Creedal Eschatology
Here at Eschatology Matters, we love to study the scriptures and consider all things related to the last things. That includes some pretty delicate and difficult topics. Perhaps the gateway and most popularly known topic within eschatology (and maybe the most contentious) relates to the return of Christ. There are three primary, orthodox, biblical interpretive frameworks to understand the return of Christ (pre-mil, a-mil, and post mil).
When we have discussions (and even honest, cordial disagreements) on these topics, it is essential that we remember our primary relationship to each other. We who share faith in the resurrected Lord Jesus are a family. Our relationships are defined as brothers and sisters in Christ.
This family (the body of Christ, His church) is one whom Christ loves so much he gave himself up on the cross for us (Ephesians 5:25)! We are fellow citizens of God’s household with one another (Ephesians 2:19)! So when we discuss and debate these interpretations, let us do so in such a way that rather than becoming quarrelsome as the world does (it takes no indwelling of the holy spirit to be contentious) we disagree in love (1 Corinthians 13:4-7), debate with humility (Philippians 2:1-4), and discuss the millennium with the intent to build up (Colossians 4:6).
Today, let me encourage you (regardless of discussions and debates on the millennium). The things which unify us far outweigh the things which differentiate us. Even on such topics as the millennium and the return of Christ!
While we may all have differing understandings and convictions regarding the proper outlook on the millennium and the setting of Christ’s return, there is unity, harmony, and agreement that Christ is going to return. His return is something that is not controversial among Christians. This is one of the distinctive unifying beliefs of Christians, and it has been since the first century.
In the Apostle’s Creed (One of the oldest and most widely used summaries of Christian essential beliefs) there are 12 statements or stanzas. The 7th statement is “inde venturus est iudicare vivos et mortuos.” – “who will come again to judge the living and the dead.” This statement is made in regard to Jesus. That it is Jesus “who will come again”.
His coming is not in dispute among faithful Bible believing Christians.
In the controversy over the details, we ought not lose out on the hope of every believer! That just as Christ was raised to life, all who have faith in Christ shall be raised to eternal life with Him. Evil does not win. Christ is the conqueror. The wicked do not prosper forever. The suffering of God’s people does have an end. Corruption has an expiration date. Goodness has no end. Delight in God is the everlasting destiny of every single one of Christ’s people.
Christ’s return is something all Christians can rejoice in, delighting together that we have become heirs of an everlasting joy untouchable by sin or death.