End-Time Theology, Trump and the Church


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.

3 Comments

  1. Yes, and Amen! So grateful for Ralph bringing a clear, Bible-based and Gospel-inspired clarity on recent events. Conspiracy is man-made, sowing doubt, suspicion and hatred; the truth is God-given and based on love and trust In Jesus. Follow Him, not the latest fad.

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  2. Hey Ralph, love the blog by the way, didn't know you had one until now!!! I'll be checking this out more for sure!!

    Question: What do you make of parts of the bible where it talks about God's people, being persecuted and Christians being almost all but wiped out? Do you think any of the events in America (Predicting Trumps Win) is going to contribute to the global animosity towards Christians since it seems we're moving towards a future that will probably vehemently deny Christ and also push boundaries of human existence I.e. Genetic editing etc?

    To be honest, I think even I who believes and loves God, have struggled with the end times doctrine, so I definitely agree with this post, I just wonder how much of these are really conspiracies, isn't it like the enemy to hide things I plain sights? (People worshipped Gods and sacrificed children in the bible.)

    Very good post though, has got me thinking!! I love it, keep them coming!

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  3. Hi Anon and Dakwaakiid

    I’m guessing that Dakwaakiid is Kwesi but not sure…. And as for Anon… :-)

    Anyway thank you both for the comments. Kwesi, you asked about parts of the Bible where it talks about God's people, being persecuted and Christians being almost all but wiped out. I’m not aware of the ‘almost wiped out’ bit (references?) but persecution, yes. I would see persecution and revival as unhappy partners at the same time in history. Church history points to most revivals happening at the same time as persecution, so I don’t think it has to be one or the other.

    ‘More global animosity towards Christians because some predicted a Trump win?’ Not really. I just think it makes the Church look foolish for linking faith to short term politics.

    ‘Moving towards a future that will probably vehemently deny Christ and also push boundaries of human existence I.e. Genetic editing?’ Yes and no. As above, more persecution but more revival. The Covid situation has exposed many to the vacuous nature of their life and caused them to seek after God – as reflected in the number of Bible’s sold/downloaded during the crisis and the number of Google searches re ‘prayer.’

    ‘Isn't it like the enemy to hide things in plain sight?’ Possible yes, though I don’t want to over-attribute stuff to an enemy that has already been defeated. Paul encouraged the Thessalonians not to get too transfixed on end times (2 Thes 2) and that would be my view too. Let’s have a positive (Biblical) view of the Church and an end time revival.

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