“It is not biblical to hold that eschatology is a sort of appendix to soteriology, a consummation of the saving work of God. Eschatology is not necessarily bound up with soteriology. So conceived, it does not take into account that a whole chapter of eschatology is written before sin. Thus, it is not merely an omission to ignore the pre-redemptive eschatology; it is to place the sequel in the wrong place. There is an absolute end posited for the universe before and apart from sin. The universe, as created, was only a beginning.”**
So Vos begins his chapter on the presence of eschatology (which means “study of the end-times”) in the pre-fall state of Adam and Eve in Eden. The containing book is a collection of Vos’ thoughts on eschatology from the Old Testament. I can’t recommend the book enough. But I know that since Vos bores a lot of people and most of my readers simply wouldn't have the motivation to look him up, I should instead unpack some thoughts of his here.
Vos’ point is to say that the study of the end-times should not be understood as a sort of “next chapter” or Appendix after we understand gospel doctrine (or soteriology, that is, how one is saved). To make eschatology a later chapter in the book of redemption, or even an appendix, is, as he says, to “put the sequel in the wrong place.” The truth is that the creation of the universe had a goal from the beginning, a “plan from the fullness of time to unite all things in (Christ)” (Eph. 1:10). Salvation is for the sake of that goal. So eschatology, to be more precise, is a study not just of what will come at the end, but a study of the nature of God’s purposes for His creation. It is actually theology, because it asks the question, “What does God want for His creation?” as well as a related question, "What does he save us for?"
Only in this context can soteriology be understood. If someone asks me, “Scott, why should I come to Christ?” The answer is not merely, “So that you can be forgiven of sin,” but instead, “Because God created the universe and you in it. Since the creation has a goal in His eyes, you should make sure you are in sync with it. To get in sync, you find Christ who came into the world to find you. Once you do, you get a glorious future of increasing joy and fullness as you know and walk with the God who is joy and fullness.”
Or in other words, "Christ died, the righteous for the unrighteous" (that's soteriology) "that he might bring us to God" (that's eschatology) (1 Pet. 3:18a).
May we let the horse—eschatology—pull the cart—soteriology. It’ll get to its destination.
**Geerhardus Vos, The Eschatology of the Old Testament, James T. Dennison, ed. (Philipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2001), 73. Emphases added.
