Exposition of the Divine Principle

Part I · Chapter 3

Eschatology and Human History

We dwell in ignorance of history, uncertain about its origin, the direction in which it is heading, and its final destination. Concerning eschatology, or the doctrine of the Last Days, many Christians believe literally what is written in the Bible: “the heavens will be kindled and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire” (II Pet. 3:12); “the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light and the stars will fall from heaven” (Matt. 24:29); and “with the archangel’s call, and with the sound of the trumpet… the dead in Christ will rise first; then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” (I Thess. 4:16-17).

One pertinent question for Christians is whether these events will take place literally or whether the verses are symbolic, as are many parts of the Bible. To address this issue, we should first understand such fundamental matters as the purpose of God’s creation, the meaning of the human Fall, and the goal of the providence of restoration.

Inside this chapter

Section 1

The Completion of God’s Purpose of Creation and the Human Fall

1.1 The Completion of God’s Purpose of Creation 1.2 Consequences of the Human Fall

Section 2

God’s Work of Salvation

2.1 God’s Work of Salvation is the Providence of Restoration 2.2 The Goal of the Providence of Restoration 2.3 Human History Is the History of the Providence of Restoration

Section 3

The Last Days

3.1 The Meaning of the Last Days

3.1.1 Noah’s Day Was the Last Days 3.1.2 Jesus’ Day Was the Last Days 3.1.3 The Day of Christ’s Second Advent Is the Last Days

3.2 Bible Verses Concerning the Signs of the Last Days

3.2.1 Heaven and Earth Destroyed, and a New Heaven and New Earth Created 3.2.2 Heaven and Earth Judged by Fire 3.2.3 The Dead Rising from Their Tombs 3.2.4 People on Earth Caught Up to Meet the Lord in the Air 3.2.5 The Sun Darkened, the Moon Not Giving Light and the Stars Falling from Heaven

Section 4

The Last Days and the Present Days

4.1 Signs of the Restoration of the First Blessing 4.2 Signs of the Restoration of the Second Blessing 4.3 Signs of the Restoration of the Third Blessing

Section 5

The Last Days, the New Truth and Our Attitude

5.1 The Last Days and the New Truth 5.2 Our Attitude in the Last Days

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Elsewhere in the book

Part I — General Principles

— Preface — Introduction 1 The Principle of Creation 2 The Human Fall 3 Eschatology and Human History 4 The Messiah: His Advent and the Purpose of His Second Coming 5 Resurrection 6 Predestination 7 Christology

Part II — Providence of Restoration

— Introduction to Restoration 1 The Providence to Lay the Foundation for Restoration 2 Moses and Jesus in the Providence of Restoration 3 The Periods in Providential History and the Determination of Their Lengths 4 The Parallels between the Two Ages in the Providence of Restoration 5 The Period of Preparation for the Second Advent of the Messiah 6 The Second Advent