Divine Paradoxes: Resolving Seeming Contradictions in Christian Theology
Category 4: Eternality and Temporality Paradoxes
1. Introduction
One of the striking paradoxes in Christian theology is that the end of all things is already revealed, yet believers must live through the unfolding events of life, often without knowing what lies ahead. Scripture declares that Christ has won, that eternity is secure, and that God will ultimately bring about a new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1). Yet, day by day, Christians walk a path full of unknowns, trials, and progress. How can the journey be uncertain if the destination is certain?
2. Scriptural Foundations
2.1 The End Is Known
- Revelation 21:1–4 – “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth… and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”
- Romans 8:30 – “Whom he justified, them he also glorified.”
- Philippians 1:6 – “He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
2.2 The Journey Unfolds Daily
- Psalm 119:105 – “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
- Hebrews 11:8 – “By faith Abraham… went out, not knowing whither he went.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:7 – “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
3. Theological Meaning
- God is sovereign over all time—He declares the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10),
- Yet, in His providence, He ordains that believers live by faith, experiencing growth, testing, and grace as the journey unfolds,
- The Christian life is both a pilgrimage and a process within a divinely secured outcome.
4. Paradox Explained
| The End is Known | The Journey Unfolds |
|---|---|
| Eternal destiny is sealed in Christ | Daily choices and challenges remain |
| God’s victory is guaranteed | The believer still contends, suffers, perseveres |
| Ultimate rest is promised | The path includes valleys, delays, and mystery |
| We are seated in heavenly places (Eph. 2:6) | Yet we walk through the wilderness of this life |
5. Christ as Model of Journey and Fulfilment
- Luke 9:51 – Jesus “set his face to go to Jerusalem”, knowing the cross lay ahead,
- Though His victory was certain, Jesus endured the process of suffering, betrayal, and death,
- Hebrews 12:2 – “Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross…”
6. Eschatological Security and Pilgrimage
- The Bible presents a future hope that anchors the soul (Hebrews 6:19),
- Yet believers must persevere to the end (Matthew 24:13),
- The end is not only secure—it shapes the journey, granting meaning, resilience, and moral clarity.
7. Practical Implications
- Christians are to live with confident expectation, not passive fatalism,
- Faithfulness in small steps prepares us for the promised end (Luke 16:10),
- The journey is one of co-labouring with God in history (1 Corinthians 3:9).
8. Summary Table
| Certainty of the End | Unfolding of the Journey |
|---|---|
| Salvation is finished in Christ (John 19:30) | Sanctification is ongoing (Phil. 2:12–13) |
| The new creation is assured (Rev. 21:1–5) | The old world must be endured and witnessed to |
| Glory is our inheritance (Rom. 8:17) | Suffering precedes it (Rom. 8:18) |
9. Conclusion
This paradox urges believers to live with eternal assurance and daily dependence. Knowing the end is not a reason to disengage from the journey—it is the reason to walk it with courage, holiness, and perseverance. God has written the final chapter, but He invites His people to walk each page in faithful partnership, trusting that all things work together for good (Romans 8:28).
References
- The Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV)
- Augustine. City of God
- Calvin, J. Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3
- Bonhoeffer, D. Letters and Papers from Prison
- Wright, N.T. Surprised by Hope
- Lewis, C.S. The Great Divorce