Myopic view of current events and end times

[Michael 777]

I have had the interesting experience of moving countries recently and came to the realisation that I was interpreting recent events through the bias of my place of residence. Let me explain.

I have spent most of my life living in South Africa and recently moved to the UK. All the time while in SA, I interpreted local and political events through the only lens I knew, and that was through a South African one. As international events unfolded around the world, most of my prayers and petitions before the Lord were done for the nation and people of South Africa as guided by the Holy Spirit. This is all good and worthy but my own interpretation of global events and how the end times would unfold were influenced by my own bias which I was not aware of. Often during prayer meetings or other discussions the topic of South Africa's role in the end times was emphasised. In reality though, South Africa is not mentioned once in the entire volume of scripture except in the generalisation of the term "nations".

Now that I have moved to the UK, I noticed that my viewpoint has changed and again I am leaning towards interpreting through a British lens. Until the Holy Spirit made me aware of this. We are not to interpret the end times through a physical lens but through a more spiritual lens based on scripture. I am not advocating a wishy washy hyper spiritualised outlook where I do not take note of the physical worldly events taking place but a more balanced outlook based on scripture and guided by the Holy Spirit.

I now ask myself does the outcome of the UK elections impact the interpretation of Biblical prophecies? The answer is no. Can they influence the outcome? Again no, because Jesus has already determined the outcome. Will they play a part in the end times prophecies? Maybe, maybe not. Again the UK is not mentioned once in scripture except in the generalisation of the term nations.

I often read many Christian publications and now that I am aware of my own bias, I can clearly see the bias of others. Subconscious bias is a difficult thing to recognise and in my case it took moving countries to see it. At the moment the world is consumed with politics and war. If we take all the recent Christian commentary, a large chunk is now devoted to the American election. Many accusations are thrown about, false prophecies abound but in reality again America is not mentioned, not even once, not even inferred, in scripture. So I ask, does the outcome of the American election even matter in terms of fulfilling Biblical prophecy - the answer is no. Again Jesus has determined the outcome and current world events cannot change it. Are the Christians in America influenced by their own bias because that is the only lens they see through? The answer is yes.

Let me give a simple example. When I was in South Africa, there were many prophecies that a global Christian revival would begin in Southern Africa and spread to the rest of the world. In the UK, I have heard similar prophecies that God will spark a global revival beginning in the UK. I have also read many prophecies that the revival will start in America. Great news but our bias got the message wrong. God will spark a revival but it could be global in nature and no nation can lay claim to it. The truth has been altered by our bias and lens that we see through.

If we step back and look at world history since Jesus ascended into heaven, there have been many kingdoms, many rulers. Some of which were even branded as being the antichrist (subject for a different day). Where are they today? In the dust of history books, irrelevant in today's society. There have been many wars, much worse than what we experience today - many cults originated after the First World War because they made prophecies that that war would usher in the second coming. Our current world leadership sits in that same category - 100 years from now nobody will recall who the next American President is.

Coming back to bias, we cannot interpret the scriptures and force modern day events into end times prophecies. If we take biblical prophecy seriously and look carefully into what scripture actually says then the world becomes a much smaller place. In terms of politics - the Bible does not have much to say from a prophetic point of view. What does matter is the condition of the human heart, the general depravity of mankind and the falling away of the faithful. From a geographical point of view the emphasis is on Israel and Jerusalem as a city in particular as this is where Jesus returns. The Bible is very narrow in terms of mentioning geographical places. The main emphasis is on Israel and what we now call the Middle East (Asia Minor in Biblical terms).

What I am trying to get across in a nutshell, is that as Christians we can become consumed, passionate and obsessed with modern day politics and geopolitical occurrences. We should not be distracted by the things of this world as they lead to death but we should focus on Jesus who brings life. Our efforts should be on reaching the lost and showing love for one another. We should not be having heated debates which divide us and bring hatred between us. We should be aware that our own bias influences the way we see and interpret the world.

Are the current events the last events before the coming of Christ? Maybe, maybe not. We should be ready everyday and not wait for certain events to unfold. We should live our lives to the full and obey the commands of Jesus to preach the Gospel. Jesus said we cannot add a single hour to our lives by worrying. Let us remove all bias and keep our eyes focused on Jesus and what He wants us to do no matter what part of the timeline we find ourselves on.

God bless

 

[Maria Billingsley]

I have had the interesting experience of moving countries recently and came to the realisation that I was interpreting recent events through the bias of my place of residence. Let me explain.

I have spent most of my life living in South Africa and recently moved to the UK. All the time while in SA, I interpreted local and political events through the only lens I knew, and that was through a South African one. As international events unfolded around the world, most of my prayers and petitions before the Lord were done for the nation and people of South Africa as guided by the Holy Spirit. This is all good and worthy but my own interpretation of global events and how the end times would unfold were influenced by my own bias which I was not aware of. Often during prayer meetings or other discussions the topic of South Africa's role in the end times was emphasised. In reality though, South Africa is not mentioned once in the entire volume of scripture except in the generalisation of the term "nations".

Now that I have moved to the UK, I noticed that my viewpoint has changed and again I am leaning towards interpreting through a British lens. Until the Holy Spirit made me aware of this. We are not to interpret the end times through a physical lens but through a more spiritual lens based on scripture. I am not advocating a wishy washy hyper spiritualised outlook where I do not take note of the physical worldly events taking place but a more balanced outlook based on scripture and guided by the Holy Spirit.

I now ask myself does the outcome of the UK elections impact the interpretation of Biblical prophecies? The answer is no. Can they influence the outcome? Again no, because Jesus has already determined the outcome. Will they play a part in the end times prophecies? Maybe, maybe not. Again the UK is not mentioned once in scripture except in the generalisation of the term nations.

I often read many Christian publications and now that I am aware of my own bias, I can clearly see the bias of others. Subconscious bias is a difficult thing to recognise and in my case it took moving countries to see it. At the moment the world is consumed with politics and war. If we take all the recent Christian commentary, a large chunk is now devoted to the American election. Many accusations are thrown about, false prophecies abound but in reality again America is not mentioned, not even once, not even inferred, in scripture. So I ask, does the outcome of the American election even matter in terms of fulfilling Biblical prophecy - the answer is no. Again Jesus has determined the outcome and current world events cannot change it. Are the Christians in America influenced by their own bias because that is the only lens they see through? The answer is yes.

Let me give a simple example. When I was in South Africa, there were many prophecies that a global Christian revival would begin in Southern Africa and spread to the rest of the world. In the UK, I have heard similar prophecies that God will spark a global revival beginning in the UK. I have also read many prophecies that the revival will start in America. Great news but our bias got the message wrong. God will spark a revival but it could be global in nature and no nation can lay claim to it. The truth has been altered by our bias and lens that we see through.

If we step back and look at world history since Jesus ascended into heaven, there have been many kingdoms, many rulers. Some of which were even branded as being the antichrist (subject for a different day). Where are they today? In the dust of history books, irrelevant in today's society. There have been many wars, much worse than what we experience today - many cults originated after the First World War because they made prophecies that that war would usher in the second coming. Our current world leadership sits in that same category - 100 years from now nobody will recall who the next American President is.

Coming back to bias, we cannot interpret the scriptures and force modern day events into end times prophecies. If we take biblical prophecy seriously and look carefully into what scripture actually says then the world becomes a much smaller place. In terms of politics - the Bible does not have much to say from a prophetic point of view. What does matter is the condition of the human heart, the general depravity of mankind and the falling away of the faithful. From a geographical point of view the emphasis is on Israel and Jerusalem as a city in particular as this is where Jesus returns. The Bible is very narrow in terms of mentioning geographical places. The main emphasis is on Israel and what we now call the Middle East (Asia Minor in Biblical terms).

What I am trying to get across in a nutshell, is that as Christians we can become consumed, passionate and obsessed with modern day politics and geopolitical occurrences. We should not be distracted by the things of this world as they lead to death but we should focus on Jesus who brings life. Our efforts should be on reaching the lost and showing love for one another. We should not be having heated debates which divide us and bring hatred between us. We should be aware that our own bias influences the way we see and interpret the world.

Are the current events the last events before the coming of Christ? Maybe, maybe not. We should be ready everyday and not wait for certain events to unfold. We should live our lives to the full and obey the commands of Jesus to preach the Gospel. Jesus said we cannot add a single hour to our lives by worrying. Let us remove all bias and keep our eyes focused on Jesus and what He wants us to do no matter what part of the timeline we find ourselves on.

God bless

Yes, newspaper eschatology does nothing to forward the growth of a Christian nor does it grow the Kingdom of God in Truth. Be blessed.

 

[Laodicean60]

I now ask myself does the outcome of the UK elections impact the interpretation of Biblical prophecies? The answer is no. Can they influence the outcome? Again no, because Jesus has already determined the outcome. Will they play a part in the end times prophecies? Maybe, maybe not. Again the UK is not mentioned once in scripture except in the generalisation of the term nations.

Since God created man and Adam sinned, do you think God saw the end since he lives outside time? It is the human condition that has led the world to what it is today. If every human strictly adhered to Jesus's commandment of love thy neighbor do you think we would see the problems we have today? Jesus determined the outcome or saw the outcome? I will not blame God for the mess we have created.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

What I am trying to get across in a nutshell, is that as Christians we can become consumed, passionate and obsessed with modern day politics and geopolitical occurrences. We should not be distracted by the things of this world as they lead to death but we should focus on Jesus who brings life. Our efforts should be on reaching the lost and showing love for one another. We should not be having heated debates which divide us and bring hatred between us. We should be aware that our own bias influences the way we see and interpret the world.

The political issues of our time can be effective tools of our growth in Christ. We need to cooperate, communicate and exist in this world together.
BUT, with our biases, particular interpretations, judgement, bones to pick, bricks on shoulders and political loyalties we get lost in the polemics and that arouses passions, anger even hatred.

Take a deep breath, say nothing for a minute, reflect on own baggage, try to see things from other perspectives, be humble enough to admit error. So mush we can work on.

 

[Richard T]

I have had the interesting experience of moving countries recently and came to the realisation that I was interpreting recent events through the bias of my place of residence. Let me explain.

I have spent most of my life living in South Africa and recently moved to the UK. All the time while in SA, I interpreted local and political events through the only lens I knew, and that was through a South African one. As international events unfolded around the world, most of my prayers and petitions before the Lord were done for the nation and people of South Africa as guided by the Holy Spirit. This is all good and worthy but my own interpretation of global events and how the end times would unfold were influenced by my own bias which I was not aware of. Often during prayer meetings or other discussions the topic of South Africa's role in the end times was emphasised. In reality though, South Africa is not mentioned once in the entire volume of scripture except in the generalisation of the term "nations".

Now that I have moved to the UK, I noticed that my viewpoint has changed and again I am leaning towards interpreting through a British lens. Until the Holy Spirit made me aware of this. We are not to interpret the end times through a physical lens but through a more spiritual lens based on scripture. I am not advocating a wishy washy hyper spiritualised outlook where I do not take note of the physical worldly events taking place but a more balanced outlook based on scripture and guided by the Holy Spirit.

I now ask myself does the outcome of the UK elections impact the interpretation of Biblical prophecies? The answer is no. Can they influence the outcome? Again no, because Jesus has already determined the outcome. Will they play a part in the end times prophecies? Maybe, maybe not. Again the UK is not mentioned once in scripture except in the generalisation of the term nations.

I often read many Christian publications and now that I am aware of my own bias, I can clearly see the bias of others. Subconscious bias is a difficult thing to recognise and in my case it took moving countries to see it. At the moment the world is consumed with politics and war. If we take all the recent Christian commentary, a large chunk is now devoted to the American election. Many accusations are thrown about, false prophecies abound but in reality again America is not mentioned, not even once, not even inferred, in scripture. So I ask, does the outcome of the American election even matter in terms of fulfilling Biblical prophecy - the answer is no. Again Jesus has determined the outcome and current world events cannot change it. Are the Christians in America influenced by their own bias because that is the only lens they see through? The answer is yes.

Let me give a simple example. When I was in South Africa, there were many prophecies that a global Christian revival would begin in Southern Africa and spread to the rest of the world. In the UK, I have heard similar prophecies that God will spark a global revival beginning in the UK. I have also read many prophecies that the revival will start in America. Great news but our bias got the message wrong. God will spark a revival but it could be global in nature and no nation can lay claim to it. The truth has been altered by our bias and lens that we see through.

If we step back and look at world history since Jesus ascended into heaven, there have been many kingdoms, many rulers. Some of which were even branded as being the antichrist (subject for a different day). Where are they today? In the dust of history books, irrelevant in today's society. There have been many wars, much worse than what we experience today - many cults originated after the First World War because they made prophecies that that war would usher in the second coming. Our current world leadership sits in that same category - 100 years from now nobody will recall who the next American President is.

Coming back to bias, we cannot interpret the scriptures and force modern day events into end times prophecies. If we take biblical prophecy seriously and look carefully into what scripture actually says then the world becomes a much smaller place. In terms of politics - the Bible does not have much to say from a prophetic point of view. What does matter is the condition of the human heart, the general depravity of mankind and the falling away of the faithful. From a geographical point of view the emphasis is on Israel and Jerusalem as a city in particular as this is where Jesus returns. The Bible is very narrow in terms of mentioning geographical places. The main emphasis is on Israel and what we now call the Middle East (Asia Minor in Biblical terms).

What I am trying to get across in a nutshell, is that as Christians we can become consumed, passionate and obsessed with modern day politics and geopolitical occurrences. We should not be distracted by the things of this world as they lead to death but we should focus on Jesus who brings life. Our efforts should be on reaching the lost and showing love for one another. We should not be having heated debates which divide us and bring hatred between us. We should be aware that our own bias influences the way we see and interpret the world.

Are the current events the last events before the coming of Christ? Maybe, maybe not. We should be ready everyday and not wait for certain events to unfold. We should live our lives to the full and obey the commands of Jesus to preach the Gospel. Jesus said we cannot add a single hour to our lives by worrying. Let us remove all bias and keep our eyes focused on Jesus and what He wants us to do no matter what part of the timeline we find ourselves on.

God bless

Congrats on moving from S.A. to the U.K.

In America, the center of the world, that everything evolves from (sarcasm) the bias is easily known. For instance, many thought and still do that covid was released and shut downs occurred to hurt Trump. Yes, the millions killed worldwide were to influence the American election.

I disagree that who is elected does not matter to God. I think that at times certain leaders that are predisposed to God's choices and sovereign will are the ones that will get elected. Of course, God did raise and lower kings in the OT and certainly he can raise of lower a PM or President in a democracy.

I am glad you focus on Jesus and not politics. You are right too at looking at Israel. That is where much of the fulfillment of prophecy is at but given their statehood status in 1948 or so that God has been preparing the end times and we are much closer to the end than many think. Still, we focus on Jesus. God bless.

 

[public hermit]

We should be ready everyday and not wait for certain events to unfold.

This is my main complaint about the inordinate focus on the fulfilling of prophesies. Whether Christ comes back today or ten thousand years from now, what I am called to be and do doesn't change. I agree, wholeheartedly.

I am not advocating a wishy washy hyper spiritualised outlook where I do not take note of the physical worldly events

I would caution against throwing out a "spiritualised outlook." God is One (Triune), and that One transcends all particulars. We have to rise above the particulars to where Christ is, and let that be where our hearts remain until the consummation. That means we cannot get bogged down in the particular instances of striving between the kingdoms of this world. When wars break out, or rumors thereof, the only instruction we have been given is to raise our heads because we have already risen above it.