Is The End Of The World Imminent?

Is The End Of The World Imminent?

Mr. Waddey:
Have you heard or read a book called Epicenter written by Joel C. Rosenberg? He suggests that the end of days are two to three years away. He cites Ezekiel 38 and 39 and says that the Bible referring to Russia and Iran as the ones being talked about in these chapters? His main point is Russia is giving Iran all the necessary technology to build weapons of mass destruction. he says once Iran has them it will try to wipe Israel as its president is always saying. This event will led to a massive nuclear war since America will join in and Russia on the opposite side. This world will come to and end once the super powers start a nuclear war.
-Jim

Dear Jim:
I am not familiar with the book Epicenter, nor its author Joel Rosenberg. I am however familiar with the story line. People who have embraced Premillennialism have been saying this for well over 100 years.

In that period of time hundreds of writers and speakers have predicted the return of Christ and the end of our world to be at hand. Most notable here in America have been the Jehovah's Witnesses, the Seventh Day Adventists, and Herbert Armstrong's, World Wide Church of God. Among Evangelical Protestant churches C. I . Scofield, who attached his strong premillennial views to his Scofield Reference Bible has had great influence. Hal Lindsey author of the book The Late Great Planet Earth which has sold well over 40 million copies has been a major promoter of this flawed theory. The Left Behind series of novels by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins have also contributed greatly to the spread of this erroneous view. Dallas Theological Seminary has sent forth a swarm of preachers thoroughly indoctrinated in this speculative view. Chief among its teachers were Lewis Sperry Chafer and John Walvoord. Today, most Evangelical Protestant preachers have embraced the premillennial approach to the Bible. Premillennialism is the belief that Jesus will return to earth and set up a messianic kingdom and make war on his enemies and then reign a thousand years. It is like a quilt made of hundreds of unrelated scraps of materials, stitched together to make a pattern. It is contrary to the overall teaching of the Bible on Christ's kingdom and his return. Jesus accomplished his mission on earth (John 17:4). His death was part of the eternal purpose of God (Acts 2:23). He is now King of Kings (I Tim. 6:15), reigning in heaven upon the throne of David (Rev. 3:7). His kingdom is the church and is now in existence (Matt. 16:18; Col.1:13). When he returns the earth will be destroyed by fire (II Pet. 3:12) and the kingdom (church) will be delivered up to the Father (I Cor. 15:24).

In Ezekiel 38 and 39, the writer speaks of Gog whom God is against (38:1-3). Just who Gog is is not stated, nor can we determine who or what specific nation the writer had in mind. The one thing that is discernable is that Gog stands for those godless nations that have opposed God and persecuted his people. To understand this or any section of the Bible, the historical context must be taken in to consideration. Ezekiel was God's prophet to the Hebrews who were in Babylonian Captivity between 606 and 536 B.C. They had been swept from their land by Assyrian and Babylonian armies and their allies. The prophet's book was written to comfort the Hebrews in their affliction and to provide them hope of survival and restoration to their homeland. Gog most likely stand for the leaders of those powerful heathen nations who had enslaved God's people. In 38:21-39:4 the prophet promises that God will destroy Gog and all of his allies who have made war on Israel. "And the nations shall know that I am Jehovah, the Holy One in Israel" (39:7). "So the house of Israel shall know that I am Jehovah their God, from that day forward. And the nations (Gentiles) shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity" (39:22-23). "Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Now will I bring back the captivity of Jacob and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel" (39:25). This last verse provides the key. It has to do with the restoration of the Hebrews from their Babylonian Captivity. Thus it has nothing to do with modern Russia, Iran, etc.

You should now that in every generation, as various great aggressor nations have arisen, premillennial teachers have tried to apply these and similar verses to them. Each in turn failed to material.

As to the date of Christ's return he makes it clear "Of that day and hour knoweth no one, not even the angels of heaven, neither the Son, but the Father only" (Matt. 24:36). Given this verse, any man who claims to know the date of Christ's return is claiming to know more than Christ himself. Such a claimant is a false teacher and a deceiver.

Sincerely,

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