Can Eschatology Really Be Practical?

Practical Eschatology. Have you ever put those two words together? On the one hand, you may be wondering what “eschatology” even means. Even if you know, you’ve likely never thought about it being overly practical for your life. Eschatology is a fancy theological word that refers to the study of… the end times, the last things, the destiny of the world, and life after death. The word pairs together the Greek eschatos, “last,” with logos, “word/study.” How could such ethereal speculations ever be of any use to our lives today?

In his Mere Christianity radio talks, C.S. Lewis said, “If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next…precisely because their minds were occupied with heaven.”

How can we occupy our minds with heaven in such a way that truly does good for our neighbors, our churches, the world, and our own lives? 

1 Thessalonians 4 and 5 in the Bible can help us. These two chapters have “practical eschatology” written all over them. Paul answers two very down-to-earth, human questions that show how a deep understanding of the life to come inspires hope, frees us from fear, and increases our love for others.

1) How do we hope amidst grief and loss? (4:13-18)

Paul’s friends in Thessalonica were grieving the death of their loved ones. He speaks directly into their sorrow, “But we do not want you to be uniformed brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope” (4:13).

Here we see a passion for careful, theological teaching for a direct, practical purpose. Teaching about the life to come provides hope for today in a way that shapes even our deepest griefs. The Bible is not a systematic theology textbook. It is practical theology, lived theology. Paul knows this. So he doesn’t want them to be “uninformed.” But the information he supplies is not for test scores. It’s for their comfort in the midst of loss.

Timely biblical information is for the sake of consolation. His purpose is clear. He cares deeply. So he dives into the very content of the gospel. “For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep” (4:14). Faith unites us to Jesus. And union with Jesus means that we too will be raised. The vision is comprehensive, and the details are attractive (4:14-17). The ultimate implication is that “we will always be with the Lord” (4:17).

And building on the purpose for and content of eschatological reflection is the command to love your neighbor with these words of life. “Therefore encourage one another with these words” (4:18). Biblical hope gets useful when it means I don’t keep it to myself in my studio apartment ivory tower. I take it to my neighbor. There’s no clear “do-it-this-way” approach written into the text. There are a thousand ways I can take this simple message of hope to Dave down the hall, or Grandma on the phone, or my wife when we’re out for coffee. Lewis gets Paul right. When our hearts are set on the glory to come, we overflow with compassion for the world around us. May we not horde the hope we have but happily distribute it as the Lord gives us opportunity.

How do we hope amidst grief and loss? We take to heart this comprehensive vision of the life to come which inspires a hope that may not replace but certainly informs our grief.

2) How do we not fear judgment? (5:1-11)

The second question Paul addresses concerns the fear of judgment. Paul claims that while the world around us speaks of “peace and security,” the Lord will come like a thief in the night. The image includes judgment that sinners will not escape.

So what hope does the follower of Jesus have? We are freed from the fear of judgment because of our present identity in Christ, the fruitful lifestyle that accords with that identity, and a future hope that is again grounded on the gospel.

Identity in Christ

“But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness” (5:5).

Paul tells you who you are. Our present identity in Christ assures us that the coming day of the Lord will be no surprise. Walking in the light provides a peace that surpasses fear of death and judgment. As we walk in the light, our fear of the unknown gives way to a confident faith in what is known – namely, that we belong to Jesus. We are children of God.

An Active Life of Love

Who we are gives way to what we do. Identities are not merely meant to be acknowledged, but lived. “So then, let us not sleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober-minded…having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation” (5:6-8).

If we are children of light by grace, let us walk as children of light. If we have such a hope as sons and daughters of the king, let us reflect his image to the world by staying awake. There’s no room for a casual laziness and passivity in Christ’s kingdom. He takes what once was self-enclosed and teaches us how to live the life of love that flows from the heart of faith and hope.

Our Future Hope

And ultimately, courage flows from the direct promise of God. “For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (5:9). Could there be sweeter words?

Union with Jesus through faith assures us that we will inherit the very same glory that he inherited by rising from the dead. This hope is purchased for us through his cross, for he is the one “who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him” (5:10).

The final plea repeats the command we saw in 4:18. “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing” (5:11). Truth written on the heart bubbles over into a love for your neighbor.

Why not pick one person this week, just one, and encourage them with the hope they can have in Jesus Christ. Eschatology isn’t mere speculation about which angels will play which harps on which clouds. No. Eschatology hits the questions that leak from our hearts day and night, and that seek answers often in all the wrong places. How we grieve, what we fear; these are realities addressed by the grand story of Scripture.

No matter the grief of loss that crashes over you like a wave; no matter the fear that makes you feel like you’re curled up in a cage; the throne of grace is open for you.

If we dive beneath the surface emotions and ask why we grieve, why we fear, we often find either a sense of hopelessness or a sense of judgment. But Jesus died to purchase a hope and a freedom beyond our wildest dreams. He is the answer to our deepest dilemmas.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom” (Colossians 3:16).