Eschatology?  WHY BOTHER?

What’s the Point of Studying the End Times?

Psalm 73.2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.  3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. 5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other me. 21 Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. 22 So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. 23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.  24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

Why should we study the ‘End Times?’

1 Because it’s already part of our Christian life and experience.  Salvation is always in three tenses, for we are SAVED, we are being saved, AND WE A RE going to be saved.  THIS WAS THE PSALMIST’S EXPERIENCE IN PSALM 73.  I WAS, I AM, I WILL BE.  The future is already part of the Christian life.  This is to some extent true also for unbelievers.  Many of them have deep regrets about their past, – many of them consider that they should only ‘live for today’ and most of them never want to think about what the future will inevitably being.  

2 Because it is a practical help for the Christian life.  If we are thinking of things that will happen in the future, does that mean we will lose sight of what’s happening right now?  When Peter taught about the end times it aroused his heart, and in the minds of his readers it brought a sense of urgency in their present work for the Lord.  1 Peter 4:7-8. But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”  We can sum up the practical benefits of studying eschatology as follows:-

• It is an encouragement to know the blessing that awaits us in eternity. 1 Peter 3:8-9 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.  Is it ok to seek a reward for our service?  (Bear in mind that even our reward can be used to glorify God).  Matthew 19:29 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.  Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Revelation 4:10 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: 11  “You are worthy,  O Lord, To receive glory and honour and power; For You created all things,  And by Your will they [b]exist and were created.”)
• The topics of Heaven and Hell provide subjects for Gospel ministry.  10 For “He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. 11  Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.12  For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers;But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
• When we meditate on the future, it stimulates our prayer life.  The correct understanding of heaven and hell, the nearness of the second coming, the prospect of judgement – all these matter will drive us to our knees in prayer.  Prayer for our world, our neighbours, our families and ourselves.
• When we understand that we will send all of eternity together, that fact will strengthen out love for each other.  1 Peter 4:7-8 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”When we consider the second coming, and live in the light of that event, God is glorified in our lives.  1 Peter 4:11.  If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
• When we know that there is a real hell, and that there is a devil whose plan it is to drive as many people as possible into that hell, must be a spur to evangelism!  

So, we can see that studying the end of times is of very great value indeed for our Christian motivation and holiness, and obedience to God. 1 John 3:2-3  Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.  So any teaching or doctrine on the second coming MUST have a practical effect on our present life.  If any such teaching does not affect the Christian life, it is pointless.