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POSTED
15 JULY, 1999
Millennium
Madness or Prophecy Awareness?
by
J.K. McKee
editor@tnnonline.net
As we move further
into the Twenty-First Century, three categories
of Believers are rising to the surface. Each has
a definitive view of end-time Bible prophecy and
many in each category unfortunately criticize or
slander the other. The first are those who
believe that major events will happen at
literally “any moment.” The second are those who
believe prophetic events can happen. The third
are those who believe nothing will occur.
It is a definite possibility that
end-time events foretold in Scripture may occur
in our lifetimes, but there is a difference
between looking for events and speaking
presumptuously. There is a distinction between
those being aware of our times, and phenomena
such as “millennial madness” or “Jerusalem
syndrome.” There must be a clear Scriptural
approach to these issues, so that we not be led
astray by the presumptuous teachings or
sensationalism of a person and damage our
testimonies to the secular world.
It is not our intention to
criticize anyone, but this is a serious
problem—especially for some coming into an
“understanding,” perhaps limited, of the
Messianic movement and Torah observance. Many
have lost credibility and believability because
of statements or rash decisions they have made,
and it should be noted that some of the same are
“Messianic” in some way. Unfortunately, a few
individuals can do much damage on the Body of
Messiah at large. They can affect how a
relatively new move of God is viewed by secular
society and the larger Christian world. We must
consider what kind of testimony we have to the
world and remain true to our convictions, but at
the same time be tactful in what we say in
regard to eschatology.
Let us examine each school of
thought and analyze the various viewpoints
mentioned, seeing what the Bible says about
certain actions or belief systems. We have
appropriately listed each category by a
statement that is common with it.
CATEGORY ONE: “It’s Coming Down!”
Those belonging to
this first category of belief imitate a doctrine
of imminence regarding the Last Days, claiming
that “it,” whatever “it” is, can “come down” or
occur at any moment. Unfortunately, due to the
ambiguous nature of “it,” or “they” that will
perform “it,” many in this category have lost
their credibility outright.
Many individuals belonging to
this category hear a particular doctrine or
teaching that may involve speculative dates or a
timetable related to Bible prophecies. They may
act on such predictions immediately, rather than
thinking through the long term affects of their
decisions. Such people may act rashly and decide
that the end-of-the-world is nigh and that they
have only months or weeks to “prepare for the
end.” Such people have been known to sell all or
most of their possessions, hunker down, and
prepare for the worst. When nothing occurs, such
individuals may possibly claim that something
did occur or that God “showed them” that
something happened, that it would occur “on
another date,” or that something major occurred
in the “spiritual realm.”
Sometimes no definite proof or
credible evidence can be given for such
prognostications, other than “personal
revelation” or secret knowledge. Many of these
people are clearly motivated by fear and
paranoia and not the Holy Spirit. Many of
these same attitudes were present in First
Century Thessalonica, where the Apostle Paul was
forced to address a situation where people were
actually forging letters in his name saying that
the Day of the Lord had taken place. He assures
the Thessalonicans that certain events must
precede the return of the Lord:
“Now we request you, brethren,
with regard to the coming of our Lord Yeshua the
Messiah and our gathering together to Him, that
you not be quickly shaken from your composure or
be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or
a letter as if from us, to the effect that the
day of the Lord has come. Let no one in any way
deceive you, for it will not come unless
the apostasy comes first, and the man of
lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction”
(2 Thessalonians 2:1-3).
In 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, the
Apostle Paul tells us not to be over-anxious as
to the Second Coming of Yeshua, as the apostasy
and revealing of the man of lawlessness must
precede it. He admonishes his readers not to be
anxious “through a spirit” (LITV). This seems to
imply that there is a demonic connection
between those who are over-zealous in relation
to eschatology as there are those being
influenced by the enemy to discredit their
testimony to the world at large.
Yeshua tells us quite plainly,
“But seek first His kingdom and His
righteousness, and all these things will be
added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow;
for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has
enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:33-34).
The Messiah tells us not to be
overly worried about the future, because our
Heavenly Father will take care of us, if we are
truly reliant upon Him. Many individuals who
believe that the end is imminently forthcoming
have no idea what damage they can do to
themselves, their children, and to their
testimony if projected events they believe in do
not occur. We cannot overemphasize that many
of these people are motivated by fear and their
feelings! They may not think things through
or consider the long term effects of their
decisions. People that think things will “come
down” at any moment may isolate themselves from
the rest of society waiting for “the end to
come.” But what will happen after dates have
come and gone and nothing occurs? How many will
be negatively affected by hearing and seeing
such misguided testimony?
As Believers in Yeshua we are
surely not to be conformed to this world (John
17:15-18). But at the same time, there is no
admonition in Scripture to seclude ourselves and
not to be a living testimony or sacrifice for
the Lord (Romans 12:1-2). If the world does not
see the testimony of the saving grace of God
living through us, then how will people know the
good news of Yeshua the Messiah and of
salvation? Consider the fact that when a person
quits a job because he feels that a prophetic
event will occur on a particular date, and he
makes it a point to tell it to his peers and
then nothing occurs, chances are very high that
this person will lose all credibility with his
coworkers. Although we should all be aware of
what is going on in our world, it is not the
admonition of the Word of God to be presumptuous
or to “cry wolf.” When the time comes that
end-time events actually do occur, they will be
obvious enough to those paying attention to the
signs of the times, and who have asked for God
to give them spiritual discernment.
“It’s Coming Down!” people will
also use supposed dreams and visions to confirm
their beliefs. Although God can indeed give a
person insight through a dream or vision, when
people are mentally digesting what they
believe—namely “end-of-the-world events”—it can
result in dreams of what they believe.
Do not underestimate the fact
that deception will be rampant in the Last Days.
Everything we absolutely need to
know concerning prophecy is contained in the
words of Scripture. Extra-Biblical dreams or
visions do not need to occur or
come to pass to herald the Second Coming of the
Messiah.
Unfortunately, many people of
this mentality either (1) do not examine their
beliefs thoroughly enough, or (2) blindly follow
the teachings of a particular individual. Many
people of this mindset have unknowingly set
themselves up for the great apostasy if
projected events they believe in do not occur in
the coming future. Such individuals may decide
to abandon the prophetic message of Scripture,
or even worse, deny the faith and the relevance
of God altogether!
A few rogue individuals claiming
“It’s coming down!” when nothing occurs have
caused legitimate ministries who teach on Bible
prophecy to suffer. They do damage to our faith
at large. We need to urge people who think this
way to seriously reevaluate their position. Are
they truly thinking things through? Are they
acting by fear or feelings? Are they being led
by the Lord? What will happen to these people if
they are wrong about pending world events? Do
they have a contingency plan? How do these kinds
of beliefs affect a Believer’s testimony to the
secular world? What happens to ministries and
individuals that make false and misleading
claims? Will the world consider these people
“fruits” or “nuts” or “flakes”? What do we do
with those who continue to follow them blindly?
We need to be Believers who truly
understand the signs of the times and have
credibility with others.
Millennium Madness
The Year 2000, and more
specifically, the Y2k computer problem, caused
many to think that the “end was at hand.”
Although valid technical concerns surrounded
Y2k, most were expecting a few minor computer
glitches, which exist every day, but not
“the end as we know it.” Still, this did not
keep some people from making statements such as
“a United Nations world takeover is imminent”
and that “Y2k will be the event that they use.”
Some even claimed that Yeshua spoke of Y2k in
His Olivet Discourse, using Luke 21:25 as
justification: “There will be signs in sun and
moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among
nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea
and the waves.”
Those who subscribed to the
notion that Y2k was specifically mentioned in
prophecy claimed that the “dismay” or “distress”
(RSV) that Yeshua spoke of was the Year 2000
computer bug. However, the verse tells us that
the reason nations will be in dismay or distress
is because of “the roaring of the sea and the
waves.” Luke 21:26 continues this admonition by
stating, “Men will faint from terror,
apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for
the heavenly bodies will be shaken” (NIV). The
Messiah tells us to expect massive Earth changes
and natural catastrophes in this passage,
not a computer problem.
If there are any serious
long-term Y2k problems that currently exist,
they come as a result of the controls legislated
in response to Y2k/Millennial paranoia and
sensationalism.
We did not awake January 2, 2000
to find that world government had been initiated
as a result of the Y2k problem,
and those who made such proclamations did all of
us who study Biblical prophecy a major
disservice. However, some time from today in the
future, the world will be in a situation paving
the way for a world leader. But that day is not
today, as our Heavenly Father still has much
work to do with His people as the Messianic
community grows and matures.
Y2k was a major
test for people who had already spoken
presumptuously of pending world events. They did
not find “vindication” in it. Any of Y2k’s
long-term effects will be more related to the
phenomena of the new millennium, by legislation
passed due to Year 2000 related paranoia, not
the computer problem.
Jerusalem Syndrome
In addition to
many people looking for Y2k to be “the end of
things,” many others felt prophetic events would
occur in Jerusalem following the turn of the
millennium. Israeli officials were, and are
still very concerned, that a millennial
end-of-the-world cult may try to “start the
fulfillment” of end-time prophecy by committing
deeds such as blowing up the Dome of the Rock
and Al-Asqa mosque. Many in and around Israel
have, and are proclaiming to be, various
Biblical characters ranging from the Messiah to
King David to the two witnesses of Revelation.
Knowing this poses some serious
concern for us in the Messianic community, as
the end-time prophecies regarding Israel’s
restoration involve a major exodus to the Land
of Israel of both Judah and scattered
Israel/Ephraim. Already, there have been some
individuals who have tried to force this to
happen and have tried to accelerate the
fulfillment of prophecy. But in all candor, the
Messianic movement is not ready for this. Until
we can determine who we are, what we believe,
and develop a fully coherent theology for
ourselves that encourages spiritual stability—the
Lord will not return.
CATEGORY TWO: “I Know What Can
Happen”
The second view is a more
moderate approach toward prophecy and our times.
Knowing what can happen and claiming, “It’s
coming down,” are two totally different things.
Those who belong to this category are more
careful with what they say, and think through
the decisions they make. This position is more
objective and many who belong to the “It’s
Coming Down!” category criticize those who
believe that things can happen, but continue to
lead relatively normal lives, even though they
are still aware of the times.
One must be tactful when dealing
with Bible prophecy, current events, and dates.
All end-time projections are one-hundred percent
speculation until something occurs. We cannot
overemphasize the need to know what is
happening, but we must not let Bible prophecy or
“end-of-the-world syndrome” be the motivating
factor in our lives. We must continue to seek
our Heavenly Father in all things and He will
show us what needs to be done in His timing. We
all must have patience, an important fruit of
the Spirit that many of us lack. We need to be
about the Lord’s work in whatever time it is.
As Believers, we are called to
function in the world, but not be part of it. We
must continue to have a testimony so that others
might be saved, not one where we can, and
probably should, be considered unstable
because of failed end-of-the-world projections.
We must stand our ground, but not
purposefully put ourselves in vulnerable
situations.
Some of us will take some
criticism if we adopt this view. However, we
must if we intend to be effective, credible
witnesses for God in the world. We must not be
guided by fear of the end-times, but rather have
the understanding that we all have a viable part
to play in God’s eternal plan.
CATEGORY THREE: “It’s No Big
Deal”
The Apostle Peter issues some
very strong warnings about the Last Days, and
about a third category that exists:
“Know this first of all, that in
the last days mockers will come with their
mocking, following after their own lusts,
and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming?
For ever since the fathers fell asleep,
all continues just as it was from the beginning
of creation’” (2 Peter 3:3-4).
The third and final category is
very cavalier and unfortunately is the attitude
of many. It is evident in many churches. Many of
this view hear a prophetic message from someone
in the “It’s Coming Down!” category, being
exposed and get excited, but then when nothing
happens on a particular timetable, they return
to their former school of thought: “It’s no big
deal.”
We take important note that most
in this category are pre-tribulationists and
since they believe the rapture can occur at any
moment, they feel no need to study prophecy.
Interestingly enough, this attitude is pointed
out to be very dangerous by many of pre-tribulationism’s
chief proponents. 2 Peter 3:3 tells us that in
the Last Days many will be saying “Where is the
promise of His coming?” This perhaps implies
that many of those who have been turned off to
prophecy as a result of statements made by those
in the “It’s Coming Down!” category will be part
of the prophesied defection from the faith. They
think that things in the world will continue on
as normal forever, and that God would never
“rock their world” by exercising His Divine
judgment on humanity.
What Position Should We Take?
What position should we take
regarding our approach to Bible prophecy? From
the far Right, there are those who believe that
the end can come at any moment, and from the far
Left there are those who do not at all concern
themselves with Bible prophecy. Stuck in the
middle are those of us who believe that
prophetic events can happen, but may not take
place as soon as others are expecting.
Patience is the key.
In our Western
society, we expect everything to be instant.
Bible prophecy is no exception. The fulfillment
of the end-time Scriptures will ultimately come
to pass, but it will occur in the Lord’s perfect
timing the way He wants it. We need to be aware
of what is going on and not let our feelings
motivate us to make rash decisions. Rather, we
need to seek the fulfillment of the Great
Commission and do all we can to see the
furthering of His Kingdom on Planet Earth. We
need to take advantage of this relative time of
peace before it is too late.
Today, we should
be maturing into the people that our Heavenly
Father wants us to be, and we must tactfully
consider the importance of prophecy. Each of us
has a calling and a role to play in God’s
Kingdom, representing that Kingdom to people we
interact with every day. Let us not ruin that
calling by being paranoid about the Last Days.
We need to seek the Lord, and ask Him for wisdom
and discernment for how we should properly
approach the end-times. |
