In the month of September I spent time studying Eschatology. Eschatology is the study of end times. This all came about when I had finished reading Revelation and found myself wondering what all it meant. This was about the third time that I can remember reading through Revelation and in times past I would read through just to read it as a part of a reading plan and never put much thought into it but for some reason this time I desired to know more. I am thankful that the Lord put this on my heart and has allowed me to receive resources to look further into the end times.
The two books that I worked through were chapters in Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem and Basic Theology by Charles Ryrie. Both these men are very well known for their intellect and hold some different views when it comes to doctrine. The reason why I chose these two books is because I felt that it would give me a broad view of everything and not focus in on just one main point during the end times.
I am not going to discuss what exactly my stance is on Eschatology because I am still thinking over much of it, but what I would like to write about is how the study of end times has developed and increased my faith. Now we all know that if one pursues the Lord the more the Lord will reveal to them. I have experienced this in the time of studying this topic and I am so thankful that the Lord is patient and is revealing these things at this time. In this blog I want to discuss how having a view on end times propels ones faith, and why it is important to have a stance.
A View of End Times
We all come to know Christ differently and this is because Christ meets us where we are at, we do not need to be where he is to be saved. As a person comes to the knowledge of Christ and allows their heart to be overrun by Christ it begins a sanctification process. This process, like ones acknowledgement, develops differently and God uses it to impact others and bring more to the saving knowledge of Christ. This being said there is a day that every person, saved and unsaved, will die. Death is something that is inevitable and something I realized is that the saved and unsaved person has very similar views of what the afterlife looks like. If the unsaved person doesn’t believe in a God, but believes in heaven, they view heaven as a place where everyone sits on white clouds and plays the harp. Sadly this is how many Christians view heaven as well. So what is setting apart the Christian from the unsaved? This is where I bring to the point that it is vital to have an understanding of the end times. Some people would argue that it is difficult to know what the Bible really says about these things, so they don’t try. I would rebuttal this with the fact that the Bible talks about it and so we should have a stance on it, we cannot be fooled into thinking that there is no info (buy the two books that I bought if you want). The information is out there, and though some people will disagree on some points, all biblical scholars will express that there is a clear distinction of heaven and hell.
Have a stance
This brings me to my next point of the importance of having a stance. Not everyone agrees with each other – even the people in the church (I know - surprising!). What I have learned is that understanding Eschatology will help with evangelism and soften hearts even more to share with those who do not know the Lord. When learning about the afterlife, and what happens to yourself or another, the relationship changes with the Lord, it becomes more personal. Also, striving to learn more about the Lord in anyway can increase faith and the relationship with Him. Another thing that really stood out to me while studying was the importance that we inherit in the kingdom and in spreading the word. The Bible uses images like,
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.” Matthew 5:14
“and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” Romans 8:17
These two pieces of scripture stand out to me because it brings attention to the power/responsibility in which the Lord has given us. Though we use Matthew 5:14 to encourage one another, it ties directly into the circumstances of Romans 8:17. What we begin to see is that a change happens in our life, this change happens so that we desire to be closer to our Father. When we are the light in a dark place, we will shine and there will come persecution. Be encouraged though, when we read Revelation 21 and 22 we see that we are light because He is light and that we will one day reign with Him in Paradise!
Final Thoughts
- What does heaven look like? Does this match up to what the Bible says?
- Does thinking about Heaven and Hell change the way you view life?
- Do you know what Pre-Tribulation, Post-Tribulation, Pre-Millennial, and Post-Millennial means?
- Is Universalism Biblical?
Prayer
Lord my hope is that this has encouraged the reader to look deeper into the study of end times (Eschatology) and begin a new venture with the You. I ask that you direct their souls to proper material that will reveal more of You to them and that they seek you first through the Bible and then from supporting material. Lord you are the Word and the Word in truth, so may they dwell in truth daily. Amen.
