Deepening Interest in Prophecy

In that remarkable fact filled discourse, Jesus noted that because of turmoil between nations and perplexity among people, the hearts of mankind would be in anguish and fearful. Luke 21:25-26. This describes a negative emotional state with dismay and a sense of helplessness.

Throughout history, from the apostles on, there has been an expectancy of Christ’s return. For some this was founded on helpless despair. Others were electrified by “events” that appeared to be a “sign” of His return. As early as the first century, there was date setting (Figure 1). By the time of Augustine (A.D. 386), varied opinions were rampart as to when Jesus would come, the meaning of the millennium and signs of His return (Figure 2).[1]

Peter urged an ever present anticipation of Christ’s coming, “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” I Peter 4:7.

Believing in the end of time and Jesus’ soon return has always been part of the gospel appeal.

From Christ’s ascension, excluding the apostolic appeals, to 1900 there were approximately 115 distinct times when the imminent return of Jesus was proclaimed. Often dates were set, including the time of the great Millerite Disappointment of 1844. Another interesting example – Pope Innocent III expected Jesus to come in 1284 A.D., 666 years after the rise of Islam (Figure 3).

From 1900 through 1970 38 significant predictions of Jesus’ return or the end of the world were made. Between 1970 and 1990 72 predictions were noted. From 1990 through May of 2003 89 times some cataclysmic prophecy was foretold, predicting a natural disaster, the coming of Jesus, God’s wrath or Armageddon (Y2K, incidentally, wasn’t that prominent).[2]

Graphically, this is how these look (Figure 4):

Figure 4

 Does this say something? More and more events are leading people to conclude the end is near.

“Today the signs of the times declare that we are standing on the threshold of great and solemn events. Everything in our world is in agitation. Before our eyes is fulfilling the Saviour’s prophecy of the events to precede His coming: ‘Ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars. . . . Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.’ Matthew 24:6, 7.

“The present is a time of overwhelming interest to all living. Rulers and statesmen, men who occupy positions of trust and authority, thinking men and women of all classes, have their attention fixed upon the events taking place about us. They are watching the strained, restless relations that exist among the nations. They observe the intensity that is taking possession of every earthly element, and they recognize that something great and decisive is about to take place--that the world is on the verge of a stupendous crisis.”[3]

Todd Stranbers, in 1987 when an Air Force Supply Sergeant, invented the doomsday clock. Driven by events and perplexity in the world, he created an index called the Rapture Index. Recently (2003), he noted that changing events in the world have now accelerated, speeding us to the end.[4]

Figure 5

Hillary Clinton’s emotionally packed revisionist book, Living History, that was to “tell it all” was knocked out of second place (6/12/03) by another book, “Beyond Iraq – The Next Move.” What was that all about? Prophecy and the end of time!

Why such an interest? Events have perforated man’s comfort zone. People are beginning to notice how impoverished security and wealth are. And, for the first time in modern history, people are beginning to sense an ill-defined defenselessness. Frustration is even becoming a political tool by the opposition to heighten that helplessness. Everyone is becoming a victim. World problems just don’t seem to be resolved, let alone contained.

In 1999 Newsweek had as the cover article Prophecy (Figure 6), What the Bible says about the End of the World. In 2002 Time Magazine published several articles heightening the fears and questions about the end of all time: Apocalypse Now; End Times; Timeline; Countdown; The End: How it Got that Way.

This year Martin Reese, professor at Britain’s Cambridge University and astronomer, published a book called Our Final Hour. He noted that “For the first time ever, human nature itself isn’t fixed. Biotech drugs and genetic engineering are empowering individuals more than before.” He questioned, “Where is the nature of man going?”

God said, “But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matthew 24:37.

“And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart were only evil continually.” Genesis 6:5.

Rees went on to say: With the threat of terrorism, deadly engineered viruses and the ability to genetically engineer human character, the odds for an Apocalypse have now risen dramatically from one hundred years ago.[5]

Figure 6

Newsweek, 11/1/99

The Advent of Satan’s 6000 year-old desire to “create” man is here – a rogue populace of nations is quickly evolving into being like he is. Their very characters and natures are being represented by a growing number of people. Unrest and irreconcilable differences among individuals and nations grows.

Paul told Timothy (II Timothy 3:1) looking toward this time in history, “that in the last days perilous times shall come.” Then he listed the atrocious traits that men would display just before Jesus’ return in verses 2-7, 13. But then he brings us the beautiful challenge, “Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned” (vs 14).

A sign of the time that ties directly to the directionless path of society is its rejection of a standard road map for moral and social disciplines. Opinion and feeling have become individual forces guided by base passion and devoid of thought. No wonder Paul went on to say that the minds of end-time people will be “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” not enduring “sound doctrine.” II Timothy 3:7, 43.

Recently Jeremy Diener, senior information specialist at the University of Missouri, Columbia, noted that the uncertainty of “today’s tumultuous world” has fueled a “substantial increase in enrollment in public affairs programs at universities around the country.” He went on to say that it reflects a “real passion” to enter public service to resolve the great issues of unrest today.[6]

In the terrible Gethsemane experience of Jesus is a solemn lesson for us in this world of growing uncertainty. As we see insecurity and despair well up as an irresolvable woe, He provides a wonderful precept to guide every Christian.

“The woes and lamentations of a doomed world come up before him, and his decision is made. He will save man at any cost of himself. He has accepted his baptism of blood, that perishing millions through him might gain everlasting life. He left the heavenly courts where all was purity, happiness, and glory, to save the one lost sheep, the one world which had fallen by transgression. He will not leave man in his sins. He will reach to the very depths of misery to rescue him. The sleeping disciples see not that their beloved Teacher is fainting. He falls to the earth, and is dying. Where are his disciples to place their hands tenderly beneath the head of their suffering Master, and bathe that brow, marred indeed more than the sons of men? Our Saviour trod the wine-press alone and of all the people there was none with him.”[7]

Charisma

June 2003

That is our Marching directive. The white horse in Revelation 6:1-2 depicts God’s people under the banner of the Latter Rain, going forth conquering and to conquer.” The tide of hopelessness sweeping over the world is our invitation to spread over the world the great hope in Jesus Christ. As a growing number of people are beginning to sense the end is near we have the privilege of telling them they are right and how to prepare.

References:

1. Christian History, The end – A History of the Second Coming, Issue 61 vol. 18, No. 1, 1999.

2. www.chrisnelsun.net

3. Education, p. 179 (Review and Herald, 11/23/05).

4. www.raptureready.com

5. news.yahoo.com article 20030609

6. www.missouri.edu/~news/releases/trumanenrollment.html

7. The Signs of the Times, 8/14/1879.

Franklin S. Fowler Jr., M.D.; EndTime Issues..., Prophecy Research Initiative
EndTime Issues..., July 2003 - endtimeissues.com