BOOK: Jesus Wins – The Good News of the End Times

By Dayton Hartman | Amazon.com | 144 pages
Published in January of 2019

SUMMARY: In Jesus Wins, pastor Dayton Hartman makes his position clear from the outset: speculative discussions about the end times rarely offer any value and should never become a point of division. He emphasizes that as long as believers adhere to the foundational doctrines expressed in the Apostles‘ and Nicene Creeds, their specific views on eschatology (the study of the end times) should not fracture the church’s unity.

Hartman cautions against overemphasizing prophecy at the expense of the church’s mission. “When we prioritize prophetic speculation, we forget our mission and abandon the hope that Christian eschatology gives the church,” he writes. According to Hartman, making secondary issues, such as the timing of end times events, into primary concerns disrupts the focus on more essential matters like church unity and fellowship.

However, Hartman also acknowledges that a Christian’s eschatological perspective shapes how they engage with society and interpret current events. A clear example is the varied Christian perspectives on modern-day Israel. But, before delving into the specifics of different eschatological views, Hartman reiterates that the core truth—that Jesus wins—should unite all Christians.

This assurance of Christ’s ultimate victory should radically transform how believers live in the present. Citing Matthew 25:34-40, Hartman reminds readers that Christian action—feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, welcoming strangers, and visiting prisoners—reflects the values of Jesus’ coming kingdom. “For the believer, knowing that Jesus will come back and that he wins ought to drive us to live differently and distinctly from the world around us—to do for others what Jesus has done for us,” Hartman explains. Christian eschatology, he argues, should lead to a life marked by worship and a confident hope in Christ’s return.

The book then outlines four major eschatological views: amillennialism, postmillennialism, historic premillennialism, and dispensationalism. Each view offers different interpretations of key elements such as the millennium, Satan’s binding, and the relationship between Israel and the church. Hartman provides helpful summaries of each perspective, complete with descriptions of key figures and scripture references, offering clarity on this often complex topic.

Hartman likens the four views to lanes on a highway, with the Apostles‘ and Nicene Creeds acting as guardrails to maintain theological orthodoxy. While these eschatologies differ in interpretation, he points out that they share much common ground. “Despite differences on the millennial age, the events leading up to the return of Christ, and the relationship between Israel and the church, these eschatologies agree about more than they disagree,” he writes, highlighting the shared belief in Christ’s return and judgment of the living and the dead, as stated in the Apostles‘ Creed.

Ultimately, Hartman boils Christian eschatology down to two simple words: Jesus wins. He contends that the church has often neglected this fundamental hope, allowing debates over timing and details to overshadow the central truth that unites all believers.

At a concise 144 pages, Jesus Wins offers an accessible and insightful introduction to Christian eschatology. Hartman successfully simplifies a daunting subject, making it approachable for all readers. His message is clear: Christians may disagree on the specifics but can unite around the core truth of Christ’s victory.

KEY QUOTE: “The purpose of our eschatology shouldn’t be voyeuristic fascination with destruction, but rather hopeful anticipation of restoration.”

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BONUS: Listen to Hartman discuss his book on The Acts 29 podcast.

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