End Time Insights

Pablo continuó su discusión sobre la llegada de Cristo al abordar lo que ocurrirá en el Día del Señor – 1 Tesalonicenses 5: 1-3. El Apóstol Pablo habla de “ la llegada ” o ' Parousía ' de Jesús y el Día del Señor en los capítulos 4 y 5 de 1 Tesalonicenses . En el capítulo 4, declara que tanto los cristianos muertos como los vivos se reunirán para encontrarse con el Señor a medida que descienda del Cielo. En el capítulo 5, Pablo vincula eso y los eventos relacionados con “ el Día del Señor ”, y explica cómo ese día afectará a los piadosos y a los impíos.

Paul continued his discussion about Christ’s arrival by addressing what will occur on the Day of the Lord – 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3. The Apostle Paul discusses the “ arrival ” or ‘ Parousia ’ of Jesus and the Day of the Lord in chapters 4 and 5 of  1 Thessalonians . In Chapter 4, he declares that both dead and living Christians will be gathered to meet the Lord as he descends from Heaven. In Chapter 5, Paul links that and related events to “ the Day of the Lord ,” and he explains how that day will affect the godly and the ungodly.

Only God’s kingdom will prevail and endure. All other political powers and regimes are fleeting. Already they are passing away . Despite human pretensions, History demonstrates  without exception  the impermanence of political power, human ideologies, and governments. Rome endured for a thousand years, but that Empire fell all the same. Like human life, political power is impermanent, and regimes and even the greatest empires collapse unexpectedly and often quickly when their allotted time expires. Only the “ Kingdom of God ” will endure forever.

Jesus proclaimed a unique political reality, the Kingdom of God, one that differs radically from the governments and ideologies of this present age . Jesus appeared in Galilee proclaiming the “ Kingdom of God ” – “ Repent, for the kingdom is at hand .” The Kingdom promised by God was arriving in Christ’s life and ministry. He was the Messiah and King of Israel who summoned all men to turn from their wicked ways and submit to his lordship before the Judgment when it would be too late.

The Empire’s propagandists encourage men and women to give allegiance and veneration to the Emperor, the Beast from the Sea . The “ False Prophet ” as described in the Book of Revelation uses religious symbolism and economic control to coax the Inhabitants of the Empire to pay homage to the Imperial Throne. Whether force or persuasion is employed, the goal is the same. Men who refuse to venerate the “ Beast from the Sea ” are excluded from economic activity and impoverished.

Jesus refused the political power of Rome when Satan offered it. So, why do we insist on seeking the very thing our Master rejected? The teachings of Jesus and his Apostles in multiple ways summon Christians not to be “ unequally yoked together ” with this world and its values. What humanity needs is the Good News of the Kingdom of God and the salvation provided by Jesus Christ. Since the “ forms ” of this present age are in the process of “ passing away ,” the Church should not waste its efforts on “ working for the meat that perishes ”?

Church leaders often exhort their members to work diligently for the election of politicians of whom they approve, claiming it is God’s will to do so as well as their “Christian duty.” They warn of the dire consequences that will befall the church and the nation if they fail to immerse themselves in partisan politics and promote the moral values and social policies endorsed by them. Moreover, they do this despite what Scripture declares on the matter.

Discussions on the “ Mark of the Beast ” concentrate on deciphering the significance of its number, ‘ 666 .’ Understandably, we wish to discover its meaning and thereby avoid taking it. However, to understand it we must first recognize the scriptural background behind the number, the relationship of the “ Mark ” to the “ Seal of God ,” the consequences of taking or refusing the “ Mark ” or the “ Number of the Beast ,” and the identities of the two groups that result from deciding whether to take it.

The Inhabitants of the Earth willingly venerate the Beast and take its mark, although believers also are not immune from its allurements . Discussions on the “ Mark of the Beast ” invariably focus on questions about what it is - a medical implant, barcode, or a tattoo – as well as the significance of its “ number ,” ‘ 666 .’ As important as these questions are, far more critical is the issue of how we as believers can avoid taking the Beast’s mark or its “number.”

Jesus rejected Satan’s offer of unlimited political power and instead chose the way of the Suffering Servant  - Matthew 4:8-11. Satan tempted Jesus by offering him political power over “ all the kingdoms of the world ,” but he refused the Devil’s offer. Instead, the Nazarene submitted to the way of the ‘ Suffering Servant of Yahweh ’ that led to his inevitable death on the Roman Cross. Satan tempted the Son of God in four ways, but his most seductive offer was that of dominion over the nations  - (Matthew 4:8-11).

‘Christendom’ is an idolatrous term used often to invoke Divine support of national and political institutions, agendas, and ideologies . In popular usage, the English term ‘Christendom’ refers to “that part of the world in which Christianity prevails,” either because the majority of a nation’s citizens claim to be Christian, or because a specific sect or denomination is recognized by the State as the country’s official religion.

The Beast of Revelation embodies the ancient imperial power that has stalked the saints since the Tower of Babel incident . History is littered with the remains of past attempts by tyrants and empires to dominate peoples and territories. Each new imperial power may experience initial success. However, all past empires have floundered, declined, and collapsed in the end. The Babylonian kingdom of Nebuchadnezzar and Caesar’s imperial realm, for example, ceased to exist thousands of years ago .

The Bible claims that God gives political power to whomever He pleases, “ even to the basest of men .” He “ removes kings and installs kings ” to accomplish His purposes, including rulers of whom many church leaders and members may disapprove. Disciples of Jesus who assume that certain politicians should hold governmental power presume on God’s patience and prerogative, and this is especially problematic in Western-style democratic societies.