Posted on 08/02/2006 5:37:46 AM PDT by rightwingintelligentsia
When Tim LaHaye talks, the faithful listen—by the millions. The conservative Protestant minister is the coauthor of the wildly popular apocalyptic “Left Behind” novels. The controversial books, which have sold more than 60 million copies, depict the biblical end of the world: the Christian eschatology of the upheaval that precedes the second coming of Jesus Christ, known also as “end times.” LaHaye recently spoke with NEWSWEEK’s Brian Braiker about why he believes the events currently unfolding in the Middle East reflect biblical prophesy.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
Well, I know people don't want to believe it, but per population violence worldwide is DECREASING. Average life expectancy is going up, and there's been no particular increase in disasters. Individual disasters of a given type may kill more people due to population increasing, but there's been no increase in the number of large earthquakes (actually the number of them has been below the 100 average for 6+ years running), no increase in volcanism, etc.
May or may not be true. He has gotten people more interested in their faith and exploring a more personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I don't see that as being bad.
Of course, even if all that is accurate, it does nothing whatoseover to delay Christ's imminent return.
Since Lehaye's dispensationalist view is the only one he accepts what does that make the challengers to this interpretation? Dare we say the "H" word?
The only end times coming will be for the West if we let the Islamofascists have their way.
Rosenberg's stuff is better written and he's more in tune with the geopolitical stuff than LaHaye. This blog is pretty interesting.
http://joelrosenberg.blogspot.com/
It's also called "newspaper exegesis." Jack and Rexella are the all time champs.
We can understand the signs of the times, but we have no idea when the end of this age will occur. It could be tomorrow, or it could be 100 years from now. If the latter, I have no doubt Israel will be fighting against her enemies the entire time. Thinking about and studying eschatological matters is fine, but the main focus for Christians should be preaching the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
He's got people interested in searching for clues and building superstitious endtime castles in the air.
As far as I'm concerned, one mark of a serious Christian is that he doesn't have an elaborate endtime scenario all worked out in excruciating detail in his head. People who walk around with lists of thousands of arcane "clues" about why the world is about to end don't seem to have much time for the actual work of Christian living.
Probably will be. The Antichrist is definitely a person of some sort. But in looking narrowly at our current times, my guess - IF the Antichrist were to appear in this day and age - is that he isn't going to be a Muslim. For the sake of argument, I would venture that someone wildly popular, and with sway over much of the world, would be someone with a medical/scientific background - you know, someone who will come up with fantastic medical cures, while being a charismatic individual who can turn his genius into a seat of power. Given the huge moral implications of cloning and embryonic research, plus the vitriol being directed at men and women of faith who believe in the sanctity of the life of the unborn child, I find it entirely possible that someone like this could rise to power, bring about a worldwide persecution of the Catholic and conservative-Protestant churches, and bring about the tribulation.
Keep in mind, the number "666" implies perfect imperfection. Perfect humanity. Something that strives to be divine (7), but falls just short. And it is this narrow falling short of true holiness that will lead so many astray, even some of the elect. So as man (6), strives through science and medicine to heed the serpent and become "like gods" (777), the stage will be set for the most perfect of the imperfect (666) to attempt to bring the mother of all persecutions upon the followers of Christ.
If this holds any water, then yeah, maybe we're approaching a reckoning of some sort. But either way, we don't have to worry as long as our houses are in order...
I'm not avoiding it. It's certainly worth discussing and beneficial to understand the direction we're headed in. But if someone says, "yeah, this is the time", flee from that person like the plague. They're attempting to take from God what they are not entitled to. Pretty dangerous spiritual practice, if you ask me.
Jesus commanded that we be aware of the "signs", not to write books and make a ga-jillion dollars creating a cottage industry based on negligent exegesis.
The ironic thing is that for all of LaHaye's insistence on literalism, the word "rapture" doesn't appear ANYWHERE in the Bible.
Neither does the word "Trinity."
Ping for your interest.
I disagree. Many people reading these books have never been exposed to the gospel at all. I'm sure these books have caused many to more closely examine and study the Bible, and that many have been led to a closer personal relationship with Christ. Not everyone who reads these books agrees with the eschatology presented.
I think what most people are saying is "yeah, this MAY be the time." It would seem to me you don't agree with this guy so you attack what he is doing. For me Lahaye's books fall into a gray area - I don't have a framework for criticizing him one way or the other. The Bible doesn't give us definative answers on this so....
I saw that show and my first thought was also how Bill Clinton fills the bill but I understand the antichrist will come from the old Roman Empire (currently known as the E.U.). Of course, the U.S. is a "child" of Great Britain so I guess that wouldl make him eligible. I don't see anyone in the current E.U. that even comes close to Bill Clinton in "rock star" popularity and he sure spends a lot of time over there.
Not only was the nation of Israel reborn in one day as the Bible predicted but also the Hebrew language which had also been dead for over 2000 years was revived (as predicted).
No free passes here, we are continuing our work for Him knowing full well that we will be rewarded in the end. We just recently pulled another drug addict out of the rubble his life had become and have him back on the right path. Geez...I'm tired of working every day too, but that doesn't mean I can call in sick. Last time I took a vacation, the employees {jokingly} told me I am never allowed to do that again : )
That might be important if you believe the "Israel" of the New Testament is literally the nation of Israel, but many Christians see it as representing the entire body of Christian believers--the "new Israel" with whom God has made a new covenant.
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