Eschatology, Part 1: This Age and The Age to Come

Over the next 2 or 3 months, I plan to write a series of succinct blog entries on eschatology.  My goal with each entry is to briefly explain an aspect of the doctrine of eschatology and then to help you think about how this matters in our lives today.  Now, I realize some of you know exactly what the term eschatology means, while others of you may be scratching your heads a bit at this unfamiliar word, so let me explain:  Eschatology is the study of the end times or the last days.  Eschatos is a Greek word from which we derive the word eschaton, which refers to “the end” or “the last,” and –ology simply refers to “the study of” or “the knowledge of.”  Therefore, eschatology is the term we use to refer to the study of the end times or the last days.

But what exactly is meant by the end times or the last days?  In Scripture we are presented with two ages: the present age and the eternal age (i.e. Ephesians 1:21 - “… in this age, but also in the one to come”).  The age we live in now is referred to as “this age” and the age that will one day supersede this age is referred to as “the age to come.”  So, when we talk about eschatology we are not actually referring to an ultimate end of life altogether; we are referring to the end of this present age.  Eschatology is the end of this age and the ushering in of the age to come. 

What is the difference between these two ages?  The Bible refers to this age as the “present evil age” (Galatians 1:4), which is passing away (1 Corinthians 7:31), while the age to come will be eternal (Mark 10:30, Matthew 25:46).  In this age there is death, pain, and suffering; in the age to come there will be no more death (Luke 20:34-37) and no more pain or suffering (Revelation 21:4). Additionally, this age is unrighteous and evil, but in the age to come all these former things will pass away, and all things will be made new (Revelation 21:1-5).  

Thankfully, when this age expires, there will come a new day that will be ushered in by Jesus Christ.  He will return to judge the world in righteousness, and then He will bring in the age to come. This will be an age not like our own, but one of beauty, perfection, and righteousness.  And this will not happen till He comes. 

So, how can we apply this to our lives right now? Well, let’s use our present political situation as an example. We cannot expect a presidential candidate to usher in the age to come (beauty, perfection, righteousness, and endless joy), because Jesus alone is the One who will usher in the eternal age. He is the Messiah, not a president or world leader.  Be careful of your expectations, because there is no such thing as heaven on earth in this present age.
         Our hope is not in this age; our hope is in the One who will usher in the age to come.  But this does not mean we stop living or enjoying the gift of life God has given us in this age; this does mean, however, that we should stop expecting a presidential nominee to usher in the age of goodness and righteousness. While we have the privilege, and even the duty, to vote in local, regional, state, and national elections, our only true hope is in God, and not in man.  Our faith must rest in Jesus the Messiah, the Eternal God of the Ages.

~Corey