The last article of the Confession treats of the last judgment. It reminds of the time of the end of the age. No man knows the day nor the hour of Christ’s return. However, the signs of that return, as presented in Scripture, show clearly when that end is at hand. And the signs seen today are clear indications of that near return of our Lord.
There are several views concerning the manner of Christ’s return. The pre-millennial view is that Christ returns before (pre-) a 1000-year period. These teach that there will be a rapture in which the members of the church will be suddenly and secretly snatched up into heaven. There will follow seven years of tribulation. At the end of this period, Christ will return to Jerusalem to reign over the Jews and the whole world for a 1000 years.
A second view concerning Christ’s return is the post-millennial view. According to this idea, the Church will continue to labor in this world till, over a period of 1000 years, there will be improvement. The Kingdom of God will become established among men. Then Christ will return to take over His kingdom and will cast out all the workers of iniquity.
Our view is called a-millennialism (a=no). The 1000-year period is a figurative representation for the complete period of the New Testament era. Signs will precede Christ’s return. Then He shall come again to judge the living and dead. The wicked shall be cast forevermore into hell, the righteous shall be taken to glory.
The article speaks of the resurrection from the dead. John 5:28-29 speaks of that resurrection. This is followed by the judgment and final destiny of all moral, rational creatures. Each shall receive “according as his works shall be”.
The conclusion of the article, and this Creed, is: “Even so, come Lord Jesus”, Rev. 22:20. That is ever the prayer of the Church-and it must be our prayer as well.
QUESTIONS:
1. Why has not God revealed to us precisely when the end shall be?
2. Which sects have tried to determine the date of Christ’s return?
3. Which signs of the end of time are presented to us in Matt. 24?
4. Will there be a “great tribulation”?
5. What objections would we have to the pre-millennial view?
6. What objections would we have to the post-millennial view?
7. What must be our interpretation of the 1000 years mentioned in Rev. 20:1-6?
8. Prove from Scripture the resurrection of the body.
9. If the righteous are “rewarded according to their works”, what would this be? Does this not deny the work of grace?
Evidence of Hell: John 5:28-29; Matt. 25:46 – everlasting punishment, life eternal