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The Eschaton

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I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”

Revelation 22:13 NKJV

At both the beginning and the end of Revelation, Jesus identifies Himself as “the First and the Last.” The Greek word for “last” is eschatos (Strongs G2078) and is where the term “eschatology” comes from. Do you see a problem?

The “eschaton” is not a series of events or a chronology. Rather, it is a PERSON. Do you see what we’ve done? We have replaced a study of the One who self-identifies as the first and last, with “futurology” or guesses about the end-times couched in theological language. The result is that, rather than enjoying a study of Christ in His fullness and becoming more like Him as a result, we have substituted a theological study of prophetic opinions and have become testy, defensive, unkind and fractious.

Is this any way for a Christian to be? Between the dogmatic insistence of the correctness of pet theories and the outright “fear porn” currently offered in large doses to those in the eschatosphere, some among us have basically squandered their credibility. Sadly, they have shed bad light on what should be a shared joyous anticipation of the return of our King.

“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 13:35 NKJV

This is probably a waste of time, because most probably the folks who really need to take this to heart won’t even read it. And most probably those who DO read it are a step or two ahead of me in realizing that the conversion of a study of The Eschaton to an “-ology” that provides a playground for nit-picking theological “study” and everything that proceeds from it: a “position” and then a “defense” against “alternative positions” and so forth. More proof of Matthew 24:5 one might think.

It makes sense to me that as we draw closer to Him, we will necessarily draw closer to each other. But when we elevate allegiance to a theological conclusion ABOVE our allegiance to Jesus Christ, it becomes – like many other subtle things – both an idolatry issue and another arena for divisiveness and rank unkindness. In these last days especially, “keep yourselves from idols” (John 5:21). These final events will most likely NOT play out the way we expect. We expect the rapture any day now (or at least I do), but the Grim Reaper could show up first. NONE of us has this all figured out.

So love the Eschaton and live winsomely.

Comments

5 responses to “The Eschaton”

  1. Sheila Baker Avatar
    Sheila Baker

    Amen brother Steve! Couldn’t agree more

    Sent from my iPad

    >

    Reply
  2. txfotw Avatar
    txfotw

    Brother Steve,
    Has always seemed sort of strange from my viewpoint that there is an eschatosphere, or an apologetics / polemics / hermenautics branch/sphere of Scripture study. Seems to me the longer you give us (mankind) to ‘study’ a matter, including Scripture, the more complicated (or well put as fractious) we seem to make it. From my viewpoint, and I know it’s a simple one, our time is better spent getting out of our own way, abiding in His Presence, getting into His Word, and knowing that if we’re there, then by default He will lead us to where we should be and what we need to know. I have been on the verge of commenting to some of your posts in the past. Largely because I see and agree with most of your viewpoints/thoughts, while on a few occassions I may have taken a differing tilt to some. The conclusion to those non-proffered comments would have been framed much as you have framed it here. Why bother was the thought, I know his heart and love for our Savior and his desire for others to be ready and to draw nearer to our Lord.

    Futher to your point, I have replied to other believers (with platforms) who have taken it upon themselves to spend time and energy to ‘debunk’ a pre-trib rapture. I didn’t necessarily want to have a back and forth trying to validate my own belief or disprove theirs. My first question for them was, why bother, followed closely by, don’t you want it to be true? Don’t you love His appearing, want to see Him, be with Him?

    As you noted, we truly don’t know how it will all play out… but I’m still thinking the First and the Eschaton is at the door and you and I and our dear brothers and sisters are about to see what “…eye hath not seen…” 1Cor2:9. Shalom brother!!

    Reply
    1. stevekerp Avatar
      stevekerp

      Hi –

      I would assume “Feast of Trumpets Watcher” in Texas. Thanks for weighing in. I find your perception regarding the similar responses of “theologians” to both apologetics and eschatology to be a confirmation of one of my own conclusions, which I may explore if time permits. Apologetics, properly understood, seems to be simply the reason for our hope. No one in scripture ever defended the “existence of God” or any similar topics. Rather, Paul just asserted in Romans that everyone already KNOWS that God is. Apologetics has become Christianized philosophy and little more.

      I think the lights will come on soon enough, and the “atheists” and “agnostics” will come face-to-face with their own self-deception.

      Reply
      1. txfotw Avatar
        txfotw

        Steve,
        follower of the Way, here. As former non-believers, it was part of our old nature to confuse, divide, and isolate, yet we just can’t seem to drop those propensities. Are you catholic or protestant? Orthodox or reformed? Baptist or lutheran? Calvinist or armenian? What is your biblical field of study? Even so called Christian ‘eccumenism’ seems to now to run in all directions. What is most lamentable is the ‘picture’ that we have presented to the world. How many of those atheists/agnostics were cemented in their postions by our failings.

        Our God is a god of Unity, and as his adopted so are we thus united in Him, just seems far too many of us don’t yet realize it as fully as we should. That is surely about to change.

  3. stevekerp Avatar
    stevekerp

    Hi, Follower –

    Yes, we all have various flavors of Christian culture in our backgrounds. Not sure which box I would fit into right now. Or if it even matters.

    Thanks for your insights.

    Reply

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