Victorious Eschatology
What is Victorious Eschatology? Great question. Victorious eschatology characterizes what the eschatological goal was all about. It was about gaining or achieving victory, never to be defeated again. It is about the complete dominion over the enemies of God so that a Christian can live with the blessed assurance and confidence of their walk in Christ today. They need not fear those enemies. Let’s consider them, but first let’s discuss defeated eschatology.
Victorious Eschatology
Defeated Eschatology
When I speak of the defeated eschatological paradigm, I speak of the views that regard the Sin, the Law, the Satan and the death as yet being operable in the life of a Christian. It is the view that the kingdom (rule and reign of God) over the Law, Sin and Death has not yet arrived. Therefore, one cannot live in victory. It is the view that man upon death and even while he lives is under the burden and consequence of sin, particularly the sin of Adam which was magnified and perpetuated through the covenant of Moses, (Rom. 5:14, 19-20).
The primary reason for defeatism endtime views is the application of physical concepts to spiritual realities. The spiritual is denied in order to accentuate the physical. Once we shift from the realm of the Spirit to that of the physical, we cannot but wind up with defeated eschatology. Who has escaped physical death? Not one! Therefore, no one has victory is their logic.
These are the paradigms of Amillenialism, Premillenial Dispensationalism, Historicism and even Partial Preterism. Time and space will not allow us to speak further but let us focus on victorious eschatology.
What Is Victorious Eschatology?
Victorious Christian Eschatology is the Biblical teaching of the end time that sets forth a real end time that ended in the past. It is not a long drawn out perpetuated endtime that never ends such as is advocated in the views above. All of them are yet hoping and waiting for an end time which they feel promises them “ultimate victory” therefore, they yet live in “ultimate defeat.” This is a sad state of affairs for a Christian eschatological view.
Sin Is Defeated in Victorious Eschatology
Paul wrote to the church at Rome saying, “For sin shall not have dominion (rule or reign) over you for you are not under the Law, but under grace. (Rom. 6:14) The sin, personified as a burdensome taskmaster does not reign over a Christian. Christ died to “put away sin” (Heb. 9:26). He completed that atonement at His imminent return, (Heb. 9:28; 10:37). It is only because men choose not to acknowledge that Jesus has come in victory, that they hold on to the sin dominated eschatological doctrines.
If the last enemy to be defeated is death, and if that death is physical, then any view of eschatology which awaits deliverance from physical death is under the dominion of death. Further it demonstrates that Christ’s death has to date been ineffective in accomplishing its goal. That alone is reason enough to abandon such a view.
The only reason death is undefeated is because sin is undefeated. And if sin is undefeated the cross is made of no effect! Thus, the gospel, according to this thinking could not do any more than Moses’ Law, i.e. perpetuate sin and death.
Paul said, The Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has made me free from sin and death. (Rom. 8:2) Certainly, there was an “already but not yet” perspective of this defeat of sin and death for it was not consummated until Christ returned in A.D. 70, per above. However, it was then nonetheless the goal, and is presently the reality of victorious eschatology. Why are men resistant to living in this “world of righteousness?”
Death Is Defeated In Victorious Eschatology
As we’ve indicated above, death was the last enemy to be destroyed. However, Jesus said that if a man keeps his saying, he would never see death. (John 8:51-52). Let’s examine that for a moment. Now, when would man never see death? If this is referring to a time after Jesus’ return, then would that not mean that the only time one can “keep the saying or words” of Christ is after he returns? Man certainly sees physical death now.
Does that not put the cart before the horse? In that I mean that one gets freedom from death, then they keep the saying of Christ. But why would one need to meet the condition or requirement of keeping that saying if in the futurist view, they received freedom from death at the alleged end of time? This would only mean (and to which I have no real objection) that man must yet remain faithful after he is delivered from death.
But that is not what Jesus said. He said, if a man keep my saying he shall never see death. The emphasis is on the future, as a result of meeting the condition of the present, namely, keeping (obeying) the word of Christ. Now, we ask, why are people yet dying physically if this is what Jesus meant? Why do people have life insurance, burial policies, paid up burial plans and grave plots if they believe Jesus’ words apply to physical death?
Death as the subject of victorious eschatology has never been about sustaining or resuscitating the physical body. Death is relational. It is separation from the Father, (Isa. 59:1-2). A man can be the healthiest physical specimen alive and yet be “dead as a doornail” spiritually speaking. As Paul said, “the woman who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives.” (1 Tim. 5:6).
Hades Is Defeated in Victorious Eschatology
Death extends not only to this physical world but to the nether world, i.e. to that of Hades. Jesus promised that the gates of Hades would not prevail against the church, (Matt. 16:18). Hades was man’s enemy because even in death, he was not free to enter the presence of God, (Acts 2:34). Thus, Hosea promised/prophesied that God would ransom man from the power of Hades. “O Hades I will be your plagues! O Grave, I will be your destruction! Pity is hidden from My eyes. (Hos. 13:14).
Please note the personal pronouns. God said “I” will be the destruction of Hades. That is He, particularly Christ is the “resurrection” (John 11:25). That means if we’re in Christ, Hades is defeated. Yet, futurism yet awaits deliverance from Hades. Thus, according to them, it continues to prevail over the church.
Paul quotes Hosea 13:14, in 1 Cor. 15:55-56 to speak about the victory we are given through Christ. Futurism cannot claim that victory for they believe 1 Corinthians is yet unfulfilled. The same victory Jesus proclaimed in Revelation 1:18, i.e. having the keys (authority to release the captives) from Hades and Death is that which is proclaimed in fulfilled victorious eschatology. Jesus’ return in A.D. 70 is an eschatology of victory. (See our audio study on Revelation 1:7)
The Law Is Defeated in Victorious Eschatology
Paul taught the Law entered that the offense –the sin, might abound, and thus sin reigned in death being strengthened by the Law, (Rom. 5:19, 20). He speaks of that identical point in 1 Corinthians 15 saying, the “”The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the Law.” (1 Cor. 15:56). But again, if we are not under “The Law” why are we yet under “sin and death?” This is a question futurist eschatology cannot satisfactorily answer. Why do we yet die physically if we are not under Moses’ Law?
The Law could not take away sins. If it could, salvation, victory, defeat of death would have been by the Law. “For if there could have been a law which could have given life, verily righteousness (life from the dead) would have been by the Law.” (Gal. 3:21) Again, sin has no dominion over those who are not under the Law but under grace. Why then do those in Christ whom sin cannot rule and reign over die? The victory of Christ is one where “nothing” neither physical death nor physical life” can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ. (Rom. 8:38).
Satan is Defeated in Victorious Eschatology
It is sad that so many believe they live under the power of Satan. “The-devil-made-me-do-it-syndrome” is alive and well even in so called charismatic churches who believe, erroneously, that they have the power to cast out Satan. Why do they keep letting him back in? But, the goal of victorious eschatology was the imminent defeat of Satan. “For the God of peace shall crush Satan under your feet shortly, (Rom. 16:20).
God did that when Christ returned in A.D. 70. There is no bogey monster chasing Christians. They are imagining these demonic ideas as a direct result of their failure dominated eschatology.
In summary
Victorious eschatology is the complete and total victory achieved through Christ’s death, resurrection and return. Christ returned in A.D. 70, thus death, the last enemy, sin, Law and Satan are now defeated totally. The Christians walk is a walk in life (spiritual life). As long as they walk in Christ, they cannot die for they live in The Resurrection, i.e. in Christ, (Luke 20:35; John 11:25). Full preterism is the only eschatology doctrine which fully honors the completed victory achieved through the cross of Christ.
Learn more on the study of Christ’s return. Our study on Revelation 1:7, provides easy to understand, in depth application and commentary on this challenging verse. Yes, send me the Revelation 1:7 study today.
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Love this site! " Preterism…it's about time."
This is truly an "Eschatology of Victory". Christ IS The Resurrection and The Life!
Imagine finding you here, BROTHER!
Thanks for your guidance….hooah
I have been enjoying many of your you tube blogs and teaching on this sight, But there is one question that I would like to ask. First you really seem to have a very good grasp of Eschatology and end times teaching. I have long held or shared your belief. I am a strong Post-mil, and I strongly believe that the great tribulation is behind us and not before us. But my question is whats your standing or view of the Reformed Faith. I am also a strong Calvinist. I believe that at the cross Christ only died for his elect people. Do you believe in Predestination, Limited Atonement, Unconditional Election, and the Total Depravity of Man. I'm asking because I find very few Reformed believers that are Post-Mil which I just don't understand.
I believe it is incorrect to ascribe the doctrine of predestination and election as taught in the Bible to a “limited” number of people. This to me, violates the context where these concepts are found and simply contradicts the scripture. For example, in Ephesians Paul says, “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.” (Eph. 1:4-5) For those who take these verses as justification for limited atonement and predestination fail to grasp the meaning Paul conveyed in the text. In the first place, he reasons from a “Jewish” perspective. If you will note the contrast between “we and us” vv. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, with the you in vv. 13, 15, 16 and the our vv. 14, 17, etc, you will note that he is contrasting “Jews” and “Gentiles” not a limited number of saved versus lost nor is he teaching the reformed doctrine of predestination. When read from this perspective, we have Paul saying that before the foundation of Jewish age (world) God chose Israel (above all other nations on the earth) to be saved in Christ (so they could be a light to the rest of the world to do the same). See the promises made to Abraham in particular. It is to Israel that the promises of adoption were made, not to Gentiles! “For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoptionthe glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises. That alone should be sufficient to see that even though Israel was chosen and was predestined to adoption, not all of Israel were saved, Rom. 9:5-7, 10:1-4. Some may say, well yes, but “they were not all Israel who were of Israel.” That’s true, but faith determined it. Also, why was Paul seeking to save them and why did he, the “chief of sinners” obey the gospel? In Ephesians, God is simply saying that he predestined Israel as a nation to be saved through Christ, but individually, the choice was theirs. “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him not, but as many as received Him them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” (Jo. 1:11-12). The gospel was to the Jew first, (Rom. 1:16). They were God’s elect, His chosen. That’s why Paul said, “we who first trusted in Christ.” The gospel wasn’t even preached to the Gentiles for ten years. Now watch his contrast. “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise…Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ…”(13-17). I believe that at the cross Christ died for all who were dead, (Rom. 5:18). “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: That if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all…”(2 Cor. 5:14-15). The true doctrine of election as I understand it, is that “all Israel” (spiritually speaking) includes “Jews and Gentiles” by faith. Now, if the elect means “all who died” then I could accept it. If it doesn’t then I must reject it. I think it’s clear that the “elect” does not mean “all who died” therefore it cannot be true that Christ died only for the elect. Now it is true that Paul uses the term “elect” to refer to Christians, (Jews and Gentiles who obeyed the gospel in contrast to unbelieving Jews). “What then, Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded.” (Rom. 11:7). Yet, Paul follows with verses clearly indicating that God’s intention was to save those who were not a part of the “elect” of verse 7. “I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles…if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them. (v. 11-15). Now, again, if the “elect” had obtained the salvation and the rest were blinded, then the “blind” cannot be the elect in this text. Yet, Paul said, he might save some of the blind. “For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? (v. 15). Remember, “all died, and Christ died for all” thus, Christ died for these “non-elect” according to the faith. Well, I’ve bantered enough, but that’s my take on it.