Part IV The Part of Tens

1. Part IV The Part of Tens

2. Chapter 16 Ten Common Questions about the End Times In This Chapter Understanding what eschatology means Defining the seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments Making sense of the Tribulation and rapture Examining the Millennium and the lake of fire Although the last book in the Bible is officially titled Revelation, you may have other names that seem more appropriate The Book of Confusion? John’s Letter of Really Intriguing, Perplexing, and Confounding Stuff? Chronicles of a Bad Acid Trip?). However, as we explain, Revelation need not be a source of confusion if you get a handle on the symbolism and terminology. In that light, this chapter is designed to provide you with answers to ten commonly asked questions people have about the End Times. Then, as you’re ready, you can dive deeper into these questions at other locations in this Bible Study. What Does Eschatology Mean? The word eschatology originates from two Greek words — eschatos, meaning “last,” and logos, meaning “subject-matter or teaching.” Eschatology is the study of last things that are prophesied in the Bible. These final events, primarily those recorded in Revelation 4–22, include the Tribulation, the return of Christ, the Millennium, the Last Judgment, Armageddon, and heaven and hell.

3. What Do the Seals, Trumpets, and Bowls Symbolize? Reference: Revelation 6–16 The seals, trumpets, and bowls symbolize the three stages of a series of events foretold in Revelation. As Jesus opens the seven seals of a heavenly scroll, an initial series of earth-rattling events begins to unfold (Rev. 6:1–8:1). A second series of more-severe events occurs when seven angels play trumpets (Rev. 8:7–11:15). Finally, seven bowls are poured out to symbolize the final, unrestrained set of disastrous events (Rev. 16:2–17). Some commentators believe that the seals, trumpets, and bowls are successive and progressive events, with one set kicking off the next. Others believe that these symbols refer to a set of events that occur at the same time. Here’s how the different schools of interpretation view these symbols: Futurists teach that the seals, trumpets, and bowls are the key events that will transpire in the Tribulation period prior to Jesus’s Second Coming. Preteristsbelieve that these events were carried out at the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE. Historicists hold that these symbolic events are being carried out progressively throughout the church age, which is going on now.

4. Idealists teach that the seals, trumpets, and bowls are allegories of the natural disasters and social evils that have existed throughout human history. See Chapters 9, 10, and 12 for more on the seals, trumpets, and bowls. What’s the Great Tribulation? References: Matthew 24:21; Revelation 7:14 The Tribulation, or Great Tribulation, is a short period of intense persecution of God’s people living on the earth; it’s the time in which the seal, trumpet, and bowl events of Revelation are carried out: Futurism teaches that the Tribulation is a seven-year period just before the return of Jesus. They usually divide it into two 3.5-year periods. The first half has restrained oppression and judgment, but the second half is typified by unrestrained disaster. Preteristsbelieve that the Tribulation took place back in the first century at the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE. Some historicists think the Tribulation refers to the plight of the Jews since the first century, including events such as the Holocaust, and ending with the restored state of Israel in 1948. Idealists hold that the Tribulation period symbolizes the suffering that believers have had to endure throughout history. See Chapter 13 for details.

5. What’s the Rapture? References: 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; Matthew 24:29–31, 24:40–41; 1 Corinthians 15:52 The Bible never actually uses the word rapture in the sense people use it in respect to Revelation — that is, a sudden, instantaneous taking up of all living believers into heaven. But the idea isn’t without precedent. In biblical history, two men experienced a similar phenomenon: Enoch (Genesis 5:24) and Elijah (2 Kings 2:11). Paul presents this idea in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, where he states, “Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever.” The End Times rapture is the theory that believers living in the End Times will be physically removed from the earth and transported directly to heaven. Futurists and premillennialists hold this view, and they have various theories concerning the timing of the rapture: Pretribulationists(including dispensationalists, whom we discuss in Chapters 3, 4, and 13) hold that the rapture of the church will occur before the Tribulation period begins (at Rev. 4:1). By this approach, people who are believers prior to the rapture will be spared the terrible Tribulation period. This is the perspective of the Left Behind series. Midtribulationistshold that the rapture will occur midway through the Tribulation.

6. Postribulationistsargue that the rapture will occur at the end of the Tribulation, just prior to the Second Coming of Jesus. They hold that the church will be called upon to persevere through the Tribulation period and not escape it as pretribulationists believe. A final theory is that the rapture is already taking place, albeit in a more figurative manner.Many within the universal Christian church (including Roman Catholic, Easter Orthodox, and some Protestant churches) don’t accept the idea of a literal rapture. This is true even among some who adhere to a literal interpretation of Revelation. These rapture dissenters say that the concept isn’t based on explicit teaching of Scripture or historical teaching of the early church. See Chapter 8 for the lowdown on the various views of the rapture. Who Are the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse? Reference: Revelation 6:1–7 The four horsemen of the Apocalypse are one of the most familiar images of Revelation and the end of the world. The horsemen are the ultimate bearers of bad news and are implementers of nasty events; they’re released when the Lamb, Jesus, opens the first four seals in Revelation 6. Here’s the lineup: The first horseman rides on a white horse. He holds a bow, wears a crown, and rides out as a conqueror bent on conquest.

7. The second horseman rides out on a fiery red horse. He carries a large sword and is given power to make war. The third horseman rides on a black horse. He carries a pair of scales, denoting scarcity of food and goods. The fourth horseman rides out on a pale horse. His rider is Death. The pale color of the horse represents sickly, deathly, greenish color. Together, they’re given power over 25 percent of the world to kill through war, famines, diseases, and other natural disasters. Though the text names only the fourth horseman, they’re traditionally known as the Conqueror, War, Famine, and Death. Opinions differ on whom the first horseman represents. Some suggest that he is Jesus riding in victory, others view him as a spirit of conquest, and a few believe that this rider is actually the Antichrist. Preterist idealists believe that all the horseman are symbolic of the ultimate power of God over evil. Some preteristsargue that the first-century reader would’ve identified the first horseman as the Parthians, Roman enemies who traditionally rode white horses into battle. See Chapter 9 for more on the four horsemen. Who is the Antichrist? References: 1 John 2:18, 22, 4:3; 2 John 7; Rev. 13:1–4; Daniel 7:7–8; 2 Thes. 2:3–4, 2:8–10 In connection with Revelation, the Antichrist (uppercase) is the archenemy of Jesus and the ultimate false prophet. The Antichrist emerges as a powerful leader who will deceive the world and defy God. He receives his power directly from Satan.

8. Although often associated with the Revelation’s Tribulation period, the term antichrist (lowercase or uppercase) never appears in Revelation itself. Instead, it shows up only a handful of times in the epistles of John to label anyone who attempts to pervert the gospel (good news) of Jesus and lead God’s people into false doctrines and beliefs. For example, in 1 John 1:7, John writes, “For many deceivers have gone out into the world, men who will not acknowledge the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh; such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.” Here are the four major interpretations of the Antichrist: Futurists believe that the beast from the sea, depicted in Revelation 13, represents the Antichrist. Others hold that the first horseman (see the preceding section) represents him. Preteristsoften understand Nero as the Antichrist, or beast. Historicists often understood the Antichrist as the Roman papacy, the office of the pope. Idealists don’t identify the beast or Antichrist with a single individual; rather, he symbolizes the evil socio-political systems of the world. People often believe numerous other Scriptures point to the Antichrist, including the fourth beast in Daniel 7, the false Christs that Jesus talks about in Matthew 24:5, 24:23–24, and the “man of lawlessness” that Paul discusses in 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4. See Chapter 11 for the lowdown on the Antichrist.

9. What’s the Mark of the Beast (666)? Reference: Revelation 13:16–18 Literal interpretations understand the mark of the beast as a way in which the false prophet will control the economic system. The mark itself will be placed on a person’s right hand or forehead and is required in order to buy and sell goods. John clearly states that believers must not receive the mark, because doing so identifies a person with the beast and defies God (Rev. 14:9–12). John says in Revelation 13:18 that this mark is the number 666. This number has brought endless speculation. Some attempts to associate these numbers with letters of the alphabet have yielded several people as the Antichrist, including Nero, Hitler, Ronald Reagan, and even Homer Simpson. (Okay, I made that last one up, but the speculation can get pretty silly at times.) John refers to 666 as “man’s number.” From a biblical standpoint, seven is often associated as the perfect number of God, and six is a human number,something less than perfect. So this implies that six is the number of imperfection, or even evil, and that 666 equates to a kind of trinity of evil. It’s at least an interesting idea. Here are some major interpretations of the mark: Futurists believe that the Antichrist will use the mark of the beast during the Tribulation as a way to control the economic system of the world.

10. Theories about how technology could play a part in the beast’s plans range from computer-chip implants to fingerprint-scanning devices. Preteristshold that the mark of the beast refers to the economic persecution that existed against Christians in the first century. Preterists often associate the beast with Nero. Historiststraditionally believed that the mark of the beast was being Roman Catholic and worshipping in Latin. Idealists teach that the mark of the beast is a figurative symbol of false religion. What’s the Significance of the Term Babylon? References: Revelation 14:8, 16:19, 17:5, 18:2 In Revelation, Babylon symbolizes an organized entity that defies God. A first century reader of John’s Revelation would’ve clearly understood the evils of a symbolic Babylon. Ancient Babylon (a city located in contemporary Iraq) was a powerful empire in the Old Testament era, and it typified a powerful society that openly and aggressively defied the God of Israel.

11. Here are the futurist, preterist, historicist, and idealist takes on Babylon: Many futurists hold that Babylon symbolizes an actual city, country, or political system that will arise in the End Times; it emulates the idolatrous values of ancient Babylon. Others suggest that Babylon, at least in the first half of the Tribulation, refers to an apostate (God-defying) religious body, organized by the Antichrist. Preteristshave mixed views about the symbol of Babylon. Some argue that it’s a clear reference to Jerusalem; others believe it refers to Rome. Classic historicism holds that Babylon symbolizes the Roman Catholic Church. Idealism maintains that Babylon is a figurative description of human society organizing itself against God; society attempts to lure people away from Jesus. What’s the Millennium? Reference: Revelation 20:1–6 The Millennium is a 1,000-year period that John talks about in the first six verses of Revelation 20. He tells readers that at the start of this period, Jesus will bind Satan to prevent him from deceiving nations. After that, Jesus will reign with his people over the earth.

12. Three interpretations speculate on what the Millennium refers to: Premillennialismholds that John is referring to a literal 1,000 years after the return of Jesus. Amillennialismmaintains the Millennium is a figurative term referring to the extended period between Jesus’s birth and his return to earth. Instead of a literal reign of Jesus, this view teaches that he is reigning in heaven and, spiritually, on earth through his church. Postmillennialism teaches that the Millennium refers to the church age, the time between the birth and return of Jesus. This view maintains that the forces of Satan will eventually be stomped out as the Kingdom of God extends over the world. As soon as this has been accomplished, Jesus will return. What’s the Lake of Fire? References: Revelation 19:20, 20:10, 20:14–15 Talk about your hot-potato topic! Few people like the idea of being tossed into a literal lake of fire. However, according to the Bible, the lake of fire is the final destination for everything evil, including Satan, the beast (Antichrist), the lost prophet, and everyone except God’s people. John refers to the lake of fire as the “second death.” Some believe the lake of fire is not a literal burning lake but that it represents never-ending physical torture of some kind; others hold it to mean the spiritual torture of being eternally separated from God. A final group believes the lake of fire will consume those who enter, and they’ll cease to exist.