Dispensationalism and pre-millennialism both deny that Christ's second coming will define the very end of history. This is set against the view of Christ's second coming which brings the end of history to a close and ushers in the resurrection and final judgement
1. Christ's return is a single event
i) the terms ‘coming, revelation, appearing, day of the Lord, and that day, all refer to the same event. 2 Thess 1:7-10; 2 Thess 2:2 comp v8; 2 Tim 4:1 comp v8; 1 Peter 1:7; 4:13
When the Saviour comes sudden destruction comes upon the wicked, 1 Thess 5:2; Matt 24:42,43; 2 Pet 3:10
ii) all are judged at the same time, Matt 25:31, 32, 46; v23, 30; Matt 25:10-13. The ‘left-ness' of Matt 24:40, 41 refers to the exclusion from eternal blessedness not left upon earth.
1 Thess 4:16,17. The kingdom of God and of heaven refer to the same things, Matt 13:11; Mark 4:11; Matt 3:2; Mark 1:14,15
iii) the resurrection of the righteous and the wicked takes place at the same time. Dan 12:2; John 5:28,29; Acts 24:15
2. Christ's return is at the very end
i) Christ is in heaven until the very end, Acts 3:19-21. The resurrection marks the end, for death is the last enemy, 1 Cor 15:23-26. An earthly reign of Christ is inconsistent with his state of exaltation
ii) his coming will be seen by all, Rev 1:7
iii) his coming and his peoples' resurrection is at the last day. ‘The last days' descriptive of the whole NT period, Acts 2:17; 1 Pet 1:20; 1 Jn 2:18. No days beyond the last day, Jn 6:39,44,54; Jn 12:48
3. Two passages where people often go wrong
Zech 14:4 and Rev 20:4. Some rules as to the correct interpretation of Scripture |
