The Purpose of the Eschaton; the Divine Essence

Not having written on this subject for some time, I thought maybe we should give it another look! A question was recently presented to me & I'm sure this is not the first or only person this question has occurred to, but, if the doctrine of the trinity is based on what might be called an eschatological phenomenon, or in other words, if the construct of Father, Son & Holy Spirit was erected merely for the purpose of the finalization of the Marriage of Heaven & Earth, then what other doctrines, that of salvation by grace through faith, for instance, that we find in Scripture no longer apply?

What would an idea like this do to the doctrine of the trinity, as well as to certain other doctrines that the Body of Christ has held to vociferously over the ages, namely that of salvation by grace through faith? Another doctrine, related very closely to this is the doctrine of election! Yes, the doctrine of election applies, in some sense, to the People of God of all ages, but it applied primarily to that remnant of which the prophets spoke, those chosen few from the numbers of physical, national Israel! It was those of Israel that looked for the Messiah of Israel &; did not trust to their own righteousness through the Law to whom the election actually & primarily applied!

In the sense that we, as Christians, are members of that same Body of Christ, we could still come under that umbrella of 'the elect', though obviously not as they were. Those chosen by God out of national physical Israel to be His Bride, were separated from those who trusted to their own righteousness ( through the Law ) to save them, in order that He might have a pure ( Virgin ) Bride, one that was not stained with idolatry!

Salvation, the salvation that Jesus brought to His People, was by grace through faith! 'For God so loved the world, that He sent His only Son ( Grace ) that whoever believes in Him ( faith ) should not perish, but should have everlasting life'; that's abundantly clear! Though, in some sense, this salvation is still available to those who believe in the 21st century, can it rightly be called salvation? Although salvation exists for unbelievers today as well, the modern-day tradition of walking the aisle & saying the sinner's prayer ain't it! Salvation, in today's day & age, looks more like it did back then, with a changed life, a freedom from the righteousness which is by the Law!

That there is Communion within the Godhead,  simply 'divinity', is without doubt! We have explored this together previously & noted that, beginning with the Divine statement, 'Let Us make man in Our image', this image is perpetuated throughout Scripture. As to a trinity, or the traditional notion of the three-one, it is becoming more & more difficult for this author to see that in Scripture, particularly in this present age, which is 'the age to come' of which Jesus spoke. The reason for this, as I've outlined briefly above, is that it has become clear to me that, though there was a separation within the Divine Essence, if you will, and though there is a definite Community within the Unity, there is no more separation, as the purpose for the separation has been fulfilled!

Besides this, there is the Promise of the Son, as recorded in John 14:23, 'If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him'. That was the Purpose of the Eschaton, that the Divine Essence might indwell the Body of Christ in fulfillment of the Marriage of Heaven & Earth!

The Marriage, like the human institution, is in continuity, it was built to last! As with the Marriage, so with its benefits; salvation, or the bringing of His Children into the fold, so to speak, is still by Grace through Faith. Although the Marriage of Heaven & Earth, Scripturally speaking, was consummated in the first century, it is still be fulfilled ( filled up ) by those who are continually entering in!

The Eschaton of which we read in Scripture is fulfilled & completed, the Marriage has only ( relatively speaking ) begun!

Charles Haddon Shank