The One Biblical Consummation Versus Dispensationalism (4): The Goal
THE LAST JUDGMENT
Finally, we believe, according to the Word of God, when the time appointed by the Lord (which is unknown to all creatures) is come, and the number of the elect complete, that our Lord Jesus Christ will come from heaven, corporally and visibly, as He ascended, with great glory and majesty to declare Himself Judge of the quick and the dead, burning this old world with fire and flame to cleanse it …
Therefore we expect that great day with a most ardent desire, to the end that we may fully enjoy the promises of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus (Rev. 22:20).
New Testament Texts on the End (Termination and Goal)
Matthew 13:39: “the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.”
Matthew 13:40-43: “As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
Matthew 13:49: “So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just.”
Matthew 24:3: “And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?”
Matthew 24:6: “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.”
Matthew 24:13: “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”
Matthew 24:14: “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”
Matthew 28:20: “teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
I Corinthians 1:7-8: “So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
I Corinthians 15:23-28: “But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.”
II Corinthians 1:13-14: “For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end; As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.”
I Peter 4:7: “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.”
Revelation 1:8: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”
Revelation 21:6: “And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.”
Revelation 22:12-13: “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.”
Cornelis Venema on Christ’s future bodily coming as the goal and consummation of all things:
“… the great centrepiece of biblical expectation for the future. All lines of history converge in the event of Christ’s triumphant return from heaven to conclude his mediatorial reign (I Cor. 15:28) and demonstrate his kingly rule over all things for the sake of the church” (The Promise of the Future [Edinburgh: Banner, 2000], p. 87).
“… the great centrepiece of biblical hope and expectation for the future. All of the other subjects that will demand our attention are like so many points on the circumference of a circle, each related in its own way to what lies at the centre. Whether the topic is the nature or timing of the millennium, the ‘signs of the times’, the resurrection of the body, the final judgement, or the final state, each finds its focus and meaning in relation to this great and impending event which consummates the present epoch in the history of redemption” (The Promise of the Future [Edinburgh: Banner, 2000], pp. 79-80).
For more, listen to or watch “The End That Is Coming” (Matthew 24:1-14) by Prof. Brian Huizinga.
