In ministry there are a range of attitudes to eschatology and the Book of Revelation. These attitudes range from basic, to avoidance, to total submersion in the subject. These days, with many global problems – global financial crisis, the pandemics (flu’s?), many are interested in the future.
True faithfulness and obedience to Jesus is the key to our eternal future.
The Doctrine of Eschatology is thus about ‘real hope’. Not the kind of hope which says – I hope it will not rain on my parade tomorrow – but hope in the truth – the victory of the Cross of Christ Jesus! Many Christians over the centuries were concerned about the future. In the last hundred years or so there has been concern for the outcomes of World War l and World War ll, Korea, the problems of communism, and recently terrorism and strange illnesses. We will see over the analysis of John’s vision that Christians, the elect, are totally saved in Jesus. The victory is won – whatever our pain in humanity. It is not only ideologies which affect real hope. Doubts occur when in weakness – taking our eyes off the prize – a Christian turns to an answer in psychology. We must remember that Jesus is
our wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30), our salvation, holiness and righteousness. He is the true author of true philosophy and psychology. He made us in His likeness
– but He is perfect and we are not! Not yet!
Traditionally eschatology is concerned with end times – last things, last times. All about the future. But, as mentioned above, the here and now has to be considered.
Some theologians, as does this theologian, suggest that there is a timeless view to eschatology.
From general study of the subject there are several descriptions – futuristic events in the future, preterist meaning relating to John’s time, and thus in the past. Also the historical description of things in the future of the Church and the symbolic description where events are timeless. Concerning individual lifetimes in history.
In the lifetime of each person, and those who say they are Christian, they may rely on secular rather than a spiritual answer to dreadful situations seen in their individual future. This will be addressed later.
A further consideration is the question of the Lord delivering from a situation of tribulation – severe tribulation is noted in World War ll, And now we have to deal with alleged total evil – the subject of this Book!
Is this all too hard to reason with?
When passing from this life with our last breath – the next breath will be while looking into the face of Jesus (Philippians 1:21, 23; Revelation 7).
To be fundamental for a moment – that is to adhere to orthodox tenet in Holy Scripture, there is a need to view briefly an orthodox eschatology. Dispensationalism has a strong view that Holy Scripture is to be understood literally.