What is inaugurated eschatology?

Answer

Inaugurated eschatology is a specific framework of eschatology—the study of the final days or the end times. Essentially, inaugurated eschatology asserts that the kingdom of God, as foretold in Isaiah 35, commenced with the first coming of Jesus and is presently present, although its complete fulfillment will occur at His second coming. This concept is also known as “partially realized eschatology” and is linked to the idea of “already but not yet.”

Fundamentally, inaugurated eschatology holds that we are currently experiencing the end times (or final days), which began with the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. As Jesus initiated the kingdom of God, the church now has access to the promises of the kingdom. In contrast, dispensational eschatology views the kingdom of God as a distinct future period where the promises to Israel will be literally realized on earth. Dispensationalism emphasizes a division between the New Testament church and Old Testament (and future-kingdom-era) Israel, a distinction blurred by inaugurated eschatology.

According to inaugurated eschatology, all the kingdom promises can be fulfilled in the church today. For instance, Isaiah 35:5 pledges that, in the kingdom, “the eyes of the blind [will] be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.” Advocates of the “already but not yet” concept argue that this promise can be claimed today if we have faith for the kingdom to manifest in our world. The rationale is that since Jesus is the reigning King in heaven and His kingdom is already established, the blind should see and the deaf should hear. Inaugurated eschatology is embraced in the Charismatic movement as it supports the belief in contemporary miracles.

From a biblical perspective, we are indeed in the end times because the return of Christ is imminent.There is a sense in which the kingdom is already in force. Colossians 3:1 states that believers “have been raised with Christ,” although, of course, this cannot refer to a physical, bodily resurrection yet. Paul must be speaking spiritually. One issue with inaugurated eschatology is that it tends to seek a current physical fulfillment of the kingdom promises made to Israel, whereas Jesus clearly stated, “My kingdom is not of this world” «Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. », (John 18:36).

Earlier in Jesus’ ministry, He did mention that the kingdom of God was “near” «From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. », (Matthew 4:17). However, Israel rejected their King and, in doing so, rejected the kingdom. The kingdom years are now “on hold” as God works through the church, composed of both Jew and Gentile. Once the church age has ended, God will once again make Israel the focus of His work in the world. Jesus will return, Israel will receive their Messiah, and then the kingdom of God will come.