William Bell

Victorious eschatology?  What is an eschatology of victory? It may be help us to first define an eschatology of defeat. To detemine the victory, we must know that over which victory was to be claimed. According to the Bible, man's enemy is sin and death. Included in this is Hades, the realm of departed spirits where man went in death because he could not be in the full presence of God.

In addition, that which strengthened sin was the Law of Moses. Paul wrote that "the Law entered that the sin might abound" (Rom. 5:19) and that sin reigns in death (v. 20). He again stated that "The sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the law. (1 Cor. 15:56).

Therefore, to gain the victory means to gain a victory over sin, the Law, Hades and death. However, that victory is denied either in whole or in part. Those who deny it are not atheists as one might suppose but rather, those who consider themselves the most devout among Christians.

How and why do Christians deny the victory over sin and death? Mainly because they believe that death cannot be defeated until Christ returns. They believe that death spoken of for the endtime means victory over physical death.

With this mindset, they cannot overe come the dilemma of living in a state within Christianity where they are yet subject to death and at the same time claim victory in Christ. Well, this is in fact what they do, but they certainly are inconsistent.

The Bible teaches that believers cannot die. "Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My wordd he shall never see death." (John 8:51). Now upon hearing these words, the Pharisees claimed that Jesus was demon-possessed.

Victorious Eschatology Denied By Futurists


Why did they say such things? Because they cited the man most celebrated and revered in all of Hebrew history, Abraham. Their argument goes something to this effect. Jesus claimed believers in God would never see death. Abraham was a believer in God and is physically dead. Therefore, Jesus claim is falsified.

This is precisely the manner in which Amillennialists, Historicts, Dispensationalists and partial preterists argue for the defeat of death. They say just look around or visit the tombs. You can see death everywhere. Israel's bombing of the Gaza flotilla is an another example. So therefore, Christ has not come, death is yet a present reality and therefore we do not yet have the victory.

That turns the entire gospel on its head. Christ died to put away sin, (Heb. 9:26) which He completed that work at His second coming, Heb. 9:28; 10:37). As a result, believers do not face judgment and do not experience the death Jesus talked about.

Believers Have Passed Out of Death in Victorious Eschatogy


"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life." (John 5:24)

Thus Christ affirms that believers have already passed from death to life and do not come into judgment or condemnation. However, physical death is not the subject here. Jesus speaks of spiritual death. It is spiritual death which kept man from God's presence and over which he needed victory. That is the victory Christ accomplished allowing man to reenter the presence of God.

For more information check out out Victorious Eschatology



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