I remember sitting in class at Bible college while my teacher would explain different points on a timeline of the end times. It all seemed so speculative to me, though shared with such an air of certainty. I’ve always been a skeptic regarding end times prophecies, including those that are interpretations of the authority itself, the Bible. Then I happened across the Bible teaching of Steve Gregg and discovered that the current school of Biblical prophecy interpretation is very modern. Someday I’ll write more about it… I’ve been meaning to. Suffice it to say, the beliefs popularized by the “Left Behind” books are very different from that of the historical church.
This has left me with the germ of a thought that I would like to research more. Why are we so fascinated by end-times prophecies and speculation. I don’t really know where to go to research the psychology behind it. So I thought I’d ask you, my readers. What do end-times prophecies mean to you? What meaning do they give to your life? Why is studying them important to you? Do prophecies help you by making the future more tangible? Do they make you hopeful or afraid?
I hope to hear from you.
3 responses so far ↓
1 Lisa Porter // Aug 11, 2008 at 8:31 am
End time prophecies do not hold a front row seat in my mind. They should give me a sense of urgency for my unsaved friends and loved ones, which does happen from time to time, but again, those thoughts don’t stay in the forefront of my mind for very long. It’s probably because I’m a control freak, which means the thought of change or surprise is very unsettling, so I try not to think about it. I don’t try to guess what the end times are going to be like. “Live in the now!” is the way I try to live my life, and trust that when I get there, God will take care of everything. ~ Lisa
2 Raul // Aug 14, 2008 at 10:49 pm
“Revelation” is a book teaming with unknown fantastical claims of the future, spun in allegory as to add to the novelty…
I think that’s why people are drawn to the end. For so long this story has been progressing; but toward what? To know there is an end can bring a sense of conclusion and completeness; wholeness to an un-wholly world (pun intended).
Also, I think part of the psychology lies in the same types of paranoia as any popular conspiracy theory. I’ve spent a lot of time studying the social dynamic (mostly the social commentary) within conspiracy.
People are driven by fear, and the idea that they are “in” on the “truth” or reality of the situation. That ultimate knowledge is the breach between the blissfully ignorant and the burdened cognizant.
Whether or not it is for the right reasons, I think people are really interested in how things are to end because of that psychological drive to be “in the know”
3 Deana // Sep 15, 2008 at 7:49 pm
End times prophecies don’t really stick out in my mind either. If we are studying it in church or a small group it catches my eye. And I seem to learn something with every teaching or study group. I do know that the Bible says blessed are those who study this book. So if the Bible says it, then I ought to do it. I do catch myself at times saying, “Come quickly Lord!”
But I am more focused on showing the love of Jesus anywhere with anyone at any time. That is me from the inside out. My heart aches for hurting and lost people.
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