The Biblical Definition of Terms
1. Eschatology
as a term in its present form does not appear in the Bible. But the idea is
prevalent everywhere throughout the Scriptures. This term is derived from a
compound in the Greek language: "eschatos"
meaning last or latter, and "logos"
meaning discussion or doctrine. Both of these words do appear in the original
Greek of the New Testament. When placed in combination the resulting word means
a discussion of last things. From Genesis to Revelation in the most amazing
places, under varying conditions, with the faintest touch or in extended
passages the doctrine of consummation unfolds.
2. Latter
as a term used in connection with some events often denotes the outcome of
things. As for instance, "In the
latter times some shall depart from the faith" (1 Tim. 4:1): Or the great "husbandman
waiteth . . . until he receive the . . . latter rain" (James 5:7). Or yet again in reference
to an individual who is again entangled in the world, "the latter end is worse with them than the beginning." (2 Pet. 2:20).
3. Last
as an adjective appears over and over again in relation to events and
circumstances that describe the outcome of thing. "In the last days perilous times shall come" (2 Tim. 3:1) "There shall come in the last days scoffers" (2 Pet. 3:3). "As ye have heard
that antichrist shall come, even now are there many anti-christs; whereby we
know that it is the last time" (1
John 2:18).
4. End
is a term also used in discussing eschatological outcome. Christ had in mind
the final outcome when He said "the
end is not yet" (Matt. 24:6),
"But he that shall endure unto the
end" (Matt. 24:13), "then shall the end come" (Matt. 24:14). This is even more clearly
indicated by such statements, "the
harvest is the end of the world" [Grk. Age], "so shall it be in the end of this world" [Grk. Age], "and what shall be the sign . . . of
the end of the world." [Grk. age] (Matt.
13:39, 40; 24:3).
5. Age in its various usages most often
appears in passages discussing the consummation of all things. It is usually
rendered into English in the King James Version by the term "world". It will appear in
such passages as "this world"
(Matt. 12:32), and "the world to come" (Mark 10:30). The expression "forever" (John 6:51) is a translation of this
word. Likewise also the word "evermore"
(2 Cor. 11:31), or "world without end", (Eph. 3:21), or "forever and ever" (Rev.
1:6) are combinations of this word.
It is enough to conclude at this point
by saying that the methods of expressing the outcome of things in the Scripture
is inexhaustible. The eschatological idea is inextricably woven into the text
of the Bible and provides the solid basis for unfolding the doctrine of future
and final things. To that extent in which God has spoken on "things to come" (John 16:13) it is possible to project
the future into the present for the sake of His own.
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