ok so.. im wanting to study further in eschatology, but i need a place to start.
i was wondering if any of you here could help me, i need resources, commentaries, sermons, podcast..ect. any useful info on the topic..
but i want credible sources. i don't want random wacko's throwing out there opinions. although i am open to many ideas, the theories of kent hovind i find interesting, and im closely connected to the calvary chapel church. although my views don't necessarily line up completely with theres i don't want to stray too far off the beaten path. catch my drift?
so can any of you help me?
This is the ecclesiology, not the eschatology forum, in case you didnt know it. Easy to make that mistake. Since you mention Kent Hovind i wonder if you really are interested in creationism?
Anyways, a great starting point would be to leave the last book in the bible last! Start in matthew and go trough every verse that you understand talk about the last day(s) and see the balance of the new testament. Most people BASE theyr whole escatology on theyr, or theyr denominations view on johns revelation. Most reformers didnt believe it was for the future mostly, but had a completly different message than the dispy antichrist centered view.
If you want a balanced view on escathology, then base it on ALL the teaching about the last day, not only on this one book. Actually leave it to be the last book you study, and see it in the light of the gospel message, Pauls letters, Jesus' teachings etc. Understand also that the vast use of symbols in revelation already has its meaning laid out in the bible. Most of the symbolism is old testament pictures. Some are even explained very clearly in revelation itself (the angel explains them). The harlot fore instance is what the harlot symbolises elsewhere in the bible, the nation that broke its marriage covenant with God.
When it says starts will fall down on earth etc, it doesnt mean that STARS wil literally fall down on earth. Sun, moon and starts are pictures for all kinds of stuff, authorities, leaders of nations, angels, even saints sometimes.
By using normal guidelines for the book of revelation you can get a balanced intepreations of it. Most christian sects in the world rely heavily on their own interpretaion of the symbols in revelation. You can make that book say whatever you (or your demons haha) want!! But they have thrown normal guidelines for udnerstanding bibletext out the window, thats why they get weird.
Also, if you are in a certain church, you may have hear teaching that is based upon a dispensational endtime view. And you may already read every edntime vers in the bible coloured by this view, without knowing it. And all your interpretation will fall under its umbrella. You will only concider when the "rapture" will happen relative to the 7 year tribulation/wrath. Not concidering if there WILL EVEN BE a 7 year trib. wrath, since thought like that is view upon as false teaching in many churches. (i am in one that views partial preterism mostly as dalse teaching, so i know what im talking about.)
I recommend you to start at scratch. Do yourself that favour. Pretend you have NO CLUE what will happen from tomorrow according to the bible. WHAT DOES the bible say about the future. What is the balance? What is the message about the future? And start with all the clear undeniable passages in the gospels, acts and letters, those that talks about Jesus coming back on the last day to judge living and dead etc. And let all the clear verses guide you when you concider the difficult passages.
And finally finnally, read Kennet Gentry and Gary DeMar's material to balance your left behind view, if you have one.
Or not.