I'm referring, of course, to the famous and popular Left Behind series of Christian fiction books that have been all the rage over the past decade. While not a big fan of the theology which is expressed in these books with respect to the "end times", I could actually care less about these books at the end of the day, and my burden is not to point out the manifold errors (in my opinion) contained in these works. But it does seem to me that if you buy into this take on eschatology, you will not understand the thrust of one of Jesus' fundamental warnings to His disciples.
Consider Matthew 24:36-51 (which is the first passage listed in my previous post)--it is fascinating to me that this is the central text cited by "Left Behind" theology proponents for their view of a "secret rapture," in which believers will be mystically whisked away while the world continues to go on, until the "second" second coming of Jesus later on! You've seen the bumper stickers, right?: "In case of rapture, this car will be unattended" OK, I'll make sure not to drive behind you then. Yet Matthew 24 is the only passage in the New Testament that could suggest anything like this (I Thessalonians 4:13-18 I take as a general description of the second coming which will happen on the last day, taking place simultaneously with the conclusion to the history of the world and the bringing into existence of a new heavens and a new earth and the banishment of the ungodly from the Lord's presence forever--and certainly not to a "secret" rapture that will not be seen by the world as it continues to go on. Indeed, one of the chief weaknesses of "Left Behind" theology is that it separates two events--Jesus coming for His people, and the end of history/final judgment--which the NT always keeps together).
Yet, when Matthew 24 is examined closely, it becomes apparent that it actually teaches the exact opposite of "Left Behind" theology! Take a look for yourselves:
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For AS were the days of Noah, SO will be the coming of the Son of Man. For AS in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, SO will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming."
Notice two crucial things about this text. First, the context is a comparison between the flood of judgment that came upon the wicked who did not trust in God during Noah's day, and the future coming of the Son of Man. Jesus says it will be like it was in Noah's day when He comes again: people will be frolicking in their idolatrous enjoyments of money, sex and power, having a grand old time of fun and revelry, and the coming judgment will hit them like a ton of bricks--it will be an absolute surprise, totally unexpected, catching them completely off guard. Second, the description that follows of what will happen when Jesus returns in judgment on the wicked and salvation for His people--namely, one will be taken and one left--is used in comparison to what happened in Noah's day when the flood of judgment came! Namely, the wicked were swept away or taken away, while those who take refuge in God and were ultimately saved were left behind! Therefore, to be left behind is to experience salvation on the last day--you will remain in the new heavens and the new earth, in which righteousness dwells--while to be "taken away" refers to being expelled outside of the gates of the kingdom, being swept utterly away to final judgment, and cast into hell. In light of this coming reality, Jesus says one thing repeatedly to those who follow Him: STAY AWAKE. WATCH. DO NOT FALL ASLEEP. This is a warning that leads to salvation if it is heeded. We do not know when the Day comes. Therefore, since we are of the Day and of the Light, let us stay awake and watch for His coming (compare Romans 13:11-14 and I Thessalonians 5:1-11).
Therefore, the next time you hear someone ask if you want to be "left behind" when Jesus returns, say with a big smile and genuine conviction: "Absolutely!"
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Having grown up in a movement that was 100% dispensational in it's eschatology, I was shocked when I finally understood this passage and the verses that say "the day will NOT overtake you as a thief, therefore watch, etc..." I felt like I had been deceived because it was so obvious now that the rapture and the second coming were the same event. However, if you pin down a dispensationalist on this passage, they may admit that it is the unbeliever being taken away, but then say that this is happening at the end of the millenium where people saved during the trib have lived in the kingdom and had children, and some of them have followed Satan. They are the ones being taken away in this verse. I think there is way too much to stretch to hold that, but oh well.
I did wonder after the few times you have talked about eschatology in class what you believe. Do you think there is anything left that has to happen before Jesus comes? I mean in terms of the events prophecied in Revelation (I'm guessing you do believe the gospel must be preached to every tribe, etc...). Do you think there is a specific person that will rise to be the antichrist? Do you think there will be a seven year tribulation before the second coming? I'm curious because I have always hear these things preached as super-literal (like in the Left Behind books) and only in the last few years have heard them explained other ways.
Post a Comment