"He [the Spirit of truth] will guide you into all the truth...and He will disclose to you what is to come" (John 16:13).
In appearing before the regional credentials board of a particular denomination some years ago, the question was asked: "What is your eschatological (i.e., end time related) stance?" Our response was something to the effect that, as an end in itself, prophetic inquiry can at times become something of a theological land mine.
Indeed, among the more knowledgeable need little exists for detailing an ongoing vulnerability - particularly among those of a Pre-tribulation Rapture perspective - in terms of seeking to determine the time of Christ's return. Nor is there need for detailing the confusion typically attendant such endeavors. Numerous instances, of which the following are but examples, might be cited.
Paul, for example, alludes to an obvious confusion of this nature in II Timothy 2:16-18. History records many such instances including, for example, a widespread anticipation of Christ's return in A.D. 1000. Of more recent occurrence, one might note the Millerite movement's "great disappointment" of the 1840's or, within more immediate contexts, the "countdown to the 'eighties" excitement of the late twentieth century, followed soon after by the equally erroneous Y2K Rapture hypothesis, ad infinitum.That conjectural assumptions of this nature continue to fail of realization serves, among other considerations, to reflect the ongoing need for greater grounding in terms of both practical insight and biblical intent. Furthermore, given the our Lord's assertion of "hav[ing] told you everything in advance" (Mark 13:23), one can only wonder as to those within the professing community who continue to greviously "miss the mark."
We shall, Lord willing, further address this as well as other meaningful concerns in future postings (e.g., are there really practical methodologies for inducing end time revival?; What constitutes one of the more overlooked of Jesus' Olivet pronouncements relative to the end time Church?; What are the requisites for a biblically defined end time "unity of the faith" (as per, "until we all come to..." Eph. 4:11-13) etc.
Burl Ratzsch
