After receiving a crash course in eschatology, the four eschatological views, the three millennial views, and the arguments for the strongest views, a big question arises: Now what?

In truth, eschatology receives a bad rap for being too speculative and, as a result, impractical. Pastors, teachers, and scholars all provide their take on the end times, but none of them have the end times figured out. Of course, the frustrating part about the end times is that it built off of thoughts about what the future could look like. Because we lack the ability to see into the future, we cannot be certain about what will actually take place. And it is because of this inability that we often get things wrong. Think about the weather. Before the weather-tracking technology we have now, the forecasts on a news channel would be an educated guess. More often than not, these forecasts were wrong. Hence, the joke would be that a Monday of "high-80s" turns out to be a Monday of low-40s. True, there are indicators that provide us with a general outlook into what the future holds, but this can fail just as easily as any human prognostication. Things change on a dime, and most of the time, without our say. If we cannot even predict what will happen in the next second, how can we predict the next several thousand years?

However, eschatology is more than just speculation or prediction. Rather, eschatology is about understanding the Bible's main message -- hope. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is a book full of hope. The Bible tells the story of two kingdoms, the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan. God created this world (cf. Genesis 1:1), but Satan hijacked it (cf. Genesis 3). He tricked Adam and Eve, who as a result allowed sin to enter humanity. Sin is disobedience to God and can only be solved through death. For thousands of years, the world was very dark. Israel, the kingdom that God had designated to be an example for the nations to follow, had failed as they compromised their own morals with other nations. Demonic deception and influence was heavy during this time. For a while, it seemed as there was no hope. It would have seemed that Satan won.

But in the midst of the darkness and silence, something began to stir. No, Someone -- His Name is Jesus. Old Testament narratives and prophecies hint at His coming. The Gospel narratives portray His passion for humanity. Revelation presents a multi-dimensional look at who He is and His return. Jesus, who walked this earth for 33 years, came into humanity's shoes. His goal was to bring hope once again. Jesus, out of love for humanity, desired to set humanity free from sin once and for all. Jesus gave Himself as the sacrifice for sin and interceded for humanity through His painful death on the Cross. Jesus was subsequently buried in a tomb and left there for three days. Though it would have seemed as if He lost, Jesus actually won a huge victory. No longer could Satan have any power to remind people of their sin. No longer could Satan rule the nations with ignorance. As Isaiah prophesized: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. The light has shined on those who lived in the land of the shadow of death" (Isaiah 9:2, WEB). But our King did not stay dead in the tomb. Jesus rose from the dead three days later, providing humanity once again with hope. Jesus appeared to many others and then, after 40 days, ascended into Heaven. Jesus established the Church through His faithful followers and the help of the Holy Spirit. The Church serves as the mean by which people can come to know Jesus and have hope in Him. One day, Jesus will return to finish the job, destroying Satan and even death itself. Hope is the Bible's main message, and it is what Jesus brings to us if we choose to follow Him.

Eschatology is not some stagnant belief or abstract concept; rather, it is our understanding of hope. Though we may not know all the details, we can have hope that Christ will return once more. But, in the meantime, we can live out this hope as Christians and as servants of the King. In this post, I will be providing the four main action steps from our discussion of the end times. Creatively, these will listed out in the acrostic HOPE.

1. Honor the King

The first action step from this end-times discussion is to honor the King. Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords (cf. Revelation 19:16), and He is to feared. Consider this passage from Revelation:

"I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has names written and a name written which no one knows but he himself. He is clothed in a garment sprinkled with blood. His name is called 'The Word of God.' The armies which are in heaven followed him on white horses, clothed in white, pure, fine linen. Out of his mouth proceeds a sharp, double-edged sword, that with it he should strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He treads the wine press of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty. He has on his garment and on his thigh a name written, 'KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS'" (Revelation 19:11-16, WEB).

Jesus is the King, and we are not to forget it. Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Because of His authority, we are to listen to Jesus and submit ourselves to Him. According to Jesus, the greatest command in Scripture is to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37, WEB). Therefore, Jesus is to be honored with everything we have.

2. Obey the King

The second action step from this end-times discussion is to obey the King. As Christians, we live in a Kingdom that is governed by the King, Jesus. And, as in all kingdoms and nations, there are laws that we must abide by. This, of course, means to follow what Jesus says. The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is an example of such laws, as it provides very practical steps to living in the Kingdom. Matthew 5:3-12, for instance, shows the attitudes a follower of Jesus ought to have. In 5:21-48, Jesus provides for us His standards of right and wrong. And in Matthew 6:5-13, Jesus provides us with an example of how to address our King. So, as His subjects, we are required to obey the King and live how He lived.

3. Persevere for the King

The third action step from this end-times discussion is to persevere for the King. Life as a Christian will not be easy. It was not easy for Peter, and it certainly will not be easy for any of us. As Christians, we will face persecution. As Christians, we will face times of trouble. As Christians, we will have opposition. As Christians, we may even face death. But, despite all these things, we are overcomers and victors in Christ Jesus, if we persevere. It is as Paul writes to the Corinthians: "Don’t you know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run like that, that you may win. Every man who strives in the games exercises self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible" (1 Corinthians 9:24-25, WEB). Likewise, Paul also writes to the Galatians: "Let’s not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don’t give up" (Galatians 6:9, WEB). We must run the race and not be weary. We must be overcomers and persevere for the King. The good news is that we do not have to do this on our own strength. Jesus, who will lift us up on wings like eagles (cf. Isaiah 40:31) in Christ. Through our faith in Jesus, we can overcome whatever trials and tribulations await us. Jesus says to His disciples: "I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33, WEB). The battle certainly belongs to Jesus, but we are His soldiers who are fighting in this war for the soul. To persevere for the King requires us to endure hard seasons, to lift our prayers to Jesus, to walk a truly narrow path even when it seems impossible. But, this is not without reward. As Jesus said to the church of Philadelphia, "he who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will go out from there no more. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and my own new name" (Revelation 3:12, WEB).

4. Evangelize About the King

The final action step from this end-times discussion is to evangelize about the King. The Greek word for evangelize is euangelizō (εὐαγγελίζω), and it means to bring good news. The Good News (or, the Gospel) is the news about God's Kingdom. Specifically, the Gospel is that Jesus is the King, He has triumphed over Satan, and He will return to restore this planet.

So often, it is taught that since the world is getting worse, Christians must simply hunker down and wait for the rapture. After all, it's not not my job to tell others how to live. After all, it is what it is. Why bother changing what you can't fix? It's all going to get worse from here, so let's grab our golden ticket to heaven and wait for the rapture!

And is that what the early church did? Did Peter, James, John, and the apostles really stay in their holy huddles until Jesus came back? Of course not. The early church spread the Gospel, and all the apostles were martyred for their faith. But, even in the midst of intense persecution, the Gospel spread and people came to Jesus. First-century Christians were bold in sharing their faith, often facing the jaws of lions, forced gladiatorial combat, or public ridicule as a result. Even today, there are thousands of Christian martyrs who give their lives for Christ. This then begs the question for us in the West: if they were willing to evangelize even in the face of death, why don't we?

This is not to say that every Christian is destined to martyrdom. Thankfully, those of us in the West live in a place where we can still carry a Bible and speak freely about Christ. But, just like with anyone you love, you must be ready to die for Jesus. And, just like with anyone you love, you must also give your all. Sharing the Gospel means proclaiming Jesus is King, and we must be able to speak with confidence about this. We do not know when Jesus will return, but we do know one thing: He will return. Tell your family, friends, and neighbors! Tell your co-worker! Tell your spouse, even! Tell the rich and the homeless! Jesus is risen and He is the King! I will admit, this is not an easy task. But, as Christ's ambassadors on this planet, we have the job of spreading the Word and telling others that Jesus is King!

• "Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age'" (Matthew 28:18-20, WEB).

• "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth" (Acts 1:8, WEB).

• "We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:20, WEB).

• "I saw an angel flying in mid heaven, having an eternal Good News to proclaim to those who dwell on the earth, and to every nation, tribe, language, and people. He said with a loud voice, 'Fear the Lord, and give him glory; for the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and the springs of waters!'" (Revelation 14:6-7, WEB).

Conclusion

Eschatology can be tricky, but if done right, it can be truly transformative. Christian eschatology, at least, has its hope founded in Jesus. The things of this world will pass away. Fads will come and go. Governments, problems, and evils will appear and disappear. But the one thing that remains is the hope that is in Jesus. He is reigning as King, and He will return for His Bride, the Church. If, then, we have the hope of Jesus, how should we live? Should we live as hermits under a bridge, or as victors in Christ? Should we allow ourselves to sit around for the end, or be the hands and feet that proclaim Good News (cf. Isaiah 52:7)? Regardless of where you stand on eschatology or the millennium view you have, one thing is certain: Jesus is King, and we have hope in Him. And, as His servants, soldiers, and friends, we have the responsibility to tell others about Jesus.

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all the saints. Amen" (Revelation 22:21, WEB).

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O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,

Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,

Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,

And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.

When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur

And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;

Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;

That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,

And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.

Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,

And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

- "How Great Thou Art" by Carl Boberg (1885)