Originally published in "The Lord's Coming Herald & Wesleyan Bible Prophecy Advocate," February Edition 2008
Why Would Anyone Want To Be Indifferent To The Second Coming?
The Bible says that Christians are to “look for” and “love” the second
coming of Jesus Christ--both positive attitudes (Titus 2:13; Heb. 9:28; II Tim.
4:8). Nowhere does the Scripture condone the manifestation of an attitude of
indifference, prejudice, or disaffectation toward the reality of His future
appearing.
Yet today, we find increasing numbers of professed Christians with affected
attitudes toward the mentioning of Christ’s soon return. Modern preachers
studiously avoid the subject of end-time Bible prophecy altogether, citing
“controversy” as the reason why they choose to ignore it.
There is a technical philosophical term for this sort of attitudinal problem.
It’s called “cognitive dissonance.” The word “cognitive” refers to the
understanding of the mind, and “dissonance” means disquieting discord, or
disharmony. To be in “cognitive dissonance” over the second coming of Jesus
Christ, then, is be mentally buffaloed or intellectually stymied concerning it. Things that cause cognitive dissonance are usually either disinformation,
failure of expectations, or outright scandal.
We are saying that the disinformation contained it the widespread teachings of
popular Scofield/Darbyism has caused
a huge scandal of failed expectations to surface that only increases the longer time goes on and the scenario of Darbyism fails
to materialize. As a natural reaction to the disillusionment that has been
occasioned by the false programming of dispensationalism, excuses for
being INDIFFERENT toward the second coming of Jesus Christ are now becoming
increasingly popular.
Here are a few verses from the New Testament often taken out of context to
support modern affected attitudes of indifference:
1. “No man knows the day or hour when Christ returns” (Matt. 24: 36);
2. “It is not for you to know the times or seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power” (Acts 1:7); and,
3. “Just be ready” (Matt. 24:44).
What the above verses actually say--when the whole context in which they are set has been considered--does not justify a masking over of the false understanding of the Word of God being promoted by dispensational premillennialism with a cloak of time-orientated indifference. Rather, everywhere within the biblical presentation of end-time teachings there is the exhortation to keenness of anticipation and watchfulness.
“Being ready” does not consist of fostering a mentality that closed-mindedly clings to Darbyism! “Readiness” is, rather, only to be had in the circle of the truth! Being ready for Christ's return means, most fundamentally, to be a Christian, and "Christian" means embracing truth.
Truth-seeking and closed-mindedness are opposing psychological dynamics--principles that lead to opposite practical results.
The one practical result produces watchfulness and holy living. The other is a scandal that lead ultimately to disillusionment and indifference.
Which dynamic motivates you: the truth of the Bible, or dispensational error?
Related Article Links
Looking For That Blessed Hope
Jesus Is Coming Soon
Ready Is More Than A Cliche