Apocalypse When?

In recent years, there has been a marked increase in interest in end-time prophecy—especially in the U.S. The y2k hullabaloo, the terrorist destruction of the World Trade Center and the continued bloody tension in the Middle East have piqued many people’s concern and curiosity. Many wonder, Are we living at the time of the end?

Yet, modern Christian messages on the subject of end-time prophecy and the chronology of events leading to the return of Christ are both conflicting and confusing. It is a fact that Christians are deeply divided about how the end will come. It is no secret that Christian views on this subject span a wide range—from the laughing scoffers to militant street-corner preachers.

Many mainline Christian church leaders sit in silent embarrassment over the renewed bugaboo about end-time prophecy. It is awkward enough for them to watch evangelicals and fundamentalists engage in prophecy wars. But some church leaders find it even more humiliating to see evangelicals at odds with evangelicals and fundamentalists pointing fingers at other fundamentalists. Some church leaders and thinkers are trying to come to agreement and publish one unified message. Yet, success has eluded them. Why? The answer is a matter of history.

Before we get into the history, let’s briefly look at what is happening now.

Prophetic Controversy

Here are several major questions concerning the end under hot debate in many Christian circles. Believe it or not, one big question is: Will Christ return? Others are: Will Christ and the saints rule on the Earth for 1,000 years (known as the Millennium)? When will this millennial rule take place—prior to, or after, Christ’s return? Is there a rapture of the saints?

There are other questions—many others! Go to a Bible bookstore and take a look at Christian publications on end-time prophecy and you’ll see what we mean. Each new publication attempts to uncover the mystery behind some prophetic symbol. For example, look at all the books on the subject of the mark of the beast; you will find a wide range of conjectures as to what this is: Social Security numbers, microchip brain implants, number tattoos required by the irs. Look at all the literature trying to answer the question, just who or what is the beast discussed in Revelation 13? Answers include the United Nations, the United States, the World Council of Churches, Russia and Iraq.

Of course, all books about end-time prophetic events claim their particular message is true.

Unfortunately, what is most true is that end-time prophecy literature has become big business, and many are cashing in! The Left Behind series, a fictional account of end-time events, is one good example. Some Christian leaders feel that there may be a lot of drama in the books, but there is little Bible. Nevertheless, it is a national bestseller. And the New York Times reported that nonfiction books about prophecy increased 71 percent in the eight weeks after the 9/11 attacks compared with the previous eight weeks (Nov. 23, 2001).

Bible Bungle

Yet, despite this surge of popular interest in apocalyptic events, mainstream Christian churches continue to de-emphasize prophecy and the return of Jesus Christ. There are two main reasons.

The first reason is the impact of science—specifically the theory of evolution—on mainstream churches. Many calling themselves Christians have been educated at top secular universities that have replaced a belief in the Bible as the directly inspired Word of God with a belief in the infallibility of the scientific method, which worships human reasoning.

Scholars, even Bible scholars, have come to view the Bible as a great piece of literature with historical value and inspiration but chock full of discrepancies and contradictions, written by men caught up in the history of their times. Craig C. Hill, author of In God’s Time: The Bible and the Future, writes, “Only later, after some years of study, could I admit that the doctrine of inerrancy [the infallibility of the Bible] does a poor job of accounting for the Bible that it so ardently defends. In passage after passage, I saw that otherwise intractable problems would disappear if only I would admit that real human authors in particular historical settings with specific theological concerns had authored them. … If the Bible disappoints us, it is more because of our inappropriate expectations than because of its limitations.”

Simply put, intellectuals, heavily influenced by the rationalist and modernist movements, have relegated Jesus Christ to a historic figure who believed and taught the futuristic hopes of Israel’s ancient prophets writing during the catastrophic Assyrian and Babylonian captivities. Most Bible scholars view ancient Israel’s prophecies, as outlined in the Old Testament, as failed prophecies. Specifically targeted are the prophecies (and promises) concerning God’s covenant with David about a descendant ever ruling on his throne. Scholars view these Old Testament prophecies as a historical record of those generations’ hopes for a restored Israel, which they believe has never happened and will not happen.

Yet, the New Testament reveals that Jesus Christ referred to and quoted these prophets often. So how do Bible scholars resolve the challenge of prophecy?

Twenty-first century intellectuals reason that man has gained (evolved in) greater understanding and knowledge since post-exilic times and the first century (the period between the Jews’ return from Babylonian captivity and the birth of Christ). Many teach that Jesus Christ was a man held victim by the history of His times. Hill wrote, “Jesus lived and thought within the setting and limitations of his time.” If you read Mr. Hill’s book, you will see that essentially he is saying Christ supposedly could not see the error in the prophecies He knew and taught. Therefore the prophecies taught by a first-century man hold no meaning for today.

Mr. Hill quotes Christ’s prophecy in Mark 13: “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory” (verses 24-26), and responds, “It is not incumbent upon modern Christians to believe that stars will fall or that the Son of Man will ride on the clouds.” In a sense, he is ridiculing a literal interpretation of Christ’s use of prophecy, as if it does not hold up under modern scholarly scrutiny. Such thinking easily can create license to dismiss fundamental biblical truth.

Yet, Mr. Hill says, the ethics Jesus Christ taught are timeless and should be followed and pursued. Attempting to reconcile evolution and Christian ethics, many modern Christians believe that the ideals of Christ can be realized through increased knowledge and the advancement of science. In other words, with increased knowledge, all mankind’s social problems will just melt away. But any thinking person knows that just the reverse has been true. With our increased knowledge have come increased problems.

Ironically, predictions of a coming cataclysmic end of the world are now the subject of many scientific books. Human survival is the number-one concern in our still new 21st century. In one of the most recent books, Our Final Hour, Sir Martin Rees, Royal Society professor at Cambridge, writes, “My primary aim is … to focus on 21st-century hazards, currently less familiar, that could threaten humanity and the global environment still more.

“Some of these new threats are already upon us; others are still conjectural. Populations could be wiped out by lethal ‘engineered’ airborne viruses; human character may be changed by new techniques far more targeted and effective than the nostrums and drugs familiar today; we may even one day be threatened by rogue nanomachines that replicate catastrophically, or by superintelligent computers.”

So we see that some who are scientifically educated are recognizing the potential reality and fulfillment of biblical prophecy. For over 2,500 years Bible prophecy has shown that the question of human survival would be the number-one concern of the end times. Why is it that science must now trumpet what religious leaders should?

Prediction Affliction

Directly coupled with the influence of science, the second reason traditional churches have rejected prophecy is the frequent failure of prediction, which should be labeled false prediction.

Truly, this has been an embarrassing affliction within many religious movements. In fact, failed prediction, along with other false religious teachings, helped fuel both the rationalist and modernist movements.

Failed prediction has troubled Christianity since its inception, causing many to sit on the sidelines and scoff. Roman Catholics believed that Christ would return at the turn of the century in a.d. 1000. It didn’t happen. The date was shifted to 1033. Again, there was no Second Coming. The dates for Christ’s return have continued to shift. One of the most famous predictions came when William Miller declared that the Second Coming would occur on Oct. 22, 1844. When Christ did not return, some began to adopt new theories such as the secret Advent—but most put end-time prophecy far into the background.

It is no different today. Dates are set for Christ’s return repeatedly—but nothing happens. People become discouraged and dismayed. Reflecting the views of many church-goers, Hank Hanegraaff, president of the conservative, California-based Christian Research Institute, has stated, “People who are obsessed with end times have never learned from history. … [T]hey’ve been 100 percent wrong, 100 percent of the time” (Associated Press, Oct. 3, 2001).

A fair question is, who is wrong—the predictors, or Bible prophecy?

Should we ignore prophecy because of all the failed predictions? Absolutely not!

Jesus Christ instructed His disciples to look for signs of the end times, but not to set dates. He stated, “So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. … But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Matthew 24:33, 36).

These positive affirmations from Jesus Christ should fill us with great hope. Even though God the Father is the only one who knows the date and time of Christ’s return, we are not left without clues to the approximate timing of the end. Thus we can reject statements such as this by Mr. Hill: “We do not know what the future holds. We do not know if God’s reign will commence in one week or in one billion years” (op. cit.).

God expects His people to look for and proclaim the signposts that He has given. Christ also said, “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is” (Mark 13:33). What could be clearer? God expects us to watch world events and then take heed and pray as the day approaches.

Christ—A Prophet

One thing must be made perfectly clear. Jesus Christ viewed Himself as a prophet (Matthew 13:57). Many of the Jews also viewed Him as a prophet (Matthew 21:46). His gospel message was specifically about the future Kingdom of God (Mark 1:15). Christ was put to death for proclaiming that He was the King of that future kingdom (John 18:36-37). In Matthew 24 He gives explicit details concerning His Second Coming.

Those apostles who carried on with His ministry also conducted a prophetic ministry. The writings of Peter, Paul and John are heavily prophetic. Like Christ, all three preached about the coming Kingdom of God. In addition, Peter’s second letter states that the Church has “a more sure word of prophecy” (2 Peter 1:19). Paul’s second letter to the Church at Thessalonica specifically deals with end-time events in the Church leading up to the return of Christ (2 Thessalonians 2). Most people with even a superficial understanding of the Bible know that the Apostle John recorded the book of Revelation—the prophecy of all prophecies.

Revelation is often referred to as the “apocalypse” of John. Some view this as a mysterious book that cannot be understood. In truth, the book is the revelation of Jesus Christ given by God the Father for the Church in order to unveil the sequence of end-time events (Revelation 1:1). Our English word apocalypse is taken from the Greek word apokalupsis, which means an uncovering or revealing of something unknown.

The point is, true Christian teaching must have a focus on prophecy, especially end-time events. No one needs to be confused or in doubt about the chronology of end-time events—it is clearly spelled out for those willing to listen.

Yet, Craig C. Hill writes, “We should not assume that there is one, uniform biblical eschatology [theology concerned with the last things or end-time events]. Disagreement is not presupposed but neither is unanimity” (op. cit.).

Jesus Christ would heartily disagree. Knowing the Scriptures to have one unified message and also to be free of error and discrepancy, He stated, “The scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35). Christ also stated, “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (Matthew 5:18). According to Jesus Christ, the Bible is still very much an up-to-date book and has the only solutions for the life-threatening woes of our time.

So what is the basic problem with all these theories?

The Apostle Peter gives us the answer. He warned, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy [Spirit]” (2 Peter 1:20-21). Let’s be honest. When we see so many opposing messages concerning the Second Coming, what we are seeing is a plague of private interpretation.

All of the effort expended on such views over the years has been misplaced. The Bible always explains itself. Mysterious prophetic symbols are explained in the Bible. Chronological events are clearly charted for those willing to avoid applying their own private interpretation to prophetic verses.

False Prophets

Now, let’s look at the historical cause of all the confusion over end-time events. There is only one way to explain all of our modern confusion about end-time prophecy and the return of Christ.

Jesus Christ warned His disciples, “Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many” (Matthew 24:4-5). Christ is clear here. From the time of His departure until His return, the world (and the Church) would be plagued with men claiming to speak for Christ and yet spreading insidious deceit. Notice that Christ also said many people would be deceived. Not just a few, but many.

Jesus warned that, immediately before His return, the number of false prophets would rise significantly. He set His disciples on alert: “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before” (Matthew 24:24-25). The chaos within Christianity today can be directly attributed to the rise and influence of false prophets and false Christs. But it all began in the first century.

The apostles knew that false prophets and teachers would infiltrate and do harm to God’s Church. Peter stated, “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction” (2 Peter 2:1). Paul specifically warned the ministers of the predominantly Gentile churches under his authority that not only would false teachers infiltrate the Church, but some of them would become false teachers. At a ministers conference in Ephesus, Paul sadly said, “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them” (Acts 20:29-30). Early Church history shows that this is exactly what happened.

Before the end of the first century, the Church was not only scattered because of persecution but also ripped apart because of doctrinal division and dissension. Things became so bad that, by the time John wrote his epistles, the true people of God were being cast out of the Church by false preachers. John wrote from the island prison Patmos, “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church” (3 John 9-10). Many who had fellowshiped with the apostles, evangelists and ministers were turned away from the truth and taught false doctrines and fables (2 Timothy 4:2-4).

Unfortunately, at the same time, people were turned away from the simple-to-understand truths about the end of the age and Christ’s Second Coming. The once-unified message of Christianity was fractured into multiple disagreeing voices.

Today we see the final outcome of such division. Religious deceit is reaching its apex right before our eyes.

But you need not be deceived.

You Can Know

There is hope. You can know the full truth about the fulfillment of end-time prophetic events.

Jesus Christ explained how. “At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes” (Matthew 11:25). God will reveal the truth on any Bible subject, including prophecy, to those who are willing to obey Him and follow Him like a little child would follow his parents. God also reveals to those humble people who are willing to be taught like a little child. Christ was definite that God would not reveal His truth to the vain and scholarly.

You can know that the Bible interprets its own symbols. We don’t have to be in doubt about the identity of the “beast,” or the nature of the “mark of the beast.” You can know that fulfilled prophecy is the proof of the authority of the Bible. You can know the prophetic identity of modern nations such as the United States, Britain and Germany. You can know how God has faithfully kept His promise to King David. You can know for certain that there is a descendent of David ruling on a throne of Israel as you read this article. You can know for certain that Christ and the resurrected saints will rule on this Earth for 1,000 years. You can know the proper chronology leading up to that history-making period.

Here’s how: Request our free book The United States and Britain in Prophecy by Herbert W. Armstrong. This informative book gives you the master key that will unlock your understanding of end-time prophecy. This book will make the Bible come alive for you. It will increase your faith that the Bible is the infallible and authoritative Word of God. Also, continue to read the Trumpet, which gives you the prophetic significance of the world news happening around you. Remember, there is no cost or obligation. Your subscription has been paid for you.

Sidebar: Puzzling Millennium

Differing interpretations of Bible prophecy can be wildly contradictory, leaving many to simply throw up their hands in frustration. To take one example, failed predictions have spawned multiple theories about Christ’s Second Coming.

Considerable controversy revolves around Revelation 20:4, the verse that discusses the thousand-year rule of Christ and the saints on the Earth. Here are the predominant theories.

One group, the amillennialists, believes that biblical references to the Millennium are strictly figurative and that there will be no earthly Millennium. Some believe that the millennial rule of Christ occurs in the hearts of believers. Others believe that the description of the Millennium in Revelation refers to Christ’s reign in heaven. This has been a dominant belief in mainstream Protestant churches for centuries. It is interesting to note that the Roman Catholic Church “condemned as superstition the belief in a literal, future thousand-year reign on the earth,” at the Council of Ephesus in a.d. 431 (Stanley J. Grenz, The Millennial Maze).

Another group, the premillennialists, believes that Christ’s Second Coming occurs just prior to the Millennium. Premillennialists emphasize a literal interpretation of the book of Revelation. This group believes that worldwide destruction and the return of Jesus Christ are required to save humanity and bring about a new era of peace on Earth. Most premillennialists accept the theory of a rapture of the saints.

Opposed to the premillennialists are the postmillennialists, who interpret the Bible less literally. They regard the Millennium as a thousand-year reign of Christian ideals that will end with the return of Christ. In this view, the Millennium will not start suddenly because of cataclysmic events in human history, but will come about gradually through the efforts of human beings. This group believes that through social reform and by upholding Christian ideals, the Kingdom of God will be built on Earth and then Christ will return. Christ will then defeat Satan in a final battle, as referred to in Revelation. Some postmillennialists believe the Millennium has already started.

So which view is correct? All claim to be true. You need to prove these truths for yourself from your own Bible! That is where the real, positive, sensible answers can be found. The Wonderful World Tomorrow—What It Will Be Like, by Herbert W. Armstrong, challenges you to look into the theories and distinguish truth from error. Request your free copy of this book to aid you in this fascinating study.