The Apocalyptic End — Art Katz

Apocalyptic Expectation and Its Rejection

So we've never been this way heretofore, never before pondered or expressed anything upon apocalyptic, but I'm coming to the impression that it's a critical key. So we need to understand what it represents, why there has been a historic repudiation of it in the church through the ages, trying to dismiss it as some hangover from Paul, from his Jewish roots, as if it's some kind of a myth.

And the rabbis do not emphasize apocalyptic, because whenever Israel has believed for it, it has opened the door to disaster. As for example, in the Roman conquest of Jerusalem in 70 AD, Jews actually thought that they would triumph, that God would vindicate them according to the apocalyptic expectation that the righteous would be exalted and the wicked and the evil would be judged.

And so they even defended themselves by standing on the roof of the temple, only to go up in flames, because the temple was not spared. So that's why the book of Daniel is in Aramaic, and why Daniel is not even listed among the prophets in Jewish terminology.

And so I'm suggesting that this is the key in discerning the true and false prophets of the last days, and how they treat the subject of Israel. Whether you see it as a climax of the age that requires the divine intervention, the Lord's own coming and kingdom, his judgment upon the nations and upon Israel in that coming, or you see a gradual fulfillment and improvement for the state of Israel, that it need not pass through horrendous scenes of judgment, but will be progressively improved over a course of time.

What that amounts to in the last analysis is the issue of the cross. So there's a shrinking from hard scenarios. So I have a classic book here by a Dutch theologian, he teaches at Princeton, who has majored on Paul's apocalyptic view.

The Coming Kingdom and Cosmic Purposes of God

If you don't anticipate a kingdom and the Lord's coming, that issues out of a final judgment upon the nations and upon Israel, the whole view of the faith is affected, and has been, so that forfeiting that expectation, people have believed for a heaven, a personal salvation where they go to heaven, but there's no view of Israel at the conclusion of the age.

So you either move from that to a consideration of that which is personal and subjective, and that has prevailed till now in most of our contemporary Christianity. Going to heaven, personal salvation, but no larger view of what the cosmic purposes of God are, that are fulfilled in the last days in his coming.

There's even an embarrassment in the church about the divine intervention of God, that the Lord himself will actually come, his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives. I don't know why it is, but we would much prefer a natural explanation than a supernatural one.

But according to Paul's apocalyptic, it's totally supernatural. The Lord comes to judge, to establish his kingdom, to raise those that are asleep in Christ, and to take his place in the sanctuary and on the holy hill of Zion where the root of his government is to be expressed.

So this author writes, individualism and spiritualization, if not church self-aggrandizement, are the inevitable results of avoiding Paul's apocalyptic view. If you avoid Paul's view, then the faith reduces itself to a subjective, personal kind of thing of going to heaven.

There's no expectation of climactic events, which maybe we don't want to face. There are also ethical implications, because Paul speaks in Thessalonians, that the believers would walk worthy of the kingdom and the glory to which they are called.

And in walking worthy, it will actually establish their place in the kingdom. But if you lose the incentive of a kingdom and your place in the kingdom, it's just a matter of going to heaven, sitting on a cloud, you lose the incentive of a moral and ethical kind for overcoming in the last days.

The Day of the Lord and Final Judgment

So there are all kinds of implications about this apocalyptic view, because Paul, with the prophets, expected the day of the Lord. Where do you hear that expectation today in the church? That the day of the Lord is an ominous, final event toward which everything is tending.

It's not a popular view that the day of the Lord is not a day to be enjoyed or sought, it's a day of darkness and peril. And that's why Peter says, seeing these things, what manner of men ought we to be?

Because he subscribed with Paul and the prophets to the day of the Lord, the Lord's day. A final day of reckoning, in which all of the injustice, the unrighteousness, blasphemy against the Lord would have its comeuppance.

The Lord would judge those who have treated him shabbily. A day of last judgment. But already, Peter speaks about scoffers who say, where is the day of his appearing? Because since the fathers fell asleep, nothing has been changed.

Those who pursue earthly lusts lose the apocalyptic expectation. And dismiss it. That somehow the condition of your lust affects your theology. You'll not believe for a day of the Lord. You'll not live in anticipation or fear of it.

You'll not see to it that your act is cleaned up. That when the Lord comes, he judges, brings his rewards to those who deserve them. That we will all stand before the judge and give account for what we have done in our bodies, both good and bad.

This is a whole remarkable view that has the most profound and radical practical implications, if you believe this. But already men were scoffing. Where is the thought of his return? But since the fathers fell asleep, nothing has changed.

Where is the promise of his coming? Everything is predicated on Paul's principle of the resurrection. Inaugurated by Jesus, but consummated in his coming. That those that are asleep in Christ shall rise first.

And that even Israel, which shall return be but life from the dead. So there's a whole resurrection motif at the end of the age in the apocalyptic view. Predicated on the resurrection of the Lord. And will be spelled out and be finalized in implications that touch both Israel, the church, the kingdom.

Israel, the Church, and the Last-Days Sifting

That those who take a positive view of present Israel. And seek the success of the state through a gradual means of improvement. Are off this ground. And it disarms the church. And removes the expectation of a last days apocalyptic conclusion to the age.

For which we need now to be in anticipation and preparation. So that's how this whole subject came up. What will distinguish true and false prophets? And I believe it will be the issue of Israel. And how men will treat that subject.

If they fail to see Israel in terms of coming judgment, time of Jacob's trouble. Passing through the ordeals of the last days, being sifted. And the role of the church in that sifting is very important ground.

Salvation from the Wrath to Come

In Thessalonians, Paul is full of reference to apocalyptic things. When he speaks in the first chapter of that book. To those who turn from their idols to serve the living God. And to wait for his son from heaven in verse 10.

Whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus. Which delivered us from the wrath to come. So there's a wrath to come. And part of the greatness of salvation is not just a place in heaven. But to be saved from the judgment that falls upon sinful mankind.

You get that note in the very first preaching at Pentecost. Come out from this untoward generation. This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel. That of the last days. So that these signs of the Holy Spirit will be followed by judgment.

And your salvation is to be saved out from that generation. And we don't hear that note in today's preaching. That salvation is to be saved from the judgments of God in the last days. When Paul speaks of bringing the whole counsel of God.

This is what is included. The issue of the last days. The issue of judgment. The issue of the climax of the age. The day of the Lord's appearing. The final judgments. That was part and parcel of his entire message to the church.

And because it was. They grew up with a certain reality and expectancy that affected their constitution. We lack that emphasis. And it's reflected in the low quality of the church. So we need again the full and the whole counsel of God.

God's Righteous Character in Judgment

Particularly the aspects of that counsel that are difficult to consider. Judgment. Judgment on the nations. Judgment on Israel. As if somehow this is not in keeping with God's character. And that we are embarrassed that he will condescend to judge.

But if we omit God's judgment. We omit God as I've said so many times. That his judgment is intrinsic to what he is in himself. And it's not a bitter pill to swallow. It's out from his righteousness. His righteousness requires judgment.

So the scripture says that when his judgments are in the earth. The world will learn righteousness. So we need to be enlarged in our view of the Lord. As it comes to bear on the things of the last days.

To revive this apocalyptic expectancy. Which will not embarrass us. But I think bring a quality of maturity. And seriousness to the church. That it now presently lacks. So you can pick up in Paul. These references to save us from the wrath to come.

Expecting the Lord's Appearing

And then at the end of chapter 2. For what is our hope or joy or crown of rejoicing. Are not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. At his coming. There's a delayed perusia. There's a delayed fulfillment.

That Paul had to work his way about. Because his expectation. Was that this was almost immediately to be expected. And when it did not come. It required another way of viewing it. So that the issue is not chronology.

The issue is expectation. That these things shall come to pass. Shortly come to pass. In the Lord's time. And though it be delayed. It will not be withheld. So we must not think. That because the climax of the age has not come.

That it will not come. We have every reason to expect it. And Paul communicated that to the church. And sank that deep into their hearing. That they would have this kind of expectation. And live as if.

The end of the age were at hand. This is not psyching out the church. This is doing the church service. So we have to rid ourselves of chronology. And when shall this happen. Since the father fell asleep nothing has changed.

And expect what Paul anticipates. On the basis of his. Remarkable insight and revelation given him. As the chief apostle. And that he commends to all the church. And to our own generation. Are you expecting the coming of the Lord.

And will it be a joyous occasion or a grim one. What will our condition be in his appearing. We need to anticipate that and walk worthy. Of the kingdom and the glory to which we are called. And when he comes.

We shall be found blameless in his sight. There are so many other references. Here in Thessalonians chapter 3. In the last verse of that chapter. To the end he may establish your hearts. Unblameable in holiness before God.

Even our father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. With all his saints. This is so fixed. An aspect of Paul's. Understanding of expectation. That he can speak it boldly. But we are not hearing that now.

But we need to. Again in chapter 4. For this we say unto you that by the word of the Lord. That we which are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord. Shall not prevent the come before them which are asleep.

So. Reference after reference to the coming of the Lord. The end of the age. Judgment in the Lord's own person. So maybe we need to. Explore a bit. Why is it that the church shrinks. From considerations of this kind.

The Moral Consequences of Losing Apocalyptic Faith

Because we have lost something. Essential to our whole comprehension of the faith. If we miss this apocalyptic. Content. We become a soft sappy church. One day is like the next. Our programs. That's what he said before.

The self aggrandizement of the church. It's own programs. Is couched. In a faith. That is personal. And subjective. And omits. The larger cosmic. Purposes of God. By which the age is concluded. There is no fear in the church.

About imminent judgment. So there is a shallow. Atmosphere that prevails. And the moral condition of the church. He trades that. Something was established with the death and resurrection of Jesus. At the outset of the faith.

That has. Implications and consequences. Right through to the end of the age. In these final judgments. Because the. Outworking. Of that cross and of that resurrection. A new heaven and a new earth. Wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Preparing for Devastating Judgment

So. I have to brace myself. How will I hold up. If I'm living in that generation. Which by. Will give that grace. To see these things coming to pass. How will I bear it. How will I bear. The two thirds of Israel.

That will suffer annihilation. By every. Biblical reckoning. And the proliferation and the flight. Of Jews. That somehow this is needful. To conclude the age. I use the word cosmic. The cosmic purposes of God.

That are being affected. But we have little comprehension of those things. But we. We can see them in judgment. We need to shift gears. And come into Paul's apocalyptic view. Simply because it's Paul's.

If he sees it and says it. That's definitive for the church. Whether we agree. Whether we are disposed to scenarios of that kind. If he sees it and says it. It's incumbent upon us. To believe it and to expect it.

It may be the whole issue of Paul. In the last days. Whether he'll suffer a rejection. By aspects of the church. And maybe the issue of true and false prophets is. What is their identification with Paul?

How much are they in agreement? How much do they see eye to eye? How much do they share his view and expectation? The most prominent messianic ministries in Israel today. Believe that Israel will be saved.

By their ministries. It doesn't require apocalyptic dealings or judgments. But by their witness. And sharing. Israel will be saved. Put the premium on them. And their ministry. Rather than the dealings of God.

The New Heavens and New Earth

Which are contrary. So you're looking forward to a glorified body. Not just to be rid of our infirmities. But to be fitted for our kingdom. Reality. That we need to ascend and descend upon the son of man.

And be able to function in the realm of earth. In the realm of the heavenlies. In a body that is not fixed. These sound outlandish, don't they? Off the wall. Seeing that all these things shall be burned up.

And the elements melt with a fervent heat. What manner of man ought we to be? Peter asks. We need to be a certain kind of man. That can stand in the face of such devastating judgments. And lead others maybe to a place of safety and faith.

Because we ourselves do not panic. We expect these severities. And that somehow the new heavens and the new earth needs to be preceded. By those things that are in the earth that need now to be burned up.

Nothing less will purge the earth of blood. Violence, iniquity. And the judgments of God. Interesting verse 5. For this they willingly are ignorant. Of that by the word of God the heavens were of old.

And the earth standing out of the water and in the water. Whereby the world that then was being overflowed with water perished. Willingly ignorant. Describes that generation. And will probably describe our own.

Doesn't want to see. Doesn't want to consider these things. But the heavens in verse 7. And the earth which are now by the same word are kept in store reserved unto fire. Against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

But beloved be not ignorant of this one thing. That one day is with the Lord as a thousand years. And a thousand years is one day. So he's making explanation why this has not yet taken place. It's a delayed parousia.

But the Lord is not slack concerning his promise. As some men count slackness but as long as suffering to us would. Not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come.

As a thief in the night. In which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise. And the elements shall melt with fervent heat. The earth also in the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved.

What manner of persons ought you to be. In all holy conversation and godliness. Looking for and hastening unto the coming of the day of God. Wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved. And the elements shall melt with fervent heat.

Nevertheless we according to his promise. Look for new heavens and a new earth. Wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore beloved seeing that you look for such things. Be diligent that you may be found with him.

In peace without spot and blameless. Remarkable statement. Coming from a fisherman. Almost eclipses Paul. But he shows the moral implication. Of the expectation of the day of the Lord. In which you should be found blameless and holy.

And have every incentive. When the Lord comes as judge. But there is also a promise. A new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness. And that has got to be sustaining. In the face of the terrible devastations that will come.

And all of that is to clear away the debris and the clutter. And the moral collapse of the world. For which there is no answer but a judgment by burning. And devastation. But once it takes place. There will be a new heaven and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Growing in Grace While Awaiting the End

So we need to look for. That which is beyond judgment. The promise of God. New heaven and a new earth. Praise God. I'm sick to the teeth of unrighteousness. I'm sick of vile things. I'm sick of the low moral estate of the church.

And of the world. So I can't wait. When the Lord will himself. Have established righteousness in the earth. But before it comes. Something must be purged out. And it will require this judgment. But seeing that you look for such things.

Be diligent that you may be found. Of him in peace. Without spot and blameless. Then he speaks about Paul's. Remarkable grasp of these things in his epistles. Which. In which are some things hard to be understood.

Which they that are unlearned and unstable rest. As they do all the other scriptures to their own destruction. You therefore beloved seeing you know these things before. Beware lest you also be led away with the error of the wicked.

Fall from your own steadfastness. Because we know that falling away. A great apostasy. Is one of the chief marks. Of the end of the age. But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

To him be glory both now and forever. Amen. We need to imbibe. These verses take them in. We need to be part and parcel. Of the reality that we inhabit. And that we expect. Because as I've said it will make all the difference.

We're faced with the option of steeping ourselves in scripture. However contrary it is to see the reality. We opt for the word of God. As being definitive. And we live in what it says. So the last days will more and more challenge us in this way.

Prayer for Faithfulness in the Day of Judgment

So we turn to prayer. Thank you precious God on high. For sounding what you have. A neglected note. In the church's consideration. We shrink from it Lord. We want happier scenarios. To contemplate. We want to see Israel progressively improved.

Not realizing how much that is a humanistic. Presumption in itself. And nothing short of the devastation. Of your judgments. Will bring Israel to the place of your desire. So Lord we want to be the students of Paul.

And of all the scriptures Lord. And we're faced with a challenge. That what is expressed there is contrary to what we presently see. And don't want to see. And yet you speak of these dire things to come.

When the elements themselves will melt with fervent heat. And the whole of the world as we know it will be dissolved. So Lord put iron in our souls. To brace our souls for the realities. That are sure to come to pass.

That in that day Lord we will not be bewildered. Or confused or panic stricken. But we will be islands of safety and guidance. For those who have not our privilege. In the scripture. Thank you my God for ending our days on this note.

Forgive me for the failure to more adequately bring it forth. But may we continue with our own perusal of this subject. To lay hold of the apocalyptic of Paul. And of the prophets. The day of the Lord.

The day of his judgment. The final day. Toward which every day now is tending. So come precious God. Fit us. That in the day of your appearing. We shall not be ashamed. Thank you my God. We shall be found blameless.

Thank you Lord. Because we have taken your exhortations to heart. Bless the church. Bless what is represented here. In this room. For the church my God. And bring through them some aspect of this. Into the various places of their return.

So we thank you my God. For the whole counsel of God. We don't shrink from it. Because you're altogether just. And righteous. You do all things well. And even your judgments my God. Are a testimony. To your holiness.

So do we bless you Lord. Thank you for Paul. Thank you for the lonely battles that he faced. In maintaining this faith. Against all opposition. Come and let there be a renaissance. Of Paul. For the church.

In which we recognize that what you gave to him. Is definitive for us all. So do we thank you Lord. And give you praise. For this concluding time of this evening. Let it not dissipate away. But serve to begin.

Considerations Lord. That are on time. In Jesus name we pray.