Sound The Trumpet : Premillenialism Under Attack

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“Premillenialism Under Attack”
by Art Sadlier
May 17th, 2009

All around the world Christians are under attack, persecution of Christians is growing rapidly. Another form of attack is also underway. Those who teach the premillenial message, that the rapture is at hand and that the long prophesied tribulation period will follow, are under attack by some who call themselves Christians.

Recently one of the large Mainline Protestant denominations sent a letter of warning to their churches. They warned against Christian Zionism (Premillenialism). They warned that this teaching was harmful, and stood in the way of World peace. They stated that this teaching caused division between Arabs and Jews.

Just a few weeks ago the department of Homeland Security in the U.S. gave a secret warning to police forces. This warning was intended to alert police to groups of extremists who might cause disruptions to society or commit extremist acts or be involved in insurrections. One of the groups identified was religious groups that believe in last days prophecies (Premilleniaslists).

Now we have among those who identify themselves as Evangelicals some who are calling for an attack on premillenialists.

In an April 2009 article in Sojourner's magazine by Emerging church leader, Brian McLaren, McLaren clearly has targeted Christians. But not just any Christians. McLaren is talking about Christians who believe Jesus Christ is coming back again, suggesting that these type of Christians are the reason there is no peace in the Middle East. He says what these end-time believing Christians are doing is "terrible," "deadly," and "distorted."

Lighthouse Trails Publishers gives us the following information. McLaren says that he grew up with a dispensational view (the belief that Jesus Christ will return and establish his kingdom on earth) but has come to realize this view is "morally and ethically harmful." He likens this belief system to racism in the 50s and 60s and says:

These doctrinal formulations often use a bogus end-of-the-world scenario to create a kind of death-wish for World War III, which--unless it is confronted more robustly by the rest of us--could too easily create a self-fulfilling prophecy.

It isn't just Bible-believing Christians who McLaren is upset with - he's also angry about Israel and the very idea that she is a special nation in the eyes of God. This is why he names Christian Zionists and Dispensationalists in particular, because they tend to who hold fast to the belief that Israel is indeed a special nation to the Lord.

Tony Campolo, in his book Speaking My Mind, says that "'rigid' Christians who believe in the possibility of Jesus' soon return" are "the real problem for the whole world." According to Campolo, they are to blame for wars, and a host of other evils in the world.

The Lighthouse article goes on to say,
Perhaps one of the more serious attacks on Christians waiting for Christ's return (serious primarily because of his huge influence) comes from Rick Warren where he states in The Purpose Driven Life that those who study Bible prophecy are not fit for the kingdom of God. Most readers may have missed this because of the way the passage is organized, but if one studies this carefully, with a Bible by their side, it is not difficult to see. Roger Oakland explains:

Warren tells readers to think about something other than Bible prophecy: "If you want Jesus to come back sooner, focus on fulfilling your mission, not figuring out prophecy."

Warren ends this section of his book by stating that Satan would have you "sidetracked from your mission" and by quoting Jesus out of context, Warren says, "Anyone who lets himself be distracted [by studying Bible prophecy] from the work I plan for him is not fit for the kingdom of God" (Living Bible). But Jesus was not referring to His return when He made that statement, which in the King James Version says: "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62). The Purpose Driven kingdom of God leaves no room for Bible prophecy, and in fact, condemns those who study it. The apostle Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit, had a different view. He writes: "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts." (II Peter 1:19)

We are witnessing a growing hostility toward Christians and in particularly toward the proclamation of Christ’s soon return. The promoters of the harlot church that will arise after the rapture of the Bride of Christ are even now laying the groundwork of deception that will overtake the Evangelicals that are not truly saved and will be left behind after the rapture.

Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13