Early Christian America

The End is Always Near…

Commenting on the movie: "The Book of Eli"

That is a great way to describe how the Church of Jesus Christ has abandoned,  in part, its Great Commission legacy, for  another gospel… in essence,  “the  End is Near.” In the Early Church there were many who believed that Christ was coming “soon”, though more responsible teaching, like that of Tertullian and Augustine, tempered those thoughts with more responsible understandings of  Scripture.

Tertullian stated Christians were responsible to pray for the then current Roman Empire which persecuted them, not because that  Empire was worthy nor because Christians were pacifists (most were not), but because Revelation clearly warned the churches something more frightening was to occur… a “flooding” of some kind that would sweep European civilization, and with it, the end of the Roman Empire bringing social upheaval for a time. Christians did indeed pray… and act upon such guidance attempting to bring in social reforms and stability.

However, the massive flooding of the barbarians did sweep the Empire and bring its demise as we all know, setting the stage for the Middle Ages. Even Tertullian would live to see the beginnings of that issue.

But, in the last several centuries, the Christian faith has repeatedly neglected the content of Revelation by teaching the imminent Return of  Christ, bringing ridicule upon the content of Scripture. The Millerites and some revival groups preached Christ’s Return in the 19th century. World War I was to be the era for Christ’s Return for some denominations. Varied dates have been assigned to His Return, always “apocalyptic” in content, rarely properly “proofed” from Scripture or the Apocalypse.

Now, we see the churches joined by Hollywood and television, all in agreement that the world is about to see a scorched earth, people huddled in little towns with meager resources, rampant murder, filth and debris in all directions … and some version of nuclear and/or biological holocaust.

Perhaps, a more responsible look at Revelation, coupled  with an intelligent inquiry into the Scriptures as The Book of  Eli recommends, should take place. Too much of  the Bible has been rejected through misquote…  or misrepresented Scripture. I see trying times ahead but I also see much good for mankind and the churches.
 
Incidentally, I enjoyed the movie…Perhaps, it’s because Denzel Washington, as always, is a great actor.
-    Submitted Wayne C. Sedlak  ICHR