I want to commend all of you who have persevered over the last few weeks in our study of Eschatology. I know for some it has been an enthralling and eye opening journey. For others it’s been very challenging as previous paradigms have been rattled. While it may be difficult to apply our minds to such a subject it has proved rewarding for those who have done so. For others you have questioned the purpose of such a study and have lost interest.

There are three primary enemies to a dynamic victorious Christian life: apathy, distortions of truth and fear. Over the years I have seen too many people living with fears, whether it be fear of sickness, death, the unknown, or of missing a rapture and a future Great Tribulation and outpouring of wrath. God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power of love and of a sound mind. A mind that can be applied to understand God’s purposes and plans. On the other hand there are three allies to a victorious Christian life: purpose, faith – that comes from revelation of truth, and a bold confidence in our identity in Christ. Understanding God’s “Big Picture” for mankind reinforces that confidence and purpose. We are part of a triumphant world wide Church commissioned to bring the glorious atmosphere of heaven to earth, impacting and influencing every area of life. When our world shrinks to our own self created universe where we are the centre we lose sight of God’s glorious plan.

So… why have we embarked on this study?

a) To break every fear that anyone may have of the future.

b) To give understanding that we are part of a glorious Church with a mandate and mission.

c) To show God is in control, the future is bright, and Jesus will berevealed to a world who needs to see him.

I echo the words of Kris Vallotton:

• I will not embrace an end-time worldview that re-empowers a disempowered devil.
• I will not accept an eschatology that takes away my children’s future, and creates mindsets that undermine the mentality of leaving a legacy.
• I will not tolerate any theology that sabotages the clear command of Jesus to make disciples of all nations and the Lord’s Prayer that earth would be like heaven.
• I will not allow any interpretation of the scriptures that destroys hope for the nations and undermines our command to restore ruined cities.
• I will not embrace an eschatology that changes the nature of a good God.
• I refuse to embrace any mindset that celebrates bad news as a sign of the times and a necessary requirement for the return of Jesus.
• I am opposed to any doctrinal position that pushes the promises of God into a time zone that can’t be obtained in my generation and therefore takes away any responsibility I have to believe God for them in my lifetime.
• I don’t believe that the last days are a time of judgment, nor do I believe God gave the church the right to call for wrath for sinful cities. There is a day of judgment in which GOD will judge man, not us