unraveling the end a biblical synthesis of competing views

Unraveling the EndUnraveling the EndA Biblical Synthesis of Competing ViewsA Biblical Synthesis of Competing Views

Begin Begin

the Unravelingthe Unraveling

ProcessProcess

The Great The Great End-time Fiasco End-time Fiasco

vs. vs. Divine PerfectionDivine Perfection

The ESSENCE of The ESSENCE of the Great End-time Fiascothe Great End-time Fiasco

Part 1Part 1 – Things that were supposed to – Things that were supposed to happen happen didn’t happendidn’t happen . . . . . .

as NT expectations proved as NT expectations proved falsefalse. .

Part 2Part 2 – So the Church – So the Church inventedinvented “delay “delay theory”—in direct theory”—in direct contradictioncontradiction of of Scripture. Scripture.

Divine PerfectionDivine PerfectionProposition #1Proposition #1

• The God of the Bible is the God of The God of the Bible is the God of orderorder and and designdesign. Everything He created He did . Everything He created He did so with a so with a planplan, , purposepurpose, , timeframetimeframe, and , and timely precisiontimely precision..

• The The stampstamp or or fingerprintfingerprint of divinity. of divinity.


• The The samesame God of perfection in God of perfection in allall his his physical physical creationcreation is the God of perfection is the God of perfection in his in his plan ofplan of redemptionredemption..

• Likewise, He created it with Likewise, He created it with orderorder and and designdesign, and a , and a planplan, , purposepurpose, and a fixed , and a fixed and specified and specified timeframetimeframe. .


• Progressively completed it with Progressively completed it with timelytimely and and mathematical mathematical precisionprecision. .

• ““when the when the timetime had fully come . . . to had fully come . . . to redeem those under the law” (Gal. 4:4)redeem those under the law” (Gal. 4:4)

• ““at just the at just the right timeright time” (Rom. 5:6)” (Rom. 5:6)

• ““who gave himself as a ransom for all men who gave himself as a ransom for all men – the testimony given in its – the testimony given in its proper timeproper time” (1 ” (1 Tim. 2:6). Tim. 2:6).


How we humans can How we humans can knowknow Who the Who the oneone truetrue God is: God is:

Isaiah. 44:6-8 Isaiah. 44:6-8

Also seeAlso see Isaiah 41:21-24; 42:8-9; Isaiah 41:21-24; 42:8-9;

45:20-22; 46:9-11; 48:3-645:20-22; 46:9-11; 48:3-6


• The God of the Bible The God of the Bible foretoldforetold—many times —many times and in many ways—what was going to and in many ways—what was going to happenhappen in the in the futurefuture. .

• And it And it allall happened. happened.

• No otherNo other god, faith, religion, or ideology in god, faith, religion, or ideology in the world the world can claimcan claim this. this.

• NorNor has anything to has anything to comparecompare with the with the validatingvalidating evidence of fulfilled prophecy. evidence of fulfilled prophecy.


• Everything Everything elseelse the God of the Bible the God of the Bible promised and prophesied via his prophets promised and prophesied via his prophets regarding his regarding his plan of redemptionplan of redemption

• (e.g., (e.g., savingsaving us human beings from us human beings from sinsin and and restoringrestoring our fellowship with Him) our fellowship with Him)

• AlsoAlso happened “at just the happened “at just the rightright time . . . in time . . . in its its properproper time.” time.”

Divine PerfectionDivine Perfection&&

The Appointed Time of the EndThe Appointed Time of the End

““For the revelation awaits an appointed For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; false. Though it linger, wait for it;

it will certainly come and will not delay.”it will certainly come and will not delay.”

(Habakkuk (Habakkuk 2:3)2:3)

The Historical Setting The Historical Setting and and

Defining Characteristic Defining Characteristic of the of the

Time of the EndTime of the End(Daniel 12)(Daniel 12)

The Historical Setting and The Historical Setting and Defining Characteristic of the Defining Characteristic of the

Time of the EndTime of the End

• Who were “the Who were “the holyholy peoplepeople”?”?

• What was their What was their powerpower??

• What did Jesus say would What did Jesus say would happenhappen??

• WhenWhen did He say this would happen? did He say this would happen?

• When When did itdid it happen? happen?


• OneOne and and onlyonly End the Bible End the Bible consistentlyconsistently proclaims. proclaims.

• Covenantal, Covenantal, notnot cosmic. cosmic.

• Timely, and Timely, and notnot delayed. delayed.

• FramingFraming context for the context for the timetime and and naturenature of of eschatological eschatological fulfillmentfulfillment. .

• Everything Everything elseelse was to was to happenhappen “at just the “at just the rightright time”—at time”—at thisthis time. time.

Three Big ObjectionsThree Big Objections

1)1) ”The End of the World?” ”The End of the World?”

2) God 2) God only only promising never again to promising never again to destroy the world destroy the world by waterby water??

3) The “New Heaven and a New Earth?”3) The “New Heaven and a New Earth?”

Objection #1Objection #1“The End of the World?”“The End of the World?”

#1 reason#1 reason so many so many

have been have been hamstrunghamstrung

in their understanding in their understanding

of of end-timeend-time prophecy. prophecy.


• What does the book of Revelation say?What does the book of Revelation say?

Nothing!Nothing!

• What does the Bible say?What does the Bible say?

Nothing!Nothing!

• The historic creeds?The historic creeds?

Nothing!Nothing!


• The world ending “as we know it?”The world ending “as we know it?”

Nothing!Nothing!

• Jesus say?Jesus say?

Nothing!Nothing!

• An “end of time” or “end of human An “end of time” or “end of human history”?history”?

Nothing! Nothing!


• One One clarificationclarification . . . . . .

• The original King James Version of the The original King James Version of the Bible Bible mistranslatesmistranslates the the Greek Greek wordword aion.aion.

• as “world” as “world” ratherrather than “age.” than “age.”

• In the In the phrasephrase “the end of the world (age)” “the end of the world (age)” in Matthew 12:32; 13:22, 39, 40, 49; 24:3; in Matthew 12:32; 13:22, 39, 40, 49; 24:3; 28:20, for instance. 28:20, for instance.


• The biblical The biblical truthtruth about the proverbial “end about the proverbial “end of the world” of the world”

• Is contained Is contained withinwithin the biblical phrase the biblical phrase “world without end, Amen.” “world without end, Amen.”

• The Bible The Bible sayssays that the world had a that the world had a beginning, but is beginning, but is withoutwithout end . . . end . . .

• ““from the beginning of the world . . . . from the beginning of the world . . . . throughout all ages, world without end. throughout all ages, world without end. A-men. (Ephesians 3:9, 21, KJV)A-men. (Ephesians 3:9, 21, KJV)


Gloria PatriGloria Patri

Glory be to the Father, Glory be to the Father,

and to the Son, and to the Son,

and to the Holy Ghost.and to the Holy Ghost.

As it was in the beginning, As it was in the beginning,

is now and ever shall be. is now and ever shall be.

World without end, Amen.World without end, Amen.


Eph. 3:21 LiterallyEph. 3:21 Literally

““. . . into all generations of the age of ages.”. . . into all generations of the age of ages.”

““world without end, Amen.”world without end, Amen.”


• ““Generations come and generations go, but the Generations come and generations go, but the earthearth enduresendures [remains] [remains] foreverforever” (Eccl. 1:4). ” (Eccl. 1:4).

• ““the the earthearth he he establishedestablished forever”forever” (Psa. 78:69). (Psa. 78:69). • The The earthearth, the , the worldworld, and its , and its foundationsfoundations “can “can

nevernever be be movedmoved, ever (Psa.104:5; see also Psa. , ever (Psa.104:5; see also Psa. 93:1; 96:10; 119:90).93:1; 96:10; 119:90).

• Both Both moonmoon and and sunsun are are eternallyeternally establishedestablished as as faithful witnesses in the sky (Psa. 89:36-37). faithful witnesses in the sky (Psa. 89:36-37).

• As are the As are the highesthighest heavensheavens (Psa. 148:4, 6). (Psa. 148:4, 6). • ““The The heavensheavens declare the declare the gloryglory of God; the of God; the skiesskies

proclaim the proclaim the workwork of his of his handshands” (Psa. 19:1). ” (Psa. 19:1).

Objection #2Objection #2God God only only promising never again destroy the world promising never again destroy the world

by waterby water??

Promise 1Promise 1:: “ “Never againNever again will I [God] curse will I [God] curse the ground because of man, even though the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And childhood. And never againnever again will I destroy will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. As all living creatures, as I have done. As long as the earth long as the earth enduresendures [remains], [remains], seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will summer and winter, day and night will never ceasenever cease.”.” (Gen. 8:21b-22)(Gen. 8:21b-22)


by waterby water??

Promise 2Promise 2:: “Never again will all life be cut “Never again will all life be cut off off by the waters of a floodby the waters of a flood; never again ; never again will there be a will there be a floodflood to destroy the earth.” to destroy the earth.” (Gen. 9:11b)(Gen. 9:11b)


by waterby water??

Promise 1Promise 1:: “ “Never againNever again will I [God] curse will I [God] curse the ground because of man, even though the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And childhood. And never againnever again will I destroy will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. As all living creatures, as I have done. As long as the earth long as the earth enduresendures [remains], [remains], seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will summer and winter, day and night will never ceasenever cease.”.” (Gen. 8:21b-22)(Gen. 8:21b-22)


by waterby water??

““Generations come and generations go, but Generations come and generations go, but the earth endures [remains] forever” the earth endures [remains] forever”

(Eccl. 1:4).(Eccl. 1:4).


by waterby water??

““Great Is Thy Faithfulness” Great Is Thy Faithfulness”

Summer and winter, Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon and stars Sun, moon and stars in their courses above. in their courses above.

Join with all nature in manifold witness, Join with all nature in manifold witness, To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness…Great is Thy faithfulness…

““Your Your faithfulnessfaithfulness continues through all generations; continues through all generations; you established the you established the earthearth and it and it enduresendures [forever]” [forever]” (Psa. (Psa. 119:90).119:90).


by waterby water??

““Know therefore that the Lord your God is Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the God; he is the faithfulfaithful God, God, keepingkeeping his his covenantcovenant of love to a of love to a thousandthousand generationsgenerations of those who love him and of those who love him and keep his commands”keep his commands” (Deut. 7:9). (Deut. 7:9).

• EqualsEquals 40,000 years. 40,000 years.

• 3,400 years have 3,400 years have transpiredtranspired..

• Leaves Leaves 36,60036,600 years years to goto go. .


by waterby water??

““For God For God soso lovedloved the world that he gave the world that he gave his one and only Son . . . For God did his one and only Son . . . For God did notnot send his Son into the world to send his Son into the world to condemn condemn the worldthe world . . . . . . ” ”

(John 3:16a, 17a).(John 3:16a, 17a).

Objection #3Objection #3The “New Heaven and a New Earth?”The “New Heaven and a New Earth?”

““Heaven and earth will pass away, but my Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” words will never pass away.”

(Matt. 24:35; Luke 21:33)(Matt. 24:35; Luke 21:33)


ThreeThree different different entitiesentities in the Bible termed in the Bible termed “heaven and earth.” “heaven and earth.”

1.1. Planet Earth and the cosmos creation (Planet Earth and the cosmos creation (Gen Gen 1:11:1; also Acts 4:24; 14:15-17).; also Acts 4:24; 14:15-17).

2. The Old Covenant creation (Deut. 32:1; Isa. 1:2-3; 51:13, 15-16).

• ““I will make your offspring like the dust of the I will make your offspring like the dust of the earthearth” (Gen. 13:16). ” (Gen. 13:16).

• ““Look at the Look at the heavensheavens and count the stars... so and count the stars... so shall your shall your offspringoffspring be” (Gen. 15:5; also 22:17; be” (Gen. 15:5; also 22:17; Dan. 12:3). Dan. 12:3).

Isaiah 51:13a, 15-16 (KJV)

““And forgettest the Lord thy maker, that hath And forgettest the Lord thy maker, that hath stretchedstretched forth the forth the heavensheavens, and , and laidlaid the the foundations of the foundations of the earthearth...”...” (Isa. 51:13a KJV).(Isa. 51:13a KJV).

But I am the Lord thy God, that divided the sea, But I am the Lord thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The Lord of Hosts is his whose waves roared: The Lord of Hosts is his name. And I have put my words in thy mouth; I name. And I have put my words in thy mouth; I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may that I may plantplant the the heavensheavens, and , and laylay the the foundations of the foundations of the earthearth, and may say unto Zion, , and may say unto Zion, ‘Thou art my people.’” ‘Thou art my people.’”


““And at what instant I shall speak And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to kingdom, to buildbuild and to and to plantplant it.” it.”

(Jer. 18:9 KJV; see also 1:10; Eccl. 3:2).(Jer. 18:9 KJV; see also 1:10; Eccl. 3:2).


JosephusJosephusThe Antiquities of the JewsThe Antiquities of the Jews

• Describes how the Jews of Jesus’ time Describes how the Jews of Jesus’ time lookedlooked upon their upon their templetemple as “a as “a HeavenHeaven and and earthearth.” .”

• The The outerouter tabernacle “an tabernacle “an imitationimitation of the of the systemsystem of the of the worldworld” and “” and “seasea and and landland, on which men live.” , on which men live.”

• The Most Holy The Most Holy PlacePlace “a “a HeavenHeaven peculiar to God.” peculiar to God.” • The The veilveil that separated the two “was very ornamental, that separated the two “was very ornamental,

and embroidered with all sorts of and embroidered with all sorts of flowersflowers which the which the earthearth produces.” produces.”

Book 3, chapter 6, paragraph 4, lines 122-126; Book 3, chapter 6, paragraph 4, lines 122-126; also see Book 1, chapter 7, paragraph 7, lines 180-also see Book 1, chapter 7, paragraph 7, lines 180-

182.182.


3. The old world empire of Babylon (3. The old world empire of Babylon (Isa.Isa. 13:13, 113:13, 1, also 19-22)., also 19-22).


In SummaryIn Summary • TwoTwo of these of these ThreeThree “heavens and earth” entities “heavens and earth” entities

proclaimedproclaimed in the Bible have in the Bible have alreadyalready ended. ended. • The The otherother, as we’ve , as we’ve seenseen from Scripture from Scripture

nevernever ends. ends. • QuestionQuestion: : WhichWhich “heaven and earth” was “heaven and earth” was JesusJesus

talking about in Matthew 5:17-18? talking about in Matthew 5:17-18?


““Do not think that I have come to abolish Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the least stroke of a pen disappear, not the least stroke of a pen [a jot or a tittle], will by any means [a jot or a tittle], will by any means disappear from the Law until everything disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” (Matt. 5:17-18)is accomplished.” (Matt. 5:17-18)

Ten Scriptural ConfirmationsTen Scriptural Confirmations

#1 – 1 Cor. 7:29, 31#1 – 1 Cor. 7:29, 31

“Time is short” . . . .

“The world in its present form is passing away.”


#2 – Heb. 8:13

““By calling this covenant ‘new,’ he [God] By calling this covenant ‘new,’ he [God] has made the first one obsolete; and what has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.” is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.”


#3 – Heb. 9:8-10#3 – Heb. 9:8-10 “The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the new order.”


#4 – Heb. 12:26-28; Hag. 2:6; Isa. 13:13; 13:1#4 – Heb. 12:26-28; Hag. 2:6; Isa. 13:13; 13:1

“At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, ‘Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.’ The words ‘once more’ indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.”


#5 – Matt. 21:43-45, 40#5 – Matt. 21:43-45, 40 ““Therefore I tell you that the Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of Godkingdom of God will will be be taken awaytaken away from you and from you and givengiven to to another another peoplepeople who will produce its who will produce its fruitfruit. He who falls on . He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be whom it falls will be crushedcrushed. When the chief . When the chief priests and he Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, priests and he Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they knewthey knew he was talking he was talking about themabout them.”.”

“When the owner of the vineyard comes . . . .”


#6 – Luke 21:20-22, 32#6 – Luke 21:20-22, 32““When When youyou see Jerusalem surrounded by see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, armies, youyou will know that its desolation is near. will know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea Then let those who are in Judea fleeflee to the to the mountains, let those in the city get mountains, let those in the city get outout, and let , and let those in the country not enter the city. For this is those in the country not enter the city. For this is the the time of punishmenttime of punishment [vengeance] in [vengeance] in fulfillmentfulfillment of all that has been writtenof all that has been written.” .”

““I tell you the truth, I tell you the truth, this generationthis generation will certainly will certainly not pass away until not pass away until all these thingsall these things have have happened.”happened.”


#7 – Deut. 32 –#7 – Deut. 32 – The Song of MosesThe Song of Moses

#8 – Rev. 21 – A new heaven and a new #8 – Rev. 21 – A new heaven and a new earthearth

#9 – 2 Pet. 3:10-13 – “the day of the Lord”#9 – 2 Pet. 3:10-13 – “the day of the Lord”


#10 – Rev. 18

• “A Tale of Two Cities”

• Who is this Babylon?

• Did not and does not exist today.

• A sign and a symbol of what?

• Let “Scripture interpret Scripture.”Let “Scripture interpret Scripture.”

• Prove by Prove by fourfour simple simple syllogismssyllogisms. .

Syllogism #1Syllogism #1

• Major premise #1Major premise #1: Three times this Babylon is : Three times this Babylon is called “called “OO greatgreat citycity” (Rev. 18:10, 16, 19). Twice ” (Rev. 18:10, 16, 19). Twice it is called “it is called “greatgreat citycity” (Rev. 18, 21).” (Rev. 18, 21).

• Minor premise #1Minor premise #1: “The great city” is “: “The great city” is “wherewhere also also their their LordLord was was crucifiedcrucified” ” (Rev. 11:8).(Rev. 11:8).

• ConclusionConclusion: Jerusalem is Revelation’s : Jerusalem is Revelation’s Babylon.Babylon.


• Major premise #2Major premise #2: Babylon was guilty of “the : Babylon was guilty of “the bloodblood of the of the prophetsprophets” (Rev. 18:24; 17:6).” (Rev. 18:24; 17:6).

• Minor premise #2Minor premise #2: According to Jesus and Paul, : According to Jesus and Paul, onlyonly JerusalemJerusalem killed the prophets (Matt. 23:34- killed the prophets (Matt. 23:34-37; Luke 13:33; 11:47-51; 1 Thess. 2:15-16).37; Luke 13:33; 11:47-51; 1 Thess. 2:15-16).



• Major premise #3Major premise #3: John’s people are commanded to : John’s people are commanded to “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues” (Rev. 18:4). her plagues” (Rev. 18:4).

• Minor premise #3Minor premise #3: The only city Jesus ever : The only city Jesus ever commanded his followers to flee from is Jerusalemcommanded his followers to flee from is Jerusalem—when they saw two specific signs (Matt. 24:15-16; —when they saw two specific signs (Matt. 24:15-16; Luke 21:20-21). Luke 21:20-21).

• ConclusionConclusion: Jerusalem is Revelation’s Babylon.: Jerusalem is Revelation’s Babylon.


• Major premise #4Major premise #4: This Babylon would be : This Babylon would be destroyed (Rev. 18:2, 8, 10, 11, 17, 19-23).destroyed (Rev. 18:2, 8, 10, 11, 17, 19-23).

• Minor premise #4Minor premise #4: The only city Jesus said : The only city Jesus said

would be destroyed was Jerusalem—it would be would be destroyed was Jerusalem—it would be “left to you desolate” (Matt. 23:38) . . . . with “not “left to you desolate” (Matt. 23:38) . . . . with “not one stone . . . left on another” (Matt. 24:2).one stone . . . left on another” (Matt. 24:2).


““. . . if Revelation was written . . . if Revelation was written beforebefore A.D. A.D. 70, then a 70, then a casecase could be could be mademade that it that it describes chiefly those describes chiefly those eventsevents leading up leading up to Jerusalem’s to Jerusalem’s fallfall.” [in A.D. 70].” [in A.D. 70]

R.C. Sproul, R.C. Sproul,

The Last Days According to JesusThe Last Days According to Jesus, 132., 132.


#11 – a bonus verse#11 – a bonus verse

Matt. 24:35Matt. 24:35

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”

Next WeekNext Week

God’s divinely determined God’s divinely determined timelinetimeline

——OT & NT— OT & NT—

for the appointed “time of the end” for the appointed “time of the end”

Unraveling the EndUnraveling the EndA Biblical Synthesis of Competing ViewsA Biblical Synthesis of Competing Views

unraveling the end a biblical synthesis of competing views

Documents

end of time

time prophecy

proper time

appointed time

divine perfectionproposition

understanding of end

god of perfection

god of order