Chapter 13 — Hope and Eschatology: Living in Light of Fulfilled Promises

Introduction: Living Between Two Horizons

Imagine standing on a mountain ridge. Behind you is a long trail you’ve already walked, full of struggles and victories. Before you lies a breathtaking horizon, the sun rising, promising a future full of light. That’s the Christian life — living between what Christ has already fulfilled and what we still await.

For former Adventists, eschatology is a sensitive subject. Adventism thrives on end-time fear: beasts, persecution, Sunday laws, and investigative judgment. Hope is often replaced with anxiety. But the New Covenant gives us a very different picture. Our hope is not built on dread of the future but on confidence in Christ’s finished work and His already-unfolding kingdom.

This chapter will explore biblical hope, clarify eschatology from a Partial-Preterist and gospel-centered perspective, and show how fulfilled promises shape how we live today.

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The Meaning of Christian Hope

Hope in Scripture is not wishful thinking like “I hope it won’t rain”. It is a confident expectation based on God’s promises.

Hebrews 6:19 describes hope as “a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul.” Hope is certain because it is grounded in God’s unchanging Word and Christ’s finished work.

For the Christian, hope means living in assurance that God’s promises are fulfilled and will be consummated in Christ.

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The Already and the Not Yet

The New Testament teaches a tension: some promises are already fulfilled, while others await final completion.

• Already: Christ has conquered sin, death, and Satan (Col. 2:15). We are already new creations (2 Cor. 5:17).

• Not Yet: We still await the resurrection of our bodies (Rom. 8:23), the final judgment (Rev. 20:11–15), and the new heavens and new earth (Rev. 21:1).

This “already/not yet” framework is crucial for understanding hope. We don’t live in fear, waiting for uncertain outcomes. We live in joy, knowing victory is assured, even as we wait for its full unveiling.

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Hope Misplaced: The Adventist Eschatology

Adventism builds hope on unbiblical expectations:

• The Investigative Judgment: Suggests believers are under probation, unsure until the end. This robs assurance.

• Sunday Law Speculation: Creates paranoia about governments and churches rather than trust in Christ.

• Remnant Identity: Fosters pride and fear, not gospel humility and joy.

The result is fear-driven eschatology. Instead of longing for Christ, Adventists often dread the end. But biblical hope looks forward eagerly, not anxiously.

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Hope Grounded in Fulfilled Promises

Paul anchors hope in what Christ has already accomplished.

2 Corinthians 1:20: “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him.”

• The Messiah has come.

• The kingdom has begun.

• The new covenant is established.

• The Spirit has been poured out.

Because these promises are fulfilled, we can trust the remaining promises will be consummated. Hope is not fragile; it is grounded in history.

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Partial-Preterist Perspective: Fulfilled Prophecies

Partial Preterism helps clarify hope by showing that many “end-time” prophecies were fulfilled in the first century, particularly in the destruction of Jerusalem (AD 70).

• Matthew 24’s “great tribulation” refers to the fall of Jerusalem, not a future global event.

• Revelation’s imagery largely describes Rome’s persecution and the judgment of apostate Israel.

• The end of the Old Covenant world came, and the New Covenant kingdom was established in power.

This perspective frees believers from paranoia about newspaper headlines and focuses hope on Christ’s reign now and consummation later.

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What We Still Await

Though many promises are fulfilled, some remain:

• Resurrection of the Body (1 Cor. 15:52–53).

• Final Judgment (Rev. 20:11–15).

• New Heavens and New Earth (Rev. 21:1–4).

These are not threats but promises of renewal. For believers, judgment holds no fear, for Christ has borne our condemnation (Rom. 8:1). Resurrection is not uncertain but guaranteed (John 11:25–26).

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The Shape of Christian Hope

A. Christ-Centered

Hope is not in escaping tribulation but in Christ Himself (1 Tim. 1:1: “Christ Jesus our hope”).

B. Future-Oriented but Presently Empowering

Hope points forward but changes how we live now (1 John 3:3).

C. Community-Oriented

Hope is not just personal; it belongs to the church. We wait together for Christ’s return (1 Thess. 4:18).

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How Hope Transforms Daily Life

A. In Suffering

Romans 8:18: “The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Hope sustains perseverance.

B. In Holiness

Titus 2:11–13: Hope teaches us to live self-controlled, godly lives while waiting for Christ’s appearing.

C. In Mission

Hope fuels evangelism. If the kingdom is already breaking in, we invite others into it.

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Analogy: The Movie Already Spoiled

Imagine watching a movie when you already know the ending: the hero wins, evil is defeated, love triumphs. Does it ruin the story? No. It allows you to enjoy the plot without fear.

That’s Christian hope. We know the ending. Christ wins. Our hope is secure.

If you already know the ending, why live in fear of the middle?

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The Assurance of Resurrection

1 Corinthians 15 anchors hope in resurrection: “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile… But in fact Christ has been raised” (vv. 17, 20).

The resurrection is both a historical fact and a future guarantee. Just as He rose, so shall we.

This makes hope bodily, not just spiritual. We don’t long to escape the world but for it to be renewed.

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Hope in the New Heavens and New Earth

Revelation 21 paints hope as God dwelling with His people: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more.”

Hope is not floating on clouds but living in renewed creation with resurrected bodies, face-to-face with God.

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Practical Guidance for Former Adventists

1. Replace fear with joy. End-times are not about beasts and laws but Christ’s triumph.

2. Study fulfilled prophecy. See how God’s Word has already been proven true.

3. Anchor hope in Christ. Don’t obsess over signs; focus on the Savior.

4. Live in the present power of hope. Let future promises shape current holiness and mission.

5. Encourage one another. Hope is strengthened in community (1 Thess. 4:18).

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Conclusion: Hope That Does Not Disappoint

Romans 5:5 promises: “Hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.”

Former and questioning Adventists, you don’t need to live in fear of investigative judgment or Sunday laws. Your hope is sure, anchored in Christ. Prophecies fulfilled prove God’s faithfulness. Promises yet to come guarantee glory.

Hope is not dread of the end but joy in the already and the not yet. Christ has come, Christ reigns, Christ will come again. Live in the light of fulfilled promises.

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Reflection Questions

1. How has Adventist eschatology shaped your emotions about the future?

2. How does Partial-Preterist fulfillment strengthen your confidence in Scripture?

3. What daily practices can help you live more in the light of hope?

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Prayer

Lord of history, thank You that Your promises never fail. Thank You for fulfilled prophecies that assure us of Your faithfulness, and for the hope of resurrection and new creation. Replace fear with joy, and make us people of hope who shine in a fearful world. Amen.

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