An Eschatological Perspective on the Election

An Eschatological Perspective on the Election

How did you feel when you woke up this morning with the Democrats in control of the House of Representatives and close to controlling the Senate? One conservative talk-show host has been trying to rally the Republican base in the past few months by asking listeners to consider how terrible it would be to have Nancy Pelosi as the Speaker of the House. Ms. Pelosi is indeed very liberal. She is also a moral relativist. In a recent interview she stated, “If you don't want an abortion, you don’t believe in it, [then] don’t have one. But don’t tell somebody else what they can do in terms of honoring their responsibilities…" (From an interview with Eleanor Clift of Newsweek). Apparently Ms. Pelosi believes that it would be a great evil to dare tell someone else that abortion is wrong. Rightness or wrongness is in the eyes of the beholder for Ms. Pelosi. Ms. Pelosi the abortion advocate and moral relativist is the new Speaker of the House.

This day of celebration for some is indeed a day of grief for others. Relativism is a prominent religion in our nation and is empowered at high levels of leadership.

As a Christian I am hopeful even on this day. Why?

1. The Lord God Omnipotent Reigns (Revelation 19:6).

It was Isaiah who saw Jesus sitting upon a throne in His pre-incarnation glory (Isaiah 6:1-6). It was John who saw God ruling from the throne of Heaven. (Revelation 4-5). The Bible reminds us that “God is in heaven and He does whatever He pleases” (Psalm 115:3). God is not dependent on the Republican Party or any one else for His control. God is not elected by majority vote and He cannot be impeached. He reigns. That did not change with yesterday’s election. God is sovereign over elected officials (Romans 13:1). We should worship, trust, and serve God.

2. The King that Reigns is the King that is coming.

Jesus Christ is presently the King (Colossians 1:13, Revelation 1:9) and as King He has been given all authority (Matthew 28:18). King Jesus is presently at work in the lives of His people and in the world in which they live. He is increasingly making His people holy by His Spirit through the Bible. The process of God making His people holy is called progressive sanctification. The Bible indicates that we as children of God are right now progressing in holiness. We are growing in Christ and we are bearing witness to His name. However, our sanctification will not be complete until Jesus comes again. The hope of His coming and of seeing Him face to face motivates the true believer to pursue holiness today (I John 3:2-3). A biblical eschatology is an eschatology of hope—hope in Christ as He is presently bringing His rule to bear on all things and hope in His future work when He comes again (Romans 8:18-39).

It may seem that moral relativism is winning the day and its disciples will have the last say but history and prophecy tell us that is not the case. An eschatological perspective on the election reminds us:

1. Sin is running its course but will be brought to an end when Christ returns.
2. God is the Lord of history and prophecy. When He raises up wicked men and women in places of leadership it is for His own purposes. He has done such in the past and we must not think that we deserve a pass because we are Americans. The God of history and prophecy is the LORD and His will—will be done!
3. Christ has come to destroy the works of the devil. Look around and see the havoc that sin has brought into our world. When our first parents listened to Satan and yielded to sin the human race and the earth plunged into depravity. There is coming a day for Christians in which all things will be made new and sorrow, suffering and tears will be wiped away.
4. Since Christ is coming again let us work expectantly. It is reported that Martin Luther said, “If I knew that Christ were coming tomorrow I would plant an apple tree today”. Christians must not become defeatist but should get to work. Please do not misunderstand. This is not a call to political activism. This is not a challenge to resurrect the “Moral Majority.” The call is for Christians to share Christ, live holy lives, seek to bring all things under the Lordship of Christ, and be faithful to Jesus.
5. Since God reigns and His kingdom will fully be established for all to see then let us pray fervently. We are commanded in Scripture to pray for our leaders (I Timothy 2:1-3). Let us pray especially for those with whom we share few political and moral similarities.

I am grieved by the results of the election but not grieved as those who have no hope. Jesus is my Savior. He is the King. He is coming. I am hopeful.

That being said—I am grieved that His name is blasphemed in our land and so I pray “Hallowed by Thy Name.” I am grieved that sin is not only tolerated but advocated in our land. The Bible condemns not only those who practice sin but it also condemns those who “approve of those who practice” sin (Romans 1:32).

So though Christians should move forward with a sense of great hope and expectancy—let us not lose the opportunity right now to:

1. Repent. Let us repent of our own sins, the sins of our churches, the sins of our nation. There is a place for the collective “we” when we repent (see Nehemiah 1:5-11).
2. Cry out to God. Paul the apostle showed his heart when he cried out to God for his countrymen. His desire and prayer was that Israel would be saved (Romans 10:1).
3. Preach the gospel. Paul who stated his willingness to be damned if it would mean the salvation of his people (Romans 9:1-3) also indicated his willingness to live a sacrificial life for the sake of the salvation of the elect (2 Timothy 2:10).

Yes, the election brought with it results that cause the righteous grief. But we grieve in hope. We grieve with our gaze firmly fixed on the Christ that reigns and that is coming again to reign. The election is a fresh reminder that as Christians we have an eschatology of hope. We run the race with our eyes firmly fixed on the future.

Ray Rhodes, Jr. is President of Nourished in the Word Ministries