Considering the recent and ongoing saturation of end times teaching by many preachers and Bible teachers, what is the actual message received by the listeners (and non-listeners)?
– – – to non-believers
Better believe in Jesus now, to escape “The Tribulation”—really bad stuff coming soon.
– – – to Christians
Don’t worry about “The Tribulation”—forget the really bad stuff in Revelation—we’re out of here.
I observe that the real message of the Gospel and discipleship as commissioned by Jesus, is superseded by attention to the rapid increase of evil, which is promised in the Bible in the last days, which makes people take notice and listen to any message.
There is serious question whether the Gospel is still preached and still stands on repentance for sin and understanding the price Jesus paid for our sin, to offer forgiveness for sin, if we accept.
Fear of hell is legitimate motivation to repent and be saved (fear of “The Tribulation”, not so much).
But a person must acknowledge one’s depravity and need for a Savior, not just fire insurance without repentance.
Repentance is not popular—never has been—but it happens upon conviction in individual lives, not just to avoid something bad.
Jesus spoke of the Kingdom of God and Repentance, just like His forerunner John the Baptist, to people who needed to get born again to be saved.
Jesus spoke of the last days to his followers, so they would not be taken by surprise and lose heart when the world falls apart—small-time and big-time.
– – –
I also observe that end times teaching has divided many Christians into camps of multiple interpretations of Bible prophecy.
A leader, a teacher, with one interpretation develops a following of those who accept his teaching.
They may not fully understand how he came to his detailed conclusions, but they like and trust the person to be right.
They become entrenched in their belief, and it seems obvious to them that they are correct, and many come to look down on other explanations of the Bible.
For some, this becomes blatant—for others, a more mild acknowledgement of differences.
Nevertheless, emphasis on end times teaching has caused uncomfortable division within Christianity.
But what these public differences have communicated to those outside the church, outside the body of believers, should be of concern (and often is not).
Remember that most preaching and teaching includes the opportunity to reach non-Christians, unsaved people who may not hear the path to salvation through the end times message.
It can be a distraction if the call to follow Jesus is not very clear throughout, not just tacked on at the end.
What does every message, every teaching, do for our witness to outsiders, to bring them a step closer into the Kingdom ?
Speak Your Mind