How the Future Shapes Our Life as Believers
At discipleofmessiah.com, one of the things we love to share is how the message of Jesus and Paul is deeply rooted in the story of Israel. Paul didn’t start a “new religion”—he carried forward Israel’s hope that God would set the world right through the Messiah. His mission to the nations (the Gentiles—non-Jews like most of us) was not a change of plan, but part of God’s plan from the beginning.
The Big Idea
Here’s the key: what you believe about the future always shapes how you live today.
That’s what we mean by eschatology—a big word that simply means “the study of the end” or “where history is going.” And discipleship means following Jesus day by day. These two things can’t be separated.
If you think this life is all there is, you’ll live one way.
If you believe Jesus is returning to raise the dead and judge the world, you’ll live another way.
Paul and the other apostles always connected discipleship (how to live as followers of Jesus) with eschatology (the hope of His return and God’s final plan).
Eschatology Drives Discipleship
Think of an athlete. If their goal is to win the Olympics, they train every day with that future in mind. In the same way, what we believe about the future changes how we live now.
Paul says it like this in Titus 2:
“The grace of God has appeared… training us to renounce ungodliness… waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
God’s grace doesn’t just forgive us—it trains us to live differently because we are waiting for Jesus to return.
The Great Commission
After Jesus rose from the dead, He told His disciples:
“Go and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
Notice what He says:
Make disciples—students, learners who follow Him.
Teach them to obey His commands.
Do this until “the end of the age”—when He returns.
This was not a brand-new idea, but the fulfillment of Israel’s story. God always planned to bless all nations through Israel (Genesis 12:3). Now Jesus, Israel’s Messiah, sends His followers to bring that blessing to the world.
How the Future Shapes Daily Life
The New Testament shows four main ways the hope of Jesus’ return (eschatology) shapes how we live (discipleship):
Mission – God is patient, giving people time to repent before the day of judgment (2 Peter 3). Our job is to share the good news with others, showing them grace and mercy like our Father in heaven. .
Endurance in Suffering – Trials are hard, but they are temporary compared to the glory to come (Romans 8:18). Hope helps us endure.
Holy Living – Since the day is near, we “cast off darkness and put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:11-14). We live now as we will live then.
Self-Denial – Jesus said, “Take up your cross and follow me… for the Son of Man will come… and repay each person” (Matthew 16:24-27). Because He is coming, we can let go of this world’s rewards and live for Him.
The Danger of False Hopes
Throughout history, many false pictures of the future have led Christians off track:
Some thought the kingdom comes through political power.
Others believed the goal is to escape earth for a spiritual heaven.
Still others claim the resurrection already happened, denying the real hope of Jesus’ return.
Paul warns against this (2 Timothy 2, 1 Corinthians 15). If we lose the hope of Jesus’ return and the resurrection, we lose the anchor of discipleship.
The True Hope
The real future is this:
Jesus will return.
He will raise the dead.
He will judge the world with justice.
He will restore creation and reign forever.
That hope is what gives meaning to our daily choices, our endurance in suffering, and our joy in following Him.
Closing Encouragement
As new believers, here’s what this means for you:
Stay a learner—keep studying God’s Word, because that’s how disciples grow.
Keep your eyes on the future—Jesus is coming again, and that shapes everything.
Live with purpose now—renounce sin, endure trials with hope, and walk in holiness.
Paul says it best:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” (Romans 12:2)
Our hope is not in this world’s dreams, but in Jesus’ return. Let that hope set the rhythm of your life.
Ready for a deeper dive on this topic? Visit our Advanced Bible Study—Module 6, Paul’s Discipleship of the Gentiles into the Hope of Israel—for more on this topic.