21st-Century-Eschatology Is A Misnomer

21st-century-eschatology is a misnomer. Webster defines misnomer as the misnaming of a thing. While there are endtime views and programs that may be appropriate for this century, they are not relevant to the last days message of the Bible.

The parallels of 21st-century-eschatology to the endtime scenarios of the Bible would be that of nations who experience demise such as Saddam Hussein's Iraq.

Hussein's regime no longer rules, thus Iraq as once known under his rule ended. In that sense, it corresponds to events in the Bible involving the fall of nations or cities.

21st-century-eschatology can learn from the example of Lot and Sodom and Gomorrah. The flood, Jericho and other cities of Canaan are equally good patterns. Many more can be added including ancient Israel, (the 10 Northern tribes whose glory years ended with Assyrian captivity in 721 B.C.). Joel described the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 B.C. as a day of the Lord, i.e. an eschatological day. Babylon was routed by the Medo-Persians, who fell to Alexander the Great's Macedonian army. Finally they were swallowed up by the Romans.

All the above meet the general criteria of endtimes events. However, none of them qualify as the great and terrible day of the Lord spoken of in scripture. This is where 21st-century-eschatology and biblical eschatology part paths.

While nations today and in our future may see their fall as history goes, the difference between what may happen to nations in our times lacks one critical element. They are not the subject of divine revelation through inspired prophetic utterances as were the events of the Bible. They have no revelatory purpose in Scripture.

Chronologically, there are twenty "too many" centuries to align with the Biblical endtime. It belongs specifically to the first century.

Other religions such as Islam may have endtime programs peculiar to our times which involve obliterating Christianity or America and the modern state of Israel.

Armageddon in their minds is a code word for the battle of America and Israel. Were such to happen it would likewise have no bearing on the eschatology of scripture. It is understood that this viewpoint differs widely from popular and political opinion.

However, it is necessary for today's society, (which by the way is much better informed generally on the importance of eschatology in our world) to gain more precise knowledge of endtime matters.

Fear runs rampant through the misguided rants of present day prophecy pundits. The opportunity today is the ongoing debate between 21st-century-eschatology and the first century endtime. It is our opinion that the former will fail as did all 20th century eschatology and all its non-biblical predecessors.

Jesus made it very clear that the endtime of objective of his message was the then present day generation. In fact, he articulated this so clearly, that he literally stated some then living would not die until they saw him coming in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. (See Matthew 16:27, 28). You'll find much more said on those versus and the topic throughout this website.

For now let it suffice to say that 21st-century-eschatology demands a serious overhaul. It threatens to weaken and terrify others because of its fearfully terrorizing mix of fanaticism.

For those not steeped in the drunkenness of Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins' "Left Behind" fiction, progress is slowly but effectively being made. The outlook is bright, the arguments are solid and many a one-man army is putting tens of thousands to flight.

Once you've had an opportunity to view examples from the biblical sources, you'll better understand the distinction being made here between the biblical endtime or last days and endtimes generally speaking, i.e. of nations, people or events throughout the ongoing developments of history.