[therut]

I agree that this part of Christian faith is not worth getting in a big argument over or being dogmatic over. The Book Of Revelation is very confusing and I think maybe purposely so. I think that in time it will make more and more sense to Christians. But I do think it should be thought about and discussed.

[Frumanchu]

While I don't see it as a salvation issue, eschatology has a MUCH bigger impact on believers than most people seem to realize. Just the other day I heard somebody basically using the supposed imminence of the Second Coming as an excuse for not being a good steward with their finances. I've also heard it used as a rationale for focusing way too much on the initial conversion aspect of evangelism to the detriment of the discipleship and growth aspect.

And of course it has a huge and obvious impact on foreign policy and politics (see Israel, national IDs, etc).

[Lee N. Field]

I agree that this part of Christian faith is not worth getting in a big argument over or being dogmatic over.

Oh, that's no fun.

The big picture's the same, in all the eschatological models worth considering. We're somewhere in the middle, bettween Christ's ascention and the "He shall come again to judge the quick and the dead." part.

Models not worth considering are those that deny one or more necessary Christian doctrines.