Kitchen Table Theology

087 Eschatology: Defining Our Terms

December 19, 2021 Pastor Jeff Cranston Episode 87
Kitchen Table Theology
087 Eschatology: Defining Our Terms
Show Notes

“How we comprehend and view eschatology affects how we conduct our lives, and what we may expect to happen in the overall plan of God.” - Pastor Jeff Cranston  

Merry Christmas Kitchen Table Theology Family! In this episode, Pastor Jeff and Jen Denton kick off a new series on the End Times or Eschatology. We define our terms and give an overlay of everything that will be discussed in the next few episodes.

 

[00:01] Introduction

  • Email pastorjeff@lowcountrycc.org with your questions on the end times 
  • Recalling end-times predictors that made international news 
  • Eschatology is a popular topic, but a very often misunderstood one as well 
    • The contention on the rapture 


[04:55] What is Eschatology?

  • The study of what the Bible says is going to happen in the end times
  • How we comprehend and view eschatology affects how we conduct our lives and understand the overall plan of God
  • How we should NOT study eschatology 
    • We should be so fixated on the future, that we ignore the present
  • How eschatology can help our Christian walk 

 

[08:38] A Biblical Grounding on the End Times

  • As Christians, we have a future beyond the pain of this world (Titus 2:11-15)
  • The Rapture, we can define is an instantaneous gathering-up of the whole church from the earth to meet Christ in the air and be with Him forever (1 Thes 4:13)
  • The Second Coming, Rapture, Tribulation

 

[17:11] Understanding the Millenium 

  • The 1000 year period in which Christ will reign on earth and fulfill the Abrahamic, Davidic, and New Covenant 
  • Premillennialism andPostmillennialism 

 

[21:22] Understanding the Rapture

  • Pre Tribulation -  the rapture will occur before the beginning of a seven-year tribulation period, while the second coming will occur at the end of it
  • Mid Tribulation - the view that the rapture will take place at that three and a half year point
  • Post Tribulation - a view that the rapture will coincide with the second coming of Christ at the end of the tribulation

 

[26:23] Closing Segment

 

Key Quotes

“Eschatology unfolds the prophetic program that God has for humanity, for Israel, for the church, and for the entire created order of the universe.” - Pastor Jeff Cranston 

“It's unhealthy for us if we were to have such a fixation on the future, that we ignore the present.” - Pastor Jeff Cranston 

 

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Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!