Beyond Eschatology

Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 

 And this we will^[a] do if God permits.

Hebrews 6:1-3 

Many of those who have latched onto the principle of past fulfillment have gone so far as to say that the Scriptures no longer are applicable. Since they have been fulfilled & were written for a specific purpose to those in the first century A.D. & prior, the theory is that they hold no relevance for us today. Some may actually be called 'antinomians', for they believe that Jesus did away with the whole Law ( not just the 613 Mosaic Codes ) at the Cross!

The whole of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, is concerned not so much with scientific facts, but with the Eschaton! The words 'Let there be Light' ( Genesis 1:3 ) are significant of this! The fact that Moses does not record the generation of the sun & moon until three days later hint very strongly that what is usually called the Creation Account is not so much about the formation of creation, but about something of a more spiritual nature, the creation, or revelation of Covenant, in the form of the Very Son of God, Jesus who was the Christ!

The Importance of Eschatology centers around this very basic fact! The Fact that the Revelation of the Son of God was & is the foundation of our Heavenly Father's Purpose makes eschatology one of the most important doctrines in Scripture, especially soteriologically speaking! Jesus told His first-century audience, 'salvation is of the Jews' ( John 4:22 ). If Scripture is not fulfilled, then neither is salvation: if salvation was fulfilled in Jesus, the Messiah of Israel ( Jews ), then so was Scripture!

One might ask the question, at this juncture, 'are not people still being saved today?', or, 'isn't there still a need for people to get 'saved?' Well, yes, there are still those who need to come to Christ, in other words, to realize that they are living in rebellion to their Creator, to repent of that rebellion & turn & pursue a blessed relationship with Him & His People! Salvation, though it was of and for the Jews ( Israel ), is being fulfilled today, though maybe not in quite the same sense, eschatologically speaking!

Fulfilled Eschatology reached its End in the Revelation of Jesus the Christ as the Son of God! Though Eschatology is thus fulfilled, the End is ( still ) Near! When the Creator brought
Eve to Adam ( as recorded in Genesis 1 & 2 ), He instituted the Marriage of Heaven & Earth, the Creator with His Creation. The Marriage, which extends beyond what we know as eschatology, continues for infinity; the Wedding, including its Feast ( Marriage Supper of the Lamb-Matthew 22:1-14, Revelation 19:9 & 17 ) has already occurred, as per Scripture, but in the greatest sense, is being fulfilled ( filled up ) in &; through His People! As the borders of His Kingdom expand & increase, as more & more every day realize the Salvation that was brought to the Creation, that Salvation is continually fulfilled!

The accusation might well be made, then, that those who believe all Scripture is fulfilled have lost sight of any relevance or application for our day & age! This is not true; we do not deny the Truth of passages such as II Timothy 3:16 & we acknowledge that though Eschatology came to its End, or Goal, the Scriptures are indeed relevant to our status today & are applicable to every area of Life! Understanding, though, that the Messiah of Israel was the Fulfillment of all Prophecy ( Luke 21:22 ) is of utmost importance, for so we have problems such as sabbatarianism, Creation Science, & such.

Simply because we would move Beyond Eschatology & its prerequisite 'repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment', this is not to say that the Scriptures ( even these doctrines ) are no longer relevant or applicable! As the writer to the Hebrews urged his readers to do though, we have moved beyond mere doctrine to the actuality of Truth in Living! No longer do we dwell on eschatology, for Eschatology is Fulfilled in the Son of God; in the greatest sense ( John 14:12 ) it is fulfilled in us, those who are the Body of Christ & Sons of God in our own right!

Charles Haddon Shank