BUILDING BIBLICAL THEOLOGY
STUDY GUIDE 4.2
Lesson 4: Contours of New Testament Biblical Theology
Section 2: Developments in Eschatology

OUTLINE FOR NOTES

II. Developments in Eschatology

A. Traditional

B. Old Testament

  1. Adam

  2. Noah

  3. Abraham

  4. Moses

  5. David

C. Early Christian

  1. First-Century Judaism
 
  2. John the Baptist and Jesus



REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. What does "eschatology" mean in the context of theological studies?

2. Identify the five key Old Testament covenants and explain the unique eschatological emphasis of each one, as explained in the lesson. What was the unique contribution of each one to Old Testament eschatology?

3. Explain how the eschatological promises regarding the rule of David's family developed during the three stages of the monarchy, the early prophets, and the later prophets.  What changes were made? Why?

4. How did the first century Jews generally understand "this age" and "the age to come" when they spoke of eschatology?

5. Explain the beliefs of the following groups regarding the "age to come."

Apocalyptic sects
Zealots
Nomists

6. What phrase is used frequently in the New Testament to identify what the Old Testament referred to as "the last days" or "the age to come"?

7. According to the lesson, what made John the Baptist doubt that Jesus was the expected Messiah?

8. What major change in perspective regarding the "age to come" occurs in the New Testament, in contrast with the beliefs of the first century Jews?

9. Explain the illustration that Dr. Pratt uses to show that the arrival of the "last days" was more complex than it appeared from the Old Testament perspective.


APPLICATION QUESTIONS

1. How does it affect you to know that God modified the way He fulfilled the prophecies regarding David's dynasty? What can you learn from this for your own life? How does it affect the way you pray?

2. What can we learn from the fact that the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies was more complex than they had anticipated? How does it affect the way you view New Testament prophecies? Does it make you less dogmatic about your understanding of the details of fulfillment?

3. What blessings are you still waiting for at the time of the final consummation of the kingdom of God? What things especially encourage you as you think about the future?