Jewish eschatology is prophetically focused on
the Jewish Messiah, the resurrection and life
after death.
Bible eschatology mistakenly takes a sad turn
from proponents who view it as the final events
of human history. Rather, it is about the final
events of “Jewish covenantal history.
The rejection of Jesus Christ as the Messiah
in his first coming or incarnation as presented
in the New Testament demonstrates the confusion
that exists in Jewish eschatology.
Similar to it is the rejection of the imminent
first century “second coming” of Christ by
advocates of “Christian Eschatology. However,
the end results are the same.
Both look for a future destruction or terminus
of human history. Consider also that both
Jewish and Christian proponents as described
above expect a reconstitution of Jewish sacrifices,
temple services and its ancient kingdom.
Most of what is presented as Christian Eschatology
loses its identity when its futurist proponents
expound on their eschatological program. They
appear to be more Jewish than “Jews.”
For example, in Jewish eschatology, Isaiah 2:4,
the Messiah reigns from an earthly throne in
literal Jerusalem. In general, futurist millennarians
and Rapture theorists advocate the same.
Yet, the text of Isaiah 2:1-4, describes the last days
as the period in which Jesus Christ and his apostles
were on earth. Thus, the advocates of the kingdom
as exercised in ancient Israel ignores the language
of the New Testament.
The apostles were not the least bit confused in
declaring they were the terminal generation.
Peter, taking his cue from Joel, son of Pethuel,
and not from Joel Rosenberg, eloquently
affirmed that the outpouring of the Spirit
on Pentecost occurred within the last days.
“But this is that which was
spoken by the prophet Joel: And it shall come to
pass in the last days, says
God that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;…”
In Pauline eschatology, the apostle confirms they
were in fact the terminal generation of Old Covenant
Israel. “Now all these things happened to them as
examples and they were written for our admonition,
upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”
Thus Paul and Peter are agreed, they are living in
the last days of the Jewish age. Compare their
later writings. Peter says they were in the last
days, (1 Peter 1:20), and that the end of all
things had drawn near.
Paul said, God had spoken through his Son (Christ
the Messiah) in those last days.” (Hebrews 1:1-2).
The second problem with a future messianic and
millennial reign of Christ to fulfill Old Testament
prophecy is the denial of imminent at hand
kingdom statements as announced by John
and Christ during their earthly ministries.
John urged repentance for those desiring to
enter the kingdom, (Matthew 3:1-2). After
John’s imprisonment, Jesus affirmed that the time
of the kingdom had arrived, (Mark 1:14, 15).
However, he rejected any notion of a kingdom
that fit the Jewish expectations of his day.
The Jews wanted to Christ to rule on an earthly
throne.
So fanatical were their desires to have
a king like all the nations, (a tragic mistake from
their past, –they sought to apprehend Jesus,
and take him by force to make him a king, (John 6:15).
However, he refused their offer. He stated his
kingdom was not of this world, John 18:36.
