Apocalyptism

Dancing in the Kingdom- Table of Contents

Dancing In the Kingdom – Part 2 – The Kingdom Revealed– Chapter 10 – The Class of Apparitions

Apocalypticism

[Bible references: Matthew 24:1-51; John 14; 2 Peter 3]

In our current age, there have been many groups who have forecast the end of time, and that the end times will be quite dystopian. There are also many who have claimed to be the Messiah.[1] The Essenes[2] were waiting for the Messiah to come and wipe out secular governments. The Zealots, and some Pharisees, were trying to physically push out the Romans and put a new government in place. There were over a dozen apocalyptic texts produced in the Intertestament period[3] and texts continued to be produced in the early centuries. There is widespread disagreement about the various aspects of apocalyptic prophecies, but like all prophecy there are some widely accepted principles.

Predictive prophecies can serve a number of important functions. They can glorify God by testifying to His wisdom and sovereignty over the future. Then can also assure and comfort oppressed believers and motivate people to stronger faith and deeper holiness.[4]

[1] Wikipedia “List of Messiah claimants” Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_messiah_claimants

[2] Johnson, Paul. “History of the Jews” Harper Perennial 1987 (p.123)

[3] NIV Cultural Background Study Bible “Apocalyptic Literature” Zondervan 2016

[4] Virkler, Henry A. “Hermeneutics: Principles and Process of Biblical Interpretation” Baker Books 1981 p. 191

Observe

Read Matthew 24. According to the end of the chapter, why are we to “keep watch” regarding the day our Lord will come?

Unknown's avatar

Author: transcendenttouched

I have been teaching the Bible to children and adults for over twenty years. I have also been involved in various church leadership roles for many of those years. I've written an anthology of my first 40 years of writing poetry in my book, Growing.

Leave a comment