In his magnum opus, A New Testament Biblical Theology, Greg Beale proves—convincingly in my mind—that Christ’s resurrection inaugurated the end-times. Tribulation is here now, not “sometime way out there” as many would have you believe. The significance of this on ecclesiology and ministry is, dare we say, massive.
“The Tribulation is Here.” Say What?!?
For Beale argues there are continuities between the trials of God’s people in the Old Testament and the New Covenant age. He says the church goes through
a replication of the deceptive trial encountered by Adam. The difference now, however, is that the last Adam, Jesus, and his true followers, succeed in contrast to the first Adam, who failed and was deceived by the devil. . . . Satan’s deception of Adam and Eve that characterized the beginning of history has been typologically reproduced, so that Satan’s primal deception comes to characterize the end of history, the age of the last Adam, not merely the period directly before Christ’s second coming but the time extending from Christ’s first coming until his last coming.
The point of interest for this post is when he writes, “The specific trial and temptation during the present age is that believers are always undergoing deceptive influence against them not to believe in Christ and his precepts—that is, to commit ‘covenant community apostasy.’” How does Jesus go about protecting His sheep in the midst of this end-time deception?
Drumroll please . . .
He gives pastors and elders to His body.
7 Ways to War Against the Worm
The Pastoral Epistles, especially the letters to Timothy, are where we must turn at this point. At the outset of chapter four the Great Apostle says, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.” What should young Timothy—and all subsequent pastors—do in the face of false teaching? How are we to go about slaying the Serpent in these final, evil days?
Give up worldly silliness. “Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths” (1 Tim. 4:7).
Sweat thyself unto godliness. “Train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Tim 4:7-8).
Be worthy of imitation. “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12).
Exhaust yourself in ministering God’s word. “Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching” (1 Tim. 4:13).
Don’t bury your gift(s) in the spiritual sand. “Do not neglect the gift you have” (1 Tim. 4:14).
Overtly advance in faithfulness. “Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress” (1 Tim. 4:15).
Steadfastly stare at your soul and the Scriptures. “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching” (1 Tim. 4:16).
Fear Not and Take Heart
Ministry in the age of tribulation and deception is, as we might say with the kids, “A beat down.” This war claims thousands of pastoral souls each year. In many parts of the world Satan kills Christ’s shepherds—of course, he doesn’t realize all he’s done is give them the martyr’s crown and hasten Jesus’ return (Rev. 6:11). The visceral nature of tribulation encourages desertion; how many elders desert their post in fear or unbelief? If they don’t die or don’t desert, so many more brothers in ministry get knocked back to the hospital ward, permanently maimed for ministry.
We can’t trifle with tribulation.
But we can take heart.
Look again at those seven strategies for war Paul gives Timothy. How blessedly ordinary they are! Christ doesn’t give us a battle plan full of tactics and maneuvers impossible to understand or execute. The marching orders are beautifully simple.
Pastors are Christ’s gift to His church in the age of tribulation (Eph. 4:11). He calls them to protect His people and lead His charge on the gates of hell. He tells them to walk on two feet marked Faithfulness and Holiness. Such an advance makes even hell quake in fear.