Why study eschatology?

There is so much about eschatology (the doctrine of end times) that is perplexing (how should we understand all those visions in Ezekiel?), debatable (can dispensationalists and amillennialists get along with each other?) and parts are (much is?) unknowable (even Jesus in His humanity did not know the day or time of His return, Mt. 24:36).  At times we might be tempted to say something like, “I know it’s in the Bible, but it is so hard to understand and of such little apparent value, should I really take the time to study eschatology? 

Yes.  You should.  (And so should I.)  The Bible is explicit and extensive in its exhortations and encouragements to study and think about God’s care of His people at the end of time.

In writing about the second coming of Christ, J. Dwight Pentecost advocated studying that particular doctrine of eschatology; what He wrote applies to the rest of eschatology as well (the content that follows is completely from Pentecost, though I have re-formatted it for easier reading):

Practical exhortations arising from the second advent. Extensive use is made of the doctrine of the second advent of Christ in the Scriptures as a basis of exhortation. It is used as an exhortation

• to watchfulness (Matt. 24:42-44; 25:13; Mark 13:32-37; Luke 12:35-38; Rev. 16:15);
• to sobriety (1 Thess. 5:2-6; 1 Pet. 1:13; 4:7; 5:8);
• to repentance (Acts 3:19-21; Rev. 3:3);
• to fidelity (Matt. 25:19-21; Luke 12:42-44; 19:12-13);
• to be unashamed of Christ (Mark 8:38);
• against worldiness (Matt. 16:26-27);
• to moderation (Phil. 4:5);
• to patience (Heb. 10:36-37; James 5:7-8);
• to mortification of the flesh (Col. 3:3-5);
• to sincerity (Phil. 1:9-10);
• to practical sanctification (1 Thess. 5:23);
• to ministerial faithfulness (2 Tim. 4:1-2);
• to incite obedience to the Apostle’s injunctions (1 Tim. 6:13-14);
• to pastoral diligence and purity (1 Pet. 5:2-4);
• to purity (1 John 3:2-3);
• to abide in Christ (1 John 2:28);
• to endure manifold temptations and the severest trials of faith (1 Pet. 1:7);
• to bear persecution for the Lord (1 Pet. 4:13);
• to holiness and godliness (2 Pet. 3:11-13);
• to brotherly love (1 Thess. 3:12-13);
• to keep in mind our heavenly citizenship (Phil. 3:20-21);
• to love the second coming (2 Tim. 4:7-8);
• to look for Him (Heb. 9:27-28);
• to have confidence that Christ will finish the work (Phil. 1:6);
• to hold fast the hope firm unto the end (Rev. 2:25; 3:11);
• to separation from worldly lusts and to live godly (Titus 2:11-13);
• to watchfulness because of its suddenness (Luke 17:24-30);
• to guard against hasty judgment (1 Cor. 4:5);
• to the hope of a rich reward (Matt. 19:27-28);
• to assure the disciples of a time of rejoicing (2 Cor. 1:14; Phil. 2:16; 1 Thess 2:19);
• to comfort the apostles in view of Christ’s departure (John 14:3; Acts 1:11);

[The second coming of Christ] is:

• the principal event for which the believer awaits (1 Thess. 1:9-10);
• a crowning grace and assurance of blamelessness in the day of the Lord (1 Cor. 1:4-8);
• the time of reckoning with the servants (Matt. 25:19);
• the time of the judgment of the living Gentiles (Matt. 25:31-46);
• the time of the completion of the resurrection program for the saved (1 Cor. 15:23);
• the time of the manifestation of the saints (2 Cor. 5:10; Col. 3:4);
• a source of consolation (1 Thess. 4:14-18);
• associated with tribulation and judgment for the unsaved (2 Thess. 1:7-9);
• proclaimed at the Lord’s table (1 Cor. 11:26).

Yes.  Study eschatology.  Be transformed by eschatology.  Be hopeful because of eschatology.