Different Levels of Hell
In the Bible, there are a number of different words for the abode(s) of the deceased. In the Hebrew Old Testament we find terms like "new earth," "Sheol," "Abaddon" and various words for "the pit."…
Does the earth abide forever?
Great question. First, in context, it might be worth mentioning that Ecclesiastes is not asserting that the earth will "never end" (it will always continue in some form). Rather, it is contrasting…
What is the purpose of the millennium?
At Third Millennium, we are amillennialists, believing that the "millennium" is simply a metaphoric representation of the time period between the first and second advents of Christ. As…
Millennial Views
The most basic differences between these views concern the timing of Christ's return in relation to the thousand-year reign of Christ (i.e. the millennium) mentioned in Revelation 20.…
Amillennialism and the Jews
"Replacement Theology" is a somewhat ambiguous term. Different people have used it in different ways. There may be some, though I don't know of any, who believe that God has completely cast off…
Covenant Theology vs. Progressive Dispensationalism
I will have to admit immediately that I am not an authority on Progressive Dispensationalism (it is a rather new system), but I think I can highlight a few important distinctions between it and…
Anti-Christ a Human?
Only John mentions the idea of antichrist (1 John 2:18; 2:22; 4:3; 2 John 7), and his letters antichrist does not seem to be any particular individual. There are also some textual variants that…
The Intermediate State
Charles Hodge has a systematic theology that has a section on this topic I find to be most encouraging and biblical. I encourage you to read his section on the "Intermediate State" if you want some…
Tribulation and the Antichrist
This is typically drawn from Daniel 7 and 9; Revelation 11:2; 13:5; etc. It relies on understanding the 42 months or 1260 days of Revelation 11:2,3; 12:6; 13:5 as the "time, times and half a time" of…
Will all mankind eventually be saved? (Isn't election unjust?)
No. Only the elect will be saved and others will be eternally lost. As Jesus states, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many…
Soul Sleep
The Bible uses different language in different places to describe what happens to us when we die. Often it refers to death as "sleep" (e.g. Ps. 13:3; John 11:11-14; Acts 13:36; 1 Cor. 11:30…
Rapture, Millennium, Wrath
If I understand you correctly, you understand the Bible to teach that there will be a future period of tribulation, followed by the return of Christ and the rapture of the church. Generally, when…
Israel's Fate
You raise an important question in light of these two texts which, on the surface, might appear to contradict one another. The short answer is that we believe that no one is saved apart from Christ…
Historicism and the End Times
Typically, "historicism" is not an eschatological system but rather an approach to interpreting the central chapters of Revelation (especially chapters 6-18). The historicist approach reads prophecy…
Recognition in Heaven
The Bible provides several examples that indicate that we will be able to recognize one another in heaven, and later on earth when the world is recreated (2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1ff.). First and…
Frozen Chosen, Left Behind
I'd be happy to help you out if you will provide me with some of the specific arguments they are making. The premillennial camp is not unified, so it is hard to guess precisly what they might have…
Marriage in Heaven?
In heaven we will be reunited with all the believers we have known in life, as well as united with all other believers whom we have yet to meet. However, the marital unions of earth will not be…
Reunions in Heaven
The Bible indicates that we will know each other when we get to heaven. In fact, it seems to teach that we will even know people we've never met. For instance, when Peter, James and John saw Jesus…
What is Annihilationism?
Annihilationism teaches that when a person dies they are annihilated (destroyed). Normally this doctrine is applied to an attempt to negate the biblical doctrine of eternal punishment. But Matthew…
Millennium and Unity
I believe that the entire church (inter-denominationally) ought to strive for doctrinal unity. We ought to seek the truth in all cases, and we ought to seek unity in all cases. At the same time, we…
Resurrected Bodies
The Bible does not tell us precisely what our bodies will be like, although it does tell us our bodies will be the same bodies. Our bodies will be "resurrected" or "raised," not "replaced." The…
Tolerating Millennial Views
Since the PCUSA isn't my denomination, I'm a bit hesitant to comment on what it ought to do internally regarding the millennial question. As I understand it, the PCUSA is no longer confessional in…
Development of Afterlife Doctrine
This is a difficult question to answer because it pertains to what the people believed and at what time they believed it. It is much easier to say what the Bible teaches and what the people should…
Old Testament Premillenialism
Interestingly, just today I was just talking to a friend about the idea of eschatology and the Old Testament in reference to Bruce Waltke (an extremely well-regarded Old Testament scholar, far more…