Eschatology is a popular branch of study within Christian theology dealing with the “last things.” Eschatology, from two Greek words meaning “last” (ἔσχατος) and “study” (-λογία), is the study of ‘end things’ (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_eschatology).
Here are some Biblical exhortations, warnings, and precautions about studying and interpreting eschatology. These are like the warnings about lack of preparation for almost every activity. There are warnings about dangerous side-effects of all kinds of medicines. There are warnings against misuse of every power tool. When people ignore these warnings, they can be injured or killed. Likewise, the study of eschatology needs warnings and precautions against lack of preparation, dangerous side-effects, and misuse.
Do ask God for understanding
Always start every Bible study with sincere godly prayer: adoration, confession, thankfulness, and supplication. Consider the Lord’s prayer (Luke 11). Remember Solomon’s answer to God’s question:
- Solomon’s prayer for wisdom (2 Chronicles 1:7-13; 1 Kings 3:6-9)
- 3 requirements for effectual fervent prayer: ask, seek, and knock
- 10 Ways Prayers are Hindered (#5 is Shocking)
- 10 mistakes most people make when praying
Don’t require God to answer
After the disciples had walked with Jesus for 3 years of public ministry and countless hours of private ministry, after they had witnessed enumerable miracles, after they had experienced the crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, after Jesus had spent an additional 40 days with them teaching them about eschatology, they had to be the best-taught Bible scholars ever in the history of the universe. Consider Peter’s metamorphosis from humiliating terrified denier (Matthew 26:74) to amazing fearless public speaker (Acts 2). These men knew more about eschatology than anyone ever. Yet, even to these hand-chosen spirit-filled apostles, Jesus said:
When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:6-8)
Do seek to know the will of God
Even Jesus submitted to the will of his father. How much more we should submit to the will of our heavenly father.
Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:6-10)
Don’t test God for a sign
God has made it very clear that he has given us everything we need to live a godly life. There is nothing wrong with eschatology, it has its place, but Jesus made it very clear that it was last priority.
And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation. And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side. (Mark 8:11-13; Matthew 16:1-4; Luke 12:54-56)
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Peter 1:3-4)
Do study the scriptures
God has seen fit to provide us a written record of his word. It has been called the Handbook for Life and Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth. God has blessed it for our learning. Just don’t get stuck on eschatology to the exclusion of things that pertain to life and godliness.
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:14-17)
Don’t get ensnared by the sin of pride
I enjoy studying the prophecies about the end time as much as most Christians, but I try to be careful to remember that my ways are not God’s ways and my understanding is not God’s understanding (Isaiah 55:9). Things that help me live a loving, holy, godly life are worthwhile. Things like eschatology that tickle my fancy and puff up my pride are not worthwhile.
Knowledge [alone] makes [people self-righteously] arrogant, but love [that unselfishly seeks the best for others] builds up and encourages others to grow [in wisdom]. (1 Corinthians 8:1 AMP)
Be of the same mind one toward another. Don’t set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Don’t be wise in your own conceits. (Romans 12:16 WEB)
- What motivates you: arrogant pride or humble submission?
- What about self-righteousness? (the damnable sin of justifying yourself)
Do allow God to enlighten your eschatology
When we humbly seek God’s will, and do the things, we know we should do, God has promised to teach us more things. If you want to learn more things, then do the things you already know you should do.
At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way. (Luke 10:21 NLT)
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (1 Corinthians 2:10-13)
So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for the anger of man doesn’t produce the righteousness of God. Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves. (James 1:19-22)
Don’t cause divisions with your eschatology
We are not saved by our perfect understanding of Biblical doctrines, but rather by trusting in the perfect finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. I know so-called Christian groups that will refuse to fellowship with you unless you agree with their understanding of eschatology. That was never God’s intent. He will bring all things to light in his own time.
Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (1 Corinthians 4:1-5)
- Gnosticism and the altar of special knowledge in the church today
- Mankind has divided and conquered! God is not impressed.
- Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
- What is the One True Church? (many ekklēsía one sṓma)
Do allow the Bible to interpret prophecy
Here is an Old Testament prophecy and it’s fulfillment by the mouth of Jesus. Follow the link to Isaiah 61 for the full prophecy. Jesus stopped right in the middle. If God says something is fulfilled, we have to believe him. The first half of that prophecy was fulfilled right there. The rest of that prophecy still has not been fulfilled over 2000 years later.
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, (Luke 4:16-17)
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, (Luke 4:18; Isaiah 61:1-11)
To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. (Luke 4:19-21)
Don’t expect perfect understanding of eschatology
A very common verse that is often used to justify spelunking into the deepest caves of twisty little passages of eschatology is actually warning against doing that very thing.
The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:29)
This does not say God is going to reveal secret things unto us. This says God has already given us everything we need to do all the words of this law.
- The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart
- What does the LORD require of you?
- Christlike doctrine promotes Christlike behavior
Do remember God is sovereign
The prophecies of the end times are purposefully vague so that we won’t spend too much time worrying about them, but sufficiently clear that those who experience the events will understand what is happening.
As he came near to where I stood, I was terrified and fell facedown. “Son of man,” he said to me, “understand that the vision concerns the time of the end.” (Daniel 8:17)
and said, “Behold, I will make known to you what will happen in the latter time of wrath, because it concerns the appointed time of the end. (Daniel 8:19)
The vision of the evenings and the mornings that has been spoken is true. Now you must seal up the vision, for it concerns the distant future.” (Daniel 8:26)
Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy… (Daniel 9:24-27)
Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision concerns those days.” (Daniel 10:14)
But you, Daniel, shut up these words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will roam to and fro, and knowledge will increase.” (Daniel 12:4)
“Go on your way, Daniel,” he replied, “for the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. (Daniel 12:9)
And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (Habakkuk 2:2–3)
And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. (Romans 13:11–12)
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and obey what is written in it, because the time is near. (Revelation 1:3)
saying, “Write in a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.” (Revelation 1:11)
When the seven thunders had spoken, I was about to put it in writing. But I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down.” (Revelation 10:4)
“Behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of prophecy in this book.” (Revelation 22:7)
But he said to me, “Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!” Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of prophecy in this book, because the time is near. (Revelation 22:9–10)
I testify to everyone who hears the words of prophecy in this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. (Revelation 22:18)
Don’t overload the eschatology
The following eschatology chart is over 100 years old. I believe it shows a good general understanding of the end time prophecy revealed to Daniel. There is a gap in the prophecy just like the gap that Jesus inserted in the prophecy given to Isaiah. This doesn’t do any damage to the passage. It resolves a lot of difficulties. It helps us live a godly life in the present day. It helps us be ready for the future. In my opinion, other interpretations of the 70th week are too complicated, convoluted, and contrived.
