How does your Eschatology influence your life?

November 24th 2024

1st Thess. 4:13 - 5:22

Today’s message is going to be a little bit different than the past Sermon’s in this Series, in that we need to eventually take everything that we have been learning, and put it into practice in our day to day life. We touched on this a little bit last week, saying that it was the midpoint of the Three-Month-Long Sermon…where we learned a bunch of information, filled in a lot of blanks, and took home a bunch of packets. We went through a 2 Month long download of data, and we need to do something with it.

This is normal. This is something that every Christian should be doing anyways. We read the long written down words, wrestle with them, what they mean, why they were written…and then we act. I have been intentional in the information I have been downloading into your hearts and minds, in that I have given you a lot of every point of view. I hope that it was challenging enough to spur you forward in your understanding of Eschatology. What I mean, is that I hope I have pointed out enough verses and chapters in Scripture to make you think. Maybe the past 5hrs of Eschatology have caused you to settle nice and easy into what you already believe, or maybe you have been pushed into considering other views of the End of the World that are within the Bible. Either way, we still need to do something with what we have learned.

Now, before moving forward into today’s Sermon, we need to understand that there is a danger in both directions when it comes to the principle of learning what Scripture has to say about something. The first danger would be that we fall into error by continuing to take in Scripture…and then do nothing with it. Where all we do, week after week of our Christian lives, is feed, feed, feed, and none of it manifests into actions, behaviors, and how we live our life. This is what James is talking about, in James 1:22-25, when he says:

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”

We need to do something with what we read. Act and behave a certain way, live a certain way. Sometimes, that “doing” is hard to see, hard to act on, maybe even confusing at times. But nevertheless, we are to be doers of these long written down words. Lacing up our boots, opening our mouths, picking up the instruments of work that God has foreordained for us to take up…and actually put the truth to action.

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The second danger that we can fall into, is the exact opposite. Where all we are, is doers of the Word, and never hearers. Where, yes, we will read an appetizer of Scripture here and there…and yes, of course we will actually read our Bibles, but for the most part…we rely on our own thinking, our own presuppositions, we lean on the way we have always arranged our thoughts, assuming it to be reliable…and then we go out into the World thinking that we are representing Christ…when in reality we are only representing ourselves, with a nice little Jesus garnish sprinkled on top. This is what Paul was talking about in Romans 12:1&2 when he said that renewing our mind will result in our transformation. And because we are humans, we will always seek out something to renew our minds, to feed our souls…and if it isn't the un-able to be wrong Bible…the word that people use is “infallible”...if we aren't submitting ourselves to the infallible word of God…then our minds will be renewed, but the transformation that happens will be away from God. We will be changed more and more into the image of a person…and not into the image of Christ. Be it the image of our favorite Pastor, favorite author, or ourselves. And those that never partake of, or only rarely partake of the overflowing bounty of Scripture, will not only do damage to the public perception of Christianity…they will do damage to themselves. Thinking they are wise…they become fools.

We need to daily, every day…day after day after day

be spending purposeful, intentional time in Scripture.

Letting God’s words mold and transform our hearts and minds,

and then we need to put those words into action in our life.

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And for today’s purpose, the words that we are putting into action in our life, are those regarding the end of the World.

We've spent roughly 5.2hrs so far learning, and reading, and discussing and researching what God has to say about the end of the World. We've talked about the different understandings of it; when the Millennial Kingdom is going to happen; how where we settle is Adiaphora (neither commanded nor forbidden in Scripture); how to interact with people who disagree with us; about 7 headed beasts; 4 headed leopards; about the Roman Empire destroying Jerusalem; about antichrists, abominations, Governments, Kings, false religions, what the mark of the beast is or might be, and a bunch of other things…and now…we need to be doers of the Word and not just hearers.

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Which brings us to our main text this Morning. There was a mentality in the Thessalonian Church, that Christ had already returned and they missed it, which Paul mentions in 2nd Thessalonians 2:1&2:

“Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.”

And that mentality led them into various sins. It led them into laziness, to the point that Paul said in 2nd Thess. 3:10 that if someone refuses to work, then they shouldn't eat. In their mindset, if the Parousia already happened (the return of Christ), then what's the point of punching a clock? And he encourages them to honor those among them who still do work. They were flirting with sexual immorality, which is why he spoke against it in 1st Thess. 4:3 After All…if we missed the return of Jesus Christ, then why not give in to our temptations? Just after that, in verses 4-5 he tells them to not be defrauding or taking advantage of each other.

A quick time-out here.

Isn't it something that Christians 2000 yrs ago struggled with the same sins that we struggle with? When you're feeling like all hope is lost…what sins are more present in your heart and mind? And conversely…when everything is going good in your life…what temptations bubble up? It wouldn't be a large leap to say that both directions are just as present now, as they were then.

Ok, Time-In.

Paul confronts this wrong teaching, in this case that they missed the Parousia, not only by telling them what not to do…but by telling them what they should be doing. He says this in 1st. Thess. 5:12-22:

“And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.”

Do you see that brothers and sisters, God is telling us through the pen of the Apostle…that regardless of our understanding of the End-Times, (even if it's a wrong one!), we should still be living like Christians. Like the Salt and Light that Christ says we are in Matthew 5:13-16.

How should we be living in accordance with our Eschatology:

Regardless of your understanding of how the World is going to end…it has nothing to do with how often you should be praying…because you should always be praying without ceasing. We can know that this isn't simply in-light of Eschatology, but applies to all of our life, because the same instruction can be found throughout Scripture.

We also see that regardless of when Jesus is going to return, we should be “rejoicing always”, which echoes the rest of Scripture.

Praying, rejoicing, abstaining from evil, honoring other Christians, working hard, giving thanks in all things, holding fast to what is good…these are the inspired instructions to Christians in regards to how their eschatology should manifest itself in their life.

(There aren’t any special “eschatology only” instructions!)

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So, what do we do, based on what we have learned the past 5hrs of Eschatology Sermons? When we read that there is a government that either already has…or is going to…persecute the Church, and they may or may not be successful…what do we do? We pray without ceasing…because that is what we are supposed to be doing anyways.

When the Millennium may have already started or not…or may be only spiritual or not…what do we do? We stay away from evil…because that is what we are supposed to do anyways.

If the Mark of the Beast was the number of Nero, or if it's going to be a physical implant in the future…has nothing to do with the fact that we are supposed to be rejoicing and giving thanks in everything that we do.

Now, a warning.

There is a truth that extends through every Christian Doctrine, that Jesus spoke of in regards to our salvation, in Matthew 7:13 & 14, when He said: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” The road into eternity is narrow, because there are perilous cliffs on either side. On one side of the narrow road to eternity, we have the cliff of liberality, that teaches us we can think whatever we want, believe whatever we want, and act however we want, and because God is love (which is true!)…He will open the pearly gates with a smile. The other side of this narrow road, is a cliff that is equal but opposite to the other. It is the teaching that opposes the other side, that agrees with Scripture by saying our thoughts, beliefs and actions do matter…but teaches that they matter because those are the metrics that God uses to determine if He swings the Gate open.

One cliff says nothing we do matters in terms of our salvation,

the other says what we do determines our salvation…

and both of them are wrong.

They are wrong, because Ephesians 2:8-9 says that: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, [9] not of works, lest anyone should boast.

How we live our life does matter…

not because it earns us salvation,

but rather, it is evidence that we are saved.

This “narrow road” principle, as I said a moment ago, extends into every single Doctrine (or teaching) of the faith. Regardless of our own eschatological stance, no matter how we understand the end of the World to look, and what role Christians are going to be playing in it…if any…we still have numerous commands of Scripture of how we are to be living out our day to day life.

The cliff of Liberality teaches: “Nothing we do matters!”

To pull away from the World

Be uninvolved in economics, the arts, or politics.

To hoard supplies and goods in our bunkers in case the Government turns against us.

To sequester ourselves away from the culture because it's all going downhill anyways.

If we think that not being involved in the World is the Christian response to evil,

then we dove headfirst over this cliff.

The cliff of legalism teaches: “Everything depends on us!”

Just elect the “right” leaders, then everything will be ok.

Make better Christian movies and art to make the World a better place.

Write Godly economic policies, and Godly laws, and then the Millennium will start.

If we think that the end of the World hinges upon any election, law, or cultural mindset,

then we dove headfirst over this cliff.

Now…it must be said that these are extreme examples of the cliffs…but that doesn't mean the cliffs aren't there. Is it wise to store up food and goods in case the Government starts flirting with tyranny? After the stolen election and premeditated pandemic, we can all shout a hearty “Yes!” Is it wise to elect leaders that will abolish same-sex mirage, we can all shout a hearty “Yes!” Will God judge a Nation that constitutionalizes the murder of the unborn? Yes. However…we need to understand that our Nation is not the entire World.

The World does not hinge on the actions or inactions of any one Country, regardless of how powerful or influential that Country may be. The verse we mentioned last week needs to be repeated; Isaiah 40:15: Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, and are counted as the small dust on the scales…”

It may be the end of America,

but that doesn't mean it's the end of the World.

Now…another Time-Out.

When learning about Eschatology, politics is always going to be involved regardless of where you land. No matter if you are a premillennial dispensationalist, or a theonomic postmillennialist…politics, presidents, nations, and governments are going to be involved…because Scripture teaches that they are involved. We just discussed last week that the 7 headed Beast of Revelation 13 is symbolic of a Government institution, and if our belief that this Beast was Rome in 70ad or a Government yet to come, doesn't take away from the fact that Tyrants exist. Christianity is inherently political, because God created governments and has something to say about them.

GK Chesteron once said: “Only by believing in God can we criticize the Government. For if there is no authority above them, then the Government becomes God.” Meaning, that if the highest power of the Land refuses to acknowledge that they received that power, that station, from God…then they will lift themselves up to be a god.

No matter what our eschatology is…there will always be tyrants.

And in the infinite grace, love and patience of God, He has let His children, us Christians, live amongst every tribe, tongue, and Nation…not only as the salt and light of the World; His ambassadors carrying the message of the Gospel to every corner of the globe; and we are the only ones capable of standing against tyranny. We are the means by which the “common grace” of God manifests in the political aspect of everyone’s lives, believer and non-believer alike. As Matt Trewhella said, and I've quoted from this very pulpit before: “Americans have three boxes to prevent tyranny. The Ballot Box, The Jury Box, and The Ammunition Box.”

Eschatology is always going to be wrapped up in politics, no matter where you stand, and we need to do something with that truth. Which we will be talking about on December 15th, when we talk about (gasp!) Christian Nationalism.

Ok - Time-In.

What we believe about the end of the World needs to be manifested in our life, while keeping the upward bearing on the narrow road into eternity. Avoid the “nothing we do matters” - cliff. And avoid the “everything depends on us - cliff.

So…what do we do? The answer is simple, which is probably why it is overlooked. If you believe that everything is going to continually get worse and worse…what are you going to do about it? Or, if you believe that everything is going to get better and better…what are you going to do about it?

Are you working hard? Are you evangelizing your loved ones, your neighbors, the clerk at Walmart? Are you spending daily time in Scripture? Are you attending Church every single week? Are you worshiping with a loud voice and full chest, knowing full well that you could have never saved yourself? Are you praying without ceasing? Are you rejoicing in every circumstance?

Or have you thrown in the towel?

Are you living out all of Scripture, or just a cliff-notes version of one Doctrine? Are you caring for widows in their hour of need? Are you feeding the hungry? Clothing the naked? Are you opposing evil at the highest governmental level that you can raise your voice to? Are you seeking more and more opportunities to let your voice be heard by the people in your “sphere of influence”? Are you seeking to enlarge your “sphere of influence”? Are you honoring your parents? Are you spending more time in your Bible than you are watching the news or doom scrolling social media? Are you working hard to provide for your family? Are you valuing others better than yourselves? Are you forgiving those who have offended you? Are you making enemies for the sake of the Gospel, and then loving them?

Our eschatology influences how we live in a negative way…yes. It can push us into liberality or legalism. It can cause us to ignore our neighbors or dominate our neighbors. It can turn us into flaccid, weak, fearful wimps…and it can turn us into bloated, arrogant, hardheaded bulldozers.

The positive ways in which our Eschatology influences us is hard to see,

because it’s how we should always be living.

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Are you a Premillennial who thinks the events of Revelation are still in our future? Are you a Postmillennial who thinks the book of Revelation is a description of Rome destroying Jerusalem? Are you an Amillennial who thinks Revelation is all symbolic of all of time?

Regardless of where you stand in your personal

understanding of Eschatology

how we should live never changes:

“recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, [13] and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. [14] …warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. [15] See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. [16] Rejoice always, [17] pray without ceasing, [18] in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. [19] Do not quench the Spirit. [20] Do not despise prophecies. [21] Test all things; hold fast what is good. [22] Abstain from every form of evil.