In the lead up to entering the new millennium, many people,
especially many Christians, were able to identify with the following
comments from a writer and commentator on contemporary events and the
Second Coming of Christ. A great number of people were, and still are,
able to agree with these quotes and descriptive comments about the current
‘Signs of the Times’, and regard them as pertinent to our times:
‘This old world is now in a bad way. Very bad is its way
indeed. There can be no question in regard to that. There are thoughtful
people, well acquainted with the facts of history, who sincerely believe
that human condition was never more hopeless than it is now.
Great distress is everywhere on the earth. It is a time of
world crisis. The army of the unemployment is all the time growing larger
and larger….
‘Suffice it to now to say, that what now is in the world
has had exact, long foretold, prophetic description in the Bible, God’s
Word….
‘So then there are to be certain things by which the
Lord’s people, if they watch, will know by their happening that the coming
of the Lord is actually so near, that by them they will have the
understanding that He is at the very door, and soon to come through.
The things to be watched have all the clearest of
description given them, in the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew. I must
now say a really startling thing. It is this: Everything the Lord said His
people were actually to watch for, and by which they would know that the
return of their Lord would then be very near, is all in actual operation
throughout the world now, as never before…the whole matter is now of a
very terrific urgency and importance. If, as the Bible seems to show, the
Coming of Christ is now near at hand, there is no subject at all of a
greater urgency than is this….
‘As already suggested in this book, all sorts of people
and organisations are already looking forward to somewhere about the same
date for the realisation and achievement of that upon which all their
hopes are set…it can do us no harm to believe in the possibility of the
return of our Lord, about, or even before the date, that has now come to
acquire so great an importance in the matter of other human anticipation.
There is certainly now a rapid converging of everything towards some
mighty universal climax…The word of warning has to be clearly given. The
end seems right in view. The signs of the Times are all now in actual
operation….
‘Scientific achievement was also foretold to be a great
characteristic of the time of the end….Knowledge was never greater on the
earth than it is now….
‘As already has been pointed out, one of the most
outstanding signs to indicate the nearness of the Lord’s return from
Heaven, is a distinct falling away from the faith that was once delivered
unto the saints. False teachings, the turning aside unto fables, the
listening to seducing spirits, and the being content with the form of
godliness, without knowing anything as to its power, and a widespread
apostasy, were to be in the general experience at the time of the closing
days of our age. It is such condition we now see everywhere….
‘Look out over the world! What is it we find is the moral
condition now? Sin is everywhere. All the old standards are being pulled
down. Men and women are all the time breaking the bands and the cords the
great God had for their moral well-being put all around human experience.
In mostly every country divorce is coming to be the rule….
‘Widespread floods, tidal waves, torrential rains,
cyclones, blizzards and other kinds of terrific storm conditions are
filling various parts of the earth. Volcanic eruption, earthquake disaster
and other kinds of physical upheaval are shaking the globe as never been
known before in all human history.’
These comments seem pertinent in relation to the current
events of today, however, Rev. W. Lamb wrote his book: WHAT’S WRONG
WITH THE WORLD? - The Only Hope, in 1931!! The date at
which he, and others, were anticipating Christ’s Return was not the Year
2000 or 2001, but the year 1934!! Yet he wrote with such absolute
conviction. To him all the Signs of the Times were being fulfilled
in the early 1930s and the End was definitely nigh! (This was well before
the world became aware of Adolf Hitler, and where he was leading Germany
and the world.) How could Rev. Lamb have been so wrong?
In
early August 1999, the film, THE SEVEN SIGNS OF CHRIST’S RETURN,
was shown on Australian national television. The well-produced video
documentary claimed that there were seven Biblical signs indicating that
Christ’s return was imminent. It stated that several of these signs had
already become reality, and therefore these seven signs were truly
‘Signs of the Times’.
The
video presented the following ‘Signs of the Times’ with categorical
certainty as applicable in our day, suggesting the return of Christ was
near:
1. The restoration of the State of Israel.
2.
The reunification of Europe as a ten-nation coalition (the New Roman
Empire).
3. The rise of a European Antichrist world Dictator (akin to, but
worse than, Adolf Hitler).
4. World dominance of a new world religion led by Satan, the
Antichrist and a False Prophet.
5. The rebuilding of the 3rd Jewish Temple at the present site of the
Dome of the Rock Mosque on Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
6. The invasion of Israel by powers from the North and their routing by
God’s intervention through natural forces - earthquakes etc.
7. The Battle of Armageddon.
This Questar video,
narrated by British actor, Edmund Purdom, was made in 1996 (not 1999). Dr.
Edwin W. Lutzer, Senior Pastor of the historic Moody Memorial Church was
the consultant for the Biblical concept and provided some of the
commentary.
It is presented as
if there ARE just SEVEN Biblical signs of Christ’s return.
Nowhere can we find this in the Bible.
Each
of the ‘Signs’ dealt with is regarded differently by various Christians,
and could be debated historically and theologically. Christians do NOT
all agree with the claims made in the video. It has been deeply influenced
by particular theological perceptions and ways of interpreting the Bible.
Most
of us read parts of the Bible, e.g. Matthew 24 or books like Daniel and
Revelation, and think we are coming to it with an open, unbiased mind. But
that is very rarely the case. When it comes to issues such as the Second
Coming of Christ, most of us have been influenced by preachers, and
sermons heard from the pulpit, or books we have read, or movies we have
seen.
Because we find some of these thinks rather complex on our own, we tend to
accept as Biblical and accurate, and even as accepted by ALL other
Christians, the views put forward with positive enthusiasm by such
preachers and writers.
The
reality is that, while most Christians can agree that Christ will one day
make his final Return, the details involved (how, what, when, where, who
etc) are matters of debate and disagreement. The enormous diversity about
the End Times (Eschatology) amongst Christians, often depends on
such concepts as dispensationalism; amillennialism; premillennialism;
postmillennialism and the like. We don’t have space here to go into
explanations of all these terms (suffice it to say that there are many
books written about each of them).
Dispensationalism had its beginnings in the early stages of the Brethren
movement begun by John Nelson Darby in the early 1800s. Traditionally
Dispensationalists divided Biblical history up into seven periods or
‘ages’. Believing in the imminent Return of Christ, they make a clear
distinction between Israel and the Church, and strongly believe that
Israel will remain God’s chosen people, who will again be prominent in
God’s scheme after the Church Age is completed with the Rapture, which
will be followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ.
Dispensationalism taken to extremes can be found in numerous books
predicting the end times and showing charts and calculations to prove it
all. Even more extreme are the teachings of E.W. Bullinger, who claimed
that after Acts 28 we entered into church age based on Paul’s ministry and
teachings for the Gentiles and rejection of the Jews. As a result of
Bullinger’s views those who continue in that stream of thinking claim that
water baptism is no longer needed, and that Paul’s letters are, in many
ways more important to us than other parts of the Scriptures (e.g. even
the Gospels were originally aimed at the Jews - but Paul’s writings are
for the Gentiles and therefore for us today).
Dispensationalists are also premillennialists. Most well known modern
writers and speakers on the near return of Christ are both
dispensationalists and premillennialists. However, not all
premillennialists are necessarily dispensationalists.
There
are several varieties of premillennialism.
Then
come the further division amongst the premillennialists.
Pretribulation premillennialists believe that Christians/the Church
will be raptured (removed from the earth) BEFORE the Great Tribulation
occurs.
Midtribulation premillennialists believe that Christians will face
three and a half years of suffering during the first half of the
Tribulation, but will be taken up before things get really bad.
Posttribulation premillennialsists believe that Christians will go
through the Tribulation and then be raptured at the moment of Christ’s
Return, just prior to the commencement of the Thousand Year reign of
Christ.
There
are also Amillennialists - with various views. Some believe that
there will not be a literal Thousand Year reign of Christ on earth; some
believe it has already begun spiritually in the hearts of Christian
believers; some believe that Christ’s Second Coming will simply mean the
end of human life and the ushering in of eternity - the new heaven and new
earth.
Then
there are the Postmillennialists. These generally hold the view
that the millennium will be ushered in as the results of human action and
endeavour - and has several varieties of expression from social action
utopian views to Liberation Theology to conservative Reconstructionism
(Dominion Theology). After human beings have successfully created and
maintained a near perfect (at least good and just) society for a thousand
years then Christ will return.
The
proponents of all these diverse Christian interpretations earnestly defend
them with strong reference to the Bible for authority. These differing
views do not indicate that some are Christians and others are not (even
though some people seem to think that). It indicates that these things are
not crystal clear and without dispute in the Bible, but that they are open
to a wide range of interpretations.
These
are just some of the Christian variations and viewpoints on the End Times.
There are also other premillennial and postmillennial viewpoints - secular
and alternative religious perspectives, including some in today’s diverse
New Age Movement.
Then
we had all the people who jumped onto the technology bandwagon of the
feared and anticipated supposed Y2K computer problem, and the lead up to
the change of the millennium. The first was a human technological problem,
which had absolutely nothing to do with Biblical End Times teachings. The
second was also rather complex. As Western (Gregorian Calendar) dating
commences with January 1st and ends with December 31st forming year 1,
then the new millennium commences January 1st, 2001 not 2000. In addition,
we know that the calendar is out by several years anyway, and it was
further adjusted in the Middle Ages - so strictly and accurately speaking
the year 2000 was NOT REALLY the actual year 2000! It has already passed!!
Furthermore, that’s only the Gregorian Calendar in use in Western society.
Jews, Muslims and Hindus have a completely different calendar and dating
system, as do the Chinese and some others (e.g. the Karen people from
Myanmar [Burma] celebrated their 2739 New Year on our January 6th,
2000).
Under the heading ‘Millennial Madness’ Ron Rhodes
wrote an article in the Viewpoint column of the Christian Research
Journal, Fall 1990. His concluding comments are worth sharing:
I can
think of eight reasons Christians should maintain millennial sanity in the
coming years.
First, over the past 2,000 years, the track record of those who have
predicted and/or expected "the end" has been 100 percent wrong. The
history of doomsday predictions is little more than a history of dashed
expectations. Though it is possible we are living in the last days, it is
also possible that Christ’s second coming is a long way off.
Second, those who succumb to millennial madness may end up making
harmful decisions for their lives. Selling one’s possessions and heading
for the mountains, purchasing bomb shelters, stopping education, leaving
family and friends - these are destructive actions that can ruin one’s
life.
Third, Christians who succumb to millennial madness (for example, by
expecting the rapture to occur by a specific date) may end up damaging
their faith in the Bible (especially prophecy) when their expectations
fail.
Fourth, if one loses confidence in the prophetic portions of
Scripture, biblical prophecy ceases to be a motivation to purity and
holiness in daily life (see, e.g., Titus 2:12-14).
Fifth, Christians who succumb to millennial madness may damage the
faith of new and/or immature believers when predicted events fail to
materialise.
Sixth, millennial soothsayers tend to be sensationalistic, and
sensationalism is unbefitting to a Christian. Christ calls His followers
to live soberly and alertly as they await His coming (Mark 13:32-37).
Seventh, Christians who get caught up in millennial madness can do
damage to the cause of Christ. Humanists enjoy scorning Christians who
have put stock in end-time predictions (especially when specific dates
have been attached to specific events). Why give "ammo" to the enemies of
Christianity?
Eighth, the timing of end-time events is in God’s hands, and we
haven’t been given the details (Acts 1:7). As far as the Second Coming is
concerned, I close with the sound advice of David Lewis: "It is better to
live as if Jesus were coming today and yet prepare for the future as if He
were not coming for a long time. Then you are ready for time and
eternity."
Thousands of would-be prophets throughout history, with all their
different interpretations and viewpoints, have all firmly declared their
faith in their interpretation of the signs of the times as they read them
according to the Bible - but they’ve all been wrong. They all spent a
great deal of time and energy in keeping their eyes on the signs of the
times.
Perhaps they would have been better served if they had kept their eyes on
Jesus Christ - as will we. It is well worth reading the advice given in
Hebrews 10:19-25 and 12:2-3.
And
what if we really do believe the End of the World is now very near? What
should be our attitude? Should Christians take a survivalist attitude?
One
group, predicting the nearness of the End, believed a massive world flood
would occur and called for followers and other concerned people to prepare
for survival.
They
advocated ‘Necessary Preparedness’.
‘…we should prepare completely for the coming "Judgment Time"… learning
the experience of Noah and his family. We will not have anything to worry
[about] if we prepare [well] enough for it.’
The ‘Preparedness’ included obtaining and storing, at
least, the following:
1.Survival Manuals
2.The
nutritious balanced food and water for more than 200 days. Clean Water
Machine, Preserved Drinking Water, Water Bottle, Folding Bucket, Survival
Food, Nutritious Well-Balanced Food, Vitamin Pills
3.The
camping goods including a sleeping bag and a tent, etc. Tent, Sleeping
Bag, Mattress, Blanket, Knapsack, Waterproof Nylon Coat, Cotton Work
Gloves & Socks, Survival Set
4.The
radio which can receive the short-wave broadcasting, the azimuth magnet,
the pocket light, World Map, World Globe, Star Constellation Map, and etc.
(A lot of electric products, which move with the battery, should be
prepared.) Direction Magnet, Thermometer, Hygrometer, World Map, Globe,
Constellation Plate, Radio
5.The
carpenter goods, kitchen goods, and match, etc. should be prepared for the
time after the water by a large flood disappeared and the survived people
go up to the land. Life Boat Match, Lighter, Magnesium Igniting Tool,
Cooking Tools, Flashlights, Candles, Lanterns, Night Watch, Survival
Knife, Axe, Shovel, Carpenter’s Tools, Tableware, Fishing Tools, Ropes,
Signal Kit, Aid Kit, Survival Aid, Soap, Towels, Portable Shower, Wet
Tissues, Portable Towels, Insecticides, Set of Sucking Out Poisons of
Snakes
6.Enough clothes goods for change should be prepared.
In the
places where the Latitude changes by the pole shift and climate changes
suddenly from the winter into summer, let’s prepare clothes for the
winter.
Anorak
Pants
Rubber Boots
Woolen Cap
Woolen Gloves
Socks
Underwear for Winter
Portable Cairos for 3 months (About 100 cairos)
7.First of all, the list of the goods, which you want to take with you for
yourself, should be made and you should prepare the necessary things on
the list to evacuate from the large flood.
8.If
you prepare to evacuate, it is very convenient that you should make three
following items and prepare the necessary things.
(1) The
necessary things to take shelter (a ship, etc.)
(2) The
necessary things to stay in the ship (food, water, sleeping-bags, and
clothes, etc.)
(3) The
necessary things to stay on the land after the large flood (tents,
camping goods, carpenter goods, matches, seeds of farm products such as
vegetables and grain, bicycles, etc.)
This
group, operating from Japan (hence the strange English wording at times),
predicted a massive ‘Polar Shift’ on July 7th, 1999. This was to bring
massive flooding across the entire globe. They were trying to convince the
‘true believers’ to be ready to evacuate to ships, with their survival
gear packed, no later than the end of June, and even by the end of May
1999.
They
stopped answering their email, and nothing has been heard from them, since
July!
The
Bible tells us that we should BE PREPARED, but not with a
survivalist attitude of running away or stocking up and fighting for our
personal survival.
The
Apostle Peter gave some sound advice in this regard - see 1 Peter
4:7-11 (see also 2 Peter 3:1-18). He tells us that the end is near,
THEREFORE: 1. be Clear minded, self controlled so
you can pray (1 Pet.4:7); 2. practise Love &
hospitality (1 Pet. 4:8-9); 3. Exercise gifts
in service (1 Pet. 4:10-11a); 4. realise that the
Ultimate goal is not self preservation, but praise of God through Jesus
Christ.
