Comment from missionary and author, John Patrick:
Very beautiful Dennis. It reminds me of an old quote I heard. "Don't focus on what the world has become, but focus on Who came into the world."
Here is somethings I wrote about pitfalls of over focusing on the End Time that touched some folks, it is from the "Triumph in Tribulation" book I published earlier this year:
"Throughout history, there have been countless theories and speculations about who the Antichrist might be. In my lifetime, I have heard of various popes, presidents and politicians as being possible candidates for the Antichrist. Jeanne Dixon was sure we would see him by the year 2000. It seems ridiculous when we think of the amount of energy and finances, books published, and conferences held on this subject, when those funds could have been diverted to more fruitful endeavors to feed the hungry and help the needy as Jesus brought out in Matthew Chapter 25 verses 34-36.
"In the fourth century, Saint Martin of Tours said, “there is no doubt that the Antichrist has already been born.” That would make him about 1600 years old! — Unless Martin Luther got it right when he quipped that he was “certain the pope is the Antichrist.” The Antichrist would only be 500 years old!
"It can be a dangerous pastime of Christians to guess who the Antichrist is and it is actually a discredit to the true body of Christ. Evangelical Christians have left quite a long trail of false prophecies and speculations behind them with regard to who the Antichrist might be. Far too often prophecies are reapplied as newspaper headlines change.
"We might even end up doing more harm to the cause of Christ by our obsession with the endtime. We actually empower the atheists. There is a kernel of truth in what Friedrich Nietzsche wrote: “The Christian resolution to find the world ugly and bad has made the world ugly and bad.”
"In John Chapter 12, Jesus said “if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me.” Spending more time lifting up the beauty of Jesus will win more people than all our speculations about who the Antichrist might be.
"We are missing the whole point in our obsession to put a label on every horn of the beast to the neglect of the most important commandments of Christ, to “love one another” and “feed his sheep” with the Word. (John 13:34; John 21:15)
"It will be obvious when the Antichrist world government is here. For the third time, a third Jewish temple will very likely be rebuilt in Jerusalem, a new monetary system and a cashless society will also be instituted in many parts of the world. There may be mandatory chipping of humans. Until we see these signs, let’s stop playing the “guessing game” of who the Antichrist is and focus more on serving others and ministering to the poor and needy. When the time comes, the Lord will reveal it to us."
Also, my closing note:
"In this booklet, we studied verses that give credence to the belief that believers will go through the tribulation. The aim is not to “argue doctrine” or to prove which “side is right.” Whether you believe in pre-tribulation rapture or not is minor compared to our obligation to “love one another as he loved us” which Jesus commanded us to do in John Chapters 13 and 15. For way too long, many Christians have argued doctrine instead of seeking to humbly “serve one another in love,” (Galatians 5:13) and work together to build His kingdom.
"In our attempts to prove our side doctrinally correct, we often hinder the fulfillment of one of Jesus’ final prayers:
“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me — John 17:20,21NKJV
"If we sought more for Christian unity and truly embraced the fascinating differences in the many branches of Christianity, we may find that more people in the “world may believe” as they see our love for each other despite our different interpretations of the Gospel.
"We too often divide ourselves over minor issues instead of seeking to “have fervent charity amongst ourselves.” 1 Peter 4:8
“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” — John 13:35 NKJV
"Harm has been done to the cause of Christ by people over focusing on the end time scriptures to the neglect of the major Christian principles of “loving our neighbors as ourselves,” and humbly striving for unity amongst believers.
"I pray this is a blessing to you and it will motivate you to “redeem the time” by actively serving others as Jesus would have us to. Whether the Rapture comes before, during or after the Great Tribulation, it behooves us all “to work the works of him that sent me while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” (John 9:4) We have one life, and that may soon be past, only what is done for Christ and His love will last!" [End of message from John Patrick.]
Here's another comment from missionary and author John Lyall:
"Throughout history, there have been countless theories and speculations about who the Antichrist might be. In my lifetime, I have heard of various popes, presidents and politicians as being possible candidates for the Antichrist. Jeanne Dixon was sure we would see him by the year 2000. It seems ridiculous when we think of the amount of energy and finances, books published, and conferences held on this subject, when those funds could have been diverted to more fruitful endeavors to feed the hungry and help the needy as Jesus brought out in Matthew Chapter 25 verses 34-36.
"In the fourth century, Saint Martin of Tours said, “there is no doubt that the Antichrist has already been born.” That would make him about 1600 years old! — Unless Martin Luther got it right when he quipped that he was “certain the pope is the Antichrist.” The Antichrist would only be 500 years old!
"It can be a dangerous pastime of Christians to guess who the Antichrist is and it is actually a discredit to the true body of Christ. Evangelical Christians have left quite a long trail of false prophecies and speculations behind them with regard to who the Antichrist might be. Far too often prophecies are reapplied as newspaper headlines change.
"We might even end up doing more harm to the cause of Christ by our obsession with the endtime. We actually empower the atheists. There is a kernel of truth in what Friedrich Nietzsche wrote: “The Christian resolution to find the world ugly and bad has made the world ugly and bad.”
"In John Chapter 12, Jesus said “if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me.” Spending more time lifting up the beauty of Jesus will win more people than all our speculations about who the Antichrist might be.
"We are missing the whole point in our obsession to put a label on every horn of the beast to the neglect of the most important commandments of Christ, to “love one another” and “feed his sheep” with the Word. (John 13:34; John 21:15)
"It will be obvious when the Antichrist world government is here. For the third time, a third Jewish temple will very likely be rebuilt in Jerusalem, a new monetary system and a cashless society will also be instituted in many parts of the world. There may be mandatory chipping of humans. Until we see these signs, let’s stop playing the “guessing game” of who the Antichrist is and focus more on serving others and ministering to the poor and needy. When the time comes, the Lord will reveal it to us."
Also, my closing note:
"In this booklet, we studied verses that give credence to the belief that believers will go through the tribulation. The aim is not to “argue doctrine” or to prove which “side is right.” Whether you believe in pre-tribulation rapture or not is minor compared to our obligation to “love one another as he loved us” which Jesus commanded us to do in John Chapters 13 and 15. For way too long, many Christians have argued doctrine instead of seeking to humbly “serve one another in love,” (Galatians 5:13) and work together to build His kingdom.
"In our attempts to prove our side doctrinally correct, we often hinder the fulfillment of one of Jesus’ final prayers:
“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me — John 17:20,21NKJV
"If we sought more for Christian unity and truly embraced the fascinating differences in the many branches of Christianity, we may find that more people in the “world may believe” as they see our love for each other despite our different interpretations of the Gospel.
"We too often divide ourselves over minor issues instead of seeking to “have fervent charity amongst ourselves.” 1 Peter 4:8
“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” — John 13:35 NKJV
"Harm has been done to the cause of Christ by people over focusing on the end time scriptures to the neglect of the major Christian principles of “loving our neighbors as ourselves,” and humbly striving for unity amongst believers.
"I pray this is a blessing to you and it will motivate you to “redeem the time” by actively serving others as Jesus would have us to. Whether the Rapture comes before, during or after the Great Tribulation, it behooves us all “to work the works of him that sent me while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” (John 9:4) We have one life, and that may soon be past, only what is done for Christ and His love will last!" [End of message from John Patrick.]
Thank you, Dennis, for sharing your experiences in teaching Bible prophecy and the End Time, and John Patrick, for your helpful comments.
Since I am somewhat of an End Time researcher myself, I found your insights helpful as a guide and reminder to me to stay on track spiritually in this field. Here are some thoughts that have come to me on why Bible prophecy can be helpful:
• They encourage and strengthen our faith, knowing that God has things planned out ahead of time. “And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.” (John 14:29)
• People are curious to know if God has a plan for the future and what that plan is. And the Bible’s prophetic passages serve to satisfy that curiosity. So it can be a useful means to attract people to faith in the God of the Bible.
Here, by the way, it is important to avoid the temptation to use Bible prophecy for selfish ends of one kind or another. After Christ’s departure and as the apostles were getting older, several false teachers rose up, trying to capitalize on the interest that was surging around the new movement and its intriguing new belief system. Likewise, with the amount of interest existing today in End of the Age scenarios, there have arisen quite a number of teachers who seem a little too interested in using their knowledge to make money, gain recognition, advance a certain political agenda, or whatever it might be – all of which tends to sow confusion rather than bring clarity in people’s minds about the End of the Age scenario.
• Having a general idea of what the future holds is helpful as a guide for making future plans (as long as they are made in conjunction with the Lord’s insight and guidance).
Well, thanks again for your post - very enlightening and useful guidance! [End of message from John Lyall]
It will also help us broaden our perspective to keep in mind that the "tribulation" has already come for many in different parts of the world. We need to enter into the unity of Christian love by praying for those who are suffering for their faith around the world; lifting up their hands as we pray for them that they may have the grace to endure. We also need to be praying for all of God's dear children who are suffering, even if it's not directly for their faith, many are in desperate situations and need us to strengthen their arms of faith and courage to persevere.
Exciting times we are living in! And to know that, above all, Jesus is the One in control and not the system or world or the enemy is such a comforting thought which we should pass on to others. Thanks for such inspiring messages, Dennis and John!
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