Why Study Eschatology? (Esch 103)

As an answer to the eschatological-agnostic, here are a couple of specific reasons why we should study eschatology.

1) All Scripture is Profitable
Paul gives us the first reason for us to eschatology.

“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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

All Scripture is profitable. As Paul says, it is all important so that we may be complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

When God breathed his Scriptures, he did not waste any breath. All of the Bible is important. If God told us something, then we should seek to understand it.

We do not have the authority of picking and choosing which parts of the Bible we would like to emphasize or ignore. All of Scripture is profitable. This means that the Olivet Discourse is profitable. The book of Revelation is profitable. These are all essential for making us complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Now, most of eschatology does fall into the category of a non-essential. By this we mean that holding to a correct eschatological view will not save you.

However, in no way does this mean that eschatology is unimportant. “Essentials” and “non-essentials” are man-made categories to describe the gospel.

While eschatology does not save us, eschatology does affect our sanctification. The more we understand God’s word, the more we have an opportunity for sanctification and glorifying God.

2) Revelation Promises a Blessing
Seven times in the book of revelation, blessing is promised. This is not surprising since the number seven plays a large roll in Revelation.

Two of these promises of blessing are at the beginning and at the end of Revelation.

“Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near” (Revelation 1:3).

“Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book” (Revelation 22:7).

Revelation begins and ends with Jesus promising a blessing to those who hear and obey his book. I often hear people say that Revelation is too confusing and that we should not even try to understand it. This goes precisely against what Jesus says. Blessing awaits!