Tag: Eschatology

Toward A Kingdom-Based Foreign Policy – 1

Because of the developments around the world over the last 10 days, Americans are focused on its nation’s foreign policy more now than at any time in the last 4 years.

I thought it a good time then to offer some thoughts on what a Kingdom-based foreign policy should look like.

Before I begin though, I want to say if you interpret what I say in these next few posts as endorsing or criticizing a particular presidential candidate’s foreign policy you will have misinterpreted what I write.

If I am approaching the issue of foreign policy from the context of the left/right game, I’m wasting your time and mine. You can find the typical left/right party lines on foreign policy on any number of blogs or talk shows. They are predictable, well-worn and frankly not very interesting. Continue reading “Toward A Kingdom-Based Foreign Policy – 1”

10 Reasons The Kingdom Will Prevail On Earth

It shocks me how pessimistic Christians are about the future, particularly those of my generation.

Fortunately, the younger generation of Christians seem to have a stronger view of the kingdom of God in history.

Most Christians believe the kingdom of God will ultimately prevail, but many believe that will only happen when Jesus returns and imposes His rule on people.

The Bible suggests, however, that Jesus is waiting at the right hand of the Father until the kingdom of God is established on the earth and then He will return. See Hebrews 10:12-13.

With that introduction, here are ten reasons I believe the kingdom of God will prevail on earth before Jesus returns: Continue reading “10 Reasons The Kingdom Will Prevail On Earth”

Ephesians 1 (Part III)

View from Arcadiane to The Great Theatre, Ephesus

As I explained in Part I of this series, when the Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians, he probably believed it was the last time he would ever communicate with them.

He had much to tell them, but there were two things that were foundational. In Part II I mentioned that the first thing Paul wanted the Ephesian Christians to understand was their identity in Christ.

Paul told them they were chosen, adopted sons of God, redeemed and forgiven. It was essential the Ephesian Christians understood their identity because without that understanding they could not understand their destiny.

Their destiny, Paul said, was an inheritance in an administration whose purpose was the “summing up of all things in Christ….” (v. 9-12). Continue reading “Ephesians 1 (Part III)”

Rapture Now, The Sequel

Perhaps you’ve heard. Harold Camping is now saying the Rapture will happen in October.

If you missed last Saturday’s Rapture, don’t worry; the next one promises to be very similar. No one will be taken up, but more false teaching will be taken down.

I’m still trying to understand these believers who are so fixated on the Rapture. How did they get like this? What desire so colored their objectivity that they could ignore Scripture and believe Camping’s teaching?

Did they sing I’ll Fly Away one too many times growing up and now can’t get the tune out of their head? Or did they read a Left Behind book and now every time they see an attractive cloud start fantasizing about hooking up with it? Or maybe they are frustrated acrobat wannabees who see the Rapture as the ultimate circus gig sans the net? Continue reading “Rapture Now, The Sequel”

On Saturday’s Rapture & Other False Teachings

I don’t know about you, but I watched this latest installment of Rapturists Gone Wild accompanied initially by anger, followed closely by my sarcasm and ending with pity.

I was angry at misguided Christians damaging the credibility of the Church with false teaching. I then found comfort in some sarcastic tweets and Facebook posts.

But ultimately I ended with pity.

My pity was for those who had been naive enough to buy into another round of false teaching about the end-times, and worse, that they were foolish enough to risk all to broadcast it to the world.

Nobody doubts their sincerity, but they were sincerely wrong, and being sincerely wrong is the same as being wrong. I’m sure they didn’t go in wanting to get it wrong, but they ended up duped.

So, how do you avoid embracing false beliefs?

Continue reading “On Saturday’s Rapture & Other False Teachings”