1 Your Kingdom Come: The Doctrine of Eschatology Lesson Guide LESSON THE COMING OF THE THREE KING © 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. THE RETURN OF CHRIST (2:20) ........................................................................... 4 A. Necessity (5:41) ................................................................................................... 4 1. Abraham’s Heir (8:04) ................................................................................... 5 2. David’s Heir (13:05) ...................................................................................... 6 B. Manner (17:30) ................................................................................................... 6 1. Personal (18:08) ............................................................................................. 6 2. Physical (22:23) ............................................................................................. 7 3. Visible (24:43) ............................................................................................... 8 4. Triumphant (27:50) ........................................................................................ 8 III. THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES (32:45)....................................................................... 9 A. Divine Mystery (33:39) .................................................................................... 10 B. Significant Precursors (36:41) .......................................................................... 10 1. Demonic opposition (37:41) ........................................................................ 10 2. Human opposition (39:28) ........................................................................... 11 3. Worldwide evangelism (42:36).................................................................... 11 C. Interpretive Strategies (45:24) .......................................................................... 12 IV. THE MILLENNIUM (49:56) .................................................................................. 12 A. Historic Premillennialism (53:08) .................................................................... 13 B. Dispensational Premillennialism (59:31) ......................................................... 14 C. Postmillennialism (1:03:31) ............................................................................. 15 D. Amillennialism (1:07:53) ................................................................................. 16 V. CONCLUSION (1:12:34) ........................................................................................ 17 REVIEW QUESTIONS ................................................................................................. 18 APPLICATION QUESTIONS ...................................................................................... 23 GLOSSARY..................................................................................................................... 24 Your Kingdom Come: The Doctrine of Eschatology Lesson 3: The Coming of the King © 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 3: The Coming of the King © 2016 by Third Millennium Ministries www.thirdmill.org 4 Notes I. Introduction (0:20) Eschatology – the study or doctrine of last things Individual eschatology – the study of how individual human beings experience the events of the last days General eschatology – the study of God’s universal acts of judgment and salvation in the last days II. The Return of Christ (2:20) Jesus assured his followers that he would eventually return (Matthew 24–25; John 14–17; Acts 1:10-11). Jesus’ return is taught throughout the New Testament and has always been a central article of faith in Christian theology. A. Necessity (5:41) Wealthier Christians often struggle to place sufficient value on the kingdom that Jesus will consummate when he returns. Christians who suffer for their faith often find it easier to look forward to the perfect world Jesus will bring. Your Kingdom Come: The Doctrine of Eschatology Lesson 3: The Coming of the King © 2016 by Third Millennium Ministries www.thirdmill.org Notes 5 1. Abraham’s Heir (8:04) God’s covenant with Abraham includes the promise of land for Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 15, 17). Paul interpreted this promise to mean that Abraham and his descendants would inherit the entire world (Romans 4:13). After testing Abraham and sparing his son Isaac, God confirmed that his covenant blessings would be realized through Isaac to the entire world (Genesis 22:17-18). Isaac was a “type” or foreshadow that prefigured Christ. God’s promises would ultimately be fulfilled through Isaac’s descendant Jesus. Jesus has to come back personally, so that the promises to Abraham and Isaac can be fulfilled. Your Kingdom Come: The Doctrine of Eschatology Lesson 3: The Coming of the King © 2016 by Third Millennium Ministries www.thirdmill.org Notes 6 2. David’s Heir (13:05) God promised that one of David’s descendants would rule over Israel, and then over all nations, forever (Isaiah 9:7; Daniel 7:14). Jesus is already reigning in heaven with complete authority over both heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:20-22). To fulfill God’s promise to David, Jesus must return to earth, re- establish the Davidic throne over Israel, and rule over the whole earth forever (Luke 1:32-33). B. Manner (17:30) Jesus will descend from heaven as the victorious, conquering King over all creation. 1. Personal (18:08) Jesus is coming back in person to finish his work. After Jesus’ resurrection, he explained that he was going to send the Holy Spirit to empower the church for ministry (Acts 1:4-5). Your Kingdom Come: The Doctrine of Eschatology Lesson 3: The Coming of the King © 2016 by Third Millennium Ministries www.thirdmill.org Notes 7 After Jesus’ ascension, two angels appeared and told the apostles that Jesus would personally return in the future (Acts 1:11). Many New Testament writers and figures argued that Jesus will return personally to consummate God’s messianic kingdom on earth. 2. Physical (22:23) Jesus didn’t give up his humanity when he ascended into heaven; he has both a divine nature and a human nature. To complete his human work, Jesus must return in his full humanity, including his body: The promises made to Abraham and David can only be fulfilled through Jesus’ humanity. Jesus has to return in his human nature in order to complete his work as the prophet like Moses. The angels at his ascension said that he’d come back physically (Acts 1:11). The New Testament consistently teaches that when Jesus returns, he’ll appear in his glorified physical human body. Your Kingdom Come: The Doctrine of Eschatology Lesson 3: The Coming