I have said many times that there are some things I believe that I would not go to the stake for – my ecclesiology and eschatology, for example. The New Testament teaches three forms of church government. You can decide which you prefer – the congregational, episcopal or presbyterian. As for eschatology I certainly don’t think the Bible teaches more than one point of view but, it seems to me, has purposefully been less than clear as to the details of the very last days. Why? Possibly to keep us from gloating should we get it exactly right, that is, in advance of the unfolding of events. Never forget that the details of the First Coming of Jesus were not fully understood until after the events transpired. What if it should be that way regarding the Second Coming? Would you be disappointed?
I would go to the stake for my soteriology and doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Indeed, my views on salvation and the Spirit have got me into more trouble than anything else. I have had to fight the “Elijah complex” for years! As for the doctrine of last things, I would love – I cannot exaggerate how much – to have the Book of Revelation unraveled before my eyes. If this were to happen, does it mean I should preach it? Or keep it to myself?
What I believe as I write these lines is this: Jesus – the same Jesus who died on a cross and rose from the grave – is literally, physically and openly coming again. I believe His coming will be preceded by a Great Awakening – the most stunning in the history of the Church. This awakening will include the lifting of the blindness on Israel and the conversion of hundreds of thousands of Jews. It will also result in the overthrow of Islam by virtue of so many Muslims openly coming to Jesus Christ. Parallel with this will be the Church being awakened and a restoration of power as in the days of the earliest Church – including people being raised from the dead.
Would I go to the stake for these opinions? No. But I believe what I just wrote. Not as much as I believe what I do about the Holy Spirit and salvation. But almost!
It is my prayer – most fervent prayer (only God knows how deeply I want this) – that an “oath level” clarification will come to me regarding things eschatological in my lifetime. Were this clarification to come I would then be willing to announce that I would go to the stake for what I have put in this brief blog.
Question: how much of what you believe would you be willing to go to the stake for?
RTK
Read more in my book on this fascinating and important subject. On sale this month.