In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity."" " Peter Meiderlin (Petrus Meuderlinus/Rupertus Meldenius) 1582 - 1651 Our starting point has to do with the essentials - that which is foundational to all Evangelicals: i.e., the verbal inspiration of the Scriptures and the centrality of the Gospel as found in 1 Corinthians 15:1-8. This is non-negotiable. Other points of doctrine such as modes of baptism, church organization and eschatology lie in the area of non-essentials, and there are legitimate differences of opinion among Bible believers.

Regarding eschatology, all of us have been influenced by our church background, pastors, teachers and books we have read. We all would like to think our conclusions are the biblical ones, but others with equal devotion to Christ and the Bible think the same thing about their conclusions. Great biblical scholars throughout the centuries have held differing eschatological views.

Consequently, we ought not to be bewildered or confused by the varying eschatological positions which come to the fore as we study Revelation and the Second Coming of Christ. The essential remains: Jesus Christ is coming again! The order of events surrounding His Coming vary within the evangelical community, but this in no way casts any doubt on the certainty of His Return!

It is useful and interesting to spend time reviewing various eschatological positions, amillenial, millennial, pretribulational, midtribulational or posttribulational, etc., but it would not be wise to be so absorbed in these positions with the result that we forget the basic biblical purpose of teaching about the Second Coming of our Lord.

Always the purpose of biblical eschatological teaching is to motivate us to live holy lives in the light of His Coming. This is the emphasis of Jesus' teaching as found in Matthew chapters 24-25. Because He is coming back we need to be waiting, watching and working -- because we will answer to Him! Concerning the Day of the Lord, Peter admonishes: "Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the Day of God and speed its coming." 2 Peter 3:11-12a.

The Apostle John reiterates the same thing. It is not enough just to read the prophecy and to hear it - but also to take it to heart! "Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophesy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near." Revelation 1:3. What does it mean to take the book of Revelation to heart? Simply this: because Jesus is coming, we will all need to give an account to Him! Revelation 20:11-15 "