What is Eschatology? (Esch 101)

In January, our church started a series of classes on Eschatology. I will be publishing the notes on this blog over the next couple of months. Enjoy!

This morning, we begin a new series on Eschatology.

The word eschatology is made up of two words: eschaton = end; logos = study. Eschatology is a study of the end, or as is usually stated, a study of the end times.

Traditionally, eschatology has been concerned with the second coming of Christ, the resurrection, the final judgment, and the eternal state.

Popularly, eschatology focuses on the rebirth of the nation of Israel, the tribulation, the rapture, and the millennium.

As there is much confusion over these issues, we will be spending the next few months sorting all of this out. We will not be able to cover every detail or look at every passage, but we do plan to focus on some of the principle eschatological texts including:

• Daniel 2, 7, 9
• The Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25; Mark 13; Luke 21)
• 1 Thessalonians 4-5; 2 Thessalonians 2
• The Book of Revelation

We will also touch on other eschatological texts such as:

• Ezekiel 40-48
• Zechariah 14
• 2 Peter 3
• 1 John 2