A Moment With Pastor Fred
With all the news about Israel these days it shouldn’t surprise us that it has spurred apocalyptic craziness – doomsday scenarios. I recently read an article in World magazine about Jonathan Cahn. I had never heard of him. He’s a popular end-time preacher with nine best-selling books and 1.2 million subscribers on YouTube. When I was a teen, it was Hal Lindsey and Jack Van Impe. Years later it was prophecy guru Tim LaHaye. Making current events fulfilled biblical prophecy isn’t new. Cotton Mather predicted the Second Coming in 1797. William Miller predicted Jesus would return in 1843 – and when he didn’t, he said it would be in 1844. Edgar Whisenant wrote a booklet, 88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988. I am afraid such speculation is a terrible distraction. Let me give to you the ABC’s of prophecy.
A – Avoid speculation. While the Bible gives us broad themes of the 2nd coming – it doesn’t answer all our questions. There’s a great danger in reading our newspapers through the lens of biblical prophecies. Speculation often proves to be wrong. Such undermines the gospel.
B– Be ready. Every reference to the return of Christ is marked by a moral challenge to be holy. 1 Jn 2:28, And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.
C – Continue faithfully. No white bathrobes on roof tops. Keep doing today what we’re expected to do. In the parable of the talents, Jesus said, Engage in business until I come, Lu 19:13. We’re to be responsible – do our work, worship and witness while we wait.