I appreciate the cordial tone of your response, and look forward to comparing notes in the world to come. Look me up in a thousand years or so, and we'll rejoice together in how God worked in our lives.
I have several problems with "prophecy teaching." For one thing, the "prophecy experts" never see brighter days ahead. None of them predicted the fall of the Soviet menace, for example. I spent two weeks in Ukraine in 1992. Those people were devastated when their system of meaning, their apparatus for understanding the universe and their place in it, was discredited. They were also hungry for the gospel. The church I belong to now is post-millennial, Calvinist, charismatic, and passionate about campus ministry. They started planting churches in the former Soviet bloc as soon as the wall came down. You have to wonder. Did any of the churches that regarded Soviet communism as an immovable fixture for the rest of history get in on that open door?
In 1945, Douglas MacArthur begged America to send 10,000 missionaries to Japan. What he got was engineers -- and today, Japan is one of the most materialistic nations on earth. Were God's people ready for victory, and open doors? Apparently not.
Speaking of 1945, when the US State Department engineered the triumph of Mao Zedong's regime, there were perhaps 20,000 Chinese Christians. Today, there are closer to 100 million Chinese Christians. A ministry sponsored by my church has provided training for indigenous leaders who are responsible for maybe 30 million of them.
Would a church that expected nothing from God attempt great things for Him? Our expectations shape our efforts. If we have decades ahead of us, we'll get a doctorate and undertake serious scholarly effort. We'll write books. If we only have days ahead of us, we'll dash off tracts. Serious achievement takes the consecrated effort of decades. A church that scorns the future will not be taken seriously. See my tagline.
I am impressed with your awareness and churches work on behalf of other nations. You have obtained an understanding of cultures and national living that most can only get from history books or unfortunately that which is piped in on various news sites. This is to your advantage.
It was exciting when the Soviets were eager and ready for the gospel...and who wouldn’t be at that point in their nations history. At last the doors were open! It has and still is an exciting time...but as you know that door could close any time again as their nation moves closer to it’s original status quo...Putin is surely moving their nation that direction once more and is riding a very fine line doing so.
I have often wondered why God did not permit the deciples to go into the Asian countries....and have yet to understand why that was...but as you stated their have been times where the door has opened and God’s people have gone and won hearts to Christ. Even today there are many active missionaries throughout those countries....and this is a good thing.
I see you are post-millennial in you thinking which does explain some of the frustrations you encounter with those who are pre-millennial......either or position the Gospel remains formost to take to the nations and the unsaved. Though many saw the Iraq war and Aphganistan war as a terrible thing...it has indeed opened the door for people there to come to Christ and they are! So great things are indeed happening for God as you yourself are aware and have seen.
I see you are concerned that some churches might “scorn” the future for believing these times we live may be the end times...however do keep in mind that for this very reason there is a push to reach as many as possible before that door closes...be it in the near future....or thereafter. Looks like the Lord is using the willing on both ends of the spectrum because it remains still ...all about Him and those who He will bring.