1 Your Kingdom Come: The Doctrine of Eschatology Lesson Guide LESSON ONE THE GOAL OF CREATION © 2013 by Third Millennium Ministries For videos, manuscripts, and other resources, visit Third Millennium Ministries at thirdmill.org. www.thirdmill.org 2 CONTENTS HOW TO USE THIS LESSON GUIDE ......................................................................... 3 NOTES ............................................................................................................................... 4 I. INTRODUCTION (0:20)........................................................................................... 4 II. OLD TESTAMENT EXPECTATIONS (2:16) ......................................................... 4 A. Creation (3:25) ..................................................................................................... 4 B. Redemption (8:38) ............................................................................................... 5 1. Adam (11:13) ................................................................................................. 6 2. Noah (12:12) .................................................................................................. 6 3. Abraham (13:48) ............................................................................................ 7 4. Moses (15:14) ................................................................................................ 7 5. David (20:02) ................................................................................................. 8 C. Eschaton (21:57) .................................................................................................. 9 III. NEW TESTAMENT REALIZATIONS (30:14) ..................................................... 11 A. Theological Developments (31:13).................................................................... 11 B. Historical Complications (38:00) ....................................................................... 12 1. Unmet Expectations (38:57) ........................................................................ 12 2. Prophetic Mystery (43:36) ........................................................................... 13 3. Covenantal Conditionality (46:43) .............................................................. 14 4. Divine Freedom (51:26) ............................................................................... 15 C. Adjusted Expectations (54:54) ........................................................................... 16 1. Inauguration (59:16) .................................................................................... 17 2. Continuation (1:04:36) ................................................................................. 18 3. Consummation (1:08:10) ............................................................................. 19 IV. CONCLUSION (1:12:30) ........................................................................................ 19 REVIEW QUESTIONS ................................................................................................. 20 APPLICATION QUESTIONS ...................................................................................... 24 GLOSSARY..................................................................................................................... 25 Your Kingdom Come: The Doctrine of Eschatology Lesson 1: The Goal of Creation © 2016 by Third Millennium Ministries www.thirdmill.org 3 HOW TO USE THIS LESSON GUIDE This lesson guide is designed for use in conjunction with the associated video. If you do not have access to the video, the lesson guide will also work with the audio and/or text versions of the lesson. Additionally, the video and lesson guide are intended to be used in a learning community, but they also can be used for individual study if necessary. Before you watch the lesson o Prepare — Complete any recommended readings. o Schedule viewing — The Notes section of the lesson guide has been divided into segments that correspond to the video. Using the time codes found in parentheses beside each major division, determine where to begin and end your viewing session. IIIM lessons are densely packed with information, so you may also want to schedule breaks. Breaks should be scheduled at major divisions. While you are watching the lesson o Take notes — The Notes section of the lesson guide contains a basic outline of the lesson, including the time codes for the beginning of each segment and key notes to guide you through the information. Many of the main ideas are already summarized, but make sure to supplement these with your own notes. You should also add supporting details that will help you to remember, describe, and defend the main ideas. o Record comments and questions — As you watch the video, you may have comments and/or questions on what you are learning. Use the margins to record your comments and questions so that you can share these with the group following the viewing session. o Pause/replay portions of the lesson — You may find it helpful to pause or replay the video at certain points in order to write additional notes, review difficult concepts, or discuss points of interest. After you watch the lesson o Complete Review Questions — Review Questions are based on the basic content of the lesson. You should answer Review Questions in the space provided. These questions should be completed individually rather than in a group. o Answer/discuss Application Questions — Application Questions are questions relating the content of the lesson to Christian living, theology, and ministry. Application questions are appropriate for written assignments or as topics for group discussions. For written assignments, it is recommended that answers not exceed one page in length. Your Kingdom Come: The Doctrine of Eschatology Lesson 1: The Goal of Creation © 2016 by Third Millennium Ministries www.thirdmill.org 4 Notes I. Introduction (0:20) Eschatology – the study or doctrine of last things eschatos (ἔσχατος) – last or final logos (λόγος) – study II. Old Testament Expectations (2:16) In the Old Testament, God’s kingdom was expected to unfold in three phases: creation – of the universe and its creatures redemption – necessitated by humanity’s fall into sin eschaton – the ultimate state of the universe, after redemption is complete, when God’s heavenly kingdom fills the earth A. Creation (3:25) God’s work of creation is detailed in Genesis chapters 1 and 2. God intended humanity to be his “vassals” or servant kings to rule over creation on behalf of God, the great “suzerain” or emperor. Your Kingdom Come: The Doctrine of Eschatology Lesson 1: The Goal of Creation © 2016 by Third Millennium Ministries www.thirdmill.org Notes 5 Cultural Mandate: God’s command to reproduce and create human culture throughout the world (Genesis 1:27-28). Humanity’s directive to “work” and “take care” of the Garden (Genesis 2:15) uses language that also describes the priests’ work in the tabernacle (Numbers 3:8). Human beings are God’s royal and priestly images that serve and honor him by ruling over creation on his behalf. B. Redemption (8:38) proto-euangelion (“first gospel”) – the plan of redemption first introduced after the Fall (Genesis 3:15). God promised to redeem humanity from the curse of sin. He continued to affirm this expectation through redemptive acts associated with his covenants. Your Kingdom Come: The Doctrine of Eschatology Lesson 1: The Goal of Creation © 2016 by Third Millennium Ministries www.thirdmill.org Notes 6 1. Adam (11:13) After Adam sinned, God offered him salvation through the proto- euangelion (Genesis 3:15). Expectation: God’s worldwide kingdom would come to pass, but its growth would be characterized by strife between the children of the serpent and the children of Eve. From the beginning, the human race has been divided between those who serve God’s purposes and those who rebel against God. 2. Noah (12:12) God made a covenant through Noah never to flood the earth again and to establish the stability of nature (Genesis 8:21–9:17). Expectation: The growth of God’s kingdom, would proceed without further global catastrophes. The stability of nature was guaranteed only until the end of the present order of creation (Genesis 8:22). Your Kingdom Come: The Doctrine of Eschatology Lesson 1: The Goal of Creation © 2016 by Third Millennium Ministries www.thirdmill.org Notes 7 3. Abraham (13:48) God called Abraham and his descendants to serve him in a special way (Genesis 15, 17, 22). They were the special nation through whom God would extend redemption to the rest of humanity (Genesis 22:18). Expectation: God’s earthly kingdom would include members from all nations on earth. 4. Moses (15:14) God confirmed that the Mosaic covenant incorporated and continued the early covenants. God would bring the covenant blessings to pass, but if his people disobeyed him, he would punish them (Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 4; 30). The worst covenant curse for Israel was exile from the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 4:27-31). Your Kingdom Come: The Doctrine of Eschatology Lesson 1: The Goal of Creation © 2016 by Third Millennium Ministries www.thirdmill.org Notes 8 God promised if they repented of their sin and sought him with all their heart and soul, he would restore them to his favor in “later days.” Expectation: In a future age, God would fulfill all of his covenant promises of blessings for his people and judgment against his enemies. The later biblical authors also understood the “later days” as the future and final age of blessing