much to the chagrin of a few Bible teachers.
I’ve been around long enough to remember the flurry of
interest in a book titled 88 Reasons Why
the Rapture Will Be in 1988. When that year passed, the author followed up
with predictions that Jesus would come in 1989 . . . then 1993 . . . then
1994.
Now another misguided prognosticator suddenly became famous
(or infamous) by assuring us all that Judgment Day would definitely be last
Saturday, May 21. What now will be the fallout for his devotees?
Don’t get me wrong. A time of worldwide judgment is indeed
coming. Scripture is very clear about that. Paul confidently proclaimed, “God has appointed a day on which He will
judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by
raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:31). But we get into trouble – big
trouble – when we become more definitive than the Bible. Jesus said no one
knows the day nor hour of His return to Earth (Matt. 24:36).
Of course, those with any spiritual sensitivity know that
many signs are pointing to Christ’s return. Yet I’ve always appreciated both
the humor and wisdom of Leonard Ravenhill’s terse reply to a man who asked him
if he thought we were living in the Last Days. “I think we’re living in your last days,” Ravenhill said.
It has always amazed me that many believers who are so into
End Time prophecy have little if any interest in missions and fulfilling the
Great Commission. Whose Bible are they reading? Jesus patently said,“This gospel of the kingdom shall be
preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end
will come” (Matt. 24:14 NASB). Eschatology without evangelism can get weird
quickly.
After His resurrection, Jesus’ disciples were in a stew
about what would happen next on the prophetic calendar. “Will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” they asked. The
Lord’s response to them was sharp and pointed. In so many words He told them,
“It’s none of your business!” He continued, “Here’s what is your business between the time I ascend and the time I return –‘You will receive power when the Holy Spirit
has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all
Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth’” (Acts 1:8).
How long will we be here? I don’t know. This much I do know:
We’re living in your last days, and
mine. And our business until we’re out of here is to be Christ’s witnesses to
everyone everywhere.
That is why we’re still here and still committed to a global advance of the Gospel.
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