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Originally Posted by SonoranBob  There is wide disagreement in Christian circles about "things to come". Premillenialism, Postmillenialism, Amillenialism, Dispensationalism, Hyperdispensationalism, and so on. The detailed prophecies that Nightspirit is talking about are in my view more embellishments in the vein of Tim LaHaye's Left Behind series of novels than from the Bible. Some Christians even believe that the events she discusses happened already and identify whatever Roman emperor presided over the sacking of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem (I forget his name) as the Antichrist (if I recall correctly, that group would be the Christian Reconstructionists).
As an example of all the confusion, there is a verse in the Bible to the effect that "when you see the abomination that causes desolation walking in the temple" you will know the end is nigh. So what is the "abomination that causes desolation"? The Bible never really says. Various interpreters are convinced they know, and they disagree with one another. Vague, ominous statements produce vague, ominous beliefs.
And on it goes ... will we be resurrected bodily or not? Are the dead conscious or in "soul sleep"? When, chronologically, does the thousand year reign of Christ occur, always assuming of course that there will literally be such a reign? (the debate about whether a passage is literal or figurative, and if figurative, what it's a metaphor for, is often crucial in such debates) Will there or will there not be a literal "rapture" in which "true believers" will simply vanish from the earth?
All of this is great fodder for sermons but generates way more heat than light. Some of these teachings are based on single verses or even phrases. Nowhere, in my view, do the teachings of the church become more muddled (and often self-serving) than in the area of prophecy.
This happens even outside the realm of prophecy; most of you have probably heard about the "unpardonable sin" or the "sin unto death" which has been hotly debated for two thousand years as to what it is because although the apostle Paul said there is such a sin he coyly did not mention what it was. This has permitted it to be "identified" through the centuries as whatever bugaboo various teachers most wanted to scare people sh_tless about. Premarital sex, lust, and masturbation are favorites. Which brings you to the whole disagreement about "eternal security of the believer" ... can you lose your salvation? The free will of man vs the sovereignty of God ... Oh, on and on and on it goes ...
--Bob
(among other not-his-proudest-moments, a one-time inmate of a theological cemetery ... uh, seminary). |
There are differences of opinion within the church and the Bible is written in mysterious terms to cause us to seek after Him. And since we are all accountable to God for obeying what we know, then if it's all out there in black and white....well you get the idea. It's His mercy on those who don't want to know and His reward for those who do.
Differences of opinion in the church are not a problem for God. It's not until they start hating each other or judging each other because of those differences that it becomes a problem.
The only way the meaning of the Bible can be understood is through the spirit of God. If someone had faith in a church or a teacher or written words on a page or in something else other than God and it failed them, then good. It was an idol anyway.
Although I study the Bible, I don't concern myself with getting all the theology exactly right especially if my knowing it won't change anything. I have missed the verse that says, "By your complete and correct study of the Bible you will gain entry into Heaven and eternal life."
I'm still working on getting this one right "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." What do you think that means? Do we take a survey? Or call Billy Graham? Or does the whole church need to agree before I can follow the Spirit? Is it something unclear about that to you?
How about, "The letter kills but the spirit gives life." or"He who has ear to hear, let him hear."or "when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." ?
Yes someone can get too wrapped up especially in end time prophecy or whether one can do this or that and still go to heaven or on single verse specks when logs are falling all around them. But if the reason they do is not to understand but to live as close to the edge as possible but still get to heaven, they are wasting their time. His kingdom is now.
So who are you taking issue with? The "church" for deliberately teaching lies? Some self appointed authority standing in the gate that Jesus warned about? Some person who doesn't want to seek God himself but through someone else's understanding? Or at God for being vague and only revealing Himself by His Spirit to someone who wants to know?
Please don't answer me, Bob, but what would that feel like to you, if you do influence someone away from their church or their faith with what you know?