Themes of the End Times (Inaugurated Eschatology and the Threefold Office of Christ [Part One: Christ the Prophet])

A. Introduction: What is Inaugurated Eschatology?

The prophesied eschaton was inaugurated by Christ’s first coming.

  • The whole complex of eschatological accomplishments, including redemption, eternal destruction of the world, eternal blessedness of God’s people, etc., is prophesied to occur “on that day,” or “in the latter [last] days”. [e.g. Isa. 2:1-5; 4:2-6; 24:21; 25:6-9; 28:1; 29:18; Joel 2:28-3:2, 18-21]

  • The last days were inaugurated at the first coming of Christ. [e.g. Acts 2:17; Heb. 1:2]

The future eschaton is only the necessary and organically related consequence of Christ’s fully accomplished work. [e.g. 1 Cor. 15:20-24; Rom. 8:19-23, 29]

Hence, we live in two ages: the already perfectly fulfilled and the not yet finally consummated; we are already possessors of every promise, but not yet in full use/enjoyment of our sure inheritance; we walk on this still-corrupt earth, but our lives and citizenship are actually in the perfect heavens. [e.g. Eph. 1:3; Col. 3:1-4; Phil. 3:20]

Although we do not fully experience the age of final consummation, it sometimes breaks into this age of fulfillment and expectation, particularly during corporate worship. [e.g. Heb. 6:4-5; 12:22-24]

B. Old Testament Prophetic Ministry

The prophetic ministry existed to bring the perfect words, will, and ultimately personal knowledge of God to his people. [e.g. Ex. 4:12; 20:1-23; 34:5-9]

The greatest Old Testament prophet was Moses. [Deut. 34:10-12]

C. Expectation of a Messianic Prophet

The eschatological/messianic Prophet would be like Moses, but greater. [Deut. 18:15-19]

He would reveal God’s will more perfectly. [e.g. Isa. 2:3]

He would enable his people to hear, understand, and obey. [Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:25-27]

D. Christ’s Perfect Fulfillment of the Prophetic Office

Christ has already perfectly fulfilled his ministry of fully revealing God [e.g. John 1:14, 17-18; Heb. 1:1-4]

Christ has already sent his perfect Spirit as a guarantee of the final consummation, to enable his people to receive his revelation of God [e.g. John 14:25-26; 16:12-15; 1 John 2:20; Eph. 1:13-14]

E. Eschatological Outworkings of Christ’s Perfectly Fulfilled Prophetic Ministry

Christ has already perfectly revealed God and already given the eschatological gift of the Holy Spirit; all that remains for our perfect enjoyment of his prophetic accomplishment is the Spirit’s ongoing ministry, strengthening our hearts to see and understand Christ’s revelation of God. Hence, we have already been given the perfect knowledge of God, but we have not yet been made perfect, so as to enjoy this gift perfectly.

The Spirit will work out the eschatological implications of Christ’s perfect accomplishment progressively, enabling us to see Christ, and hence the glory of the triune God, ever more clearly. [e.g. Eph. 1:15-19; 3:16-19]

As we see Christ more clearly, we will be made more like him [2 Cor. 3:7-18].

In the consummation, we will see him perfectly [1 Cor. 13:12], and thus be made perfectly like him [1 John 3:2]. Therefore, Christ’s perfect, twofold prophetic fulfillment will be consummated: revealing the knowledge of God perfectly and enabling us perfectly to understand and embrace that perfect knowledge.

F. Discussion Questions

1.How does an understanding of Christ’s perfect prophetic work (already) and its necessary implications for our future (not yet) affect my pursuit of sanctification? [remember 1 Cor. 3]

2.How does an understanding of Christ’s perfect prophetic work (already) and its necessary implications for our future (not yet) affect my prayer life? [remember Eph. 1:15-19; 3:16-19]

3.How does an understanding of Christ’s perfect prophetic work (already) and its necessary implications for our future (not yet) affect my understanding of the nature of heaven? How does this understanding encourage and motivate me in my present Christian life?

4.It’s Monday morning, and I’ve already forgotten the refreshing time of corporate worship yesterday. A dozen stressful occurrences have robbed me of my joy, I feel close to losing control, and my heavenly heritage is the last thing I want to think about right now. How can the already/not yet prophetic ministry of Christ help me practically in this situation as I struggle to live a life worthy of the gospel?

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