I don't like sensational articles on eschatology written by some Christians. For example, many Christians spread the news that the doomsday was coming since the world was unstable and there were wars, earthquakes, floods, and pestilences everywhere. They cried out that Jesus was coming and everybody should repent.
Earlier a few earthquakes struck China. Christians propagated eschatological warnings here and there: they tied anything, like an economic fluctuation or a piece of huge news, to Jesus' second coming.
Indeed, there will be riots, famines, and wars in the end times, but nobody can decide which day or stage God will return. Only God knows it.
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1)
I feel that there are many Christians who have no brains or judgment. Some Christians give an impression of stiffness and even poverty and ignorance.
As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"
Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah,' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:3-14)
Jesus plainly gave three points:
1. Watch out that no one deceives you.
A large percentage of people want to make trouble and spread rumors; moreover, a number of false Christs have appeared.
Christians should judge rationally based on the Bible as the principle and criterion. No matter how magnificent a church building is or attractive a sermon sounds, use the Bible to judge whether a church obeys God's word or not.
2. There will be wars, famines, and earthquakes, but the Lord tells us not to panic.
Sometimes some Christians are frightened out of their wits on seeing some little bad news as if it were the end of the world.Their state of mind is confusing: where is the God they believe in? What do they fear?
And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. (1 John 2:28)
The only way to avoid fear before the Lord at his coming lies in abiding in him every day.
3. People will suffer and many will turn away from faith, while the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
The real sufferings are not physical but spiritual. Don't follow the crowd. There is even a "mainstream" among Christians: many Christians blindly follow other Christians to be crazy about a praise and worship team, a renowned pastor, or a popular opinion. Be cautious of these things.
In this complicated world and society overloaded with information, everyone has his view of what is right and wrong. At times a debate may not be good. We might as well spend time with the Lord and read the Bible to enlighten our minds. Then we will see the illusion and essence of the world.
All in all, be careful before circulating prophecies, even ones from the mouths of pastors. Only God is the errorless standard.
- Translated by Karen Luo
