You Are a Theologian - Week 7

Chapter 10 - How Does the Story End?

Brief Definition: Our future hope is that Christ will return, raise the dead, execute perfect justice, and establish His kingdom without end. Death does not have the final word.

We live in a day and age where most people reject being part of an overarching story.

This leads to lives that are purposeless, aimless, and ultimately meaningless. (pg. 182)

“Meaningful stories make our lives come alive, and we all want to live in a meaningful story. The Christian story, the true story of the world, does just that.” (pg. 182-183)

The study of last things is known as eschatology, from the Greek word eschatos, meaning “last” or “final.”

“The study of last things is meant primarily for our comfort.” (pg. 184)

The Five Comforts of the End Times

1. The doctrine of end times comforts us because it assures us that death is not the end.

Death is the great equalizer of humanity. Grass is a repeated metaphor for humans in the Bible, pointing us to the fleeting nature of our lives and the certainty of our deaths.

Death is the penalty for sin. Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

When we die, our material (physical) bodies cease to function, but our souls continue to live.

Ecclesiastes 3:20 “All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return.”

Psalm 90:3 “You return man to dust and say, “Return, O children of man!””

“Death does not bring about salvation of any kind: it is a reminder of the curse of sin.” (pg. 185)

However, there are two benefits two death. First, death marks the end of earthly suffering. Second, for the believer, death marks our entrance into the presence of God. This is why Paul can say, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)

At the moment of death, the unity of our body and soul is temporarily separated. 2 Corinthians 5:8 “Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”

For believers, we are immediately ushered into the presence of God, temporarily existing as disembodied souls awaiting the resurrection of the dead.

When that time comes for believers, we will see the Lord in person. This is called the beatific vision.

On the other hand, for non-believers, their souls are immediately ushered into torment of judgment and separation from God.

2. The doctrine of end times comforts us because it points us to a King coming back to make everything right.

“Jesus will return visibly, bodily, and suddenly to bring the fullness of salvation to all who are waiting for Him.” (pg. 188)

When Christ came the first time, he dealt definitively with sin at the cross. When He comes the second time, He will bring the fullness of salvation already purchased.

There are many different and diverse views on the second coming of Christ. What we know for sure is that the time of the coming of Christ cannot be known, but what can be known is it is certainly coming.

“Paul tells the church that the suddenness of Christ’s return should help us to live with sobriety, holiness, and mission (1 Thess. 5)” (pg. 189)

3. The doctrine of end times comforts us because it tells us our stories end not in death, but in resurrection.

“The Christian life is lived toward resurrection.” (pg. 190)

Resurrection leads to life. Paul says, “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.” (1 Corinthians 15:19).

In the end, we know that death will be completely swallowed up in Christ’s victory (1 Cor. 15:54).

Resurrection is not just something we wait for but also something we live into. “Today — right now— we want our lives, homes, relationships, and communities to be marked by the future hope we have. We live in the present with an eye toward a glorious future.” (pg. 191)

4. The doctrine of end times comforts us because it promises that justice will be served.

Justice for the Unjust

We see injustices carried out all around the world on a daily basis. If we multiply this over the course of all human history, there have been so many wicked people, groups, and actions that have gone unaccounted for.

The Great White Throne judgment (Rev. 20) will be a moment when each individual will stand before God and give an account for their entire life. Those who have died in their sins will be met with the eternal judgment and punishment of God.

Mercy for the Believer

On the other hand, as believers, we will have a much different experience when we stand before God to give an account for our lives. The full and public recounting of our offenses will complete our joy by showing us at last how high and long and wide and deep is the love of God in Christ for us.

5. The doctrine of end times comforts us because the kingdom of God will finally and definitively be established on earth.

The message of the gospel is not salvation as escape, but salvation as restoration.

“Eschatology is not about destruction, but restoration. And God gets all the glory.” (pg. 195)

What’s next?

For all of us, we will either experience death or the second coming of Christ.

We must live toward that ending.

“The best stories have the best endings. And the Christian story has the best ending of them all. Because the ending of the Bible is that Christ’s kingdom never ends. We look forward to the return of Christ eagerly, not just because we love the kingdom, but because we love the King.” (pg. 197)