The Practical Value
of Eschatology
"Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in" 2 Pet. 3:11-18
It is frequently asserted that eschatology has no practical value in the sense that it brings force to bear upon the present life of men. Some insist that occupation with the felicities of the future produces a detachment from the realities of the present that culminates in no good effect. That this view is widely held is supported by the fact that few know much about the program of the future and there is little teaching and preaching of eschatology. But the Scriptures do not support this attitude.
Contrariwise, eschatology does reveal the people who belong to God. Concerning the book of Revelation it is asserted that "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein" (Rev. 1:3). The word "blessed" describes the nature of the people who read, hear, and keep the things belonging to eschatology. Such people demonstrate that they have an interest in and bring their lives into conformity with the pattern, program, and preciousness of the future. It is certainly of practical value to each saint to be able to assure his own heart-that he belongs to God and may therefore cherish the hope of experiencing the blessings of the future and escaping the blasts of judgment.
Moreover, eschatology does reveal the practical life for God’s people. (2 Pet. 3:11-18). In order to escape the dissolution of the present order and enjoy the dwelling in a new order, the saints are urged to live like foreigners who want to go home (2 Pet. 3:11-13). Since the eschatological crisis is imminent, the saints are reminded that the right kind of conduct is urgent, and ignorance and fallacious reasoning can lead to destruction (2 Pet. 3:14-16). Since the eschatological events are certain, the saints are warned about falling into the error of the wicked on the one hand, and of the need to respond with holiness on the other (2 Pet. 3:17-18).
It will be evident that there is no prediction of the eschatological future that does not have a corresponding practical application in the present, in fact, the central feature of eschatological teachings is the moral and spiritual effect upon the life and conduct of God's people in the present.
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