Chapter 10 | How Does the Story End? Eschatology: The Doctrine of Last Things

Key Verses: Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away. Revelation 21:3-4

For Further Study*

Book:

Surprised by Hope, by N.T. Wright
Blessed: Experiencing the Promise of the Book of Revelation, by Nancy Guthrie Heaven, by Randy Alcorn

Article:

“Heavenly Mindedness” by Randy Alcorn, Ligonier Ministries

Podcast:

“Blessed: Conversations on the Book of Revelation with Nancy Guthrie,”Crossway

Video:
Endure Suffering with Patience until Jesus Returns - Nancy Guthrie

“Heaven & Earth,” The Bible Project

Kids’ Content:

“What does Christ’s Resurrection Mean for Us?” The New City Catechism The Gospel Coalition

The Biggest Story Bible Storybook, by Kevin DeYoung
Goodbye to Goodbyes, by Lauren Chandler

Summary:
Brief Definition: Our future hope is that Christ will return, raise the dead, execute perfect justice, and establish His kingdom without end. Death does not have the final word.

The Bible has the most satisfying ending because we are living in a story that certainly has one, and we feel the dissonance of our place in the plot line.

Purpose, direction, and ultimate meaning are ours in Christ.

The doctrine of eschatology declares the good news that death does not have the final word. The ending to this story is a good one.

Eschatology is primarily meant to encourage the church in the essentials of our future hope, issues like death, the return of Christ, the resurrection from the dead, final judgment, and kingdom without end.

At death, believers are immediately ushered into the presence of God, temporarily existing as disembodied souls awaiting the resurrection of the dead.

The inevitable nature of death helps us to contemplate our lives, our relationships, and our purpose.

The doctrine of end-times comforts us because it points us to a King coming back to make everything right. Jesus will return visibly, bodily, and suddenly to bring the fullness of salvation to all who are waiting for Him. We are called to watch and wait.

The doctrine of end-times comforts us because it tells us our stories end not in death, but in resurrection.

The hope of the gospel is not simply that we escape the earth and go to heaven when we die. The message of the gospel is not salvation as escape, but salvation as restoration. God is not

going to destroy all things. God is going to restore and resurrect all things. Eschatology is not about destruction, but restoration.

If the grand conclusion of our story is Christ returning to dwell with His people forever, what should the posture of His people be today?

Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven

The best stories have the best endings. And the Christian story has the best ending of them all. Because the ending of the Bible is that Christ’s kingdom never ends. We look forward to the return of Christ eagerly, not just because we love the kingdom, but because we love the King.

Discussion/Reflection Questions

1.Before reading this chapter, how would you summarize your thoughts on eschatology in one sentence? After reading this chapter, how would you summarize your thoughts in one sentence?

2.We have asserted that the study of eschatology is intended to comfort the believer. Which of the issues discussed (bodily death, the return of Christ, the resurrection from the dead, final judgment, or kingdom without end) gives you the most comfort? Why? Which is hardest for you to see as comforting? Why?

3.How should understanding the earth as being remade versus destroyed impact the way we think about our stewardship of it?

4.How prone are you to an escapist view of Christ’s return? How does an escapist mentally sabotage our ability to persevere in trial and work hard as unto the Lord in the here and now?

5.What is one insight you most want to remember about the end of the Christian story?

*Disclaimer: Our ultimate authority and resource will always be the Bible, and any other resource should be used as a supplement. While we believe the authors represented here have done excellent work to provide insight and clarity in these topics, we may not endorse every statement, or position they hold (past, present, future)