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The A.R.T.S. of F.E.A.R.
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The Cowardice of retreat:
I didn’t grow up in the Christian church, and I mean Institutional Christianity in the use of church. I was not weaned on the stories of creation, Noah’s flood, the history of the Israelites, their prophets or the Messiah some believe to be this man called Jesus the Christ.
As I write this, I’m careful to take caution not to bring these accusations lightly; and am ever mindful that not growing up in this establishment, there remains much I do not know.
Over the past 30 years of my life; more so within the last trimester, I have spent a considerable portion of my days in the study of this religion called Christianity. I’ve not liked much of what I have discovered, and the time has come whereby I feel it incumbent that I not only address some of those concerns, but that I make this information available to the public arena for inspection; critique, and even ridicule.
I’ve read many an atheist and/or agnostic writing that suggests religion is for the weak minded people; those who have no sense of direction or discipline in and of themselves, and must turn to someone or something else for such guidance.
Within this search, I’m reminded of the son or daughter that moves away from home, only to return at a later point in time. Upon becoming an adult (chronologically) I have moved back home to live with my own Mother on several occasions. The world can be a dark, cold & lonely place; it can also be quite dangerous and frightening.
There are countless numbers of people who have grown up in organized religion, only to one day, reach a point of dissatisfaction with the status quo; and then set out to find something to replace that void in their lives. For many, this could be simply a different church within their former denomination, a different denomination within the same religion; but it also could be an investigation into a different faith altogether, or an all out abandonment of organized religion.
Many a person has spent many a year in this search for faith, only to wind up going back to what they originally knew, believed, and were at least semi-comfortable in.
Not having grown up in such an environment, and only being able to make my observations as an outsider peering in; I do not find myself having that comfort of such a disciplined and structured environment. For many, religion provides a support structure; friends, neighbors, relatives, co-workers, etc… religion is many ways, is a social club and/or gathering, and it is well known that many people become dependent upon such an environment, and to such an extent; that upon and after leaving such a place of dependency, a person begins to experience withdrawals, much like the drug addict or alcoholic when attempting to break the addictions that have held them captives for so long.
All too often, after being exposed to elements outside their comfort level, many regrettably find themselves racing back to the vice; addiction, religion or social club that always gave them a sense of being or belonging. Withdrawals from certain habits or addictions are mostly fraught with perils that can become so overwhelming; only the strongest survive to the point of eventual liberation from their former bondage, but the majority will either return to their former lifestyle, or waste an enormous part of their lives trying to fill the void.
I speak directly now as to the reason for this writ. Christianity has failed its beloved Messiah, Savior, Lord, and Son of God. They have failed his message in so many aspects that it would take a set of encyclopedias to list them all. One such area is the field of Eschatology; which is the study of the end times/last days.
For nearly 2,000 years, Christianity has incessantly taught in each successive generation, that the world is in the last days of existence. We’ve been led to believe that within the Bible; mostly within the pages of the New Testament, that the imminent threat of the apocalypse of Armageddon is just around the corner; and that mankind itself is powerless to delay, restrain, or prevent its occurrence.
The Book of Revelation is where we are given the most panoramic view of this (supposed) impending disaster. The word revelation itself is derived from the Greek word “apokalypsis” and as you can see, is where mankind derives the word apocalypse.
This word appears in the following verses: Luke 2:32, Romans 2:5, 8:19, 16:25, 1st Corinthians 1:7, 14:6, 26, 2nd Corinthians 12:1, 7, Galatians 1:12, 2:2, Ephesians 1:17, 3:3, 2nd Thessalonians 1:7, 1st Peter 1:7, 13, 4:13 and revelation 1:1
This word is variously translated into English as; lighten, for the manifestation, the coming, shall be revealed, the appearing, the revelation, revelation, revelations, to the revelation & a revelation.
Strong’s Concordance defines this word as:
- laying bare, making naked
- a disclosure of truth, instruction
- concerning things before unknown
- used of events by which things or states or persons hitherto withdrawn from view are made visible to all
- manifestation, appearance
After careful examination of the verses, the possible definitions and various translations of this word, I shake my head in wonderment as to why and how this word has since become synonymous a world ending cataclysm. One only need follow the given list of verses for this word, and see if substituting this apocalyptic cataclysm fits in any of them. Let’s examine what I believe to be the most important of these 18 verses.
Revelation 1:1
“The Revelation (apocalypse) of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants’ things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John”
This revelation is given to Jesus by God; did God give Jesus an apocalypse or world ending cataclysm, or did God provide mankind with a very important message by, with, through & in the revealing, manifestation, appearance or coming of Christ? Did you also notice this smaller section of the verse “things which must SHORTLY come to pass”
The world contains billions of articles, books, websites, audio & video recordings; all which focus and center on the validity, authenticity & reliability of the scriptures themselves. This work is not about any of the above, but it is about the very timing of when “the things which must shortly come to pass” were meant to take place; and it is specifically written in regards to one group of people who have proclaimed to understand this better than the majority of Christian history, but who have since retreated back into the mainstream body of Christendom.
Within this one article, there is neither time, nor space; to run through the gauntlet of scriptures believed to be about these end times/last days. I say believed because this is typically the first area critiqued and/or attacked by the reader who may or does hold to a different opinion, viewpoint and/or interpretation.
Christian history is littered with the remains of the vast majority that have always promoted that WE are in fact, living in those end times/last days. I readily admit that my own view stands in an extreme minority; one whose voice only in this present day generation, is beginning to gather ground with which to stand on, and face its opposition. In addition to Revelation 1:1, I shall now put forth what I believe to be the most concentrated evidence for the belief that we are not in those end times/last days.
- Mt 13:39 the enemy that planted them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are the angels.
- Mt 13:40 as therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this age.
- Mt 13:49 so shall it be at the end of the age: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
- Mt 24:3 and as he sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of your presence, and of the end of the age?
- Mt 28:20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age. Amen.
- Heb 9:26 for then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the age has he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
- 1 Corinthians 10:11 now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the age are come.
In the majority of Bible translations, you will find the word “world” in all of the above mentioned verses where I have the word “age” and this is great cause for Christianity’s failure to accept, believe & promote the truth of what it was that these end times/last days were really about.
In these scriptures, the word which I have translated as “age” is from the Greek word “aion” and according to Strong’s Concordance, has the following possible definitions:
- for ever, an unbroken age, perpetuity of time, eternity
- the worlds, universe
- period of time, age
As each of these verses relates to the end, completion or consummation of something, we know there is no completion or consummation of eternity, just as there is no completion or consummation of the universe; but there is an end, completion or consummation of a period of time, or age.
Within the listed group of verses that speak of this “end of an age” we are given a few indicators as to which age was being spoken of. Matthew 13:40, Hebrews 9:26 & 1st Corinthians 10:11 all, in proper context, demonstrate that Christ and those that wrote the scriptures, taught that it was in relation to their current age. In every verse where this “age” is spoken of; Matthew 12:32 (a), 13:22, 13:30, Mark 4:19, Luke 16:8, 20:34, Romans 12:2, 1st Corinthians 1:20 (a), 2:6, 8, 3:18, 2nd Corinthians 4:4, Ephesians 1:21, 6:12, and 1st Timothy 6:17, all speak to the then current age.
There are several verses that speak directly of “an age to come” Mark 10:20, Luke 18:30, Hebrews 2:5, 6:5 and Matthew 12:32 (b) and a further note of interest is that these last 3 scriptures, the Greek word “mello” is used for “to come” and indicates something either; in process, on the verge of happening, or that which is “about” to come or happen. How can we now insert of 2,000 year gap, space or delay of time, in regards to the timing of their fulfillment?
Matthew 12:32 and whoever speaks a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whoever speaks against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this age, nor in that to come. “neither in this age -- nor in that to come (mello)”
Luke 18:30 who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the age to come life everlasting. “this present time -- and in the age to come (mello)”
The contrast between a present age, and the age that was “about to come” is clearly seen in these examples.
One must ever be careful and vigilant to examine and explore all verses related to a particular topic/subject, so as not to create something not intended; but we must also work to ensure we are not transposing 1st century realities, expectations and prophecies, into our own time based on incorrect examination and/or exploration of the verses, events and prophecies in question.
While it is certainly understandable that the majority of Christendom has merely echoed and repeated what they have heard and/or been taught by their respective leaders and orators of scripture (Pastors, Priests, Bishops, Elders, Teachers, Evangelists, etc…) I am perplexed by those that have dug into the scriptures, explored the ancient languages and various historical writings and/or examinations; and have reached different conclusions, only to return to those antiquated and once rejected beliefs.
It is no great mystery for a person to drift back & forth in certain beliefs until they reach a conclusion or consensus on the given topic/subject, and I certainly do not call into question those that either were never really settled, or may have simply been persuaded through the smooth words, writing or oratory of another. Those that I question are they which have devoted a considerable portion of their lives (years) not only into the study or proof-texting itself, but also have devoted many years in instructing others that Christianity (by & large) has had their end times/last days teaching wrong for nearly 2,000 years.
Again, I am not merely referring to one who simply transitions from one school of thought to another; but one who does so, dwells within that school of thought for many (in many cases, 10-20) years, and then inextricably retreat back into their former state.
Could you imagine being convinced that fire no longer burns, or that water is no longer wet? Imagine someone attempting to convince you that your own Mother never gave birth to you, even though you’ve got video footage of the event. This is the world we now live in, nothing is as it appears, and we are routinely called & challenged to even doubt what we can see with our eyes, hear with our ears, and touch with our hands.
I do not profess to speak about every person that this has ever happened to, nor do I profess to know all their reasons why; I do however know why many do.
As spoken of earlier with reference to the drug addict, alcoholic or religious / church attendee that one day walks away from their habit / addiction / routine, only to return to it sometime later; many of those who transition from the belief that we are in the end times / last days, to the belief that these events were actually fulfilled in the 1st century; often run back in the other direction because of the adversities and isolation they experience away from that support / belief, structure and system.
The belief that we are not in the end times/last days; and that in fact these things were actually fulfilled in the 1st century, is known as Preterism. Preterism stems from a Latin word which simply means past. There are varying degrees of Preterism, and even among those who believe each and every end times/last days prophecy has been fulfilled, there remains a plethora of doctrinal and/or dogmatic issues that quite frankly, will never be resolved into systematic cohesiveness.
In an attempt to remove myself from those varying degrees of Preterism, and even the myriad of doctrinal and/or dogmatic differences in the belief that all things related to these end times/last days have taken place and/or are present day realities; my own beliefs in regards to these things is best summarized as Fulfilled Eschatology.
For this belief itself, I am often referred to as a blasphemer, a heretic, a false teacher, demon filled, and a child of the devil and even the spawn of Satan. I experience a world of isolation few can even imagine, and even less could tolerate for as long. For those that have grown up in organized / institutional Christianity, this is the world they are cast out into when changing their belief structure from believing we’re in the end times, to accepting these events transpired in the 1st century.
It’s not an easy mantle to carry, but it is one that I whole-heartedly believe to be the truth of the matter. If this means that I must be shunned, blackballed, ostracized, avoided and/or ridiculed, persecuted, disdained, or even burned alive at the stake; I cannot sacrifice the truth I believe, for the comfort and companionship I may have at once known, and presently miss.
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