Eschatology comes with its own vocabulary.
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Eschatological Vocabulary
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Vocabulary
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Explanation
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First Advent
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The 1st Advent is the incarnation of Jesus Christ. It is when our Lord
walked on this earth as a man. This is roughly between 5 b.c. and
a.d. 30.
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Dispensation
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This word literally refers to the administration of a household.
However, it has come to mean in modern theology an epoch during
which God has a particular plan for that era, e.g., the Age of Israel or
the Church Age. Eph. 1:7–10 3:1–10 Col. 1:23–29. For this
reason, when we see the word dispensation in the Bible, we need to
not think of it as an epoch but as the way that God administers His
household. However, outside of the Bible, the word also includes the
idea of a period of time. See the Doctrine of Dispensations
(HTML) (PDF) (WPD) for more information.
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Dispensations
(Chafer)
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Dispensations pertain to the divine administration of human affairs
from Adam through the end of time. A dispensation is defined
traditionally as a period of time during which a particular revelation of
God's mind and God's will is operative, and during which man is
tested as to his obedience to that specific manifestation of God's will,
plan, and purpose. Orientation to both time and to human history is
vitally necessary for understanding God's plan and God's purpose for
the believer's life. Each divine administration, or Dispensation, is
related to a definite period of human history.
Three major distinctives comprise the sine qua non of a
dispensational theology: (1) a literal interpretation of Scripture, where
possible, (2) a distinction between Israel and the Church, and (3) the
glorification of God as the overall purpose of Scripture and the
believer's life. Dispensationalism is in contrast to replacement
theological systems.
The vast majority of the Bible deals with three such Dispensations:
(1) the Dispensation of Israel, a Theocentric Dispensation from the
Exodus to the birth of Christ, (2) the present Dispensation of the
Church, a Christocentric Dispensation, from Pentecost to the Rapture
of the Church, and (3) the future eschatological dispensation of
Christ's 1000-year kingdom, theologically designated as the
Millennium. There should be no blurring or confusion of Israel and
the Church.
Dispensationalism is a system of interpreting human history
expressed in terms of divine revelation. The inerrancy of the Word
of God is the source for looking at history from the Divine Viewpoint.
Therefore, dispensation is a technical theological term used primarily
by the apostle Paul in the presentation of the mystery doctrine of this
Church Age (Eph 3:8-10). In every dispensation, the plan of salvation
is identical-God saves man by grace alone through faith alone in
Christ alone.
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The
Dispensation
of the
Hypostatic
Union
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The time period is at least 3–4 years of our Lord’s public ministry,
and it may take in His entire physical life. This time period might be
seen as a hinge between the Age of Israel and the Church Age.
During this period of time, Jesus Christ fulfills all of the Mosaic Law
and all of the prophecies of the Old Testament, while simultaneously
living the spiritual life that would be utilized by believers today in the
Church Age. As R. B. Thieme, Jr. used to say, our Lord test drove
the spiritual life for us. We draw upon the exact same spiritual assets
as our Lord did during His earthly ministry.
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Church Age
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This is the era in which we live right now, where God works through
the church universal, which is through those who believe in Him.
God also works primarily through the local church through the power
of His Word and the power of the Holy Spirit. These are the means
by which believers grow spiritually. Most divine good is produced in
this age as a result of the correct function of the local church in
guiding believers to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
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Mystery
Doctrines
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Doctrines which are specific to the Church Age, e.g., the filling of the
Holy Spirit, the baptism of the Spirit, the universal priesthood. Like
many technical words found in the Pauline epistles, Paul
appropriated this word from another discipline and applied it to
Christian doctrine. Originally, this word refers to doctrines and
principles known within a particular cult or organization, but not
known to outsiders. Paul used this word to apply the Church Age
doctrines, which would not have been known to those in the Age of
Israel. The word mystery simply refers to some aspect of Church
Age doctrine. Rev. 16:25–26 1Cor. 2:7–8
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Rapture
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The rapture is when Jesus returns for believers in the Church Age.
We will meet our Lord in the air. 1Cor. 15:51–54 1Thess. 4:15–17
2Thess. 2:1–3
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Tribulation
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The Tribulation will occur after the termination of the Church Age,
which is the removal of all believers from planet earth via the rapture.
The Tribulation will be a shortened 7 years prior to the 2nd Advent,
which is then followed by the Millennium. The Tribulation is actually
the final 7 years of the Age of Israel, which was interrupted by the
Church Age (which concept will be more thoroughly explained below).
Matt. 24:15–31
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Second Advent
(= Second
Coming)
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Different from the rapture (which occurs at the beginning of the
Tribulation), the 2nd Advent is when Jesus returns and cleanses the
earth of unbelievers at the end of the Tribulation and begins the next
dispensation with His Millennial reign (which is presented in the
gospels as the Kingdom of God). Matt. 24:27, 30–31, 36–39
Mark 14:61–62 Luke 9:26–27 17:30 Acts 1:11 Col. 3:4
1Thess. 5:2–4 Rev. 1:7 3:11.
The 2nd Advent in connection with the Tribulation is often called, the
Day of the Lord.
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The Day of the
Lord
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This can refer to a portion of the Tribulation or to the return of Jesus
Christ when He will destroy all of the armies who are converging
upon nation Israel. Jer. 46:10 Matt. 24:3–51 Acts 2:20 1Thess. 5:2
(This phrase is also used for the end of the Millennium in
2Peter 3:10)
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Intercalation
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In many Old Testament passages as well as in at least one New, the
two advents of our Lord (His incarnation and then His return to this
earth for judgment and reward) are presented as one event. That is,
we go directly frm the 1st Advent to the 2nd. However, intercalated
between these two events is the Church Age. Examples of this:
Psalm 2:6–9 22:22–23 96:11–13 110:2–3 146:7–10 Isa. 40:3–5
42:1 Jer. 33:14–16 Luke 17:22–30.
Intercalation is the key to understanding Luke 4:16–21, where Jesus
is reading Scripture in a synagogue and He stops mid-verse, and
rolls the scroll back up. He stopped reading mid-verse in Isa. 61:2,
and then said, “Today, this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” The
rest of the verse, which Jesus did not read, continued on into the 2nd
Advent of Christ. There are many more examples found in the
Doctrine of Intercalation (HTML) (PDF) (where I have color-coded
the 1st and 2nd advents). If you are unaware of this concept, when
you see these verses laid out—two dozen of them—where the 1st and
2nd advents are placed together but clearly distinguished by color-coding, it will be as if your eyes have just been opened. Let’s just say
you will have a new-found respect for eschatology and the Word of
God.
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Baptism of
Fire
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The baptism of fire is when the earth is cleansed at the 2nd advent of
all unbelievers. This is when all unbelievers are removed from the
earth prior to the beginning of the Millennium. Malachi 3:2–3
Matt. 3:11 24:40–51 Luke 3:16–17 2Thess. 1:7–10 1Peter 1:12
4:7. Some people confuse rapture passages with baptism of fire
passages. With the rapture, believers are removed from the earth,
and they meet the Lord in the air. Then the Tribulation begins with
unbelievers only on the earth. In the baptism of fire, which occurs a
shortened 7 years later, unbelievers are removed from this earth and
believers are left behind. The Millennium then begins with believers
only.
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Baptism of
Fire (Chafer)
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The baptism of fire is the judgment of the Tribulational unbelievers at
the Second Advent (2Thessalonians 1:7-9). They are removed from
the earth and placed in fire for 1,000 years until the Last Judgment.
Both Jews and Gentiles who are tribulational unbelievers are involved
in this Second Advent judgment. This judgment takes place before
the Millennium and includes unbelievers only. (Matthew 3:11-12;
Luke 3:16-17) There are five parables which describe the baptism of
fire:
(1) The wheat and the tares, (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-40);
(2) The good and bad fish, (Matthew 13:47-50);
(3) The ten virgins, (Matthew 25:1-13);
(4) The sheep and the goats, (Matthew 25:31-46); and
(5) The talent test, (Matthew 25:14-30).
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Millennium
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The Millennium is the 1000 year reign of Jesus Christ on this earth.
This is the Kingdom of God which Jesus offered to the Jews and
which they rejected during His 1st Advent. This is a time of perfect
environment. However, at the very end of the Millennium, Satan will
be loosed from his bonds and he will lead a rebellion against God
and against perfect environment. Psalm 72 Isa. 11:1–9 John 8:44
Rev. 20:1–3.
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Explaining each of these words completely and going over the passages where they are
found would expand this one lesson by 10-fold. However, notice which two predilections
of man are dealt with. Have you known unbelievers who think that their lives would be
so much better if God was removed from it? They will go to all sorts of trouble to keep
even crosses from being seen (in Skinner Butte, at the site of 9/11). In the Tribulation,
unbelievers will have the chance to show how they can, with Satan’s help, run the world.
Although this time period will begin with unbelievers only; believers will emerge
(something that unbelievers will try to stamp out). Another concern of mankind is the
idea of perfect environment. We tend to think that, if we could just make our
environment better, then our lives would be good. In the Millennium, mankind will live
in perfect environment some will still rebel against Jesus Christ in the end.
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There are some believers who do not believe in dispensationalism. However, it is very
difficult to explain the use of the words mystery or dispensation or epoch (age) in the
Bible without using dispensational theology. However, the very fact that your pastor
does not haul a baby lamb in front of the congregation and slice his throat open every
Saturday should offer the simple observable proof that things are done differently in the
Old and New Testaments, in the Age of Israel as over against the Church Age.
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You will notice that some of these words and phrases are used in the Bible (day of the
Lord) and some are not (like intercalation). It is not unusual for theology to develop
theological terms not found in the Bible (such as, the word Trinity).
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One of the more thorough listings of Scripture for the 2nd Advent:
http://www.jesusiscoming.com/Scripture.htm accessed July 4, 2012.
The Doctrine of Intercalation, which includes not only a listing of all the Scripture, but how it is broken
down between the 1st and 2nd Advents: (HTML) (PDF).
The Doctrine of the Baptism of Fire is found here and here.
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These two events are often confused and parables designed to teach one are often
mistaken for the other.
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Chief Differences Between the Rapture and the Baptism of Fire
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Rapture
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Baptism of Fire
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Description
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Jesus Christ returns for believers
and takes them up. That which
was corruptible becomes
incorruptible. John 14:3
1Cor. 15:52–54
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Jesus Christ removes unbelievers
from the earth, which begins the
Millennium. Ezek. 20:34–38
Matt. 3:11–12 25:31–46
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Association
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A part of Church Age mystery
doctrines. 1Cor. 15:51
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Found in the Old and New
Testaments and associated with
the Day of the Lord and the
Kingdom of Heaven. Psalm 21:9
Isa. 66:15–16 Micah 4:12
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Blessing vs.
cursing
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The rapture is associated with
blessing. 1Thess. 4:18
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The baptism of fire is associated
with cursing and judgment.
Matt. 3:11–12 25:31–32, 46
Luke 3:16–17 2Thess. 1:8–9
Jude 15 Rev. 6:15–17
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The location
of the Lord
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He will meet us in the air.
Acts 1:11 1Thess. 4:17
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His feet will rest upon the Mount
of Olives. Zech. 14:4
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Where
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We meet the Lord in the air.
1Thess. 4:17
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This occurs on the earth. Nothing
is said about meeting the Lord, as
these are unbelievers who are
removed. Matt. 24:37–
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When
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At the end of the Church Age
before the Tribulation begins.
2Thess. 2:1–4, 7 John 4:1
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Seven years later at the end of
the Tribulation before the
Millennium begins.
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Symbolized
by...
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John being “called up” between
the Church Age and the
Tribulation in Rev. 4:1
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Symbolized by the people of the
earth being destroyed by the
flood, while Noah and his family
were preserved. Matt. 24:37–41
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What
happens on
earth
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The Tribulation begins with
unbelievers only. Believers are
removed from the earth. The Holy
Spirit that restrains will be taken
out of the way. 2Thess. 2:7
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The Millennium begins with
believers only. Matt. 25:34
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End result
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We join with the Lord and will
always be with Him as a part of a
heavenly kingdom.
Philip. 3:20–21
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Unbelievers are cast into eternal
judgment. Matt. 8:11–12
24:50–51
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It is the baptism of fire that is associated with many parables. The wheat and the tares
(Matt 13:24-30, 36-43); the good man of the house (Matt 25:1-13); the ten virgins (Matt
25:1-13); the sheep and goats (Matt 25: 31-46); the talent test (Matt 25: 14-30).
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If the rapture is confounded with the baptism of fire or with the second coming of our
Lord, then the dispensations themselves are confounded. The Tribulation would not be
the end of the Age of Israel; it would also be the culmination of the Church Age, so that
these eras would overlap.
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There is also a certain logic in separating the rapture from the baptism of fire. Removing
believers from the earth, and therefore the restraining ministry of the Holy Spirit, logically
results in things on the earth going awry (which is a subtle description of the Tribulation).
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There are two alternatives given to the pre-tribulational rapture: (1) a mid-tribulational
rapture or (2) a post-tribulational rapture.
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In the middle of the Tribulation, when the abomination of desolation occurs (the raising
up of the statue of the beast in the Temple), there are very specific directions given to
believers at that point in time. Now, if they are about to be raptured, this makes less
sense for them to receive these directions, which are given apart from a promise of an
impending rapture (Matt. 24:15–21 Luke 21:20–21).
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Let’s logically look at a post-tribulational rapture. First of all, what brings about the
Tribulation in the first place? Does it just start happening? Is there an actual day that
it begins? In a pre-tribulational rapture, we have the Church Age, the rapture (which
includes the removing of the restraining ministry of the Holy Spirit) and the beginning of
the Tribulation. All very neat and orderly, which is typical of God. Also, logical, as the
removal of the restraining ministry of the Holy Spirit would be coterminous with the
removal of believers who are indwelt by God the Holy Spirit.
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If there is a post-tribulational rapture, then believers are removed from the earth to meet
the Lord in the air—I suppose to remove them all from imminent danger?—but then, the
Lord then returns immediately (1 minute later? 5 minutes? A few days?) to the earth
with all of these believers, to destroy the armies around Israel and, soon thereafter, to
remove the unbelievers from the earth. Here is where the baptism of fire is confusing.
How do you begin separating the wheat from the chaff or why do you need to separate
the wheat from the chaff if all of the wheat is already with you; and all the chaff is on the
earth. How does it make sense for two workers to be working in the field and one of
them is taken? Whereas the baptism of fire is both a separation and a judgment, that
separation would have already taken place with the rapture.
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And so that we can not confuse the rapture with the 2nd Advent. This chart probably
came from R. B. Thieme, Jr. notes originally.
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The Rapture Distinguished from the Second Coming
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The Rapture
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The Second Coming
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Jesus returns for believers on, whom He
meets in the air. Acts 1:11 1Thess. 4:17
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Jesus returns at the end of the Tribulation
to execute judgment on the earth.
2Thess. 1:7–9
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Only believers see Christ. The rapture is
private. Heb. 9:28 Acts 1:11
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Every eye shall see Him. The Second
Coming of Christ is public. Matt. 24:37
Rev. 1:7
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Christ meets believers in the air.
1Thess. 4:17
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Christ sets foot on the Mount of Olives.
Zech. 14:4
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Believers are taken off the earth.
John 14:3
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At the Second Coming, unbelievers are
taken off the earth. Mt. 24:37f
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Believers go to heaven. 1Thess. 4:17
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At the Second Coming, believers come
back to earth with Christ. 1Thess. 3:13
Col. 3:4 2Thess 2:10 4:13 Zech. 14:5
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There is no timetable for the rapture.
When it happens, the Church Age is
suddenly ended, because believers are
removed from the earth and the Holy Spirit
no longer acts to restrain. 2Thess. 2:6–7
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The Second Coming is seven years after
the rapture, although no man knows the
day or the hour. Matt. 24:29-30
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Believers are rewarded. 1Cor. 3:11-15;
Rev. 22:12
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Unbelievers are judged at the Second
Coming; the Baptism of Fire takes place,
Matt. 25:31,32,46
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The Rapture is a source of comfort to the
believer. 1Thess. 4:18
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The Second Coming of Christ is a source
of terror for the unbeliever. Rev. 6:15-17
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There are no changes in nature associated
with the Rapture
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There are many changes in nature
associated with the Second Coming.
Isa. 35
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The world is not judged at the Rapture.
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The people of the world are judged at the
Second Coming. Jude 15
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The Rapture is a mystery of the Church
Age. 1 Cor. 15:51
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The Second Coming is the subject of
extensive prophecy in the Old Testament.
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The unconditional covenants such as
those with Abraham and David are not
fulfilled at the Rapture.
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The covenants are fulfilled at the Second
Coming; Israel inherits her possessions.
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There is no dealing with Satan or demons
at the Rapture.
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At the Second Coming, Satan is bound for
a thousand years. Rev. 20:2
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For Additional study:
Dispensations (Robby Dean: HTML) (Kukis: HTML PDF WPD)
Doctrine of Intercalation (Kukis: HTML PDF WPD)
Doctrine of the Church Age (Cherreguine Bible Doctrine Ministries: PDF)
Doctrine of the Mystery (Bible Doctrine Resources: HTML)
Doctrine of the Rapture (Maranatha Church: HTML) (Bible Doctrine Resources:
HTML) (Bible Topics Library: HTML DOC)
The Baptism of Fire (Sonnet: PDF)
Doctrine of the 2nd Advent (Bible Topics Library: HTML DOC) (Bible Doctrine
Resources: HTML) (Wenstrom: PDF)
Doctrine of the Millennium (Bible Doctrine Resources: HTML) (Maranatha Church:
HTML)
If for any reason you need some convincing on these topics, explore first the Doctrine of
Dispensations and then the Doctrine of Intercalation.