It is a new theology of the end-times in the 1800s that is
at fault. This may seem a long time ago, but in history terms, it is ‘yesterday’.
The theology proposed a literal meaning to much of the final book of the Bible,
Revelation, and linked it to various Old Testament prophecy to come up with a time line
– different ‘dispensations’ from which we could grasp a clearer understanding
of when Jesus will return for the last time.
This theology is not one that was ever seriously considered
by the Early Church Fathers. And there’s a reason for that – it is riddled with
assumptions, exaggerations and misunderstandings. Yet because it took off big
time in the 1970s and 1980s it is still largely viewed as undeniable truth by
many in the Church, especially in America- which is where it took off.
The book ‘The Late Great Planet Earth’ by Hal Lindsay has a
lot to do with the recent rise of this theology, supported by a tranche of
tele-evangelists, past and present, and by a set of fiction books by Tim LaHaye
called the ‘Left Behind Series.’
Too many have based their Christian views of the end-times
on this material with little thought to its lack of foundational truth.
I say all this, in order to make sense of the crazy politics
and conspiracy theories (a topic for deeper study on another day) in America at
this time.
If you believe that there is a timeline, a secret rapture
and that Jesus is coming back at any minute, it negates a belief in a
triumphant gospel preaching Church. It pretty much ignores all the scriptures
about the Church being Christ’s body and being prepared as the bride of Christ.
Instead it looks to a geographical Israel and to current world events - and then
translates them into end- time dodgy ‘doctrine’.
That’s why we have Christians believing in QAnon
conspiracies such as Hilary Clinton killing babies in a ritual underneath a
pizza restaurant (yes really!) and there being a secret evil cult running the
planet.
That’s why many Christians have made a cult hero of Donald
Trump. They have forgotten that the Church is in the world but not of it. They have
forgotten that Jesus came to bring a different kind of Kingdom and they have
placed all their faith in a tragi-comedy President who has said the right things
and done the opposite. It’s why to this day – to this hour – there continues to
be multiple conspiracy theories about the election being rigged. It didn’t help
that we had a load of false prophecies for the more gullible to swallow
wholesale, predicting a Trump victory.
But the victory is the victory of the Church; the body of
Christ. It declares the gospel; the real truth - and the Holy Spirit does the
rest. Hence, it’s not to do with present day political leaders (though we are
called to pray for peace and I would always encourage Christians to vote) but
it is to do with the Church at work in the world.
One of the fastest growing churches in the world today is in
Iran- where the church is practically banned. The most vibrant churches are often in
the hardest political environments.
I’m grateful for peace and democracy, for good presidents
and prime ministers, but I hold to a more orthodox view of the end times. There
will be wars and rumours of wars. There will be good and bad rulers. But there
will also be a triumphant Church that will herald the return of Christ, with a
new heaven and earth.
And until then, let’s pray for our rulers, avoid the
conspiracies and preach the gospel.
