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I do not agree with Pastor Darby's interpretation of Scripture, nor do a large portion of Protestants in the World. Jesus said in Matthew 13:49-50, that, "This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Jesus' comment seems to be opposite to Pastor Darby's contention of a 'rapture' of the Church.

My intention is not to start an endless (and pointless) debate about eschatology! That said, do such differences in interpretation make me any less a Christian than you, or you, any less a Christian than I? No! In its position paper, 'Christ at the Centre', the Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada starts the paper with the subtitle: "Unity in Essentials, Liberty in Non-Essentials, Love in All Things". That, I believe, is a very wise position. (The position paper may be viewed here.)

I believe that eschatological debates, especially those that drag on endlessly, without resolution, are one of the Accuser's weapons used to drive us from God's Word and to fracture the Church. If he can keep us battling each other over small stuff, we are not focused on Jesus. In addition, non-Believers will see the internal discord and we lose the opportunity to witness impactfully to them.

In conclusion, I do not agree with Pastor Darby's interpretation of the 'end times', but that is not an essential of the faith. The Bible tells me that Jesus is coming again, to save those who are in Him and vanquish Satan, his demons and nonbelievers. That is good enough for me. How He accomplishes it is His business. I expect there to be trouble in this life because He said so and I have experienced much over the last three years. In many ways, my troubles have deepened my faith in Him!