In yesterday’s blog post, The Great Convergence Fizzle, it is about the failure of three sensational prophecies that were supposed to converge in September. They were prophecies of men and not of God. They were “prophecies” that cannot be found in the Bible.
Yet, many Bible prophecy students and teachers gave a lot of attention to these so-called prophecies — to the point that many people became almost hysterical in response to them. We were inundated with inquiries about them, and we tried to assure people that there was nothing to them.
I guess it is only human for people to focus on the sensational. But it is also tragic because it results in Bible prophecy being held in contempt by most people. The whole field of eschatology (the study of end times) tends to be a playground for fanatics.
I had a fellow call me one time and ask, “What is wrong with your ministry?” I asked him what he was talking about, and he replied, “You are always harping on the same thing — about the soon return of Jesus. When are you going to come up with something new?” By something “new” he meant something weird and sensational.
I make no apologies for focusing on the Lord’s soon return. That is what God has called me to do. Furthermore, the promises of God’s Word are so spectacular that I don’t need to come up with sensational and imaginative things.
That’s why the Apostle Paul wrote this fantastic statement: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Wow! That is a mouthful. I know some people who are suffering mightily, including my wife, and this verse says that no matter what they may suffer, it is nothing compared to the glorious promises of God that await them at death or at the Rapture.
Just think about those promises for a moment: the Rapture, glorified bodies, life eternal in a New Jerusalem on a New Earth in the presence of God the Father and His Son. No more illness. No more pain. No more disappointments. No more weeping. No more death.
It is no wonder that the Apostle Paul made the following declaration in 1 Corinthians 2:9 —
No eye has seen,
No ear has heard,
Nor has the mind of Man conceived
What God has prepared
For those who love Him.
We need to focus on the specific prophecies and promises in God’s Word and not the fanciful speculations of men. As I said before, Bible prophecy can be a playground for fanatics, but it can also be green pastures for disciples. That’s because it builds faith and hope.
One final point. There really is a prophetic convergence going on in the world. This was one of the major points in my book about the signs of the times which I titled, Living on Borrowed Time: The Imminent Return of Jesus. I pointed out that the many signs the Bible tells us to look for that will signal the Lord’s soon return are converging today as never before, clearly indicating that we are living in the season when Jesus will break from the heavens.
The convergence they talked about was told could happen, did not have to happen, could happen before or after, whenever God decides. If you and I believe in a Pre-Tribulation Rapture then I would set my eyes on Yom Kippur of next year.
Dr. Reagan is absolutely on target with this blog topic.
Misunderstanding the proclamation of the imminent return of Jesus is typical not only in the world but throughout Christendom, and especially within the Body of Messiah. The Bride of Christ is looking up for her Groom, Jesus, who is standing at the door, preparing to descend at any moment on a day called today.
Approaching the entry to this century over a decade ago, which not coincidentally was bringing the world into the third millennium, as a Christian I was moved to write a warning to unbelievers which was in turn an encouragement to we who anticipate His Shout.
Conditions in the world seemed hectic then, yet the devastation that would follow the imminent Rapture believers understood would be globally catastrophic. And the aspect that was most concerning was that few appreciated the 'imminent' or any moment ignition of the prophesied 'Greatest Ride on Earth.'
For Christians eagerly awaiting our Blessed Hope are obediently comforting ourselves with the peace and strength provided in accepting and practicing the tenets of this history convulsing event. Assurance of Jesus's promised escape recorded in Luke 21:36 enables believers to carry on with the gleanings that are placing the final stones in God's masterpiece, the Church.
Yet even while looking forward and upward for His call, as Paul himself was doing when writing Philippians, believers strive to persuade the lost at any cost, as Paul revealed, 'knowing the terror of the Lord.'
An added personal insight was bestowed by a major disaster in the early days of this new century.
Struggling with finalizing the work of publishing my first book on the imminence of the Rapture, I took my family to Corpus Christi on vacation. In particular was the decision needed to capture the essence of the subject, the imminence of His calling out. A working title was still subject to consideration, hesitation caused by fear it might be too 'edgy.'
Rested, and ready to return to Dallas, the decision still in the air, I went to the lobby of our beachfront condo on a beautiful, quiet fall morning. Several televisions were on as I entered with what seemed to be a movie playing at different sequences. The clerk informed me I was looking at various news reports of the same story being played out as we were watching. Before us, onscreen, the World Trade towers were collapsing over and over again. It was September 11, 2001.
Immediately I knew my title was not 'edgy.' The title: "When Now Becomes Too Late."
Sadly, these years later, a decade and a half to be precise, there is a decrease in world attention to Bible prophecy instead of an increase. One can even add the world view is becoming openly mocking in its' ridicule, oblivious to themselves fulfilling prophecy.
Once again the Lord moved me to examine further the beautiful, inspirational prophecy the early Church practiced and anticipated. Once again the Lord focused me on the any moment, imminent launch of the Bride of Messiah to Jesus' side. Included in the title is the word scoffers insist is not found anywhere in the Bible.
If they would merely turn to I Thessalonians 4:17 of Jerome's Latin Vulgate they'd discover 'rapiemur' for the Greek 'harpadzo,' rendered in the English as 'caught up.'
In-depth study reveals the impact of that inspired word.
This second work has only provided more fields of inquiry necessitating preparation for a third incursion into the consideration of the greatest ride on earth!
For we who believe, anticipation of His Shout continues to intensify, not lessen, for our Blessed Hope!
Till His Shout!
TL Farley,
author,
When Now Becomes Too Late,
Distant Reaches,
Blast Off Rapiemur
Book plugs….meh!
Did I just say "meh"?!
I believe we can solidly add Isralestine to this list of sensationalist fables as well! It should be clear that Gog/Magog will soon take place!
Rodney,
Nice to "see" you! I've bounced all over on my position of "Israelestine". I still to this day can't say I have a firm belief about it one way or the other. I do know there are respected people on both sides and we should all have respect for other's opinions, even if we disagree, unless they are completely absurd, a lie or just plain evil. I don't think supporters of the Israelestine theory fall into any of those categories. If you differ with them I think the best policy is "agree to disagree".
Having said that, at this time I think you may be right. The way things are going down at this time the Isaelestine theory doesn't seem to fit. On the other hand I never thought the Berlin Wall would fall like it did so I wouldn't bet the farm that I was right.
I also never thought America would elect someone like Obama who in just 8 years has destroyed our military, our economy, our medical insurance system, our standing in the world, our values (gay marriage legal???!!!), etc. America has changed incredibly dramatically in a 8 short years.
So finally…is Israelestine a myth? Maybe. Maybe not. CONCLUSION: Let's just pray that we are not here to find out. Let's pray the Lord comes and takes us away in the Rapture ASAP (today would be great!).