Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Looking for Such Things
(II Peter 3:14)
Having in the final chapter of his epistle outlined the major epochs of the world from creation to the distant future, Peter made the assumption that his first century readers were looking “for such things” (14). Peter’s assumption indicates that each generation should be engaged in looking for the fulfillment of Bible prophecy (3:12 and Titus 2:13). In other words, Christians should be expectant and excited about the imminent return of Christ and forthcoming end-time events. We should be “looking,” discerning our age and taking note as God sets the stage for the end.
Much of Christianity, however, purposely ignores the end-time indicators. Take, for example, the reestablishment of the nation of Israel on May 14, 1948. Those who hold to a literal interpretation of the words of Scripture immediately recognized the significance of the event: God’s time clock of prophecy had begun to tick. Many so-called Christians, however, ignored the event and have subsequently denied any prophetic significance for Israel. In fact, there is an ongoing move afoot to denigrate Israel—both as the people of God and as a legitimate nation.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, America’s largest Lutheran body, has published articles sharply critical of “Christian Zionists” who support Israel. Taking matters a step further, organizations have arisen among professing Christians to bolster the Palestinian claims to the Holy Land. Such blatant denial of Biblical prophecy springs from Covenant Theology, a Protestant error whereby the church replaces Israel as the recipient of all God’s promises to the Jews. In the light of Peter’s assumption that believers should “look for such things,” the claims of Covenant Theology are, in reality, hogwash.
