“Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure’ (Isa. 46: 9-10; NASB). 1
“…it is vitally important that continued inquiry, systematization, and correction be made in our understanding of th[e] important field [of eschatology] …the material of biblical eschatology begins at the very genesis of universal history and extends to its ultimate consummation. Thus, its sweep encompasses the whole of time and entirety of the biblical record.”2 (4).
INTRODUCTION:
Our thoughts concerning the end have a direct bearing on our activities in the present. This is why it is so important to make sure that our understanding of biblical eschatology (“last things”) is properly grounded. Consequently, if I think that a certain outcome is evident in the end, then my activity in the present will reflect that notion, and will have a self-fulfilling effect.
I’m not saying that we have the ability to will things into action, but we are capable of willing ourselves into inaction.3 And then, claiming that the reason we failed was that it was inevitable, or hopeless, or any other self-justifying excuse rather than admitting the reason may have been our overarching pessimistic spirit. To illustrate how this plays out in history allow me to give an example from my youth.
Back in my day…
When I was in high school in the 90’s I played football.4 I always enjoyed the game for two reasons: 1) it is a tacticians game; 2) it is a place where aggression is encouraged. Timidity is not the right mindset for this particular sport. In truth, I’m not sure that any sport is meant to be played with a timid heart. Competition is a place where winners and losers are made, and all who compete want to be winners rather than losers.5
Football is a team effort, you can’t do it alone. As my coaches liked to reiterate to us, “There’s no ‘I’ in team.” The game is 4-quarters in length where each moment is valuable, each decision is weighed, and the determination and will of those participating is tested.
In order to win the game you need to play all four quarters (and, score more than your opponent). The better conditioned the team is physically and mentally will, more times than not, win; even against teams of greater talent. Such was the case during this game, which I intend to share with you for illustrative purposes.
Oddly enough I have forgotten the name of the team that we were playing. I can see the color of their uniforms. I can remember what it felt like that night—cool but not freezing, the air had a nice crispness to it. In the first half of play we were down three touchdowns. The score was 28 to 6 (I’m pretty sure we missed the extra point, we did that a lot as our kicker had a tendency of missing. A tendency that cost us 300-yard sprints the Monday following the Friday night game). The initial attitude in the locker room was grim. We were being out played, even though we had one of the best rushing games in West Virginia that year.
Temporary Circumstances not the determining factor…
A choice laid before us. We could look at our current predicament, and throw in the towel. Who could blame us, the odds were certainly not in our favor. This is when most teams would have caved mentally. But, rather than giving in to discouragement or allowing the situation to disillusion us we decided to dig in. Circumstances would not determine our performance. We had the better team. We had trained hard for this. We were well conditioned. Victory was something worth fighting for.
We won that game. It was an awesome night. The bus ride home was ecstatic. We ended up finishing 9-1 that year. We made the playoffs.
How did we do it? The short answer is that we outplayed the other team. But, the reason we were able to do that was because of an optimistic air that we took on as we were leaving the locker room for the 2nd half of the game. Our thoughts on the end enabled us to perform at our best in the present (although, that day is long past now). For we refused to allow present circumstances to determine our activity.
Eschatology a worldview perspective…
Eschatology is often assumed to be a branch of theology that is only concerned about “End Times” or “The Last Days.” However, Kim Burgess makes an important point regarding the overarching nature of Eschatology. He writes,
“Why is eschatology so important? Because, in a very real sense, it constitutes the Church’s philosophy of history. It tells her where she is going in world history. You do not know where you are going or which way you should or need to go or how you should go if you do not know your eschatology properly per the Scriptures…It is about a comprehensive worldview…Biblical eschatology is the worldview context in which all these other doctrinal issues take place…Without Biblical eschatology, you cannot have a proper Biblical worldview, and without grasping hold of the ruling Biblical covenantal hermeneutic, you cannot have a proper Biblical eschatology. It all stands or falls together!”6
Eschatology is the study of last things. There are many ends in life. End of relationships. End of debts. An end of an era. The end of an empire. The end of a pay period. Biblically we see this same sort of nuance played out through its history, which is our history… the history of redemption and wrath. Redemption for the believer and wrath for those who refuse to kiss the Son. The end (eschatos) speaks of the future, but it has bearing on our present and it reveals why things transpired the way they did in the past. As the Scriptures testify:
"For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it" (Heb. 2:1).
Here the writer of Hebrews addresses the needs of having a proper view of history as it unfolds personally in our relationship with Christ. If Christ stands as the heir and ruler of all things, through what He accomplished in history, what He promises to continue to do in history (reigning as king over all), then how ought His subjects—we who call ourselves by His name—to act in history.
“For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? ...For He did not subject to angels the world to come, concerning which we are speaking. But one has testified somewhere saying, ‘What is man, that You remember him? Or the son of man, that You are concerned about him? You have made him for a little while lower than angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, and have appointed him over the works of Your hands; You have put all things in subjection under his feet.’ For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him” (Heb 2.2-3, 5-8; cf. Matt. 28:18-20).
Dare we pretend that victory has not been won? Do we act as if the story has not been written, as if “it is finished” did not actually finish or accomplish anything? No. We are commanded to base our view of things, our activity in this world, in light of His victory (Heb. 12:1-3). If He who is our Lord is victory, then will He not also give us power over Satan and crush our enemy under our feet (Rom. 16:20)? Is that not what His work accomplished on the cross (1 John 3:8)? Is that not the testimony of the the empty tomb (cf. Luke 24:22-26; Acts 13:27-31)? And, might we not rightly conclude that His ascension is the exclamation point God put on all of history (Acts 2:34-36)? The definitive moment in history when God declared His victory over sin, hell and the grave (1 Cor. 15:55-58)?
The error of Israel’s 1st Exodus generation…
This is a greater miracle than the crossing of the Red Sea, or the plagues that had destroyed Egypt and demonstrated to the Israelites (and the world) that the power of the false gods in that land where they had been slaves, whom the Pharaoh represented, were nonexistent. Crossing the Jordan and taking the land of promise should have been a walk in the park. Yes, there were giants in the land, but God was with the sons of Israel. He led them by a pillar of cloud in the day and a pillar of fire at night. He had given them His Ten Commandments (Words) and the promise that He who had carried them on eagles wings would likewise be the hornet that drove their enemies from them in all directions. None could withstand them, for He was with them. He would do what He promised to do. And yet, when the opportunity came for them to exercise the faith that they should have had in leaps and bounds, they turned against God and His servants. They preferred Egypt—the land of slavery and oppression—instead of Canaan and its promise as a land flowing with milk and honey. This was the grave error of Israel’s 1st Exodus generation:
“All the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron; and the whole congregation said to them, ‘would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in the wilderness! Why is the Lord bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become plunder; would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?’ So they said to one another, ‘Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt’” (Num. 14:2-4).
Throwing down this Pessimistic spirit…
Not too long ago Ligon Duncan was on the podcast Room for Nuance7 by Sean DeMars where he was discussing the mood in Moscow, Idaho. The referent was none other than Pastor Doug Wilson of Christ’s Church and any involved or siding with the efforts in that community to Christianize their portion of the world. We all know how fruitless of an effort that can be!8 And yet, the success and influence that Wilson and those discipled by him are having in that portion of the United States, and other areas as their influence spreads through outlets like Canon Press, the Fight Laugh Feast Network, and New Saint Andrews college is undeniable.
As you listen to Duncan discusses various topics regarding Christian Nationalism, Theonomy, the Reconstruction movement, and the Abolition movement against child (Latin: fetus) murder. He confidently asserts that such efforts are pointless given our current cultural climate claiming, “We’ve never been farther from such a reality” (i.e., a Christian Nation) even going so far as to say that, “in no possible world” will the realization of such efforts be feasible.
This coming from an individual who not only denies the reality but actively fights against it, delimiting and truncating the gospel and the kingship of Christ to the “spiritual realm.” This sort of pessimism is tantamount to a self-fulfilling prophecy. You start off with the premise that the world is truly unalterable through the gospel. Sure, people will get saved, but the world will get worse and worse. Our efforts in time, in history are doomed to fail. Thus, why try to change things? Why fight against things? What attempt to make the world better? You can’t! You’ll just end up wasting your time!
Different Starting Points or Standards…
Had that been the attitude when we left the locker room in my youth we would have lost that game. Now, what did we depend upon in that football game? Our own efforts. Our own resolve. Our own will. We did not allow the circumstances to control our activity in time, in history, and so, we moved to alter the outcome.
Our situation as Christians is markedly different. Our God has determined the end from the beginning (Isa. 46:10). He has already established His victory. He has declared His authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18). Not bits and pieces, but every square inch of all reality—visible and invisible. He ascended to His throne in heaven at the Father’s right hand, and the earth is His footstool (Acts 2:33-34; Psa. 110:1-2). He asserts that because of what He has accomplished on the cross, in the grave, through the Resurrection that in Him we are more than conquerors. Through His Spirit we are able to crush Satan under our feet (cf. Rom 16:20; Luke 19:10; Psa. 91:13). We are counted co-heirs with Him (Rom. 8:17; cf. 2 Tim. 2:11-12). We are charged to disciple the nations (Matt. 28:19a). To teach the people His Law (Matt. 28:20a) and to baptize them in the Name of the Triune Creator God: the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19b).
“I have said these things to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble: but take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4-5).
“...but thanks be to God, who gives us that victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15.57).
Possible Misunderstandings…
A possible misunderstanding at this point is to hear of Christ’s victory, to hear of our overcoming the world through our faith, and to assume that this only pertains to our final destination; our final eschatos. That is not only possible but for a great many Christians it is a reality. Apparently, this is true for Ligon Duncan and the likes of him. Why? Because their view of the end colors the glasses through which they view the world. Current circumstances, like in Canaan before the Lord’s General Joshua crossed the Jordan River with a host of believers, are the determining factor. Rather than seeing that victory has been accomplished already, and it is a matter of mopping up and working out the details. Is it hard work? Sure. But does that mean we quit or don’t even start? Are you consistent with that viewpoint in your personal life, your family, your job, your church, or community? If you have a garden do we see insects and varmints terrorizing it, destroying your effort, and then just throw in the towel? Do you not apply effort in making your garden fruitful? If you do that in your personal life, then why it is applicable no where else? Can you not see that the issue is your own inability to look beyond the end of your own nose, through your own narrow view of the world?
In one sense salvation is a personal aspect, in another it is beyond your own flesh. Salvation—also known as, Deliverance—from sin effects more than you personally but every aspect of the world where your reformed thinking is put into activity. If being obtuse is a fruit of the Spirit, then by all means ignore all that the Bible says regarding your faith. Stay seated in your pessimism. But, if not, can we not be humbled to the point of seeing that the task we have been given in this life is greater than our own personal salvation? It is for this reason that I have chosen to be optimistic not only about my life, but the life I am leaving to future generations. Former Christians had that outlook and we are still living off their borrowed capital.
ENDNOTES:
1All Scripture unless otherwise noted shall be of the New American Standard Bible (NASB).
2Kenneth L Gentry Jr., He Shall Have Dominion : A Postmillennial Eschatology (Tyler, TX: Institute for Christian Economics, 1992), 4, PDF E-book.
3I would argue in terms of unrighteousness we are active and eagerly pursue such ends, but when it comes to righteousness—because of our unrighteousness—the hurdle we must overcome is our pessimistic self. Am I saying that pessimism is an ungodly trait? Yes. I am.
4American football for any international readers that may wrongly assume that I am referring to soccer (a.k.a., football for a larger portion of the world).
5Both winning and losing are an important aspect of life. Winning is something we aspire to, and losing is something we learn from. But, both are integral aspects of the maturing process.
6Kim Burgess and Gary DeMar, The Hope of Israel and the Nations: New Testament Eschatology Accomplished and Applied, Vol. 1(Powder Springs, GA: American Vision Press, 2023), 60, 61.
7Sean DeMars and Ligon Duncan, “Thoughts on Theonomy & Christian Engagement with Culture,” Room for Nuance podcast, March 7, 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=548rPIIBdlU. Recently, Sean DeMars headed up to Moscow, ID to speak with Doug Wilson regarding the aforementioned podcast with Ligon Duncan. A very level headed and godly dialogue with those who might disagree on peripheral issues (doctrinal distinctions that are important, but don’t break the fellowship of faith), but agree on the fundamental issue which is Christ and His people and Our Mission in terms of the faith. I would highly recommend watching this after you watch the podcast above with Sean DeMars and Ligon Duncan. See: Doug Wilson & Sean DeMars, “Addressing the Moscow Mood,” Room for Nuance, April 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPmzKGe5Xlc.
8Please imagine my “tongue-in-cheek” if you read this and failed to note my sarcasm. Oh, the limitations of writing versus speaking face-to-face.
PS. I chose the picture of the man running with artificial limbs because by many respects such a person would be viewed by some as being handicapped from competing. But the drive of the man is that which motivates him to push through despite the circumstances he is living with. Victory is what he desires, what he lives for, trains for, and runs for… If more Christians had that mindset of focusing on the race and the fact that our God is greater than our circumstances, then winning the victory in our person lives, our families, in our churches, and in the civil arena (i.e., a Christian Nation) would no longer seem such a far reach.
"For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor. 5:7; ESV).
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize" (1 Cor. 9:24; NIV).
Kristafal's Musings 
As usual, your article is right on point and well-written. I wholeheartedly agree. I used to attend a dispensational church (they didn’t push their eschatology) and I am still part of several of their small groups. Well, that is where they wear their Arminianism and premillennialism on their sleeves (I look at it as a mission field). They simply refuse to accept the blessings and gifts God has bestowed on them through Christ for the here and now (making disciples of the nations). Their arrogance and sense of self-worth (if that’s the appropriate word) is breath-taking as they literally throw off what Christ has done for them (maybe you read my recent WordPress article God’s Blessings and Promises to Believers).
That can only be a result of their futurist eschatology – their waiting to be raptured from this mean and nasty world to leave it to a coming Antichrist, so that they can come back (yet again) with Christ to defeat Satan and the Antichrist (and their minions) at the Battle of Armageddon and then ride off into the sunset (the Millennium). It is from a complete lack of understanding the Scriptures, eschatology, in particular.
I see you cite Ken Gentry. Back in the 1980s I was greatly influenced by his book Before Jerusalem Fell, his dissertation of the dating of Revelation. It helped change my nascent view (futurist) on Matthew 24 and hence Revelation. His book and David Chilton’s Days of Vengeance (a commentary on Revelation, from the preterist point of view) were instrumental in my rejecting futurism out-of-hand (it never made sense to me). I should include J. Stuart Russel’s The Parousia. I also should note both the latter two are accused of becoming full preterists, which I am not.
Keep writing.
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I’ve probably told this elsewhere, but I was raised in a Wesleyan-Arminian Church, first entered the preaching ministry in the Church of the Nazarene (where I served in my first pastorate), but ended up leaving and resigning my position for doctrinal reasons. In other words, I transitioned to Reformation Theology. Eschatology was also something that fascinated me when I was younger, but as I initially began serving in ministry I avoided the issue. I had been raised to believe the Pre-Mil Dispensational outlook. However, the more I learned about the Christian faith as something interested and invested in world and life issues, I started to see eschatology–the brand I had learned–as inconsistent with the faith we are to have in Christ.
I think it was when I read Gary North’s book entitled 75 Questions that got me thinking through the issue a little more closely. Then I read Bahnsen and Gentry’s book House Divided, and that got me thinking a bit more. There were many other books, but the one that really made an impact was Gary DeMar’s Last Day Madness that helped me look more closely at the exegetical issues involved; in particular, the Olivet Discourse as seen in the Synoptic Gospels.
I have read David Chilton’s books, Paradise Restored and Productive Christians in the Age of Guilt Manipulators. I have sampled bits and pieces of Days of Vengeance and The Great Tribulation, but have never read them in total. I am aware that he had adopted the view of Full-Preterism, and I am also aware that Gary DeMar has likewise been accused of this. I listened closely to the controversy swirling around him recently. I have heard him personally say that he is not. I have heard others that were his friends saying he was, if not dangerously toeing the line (e.g., Gentry), but I’m not convinced that those who are debating amidst each other are hearing what they are saying. Very similar, but not exactly the same, as the Christian Nationalism debate. Terminology is a funny thing. We associate certain words or phrases with certain meanings and are adamant that what we are hearing is what we believe about the given subject. Not always the case though.
I am not a full preterist either, however, I am not quick in throwing the term heretic around because someone is a bit quirky on a given subject. In other words, I had friends who were Arminians who when they learned that I was going Reformed quit speaking to me. Like I had cooties. I have also had Dispensationalists sit under my teaching/preaching ministry who have endured it for a time, but preferred their Rapture theology to the point that they left. And then, I have had those who were formerly Arminian that are now Reformed, as well as those who were former Pre-Mil Disp. but are now Post-Mil. I still consider any who profess Christ brothers and sisters regardless if they have come to see eye-to-eye on every doctrinal issue. And, I don’t hold any fault against those personally who deny my optimistic eschatological outlook. I realize that I was a work in progress, and that the Holy Spirit does what He wills in changing hearts on certain biblical issues. I wish that all would be malleable to His Word, but I don’t question why He allows some to be a bit stiff-necked on their traditions keeping certain blinders in place.
And yes, I did read your article you noted above (today in fact). Well-stated.
God Bless!
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Thanks for sharing. It’s always interesting to hear about someone’s walk with God, how they got to where they are, or how they came to the Lord. Yes, I agree that those of different doctrinal beliefs are still our brothers and sisters in Christ and we all should be cognizant of that and not shun one another. I had not read any of Gary DeMar’s material, but recently, with the controversy about his supposed full preterism, I am trying to see where the issue is, and as yet I have not. Personally, I wasn’t pleased with the public trashing of him.
Recently, in trying to develop a “platform” to contract with a literary agent for the manuscript of my latest book I’m trying to have traditionally published, I joined various FB groups regarding Arminianism/Calvinism, preterism, etc., and I have to say it is breathtaking the venom being spewed by our brethren against each other. Sad indeed. I understand these disputes go back centuries but one would think by now we’ve progressed beyond the pettiness. That’s why the “Church” has lost its saltiness in this world and we’re seeing the worst of people seemingly winning the day.
Admittedly I have not thought through the subject of Christian Nationalism but what I’d say about it now is if Christians took more seriously Jesus’ charge to go and make disciples of the nations, Christian influence would be more widespread throughout our society and government, short of building a theocracy. Peace, brother.
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