Chapter 22 – What Now?

A natural question arises when Christians hear the claim that Christ has already returned: “If Jesus has returned, why are we still here? Do we still have a purpose?”

The answer is a resounding yes! Christians are called to be lights in the world, sharing the gospel and contributing to its ongoing renewal.

Daniel 12:2-3 (WEB) Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine as the brightness of the expanse, and those who turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.

This perspective should fill believers with hope and purpose. Let’s explore why.

Is This Ship Sinking?

For Christians who believe Christ’s second coming is a future event that will bring about the end of the world, it might feel like polishing brass on a sinking ship. Why invest in improving a world destined for destruction? Paul reflected this urgency in his instructions:

1 Corinthians 7:29-31 (WEB) The time is short, that from now on, both those who have wives may be as though they had none; and those who weep, as though they didn’t weep; and those who rejoice, as though they didn’t rejoice; and those who buy, as though they didn’t possess; and those who use the world, as not using it to the fullest. For the mode of this world passes away.

Such a view naturally discourages long-term investments like building libraries, schools, or hospitals. It emphasizes survival over cultural or societal progress. Unfortunately, this perspective often hinders ministries, especially when predictions of Christ’s return fail.

But is the world truly “sinking?” Scripture paints a very different picture.

A World Without End

The Bible affirms repeatedly that the earth is established to endure forever. After the flood, God swore to never destroy all living creatures again:

Genesis 8:21-22 (WEB) Yahweh smelled the pleasant aroma. Yahweh said in his heart, “I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake because the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth. I will never again strike every living thing, as I have done. While the earth remains, seed time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night will not cease.”

Other scriptures reinforce the idea that the earth is established to last forever:

Psalm 104:5 (WEB) He laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be moved forever.

Ecclesiastes 1:4 (WEB) One generation goes, and another generation comes; but the earth remains forever.

Psalm 119:90 (WEB) Your faithfulness is to all generations. You have established the earth, and it remains.

Additional passages such as Psalm 148:1-6 and Psalm 78:69 reinforce this enduring foundation.

What About 2 Peter 3:10-12?

Some interpret 2 Peter 3:10-12 as predicting the earth’s destruction, but a closer examination of the Greek words suggests otherwise. The term earth (gē) often refers to a specific land or region, such as the land of Israel (e.g., Matthew 2:6, 20-21).¹ Similarly, elements (stoicheia) consistently refers to religious systems or principles rather than physical matter (e.g., Galatians 4:3, 9-10; Colossians 2:8, 20-22).² This aligns with the historical destruction of Jerusalem and the Old Covenant system in 70 AD.

2 Peter 3:10-12 (WEB) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements [stoicheia] will be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth [gē] and the works that are in it will be burned up.

Thus, this passage describes the end of the Old Covenant religious system, not the physical destruction of the planet.

Our Mission on an Enduring Earth

With the assurance that the earth will endure, Christians have a mission: to spread God’s kingdom on earth and make it a better place for generations to come. By living out their faith and praying for God’s will to be accomplished on earth as it is in heaven, they not only glorify God but also earn the respect of others, making the gospel more compelling.

Matthew 6:10 (WEB) Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

The Kingdom Has Come

One may assume that if all prophecy was fulfilled in the first century, Christians have nothing left. However, Christ’s return marked the arrival of the kingdom of heaven. It was a new beginning!

Mark 9:1 (WEB) He said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste death until they see God’s Kingdom come with power.”

Luke 21:31-32 (WEB) Even so you also, when you see these things happening, know that God’s Kingdom is near. Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things are accomplished.

This kingdom is a growing and eternal reality, beginning in Christ’s return and continually expanding.

The Kingdom Grows and Thrives

God’s kingdom will never be destroyed but will continue to grow and fill the earth with righteousness, peace, and joy.

Isaiah 9:7 (WEB) Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on David’s throne, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. The zeal of Yahweh of Armies will perform this.

This growth is like a mustard seed growing into a great tree or yeast spreading through dough, symbolizing a gradual but unstoppable expansion.

Matthew 13:31-33 (WEB) The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed… which indeed is smaller than all seeds. But when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs, and becomes a tree… The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast… until it was all leavened.

The unstoppable growth and permanence of God’s kingdom is echoed throughout Scripture. Other key references include Isaiah 11:1-9; 32:1; 60:22; Daniel 2:32-35, 44; Romans 14:17; Hebrews 12:28; 1 Peter 2:9; and Revelation 5:10; 11:15. Jesus planted the seed of his kingdom upon his arrival, and it continues to grow forever, filling the earth with justice, righteousness, peace, and joy.

A Spiritual Kingdom

While the kingdom of God has a tangible impact on the world, its essence is spiritual and cannot be confined to a single location or institution.

Luke 17:20-21 (WEB) Being asked by the Pharisees when God’s Kingdom would come, he answered them, “God’s Kingdom doesn’t come with observation; neither will they say, ‘Look, here!’ or, ‘Look, there!’ for behold, God’s Kingdom is within you.”

John 3:3-8 (WEB) Jesus answered him, “Unless one is born anew, he can’t see God’s Kingdom… Unless one is born of water and spirit, he can’t enter into God’s Kingdom. That which is born of the flesh is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit… The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but don’t know where it comes from and where it is going. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

John 18:36 (WEB) Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not of this world. If my Kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn’t be delivered to the Jews. But now my Kingdom is not from here.”

The kingdom is made up of those who are “born of water and Spirit” (John 3:5) and includes people from every tribe and nation (Revelation 5:9-10). Christians are its citizens, called to live as lights in the world, bearing fruits of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Daniel 7:27; Matthew 5:10; 19:14; 25:34; Luke 12:32; Romans 14:17).

The Improving World

The world is steadily improving, and God’s kingdom is the driving force behind this progress. Early church father Eusebius, writing in 314 AD, observed how Christ’s birth brought an unprecedented era of peace. Drawing on Isaiah’s prophecy—“They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their lances into pruning-hooks; nation shall not take up sword against nation, and they shall not learn war anymore”—he noted that ancient conflicts between nations had ceased:

From the time of His coming, an unexampled peace has filled all nations. States no longer war with states, nor nations contend with nations, as they did before. Athenians no longer attack Lacedaemonians, nor Syrians the Phoenicians, nor Egyptians their neighbors. All have been united by God’s help, and from that day, the peace of the prophecy began.³

Eusebius credited Christ’s influence and the unifying power of God for ending constant conflict during the Roman Empire, a foretaste of the greater peace to come when Isaiah’s vision is fully realized.

United in Christ

Isaiah 11 describes animals living in peace, such as wolves and lambs, but this is a metaphor for unity in Christ. Paul references this passage in Romans 15:7-12, explaining that Christian Gentiles (wolves) and Jews (lambs) are united under God’s kingdom. Although people from each nation differ in many aspects, they find unity and peace through their shared faith in Christ.

Modern Evidence of Progress

Fast-forward to today, and we can see even more evidence of progress. By examining global statistics, it’s clear that the world is in a far better place than it was 50, 200, or 2,000 years ago. Progress isn’t linear—it’s more like the stock market, with occasional dips—but the overall trend is undeniably upward. J.D. King highlights this in his article, “Is the World Getting Worse?” He points to research by Dr. Steven Pinker, a Pulitzer Prize-winning Harvard professor, who writes:

“Today we may be living in the most peaceful era in our species’ existence.”

King also notes:

“England, Canada, and most other industrialized countries have also seen their homicide rates fall in the past decade. Among the 88 countries with reliable data, 67 have seen a decline in the past 15 years…Rates of rape or sexual assault and of violence against intimate partners have been sinking for decades, and are now a quarter or less of their peaks in the past.”[3]

Archeologists and anthropologists have surmised that over 15% of society died violently in previous centuries. More recently this number has dropped down to 3%. In the Twenty-First Century less than 1% have died a violent or war-related death.[4]

Pinker concludes:

“The world is not falling apart. The kinds of violence to which most people are vulnerable—homicide, rape, battering, child abuse—have been in steady decline in most of the world. Autocracy is giving way to democracy. Wars between states—by far the most destructive of all conflicts—are all but obsolete. The increase in the number and deadliness of civil wars since 2010 is circumscribed, puny in comparison with the decline that preceded it, and unlikely to escalate.”[6]

This progress extends beyond violence. Poverty is decreasing globally, life expectancy is rising, and Christianity is thriving in nearly every country.⁴ Organizations like Our World in Data back this up with statistics showing improvements in death rates, health, wealth, crime, and peace.⁵

The Myth of the “Good Old Days”

When we adopt a pessimistic view of the future, we tend to see everything through that lens. The news amplifies this by focusing on sensational stories of disasters and tragedies, ignoring the quiet progress transforming the world. But if we take a step back and compare today with the past, a different picture emerges.

Harold Eberle’s book, Victorious Eschatology, gives a stark snapshot of life in the United States 200 years ago:

• In the early 1800s, of the 5 million immigrants living in the United States, roughly 20% of them were slaves
• The age of sexual consent in many states was just 9 or 10.
• Abortion rates exceeded 20%, with some states reaching 34%.
• Alcoholism and prostitution were rampant; New York City had one prostitute for every 64 men.
• Only 30–45% of Americans attended church—a figure comparable to today.
• Westward expansion led to the displacement and killing of Native Americans, as well as forced labor for Chinese immigrants.
• Women couldn’t vote, and domestic violence was legal as long as it didn’t result in permanent harm.
• Gold rush towns were lawless, and carrying a gun for self-defense was often essential.

In his Youtube video, “Victorious Eschatology – Part II,” Eberle also notes that at America’s founding in 1776, only 17% of the population attended church—less than half the percentage today. Despite nostalgia for the “good old days,” the moral, ethical, and spiritual climate of the past was worse than today.

A Hopeful Future

The world isn’t perfect, but by looking at the bigger picture, it’s clear that humanity is moving forward. Slavery, for example, was abolished worldwide over 150 years ago—a monumental victory. Christianity, which began with 12 disciples, has grown to over 2 billion followers. This remarkable progress reflects God’s hand at work in our world.

Yes, challenges remain—wars, crime, and social issues still exist—but the evidence shows that God’s kingdom is advancing, and humanity is making progress. It’s a hopeful story worth telling.

Living in Fulfillment

While the growing kingdom provides more hope and purpose here, Christ’s arrival brings many other wonderful benefits.

Direct Access to Heaven

Since the defeat of Hades (Revelation 20:14), believers now go directly to heaven upon death, enjoying eternal joy in God’s presence (Revelation 14:13). This assurance comforts us in knowing that our Christian loved ones are now with God, watching over us from heaven.

The New Covenant

The Old Covenant officially ended when all prophecy was fulfilled, and the old heaven and earth passed away (Luke 21:22,31-33; Revelation 21:1). Jesus declared:

Matthew 5:18 (WEB) For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished.

The destruction of the temple in 70 AD, as Jesus predicted, marked this fulfillment (Matthew 24:2). Without the temple or Levitical records, the Mosaic law could no longer be authentically practiced. Jewish Christians, who had observed the law to reach others, no longer needed it for ministry (1 Corinthians 9:19-23). Today, Christians live by the Spirit, not the Mosaic law. Jeremiah described the New Covenant:

Jeremiah 31:33-34 (WEB) I will put my law in their inward parts, and I will write it in their heart. I will be their God, and they shall be my people… For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Under this covenant, God changes hearts, enabling His people to live in love (Philippians 2:13; Romans 2:14-15; Ezekiel 36:27). Even when Christians fail, they have the assurance of unlimited grace and forgiveness. Jesus fully paid for sin, and believers stand justified before God through faith (Romans 3:21-25).

Romans 5:1 (WEB) Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

This grace inspires gratitude, transforming believers to love God and others (Luke 7:47; Titus 2:11-12). Where sin abounds, grace abounds even more, leading to a life of righteousness (Romans 5:20-21).

Luke 7:47 (BSB) Therefore I tell you, because her many sins have been forgiven, she has loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”

Eternal Blessings

Is it better to live in the age anticipating promises or the age that inherits them? Christians today live in the fulfillment of God’s promises, receiving His blessings both now and forever. While persecution still exists, believers have God’s favor and are invited to ask Him for anything.

Matthew 7:7 (WEB) Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened to you.

God promises His people abundance, joy, and honor. They will see the wealth of nations turned to them (Isaiah 60:5), be called priests and ministers of God (Isaiah 61:6; 62:2), and have peace like a river (Isaiah 66:12). No weapon formed against them will succeed, and strife will fail before them (Isaiah 54:13-17).

God also assures His people of His unchanging love. Just as He swore never to flood the earth again, He promises never to be angry or curse His saints (Isaiah 54:9). His people will enjoy the fruit of their labor and live long, abundant lives (Isaiah 65:22).

The spread of Christianity will be unstoppable, extending to the ends of the earth. Isaiah 9:7 declares that the increase of Christ’s government and peace will never end. Nations that oppose His kingdom will perish (Isaiah 60:12), but God’s people will be established as a praise in the earth (Isaiah 62:7). Believers, as the New Jerusalem (Galatians 4:26), inherit these promises.

Understanding the Bible

Those who believe Christ did not return on time struggle with many unanswered questions when reading the Bible. The competing beliefs undermine their faith, usually at a subconscious level. Now that it can be shown that Christ came on time, readers can hope to understand their Bible confidently. An on-time return unifies the scriptures, Old and New Testament prophecies, makes sense of otherwise cryptic passages, gives confidence, and answers skeptics who claim Jesus was a false prophet.

A Purposeful Present and Future

The fear of the “end times” has discouraged many, but recognizing Christ’s return provides renewed confidence and purpose. Christians are called to:

• Shine as lights in the world (Daniel 12:3).
• Share the gospel
• Build and improve society for future generations.
• Trust in God’s promises of righteousness, peace, joy, and favor.

Christ returned on time, and His kingdom continues to grow.

So much remains to be discovered, and researchers should study humbly, ready to correct their assumptions as they gain new information. Let us open our Bibles, preferably one of the literal Greek and Hebrew translations, and keep asking questions. Instead of trusting in man’s opinion, may we let scripture interpret scripture, and rely on the daily guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth.

Footnotes