Theological and Hermeneutical Gymnastics

The bible is replete with information and directions concerning such things as atonement, salvation, justification, history, etc. But there is one topic that seems to permeate every section: eschatology. Eschatology is the study of the end times. PLUS, it is an impressive sounding word to use (try it later with your friends and impress them all).

All through the Old Testament and throughout the New, the time of the end, the day of the Lord, Jacob’s trouble and such topics are returned to again and again. It is a fascinating subject, which has been thoroughly confused by the type of thinking that led to the “Left Behind” books and the like. These ideas would lead us to believe that the Anti-Christ would rise out of Greece, and that the 10-nation confederacy would come out of the European Union. Those not raptured could still “accept Jesus” and be saved, so long as they do so before His return. A literal hermeneutic (method of reading the bible and yet another fancy word) does not allow for either of these ideas. A literal reading forces one to conclude that the Anti-Christ will rise out of the middle eastern areas which were, when Revelation was written, under the control of Rome. This same literal reading forces one to conclude the 10-nation confederacy will consist of the ancient enemies of Israel, which predictably, are the same enemies they have to this day. Remember, God declared there would always be enmity between them.

There are several reasons why the idea that those “left behind” who could still be saved only works with one people group – the Israelites, and more specifically, members of the scattered tribes. First is that Christians; the Church, are snatched away (Raptured) before the final week of years (7 year tribulation). Those not among the elect of Israel will not “still have a chance” because a great deception will be cast upon them, and they will not seek God because they cannot seek God. Don’t blame me, I didn’t say these things; Isaiah, Daniel, and the Apostles John and Paul said them.
Each of these writers had language available to them. Each wrote about things they had seen, not what they had imagined. Each could (and often did) know how to describe something that was “like” or “such as”  something else. Instead, when they wrote “I saw…”, this leaves very little room for theological gymnastics. No jumping through hoops is required.

What is truly amazing to me is how many people in “reformed theology” circles will use a literal hermeneutic when reading about salvation, but will flop 180 degrees and use a figurative hermeneutic and start allegorizing like crazy when they arrive at the most common topic of the bible, the time of the end.