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| − | <sup> Perhaps you were looking for the [[Ultimate fate of the universe]]?</sup> | + | <sup>''Perhaps you were looking for the [[Ultimate fate of the universe]]?''</sup> |
| − | | + | The '''End Times''', also called the '''Last Days''', generally refers to the end of the world, or the end of time in religion. In Christianity, it refers to the time just before and during the [[Second Coming]] of Jesus Christ. This period of time is foretold in the [[Old Testament]] prophetical books, such as [[Daniel]] and [[Ezekiel]], and in the [[New Testament]] with the [[Gospels]], several of the [[Pauline Epistles]], and in the [[Revelation]]. All theologians agree that the [[Bible]] spends a great deal of attention on the subject, but there is very wide disagreement as to the meaning. |
| − | The '''End Times''', also called the '''Last Days''', generally refers to the end of the world, or the end of time in religion. In Christianity, it refers to the time just before and during the [[Second Coming]] of Jesus Christ. This period of time is foretold in the [[Old Testament]] prophetical books, such as [[Daniel]] and [[Ezekiel]], and in the [[New Testament]] with the [[Gospels]], several of the [[Pauline Epistles]], and in the [[Revelation]]. All theologians agree that the Bible spends a great deal of attention on the subject, but there is very wide disagreement as to the meaning. | |
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| | ==Eschatology== | | ==Eschatology== |
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| − | [[Eschatology]] is the study of the last things: death, judgment, the afterlife, and the end of the world. Through centuries of Christian thought—from the early Church fathers through the Middle Ages and the Reformation—these issues were central importance to theologians. After the [[Enlightenment]] of the 18th century, however, many religious thinkers began to downplay the importance of eschatology which, in light of rationalism, came to be seen as something of an embarrassment. The twentieth century, however, saw the rise of [[Fundamentalism]] that placed eschatology back at the forefront of religious thought. Furthermore, there has been a proliferation of apocalyptic new religious movements. | + | [[Eschatology]] is the study of the last things: death, judgment, the afterlife, and the end of the world. Through centuries of Christian thought—from the early Church fathers through the Middle Ages and the Reformation—these issues were of central importance to theologians. After the [[Enlightenment]] of the 18th century, however, many religious thinkers began to downplay the importance of eschatology which, in light of rationalism, came to be seen as something of an embarrassment. The twentieth century, however, saw the rise of [[Fundamentalism]] that placed eschatology back at the forefront of religious thought. Furthermore, there has been a proliferation of apocalyptic new religious movements. |
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| | ==Views of the End Times== | | ==Views of the End Times== |
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| | ===Premillennialist=== | | ===Premillennialist=== |
| − | This viewpoint takes a literal interpretation of Biblical events. A few early theologians believed in many premillennial theories. [[Isaac Newton]], the famous scientist who helped discover gravity, and who was also highly religious, had premillennial views. He believed that several occurrences must take place before the return of Jesus, such as the regathering of Israel as a nation. This actually happened on May 1948. However, this view was later popularized under the influence of British theologian [[John Nelson Darby]] (1800-1882), in which "[[Dispensationalism]]" became a dominant view by 1910 among Premillennialist Protestants. They argue that the following must occur in partial sequence before the establishment of the Millennial Kingdom when Jesus Christ returns: | + | This viewpoint takes a literal interpretation of Biblical events. A few early theologians believed in many premillennial theories. [[Isaac Newton]], the famous scientist who helped discover [[gravity]], and who was also highly religious, had premillennial views. He believed that several occurrences must take place before the return of Jesus, such as the regathering of Israel as a nation. This actually happened on May 1948. However, this view was later popularized under the influence of British theologian [[John Nelson Darby]] (1800-1882), in which "[[Dispensationalism]]" became a dominant view by 1910 among Premillennialist Protestants. They argue that the following must occur in partial sequence before the establishment of the Millennial Kingdom when Jesus Christ returns: |
| − | :1. World conditions as specified in Matthew 24 (i.e. lawlessness, wars, famines, etc) must exist. | + | :1. World conditions as specified in [[Matthew, Chapter 24|Matthew 24]] (i.e., lawlessness, wars, famines, etc) must exist. |
| | :2. General moral decay and spiritual [[apostasy]] will increase, while simultaneously, the gospel will be preached worldwide. | | :2. General moral decay and spiritual [[apostasy]] will increase, while simultaneously, the gospel will be preached worldwide. |
| − | :3. The rebirth of Israel as a nation and the gathering of the jews. | + | :3. The rebirth of Israel as a nation and the gathering of the Jews. |
| | :4. The construction and re-institution of the [[Solomon's Temple|Jewish Temple]] and related religious practices upon the [[Temple Mount]] in [[Jerusalem]]. | | :4. The construction and re-institution of the [[Solomon's Temple|Jewish Temple]] and related religious practices upon the [[Temple Mount]] in [[Jerusalem]]. |
| | :5. Creation of a united Europe, modeled on the old [[Roman Empire]]. A small number of prophecy teachers consider that this revived Roman Empire will be centered in the [[Middle East]]. | | :5. Creation of a united Europe, modeled on the old [[Roman Empire]]. A small number of prophecy teachers consider that this revived Roman Empire will be centered in the [[Middle East]]. |
| | :6. Implementation of a seven-year peace treaty in favor of Israel, and brokered by the leader of Europe, who is the [[Antichrist]]. | | :6. Implementation of a seven-year peace treaty in favor of Israel, and brokered by the leader of Europe, who is the [[Antichrist]]. |
| − | :7. A horrible holocaust against the jews, christians, and anybody who opposes the antichrist, while demonically supernatural signs will be created by the antichrist to deceive many. Many will be deceived. | + | :7. A horrible holocaust against the Jews, Christians, and anybody who opposes the Antichrist, while demonically supernatural signs will be created by the Antichrist to deceive many. Many will be deceived. |
| − | :8. A major war ([[Armageddon]]) which is world-wide, ending only with Christ's return. | + | :8. A major war ([[Armageddon]]) which is worldwide, ending only with Christ's return. |
| | :9. [[Supernatural]] disasters will plague the unbelievers to let them repent of their unbelief. | | :9. [[Supernatural]] disasters will plague the unbelievers to let them repent of their unbelief. |
| | :10. The resurrection, which begins before the Millennial Kingdom. | | :10. The resurrection, which begins before the Millennial Kingdom. |
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| | ===Postmillennialism=== | | ===Postmillennialism=== |
| − | Postmillennialists argue that a "utopia" will be physically set up by man, through evangelical and missionary work and systematic efforts to rid society of evil. Thereby the Millennial Kingdom is established ''before'' Christ's return. | + | Postmillennialists argue that a "utopia" will be physically set up by man, through evangelical and missionary work and systematic efforts to rid society of evil. Thereby, the Millennial Kingdom is established ''before'' Christ's return. |
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| − | [[Jonathan Edwards]], thrilled with the progress of the [[First Great Awakening]] in the 1740s was the leading exponent. It gained strength as the [[Second Great Awakening]] and the [[Third Great Awakening]] made America an intensely religious nation in the 19th century. Postmillennialism energized the mainstream Protestant churches to redouble their missionary work and engage in large scale programs of education and social reform. | + | [[Jonathan Edwards]], thrilled with the progress of the [[First Great Awakening]] in the 1740s was the leading exponent. It gained strength as the [[Second Great Awakening]] and the [[Third Great Awakening]] made America an intensely religious nation in the 19th century. Postmillennialism energized the mainstream Protestant churches to redouble their missionary work and engage in large-scale programs of education and social reform. |
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| − | The [[Prohibition]] and [[Social Gospel]] movements of the late 19th and early 20th century were inspired by postmillenarium beliefs, which have faded away in recent decades. | + | The [[Prohibition]] and [[Social Gospel]] movements of the late 19th and early 20th century were inspired by postmillennial beliefs, which have faded away in recent decades. |
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| | ===Amillennialist=== | | ===Amillennialist=== |
| − | [[Augustine]], the early Catholic theologian, created this concept as a result of his failure to try to fit the prophetical events of the Bible to the timeframe in which he lived. His disillusionment caused him to believe that when it came to prophecy, the Bible should be taken ''allegorically'' or ''symbolically'', rather than literally (he regarded the rest of the Bible as literal). The Kingdom of God was in men's hearts, he stressed, and not in an actual kingdom in which Christ will establish upon His return. | + | [[Augustine]], the early Catholic theologian, created this concept as a result of his failure to try to fit the prophetic events of the Bible to the timeframe in which he lived. His disillusionment caused him to believe that when it came to prophecy, the Bible should be taken ''allegorically'' or ''symbolically'', rather than literally (he regarded the rest of the Bible as literal). The Kingdom of God was in men's hearts, he stressed, and not in an actual kingdom in which Christ will establish upon His return. |
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| | ===Preterism=== | | ===Preterism=== |
| − | The term [[Preterism]] essentially means "past", clarifying their views. The Preterists believe that many prophecies that [[Jesus]] mentioned have already been fulfilled in the first century, especially during the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. The view can be categorized into two types of the theory: Radical Preterists and Partial Preterists. The Radical Preterists, or Full Preterists, believe that the second coming has already occurred and that we are presently awaiting the eternal state. | + | The term [[Preterism]] essentially means "past", clarifying their views. The Preterists believe that many prophecies that [[Jesus]] mentioned have already been fulfilled in the first century, especially during the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. The view can be categorized into two types of theory: Radical Preterists and Partial Preterists. The Radical Preterists, or Full Preterists, believe that the second coming has already occurred and that we are presently awaiting the eternal state. |
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| | ==Signs of the times== | | ==Signs of the times== |
| − | Concerned by Jesus' statement that the Temple would not be left standing, He was asked by his disciples "when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" (''Matthew 24:3; King James Version''). Jesus replied that there would be specific signs to look for as to the condition of the world just prior to His second coming. | + | Concerned by Jesus' statement that the Temple would not be left standing, He was asked by his disciples, "when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" (''Matthew 24:3; King James Version''). Jesus replied that there would be specific signs to look for as to the condition of the world just prior to His second coming. |
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| | ====False Christs and false prophets==== | | ====False Christs and false prophets==== |