CHRISTOPHER CHAPMAN KINGDOM THEOLOGY: IS ESCHATOLOGY CONFUSING?

 (15) Why Studying End Times Is So Confusing - YouTube

Christopher Chapman: "To some people, eschatology is so simple. It fits on a nice clean chart. But for me, studying end times is so confusing. In this video, I will explain why I and some others find it so confusing."  

Although I believe that Christopher Chapman is well-meaning, his views on eschatology are both inaccurate and irresponsible. I fear that his remarks will discourage believers from studying eschatology. While this subject is challenging, I believe that it is possible to come to a correct understanding of end-time events.    

Jesus Christ commanded us to understand the Abomination of Desolation event. 

So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand ἀναγινώσκω), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. (Matthew 24:15-21). 

ἀναγινώσκω = to know certainly, recognize, discern etc. {1}

I did send a comment to Christopher and he responded: "..I think a call for unity is still appropriate, even if some will take it wrong. Gbu" I think he means to say that some Christians will misunderstand eschatology, but that unity takes priority. In superficial terms, this seems to be a good idea, and yet there are many reasons why we should strive to understand bible prophecy and reject false end-time scenarios. The line repeated by many false teachers is: Let's have unity at any cost never mind about doctrine? I hate this argument when it is used to gloss over serious issues. I agree entirely that we should seek unity wherever possible. However, when the call for unity clashes with sound doctrine then we must always stand on the side of the scriptures, and if this does cause division, then so be it. (1 Corinthians 11:19). 

I view eschatology as a vital subject. One-third of the Bible is devoted to prophesy, much of which is yet to be fulfilled. Are we really meant to be in ignorance regarding such large swathes of the scriptures? Tragically, the subject of eschatology is disregarded by many short-sighted bible teachers, and many believers are left in ignorance, despite the fact that global events appear to be lining up with biblical prophecy at an alarming rate.  The issue of complexity can be offputting because there are a number of details to work through and harmonize. Nevertheless, I am convinced that anyone who is prepared to study the scriptures will be able to rightly understand eschatology. 

Christopher's confusion summarized: The passages in Daniel 8 and 11 refer to Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Although Daniel 9 uses similar language to Daniel 8 and Daniel 11, it is obviously referring to a different event. Daniel 9 takes place in the Roman Empire as against the Grecian Empire. Daniel 9 refers to the destruction of the temple and the people of Israel rather than the corruption or defilement of the temple. Christopher's muddled point about 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 is perplexing. "Paul seems to refer back to Antiochus.. Daniel 8 and 11. Paul talks about it like its something that the believers at the time already knew was going to take place.. they had some future inkling of some future thing that was going to place and people will try to connect that with Matthew 24, when the context of Matthew 24 is talking about Daniel chapter 9, not Daniel 11 and 8..  When we connect 2 Thessalonians 2 with Matthew 24, maybe that is a possible thing to do. That is not the context of what is being said, but since it is similar language, maybe we can get some sort of inkling of understanding from the picture and the type and the object lesson of what happened in AD70 to what is going to happen in the future.." (15:30 mark).

There is no indication that Paul is referring back to Antiochus in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-6. In fact, Paul begins by defining the context: Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him.. (2 Thessalonians 2:1). Furthermore, "the man of lawlessness" is referred to by Paul as a future figure i.e. And then the lawless one will be revealed (ἀποκαλυφθήσεται), whom the Lord Jesus will kill (ἀνελεῖ) with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. (2 Thessalonians 2:8). The object is to sift through various passages to determine which sections refer to Antiochus, who is a type and shadow of the Antichrist, and which sections refer to the future Antichrist. I have added some links at the end of this post that shed some light on various questions regarding the rapture of the church. 

But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Matthew 24:36-44).

1. Strong's Greek: 314. ἀναγινώσκω (anaginóskó) -- to know certainly, know again, read (biblehub.com)

Further Links

(16) There will be 1,290 days - Daniel 11–12 - Ryan Habbena - YouTube
(17) Bible Prophecy Talk - YouTube
(16) Alan Kurschner interview - Prewrath Rapture - YouTube
ESCHATOS MINISTRIES | Alan Kurschner, Ph.D. is the founder of Eschatos Ministries, teaching Bible prophecy from a futurist, premillennial, prewrath perspective.
7 Pretrib Problems and the Prewrath Rapture