Epilogue
It seemed necessary to have a final remark. After going through all of the material in eschatology, we are now faced with a new problem: the ever-pressing question of “now what?” First, I would like to make the statement that it is from the eternal perspective of the New Heaven and New Earth – the Jerusalem that is above – that we determine the answer to that question. Because we have come to the end of our foundational study of the end times, you now know the ultimate purpose for resurrection. What does it mean to live out of the resurrection here and now? We, who have the first fruit of the Spirit, are in a sense raised with Christ through our baptism, and yet are looking forward to an ultimate resurrection, what do we do?
Much of the necessary lifestyle has been communicated in this writing. Let me give a couple thoughts. If we believe that we will need to endure a time of trouble, known as the Tribulation, then we need to live lives that reflect that understanding. For example, my wife and I live in poverty on purpose. Our income doesn’t even register on the scale. There is coming a time where we will need to live with less luxury, and I would rather be caught up with the eternal purposes now than to come to a place where I am suddenly unable to enjoy everyday conveniences like Internet, restaurants, television, heating and air conditioning, etc. We have food to put on the table, the ability to cook that food, shelter, water, clothes, and the necessary electronics for study and communication. Outside of that, we simply don’t have much.
If we believe that there will come a time to take in fleeing refugees – whether Jew, Christian, or otherwise – then we need to open our doors now to that possibility. Why wait until the Tribulation to take someone in? Will we truly have the courage, character, and/or ability at that time if we aren’t currently living in a manner that opens wide the door to those who are refugees? Of course, I am not saying that we open our door to anyone and everyone. They who are in need of coming out from the world and unto Christ should be our target audience. That takes discernment. My wife and I have hopes of taking in kids that live in the inner cities on the streets. We want to open our doors to those who might be in Juvenile Detention, but qualify for some sort of camp or halfway house. Our doors are always open to they that are brothers or sisters. We’ve even taken in travelers who needed a place to stay while driving across the country.
Finally, I want to give a little bit of insight to the resurrection life lived out here and now. It is written that if you have two coats and your brother has none, you give them one of your coats.{dcxxxviii} That is the logic of love. We need to live in a manner that we see one another daily, and not merely weekly. For some this is more difficult than for others. If your job keeps you from this, find another job. If you live outside of the city and can’t make it to seeing others more frequently, then either move or invite others to live in the country with you. This is the logic of love. When someone is in need, and you know that you have ability to meet that need, donate to them whatever it is that they need. If it is healing, then pray for their healing. If it is finances, then give without expecting return. If it is mercy, then give out of the abundant mercy that you’ve received. If it is understanding, then give counsel. As you have freely received, so you shall freely give. This is the logic of love.
In Romans 9-11, Paul gives the overall view of what this book has desired to put forth. You have from Romans 1-3 the establishment of two opposing views: the righteousness of this world and the righteousness of God. From Romans 4-5, Paul expounds the righteousness of God through faith. In Romans 6-8, we read of the resurrection that brings righteousness and freedom from sin, ultimately looking forward to the resurrection of our bodies to bring full salvation and deliverance of corruption. It is Romans 9-11 that Paul sets forth the end times and how Israel shall be saved – especially in Romans 11. It is on the heels of that understanding that Paul then tells us to “lay down our lives” as “living sacrifices”. From Romans 12-15, Paul gives one teaching after another of how this is supposed to play out in daily life.
These writings in the New Testament are not supposed to be “new”, but rather to bring clarity to those that are unlearned in the Old Testament. The authors – every single one of them – seem to delight in putting hidden references to the Old Testament for they that do know the Scriptures. It is in understanding the New Covenant that tells us what it means to live our lives according to the New Covenant. The logic simply demands it. So, when we read Peter’s epistles, we need to know that he is giving advice according to the revelation of the Old Testament, and not simply “new revelation” that has come. It was hidden, but has now been revealed, but that does not mean that it was nonexistent and has now been brought forth. Our New Testaments are full of teachings of what it means to endure the end times, and if we do not read them as such, then we will continue to go about asking what it is that we must do in order to survive the Tribulation. It has all been recorded for us.
So I pray for every reader that they will be able to come to the Scriptures afresh, and might be able to see past the basic teachings that pervade our Christianity. I pray that you might be able to discover more deeply the depth of God’s purposes. There is much that I desire to say, but simply have left out. All of our theology needs to weave together, and I pray that you begin to see how it all ties together. May God grant you love, and to that love be added peace, and to that peace be added understanding, and to that understanding be added character, and to that character be added hope. In God the Father, through the blood of our blessed Savior Christ Jesus I bless you all. May your eyes be forever opened to the heights, width, depths, and breadth of all that God has revealed, amen.