Welcome to Day 2679 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Day 2679 – New Testament Orientation – “The Church, Salvation, and Eschatology: God’s Unfolding Plan”

Putnam Church Message – 07/20/2025

Sermon Series: New Testament Orientation Message 12: “The Church, Salvation, and Eschatology: God’s Unfolding Plan” 

Last week, we explored “The General Letters of the New Testament:” 1 Peter 2:9-10 (NLT)  9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests,[a] a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 10 “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.”[b]

This week is the 12th and final message in our New Testament Orientation Series, and we will learn: The Church, Salvation, and Eschatology: God’s Unfolding Plan” Ephesians 2:13-14 (NLT) “But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united us both into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.”Opening PrayerOur Loving and Sovereign God, as we reach the culmination of our journey through Your New Testament, we pause to reflect on the grand tapestry of Your plan for Your Church, for our salvation, and the culmination of all things. We pray that You would open our eyes to see these profound truths with the clarity and anticipation of the early believers. May we grasp the depth of Your reconciliation, the wonder of Your salvation, and the glorious hope of Your coming kingdom. Empower us, by Your Spirit, to live as Your unified people, eagerly awaiting the Day of Christ. Amen.Introduction: The Final Unveiling of God’s Purpose

We’ve journeyed from the Jewish roots of the Gospels, through the explosive growth in Acts, and explored the profound theology of Paul’s letters and the General Epistles. Today, we bring it all together by considering three essential topics that define the conclusion of God’s unfolding story: the Church, the nature of Salvation, and Eschatology—the doctrine of last things.

Our core verses from Ephesians 2:13-14 serve as a magnificent summary of the radical new reality Jesus inaugurated: “But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united us both into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.” This passage speaks of a profound reconciliation, not just between humanity and God, but between the two great divisions of humanity: Jew and Gentile. This reconciliation defines the very nature of the Church.

For the early believers, these concepts were not abstract theological debates, but lived realities. They were grappling with what it meant to be God’s people in a world that often misunderstood or persecuted them, and how their ancient hopes for a Messiah and a coming kingdom were now being realized in unexpected ways.

3. The Church: A New, Reconciled Community – (Bulletin Insert)

The Church, or ekklesia (meaning “assembly” or “group”), in the New Testament is primarily understood not as a building, but as a dynamic, Spirit-formed community of believers—Jew and Gentile—reconciled to God and to one another through Christ’s work on the cross, forming a radical new “people” never before seen in human history.Narrative & Illustration: When early Christians spoke of the “church” (ekklesia in Greek), they didn’t envision brick-and-mortar buildings. That concept of a dedicated structure for worship developed centuries later. For them, the ekklesia was a gathering, an assembly—often meeting in homes or villas on the first day of the week, the Lord’s Day.

Paul observed a unique dynamic unfolding in these early gatherings. On one end were non-Messianic Jews, who lived by the Torah. On the other hand, outright pagans. But in the middle were “God-fearers”—Gentiles like Cornelius (Acts 10) who honored Yahweh but did not fully convert to Judaism. The challenge for the early church was to integrate these diverse groups into a cohesive family. Paul’s answer? A “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17) in Christ, an inter-tribal, multi-ethnic community that transcended all previous human divisions.

The concept of reconciliation in the New Testament, especially in Paul’s letters, is often presented as a horizontal issue: Jew and Gentile being reconciled to each other. While reconciliation between sinners and God is certainly present, the radical thrust of verses like Ephesians 2:13-14 is about Christ breaking down the “wall of hostility” that separated these two groups. The cross didn’t just deal with individual sin; it created a unified body, allowing all believers to join their voices in worship to God and Jesus, together as one reconciled family.

Furthermore, the early Church’s ethical teachings were fundamentally shaped by this new community. Unlike pagan religions, which often had little connection between deity worship and daily morality, Christian faith demanded a transformed life. Paul’s lists of virtues and vices (like those in 1 Timothy 5-6) were not merely for individual self-improvement. They provided a “code of conduct” for diverse individuals, lacking shared traditions, to live together harmoniously as a new community. Vices were seen as “anti-communal” (e.g., gossip, division), while virtues were “pro-communal” (e.g., love, joy, peace, patience, which are the fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23). The church was an experiment in living together, in flexible unity, centered on loyalty to Jesus.

Imagine an ancient marketplace where merchants from vastly different tribes—each with their own laws, customs, and gods—are trying to trade. Mistrust and misunderstanding are rampant; they refuse to eat together or intermarry. Then, a charismatic leader (Jesus) arrives and declares a new, universal marketplace where all are welcome, not by abandoning their heritage entirely, but by pledging loyalty to him. His followers, the Church, are then expected to embody this new unity, living in a way that prioritizes communal harmony over tribal customs, even sharing meals and resources across old divides.

Object Lesson: Imagine an ancient, carefully constructed wall, made of two different types of stone, with a deep chasm between them. (Brick and foundation stone) One side is perfectly cut limestone (representing the distinctness of Israel), the other is rough, unhewn granite (representing the pagan world). The gap itself signifies the “hostility” and separation between Jew and Gentile. |Christ, in His body on the cross, is like a mighty, divine force that smashes the wall into rubble, and then, with His life, begins to perfectly fuse (Cement) the different stones together into a single, unified, living structure—the Church—where the old dividing line is gone.

3. Salvation: Continual Loyalty and Transformation

New Testament salvation is a profound continuation of God’s unchanging plan to make humanity righteous through loyalty (faith) to Him. This loyalty, now explicitly centered on Jesus Christ, results in a transformed life of active devotion, leading to an ongoing state of purification and fellowship with God, rather than merely a transaction for escaping future judgment.Narrative & Illustration: The New Testament understanding of salvation is not a radical departure from the Old Testament, but its glorious culmination and universal extension. The way to become “righteous” or “right with God” has always been through loyalty or faith (aman in Hebrew, pistis in Greek). Abraham was “counted as righteous because he believed God” (Romans 4:3, NLT), meaning he was loyal to Yahweh, turning from the gods of Babylon. This identical principle applies in the New Testament.

The transition, however, is monumental: loyalty now centers on Jesus Christ. When the Philippian jailer asked, “What must I do to be saved?” Paul and Silas replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:30-31, NLT). This meant pledging allegiance to Jesus as Lord, the One God raised from the dead (Romans 10:9). This loyalty isn’t just a mental assent; it’s a profound commitment that transforms one’s life.

Salvation in the New Testament is also intricately linked to purification. As we explored last time, the Old Testament sacrificial system primarily functioned to remove ritual “stain” or “taboo,” allowing people to approach God’s holy presence. Jesus’ death is the ultimate, once-for-all purification offering. Verses like “the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7, NLT) refer not to a daily earning of forgiveness for moral missteps, but to a continuous state of ritual cleanliness, enabling ongoing fellowship with God. It’s not about paying a penalty to avoid hell, but about making us fit to enter and remain in God’s holy presence.

Imagine a loyal servant in an ancient king’s court. Their “salvation” isn’t just about avoiding the king’s wrath, but about being recognized as a trusted member of the royal household, enjoying the king’s favor, and having free access to his presence. If they occasionally become ritually “unclean” (like touching a dead animal), the king has provided a special cleansing bath for them. Their status as a loyal servant isn’t revoked; they need to be purified to continue their service and access. Jesus’ sacrifice is that ultimate, perfect bath, ensuring we remain continually pure in God’s sight, able to approach Him freely.

Object Lesson: Imagine a magnificent, ornate tapestry, ancient and deeply meaningful, that has been meticulously woven over centuries. Threads are added through generations, each one continuing the story. The Old Testament represents the earlier, yet foundational, weaving. The New Testament adds new, brilliant threads (Jesus, His death, resurrection, Spirit) that bring the patterns to their ultimate, universal culmination, completing the tapestry. Salvation is not a new tapestry, but the continuation of the single, unfolding narrative of God making a people for Himself, now with an even richer, more inclusive design that welcomes all colors and textures of thread through loyalty to the Master Weaver.

3. Eschatology: The Certainty of Christ’s Reign and Cosmic Restoration

New Testament eschatology, or the doctrine of last things, envisions a two-part future: the present age, where Christ reigns but spiritual powers still exert influence, and a coming age—the Day of Christ—when His kingdom will be fully established, bringing universal judgment, cosmic restoration (a remade heavens and earth), and the complete triumph of God over all spiritual and physical opposition.Narrative & Illustration: The early Christians lived with a profound sense of anticipation. While Paul believed Christ would return in his lifetime, their understanding of “last things” was simpler than many modern theological systems. They knew there was “this age” and “the age to come,” or “the Kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). They understood that while Satan had been defeated at Jesus’ temptation (Luke 4), and Jesus now reigned as Lord, the “principalities and powers”—the Old Testament “gods” over the nations—still held sway in some capacities.

The “Day of the Lord,” prophesied in the Old Testament as Yahweh’s powerful intervention to judge wickedness and establish His rule (e.g., Isaiah 2), becomes the “Day of Christ” in the New Testament. This signifies Jesus’ central role as judge and king. As Jesus declared, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you” (Matthew 25:34, NLT), and to others, “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41, NLT).

Paul’s writings, particularly Romans 2 and 14, emphasize a universal judgment: “God will give to each person according to what they have done” (Romans 2:6, NLT). Everyone, Christian and non-Christian alike, will stand before the judgment seat of Christ (Romans 14:10). This is not about earning salvation, but about rendering an account of the life lived. This was a core Jewish belief that became central to the early Christian worldview.

The ultimate end, for believers, is the new Global Eden where heaven and earth become one. (Revelation 21-22), where God will dwell with humanity. This is not just a disembodied heaven; it’s a restored creation, where mortality is swallowed up by life (2 Corinthians 5:4). The wicked, including the devil and his “angels” (the rebellious spiritual beings), face destruction, symbolized by the “lake of fire” (Revelation 20:10). While the nature of this final punishment is debated (eternal conscious torment vs. annihilationism vs. conditional immortality), the Bible consistently paints a picture of ultimate justice and the triumph of God’s holiness.

The awe-inspiring conclusion to Paul’s argument in 1 Corinthians 15:24-28 beautifully illustrates the final cosmic victory: 24 After that the end will come, when he will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, having destroyed every ruler and authority and power. 25 For Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet. 26 And the last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For the Scriptures say, “God has put all things under his authority.”[a] (Of course, when it says “all things are under his authority,” that does not include God himself, who gave Christ his authority.) 28 Then, when all things are under his authority, the Son will put himself under God’s authority, so that God, who gave his Son authority over all things, will be utterly supreme over everything everywhere. This truly brings the divine council worldview of the Old Testament to its climactic and victorious conclusion, where redeemed humanity will even “judge angels” (1 Corinthians 6:3)

Imagine a vast, ancient cosmic drama unfolding on a stage. For millennia, a complex interplay of characters has existed—the benevolent Creator (Yahweh), His rebellious divine creatures (the pagan gods/principalities), and a struggling humanity. Then, the true protagonist (Jesus) enters, defeats the primary antagonist (Satan), and reigns as the rightful King, but the full resolution is yet to come. The “final act” of this drama, the Day of Christ, will see the King return to fully reclaim the stage, banish all remaining rebellious characters, and establish a new, perfect setting where His loyal subjects (the Church) will live forever in His presence, participating in His reign.

Object Lesson: Imagine a magnificent, unblemished royal scepter, which symbolizes ultimate authority and dominion. This scepter is currently held firmly by the King (Yahweh), and now, by His decree, also by His Son (Jesus). The eschatological vision is the final, visible act where all rival powers and authorities are broken and cast down, and the royal scepter is displayed universally, unquestioned, and eternal. The scepter will then rest entirely with the Father, having accomplished its full purpose through the Son, signifying perfect, enduring peace and the absolute triumph of God’s will.

1. Application and Takeaways – “But now you have been united in Christ.” Bulletin
3. Live as a Unified People, Embodying Christ’s Reconciliation

Summary:As the Church, we are called to embody the profound reconciliation Christ achieved on the cross, actively breaking down social, ethnic, and cultural barriers, and demonstrating radical unity and love to a divided world.Narrative & Illustration: The reality of the early church, where Jews and Gentiles, former enemies, were brought into one family, was astounding. Paul’s emphasis on reconciliation wasn’t just theological; it was deeply practical. It challenged them to share meals, worship together, and view each other not by their old tribal identities, but by their new identity in Christ. This often meant setting aside personal preferences and even deeply ingrained cultural norms for the sake of unity.

Consider our modern nation, which is deeply polarized by political divides. Citizens often refuse to associate with those holding opposing views, retreating into their own ideological “tribes.” The Church, by contrast, is called to be a living counter-cultural witness. When Christians from different racial backgrounds, socio-economic classes, or political persuasions genuinely love, serve, and worship together, they are a powerful testament to the reconciling power of the cross. Our mission is to embody this radical unity, demonstrating to the world what true peace and reconciliation look like in practice.

3. Embrace a Life of Active Loyalty and Continual Purification

Summary:True salvation is an ongoing state of active loyalty to Jesus, not a one-time transaction, and results in a continual purification that empowers us to live righteously and in intimate fellowship with God.Narrative & Illustration: The New Testament consistently presents salvation as a dynamic reality rooted in loyalty (faith) to Jesus. It’s a continuous state of being “made right with God,” not merely earning forgiveness. This loyalty, demonstrated through righteous living and active worship, brings us into a continuous state of purification through Christ’s sacrifice. We are not “saved by works,” but a truly saved person, loyal to Jesus, will inevitably live a life of good works, because that is the outflow of their renewed heart.

Imagine a loyal soldier who has pledged allegiance to their king. Their loyalty is not just a verbal declaration; it’s a daily commitment expressed through discipline, obedience, and self-sacrifice. If they get “dirty” in battle, the king provides a cleansing provision, but their loyalty is what defines them.

In our Christian lives, this means salvation isn’t a check-the-box event we look back on, |but a daily, active allegiance to Jesus. We live in a state of ongoing purification because of His finished work. This empowers us to pursue holiness not out of fear of losing salvation, but out of love and loyalty to our King. Our focus should be on who we are loyal to, allowing that loyalty to transform how we live, knowing that God delights in our righteous actions as expressions of our devotion.

3. Live with Hope and Purpose in the Present Age, Anticipating Christ’s Full Reign

Summary:We are called to live with purposeful hope in the present age, understanding that while Christ has definitively defeated spiritual powers, His kingdom is not yet fully established. This anticipation motivates us to engage the world and endure trials, trusting in His inevitable return and ultimate cosmic triumph.Narrative & Illustration: The early Christians lived in the tension of the “already and not yet”—Christ had come, defeated Satan, and inaugurated His kingdom, but His full reign was yet to be realized. This understanding allowed them to endure immense persecution (as highlighted in Peter’s letters) and to faithfully serve in a world still under the influence of evil. Their hope was fixed on Christ’s inevitable return, the final judgment, and the glorious new heavens and new earth.

Consider an ancient general who has decisively won a significant battle, crippling the enemy’s leadership and securing a strategic stronghold. The war is effectively over, but mop-up operations continue, pockets of resistance remain, and the full establishment of peace and order across the entire territory is still underway. The general’s soldiers live with the certainty of victory, but also with the ongoing task of securing the territory and facing remaining dangers.

In our current world, we inhabit the same reality. While Jesus is Lord and King, we still see evil, injustice, and suffering. This shouldn’t surprise or discourage us. We are called to live with purposeful hope, actively engaging in the work of God’s kingdom here on earth, knowing that Christ will return to fully put all things right. This means enduring trials, resisting evil, and proclaiming the good news, all while confidently anticipating the day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. This is the magnificent conclusion to God’s story, and we are privileged to be a part of it.

Closing PrayerAlmighty God, as we conclude this New Testament Orientation, our hearts overflow with gratitude for Your magnificent plan of redemption. Thank You for establishing Your Church as a reconciled, unified people, for revealing Your salvation through loyalty to Jesus, and for the glorious hope of Your coming> kingdom. May we, Your faithful people, continue to embody the truth of Christ’s cross, living in profound unity, active loyalty, and unwavering hope. Strengthen us, by Your Spirit, to be Your witnesses until the Day of Christ, when Your reign will be fully established, and You will be “all in all.” To You be all glory, honor, and praise, now and forever. Amen.

Next week, we will switch back to a series of systematic studies of New Testament letters, covering 1, 2, and 3 John, and then Jude, which will take us up to Thanksgiving. Our message for next week will be Introduction: 1, 2 & 3 John. Our Core verse for next week will be:  1 John 1:4