Importance

The study of end-time events is oftentimes seen as irrelevant to people in the modern secular world, but some Christian theologians “have insisted that eschatology is the supreme doctrine—it sums up all of the others and brings them to their fulfillment" (Millard J. Erickson, 1998). Thus, the whole of theology is eschatology and eschatology is the sum of all theology. Admittedly, isn’t the need for security in the afterlife the greatest motivator of our present frail human existence? Wouldn’t it help us live out our daily lives better if we had an idea of what eternity will look like, even if in only general terms? Despite our present difficulties and pains, we could live by faith in God’s promises regarding our future resurrection knowing that this life is only temporary, and we could set our joy before us as we wait to be with our Savior forever in a beautiful and awesome new world. God is certainly excited about our future together! Shouldn’t we? Faith and certainty in God’s wonderful plan would change our total perspective on life, and our attention could be placed on our responsibilities during these present days.

Thus, a correct understanding of eschatology is very important for God’s people if we are to recognize and rejoice in what He is doing in our midst. Yet, what if we have placed our hope in a flawed picture of the future? What if the expectations that we hold are never going to materialize, and the reality that we see unfolding does not fit our preconceived notions? Many have claimed that they know the answers to the eschatological riddle, but at least they tried to understand it. Sadly, too many ignore the apocalyptic texts in the Bible, or accept at face value what others teach about them without more investigation and analysis. Honest Christians and Jews should find this new analysis as a more convincing way of interpreting Bible prophecy and hopefully change their position with regards to end-time events and about what God expects from them in preparation for the days to come. Since we are believers and children of the light, His coming should not take us by surprise, and we can focus our prayers and activities towards God’s end plan, preparing ourselves for whatever difficulties or situations may lie ahead while living a life that is pleasing to Him in the present.