Little discernment is required to recognize the ease with which the meaningless or misconstrued is sometimes read into Scripture. As previously noted, Jeremiah 10:1-4 does not prohibit Christmas trees nor does I Peter 3:3 equate unattractiveness with holiness. The list, of course, continues.
On somewhat the reverse side of the coin, it is little to be denied that intended biblical insight can escape our awareness as well. Most of us, for example, have heard endless sermons alleging the imminent return of Christ on the basis of present "wars and rumors of wars, famines, plagues, and earthquakes in diverse places" (Matt. 24:3-7; Luke 21:11). That history has been characterized by "wars and rumors of wars, famines, plagues and earthquakes in diverse places" since time immemorial obviously calls such time-defining guideline into question - if, indeed, this was the basic intent of Jesus' words.
That it is not just the presence of wars, famines, plagues and earthquakes to which Jesus alludes, but rather the manifestation of such in an intensity sufficient to incite universal panic, may be seen from the text itself. By way of contrast, "see that you [i.e., the Twelve as representative of the believing community] are not alarmed" (Matt. 24:6). Were even the days of World War II to be included, the world at large has yet to experience the coming sense of threat and apprehension.
We are similarly advised that Jesus could come "at any moment" in consequence of "the love of many grow[ing] cold" (vs. 12). This likewise fails of the fact that Jesus associates such "falling away" (to quote Paul's reiteration of the point, II Thess. 2:3) with a time of global persecution: "hated of all nations for my name's sake" - its impetus paralleling, and drawing heavily upon, the dynamic of spiritual darkness: "many false prophets arising, and deceiving many" (vs. 9-12). While evidences pointing toward such seem inescapable, Jesus' words yet await full manifestation.
What then to make of it all? For the believer, the requisite response is perseverance: "He that shall endure to the end shall be delivered" (vs. 13; 30-31). In his parallel passage of II Thessalonians 1:2-2:17, Paul similarly portrays this granting of "relief" ("rest," KJV) to the faithful ("you" and "us," 1:7) - not prior to the events of Matthew 24, but at its conclusion: "when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who know not God." As with our Lord, Paul knows nothing of a Pre-tribulation "Rapture of the Church" some seven years prior.
Three points in summary:
1.) Difficult times lie ahead; 2.) In days to come, we shall much need one another; 3.) Profound distinction exists between exegesis - i.e., drawing meaning from the text and eisegesis - i.e., reading meaning into the text.
Burl Ratzsch
