Why It's Important to Understand End Times Terminolgy

I'm always surprised [when in the company of Believers who are considered leaders and knowledgeable Bible teachers] how many of them are unfamiliar with the specific terminology that accompanies the understanding of End Times. I think I know one of the reasons why. Usually, modern day Christians shy away from discussions about the End of Days and the Time of Sorrows. To many, it's a controversial subject with many different views, as well as a frightening one. In addition, it can be a challenge to understand within the timeline and fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. Many denominations don't even mention it or teach about it. 

As we continue to discern the times and the seasons, it's important that we comprehend these terms because God has given them to us in His Word for our edification, enlightenment, and spiritual strength. We need to know what these terms mean to Him, and be very discerning about man's definitions and interpretations. There's a reason Scripture cautions us with these words: But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons. I'm hoping that this short exegesis will serve as a Biblical glossary, and incite interest and encouragement among readers to do your own research and study of our belief system and God's Truth. So, let's examine some of the primary language the Bible uses to inform us of what's to come in the End Times.

Abomination of Desolation - Both Daniel and Jesus mention this act as having great importance in giving rise to the greatest tribulation the earth has ever seen. It is an act of such detestable idolatry that it defiles the Presence of God in the Holy of Holies in His Temple, and brings desecration and degradation to God's people. It happened in the Old Testament and will happen again during the end of days, when the Antichrist sets himself up as God in the midst of God's Temple, shedding the blood of a pig on the altar, and declaring that all God's people will bow down and worship him. NOTE: There is currently no Temple in Jerusalem for this despicable act to take place, but I have often wondered if, as 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 says, we are now that temple? Do you now know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

Antichrist - This is a false messiah. Throughout the Bible we are told there will be many of these. Again, Jesus connects these false christs and prophets with the Abomination of Desolation, and Tribulation in the End Times, telling us, If anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ', or 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand [Mark 13: 21-23]. We read in 1 John 2, Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. Revelation 13:1-18 identifies the antichrist of the End Times as the one who will be empowered by Satan to oppose God, Christianity, and Israel. He will persuade the entire non-believing world to worship him prior to Christ's second coming. He is known in the Bible as "The Beast".

Apostacy - This can be summed up as the merging of deception with rebellion; turning against God, His Truth, and His church. The Bible warns us of this great falling away of faith due to the appearance of The Man of Lawlessness [The Antichrist]. Everything I've mentioned to this point comes together in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4, Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to Him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the Man of  Lawlessness [or son of perdition, in Hebrew], who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.   

Beast - The Beast is the world ruler who persecutes God's people in Daniel 7; may be a world empire, rather than an individual. Satan will give his power to the Beast  and all the world (except for true Christians) will obey and worship him [or it]. After the final battle he will be thrown into the Lake of Fire for eternal punishment. (See above definitions for additional information).

Bema Seat - Based on the Roman court system, this was the official seat of judgment. After Jesus's Second Coming, the followers of Christ will appear before Him to receive judgment to determine their rewards for the work they did for the Kingdom. We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil [2 Corinthians 5:10]. Each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss [no reward], though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire [1 Corinthians 3:13-15]. NOTE: This is different than the Great White Throne Judgment (see below).

Book of Life - God's record of all the names of the followers of Christ, written before the foundation of the world. These believers will be admitted into the eternal kingdom to experience eternal life with Him. Also known as "the Lamb's Book of Life". But nothing unclean will ever enter it [the eternal kingdom of God], not anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life [Revelation 21:27].   

Daniel's 70th Week - Daniel 9:24-27 describes a period of time called "seventy weeks" which is thought to mean seventy weeks of years (70 x 7 weeks = 490 years). During this period events will take place leading up to the return of Christ, including the destruction of the Temple and its reconstruction, and all of history up to the 7-year peace covenant made with the Antichrist -- the first 3.5 years in peace; the remaining 3.5 years is believed to be the Great Tribulation described in Revelation chapters 6-18. NOTE: There is an undetermined amount of time between the 69th week and the 70th week -- we are in that time-frame, but staying alert for signs of the 70th week (the End Times). 

Day of the Lord - This is a period of time, not just one day, when God's cup of wrath is filled to overflowing, and His judgment comes on the wicked. Many of the Old Testament prophets spoke of this day. Joel, Zephaniah, and Isaiah foretold that this day would come, and indeed, they suffered incomplete versions of it. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed [2 Peter 3:10].  

Great prostitute - The symbolic image of a prostitute sitting on a scarlet beast represents Babylon the great, which represents all evil and opposition in the world against God and His church. She is the mother of all the earth's abominations and she oppresses Christianity so harshly she is said to be drunk on the blood of Christian martyrs. She has dominion over the kings of the earth, but will be mercilessly destroyed during God's wrath. Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion [wrath] of her sexual immorality [Revelation 14:8]. 

Great White Throne Judgment - This is the "final" judgment of mankind, after the return of Christ, His 1,000 year reign on the earth, and the final battle of Armageddon. At this judgment all humankind will stand before the judgment seat of Christ and the wicked (the unsaved, those whose names are not written in the Book of Life) will be condemned to eternal punishment in hell and the righteous (those who are saved and whose names are written in the Book of Life) will be welcomed into the eternal kingdom. Then I saw a great white throne and Him who was seated on it... And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done... And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire [Revelation 20:11-15].  

Lake of Fire - Those who are unsaved, and therefore whose names are not written in the Book of Life, will be condemned to this horrific place, along with Satan, the Beast, Death, and Hades. They will be separated eternally from God in everlasting punishment and damnation.

Man of Lawlessness - This man has been referenced above, and will make his appearance before the return of Christ, and will foment a time of apostasy and opposition against God, causing a great falling away from the Faith. He will proclaim that he is God and will take his seat in the Temple of God. Christ will return and slay him with the breath of His mouth. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of His mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of His [Jesus's] coming. The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved [2 Thessalonians 2:1-10]. 

Rapture - This word does not appear in the Bible but comes from the Latin word for "snatch away". The Greek word harpadzo is translated as "will be caught up" . Throughout the centuries this has become a controversial topic and there are many divisions among the Christian body as to whether we rise to be with Christ before the seven-year Tribulation comes [and therefore avoid the persecution coming to Christians]; at the mid-way point of the seven years, before the Great Tribulation and martyrdom amps up; after the Tribulation is completed; or before the wrath of God destroys all the evil on the earth. Additionally, there have been deceptive versions of the Bible written within the last 200 years by false prophets that have promoted the various views. You can actually find verses in the Bible that defend each of these various perspectives. It is my personal decision to mind the words of my Savior which tell me to "Stay alert, Keep awake, and Be on Guard", so that I might be ready no matter when He comes.

Tribulation - This will be the period of severe persecution and suffering, experienced by the believers in Christ [as prophesied by Jesus, Himself]. The Bible hints that it will be a period of 7 years that occurs after a peace treaty is made with the Antichrist and before Jesus's return. There have been many "tribulations" [persecutions, sufferings, troubles, trials, and affliction] for God's faithful throughout history, but as modern-day Christians, we are especially cognizant of the End Times Tribulation. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be [Matthew 24:21]. 

This glossary, is by no means, meant to be conclusive or complete, but touches on some of the fundamental and foundational concepts that gird our faith. You might have different understandings of the terms, and that's okay. The important factor is that you read the Word of God to gain His Truth and seek the Holy Spirit for understanding and wisdom. In the times in which we live, we cannot afford to be ignorant [or afraid] of what has been written and prophesied by God's messengers. I pray that if you are unfamiliar with this terminology that you will make the time to get quiet and get with God, so that you may receive His Word in your heart. I bless you as you come closer to Him and courageously and confidently prepare for the future we will all experience. And remember: Be careful not to be deceived, but earnestly seek the true meaning of God's glorious Word!

John 16:13   When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come.

    

What Does the Bible Have to Say About God's Bema Seat Judgment?

I am walking in a new season of revelation from God's Word. In my flesh, I have to fight the temptation to become lax in my time in the Bible. I never want to think that I've "arrived"; that I understand the fullness of God and who His Word says He is. And, it's not that I think I know it all, but when Mark and I get overwhelmed with our businesses, aging parents, and yes, even our ministry, it seems as if there's not enough hours in the day to devote as much time as we know we need to in order to dive deep into the Good Book. Sadly, I think we both feel if we can just spend a day getting caught up, we'll get back into our daily study time. But one day turns into two and can turn into a week, as the distractions of the world seem to take control. And my spirit can definitely feel weary and without strength.

So, it has been with great intention that we have decided to get back into our first love --  a dedicated time each morning of deep study and relationship with our Father and Jesus. We have renewed our spirits to the fire that burned in us when He first called us to His service. Holy Spirit is quickened and the power and authority in our walk begins to flow again. And over the next few posts I'd like to share some Godly feedback that we've received, with the hope that it will exhort and encourage you to grow in your own relationship with the Godhead through the Word.

The first confirmation my spirit has received is centered around God's Judgment -- even of the Body of Christ, and what that looks like. I have long been aware that the modern Church is focused on God's Grace and has relegated God's Judgment to the Old Testament. "After all", say the seminaries who have taught recent generations of pastors, "the rebellious Israelites didn't have the New Covenant and weren't covered by the Blood of Jesus, so, in their sin, they experienced God's righteous judgment".  

Never mind the reality that our rebellion and unrighteousness matches anything they did, and that our God is the same today as He was yesterday, which means we deserve and will receive His judgment as well. But we are unwilling to discern that God's Character has not changed, instead choosing to receive only what tickles our ears and feels more comfortable in our minds and hearts. Have we forgotten Hebrews 4:12? Do we not remember that the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, separating soul [mind, emotions, and will] from spirit; joints and marrow; and discerning the intentions of the heart? Both God's Grace and His Judgment are just as relevant today as it was to the early Israelites. To ignore His Judgment is to act foolishly. Let us consider the first of God's pronounced Biblical Judgments that we can expect as we near Christ's return...

Bema Seat Judgment. First, let's establish that this is what is considered the Judgment seat of Christ. The word Bema in Greek means "raised up" and refers to the official seat of a judge that has been raised up. We can see it referred to in Matthew 27:19, when Jesus is taken to Pilate to be judged. Scripture says, "while he [Pilate] was seated on the judgment bench, his wife sent him a message, saying, Have nothing to do with that just and upright man, for I have had a painful experience today because of a dream I had of Him". The Bema seat is in view in Acts when Herod, Gallio, and Festus occupy it, as well.     

So, in 2 Corinthians 5:10, we see the official judgment seat of Christ and how it will play an important part in our life:  "For we must all appear and be revealed as we are before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive [his pay] according to what he has done in the body, whether good or evil [considering what his purpose and motive have been, and what he has achieved, been busy with, and given himself and his attention to accomplishing]".

So, I want to establish right now that the Bema seat of Christ is for Believers only! It is not a question of Salvation! If you are standing at the Bema seat of Christ, your salvation is not in question. As Believers, we will all have received the promise that our sins are forgiven and He will remember them no more. The Bema seat is a judgment seat, where a Believer's life and works [since becoming a Christian] will be weighed and tested by fire. Our lives will be brought before the Lord in the light of that refiner's fire, and we will receive the rewards that have been stored up for us in Heaven, IF we are found worthy to receive them. I want you to reflect on this sober pronouncement and meditate on what the Scripture reveals on this matter ...

In 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, Paul puts forth the argument that like a skillful architect and master builder, he has carried out his assignment from the Lord to lay a foundation upon which a man can build his life, i.e., his faith and obedience to Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Anointed One. Paul teaches, " But let each man be careful how he builds upon it, for no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is [already] laid, which is Jesus Christ. But if anyone builds upon the Foundation, whether it be with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw ... the work of each one will become openly known (shown for what it is); for the day [of Christ] will disclose and declare it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test and critically appraise the character and worth of the work each person has done. 

If the work which any person has built on this Foundation [any product of his efforts whatever] survives the test, he will get his reward. But if any person's work is burned up [under the test], he will suffer the loss of it all, [losing his reward that was stored up for him], though he himself will be saved, but only as [one who has passed] through fire".    

In other words, all Believers have an inheritance awaiting them at the coming of Christ. We will receive those rewards and crowns based on what we did with our Christian life; what fruit did we produce for the Kingdom of God after we received our free gift of Salvation? Jesus will test what we have built on the foundation of our faith. Will it be burned up as hay or straw, leaving no trace of our works for the Kingdom? Or will they be found still intact as gold and silver survive a refiner's fire? HEAR ME! Your salvation is not threatened! And I am not talking about works for your salvation! There are no works you can do for that free gift!  These are the works we long to do to expand the Kingdom Christ left in our care when He ascended to Heaven. Even if one loses his inheritance [for lack of works that glorify Christ], he cannot lose his salvation!

Paul is speaking of the rewards and crowns for our faithfulness to Christ; what will be entrusted to us in Heaven as we are chosen to rule and reign with Him. I believe some of the areas of judgment will include how we treated others; how we employed our God-given abilities and assignments; how we used our money and spent our time; how we ran the particular race that God has chosen for us, and how many souls did we witness to and win for Christ? You see, Christ's gift of Salvation [and what it cost Him] is deserving of our efforts to continue His work on the earth to show His Glory and Majesty. We aren't to accept our salvation and then do nothing. We are made in His image with the assignment to represent Him and His Nature in this dark world. That means we "Go" and we "Do" as He did! 

And that is why Mark and I consistently say we want to hear Jesus say, "Well done, good and faithful servant", when we stand before Him. And I do not believe it is prideful to say that we want to receive all the inheritance stored up for us -- and we want you to receive your rewards and crowns, too! And as we stand before our Holy and Righteous Lord, we will be so grateful for what He has done in our lives, that we will be eager to lay everything we've received at His feet, to honor and glorify Him! So, while it is a sobering thought to consider the Bema Seat Judgment, set your heart and spirit on bearing fruit for Him and His Kingdom, and look forward to seeing what is left in the midst of that fire of judgment!

Next post: the Great White Throne Judgment

Romans 14:10-12.   Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God, for it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God". So then each of will give an account of himself to God. 

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