Eschatology: The Consummation of the Eschaton

Eschatology is the doctrine of last things (Bird, 2013; Grudem, 2004). It derives from two Greek words, eschaton, meaning “last” or “final” and logos, meaning “discourse” (Grudem, 2004; “Lecture 5,” 2016, para. 1). When one undertakes the study of eschatology, often many get derailed on the specific timeline, structure, millennium, or traditional beliefs that a particular Church may have (Grudem, 2004). Rather than focusing on what divides the body, the studying of a present reality and a future consummation is preferable. Theologian Michael Bird (2013) says, “The end matters not merely because it is the future, but in Christian theology, we have a future that already shapes the present” (p. 241). This eschatology is both now and coming, both present and not yet fully realized. The Bible communicates this eschatology in the form of the Kingdom of God (Berkhof, 1938; Bird, 2013; Grudem, 2004). Moving forward, one will be exposed to the nature of the Kingdom of God as being present but not fully realized and how this final consummation affects Christian’s present kingdom-work today.

The Kingdom of God in the Old Testament

When one thinks about this Kingdom of God, one usually gravitates towards the New Testament only, but this doctrine is rooted in Old Testament theology. One may forget about the theocratic kingdom that God implemented within His chosen people out of Egypt or even before the fall in the garden of Eden (Exodus; Genesis 1-3). The themes of God ruling over all, God as King, God being on the throne, and how His throne is an everlasting throne are communicated all throughout the Old Testament (1 Kings 22:19; 2 Kings 19:15; Barry et al., 2016; Ezek. 1:26-28; Hodge, 1997; Judg. 8:23; Ps. 22:8; 45:6; 93:1; 96:10; 103:19). Bird (2013) rightly says,

The kingdom is not something that appears just at the end of time; rather, the whole sweep of redemptive history is driven by the conception of God as both king and yet becoming king. God shows his kingly power by redeeming his creation from the evil that has infected it, and he redeems it specifically through the work of King Jesus. (p. 235)

The Kingdom of God in the New Testament

In the New Testament, John the Baptist proclaims for all to make way because the Kingdom of God is at hand (Matt. 3:2). This Kingdom is inaugurated at the birth of Christ, but yet continues in the baptism, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ (Bird, 2013). Bird (2013) states that “The kingdom of God is not a single place; rather, it is divine dominion over the entire world” (p. 239). Bird (2013) goes on to say that the Kingdom of God is a fulfillment of Old Testament promises and a future consummation that inaugurates the coming age. This Kingdom is made present as Jesus reigns over His Church spiritually, as He reigns over the universe, but also it points forward to a day when Christ will come again and restore the Edenic state by creating a new heaven and a new Earth (Berkhof, 1938).

Even though this Kingdom has been and will continue to be a present reality through Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit, Christians do look forward to a day when Christ will return a second time and bring this perfected Kingdom to Earth. Berkhof (1938) gives a good picture of this:

Essentially the future kingdom will consist, like that of the present, in the rule of God established and acknowledged in the hearts of men. But at the glorious coming of Jesus Christ this establishment and acknowledgment will be perfected, the hidden forces of the kingdom will stand revealed, and the spiritual rule of Christ will find its consummation in a visible and majestic reign. (p. 409)

Furthermore, Bird (2013) says, “The mystery of God as Trinity will no longer be a theological exercise, but an experiential one as God dwells among his people (p. 510). Just like Adam experienced in the Garden before the fall of humankind, there was a union, a fellowship, a perfected relationship with God and His people. Jesus points us to the day when He will bring us to the place prepared for us, where He will drink of the fruit of the vine with us again, and where believers patiently wait for their vindication (John 14:2-3; Luke 18:7; Mark 14:25). 

The Future Eschaton

This future eschaton will usher in a restoration of these former things which were lost into a final and perfect reality. A restoration of joy and peace will reign since the pain of hostility and persecution will no longer be present (Rev. 22:2-4). Believers will be tasked with worshiping and serving God for all eternity (Rev. 22:3). It will be a glorious place where the glorified humanity will be in the presence of God almighty yet finally free from the penalty, power, and the presence of sin (Grudem, 2004; Rev. 21:4). As C.S. Lewis (1952) rightly said, “When the author steps onto the stage, the play is over” (p. 39). This is the part of the Kingdom of God that is yet still to come.

End Times Application

One may still ask how does the Kingdom of God play out in the lives of believers today? There is a slogan around the Church that states: sometimes believers are so Earthly minded that they are no heavenly good or sometimes they are so heavenly minded that they are in no way any Earthly good. It is easy to focus too much on heaven to where we miss the commands, sacraments, and fellowship of the body but it is also possible to focus so much on the Kingdom of God that Christians sometimes forget where their future hope lies. There are examples of people that take living in the Kingdom a present-day reality to such an extreme that they will use verses like Matthew 22:30 to justify adultery. On the other side of the extreme, Christians can get so caught up on the actual date of Christ’s return to set up His Kingdom that they forget completely about what God has called for us in this present life.

Jesus wants the Church and individual believers to evangelize the lost while He is away (1 Cor. 7:29; 9:16; Mark 16:15; Matt. 24:14). He wants the Church to endure through persecution and trials until He returns (1 Peter 5:10; 2 Cor. 1:6-22; 2 Thess. 1:4-5) and encourage others about this future hope that all Christians have in Him (1 Thess 4:18; Heb. 10:24-25; Lightfoot, & Harmer, 1891). Furthermore, Christians are to wait patiently for the return of their King and live a life that is pleasing to Him, knowing that His return is imminent (Luke 12:37; Matt. 24:36; Titus 2:13; Rev. 22:20). Many people today criticize Christians for trying to be perfector Christians think they are so holy, but this is exactly the goal of believers. Even though we will never be perfected on this side of heaven, that is our goal; to become more like Jesus Christ every single day. A Christian will never be sinless, but every Christian should be sinning less (1 John 3:3; 2 Peter 3:11-14).

Conclusion

The Kingdom of God is one of the most beautiful doctrines in the whole grand metanarrativeof Scripture. Just as salvation, redemption, justification, and glorification are all past, present, and future events; so is that of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God has manifested itself in a present reality by Christ in the power of His Spirit through the Church. King Jesus is ruling the universe, He is ruling believers, and there will be a future time when Jesus will perpetually reign in the new heavens and the new Earth. In light of the Kingdom that Christians look forward to, Christ has called each one to be working, waiting, and persevering in the present. Bird (2013) paints a picture of this long-awaited day: 

The earth is transfigured and transformed into a heavenly plane of existence, and the dividing line between heaven and earth is obliterated. Heaven becomes earthly and earth becomes heavenly. Though heaven is life after death, the new creation is life after life after death. (p. 328)

References

Barry, J. D., Bomar, D., Brown, D. R., Klippenstein, R., Mangum, D., Sinclair Wolcott, C., … Widder, W. (Eds.). (2016). In The Lexham Bible dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

Berkhof, L. (1938). Systematic theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans publishing co.

Bird, M. F. (2013). Evangelical theology: A Biblical and systematic introduction. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: An introduction to Biblical doctrine. Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.

Hodge, C. (1997). Systematic theology. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Lecture 5. (2016). HTH-202: Christian Theology II. Phoenix, AZ: Grand Canyon University.

Lewis, C. (1952). Mere Christianity.Canada: Samizdat.

Lightfoot, J. B., & Harmer, J. R. (1891). The Apostolic Fathers. London: Macmillan and Co.