::Earth-Shattering Distinctives::

:: Thursday, May 12, 2005 ::

The Therapy of Optimistic Eschatology

I tend to be a glass half- empty type of person. I tend to be cynical and critical, seeing more problems than solutions. Thankfully, the Lord has given me an optimistic husband! He showers sunshine on my dark clouds of pessimism while I give him a little shade (sometimes with too much breeze!) to put his sunshine in perspective.

God is in control of the world, working in time, space and history to fix a fallen world. Our belief in the sovereignty of God and His promise of a New Creation cannot be swayed by newspapers, crime reports, urban sprawl, illness, Church declension, our children's discipline problems, our struggles with the sin remaining in our members, the sinful habits of our husbands, our credit reports, heresies, etc. These things are not our standard. God's Law-Word is the standard for all things! And we are victorious in Him who has loved us.

Being a postmillennialist does not necessarily prevent one from being a pessimistic person. Only the sanctifying grace of God can raise our countenance and give us a true, positive outlook, no matter what our beliefs are about last things. I know, because I adhere to that eschatological construct and I can sink into a black hole faster than anyone else I know. And I've been sharpened and strengthened by my amillennial brothers and sisters who, having been strengthened by the Lord, are also optimistic about God's loving sovereignty in all the confusing, frightening details. I am so thankful for these optimistic amillennialists, because I never knew it was possible to be such! I was lovingly corrected by one pastor to whom I expressed that I loved his postmil preaching. He said, "I'm actually amillennial... I just believe this world is going to turn out right because God is in charge!"

And even though I'm a postmillennialist, I'd rather spend my time with amillennialists who are excited about what God's doing in the world (despite what the world looks like) and who are encouraging the Church to press on in her calling, than spend time with postmillennialists who are cynical, dour, angry and pessimistic in their day to day outlook, all the while exegeting postmillennialism from the Bible and criticizing the doctrine of amillennialism. I see my own sin in these dear saints, and it drives me mad. I don't want to be that way! It does me no good to theologically hold to postmillennialism if I am a joyless, pessimistic woman regarding my day to day life. What a perversion of a beautiful eschatology, that has strengthened Christians in the most brutal circumstances throughout the ages. It is like James says, looking in the mirror, walking away, and forgetting what I look like.

I remember when I first became reformed, and I was listening to John Gerstner on a tape. And he said that he sincerely doubted the salvation of a Christian who was fundamentally unhappy. That was really a wakeup call for me, because our culture thrives on the unhappiness of women, and I've been so grumpy so many times, missing too many opportunities to strengthen others. Instead, they were turned off by my witchy attitude.

God hates grumbling more than anything. He hates our haugtiness and self-righteousness. He hates it when we attempt to kill the joy of other saints, and he hates it when we look in the mirror, examine a bright face that God is making more radiant, then walk away and complain about anything, anyone and everything.

Optimistic eschatology is not only a correct doctrine, it is a necessary salve that we must apply daily to our battle wounds! Read about His victory in His Law-Word. Sing psalms and memorize them, so that if you're ever stranded in a broken down car, you can sing them with friends and family until help comes. If you're ever tempted to sin, you can escape, and overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of His Testimony!

This is my Father's world!
O let me ne'er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father's world:
the battle is not done;
Jesus who died shall be satisfied
and earth and heav'n be one!

:: Mal du siecle 7:42 AM |