End Time Madness

A few days ago, I was watching John Hagee go over his view of Eschatology (The Study of Last Things) on his television show. He had all the maps and charts out showing us how it was all going to happen. He was teaching historic dispensationalism. This is the same view found in the notes of the Scolfield Bible. It is also the view given to us in the "Left Behind" series. I have come to the conclusion that many Christians do not know any other view than this one. You know the view; there will be a rapture of the church, followed by seven years of tribulation, followed by a 1,000 year millennial reign, followed by a short falling away period, and finally the judgment.

This view is so important to some Christians that it has become a standard of orthodoxy. Last week, I listened to the Jack Van Impe show. Van Impe said on his show that all other views are heresy. After listening to Hagee speak, I have come to the conclusion that he believes you are not a real believer in Jesus Christ if you believe something else. Many Christians are making this a standard of belief, and are calling on their followers to boycott and stand against any other interpretation.

Last Saturday, I was at a R. C. Sproul conference in Akron, Ohio. A woman was trying to get Dr. Sproul to give his interpretation of the binding of Satan in Revelation 20. Dr. Sproul wasn't willing to get into a debate with her. However, he said one thing that made me chuckle. He said the only thing he knows for sure about the end times is that dispensationalism and the full preterist views are incorrect.

On my shelf sets a book by Hank Hannegraff called, "The Last Disciple". Hank is the Bible answer man. I do not get his program where I live today, but I use to listen to him all the time. I think his work is brilliant. His book looks at the book of Revelation from a "Partial Preterist" view point. I enjoyed reading it; it made me think.

A few years ago, I sat down and studied every view that I could find on Eschatology. I can tell you what every group believes and why they believe it. I have studied, and for the most part comprehended: Historic Dispensationalism, Progressive Dispensationalism, Historic Premillenialism, Amillenialism, Post Millenialism, Partial Preterist, and Full Preterist views of Eschatology. In my study, I have come to one certain conclusion: I am probably wrong and you are too.

I have serious problems with anyone who believes their viewpoint is the standard of orthodoxy. The truth about Eschatological studies is that it is all a great mystery. Not one of us know what really is going to happen, and to make your view the only view is dangerous and troubling.

My dear Christian friends, I am certain that the majority of people reading this blog are dispensational in nature. Even though, I know of at least one reader that is an Amillenialist (Don't tell John Hagee). This Halloween, let me encourage you not to scare each other with the next "Left Behind" movie. I would like to prompt you to read someone else's views on this great topic.

Over the last couple of decades, Eschatology has become almost silly. The prophesy shows that I see on television are weird to say the least, and for the most part, often unBiblical. This area of theology deserves better. It is a great study, filled with brilliant thoughts and challenging concepts. I do not think we should make our personal views the standard of orthodox for everyone else, but I do think it is time we get serious about what we really believe. I believe that too many Christians are lacking depth in this area of study. Let me encourage you to leave behind the "Left Behind" series, and dig deeper to find truth in this great mystery.