There is, in progressive circles, a certain fascination with those apocalyptic prophecies that seem to hold so many religious conservatives in thrall. From the sensation over the megaselling Left Behind book series to more recent media flare-ups around figures such as John Hagee (the television pastor of countdown-to-Armageddon fame), the end times seem to be looming at all times.
Turn your attention to a strain of thought ascendant in secular, environmentalist America and you might be surprised to find a similar apocalypse fixation, minus the Book of Revelation and anti-Christ parts. Call it the secular theology of environmental collapse ”” the fearful conviction that the hopelessly corrupt world as we know it has entered its death throes, with massive destruction stalking ever nearer.
Given the huge challenges facing this country and the constant barrage of “be afraid!” messages from politics and pulpits, it’s understandable that many of us have a close relationship with dread.
Yet we should remain wary of doomsday fantasizing, in either its religious or secular form.
AMEN, and amen!
Enviromentalism and Global Warming, have already become the “New Thing” and qualifies as a “religion”..
Grandmother in SC
[blockquote] In certain conservative Christian circles, the rapture is viewed with something approaching gleeful excitement. As one devotee told CBS in a 2004 report on evangelical America, “I think (the rapture) would be really cool.” [/blockquote]
Well how “cool†is it that we are just destined to be worm food?
[blockquote] Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. [i]1 Thessalonians 5:1-3[/i] [/blockquote]
Cole, your passage relates to non-believers. They are the ones who will be taken by surprise. For the Christian (who is ready at all times) the second coming is a day of joy.
Brother Michael: I don’t understand your point? Paul generally wrote his epistles to the novice believers. This article is referring to those people who may be the non-believers. My hidden point is that the Christian does have a future beyond the mortal and natural world. And, who knows when that end might come?
Then we are saying the same thing. I must have misunderstood your point. Sorry.
I’m so glad that people who read and believe the Bible cannot be so easily fooled and frighten by such events.
Jesus already told us what signs to look for preceding his second coming. When we see the abomination of desolation, the Great Tribulation will commence, then we will know we have 3.5 years/42 months/ 1260 days till he returns for his bride, the Church.
Even so, come Lord Jesus
Vincent