Future Things

When it comes to future things and eschatology, I feel sure of some things, but still uncertain about others.

I'm sure there is existence after death. I'm sure everyone shall face judgment after death. And I'm sure judgment is eternal.

About other things, I might change my mind in future as I learn more, but this is where I'm leaning at the moment:

I feel that in Matthew 24, the disciples seem to have asked Jesus three questions, questions concerning: 1) the end of the world, 2) His coming and 3) "these things" ("these things" meaning, the destruction of the Temple and city).

In Matthew 24 Jesus proceeds to discuss the signs and timing of each of those three things. Jesus didn't seem to say that all three things would necessarily happen together. Jesus even used some clauses which seem to be bridging-statements which span the indefinite period of time between events.

His prediction about the destruction of the Temple and city appear now to be past; His coming and the end of the world it seems are still future - but in between, Jerusalem continues to be trodden under foot by Gentiles, the Gospel continues to be preached in all nations, and persecutions also continue.

I feel it could be a mistake therefore to place all events in Matthew 24 in the past; it could also be a mistake to place it all in the future - and it could also be a mistake to claim all events keep repeating themselves. In other words, the preterist, historicist and futurist dogma are each wrong.

Rather, I feel it may be better to say that some events are now past; that others are yet future - and that some things Jesus mentioned appear to span the period in-between.

Jesus Himself did not know how much time would span between events. Daniel didn't know either. Neither did the angel who spoke to Daniel. Only the Father knows.

Therefore Jesus was able to give some fairly definite signs concerning the destruction of the Temple - but He was unable to give an indication of how much time would elapse until His coming.

But both Jesus and Daniel were able to describe what happens in-between: namely, the preaching of the Gospel and trials - and then the end shall come, possibly including a general physical resurrection of all the dead.