolizes
Head of gold
Lion with eagles wings
Babylonian Empire
Chest arms of silver
Bear w/ 3 ribs in its mouth
Ram with 2 horns
Medo-Persian Empire
Belly thighs of bronze
Leopard 4 wings 4 heads
Male goat w/ large horn
Greek Empire
Legs of iron
Dreadful terrible beast
Roman Empire
Feet part iron, part clay
Another horn, a little one
Revived Roman Empire
Stone cut without hands
One like the Son of Man
Messianic Kingdom
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Daniels 70 sevens

• Daniel 920-27
• The context, vv. 20-23
• The content, vv. 24-27
• 70 sevens are determined
• For your people and your holy city
• Six purposes are stated
• Three periods outlined

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Daniels 70 sevens

• Six purposes stated
• To finish the transgression
• To make an end of sins
• To make reconciliation for iniquity
• To bring in everlasting righteousness
• To seal up vision and prophecy
• And to anoint the Most Holy

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Daniels 70 sevens

• Three periods outlined
• 7 sevens (7x749 years)
• 62 sevens (62x7434 years)
• 1 seven (1x77 years)
• Total of 490 years
• 483 years have passed
• 7 years remain

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Daniels 70 sevens

• Begins with command to rebuild Jerusalem
• Four decrees were made by Persian rulers, but
  only the fourth had to do with the city
• 538 B.C. by Cyrus regarding rebuilding the
  temple (Ezra 1)
• 520 B.C. by Darius I confirming the first
  decree (Ezra 6)
• 457 B.C. by Artaxerxes concerning financial
  backing for animal sacrifices (Ezra 7)
• 444 B.C. by Artaxerxes concerning the city
  walls (Neh. 2)

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Daniels 70 sevens

• From the command to rebuild in 444 B.C. until
  Messiah the Prince will be 69 weeks.
• If each seven represents seven years, then 69 x
  7 483 years
• 483 years from the command to rebuild Jerusalem
  in 444 B.C., Christ entered Jerusalem on Palm
  Sunday!

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Daniels 70 sevens

• After the 69 sevens (but before the start of the
  70th seven), Messiah will be cut off, but not for
  Himself
• Then the city will be destroyed by the people of
  the coming prince
• The Romans, under General Titus, destroyed
  Jerusalem in AD. 70

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Daniels 70 sevens

• Then he (the Roman prince) will confirm a
  covenant with many (the Jews) for one seven (7
  years)
• After 3 ½ years, the covenant is broken by the
  Prince through a desecration of the Temple
  offerings.
• Note that the Temple must be reconstructed and
  functioning during this time.

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Daniels 70 sevens

• The second half of Daniels 70th week is spoken
  of elsewhere as
• 42 months, Rev. 112
• 1260 days, Rev. 113
• time, times, and half a time, Rev. 1214 Dan.
  725
• Therefore it is clearly a precise period of 3 ½
  years, and therefore, the 70th week is 7 years
  long.

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Daniels 70 sevens

• Daniels 70th week also described as
• The time of Jacobs trouble, Jer. 307
• The tribulation, Matt. 2429
• The Great Tribulation, Rev. 714
• But remember, that Daniels 70 sevens have to do
  with the nation of Israel

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Daniels 70 Weeks Daniel 924-27
70 weeks (Heb. heptads) 490 years
Six purposes are stated (v. 24)
Three fulfilled at Christs first advent
Three to be fulfilled at Christs second advent
Note The focus of the prophecy is the nation of
Israel the city of Jerusalem (v. 24).

1. To finish the transgression
2. To make an end of sins
3. To make reconciliation for iniquity

1. To bring in everlasting righteousness
2. To seal up vision prophecy
3. To anoint the Most Holy

The Timing Sequence of Daniels 70 weeks
The 70 weeks begins with the command to restore
and rebuild Jerusalem.
1 week 7 years
After the 69 weeks, But not during the 70th
62 weeks 434 years
7 weeks 49 years
Rebuilding the city, 444 BC until 395 BC
Ended with Christs triumphal entry
Final week begins with 7-year covenant signed by
Prince
Messiah cut off, but not for Himself. He suffers
for sins of others
In the middle of week, Prince causes sacrifices
to cease
People of Prince shall destroy Jerusalem.
Fulfilled in AD 70
There will then be much suffering until
consummation
Gap between 69th 70th weeks has now extended
nearly 2000 years.
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An Outline of Future Events

• The beginning of sorrows, Matt. 244-14
• The rapture of the Church, 1 Thes. 413-18 John
  141-2
• The tribulation, Matt. 2415-29 Rev. 6-7
• Battle of Gog Magog, Ezekiel 38-39
• Signing of peace treaty, Dan. 9
• Great Tribulation, Rev. 8-18
• Battle of Armageddon, Rev. 16
• The return of Christ in glory, Matt. 2430-31
  Rev. 1911-16
• Judgement of nations, Matt. 2531-46

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An Outline of Future Events

• The Millennial Kingdom of Christ, Rev. 201-6
  Isa. 111-10
• Satan will be loosed for a period again, Rev.
  207-8
• Final Great Battle, Rev. 208-9
• Satan cast into lake of fire, Rev. 2010
• Great White Throne judgement of unbelievers, Rev.
  2011-15
• New heavens and earth created eternal state,
  Rev. 21-22

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The Day of the Lord

• The Old Testament prophets spoke much of the Day
  of the Lord.
• The Day of the Lord was a time of judgement, but
  also includes promises to Israel that God will
  restore them
• Sometimes it referred to events near at hand, but
  often it was looking forward to Gods final
  victory
• The future Day of the Lord will include the
  Tribulation, Return of the King, Millennial
  Kingdom of Christ, and the establishment of new
  heavens and earth

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The Day of Christ

• The day of Christ is distinct from the day of the
  Lord.
• The day of Jesus Christ (Phil. 110 216) is the
  time at which the Lord Jesus evaluates the works
  of believers.
• This is also known as the Judgement Seat of
  Christ (Bema), Rom. 1410 2 Cor. 510 1 Cor.
  313
• Believers are judged at the Bema.
• Unbelievers are judged at the Great White Throne

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The Day of God

• The day of God refers to the eternal state. It
  follows the final phase of the Day of the Lord
  when the heavens and earth will be destroyed. The
  day of God is the Day of His complete and final
  triumph. For this reason it is a day we should
  wait for and earnestly desire...The day of God is
  not the time in which the final destruction takes
  place. Instead, this ultimate judgment must occur
  before the Day of God can be ushered in. (Wm.
  MacDonald)

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3 Days
Christ
Rapture
Second Coming
God
Church Age
Tribulation
Millennium
The Day of the Lord
Judgement
Restoration
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3 Resurrections
Rapture
Second Coming
Church Age
Tribulation
Millennium
The rest of the dead i.e. Unbelievers Rev 205
Church age Saints 1 Thes. 4
Trib saints OT saints Dan 122 Rev 204
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3 Judgements
1
Rapture
Second Coming
2
3
Church Age
Tribulation
Millennium
1 Judgement seat of Christ rewards for
believers
2 Judgement of sheep goats entrance to
earthly kingdom
3 Great White Throne judgement punishment
of unbelievers
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3 Battles
Rapture
Second Coming
Church Age
Tribulation
Millennium
1 Battle of Gog Magog, Ezekiel 38-39
2 Battle of Armageddon, Rev 1612-16
3 Final battle, Rev 207-10
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Conclusion

• Titus 213
• ...looking for the blessed hope and glorious
  appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus
  Christ
• Revelation 227
• Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who
  keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.