Guinness & Wells Throw Stones at "End Times" Christians
In the Capetown 2010 / Lausanne Congress advance paper, Global Gospel, Global Era, authored by Os Guiness and David Wells, Christians who recognize globalism as an end times sign are cast as pit-fallen curmudgeons who apparently hold a distorted view of Christianity.
Ironically, the authors reference the need for "accuracy and humility", yet exercise neither as they marginalize believers with the following statement:
"...Needless to say, globalization poses a sharp challenge to both accuracy and humility, and we need to start by avoiding the two equal and opposite pitfalls into which so many fall: the excessive “Wow!” attitudes of the cheerleaders and the excessive “gloom and doom” of the curmudgeons (who in their Christian form view globalization as the precursor to “the end times”) In any age, there are three tasks facing Christians who would wrestle with the world of their day and live faithfully as followers of the Way of Jesus."
The authors cast an aberrant shadow on these "curmudgeons" by intimating that these Christians hold a distorted view of Chrisitianity because "they" associate globalism with end times prophecy.
Really?
The end times framing of globalism is not a figment of "the curmudgeons" imaginations. The authors err in crediting these "curmudgeons" with the origination of this "Christian form". The real credit belongs to the Book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation.
These Books reveal the Rise of the Fourth Kingdom. These Books define a one-world government to be ruled by the Anti-Christ who makes war with the saints.
The authors write: "The first task is to discern, and so to make an accurate description of the realities of the world in which we find ourselves." Though the authors encourage a biblical worldview, they fail to point the reader to the Scriptures to discern today's realities and the signs of the times.
Instead, the case is made for the authors' form of Christianity to undergird globalism and how to serve the world. A form of Christianity void of the prophetic portions of Scripture that warn of the very threat the authors are petitioning other Christians to embrace.
Daniel 7:23
"...there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all the kingdoms,and it shall devour the whole earth, and trample it down, and break it to pieces. 24 As for the ten horns,out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise, and another shall arise after them;he shall be different from the former ones, and shall put down three kings. 25 He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High...
You get the end times wrong, you probably get other things wrong too.
ReplyDeleteI'm disappointed that David Wells, who is a cheerleader for The Reformation and Protestantism, would fall for this. The Holy Scriptures are inclusive of all sixty six books, as history, prophecy, wisdom and the Gospel of The Lord Jesus (with, edification, exhortation and comfort to those who live in faith) through the letters to the Church. There is a beginning and an end..Genesis to Revelation through Christ Jesus, Alpha and Omega. I would suggest that these 'present day' theologians are themselves not ready to meet The Lord, should He come 'before they are ready'. They want the marks of servanthood while alive, but ignore the actuality of Kairos trust in The One Who came to save us from the wrath of God. There will be judgment, and amazingly, and rightfully, it begins in the House of God. Were people to realize that His coming is soon, and His Word is truth in this matter there would be a daily preparation and expectation. How can they say, doom and gloom? Actually, it is the Best News...that Christ will not abandon His church to people..He will never let us go. Maranatha!
ReplyDeleteAmen!! 2 Peter warns us of mockers of the second coming. I guess I never expected them to be so-called leading lights in the church.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading and praying over these a/post/pre millenial positions, and allowing the prophecy of both Old and New Testaments, plus the Word from Genesis to Revelation, to inspire and inform my belief, I also know that people often choose sides based on their own fears and their own personal relationship with Christ. We cannot rely on men to inform our true trust, and we must never quit listening to the Word rightly preached, and discerning the signs of the times by reading the papers, listening to reports to confirm how very ready Christ is to rapture His Church. So many Christians are in the business of trying to take out all the spots and blemishes on themselves..which in fact says, 'Lord, I'm not ready"..but, He says, once you have confessed with your mouth and believed in your heart that I Am Lord..Immanuel..and that I came in the flesh, you are Mine, and nothing shall take you out of my hand. You believe in God, believe also in Me. It's a growing trust issue for all of us..but be not afraid for Christ has overcome the world. Amen Raptor
ReplyDeleteBilly Graham founded the Lausanne Congress. This is the third and it is sad that the leaders are apostate.
ReplyDeleteI would just say that globalization is not a precusor to the end times. Globalization is the end times.
Jesus is coming soon and I'm glad to see you brothers above are as glad as I am. It cannot be too soon! Even so, come Lord Jesus!
David
While I disagree that we have fallen into "bad temper", I do agree that much of this end time hysteria is un-needed. We do not know the time of the end. We are to be ready, but we were to be ready since Christ was taken up. I think too many Americans actually believe the end is prefaced on what happens to America. We can be out of the picture and the world still will go on. It will just shift from the West to the East. This could mean that there are centuries still to go. And actually, this seems to me more representative of God's character as providing grace to all nations equally.
ReplyDeleteTo Fred: No one is hysterical who trusts and believes that the signs of the prophecies of the entire Bible are coming to pass. Indeed there is much joy welling up in the hearts of believers everywhere (not just America, please), who see our Great God of Salvation, nearing to remove His church from this upcoming tribulation. THere will be time to judge the nations, and to judge Israel, and then will come the end. There is still some light in which to work to share the Good News of Christ Jesus, to offer His plan to those who are struggling in sin and unbelief. But, Jesus warned, 'work while it is still light'. So, even when we see the door closing on this age, we can perhaps, still see the light under the crack in the door..and for each of us, there are special people to pray for, and to extend our Lord's offer of peace, forgiveness and redeeming love. Raptor
ReplyDeleteI for one cant wait for the Coming of Jesus Christ, He cant get here soon enough for me.
ReplyDeleteAll things will be seen for what they are, His Rightousness will prevail in all things.
Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord God does nothing unless He reveals His secret counsel to His servants the prophets.
ReplyDeleteGod has always let His followers know what was going to happen thru the prophets before it happened so we could be prepared and warn others. Always. In our case it is thru His Word. Why would now be any different.
2 Thes 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.
Someone very dear to me said that end time believers are shaping what is happening. I said that end time believers are seeing the world thru the truth revealed in scripture.
Daniel 12:9-10 And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10 Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.
I noticed the phrase 'followers of the WAY of Jesus'. Not followers of Christ. This is something new agers, all religions, all paths are the same believers would say. (even globalists) I am a follower of Christ (not the Way of Christ). He is my Lord. There is a difference and herein lies the problem.