“Too many evangelical Christians welcome the biblical rapture with an unsettling eagerness” was the opening statement of an article in USA Today’s Forum last week, entitled “What if the end isn't near?” In a nutshell, the author declares that those who hold to such beliefs—“end-timers”—ought to be more mindful of things on earth, dedicating themselves to acts that alleviate suffering and make for a better world.
The fallacy in the author’s position is that the two views (an end-time view and ‘do-unto-others’ philosophy) are incompatible. A true disciple of Jesus will do all he can to alleviate suffering in this world while longing for the next. And all the more because He wants to see the suffering of mankind end.
But most alarming to me is that those who eagerly await the rapture (Ro. 8:23-24) are viewed negatively, as though they are not in touch with reality. The USA article serves to remind us that those who, as Jesus said, live as though they are not of this world (Jn. 17:14), will be misunderstood and hated. As evidenced by the USA article, there is increasing movement in the American church toward more social relevance and planet-saving. But listen to the words of Peter:
But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and everything in them will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be exposed to judgment. Since everything around us is going to melt away, what holy, godly lives you should be living! You should look forward to that day and hurry it along… And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to live a pure and blameless life. And be at peace with God (2 Peter 3:11-14)
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