Newspaper "Eschatology"

Eschatology is the study of end times. Using a newspaper as a way of getting information for those times does seem rather blatant but we can't seem to get away from the world around us. Or can we? It is when we begin to use the newspaper to interpret the Bible is when we can get off track, but the whole thing isn't about interpretation, it is about keeping an eye on what is going on around us, Bible or no Bible. We can keep the Bible handy at all times all we like, but if we purposefully close our eyes to what is going on in the world, maybe we would better prepare ourselves and not be so ignorant as to what is happening over seas or in America. This blog isn't supporting newspaper eschatology, but it is about not using the Bible to be ignorant of what is happening. I mean, how many Americans know what is happening in the Middle East, besides the bull they get from their local news? How many Americans know that America is deeply involved with the Middle East peace talks and is joined with Russia, the EU (European Union) and the UN known as the Quartet? How many know that we are in bed with Iran, who hates Israel, to get oil? Not to mention America support for Israel is lagging now? More on this to come by the way.

Now some people can say, "Yes, these things happen, but we shouldn't be troubled by it, because we won't be here when it all goes to hell (so to speak)." That might be (notice I said 'might') so, but that doesn't mean we are to be ignorant of the world around us. When we do then we become lax in a world that is going bad faster then paper in a fire. If we are to be "effective believers", or Christians, we must know what is going on, especially when some believers cry out that they want America as a Christian nation, or that it ever was. If you want that, that you must know what the country is involved in, in and outside of its boarders. Half the time those who choose not to be involved with the information that is out there is because they don't want the responsibility to handle that information. If that is the case then you might as well throw out half the Bible, or those parts which you don't want to understand. If you want to promote this country as a "Christian nation" then you better know both good and bad in its history and present.

So when it comes down to eschatology we must know what we are looking at. As a matter of fact, more then half of the people out there think they know what the Bible really says about the Last Days and the End Times, the book of Revelation, etc. They say that what they believe the first Christians believed. Whatever. So what does that matter to thousands of other denominations and non-denominational believers when they say the same thing? This is called "exclusivity", very dangerous. I once asked a pastor if he believed that churches from other denominations can get together to help the community. I got his answer from the question he asked me: "Would you have fellowship with people who you knew followed doctrines that were of the devil?" You see my point now. Now not all pastors or believers believe that, thank God. But the question really is, why can't churches actually cooperate to help the community? That is for each person, and church, to discover for themselves. But back to a bit more about newspaper eschatology. Each position today seems to be built off a single doctrine: the Rapture. We have the pre-trib rapture, the mid-trib rapture, pre-wrath rapture and post-trib rapture, and last but not least, full and partial preterism. I won't go into details here, I want to just present these doctrines that some people believe that they are more right then others. Now people believe in these doctrines, yet they allow room for change, which is probably correct. After all in our age there is so much out there that half the time we really don't know anymore, or at least some do. That is why personally I find it very important to come to your own conclusions, even if it does fly in the face of some one else's logic. After all, "it will all work out in the end". Or will it?

But is there such a thing as "newspaper eschatology"? The only way they know what to look for as Christians about the end times is from Scripture. But to use Scripture to back up the newspaper is ardent. Just watch how the news is formed and remember the content in the Bible and where it has come from and how it was formed. Above all we have to watch for signs, but it has hard when things are so often repeated in history and present. Some times events happen that we aren't aware of, leaving us unknowing about what is happening.

I could go on but that requires me to go into other topics, which will be done accordingly. But for now, my broiled chicken with garlic powder and cheese awaits. Remember, watch the skies, and watch your feet, keep your eye on the fig tree. Shalom and Godspeed.

A Parable for Christians

Christ came to a man one day and asked, "Are you ready?"
the man looked at Christ and said, "Not yet, give me more time."
Christ nodded his head and went on his way.
On another day, Christ came again and asked, "Are you ready?"
The man, once again, thinking about all he had to do: had to pray, had to fast, had to work, had to study, said, "Not yet. I need more time to get ready."
Christ nodded his head and went along his way.
Two more times Christ came asking him. Both times the man denied he was ready.
Then on a night filled with terror, sorrow and tribulation, when he looked around him and saw all he thought was for him is now against him. He cried out to Christ.
Then, after the night he came and stood before Christ.
Christ said, "When I came, I never asked you how read you were, or how much you had prepared yourself, all I asked you simply is, 'are you ready? Were you willing?"
"How was I to know what the night was to be like?" The man asked. "I thought I was doing all you asked me to do."
"I told you," Christ responded, "was to prepare yourself, to ready yourself, along with proclaiming my Gospel. Where did I tell you not to watch for the night while keeping yourself busy?"