Discerning news and prophecy - Bill Wilson -
A Pew Research Center poll of 5,035 American adults found that only 26% could correctly discern facts from opinions in news stories. Furthermore, according to Pew, Americans were likely to think that facts were accurate. Those who identified opinions as fact did so from the basis of their belief system, such as political or religious beliefs. Many Christians also do the same with Bible interpretation and prophecy. Many believe that since things are so morally out of alignment with scriptures in our country that the Lord "must" be returning soon. The Holy Scriptures are very specific about the time and events of the Lord's return. Even as between news facts and opinions, we must discern scripture responsibly.
According to the Apostle Paul, several distinct things must happen before the Lord returns. He writes in 2 Thessalonians 2:2-3, "That you be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." This is very clear: 1) don't be deceived, 2) falling away, 3) antichrist (beast) revealed, 4) sits in the temple as God.
He also writes in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-16, "For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first." So 5) Lord returns with a shout, 6) dead in Christ rise first, 7) saints remaining on earth meet him in the air. This is consistent with Biblical prophecies written about the return of Christ. There is no mention of the stock market or the US political situation, although these things may have a role in moving the prophetic clock forward and are interesting side stories.
We, as saints in these days and as watchmen and teachers, must be responsible in how we explain these events. We must be discerning and careful to not overstate their significance, use inflammatory language, or to tie Biblical absolutes to our subjective opinion in order to advance personal viewpoints. Be careful not to be driven by intrigue or fear, or to be led astray by false doctrine. Be as those in Berea from Acts 17:11, "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." The prophetic must align with scripture. Crying wolf too many times can cause many to stumble. Let us discern responsibly.
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