The Gospel Way Catechismنموونە

QUESTION 30:

What Does It Mean to Live in Light of the End?

ANSWER

We walk by faith, not in secular progress and technological advance, but in the promise of God to reclaim this world and make everything right. With hope, we await the return of the King we love.

In a world often consumed by the allure of secular progress and the relentless march of technological advance, the prevailing question becomes, “What’s next?” Many find themselves caught in the narrative of unending human achievement, constantly seeking the next big thing.

The world often adopts different “eschatologies”—stories of human progress toward the future—that people cling to for meaning and hope. There’s the Enlightenment eschatology of science and technology, the emancipatory eschatology of the sexual revolution, and consumer society’s eschatology of personal fulfillment through acquisition and personal branding.

While the world asks, “What’s next?” the church asks a different question: “What time is it?” Specifically, “What does obedience and faithfulness to Jesus look like in this particular time?” We aim to understand our times in light of God’s sovereign plan for the world. We are concerned with more than the immediate and material (Matthew 6:19-21). We know this world belongs to God, who will make everything right (Isaiah 65:17, Revelation 21:3-5). Instead of being driven by the illusion of unending progress, we live with faith and hope, countering other visions for the world by following Jesus in the here and now.

Living in light of the end means acknowledging that our lives are not just part of a linear story of human progress. We recognize the end is coming, and we order our days accordingly (2 Peter 3:11-13). This means we engage in spiritual formation and obedience that looks to the eventual end, looks around at the contemporary setting, and seeks to counter rival conceptions of time and progress.

Theologian Michael Bird puts it this way: “The resurrection of Jesus and the gift of the Spirit mean that God’s new world has begun, the future has partially invaded the present, the seeds of the new creation have already begun to bud in the old garden, and God’s victory on the cross is now reclaiming territory in a world enslaved by sin.” This reminds us that heaven isn’t an escape from earthly responsibilities but is the necessary horizon or framework for the church to engage in doing good on earth. We counter other visions of the good life by living as citizens of heaven here and now, leaning into the promised future (Titus 2:11-13).

Why do we live with hope? Because we know our King, and because we believe his promises. We wait for him because we love him. No matter how impatient our world seems in its quest for progress, or whether people become optimistic or pessimistic in terms of technology, we can stay centered because of our hope in the promises of God.

Our world needs the hope we have. We offer that hope as people committed to the mission God has given us, seeking every opportunity to bring their outlook on the world into an encounter with the ever-powerful and all-good story told in the Scriptures.

Reflection Questions

How can you align your priorities with the eternal perspective of God’s coming kingdom? Reflect on how your current values, goals, and actions can be realigned to reflect the eternal priorities of God’s kingdom, promoting a life that is both impactful now and in light of eternity.

What role does hope play in your ability to endure suffering and challenges? Explore how the Christian hope of Jesus’s return and the promise of a new heaven and new earth provide strength and resilience amid life’s difficulties, fostering a deeper understanding of how hope sustains you through trials.

We hope this plan was helpful to you. You can read more from Trevin Wax and Thomas West in their book, The Gospel Way Catechism, available here .