12/23/2024
I often used to sit through sermons where the end times were discussed in ways that felt doctored/manufatured, and I pondered how Christians could be misled into following a false messiah during the tribulation if there are no Christians left. Discernment is crucial; we are called to test the spirits (1 John 4:1) and not be swayed by every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14).
First, lets clarify understanding:
- **Eschatological Understanding:** The Church teaches that the Second Coming of Christ will be a single, visible event, not preceded by a rapture as some modern interpretations suggest. This aligns with Scripture like Matthew 24:29-31, where Jesus describes His coming after the tribulation, visible to all.
- **Scriptural Integrity:** The Church holds that the Bible, as part of Sacred Tradition, is a unified whole, not to be fragmented into dispensations. The notion of multiple returns contradicts Hebrews 9:28, which speaks of Christ appearing "a second time" for salvation.
- **The Unity of God's People:** In teaching, there is no sharp divide between Israel and the Church. St. Paul in Romans 11 speaks of how Gentiles have been grafted into Israel, indicating one plan of salvation. Paul explicitly states in Galatians 6:16, "And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God," where "the Israel of God" is understood by many to refer to the Church, the new spiritual Israel.
- **Historical Continuity:** Eschatology has been developed over centuries, not in the recent past, providing a consistent narrative from the early Church Fathers to today.
- **Trials and Tribulations:** The Bible teaches that God does not always rescue us from trials and tribulations but often allows them for our growth and refinement. Here are some examples:
- **Job:** Despite being a righteous man, Job faced immense suffering, losing his children, wealth, and health. Job 1:21 shows Job's faith, "The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." His trials ultimately led to his restoration and a deeper understanding of God.
- **Daniel in the Lions' Den:** Daniel's faith did not prevent him from being thrown into the lions' den, but God used the trial to display His power by sparing Daniel (Daniel 6).
- **Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego:** These three were not saved from being thrown into the fiery furnace but were preserved through it, demonstrating God's presence in the midst of their trial (Daniel 3).
- **Paul's Thorn in the Flesh:** Paul was not delivered from his "thorn," which he described in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, but was given grace to endure it, teaching us that God's strength is made perfect in our weakness.
- **Jesus in Gethsemane:** Even Jesus, in His humanity, asked for the cup of suffering to pass from Him, yet He accepted the Father's will, leading to His crucifixion (Matthew 26:39).
Many preachers claim the King James Bible is the inerrant Word of God, yet there are instances where study Bibles like the Scofield Reference Bible, specifically its notes by Cyrus Scofield, alter or reinterpret the King James text to fit dispensationalism. It's important to note that Scofield's study Bible actually edits the King James text itself, so you have to go to the margins to find the original text that should be there:
- **Genesis 12:3:** Scofield's notes suggest that God's promise to bless those who bless Israel applies to modern political entities, but his edits to the text emphasize this interpretation, requiring readers to look at the margin for the unaltered verse.
- **Daniel 9:24-27:** The text has been modified to align with Scofield's interpretation of the "seventy weeks" prophecy, supporting a gap theory not explicitly in the King James text. The original wording can be found in the margins.
- **Matthew 24:31:** The verse is edited to subtly support the idea of a "rapture" before the tribulation. To see the original King James text, one must consult the margin notes.
- **Revelation 20:1-6:** The text here has been altered to highlight a literal millennium, aligning with dispensationalist views, with the original text relegated to the margins.
Moreover, there's a certain inconsistency among some who claim to uphold the inerrancy of Scripture while using study Bibles like the Scofield Reference Bible, which question the authenticity of certain verses:
- **Mark 16:9-20:** While some modern scholars question this passage's authenticity, the Church includes it in the Canon, recognizing its historical use in liturgy and doctrine.
- **Acts 8:37:** This verse, though omitted in some modern translations, has been part of the Church's textual tradition, and its absence does not affect the core of teaching.
- **John 7:53-8:11:** Known as the Pericope Adulterae, this passage is treated with reverence by the Church, despite some textual criticism, due to its long-standing inclusion in the Gospel.
If I were the adversary, here’s how I might attempt to deceive Christians: I'd foster a belief in an escape from tribulation, leading to complacency rather than preparation for a life of witness and martyrdom if necessary. This could make believers more susceptible to deception, perhaps even mistaking the Antichrist for the true Messiah.
This reflection isn't to instill fear but to encourage vigilance and a deeper understanding of true eschatology. We are called to be alert, as Christ warned in Matthew 24:42, "Watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming." Our faith should be rooted in the whole of Sacred Scripture and Tradition, not in interpretations that contradict the Church's teachings or in texts that selectively question the integrity of Scripture.
