The Bible and Eschatology
By George C. Stewart

Some believe that the Bible is simply a self-help book on how to live a happy life. As one writer said about the Christian walk, “the here and now is what is important,” and that Paul wrote to the Thessalonian church “to put practicality back into Christianity.” Those who think this way seem to imply that the primary message of God’s word is moral living. Certainly moral living is the character of those redeemed and prepared for the Lord’s return. However, this is not the core message of God’s revelation. When properly understood, eschatology motivates the Christian to live a godly life as a faithful servant. Rather than hindering faith it enhances faith.

Buddhism has moral teaching. But God’s revelation to man is “His-story” of bringing about a culmination of history with a redeemed people in His presence forever. The message of the Bible is an eschatological message.

Consider these examples:

In Genesis 3:15 God foretells the work of redemption which will destroy sin and Satan. God’s story is moving toward a goal.

Genesis 12:1-3 is a promise to Abram (Abraham) that through his seed all nations would be blessed. Galatians 3:16 tells us that the “seed” is Christ. The center of God’s Grand Plan.

The prophets point to the Messiah—God incarnate—who would establish a New Covenant and a kingdom (Jeremiah 31:31). This happened in the first century—a large step for God.

Jesus (Matthew 24:36-25:46) shows that history is moving toward Christ’s return and judgment. He ought to know.

1 Corinthians 11:26 reminds us that in the partaking of the Lord’s Supper “as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.” So His return should be on our minds.

Titus 2:11-13 teach that “the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.”  Consequently, living a godly life is not an end in itself, but a preparation for the Lord’s return—that “blessed hope.”

In fact, in our righteous living we are to understand that “Since all these things (world) are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, on account of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells” (2 peter 3:11-13).  Again, the holy life is the character of a child of God, but is not the end in itself. History is heading toward an end as we know it. Christians are to be “hastening” that day.

From the book of Revelation we learn that we are more than conquerors with a glorious destiny. That’s the “practicality” of Christianity!

The Christian life is not simply “wandering in the wilderness,” trying to be good while enjoying the “manna.” Instead, the Christian life is like joining Joshua (Jesus) on the journey into the Promised Land. We keep one eye on the ground and the other on the horizon—looking for and hastening that great day of our blessed hope. Then will be the ESCHATON, the climax of all history as we know it, and the beginning of eternity, as we have never experienced.

It is true that the Thessalonians were confused about the state of the dead. However, rather than encouraging “them to focus on the present life,” Paul is encouraging them to be comforted by the hope in the Lord’s return. He wrote:

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).