Apostle Paul's Apocalyptic Views: End Times & Resurrection

Introduction: Paul's Unique Apostolic Perspective

The major difference between the Apostle Paul and the other apostles is that Paul had not known Jesus while he was on earth as the Son of God. Paul's conversion occurred only after the Ascension. This fact plays a prominent role in his teachings about Jesus and about the apocalypse. The following discussion examines this aspect of Paul's Christianity together with specific elements of the apocalypse that Paul addresses in his writings.

The three ages of the apocalypse as seen by Paul are discussed in the following order. First, the end of the world as depicted by Paul in his first epistle to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 15:20–28) is considered — a celebration of God, who will come and reign over everything and everyone. Second, and closely related, is Paul's view of the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:20–28), during which the earth and human beings are made new to conform to the spiritual realm. Third, Paul's description of the restoration of the world in Romans 8:18–25 is considered, where the premise is the hope that every Christian holds — that the suffering experienced in the world will end in glory. Finally, the way in which Paul deals with the coming of Christ in his first epistle to the Thessalonians (1 Thess. 4:13–18) is considered, where Paul continues the theme of hope in terms of being reunited with those who have passed away.

It is thus clear that the Christ revealed to Paul differs from the Christ revealed to the rest of the apostles (Sheler, 1999). Christ in his physical form was the revelation of the perfect human being, whereas the Christ revealed on Paul's road to Damascus was already in his glorious spiritual form. It therefore makes sense that Paul's focus would be Christ's glory rather than his earthly career. A further element in Paul's depiction of the glorious Christ and the future hope of all Christians is his passionate belief that the Second Coming was very near (Sheler, 1999). His aim was thus to convert as many people as possible in as little time as possible in anticipation of this event. Rather than dwelling on the past, Paul's focus is on the future and the hope derived from it (Horsley, 1997, p. 128).

"24. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death." (New King James Version, 1983, p. 727)

The End of the World (1 Corinthians 15:24–26)

The end of the world for Paul contains an element of both destruction and new life. All authority as known to mankind will be subjected to God, whose reign will continue until death itself is destroyed. This is the fulfillment of Christ's work on the cross. From the destruction of the body is born eternal and incorruptible life. Death — the punishment of sin — is eradicated in the holy light of the resurrection.

"42. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body… 45. And so it is written, 'The first man Adam became a living being.' The last Adam became a life-giving spirit."

The Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:42–58)

"54. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory.' 56. The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." (New King James Version, 1983, p. 727)

In the above passage Paul continues his theme of the earthly as opposed to the heavenly. The focus is the future, when everything will be incorruptible and spiritual. Paul also draws on the Old Testament, where God's plan for humanity begins with the creation of Adam. The perfection of that plan is found in the "last Adam," who is responsible for spiritual rather than physical creation. Furthermore, the death that entered the world as a result of Adam's sin leaves the world through the doorway of Christ's perfection.

This is what LaRondelle (2003) refers to as "the fullness of salvation." It is not only the end of sin, but also the creation and restoration of the human being in the image of God. This is the hope Paul refers to, which should encourage believers to keep their faith and work towards salvation. Because the spiritual and perfect world is the ultimate reward of the Christian, the life of a believer should reflect this in the effort to become increasingly spiritual. Christians should understand that their work towards self-restoration is not in vain, since it prepares them for the ultimate restoration at the apocalypse. According to LaRondelle (2003), it is faith working through love in the power of the Holy Spirit that perfects corruptible human flesh.

"18. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21. because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God." (New King James Version, 1983, p. 713)

Conclusion: Hope as the Core of Paul's Apocalyptic Vision

For Paul, the significance of what Christ did on earth is cosmic and mystical (Sheler, 1999). All human hopes and fears are connected with Christ's salvation. It touches every area of human life in the ongoing effort to become more spiritual. Because believers have hope, their whole lives are shaped by the motivation and joy this entails.