Christianity Quote by Timothy Keller
““The coming of the messianic King occurs in two stages. At his first coming, he saved us from the penalty of sin and gave us the presence of the Holy Spirit, the down payment of the age to come (2 Cor 1:21 – 22; Eph 1:13–14). At the end of time, he will come to complete what he began at the first coming, saving us from the dominion and very presence of sin and evil. He will bring a new creation, a material world cleansed of all brokenness. Christians now live in light of that future reality. We evangelize, telling people about the gospel and preparing them for the judgment. We also help the poor and work for justice, because we know that this is God’s will and that he will ultimately overcome all oppression. We teach Christians to integrate their faith and their work so they can be culture makers, working for human flourishing — the common good. The “already but not yet” of the kingdom keeps us from utopian, triumphalistic visions of cultural takeover on the one hand, and from pessimism or withdrawal from society on the other.””
About This Quote
The passage describes the two-phase eschatological view: Christ's first coming offers salvation and the Holy Spirit, while his second will eradicate sin, evil, and brokenness, culminating in a new creation. This 'already‑but‑not‑yet' tension guides Christians to engage society responsibly, balancing hope with realistic action.
In simple terms: Christ’s two‑stage kingdom shapes Christian engagement with the world.
Live now in light of future redemption.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- Evangelism
- Poverty relief
- Advocacy for justice
- Integrating faith and work
Key Concepts
Practical Applications
- Church teaching
- Community development
Questions to Reflect On
- How does the 'already‑but‑not‑yet' view affect daily decisions?
- What responsibilities arise from believing in a future new creation?