Eschatological Thoughts from Philippians

Eschatology is a theological term that refers to “the last things.” As such, it serves the purpose of encouraging God's people to look ahead—especially in times of trial and tribulation—and to remain faithful to their faith and commitment to God. The idea of Christ's imminent return, for example, motivates Christians to encourage one another and build each other up, because “the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2, 11). 

The “day of the Lord” or the “day of Christ” is when He will come again. Paul encourages the Philippian church to work out their salvation with fear and trembling, and to shine among a warped and crooked generation so that he can be proud of them on the “day of Christ”:

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. (Phillippians 2:12-16)

Philippians contains additional encouragement as Christians wait for Christ’s return: “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body” (3:20-21).

Two very important thoughts are found here. The first is about Christian “citizenship” (Greek politeuma), a word used to designate Roman colonies where war veterans were settled with the mission of teaching and promoting the culture of the Empire among the local population. Philippi was a Roman colony, and its residents had received Roman citizenship, including members of the local church. So, Paul’s point is this: Christ reigns in Heaven, and local congregations like that in Philippi are colonies of His Kingdom on earth with the mission of spreading the culture of Christ—the ways of Christ—among unbelievers until His return. 

The second thought here is that, in His coming, Christ will transform our “lowly bodies”—our weak and mortal bodies—and will make them glorious like His. In other words, on the “Day of Christ,” Christians will be made perfect. They will no longer have to endure the limitations of this mortal body. In the meantime, they will have to bear one another’s weakness in love, since they live in the “already but not yet” realm. The good news is that Christ—like a craftsman—is molding them daily into his image: “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (Philippians 1:6, New Living Translation). And on that day, “every knee of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth will bow at the name of Jesus, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (2:10-11).

Although Paul firmly believed that Christ would return soon (4:5b)—as did the first century church— some got impatient and thought that He might not. By the end of the first century, the apostle Peter said, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (1 Peter 3:9). The book of Revelation (AD 96 or 98) ends with the Aramaic expression “Maranatha,” which means “Come, O Lord” (22:20). 

Sometimes we too—Christians of the 21st century—become impatient regarding Jesus’s promise to come again to take us home. Oh, but he will come! And his coming will be like a bright and fresh spring dawn. And in the twinkling of an eye, we will be transformed into the image of his glorious body, and we will enter a state of infinite peace that will never leave us, of complete satisfaction, of endless joy; and together with millions of millions we will be before his throne and our voices will join those who have never stopped saying:

“You are worthy, our Lord and God,
    to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
    and by your will they were created
    and have their being.”
(Revelation 4:11)

Maranatha!