A call to sensibility about the end of the world.
Men believe what they believe about God with deep passion. Without passion, one would assume that they do not really believe what they claim but are merely conforming to the passions of others. Many men over the last two thousand years, since Christ visited our dear planet, have emphatically claimed that Christ would return within their lifetimes. They have caused much havoc among the lives of those who believed these false claims. Date setting, while many admit is nothing short of prophesying, has continuously proven to be false, yet this deters few. It is my hope to you, whoever you may be and no matter what you may believe, that upon reading what I am herein writing, that you may at least be sensible, even if you are terribly wrong about Christ’s second coming and the timing of it.
Why have so many generations of believers been utterly convinced (and convincing I might add) any yet terribly wrong about the timing of Christ’s return? The earth was not flat and Christ did not return. The first sensible conclusion one should reach is that even since educated and studious men have previously failed in this arena, that perhaps those of our day are no different. These failures have brought nothing but ill repute and scorn to the Christianity and discredited the verity of our faith to no end. Each generation revamps and recompiles the limited information contained within scripture to tune it to their generation. Is it not reasonable to perhaps allow within your own thinking that perhaps these present day doomsayers are no better than the hoards of those who proved themselves false that came before? This element of humility could actually add the fruit of brotherly love to the realm of Eschatology (the study of last things). Is it sensible to condemn men as heretics when your own ‘church fathers’ have proven continuously false?
I am among those who have concluded that no other view can suit the scriptural confinements other than the belief that Christ returned a second time to the generation to which He personally ministered. Christ returned in 70 A.D. It is completely unsound to obscure the scriptures to suit our generation. I, however, am not about to declare hell bound all those who fail to agree with me. Yet, I have found many who do not hesitate to condemn me. This is far from sensible or reasonable. Christ said that faith in Him was enough. Church doctrine and dogma has left us in a generation no different than the one that freely condemned our Lord. I do not understand men who sincerely think that being wrong about the timing of the Lord’s return is a damnable offence but let’s hope for their own sake that they are wrong. Christ will not be returning any time soon, it is finished.
Upon studying Christian history, being wrong about the return of Christ is far from uncommon.
Concerning every day life, believing that the world is to soon end has done untold damage to Christianity. Apart from making Christians look like complete idiots, it has also changed the way many Christians have chosen to live. Why have children or why get married if it will all be over soon? Consider this statement of Paul to his day:
1 Corinthians 7:26 I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.
27 Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.
29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;
Within these words are certain conditions. To apply these conditions to every generation would be to say that men ought not to ever seek wives but to remain single. This is basically what the Roman Catholic Church has done for centuries. One must however look at the conditions of these statements, which were – “present distress” and “the time is short”. Futurists have maintained the time is always short and must be to ensure fear and obedience among believers. If Paul was actually teaching that all men throughout all generations should be single and childless how long would Christianity have survived?
If however we look back to the time of the Babylonian captivity we see just the opposite injunction by the mouth of the prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah understood that the captivity would last 70 years and called it a long time. The people had hoped it would be a “short time” but Jeremiah told them to build houses to marry and have lots of children. He also said that their children should marry and have children. This would cover about two generations and the 70 year captivity:
Jeremiah 29: 4 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon;
5 Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them;
6 Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished.
7 And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.
8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.
9 For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD.
10 For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.
Jeremiah 29:28 For therefore he sent unto us in Babylon, saying, This captivity is long: build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them.
Jeremiah said the captivity would be long being only 70 years; it was certainly long enough to raise a family and godly seed unto the Lord. I actually know of a couple who decided to have surgery to avoid children because they believed Christ would return soon. They thought they should go to the mission field unburdened by children. They lived to deeply regret this foolishness even seeking surgical reversal to no avail. What a tragic situation. In Jeremiah’s day the people of God were told to build houses, plant vineyards and gardens and pray for the peace of Babylon that they themselves may enjoy that peace. What a contrast compared to the many who hope that an antichrist will soon appear and take dominion in our day.
Concerning dominion or what may be better termed responsibility and care, Adam was told to take dominion over the garden and to be fruitful. Because many are taught that our world is about to end, they fail to see any point in “polishing brass on a sinking ship”. This is an attitude of hopelessness and surrender. Now those who hold to such positions would be very quick to point out that their hope is in God and not this perishing world. The problem is they do in fact live in the same world that God gave to Adam. The world is now fallen captive to the effects of the fall of man but no where does scripture teach that godly men should only seek to rule in paradise. Men of faith operate in this fallen realm and rise above it through Christ.
Hebrew 11: 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
Not all faithful men “subdue kingdoms” but many did and yet will. Joseph, although sold into slavery, rose to rule over all of Egypt on Pharaoh’s behalf. The very same was true of faithful Daniel who ruled Babylon under more than just one king. These men did not account those who ruled as being satan’s agents and then surrender to hopelessness. They served those kings while never compromising their righteous obedience to God. Many Christians today are so sure we are near the end they will not even vote never mind running for office. It has been said that “the only thing necessary for evil to trump is for good men to do nothing”. Is it any wonder that many who love truth and good give up on this world being taught it will soon be destroyed by Jesus Himself?
My purpose in writing this is not to convince you that Christ returned in 70 A.D. My purpose is to implore you to consider the effects your beliefs may be having on your life choices and attitudes. Godly men do not despise dominion or kings who rule over them even if those men are idolaters who do not know God. By patient doing of right, Daniel’s name, as well as the name of our God, was written into the very laws of Babylon:
Daniel 6:26 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and steadfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.
Perhaps it is a bit much to hope that your name will ever appear in historical annals but it will most certainly never happen to men who retreat and surrender this world to the devil. Men who never marry or have children will eventually see their family names disappear from this earth. People who never buy real estate will have to rent something from others or end up living on the street.
The USA and Canada were founded on hopes of building a godly country with a real future. Regardless of what you personally believe, and even if you believe the world will end tomorrow or the day after, living under such premises can sabotage your effectiveness for Christ’s kingdom. When it comes to making choices live as if the world will never end. Get married, have children and build houses even as God directed the captives of Babylon, though they would stay only 70 years in that land. Children are a blessing from God and the fruit of the womb is God good reward. Some people never enjoy this blessing but to not enjoy this by choice has to be one of the most foolish decisions I can point to. Do not “run up bills for the antichrist” but be financially prudent. Attempt to be wiser than the children of this world. You have all the tools at your finger tips including the wisdom of God to guide you. This promise is open to any nation not just ancient Israel:
Duet 28:12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
13 And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:
Even if God did end the world and you were right, what would you lose by thinking longer term? Buy a little real estate. Your grandchildren may live to thank you.
Lastly, my biggest concern is the horrible attitude that many are willing to expend towards those who do not believe that Christ will soon return. Some go as far as to suggest they should be cast out of church and avoided as damnable heretics. Where they find authority to make such assertions is beyond me. This in and of itself is a most grave state of affairs. Jesus said this:
Matthew 12:25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
Apart from simply surrendering this world to doom and gloom, the most damnable aspect of doomsayers is the spreading of discourse among brethren. Surely Christianity today has become lame in society and laughable to many because we so readily divide and fight among ourselves. Christ said this:
John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
It is my hope, not that this paper will convert anyone from believing the end is near, but to hopefully rescue them from some of the ill effects fatalism can have upon their lives. Please do not hesitate to get married or have children. Do not skip College or to get a University education. The world will need doctors and scientists, especially Christian scientists who know this world was created by God. We need good and godly teachers in our schools. We need godly men to become governors of our states and lands. A godly police force would be excellent. Why should the godless enforce our laws? Where have all the god fearing judges gone? Are they home awaiting Christ’s return? Have they buried the “talents” God gave them? We need to do our best to be examples of godly dominion. Do not cheat yourself of the good things God can give you because you are caught up in thinking you will soon be “caught up”. If I am wrong you lose nothing but if what I am telling you is correct then you and your children’s children have everything to gain. Go ahead and believe the world is about to end but please don’t cheer for the antichrist and hope the world will wax worse and worse. Don’t just sit around waiting for satan to win. Believe Christ will return a third time if you must but please live and build for a godly tomorrow. We are the conquerors! Evil need not triumph. Build houses and plant vineyards. Take dominion. Win! You owe it to your children and your children’s children. They will have to live here too. Build them a land and a country shaped by the faithful men their past, built by men like you.
Luke 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
Brian
"The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
-- Edmund Burke (1729-1797) |
