A Fresh Perspective - 12/05/08
Belief in the Second Coming of Christ has spawned much craziness, particularly the idea that the world is headed for a cataclysmic showdown called the Battle of Armageddon. This will be climaxed by the bodily return of Christ who will violently destroy them all and set up his millennial kingdom on earth. True believers, they claim, won't be around for all this wrath and destruction. They will be "raptured" (snatched away in a secret coming by Christ) prior to all this bloodshed.
The above scenario is part of a "dispensational" interpretation of the Bible that divides the history of the world into seven dispensations (or ages). This system of interpretation was originally formulated by John Nelson Darby, a sort of renegade Anglican priest from Ireland. It spread to this country largely through the popularity of the study notes in the Scofield Reference Bible. In the 1970's this interpretation gained momentum through the book by Hal Lindsey, "The Late Great Planet Earth." Billy Graham bought into this end-time scheme of events. Today, the "Left Behind" series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins, which has sold millions of copies, propagate this unhealthy theology that turns the Prince of Peace into a violent Messianic warrior.
Many of the early Christians responsible for the apocalyptic images and symbols that appear in some New Testament texts lived during a time of great upheaval. The Jewish revolt (66-70 CE.) resulted in the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple by the Romans. Christians were being persecuted. Divided loyalties severed family ties. Their world, it seemed, was coming apart (see Mark 13).
These early Christians believed that Christ would come - unveil or reveal his presence - in such a way as to bring in the fullness of God's reign on earth. This would bring, among other things, justice and peace in the world. They believed that the fulfillment of God's reign was imminent; they were expecting it at any time (see Mark 9:1; 13:30; 1 Thess. 4:13-5:11).
Of course it didn't happen as they expected, but that doesn't seem to detour some Christians today from developing elaborate prophetic timetables for when Christ will return. They even go into great detail regarding what Christ is going to do when he comes.
Personally, I'm not looking for some sort of literal return of Jesus. The living Christ is already here - among us, with us, and in us - as Paul says, "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Col. 1:27).
Christ will come - again and again and again, with healing in his wings - into the lives and communities of all those who adopt his nonviolent, passionate pursuit of justice and peace and who embody his message of grace and forgiveness.