There used to be an old saying, “Don’t shoot till you see the whites of their eyes!” The idea was that you don’t shoot your gun till the target is close enough that you can actually see what you’re shooting at. Maybe that was what was said by military commanders 200 years ago or so.
And that principle could certainly apply to modern pronouncements on Bible prophecy. I’m appalled at times by how many people are convinced without a doubt that… (take your pick) …Obama is the Antichrist? The Pope… no, wait; Islam is the seedbed and fountain head of all evil, the primordial force of Satan in the last days? And on it goes.
“They” are out to get us. Five years ago in Houston I was in a gathering of sober and sincere Christians and we were told that the roads out of Houston would be blockaded within 6 months… 6 months I tell you!… and everyone would be corralled in FEMA camps. A very serious Christian brother was telling this to us. That was in 2009. And on it goes.
As a person who utterly believes in the coming of the Lord and that we’re very likely living in the endtime, it interests me and also saddens me that there are so very many “Wolf, Wolf” calls coming from so many Christians at this time.
The Apostle Paul said, “Judge nothing before its time…” (I Corinthians 4:5) But this admonition is rejected or forgotten by so many Christians today as they jump on their soap box or band wagon to shout the latest “warning” which ends up being another false pronouncement and false dawn of troubles to come.
Invariable there is no accountability for the false proclaimer of immediate doom. But without hesitation or twinge of conscience they’ll re-proclaim their next declaration of imminent doom for a date another 6 months away. And virtually no one calls them on it or takes note of these ones who constantly proclaim imminent woe and it doesn’t come to pass as they’ve told us it would.
And yet I don’t disagree with much of what they are saying; just the continual over-specific-ness of their declaration, plus the fact that so often they just end up plain wrong. That’s the problem.
Very many see and realize that we live in dire times. But the common thing to do for many Christian commentators is to personally declare that some very short and specific length of time will expire before “the very end” is upon us. Actually I did a 7 minute video on this subject, called “Famous Failures of Prophetic Interpretation”, the link to that is here.
Like the guy said, “Don’t shoot till you see the whites of their eyes”. Jesus actually gave us some very specific things to look forward to, in the gospels, concerning the times leading up to His return. In my video series on the book of Daniel I have gone over some of those specific points, such as the appearance of “the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place”. (Matthew 24:15) This was the sign Jesus said to watch for which would mark the beginning of the “great tribulation” (Matthew 24:21) which is said to be in a surprising number of places a length of time of 3½ years. Jesus said, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days” (Matthew 24:29) is when He would return to gather His elect, His people.
If this is something you are interested in, perhaps you’d like to see the 40 minute video I did on the specifics and details of “the last 7 years” before the return of Jesus, as it is outlined in Daniel 9 and by the Lord Himself in Matthew 24. Here’s the link to that video on YouTube.
I utterly believe that the Bible gives us numerous things on the subject of the endtime that are solid, bedrock doctrines that completely hold up to scrutiny. But present Christian dialog among believers on the coming of the Lord is cluttered, strewn and clogged with false declarations and false declarers. It seems the gullibility of His sheep is successfully taken advantage of over and over again.
Does it matter? Can’t we just go on enjoying the latest shout of woe, regardless of whether it is founded in God’s truth and actual reality? Jesus said “It would be better that a millstone be hung about your neck and that you be drowned in the sea than that you offend one of these little ones” (Matthew 18:6), one of His searching sheep, longing for the truth and looking to what they can find in Christianity to see if the truth is there. How many are stumbled and turned away by the sensationalists with their latest announcement when they see that their prophecy of imminence fell through and they were just another empty vessel?
God help us to have a higher standard. Jesus said He was the truth. (John 14:6) The Holy Spirit is “the spirit of truth” (John 16:13). So many who are involved with teaching prophecy would do well to heed the warning of centuries ago when it comes to foretelling the future.
“Don’t shoot till you see the whites of their eyes”. Don’t keep proclaiming things that must imminently occur when you really don’t know that for certain in Him. If you have a record of yelling “Wolf, Wolf” to the extent that you stumble the weak and are a pitiful testimony of the Lord’s Word and truth, please stop for your own sake, for the sake of His sheep and for the witness of Christ that is besmirched.
Good Word. Thank you GBY
Right on! Well said! God bless you!
Good Word and good Work! God bless you! I totally agree with you!
Thanks Mark! That will make a perfect conclusion to the ET seminar we will teach this Sunday!
Once again you have put it so well, concisely and simply! GBY! Appreciate your postings. Take care!
All though most of the videos posted have a disclaimer in them, they then build a case that says just the opposite. Some of them really seem sincere, as we all must feel we are living in the end times and it’s hard not to get excited for the day of Christ as it truly approaches. History has proven each generation felt the nearness of His gathering us together. I will say even I have gleaned some good information from a few of these videos. I just wish they wouldn’t have gone down the road they have taken. Good advice, Mark, as always you have a way of presenting God’s words with calmness. Thank you!
Thank you Mark. I agree with you completely. Why are our own friends who learned about the end time prophecies among the crowd that are yelling ” wolf wolf.” Everyday, I am showered with so much junk, that it’s hard keeping my cool. For God’s sake, the New Temple is not ready as yet, ( though Israel and Hamas) seem to be clearing the way. A long time to go, and Jesus has given us such a clear marker; “When you see the abomination…”
I am just going to pray, wait and watch. If I am among the “elect that are fooled.” So be it. I am confident that it is not so. True Satan knows the Word and the prophecies, but it doesn’t say anywhere that he will change the entire chronology of events. Yes it also says ” He (The AC) will seek to change the times and seasons…but it only says he will try and he hasn’t turned up as yet, so there is time to witness yet. What about the Two Candles,The Olive trees? Why skip all that though it comes later. You are right. Too much fog and confusion. Everyone is falling into the temptation to be a prophet. I will stick to the ones we know and are tried and trusted. If I sound confused, it’s because, I am peeved by our own friends being part of Satan’s confusion tactics. Thank you Mark for your advice. I am sorry to blow my steam out here.
Luke
Thanks so much for your comment here. Seems like we are on the same page and feeling the same thing. It helps to hear it from others. Yes, so many of us believe the basics of the endtime picture. But if we fail prey to “every wind of doctrine and the slight of men” (Ephesians 4:14), then we are not being faithful watchmen on the wall. We must not accept a substitute, we must not be deluded by imitations, of which there are so many at this time. I appreciate your sharing your thoughts. All the best to you guys.