I was visiting an online forum today, and one of the posters made this statement: 'The focus on "imminent end times" actually weakens ones Christian walk.'
Now, not being able to read his mind, there are a variety of things he could have meant. He could have meant that dwelling on the "tribulation" aspect of the end of the age frightens people and weakens their faith. He could have meant a variation of the old, "So heavenly minded that you're no earthly good." (not true, and a very good subject for an upcoming blog) He could have meant that speaking out on end times means you're not speaking the gospel, which could be true if someone is dwelling on end times in an "end of the world disaster movie" sort of way. He could have meant something that I'm not even thinking of. That's the nature of online written discussions and interpreting a stranger's thoughts.
But, what about that first idea? If a church, a pastor, me, whoever, speaks on "imminent end times," DOES that weaken your faith? I have a vested interest here, as that IS pretty much the focus of this blog. I would not want to be guilty of this:
Mark 9:42 "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.
Jesus doesn't appear to think it weakens our faith or deters from our Christian walk. In Matthew 24:42-44, He says,
42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
What is He saying? He is warning that "that day" could come any time and to be ready. So, apparently, Jesus believes that watching and waiting will actually strengthen your Christian walk. In Luke, He even goes so far as to say,
Luke 21:28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
"When these things begin to take place," - in other words, imminent end times - "stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
End times - something to look forward to? Yes! Not a weakening of faith, but a strengthening!!!
And, look what Peter has to say:
2 Peter 3:3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. In Peter's day, people were looking for "imminent end times" - yearning for them - and others were scoffing at them. Peter is warning the scoffers that that day WILL come.
8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. Peter speaks to the believers, those who want "that day" to come (sound familiar?), to be patient.
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.[a]
11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives What is Peter pointing out? That "Judgment Day" is coming, and therefore, be living as you should. In other words, talking about imminent end times, focusing on Judgment Day, actually HELPS our Christian walk. 12as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.[b] Here is the answer for those who want to focus on end times in an "end of the world disaster movie" kind of way. We look forward to the day of God - we WANT Jesus to come and we "speed its coming." How do we do that? We share the Gospel. As Peter says earlier, God is patient, "not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." Why are we still here? Because God wants more people to believe. And, thank goodness He has been patient. I was one He was patient with! That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
What is Peter's point in this passage? That God is patient, but that day IS coming. The warning of its coming calls us to live as we should and to share God's message of forgiveness through Jesus with any and all who will listen. It is a help to our Christian walk. And, far from threatening our faith, it should strengthen it. The time of destruction is also our time of redemption. This world is not forever; heaven waits!! No matter how bad things are here, eternal life in glory is coming!
Nearly every single one of the New Testament writers speak of end times. In some cases, it's in warning, to encourage repentance. In others, it's a comfort and a call to be patient: this world is not forever. Jesus WILL come. In fact, read through the letters to the churches in the Book of Revelation. Those are Jesus' words to correct problems in the churches. In how many of them does He use the idea of coming judgment in their correction?
Time is short, people! We are no longer talking hundreds of years. We may even be looking at months or weeks. Perhaps even today. Jesus is coming! Let your walk be strong and faithful, and others will be drawn to you because they want what you have.
As always, I'd love to hear from you. If you don't want to respond here, send me an email.
A few more thoughts, prompted by a friend's comment. Here's what she wrote with such sweet honesty:
"My question is this, how does one,like myself, do it all? Be the titus 2 woman, proverbs 31 woman, open to hospitality, witness to others, love everyone, and keep watch? It seems that you are saying watching is the most important, but I think what you mean is that all are important, right? For example, the man who is keeping watch and is prepared for the thief, also is mowing the lawn, and painting the walls, and inviting his neighbors over for bible study. I also know that I can do all things through Christ, I just cannot figure out why I am weary, when I am not supposed to be weary if I have faith in my Savior. "Come to me all who are weary..." Can you touch on these things?"
You may have felt the same way. There is a recent blog that touches on some of her exact thoughts, here. And, maybe this one, too: The next thing.
But, just in case I have mistakenly given you the same impression that I gave her, let me share my answer to her.
We are called to watch, yes, but, as my friend pointed out, watching among other things. (although, if you fail to watch, that's not a good thing).
Some are called to watch as a specific job. Remember this verse:
Mark 13:34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
Were ALL the servants crowded around the door watching? No - or nothing would get done. The one at the door watched and yelled when he saw his master coming. And then it was repeated throughout the house.
Perhaps I am at the door yelling - and you, at your assigned task, hear me and repeat it to those near you. And then everyone makes their last minute preparations. I am at the door and have spotted the dust in the distance. Is it our Master? I think so, and so am calling out, "I think He's coming!!!" And, you, perhaps in the upstairs window, look out too, and also see the dust rising. Is it Him? Maybe. In any case, it is a warning that His return could happen soon and to be working hard at your assigned task, to do it as well as possible.
And, for those of you feeling weary, remember that word "assigned." You're not called to do everything - just those things He has given you. It is the fruit of the Spirit, not something you do in your own strength. There is a reminder, here, of how to live in the Spirit.
NOTE: In answering her, I have realized something about myself. Watching must really be one of my assigned tasks. I could no more not do it than not breathe. It is the whole reason I started this blog. I have seen the rising dust in the distance. Is it our Master? I really do think so - and so I call out, "Jesus is coming! Be ready!"
Let me cry out also! The time is short, people! Be ready for the Lord's coming.
A comment I received:
ReplyDelete"I believe that if a Christian is focused on end times as their main priority that it definitely can cause them to lose focus on other priorities. They tend to forget the great commission in that they try to use end times as their witness instead of focusing on the message of Jesus. Used in this way it can come across as a scare tactic. Also, churches that focus on end times seem to well, focus on end times and do not do a good job with other areas. I just think the focus should be on raising Godly children, spreading the gospel, and helping the widows or orphans (the needy). We should be aware of end times and be prepared for end times but it shouldn’t be our main focus."
I agree with the point that we are individually called to certain areas or aspects in the body of Christ. There are those called to warn of the Master returning, those called to focus on evangelism, individuals focused on world mission work and so on. This is what makes the body of Christ so wonderful and work so well together.
ReplyDeleteThe concern I have is when individual churches become as focused on one aspect vs another. I have seen churches that are very focused on end times , world missions or just their group of believers. The problem with being so focused is that when new people come to the church they may miss the entire message of the gospel and salvation. I have personally been to many churches where you will here an end time message weekly and only here a salvation message sporadically.
We cannot forget the central core of Christianity and become consumed with very important but somewhat peripheral issues.
I hear what you're saying. It must be a great balancing act to get it right, and one that requires a great deal of prayer and allowing God to lead. My own church takes Paul's words very seriously: "We preach Christ crucified." Every single sermon is a Gospel salvation message - and that is wonderful. However, it is difficult to grow in an environment that doesn't teach the "whole" counsel of God. They try to achieve the balance by going deeper in Sunday morning Bible studies between the services. Unfortunately, most people leave.
ReplyDeletePerhaps, since Jesus Himself said the volume of the book was about Him, the answer might be to do the verse by verse, chapter by chapter method, and show Jesus and His sacrifice as you go through.
I am convinced (I could be wrong)that His return is close - seriously close. If that is true, and other people are seeing it as well, they, like me, may not be able to help themselves, but MUST cry out, "He's coming! Be ready!"
I do not think the idea of God's judgement should weaken our faith; it should scare the **** out of us!
ReplyDeleteAs to churches concentrating on one subject to the exclusion of everything else, I was blessed to attend a Pentecostal church where the Lord led us through many subjects. For a while, it was the Second coming, then demonization, then salvation, and Creation.
No matter what the pastor taught, you knew his heart was fixed on Jesus, like a pin near a huge magnet! Would that more pastors around here were like that!
--Rich