As a young teenage Christian, still glowing with romance toward Jesus, I was introduced to books like Lindsay's Late, Great, Planet Earth that filled me with hopeful wonder that these things would indeed happen in my lifetime. The age of Aquarius was turning out to be only a pipe dream, and although the Vietnam War was winding down, we never achieved what we said in songs and proclamations. Our Nation had recently experienced the Jesus revolution, the birth of the Catholic charismatic movement, and we were hearing reports of great spiritual outpourings worldwide. The belief in a miraculous God who still did signs and wonders was taking root among evangelicals, and there were revivals in South America, Indonesia, Europe, Africa, and the Pacific Rim. As conversion rates took off, it looked like we were in the end times.
I must admit that my faith in the teachings of many, however, could not withstand my disbelief at how things like the mark of the beast, world hatred against Jews, massive armies coming against Jerusalem, war materials melting, one world government, and blood flowing as deep as a horse's bridle could ever come to pass. I found it challenging to imagine governments controlling speech, who could buy and sell, or worldwide tepid response to terrorist attacks.
It's nearly 2024, and I can believe those things are both possible and probable. Covid showed how easy it might be for governments to enforce compliance among free people without military force. What once placed a platoon leader in prison for Mai Lai is now debated as what Israel deserves. Who would ever have thought there would be protests in our universities and streets where some would call for the death of Jews or that one could see the Juden star once again placed on homes and businesses in Germany or the cities of allies who gave their sons to end the terror of Hitler? Add the specter of digital currency around the corner, and I wonder if I should revisit Hal Lindsay and similar works.
I probably won't seek out Hal, but this I will give my heart to because they are the words of my beloved:
Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against Nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all this, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers[c] and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name's sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.
Jesus Foretells Destruction of Jerusalem
"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
The Coming of the Son of Man
"And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads because your redemption is drawing near."
Luke 21: 10-28 ESV
I can see the beginning of some handwriting on the wall of humanity. The historical and technological stage is shaping up in ways that point to the biblical narrative or might deliver us to it. However, I choose not to fear or get weird about what is coming down the pike. Most importantly, with all my might, I will determine to look up and raise my head because my redemption is drawing near. We used to say, "Maranatha, come, Lord Jesus." I'm bringing that out of my mental mothballs to help me see world happenings, not in the pattern of the world, with fear, but in the faith of the Son of God.
Maranatha, come, Lord Jesus.
—George Davis
