Variables
I have already considered how Jesus used the weather forecast as an illustration when talking about eschatology. Both meteorology and eschatology are like puzzles with many variables. In both cases the number of variables outweighs the information available. As a consequence, some assumptions have to be made, and depending upon those assumptions, various outcomes are possible. On this page I would like to list the main end time variables. In subsequent pages, I will then assess each of these in turn:
1) The Millennium, (Revelation 20:1-10), and where it fits chronologically relative to the second coming.
2) The Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21), and whether it is past or future, or both.
3) The Book of Revelation - Preterist vs. Historicist vs. Futurist interpretations.
4) The Parousia - where the second coming fits in the Book of Revelation
5) The Rapture, (1 Thessalonians 4:17), and where it fits relative to the Great Tribulation and Second Coming.
6) The 1st and 2nd Resurrections (Revelation 20:4-6)
7) Judgment (Matthew 25:31-46 and Revelation 20:11-15). One judgment or two?
8) The Abrahamic Covenant and Land Promises (Genesis 12-17). Does it still apply to ethnic Israel?
9) The relationship between the Church and Israel (Romans 9-11, Galatians 3:28-29, Ephesians 2:11-22).
10) The Fourth Kingdom (Daniel 2:40-45; 7:7-27) and its identity.
11) Mystery Babylon, the Great Prostitute (Revelation 17:5) and its identity.
12) The Beast out of the Sea (Revelation 13:1-10) and its meaning.
13) The Beast out of the Earth (Revelation 13:11-17) and its meaning.
14) The Antichrist (1 John 2:18) and where he comes from.
15) The New Jerusalem (Revelation 21-22)
1) The Millennium, (Revelation 20:1-10), and where it fits chronologically relative to the second coming.
2) The Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21), and whether it is past or future, or both.
3) The Book of Revelation - Preterist vs. Historicist vs. Futurist interpretations.
4) The Parousia - where the second coming fits in the Book of Revelation
5) The Rapture, (1 Thessalonians 4:17), and where it fits relative to the Great Tribulation and Second Coming.
6) The 1st and 2nd Resurrections (Revelation 20:4-6)
7) Judgment (Matthew 25:31-46 and Revelation 20:11-15). One judgment or two?
8) The Abrahamic Covenant and Land Promises (Genesis 12-17). Does it still apply to ethnic Israel?
9) The relationship between the Church and Israel (Romans 9-11, Galatians 3:28-29, Ephesians 2:11-22).
10) The Fourth Kingdom (Daniel 2:40-45; 7:7-27) and its identity.
11) Mystery Babylon, the Great Prostitute (Revelation 17:5) and its identity.
12) The Beast out of the Sea (Revelation 13:1-10) and its meaning.
13) The Beast out of the Earth (Revelation 13:11-17) and its meaning.
14) The Antichrist (1 John 2:18) and where he comes from.
15) The New Jerusalem (Revelation 21-22)