And so how does that help you decide whether antichrist is alive and well on planet earth? Or that modern Israel is the fulfillment of specific Bible prophecies? Or, how would that cause a pastor to make a comment like, "I'm convinced that the Lord is coming for His Church before the end of 1981." based largely on his views about modern Israel?
By daily intake of Bible Doctrine, and remaining in fellowship with Him, placing faith in Him and allowing Him to guide us in our discernment in all things. Eschatology is an advanced study, requiring the prerequisites of many Bible Doctrines for Him to grow us to be at the right place, at the right time, to perform His Will.
Beg to differ with you, but it is not. It only becomes “advanced study” when it takes an Evelyn Woods speed reading course to get through every new and unusual theory that makes its way into the local Christian books store.
The reason why eschatology is hard for most folks is that they overall knowledge of the Bible is so deficient. Eschatology is not special. It’s no harder than general theology or soteriology or ecclesiology or any other of the –ologies.
The reason that it is so hard for folks is that they believe they must be reading the daily newspaper with their Bible to have an understanding of all these “exciting end times events”. They are trying to fit a round peg in a square hole. I’ll admit that’s hard, but that is not what the study of eschatology is all about.
The bottom line of biblical eschatology can be summed up in a few verses, e.g.,
21 Then Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You." 23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." 24 Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." 25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11)When Israel or antichrist rather than Jesus Christ becomes the focus of all the eschatology talk, you know you have a problem.