I well remember Lindsay's Late Great Planet Earth from the 70s. I must have read it at least 4 times, like a second Bible. But I was a young Christian in a Pentecostal church and we simply weren't taught how to study the scriptures properly. There was a movie series that came out then too...Thief in the Night and the second sequel...A Distant Thunder. And they were fear based. No fear for one who was raptured...but absolutely no talk on how to walk the walk in order to be raptured either...you give your heart to Jesus...you're saved...rapture inevitable heaven here I come! Yay! Tough for those left in my bus that plummets over a cliff after I disappear...but hey, God must dig that kinda drama right?
Twenty years later I became aware through some serious learning curves that the entire scenario is a hoax. Great for making lots of mullah, but not so good for preparing people for the second coming. The rapture theory is based on a premise similar to a football or baseball coach withdrawing his team from the match just before half time because they were in the lead. No glory at all in that. Just when you know the opposition is about to bring on their heavy hitters, you declare sorry guys, I'm taking my team out because they can't handle you.
I am of the belief that things are going to get tough. But I have no fear because God is preparing His people, and promises protection, not withdrawal, from the last minutes of the game. God wants total victory. Not a half pie semi-orderly retreat because times are hard.
I suppose it could come down to where a person sits on belief. I imagine it could terrify someone who wasn't fully secure in God. Sometimes it's hard for me to actually put myself in the headspace of a person like that. I honestly struggle to imagine what it would be like NOT to believe in God...believe absolutely in his sovereign hand over all things.
But...I imgaine it could be a little like freefall? That nasty feeling of dropping and not really knowing which way was up? Just knowing that at some point you might hit the ground and when you did it was...splat. Would it be like that, to unbelievers? So many different opinions out there about which 'faith' was correct. Which path would lead you through to 'land' right way up, that you just couldn't know? And that being told millions would disappear in an instant and the world would dissolve in chaotic judgement before going to hell, was just another 'bump' in the freefall tossing and turning chaos? More confusion?
I honestly don't know, because I've never been there. And I don't really think the world is headed for "The Great Tribulation" event.
However...I do think the world will come to an end. I think even among Christian cirlces that topic and reality isn't talked about much. They assume things will just go on as they always have. But the bible places upon us, I think, a weight to let others know that while God is loving and merciful and wishes all come to him through the amazing grace he has shown through his Son, he will bring history to an end, essentially righting all wrongs and bringing shalom back into the world.
So...these conversations need to be had, I think. And while some say that the Left Behind novels inspire fear, I do know plenty who say otherwise. Either way, it does ignite conversation about God, his plans, and his coming Kingdom upon this earth. Which surely must lead to some good things, don't you think?
Also: just by the by brakelite. Have read your blogs on the antichrist, which were interesting. It says the next one is about the little horn, and then links to a whole heap on a page. Am I to assume that I start with "the characteristic one" of the little horn? Thanks.