Reliance on Prophecy an Excuse for Laziness?

Is your belief in the imminent return of Jesus keeping you from doing your patriotic duty to save your country from collapse into socialism? Are you so convinced, for instance, that you will be Raptured out of here before the Antichrist that you don't feel it's worth lifting your voice to protest the slide into a one-world economic order?

I read an interesting article by Baptist pastor Chuck Baldwin that deals with this subject, and I think it's worth passing along because the issue is something I've worried about as well. A couple of excerpts, and then some thoughts:

I, too, believe in the imminent return of Jesus Christ to earth. But, then again, so did Christians from every generation over the last two millennia. In fact, the Apostle Paul was looking for the return of Christ while he lived (Philippians 3:20). But does anticipation of Christ's Second Coming excuse personal neglect, indifference, and downright laziness? Of course not.

Had pastors and Christians of colonial America believed and acted as most Christians believe and act today, this country would still be a Crown colony and we would never have known the freedoms and liberties that our forebears bequeathed to us. Christians of that era, however, believed that it was their duty and obligation to fight for right and do everything within their power to resist tyranny. They also believed that God would honor and bless their efforts, which He certainly did!

... millions of Christians across America are trying to play God. They talk as if they know when Christ will come. It's actually worse than that. They have the attitude that they have no personal responsibility to defend freedom and resist despotism. They seem to look at God as some kind of glorified fireman, who is obligated to rush in at the last minute to rescue them from a burning fire--a fire that they helped ignite, or at least, refused to put out themselves when they had the opportunity to do so. It's the old, "God would not let that happen in America" syndrome. How arrogant can we be?

... What if Jesus doesn't come for another 100 years? Another 200 years? What are we going to say to our grandchildren when they ask us what we were doing when our freedoms and liberties were being stolen?

This is good stuff, and there's so much more to it than I can justify "lifting." It's a must read.

I think Mr. Baldwin hits a home run with his analysis. He and I may have different ideas as to which prophecies are unfolding, but our conclusions are similar. As a Roman Catholic who is well versed in Scripture and in volumes of prophetic revelations from Church-approved (and some not-yet approved) sources through the centuries, I believe we are indeed living in "interesting" times. We are taught that while we cannot know the exact hour or day that certain events will take place, Jesus Himself tells us that we are supposed to study the "signs of the times" and be ready. He also warns us that we are not shirk our responsibilities lest "the master return" and find that his servants are ill prepared. We are, in short, to live each moment as if Jesus could appear instantly, and to work at spreading His message as if He were a thousand years away from a return.

It's a tough line to walk, but then that's Christianity for you. Jesus never said it would be a cakewalk, just that it was "doable" and He would give you the spiritual strength to achieve the goal, while giving you a peace of mind that differs from the so-called peace that the world offers. Too many people today choose from a different gospel, one that says being a Christian is easy, and that all your wants and desires will be met if only your faith is strong enough. Baldwin touches on this:

Ask believers from despotic regimes around the world what they think about God letting tribulation come, and they will quickly tell you, "We are already in tribulation." Are Christians in the United States really that arrogant as to believe that God loves them more than He loves believers in other countries? If not, can we not see that if believers around the world have suffered (and still suffer) the heavy hand of tyranny and oppression, it is certainly possible for tyranny and oppression to come to our land? The fact is, the only reason that Christians in America have not (for the most part) suffered tyranny and oppression is because of the hard work and sacrifice of our forefathers. We are simply enjoying the fruit of their labor.

Amen, Brother Baldwin.

I admit there are times when events cause me to look to Heaven and say, "Lord Jesus, come quickly, and put a stop to this madness! Give the evildoers what they deserve." But then I think about my own sinfulness, and the fact that there are so many today who are un-churched, who need to hear the Gospel, who would be lost if judgment fell upon us, and compassion moves me to ask that we be given a bit more time to repent, and to do the Lord's work.

Ultimately, the big picture isn't up to me, thank God for that. But the little picture of my own life is, and where it intersects with others is where Jesus expects me to be His faithful representative. He does not need me bearing false witness of His word by acting worldly, but by being a true witness through fidelity to Christ's message of faith, hope and love. Sadly, I fail at this too often. But I'm trying.

Whether you believe that you are already and irrevocably saved or, conversely, that you are to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling," the issue isn't personal salvation so much as it is the salvation of others who need our witness.

How much time do we have left? Even if it's only an hour, it's enough to do some good.