12/02/2009

According to the famous American tele-evangelist Pat Robertson, the end of the world could be pretty soon. He says we have between 75 and 120 days before the Middle East starts spinning out of control, at the end of which God comes to rain fire on the enemies of Israel. At the time of reading Robertson’s web page this puts the End at the end of January 2009.

At the heart of his thesis are two major strands, geopolitics and an heretical view of the teachings of Christ about the end of the age in which we live.

Let’s tackle the geopolitics. His exposition, or shall we say, projection of current events is based on possibilities. The power behind the Russian throne, Vladimir Putin, is obviously flexing his muscles. He may indeed want to dominate the energy market. The United States, even in its current humiliation, has power and influence. But would the US mount a pre-emptive strike against Iran? I doubt that. More likely Israel would.

Robertson stood as a Republican presidential candidate in 1987 against George Bush (Senior). I am glad he wasn’t elected. Robertson would have been actively fulfilling his view of prophecy, and the Middle East and the world would have been plunged into chaos.

The second strand to Robertson’s views is that he is allowing the unclear to interpret the clear, a reversal of the theological process of interpretation. Using unclear and disputable applications of the Old Testament, he is forcing the New Testament, which includes the explicit teaching of Christ, the apostles and the Revelation to John, into subservience.

The breed of interpretation to which Robertson belongs is founded on the teachings of Scofield and Darby, big names in Bible translation, mistranslation and commentary. Unfortunately, these teachings have permeated Christendom and influence millions. In the providence of God, however, millions of others hold to the ancient doctrines held by Christians. The Scofield-Darby view has been around only about 100 years.

So what should we do with Robertson? First, believe in Jesus Christ and be saved from sin and its penalty. Then follow Christ, and study the Bible. Interpret the unclear in the light of the clear. Don’t get too worried. There is much to happen before the End and Jesus has explained it to all who have ready minds. You can come to grips with it all in Matthew 24 and the parallel passage in Luke 21.

Maybe I should talk about this some more.

Postscript: As you may have noticed, the world has not ended. Another imminent-end prediction has bitten the dust.

Updated 12 February 2009

PatRobertsonRegardingGeorgia.asp


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