Why should we study Eschatology?

What profit can a Christian get in studying about the last days? Let us look into this question. First of all, since the study of eschatology is part of studying Scripture, all the benefits of studying the Word of God also apply here.

2 Peter 1:19-21: “And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, ²⁰ knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. ²¹ For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

We know how much we will value light in times of darkness. Likewise, the earth we lives is a dark and murky place. It is a dirty place. Those who are aware of this fact will keep the prophecies as precious as light. The prophecies are written when men spoke from God. Therefore reading, understanding , believing , obeying and preaching prophecies is part of the will of God. It pleases him.

2 Timothy 3: 16, 17: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,  that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Context of this passage: Paul forewarns Timothy that perilous times will come in the last days   (2 Timothy 3:1). Some men are teaching that there is no resurrection and overthrows the faith of others (2:18). Men are indulging in immorality (3:1-7). They are ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (3:7-8). Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived (3:13)

What is Paul instructing Timothy? “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” Scripture is sufficient to show the right way to Christians. In order to overcome all the false teachings that creeps into the church in these last days, we need the help of all Sciptures. A time will come (Paul forewarned) when “they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” Therefore, as God-fearing children we should search, understand and preach (4:2) all Scriptures for it is the will of God.

Matthew 5:17, 18: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.  For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”

Jesus states that all prophecies will be fulfilled. The very reason he came into this world was to fulfill all prophecies. In a world of uncertainties, the word of God is an anchor and we can believe it fully. Therefore we should not neglect it.

Luke 24:25-27: “And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!  Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”  And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.”

Our Lord desires that we should believe all that the prophets have spoken. If we are to believe, first we have to read and rightly understand it. When we are trying to understand prophecies, we are trying to understand our Lord more. Let us remember how pleasing it is for God.

Luke 24:44-47: “Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” ⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, ⁴⁶ and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, ⁴⁷ and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”

Here Lord is speaking about the scope of prophecies. The prophets prophesied about the suffering and death of Christ. They also had prophesied about the world-wide proclamation of the Gospel in this New Testament church age. The promise of our complete salvation (salvation of our body) is mentioned in prophecies.

Therefore, to know God’s plan of salvation and its extent, we have to understand prophecies. Let God help us to know his plan of salvation and, in doing so, reform ourselves to his glory.