Yesterday I posed a question:
Why would we care whether or not “The Antichrist” is in the world now, as opposed to being here in 10,000 years from now? Would it make any difference to how you go about your daily life?
I’ve got the answer:
Q: Why would we care whether or not “The Antichrist” is in the world now, as opposed to being here in 10,000 years from now?
A: We shouldn’t really care.
Q: Would it make any difference to how you go about your daily life?
A: NO, at least it shouldn’t.
Before I go any further, I’d like to thank everyone for their wonderful comments and suggestions. I looked at your verses, videos and other suggestions, and carefully considered all of the comments, and they went across a wide and very interesting range of views on the subject. One thing is for sure, we actually have a pretty neat community of believers here on WP!
Now, I should come clean: I did my doctoral thesis on “Comparison and Contrast of Millennial Theories and their Relative Impact on Daily Christian Life.” So, I had a fair idea of the various views and where they come from in terms of the Biblical text. But then, that isn’t what I asked is it?.
It makes no difference to me which view or views you prefer. As I see it, none of them are essential to the Faith in any way. For most people, the whole subject of prophecy is a murky one, and the “average” Christian, if indeed there really is such a creature, relys on whet others say on the subject. The real thought behind my question was more along the lines of our attitudes about our Christian walk.
I have a long-held view that people sometimes go off in the worng direction, that they focus so much on a certain aspect of doctrine, in this case the End, that they miss out on what is really important. What is really important is not how we view the End Time, “The Antichrist” or any other single factor in this whole subject. Instead, at least as I view it, the really important component is our relationship with Jesus Christ. If you are a frequent visitor here, you won’t be surprised, since I say this all the time! As far as the End Time and the second coming of Christ are concerned, here’s how I see it, or maybe I should say, here’s what we know for certain:
1. When Jesus returns we are certain of two things: First, everybody will know; there won’t be any doubt about it. Second, everyone will be surprised. (Matt. 25)
2. If there is ever somebody who “might” be Jesus, a rumor or an imposter, then that person is NOT Jesus. No “Antichrist” will ever trick you in this if you are forcused on your relationship with Christ.
3. When that day comes that Jesus returns, it will be like any other day; there are no signs that will clue you in beforehand. (Matt. 25)
4. We must be ready in case He comes TODAY! Are you?
It was suggested that we need to pay attention to the possibility of an impending return so that we will know to be in fervent prayer, evangelism and so on. This should not be the case, for you should be doing these things already!
Here’s another interesting factor that came up in comments, at least by inference on my part. It would seem that many people find Revelation quite difficult. I’m not going to say simply that it’s really easy and simple, for that isn’t quite true. It is, however, not as diffcult as you might think. As I’ve mentioned in a recent post, the differences that we run into from time to time, tend to result from a difference of premises, those annoying little assumptions that are the foudation for our reasoning in understanding things. Many people assume that Revelation is about the second coming or the end of the age, but it is not. They come up, but that isn’t the theme of the book.
Surprised?
Overall context is set forth in Revelation 1:1, and everything else is within that context…
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John,
First, Jesus is what is being revealed in Revelation. Second, this is accomplished by revealing what must “soon take place.” Soon, of course is a relative term, and we can take it to mean 2,000 years later, or we might allow for the possibility that it isn’t all about us. If you alter this premise, you might see that much of what is talked about in the book is more rich in content than you thought before. If this is helpful to you, then use it. If it isn’t, feel free to toss it out. If you already know all in this area, please disregard.
In the final analysis dear reader, we have a commission to make disciples and we have an imperative to draw close to Him in relationship. I suggest that we be about our work of making disciples for His Kingdom while drawing ever closer to Him in faith, and how ever God has the end of this world figured out will be just fine for each of us.
Come, Lord Jesus!
Life Project Blog 
“I suggest that we be about our work ..” Please sir, can I have more “struggle”?
Yes, Paul, you can have lots more “struggle” This is part of my “struggle” to encourage our brethren to focus on the “struggle” rather than the speculative. Besides, isn’t tuning in and reading my rantings a struggle in and of itself?
Dear Don – you bring the word of God. So only sometimes a struggle reading here! 🙂
What surprised me (shows how much I know) was the volume of comments. My scroll button burned out! Illuminating – and illuminating how I was drawn in as well!
This is the one subject that always draws a crowd, so to speak. I thought it was really interesting how many answered a question I didn’t ask… not to be critical of any of them, they were trying to be helpful and I appreciate every single one of them… but it illustrates the fact that people are sometimes way too focused on certain things, as opposed to other things. There wouldn’t be half as many comments if I asked a question about relationship with God or making disciples, or some other thing that is actually a New Covenant imperative! Oh wait, I do that all the time!
Yes sir, for those who are joining the “struggle” here is an object lesson! 🙂
Hear Hear! The “I, the Now, the Here!”… These are what He gives us, in the Grace of the Moment!
Quite right! Hear, hear!
Amen!
I have many times had conversations over eschatology matters and when it comes right down to it, it doesn’t matter. Now should we pay attention to the signs of the times and should we be ever vigilant in our duties until Christ’s return? Of course we should but at the same time we should not spend much time worrying about when and how those things will occur. I know many Christian friends who have spent literally hundreds upon hundreds of dollars on every book, dvd, or cd that claims to know exactly when Christ will return. What a waste that could have been far better used in other methods.
On the topic of the Anti-Christ I have had many people warn me of the mark of the beast as if it is something you could accidentally take upon yourself. There will be a mark that people will accept with open arms in order to gain the “blessings” of the Anti-Christ, such as the ability to buy and sell. It isn’t going to be something that you go to the doctor to get your appendix taken out and surprise surprise you wake up with the mark of the beast upon your forehead.
Great post!
Thanks! Ah yes, the mark of the beast! Maybe we should do that one some time!
Like your take on the matter. As best I can recall, nearly every NT reference to “anti-christ” or “end times” is immediately followed with something like a “therefore, in light of this (soon?) coming reality, live NOW in this manner…” The “live now” seems to be the focus of matter. When so many sincere, well meaning believers are are so far apart on an issue perhaps we are asking the wrong questions of the text – coming at it from the wrong angle and missing both what is obviously clear and what otherwise is simply cloudy for us (but perhaps much clearer to the original hearers). A measure of humility and open-mindedness (open-heartedness?) would would seem to be in order.
Jim, I am sure glad you took the effort to drop me this comment, thank you! You win the prize… whatever it is. That’s so right on the mark! Sometimes we miss the fact that whenever the NT mentions things like “last age” or “last times” it speaks in the present tense. Since that was nearly 2,000 years ago, maybe not all of this is about us and our times… and maybe it is, who knows? It is more likely that there are lessons we need to understand about our manner of living and following Christ that are timeless. Matthew 25 is a whole chapter of Jesus telling stories that make the point that when He comes it will be sudden and surprising, like a “thief in the night” and that we’d best be ready, whenever that is. I’m confident that if we are “ready” the details won’t make much difference!
Thanks again Jim!
I so appreciate this post. Yes, what is important is our relationship with Him. But I also wonder why some people tend to almost reject anything about prophecy, including the writings of the Bible. I think since God gave us Revelation, and Isaiah, and Ezekiel, and Daniel, and Zechariah, we should be reading those books and try to understand them. And as you said, they are not just to tell us the future, but to give us hope and to encourage us and build us up in our relationship with Him. If you would like I wish you would come over and visit my other blog at http://www.studyingbibleprophecy.wordpress.com.
OK, thanks for the tip… and I agree with you, by the way
Hope I’m not overstepping my boundaries here, but I find that very few Christians (of any stripe) truly reject prophecy and/or the oracles & writings found in the books you’ve mentioned. What I do find is a great deal of is a fundamental disagreement as to the basic purpose and nature of Biblical prophecy. Is it primarily predictive in nature – like a Judeo-Christian soothsayer or Nostradamus? Is it God speaking (via oracle or writing) into the present situation and in a sense exegeting the culture/events facing His people? Is it a bit of both? All would agree to the essential importance of these volumes but may greatly differ on how they interpret/apply such texts.
Of course, there are plenty of us in the pulpit (and perhaps in the pew) who fear disrupting the hornets’ nest and simply prefer not to ‘go there.’ Somewhat understandable, but nonetheless unfortunate.
It is unfortunate, but that is the point of contention. I have found that people will change their presuppositions about prophecy in time, when there is sufficient opportunity for careful and patient teaching… and when they stay with the process, and if I’m willing to be called lots of names.I haven’t figured out out just yet, how to go through this process in the medium of a blog.
Yes, I see the fear. Many pastors these days fear not to go there. Very unfortunate.
I just wanted to say that for many on the net and elsewhere, the end times seems to be an obsession. They are so caught up in the end they are not a willing vessel for the here and now.
The Lord is gathering His lost sheep in and we need to fix our eyes on Jesus and where he is at work at. I just want to be where the Lord desires me to be and His desires in turn can become our desires. Jesus said, Follow me and I will make you Fishers of Men. I agree on the above.
God knows the Beginning and the end, we are to be always ready and always alert, awake, wakeful, not slumbering. The Lord bless and keep you.
Amen, and thank you!
I am reminded of the story of the university theologian who was traveling the back country circut. Everywhere he went in a certain small town, they told him of a country farmer who was a self-made Bible scholar. Eventually curiousity got the best of our theologian and he sought out the farmer. He found him, plowing behind an old mule on a hot summer day. Introducing himself he challenge the farmer with a number of questions about the Bible and certain Bible topics. Soon he realized the farmer did know alot about the Bible and God who authored Scripture. “I have one last question for you,” the theologian positioned.”
“Shoot,” replied the farmer.
“Please, explain the Book of Revelation to me,” was the theologian’s challenge.
The farmer wiped his brow with the red paisley handkerchief he kept in the back pocket of his overalls. “I’m thinking, that John is tellin’ us that God’s gonna win.”
I’m thinkin’ that’s a pretty smart farmer!