Imminence is the teaching that Jesus Christ may return at any moment. He may return before you finish reading this article. Any second now...except...Jesus did declare all of these prophetic signs that He said MUST occur before He returns...I guess that means the prophecies must be fulfilled before He returns then, right?
- Jesus gave a number of specific signs that must occur before He returns, but Paul points out two major points. The "great apostasy" or falling away, where a massive number of those who had formerly professed to believe in Jesus Christ turn away from Him. The second is that the Antichrist must first be revealed (from the wing of the rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem - Matt:24-15-22) to the whole world before Jesus Christ will return. These can be found in 1 Thessalonians 2:1-4.
- Imminence is redundant and unnecessary. Jesus had already told us that our life might be over at any moment (Luke 12:13-21). To say that the idea of imminence "keeps us on our toes" is redundant and unnecessary.
- The teaching of imminence appeals to a generation of "believers" who seek their own comfort and lay up for themselves "teachers to tickle their ears" (2 Timothy 4:1-4).
- Those who live during the end of the age (probably very, very, very soon) will not be prepared for the suffering which is promised for all who follow Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 1:8, 2:3, 3:12, 1 Peter 4:12-14, Acts 14:22, etc.). If you believe you will be raptured before the really bad stuff begins, before the real crushing persecution (thlipsis in the Greek, tribulation in English) comes, you won't be prepared to endure the night that is coming. See the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13.
The church should be preparing, right now, this very moment, for the greatest suffering we might imagine. We should begin with God's word and prayer, and ask Him to prepare us for the role He has prepared for us in His will. We should expect to suffer. The night will be very dark indeed.
- Jesus gave a number of specific signs that must occur before He returns, but Paul points out two major points. The "great apostasy" or falling away, where a massive number of those who had formerly professed to believe in Jesus Christ turn away from Him. The second is that the Antichrist must first be revealed (from the wing of the rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem - Matt:24-15-22) to the whole world before Jesus Christ will return. These can be found in 1 Thessalonians 2:1-4.
- Imminence is redundant and unnecessary. Jesus had already told us that our life might be over at any moment (Luke 12:13-21). To say that the idea of imminence "keeps us on our toes" is redundant and unnecessary.
- The teaching of imminence appeals to a generation of "believers" who seek their own comfort and lay up for themselves "teachers to tickle their ears" (2 Timothy 4:1-4).
- Those who live during the end of the age (probably very, very, very soon) will not be prepared for the suffering which is promised for all who follow Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 1:8, 2:3, 3:12, 1 Peter 4:12-14, Acts 14:22, etc.). If you believe you will be raptured before the really bad stuff begins, before the real crushing persecution (thlipsis in the Greek, tribulation in English) comes, you won't be prepared to endure the night that is coming. See the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13.
The church should be preparing, right now, this very moment, for the greatest suffering we might imagine. We should begin with God's word and prayer, and ask Him to prepare us for the role He has prepared for us in His will. We should expect to suffer. The night will be very dark indeed.
