I hope the following simple and most unacademic post (is that a word?) is encouraging, for that is what it is meant to be. We may have differences in interpreting many prophetic passages and books of God's Word to us....I certainly have my opinions and write about them often....but we are still brothers and sisters in Christ! The greater error may very well be in ignoring the prophetic passages and books of God's Word altogether!
Most evangelicals read a fair amount of prophesy books... as 'last days' or 'end times' books have come to be known. This I've noticed anyway over the years. I've read my share and then some in my 35 years as a professing Christian. Now pretty much no one reads the less spectacular prophesy books. Those who do like to refer to their books as eschatology so as not to be confused with those who read Tim LaHaye books. I've read them all....not all of the books of course....and probably not all but most of the perspectives.....at one time or another.
My own conclusion to all of this is that they...the differing factions.... are not as far apart as they believe themselves to be. Yes, one might believe in a very literal mark of the beast and another might be convinced that it is symbolic...this to use just one example of very many.... but there are also many common bonds between the seemingly disparate groups...the most important of which may be that things are going to get very very bad before our Lord returns....whenever that time may be of course. (clue: things are getting very very bad!)
The more cerebral of those....I say this to make them feel at home....criticize the less cerebral of reading words into the Bible, but as I read their own books I find a lot of phrases such as 'is very likely' and 'appears to be' and 'most probably is.' This is the cerebral way to speculate without it looking like your speculating.
Both sides are very sure of their interpretations....but they usually....not always but usually....fail to convince me. When I read the actual prophesy passages and books in the Bible there is a remarkable clarity that instantly refreshes! I do not mean 'clarity' as in it's full meaning is clear and I accurately interpreted it. I use the word more as....I may not understand it but it is perfectly clear in what God intends me (and all of us) to see at this time. Consequently I get more (an understatement of the year) out of reading the Bible passages that I do not fully comprehend than I get out of the prophesy and eschatology books that I can fully comprehend. Because of this....duh....I read the books of the Bible far more often than any books or even commentaries about the Bible passages.
I'm writing this post to convey one thought....all these words for one simple thought. Now this is my own feeling....speculative as it may be....but I can see Christians of varying....even diametrically opposed beliefs on some issues....coming together as time passes....this assuming that the return of our King is near.....which I do believe.....and hope for! If our Lord's return is not near.....then to quote Roseanne Roseannadanna...."never mind".... for these folks will remain at loggerheads (I often use words that I haven't the slightest idea what they are) with each other.
Most evangelicals read a fair amount of prophesy books... as 'last days' or 'end times' books have come to be known. This I've noticed anyway over the years. I've read my share and then some in my 35 years as a professing Christian. Now pretty much no one reads the less spectacular prophesy books. Those who do like to refer to their books as eschatology so as not to be confused with those who read Tim LaHaye books. I've read them all....not all of the books of course....and probably not all but most of the perspectives.....at one time or another.
My own conclusion to all of this is that they...the differing factions.... are not as far apart as they believe themselves to be. Yes, one might believe in a very literal mark of the beast and another might be convinced that it is symbolic...this to use just one example of very many.... but there are also many common bonds between the seemingly disparate groups...the most important of which may be that things are going to get very very bad before our Lord returns....whenever that time may be of course. (clue: things are getting very very bad!)
The more cerebral of those....I say this to make them feel at home....criticize the less cerebral of reading words into the Bible, but as I read their own books I find a lot of phrases such as 'is very likely' and 'appears to be' and 'most probably is.' This is the cerebral way to speculate without it looking like your speculating.
Both sides are very sure of their interpretations....but they usually....not always but usually....fail to convince me. When I read the actual prophesy passages and books in the Bible there is a remarkable clarity that instantly refreshes! I do not mean 'clarity' as in it's full meaning is clear and I accurately interpreted it. I use the word more as....I may not understand it but it is perfectly clear in what God intends me (and all of us) to see at this time. Consequently I get more (an understatement of the year) out of reading the Bible passages that I do not fully comprehend than I get out of the prophesy and eschatology books that I can fully comprehend. Because of this....duh....I read the books of the Bible far more often than any books or even commentaries about the Bible passages.
I'm writing this post to convey one thought....all these words for one simple thought. Now this is my own feeling....speculative as it may be....but I can see Christians of varying....even diametrically opposed beliefs on some issues....coming together as time passes....this assuming that the return of our King is near.....which I do believe.....and hope for! If our Lord's return is not near.....then to quote Roseanne Roseannadanna...."never mind".... for these folks will remain at loggerheads (I often use words that I haven't the slightest idea what they are) with each other.
