Making sense of the end of the world: teaching afternoon


Questions of what the Bible teaches about the end of the world have been given a renewed focus during the Covid pandemic. But in fact understanding what the New Testament says about this subject (known as ‘eschatology’ from the Greek words for ‘last things’ and ‘study’) affects the way we think about a whole range of things—Christian hope, the nature of discipleship, our expectations of answers to prayer and healing, and many other things besides.

Following a successful event last December, I am repeating the session as a Zoom teaching afternoon, running from 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm on Thursday 3rd February, as a midweek event to make it easier for those in full-time ministry to attend and available in different time zones.

The session will explore the background and importance of the issue in the New Testament, and then look carefully at what the New Testament actually says about a range of issues connected with hope for the end of the world.

The cost is £10 per person, and you can book your tickets at the Eventbrite link here.

We will look at:

a. The background to this language in Jewish thinking

b. Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 24 and Mark 13

c. The Rapture—what is it, and does the Bible really teach it

d. What the New Testament says about ‘tribulation’

e. The beast, the antichrist, and the Millennium in Rev 20

f. The significance of the state of Israel.

We will explore the pastoral importance of getting our thinking right on this important subject. There will be a chance for some interaction and for asking questions.

The session does not require any prior expert knowledge; we will be looking carefully at the text of the New Testament and what is says in its own context, so you will need to bring a Bible.

I have studied and written on this subject extensively, including in my Tyndale Commentary on the Book of Revelation, and in my Grove booklet Kingdom, Hope and the End of the World, and will be drawing from these.

The cost is £10 per person, and you can book your tickets at the Eventbrite link here.

If you would prefer to explore these things in person, in a beautiful retreat setting, you can also join me in May at Lee Abbey in Devon.

I look forward to seeing you at one or the other!


Additional note: Here are the slides that I used in the session.

Zoom eschatology 2021


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3 thoughts on “Making sense of the end of the world: teaching afternoon”

  1. Thank you, Ian, for the session last week. I was disappointed you did not use all your material you had prepared. I was particularly looking forward to an in-depth study on the Millennium – Revelation 20 – so perhaps we can have this another time.

    Reply
  2. Thank you for a fascinating, enjoyable and accessible teaching session, Ian. Clearly there is so much you could cover but this was a good chance to reflect on how we approach this aspect of the NT, not just the details. Thankful for all that you do.

    Intrigued to know if your chickens got home safely though.

    Reply
    • So glad you enjoyed it. The Grove booklet gives more details.

      Charlie (Charlotte) was lost the other day—but we found she had got herself trapped in the closed compost bill. We rescued her and she was reunited with the rest of the clutch!

      Reply

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