An NPR news analyst gained out attention this past week with his description of present world conditions in terms of "global instability."
It is not our intention here to dwell on the negative or to become caught up in the trap of "prophetic forecasting." God only knows how many should have learned something along this line in modern times - as, for example, in the "countdown to the 'eighties" enthusiasm of a few years back. But, of course, speculative surmise is nothing new to the Church nor has it been, as least since the time Paul found it necessary to advise the Thessalonian believers that, despite their hyped-up emotions, Christ was not returning the next day (2 Thess. 2:1-3). But, anyway...
At the same time, and as the news commentator noted, we are seemingly entering an era of intensifying confusion, violence and turmoil on a global scale. It all brings to mind a biblical principle that, although frequently unrecognized, lends insight here.
Scripturally, "progressive reiteration" refers to a biblical passage that, upon having expounded a thought or treatise, then returns to the beginning and with additional detail and insight further develops the theme. The second chapter of Genesis, for example, enlarges upon the story of Creation given in chapter one; the final eleven chapters of the Revelation expound upon the account brought to conclusion in chapter 11 at which point "the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ," etc.
Within this frame of reference, the most notable example from a prophetic point of view is found in Jesus' Olivet Discourse. Answering the Disciples' question as to discernable evidence by which the time of his return will become perceivable (Matt. 24:3), Jesus likewise applies the reiterative principle. Beginning with a dramatic increase in deception, confusion, violence and persecution, he then states that "the end shall come" following a final proclamation of the Gospel (vs. 14). Following the connective "Therefore," (vs. 15), Jesus then gives further detail concerning that which he has just shared.
Having begun with deception, violence and persecution as "the beginning of sorrows" (vs. 8), Jesus' continued exposition then leads to a point of conclusion in terms of the world under control of a demonic "Antichrist", desperate circumstances and, ultimately, humanity on the verge of self-annihilation. Only by divine intervention is the believing community rescued and mankind, because of the believers' presence, spared (vv. 15f, 22,30).
It is thus "the one who endures to the end" that, as per Christ's promise, "shall be delivered" by his return (vs. 13, 30-31). Paul confims and reiterates this scenario in his second epistle to the Thessalonians. Significantly, neither Jesus nor the apostle proposes the presently two hundred-year-old "easy escapism" of much popular teaching. Again, we need to learn.
Does the present "global instability" factor into a progressive realization of end time events? Time will tell. At some point, whether now or later, such shall be the case. Our essential point here, however, is that once the reiterative nature of Christ's Discourse is recognized, much becomes clarified - including his assurance that "He that shall endure to the end shall be delivered."
Burl Ratzsch
