End of Time

Lesson 12

The only difference between what the Catholics believe on this subject and what the Bible teaches is a place called Purgatory. Purgatory was first introduced in the sixth century, but was made a doctrine by the Council of Florence in 1439. It is a place where the dead go to suffer punishment in order to be purified (forgiven). Only those who have committed venial sins (lesser sins) may enter Purgatory. (Smith,p.1115,1132)

This religious group takes no official position on the millennial (1000 year reign) question; although most of their members do believe in it. Purgatory is not denied, and is accepted by some. (Discipline, pp.88-92)

The Baptists hold to some type of millennial position, although they teach that after the 1000 years are up, man will have a final abode in either heaven or hell. (Hobbs, pp. 112-113)

Their confession of faith states that mans soul goes directly to heaven or hell; depending on the life he lived on the earth. They deny the place of paradise and the place of tartarus (place of the wicked). (The Book of Confessions 5.237)

The J.W.'s believe that Hades refers to the grave and that when man dies, he simply enters the grave. As studied earlier in lesson 9 (Nature of Man) the J.W.'s believe that when a person dies, he has no soul that continues to live. They believe that only the "anointed class" (144,000) will actually go to heaven. Members of the "other sheep" however, will be raised with a physical body during the millennium and live on the earth forever after the millennium. The earth will become a paradise. (The Knowledge of God pp. 187-191)

The millennium is taught with the Battle of Armageddon. The Battle of Armageddon will be fought by the forces of Satan and his helpers (wicked angels, national governments, religious leaders and false Christian religions). The forces of good are Christ, angels, the "other sheep" and the 144,000. Christ, of course will win and the 144,000 will go to heaven with Christ and the "other sheep" will live on the earth. The wicked are now non-existent. (The Knowledge of God pp. 187-191)

This religious group's belief concerning the final state of man is similar to their J.W. friends. They likewise believe in a millennium and an Armageddon War.

Where they differ is in their belief of the resurrection. They believe in 3 resurrections: (1) The first one comes prior to the second coming of Christ. The resurrection of the evil ones are those who were involved in killing Christ and the good are those who died in faith. The Battle of Armageddon will be a final conflict among nations and this will bring an end to mankind on the earth. Then there will be a Holy War fought between God and Satan. The wicked will be destroyed. (2) The second resurrection is of the righteous who died prior to 1846. They will reign with Christ for 1000 years. This will leave the earth desolate except for Satan who will be alone. During the 1000 years, the righteous in heaven will assist Christ in making up the punishment for the wicked. (3) This last resurrection is the resurrection of wicked dead, and they will join forces with Satan to fight against the righteous. Satan and the unrighteous will perish, and the earth will be cleansed and become the eternal home of the righteous. (Questions on Doctrine pp. 496-498)

MORMONS

The Mormons are similar to the J.W.'s and Seventh Day Adventist in their belief in the premillennial view. The Mormon's believe in a "literal" gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the ten tribes; that Zion will be built upon this (American) continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and that the earth will be renewed into a paradise. (Doctrine and Covenants 88:97-98)

They also teach that a temple will be built in the eastern boundaries of the state of Missouri, and be dedicated by the hand of Joseph Smith. The Mormons believe and teach that there are 4 different eternal abodes: (1) Lake of fire and brimstone; for those who have denied the truth and defied His power better known as "the sons of Perdition". (2) Telestial heaven for those who have not married nor had children. This group is better known as the "wicked not raised for the millennium". (3) The Terrestrial are those "who died without the law", the baptized dead. Those who accepted Christ afterwards in the spiritual prison. (4) Finally, the Celestial Heaven (located on the renewed earth) are for the faithful Mormons who have married in heaven and have produced "spirit" children who have advanced into the state of gods.(Doctrine and Covenants 76:77-99)

The assemblies of God believe that there will be a great tribulation, a Battle of Armageddon and the 1000 year reign. The only difference between the assemblies of God and the rest is: the nations who have been kind to Jews will be allowed to go into His kingdom, but those who have mistreated the Jews will go to hell. They also believe in a literal "New Jerusalem" which will be brought down from heaven after the Armageddon battle. Then God will live and reign with and over His people forever. (Riggs pp. 122-131)

Again, it is hard to discuss a topic that the Christian Scientists do not believe in. If you recall the universe is nothing other than the divine mind and His ideas. It has no end but simply goes on and on as it does now.

There is no second coming since Christ did not really arise from the dead nor ascend to Heaven, therefore He cannot return. There is no real heaven or hell, they are simply states of mind. A good healthy, moral mind is heaven and a poor, unhealthy, immoral mind is hell. They believe there will be no final judgment. If there is no reward or punishment. There is no need for a judgment. The Christian Scientists repudiate the Bible in every way. They are much like the Buddhists and Hindus in their refusal to accept the word of God to direct their spiritual life. (The First Church of Christ Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 160.)

It is beyond the scope of this work to discuss fully the end of time. However, I hope by discussing four major topics, that it will help answer some questions and refute some of the false teachings of the religious bodies that we have previously discussed. The four topics are: (1) Life After Death (2) No Literal Millennium (3) No Literal Armageddon and (4) Final State of Man.

LIFE AFTER DEATH

I believe it is extremely important to understand that God never intended for man to live forever in this mortal state. In II Corinthians 5:1, Paul said, "We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." Observe please, that Paul designates this body as a tabernacle. The word "tabernacle" translated from the Greek word SKENE means tent. As you know, a tent is a temporary dwelling place not made to be a permanent dwelling. It follows then that the spirit does not go into the grave with the body. Solomon stated, "then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it" (Ecc. 12:7).

Secondly, the spirit does not go into purgatory. Purgatory is not mentioned in the Bible, and even Catholic theologians state that it is not a real place. "We would appeal to these general principles of scriptures, rather than to particular text after alleged in proof of Purgatory. We doubt if they contain any reference to it" (Catholic Dictionary, pg. 704).

Thirdly, the spirit does not go directly into heaven at death, regardless of how righteous, nor do the wicked souls go directly into hell. If you remember, when Jesus was on the cross, he told the thief, "Verily, I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43). Notice that three days later, on the morning of His resurrection, Mary approached Jesus and was about to touch Him and He said, "Touch me not, I am not yet ascended to my Father." Therefore, paradise is not heaven. Again in Acts 2:27, "David is both dead and buried, and his sepulcher is with us unto this day. Therefore, being a prophet and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that the fruit of his loins,... He seeing this before spoke of the resurrection of Christ. Thou wilt not leave my soul unto Hades, neither will thou give thine holy one to see corruption." Two things to note from above passage: (1) Our Lord's body would not be left in the grave to decay and (2) His spirit or soul would not remain in Hades. Therefore, paradise is in Hades. But he hadn't been to heaven. Therefore Hades is not heaven.

In Luke 10:19-31, both Lazarus and the rich man were conscious. Although their bodies were in the grave, their spirits were conscious. Also realize that the rich man, who was guilty of covetousness, lifted his eyes in torment when he saw Lazarus in Abraham's bosom (not heaven). "Abraham's bosom" to a Jew was a figurative expression for a place of honor. The word "hell" is translated from the Greek word "Hades" which means the unseen realm of departed spirits. Note, that two places are mentioned here to make up Hades: a place of "torment" and "Abraham's bosom". If I can graphically illustrate this:

Notice in the illustration. Tartarus is a place of torment. Read 2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 5-9. The word Hell is a translation of the Greek word Tartarus which means a spiritual prison, a place of torment. When a person dies, his spirit returns to the Hadean world where he will be placed into paradise or tartarus, depending upon the life he lived; the righteous in Abraham's bosom (paradise), the wicked in torment (tartaroo).

Man is living in these "last days". Matthew 25: 31-46 teaches that Jesus Christ will come in the last day. This dispensation is the gospel dispensation. When Jesus comes again, He is only coming once. Jesus is coming to raise all the dead and judgment will be set. Look at the following scriptures: I Corinthians 15:20-28; II Corinthians 5:10; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; II Peter 3:9-11. There are several things we learn from these verses:

1. The kingdom is here and when Christ comes He will deliver the kingdom to the Father.
2. Now is the time to prepare for the life hereafter.
3. Christ, when He comes, will destroy the earth and all physical things.
4. Every person will be judged at Christ's second coming.
5. Christ will not put foot on this earth again.
6. Final state of mankind will be set for eternity.

There are three main chapters of the Bible that have been misused by the denominational world to try to teach the Premillennial view:

When you analyze this chapter, you will notice that it is divided into two main sections. The destruction of Jerusalem and the end of time. In Matt. 24:3, the disciples asked Jesus 3 questions. After they showed Jesus the temple and He stated that the temple would be destroyed (to the Jews, the temple would last forever, and for the temple to be destroyed would mean the end of the world to the Jews) they asked Him (a) When shall these things be? (b) What shall be the sign of thy coming and (c) What shall be the sign of the end of the world?

When shall this be? In this generation. Look at Matthew 24:34-35; Luke 21:21-26. Notice verse 24, "Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all "these things" take place." What things? The SIGNS! (Given in the earlier verses).

These signs are verses 4-33.

1. False Christ v.5
2. Wars and rumors of wars vs. 6-8
3. False Prophets v.11 II Corinthians 11:13-15
4. Departures from faith vs 12-13 Colossians 1:6,23
5. Abomination of Desolation vs 15-20 This was to be the signal for Christians to flee the place - destruction was near at hand. Mark's clue helps (Mark 13:14).
6. The Great Tribulation v. 21 Luke 21:20-21
7. Signs vs 29-3l Each expression has its counterpart in Old Testament Prophets. Also the word "Immediately" lies in the fall of Jerusalem.
   • Stars darkened vs 29 Compare Isaiah 13:10 (fall of Babylon)
   • Son of man coming vs 30 Ezekiel 30:3-4; 19:1 Not a physical coming, but "presence" in some event or happening (Matt. 16:28; 26:24. Luke 21:27; Mark 13:16)
   • Gathering of the elect Zechariah 2:6; Hosea 1:11
8. Fig Tree vs 32-33 As the fig tree gives obvious proof of the nearness of summer, so the signs would indicate the end of the Jewish state

It will be a signless second coming: Watch (Matthew 24:36-25:46)

Remember that Revelation was written in signs and symbols, (Revelation l:l). A sign and symbol cannot symbolize itself!! Understanding the background of Revelation helps to understand its message. Christians were being persecuted severely for their faith in Christ. Revelation 7:17; 21:4; 8:3-4; 14:13.

In Revelation 6:9-17, under the sixth seal the question was asked, What about the people of God during this time? Are they to be forgotten or will God take care of them? Chapter 7 is the answer to that question. The 144,000 represents the people of God on earth. The sealing is simply the protection of God as foretold in vs l-8. Later, they are referred to as the great multitude standing before the throne of God. 144,000 and the great multitude are symbolized in nature. They symbolize God's people standing before Him, Rev. 7:15; 14:3. All saints will be clothed with white robes, symbolizing victory, Rev. 6:9-11; 7:9. "Who is able to stand?" v.7. The faithful Christians represented by the 144,000 and the great multitude!

Revelation 20 does not mention the following:

1. A Second coming of Christ.
2. A Bodily resurrection.
3. A reign on earth.
4. A Literal Throne of David.
5. Jerusalem or Palestine.
6. "US".
7. Christ on earth.

Revelation 20 is divided into 4 sections: (1) the binding of Satan 1-3, (2) the 1000 year reign 4-6, (3) the loosing of Satan and the great battle 7-10, and (4) The final judgment of all mankind ll-l5. This chapter is to assure the Christians in John's day of the outcome of the conflict between the forces of good and evil, Christ and Satan. The outcome was victorious as represented in verses 4-5. Judgment is brought upon all man. Satan and the wicked are defeated for good. Saints have victory with Christ forever 10-15. Remember our battle is always spiritual not physical. Christ has a spiritual kingdom.

Paul said: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12).