The End
March 2
A favorite topic of conversation for many believers is the End Times. Theologians call this subject: Eschatology. The Bible says quite a bit about it in Daniel, Revelation, and Matthew 24. But comparatively, it’s a very small part of Scripture.
Many theologians and preachers make a big deal of eschatology, trying to determine the order of things. False teachers even go so far as setting dates for Christ’s return. However, Jesus could not have been more clear when He said, “Therefore be alert, since you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. But know this: If the homeowner had known what time the thief was coming, he would have stayed alert and not let his house be broken into. This is why you are also to be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matthew 24:42–44, CSB)
It’s crucial for all believers to understand that, down through the ages to the present day, brilliant and godly theologians and preachers have held very diverse views on eschatology. Why? Because the Bible is not as clear on the matter as many of us would like it to be. Unfortunately, in some people’s minds, to disagree with their particular eschatological view is heresy—a belief contrary to essential Christian faith.
One of the primary ways that strife and division rear their ugly heads in Christian circles is when believers confuse secondary and tertiary theological beliefs with primary ones. And, eschatology is not a primary issue. At best, it is a secondary issue—a place where there is plenty of room for believers to agree and disagree.
Will Jesus return before, after, or in the middle of the tribulation? Or did the tribulation occur around the year A.D. 70? Are we already in the millennial reign of Jesus? Where does the United States figure into eschatology? A multitude of questions quickly arise in discussions like this. And, while we can learn many things here, there are some things that we need to be okay with not knowing. After all, Jesus Himself said that He doesn’t even know the day or the hour. Only the Father knows! (Matthew 24:36)
So, if Jesus can be okay with not knowing something here, we should be able to pull it off without disputes, quarrels, and slandering Christian brothers and sisters. What’s truly important to remember here, especially as our world seems to spin more and more out of control is that God is sovereign—He still rules over His universe. Nothing takes Him by surprise. Nobody tells Him what to do. God knows when He will send Jesus, and when everything else will happen.
Yes, we need to be aware of things happening in the culture, so that we take right ground with God’s Word as the salt of the earth and light of the world. (Matthew 5:13-16) We also need to stay aware, so that we can pray with fervency and effectiveness. (James 5:16) Jesus told us, “Learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things, recognize that he is near—at the door.” (Matthew 24:32–33, CSB)
The bottom line, though, is that God gives us signs and seasons—not so much that we can try to figure out what’s next on His eschatological calendar, but that we remain ready like the five wise virgins in Matthew 25. We’ll talk about that and a few other things tomorrow!
Application
Recently, I saw a post on Facebook that read, “In the days of Noah, the people didn’t perish because they thought they had more time before the flood; they perished because they didn’t believe in the flood at all.”[1]
Our responsibility is to always be ready and tell family and friends that Jesus will return. No, we don’t know when. It could be today. It could be next week. It could be two thousand years from now. But, again, that’s the point: we don’t know. That’s why we must be ready!
In the past, as our church family read through the Bible, I always reminded everyone that, as we read eschatological passages, keep your eyes on the BIG PICTURE. Don’t get bogged down trying to figure out what symbolizes what, what comes next, etc. As we read, we need to be more interested in what a particular passage says about God, His ways, His Kingdom, and His people. That focuses us on the now—where we’re thinking about how to reach our community with the Gospel—not some indeterminable future time.
The urgent lesson of eschatology is to always be ready for Jesus’ return, and take as many people as we can with us into that glorious eternity.
[1] https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=899383082799272&set=a.143425705061684 accessed 2/28/26.
© Copyright 2026 Craig Beaman