The Rise and Spread of Futurism - The Effects of Futurism
Summary: Futurism has permeated Christian theology. What are the consequences of accepting such a doctrine?
When most Christians look at the last 1500 years, how much fulfilled prophecy do they see?
None. Because almost everything is now being applied to a future time period after the rapture.
As we have seen, this idea of separating the weeks originated with the Jesuits, and its insertion into the majority of 21st-century prophetic teaching is now blinding millions of hearts and eyes to what has happened and is happening in the Church.
It is this theory that permeates Futurism’s interpretation of all apocalyptic prophecy. Jesuit futurism has now become like a 300-pound boxer with spiked gloves. With an apparently all-powerful punch, it has almost knocked Protestant historicism entirely out of the ring:
"The proper eschatological term for the view most taught today is futurism…which fuels the confusion of dispensationalism. The futuristic school of Bible prophecy came from the Roman Catholic Church, specifically her Jesuit theologians…However the alternative has been believed for centuries. It is known as historicism." Robert Caringola, Seventy Weeks: The Historical Alternative (Abundant Life Ministries Reformed Press, 1991): 6.
"It is a matter of deep regret that those who hold and advocate the futurist system at the present day, Protestants as they are for the most part, are thus really playing into the hands of Rome, and helping to screen the Papacy from detection as the Antichrist." Joseph Tanner, Daniel and the Revelation: The Chart of Prophecy and Our Place In It, A Study of the Historical and Futurist Interpretation (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1898): 16.
Who had the right theology—those who were burned at the stake for Jesus Christ or those who lit the fires?
Who had the true Bible doctrine—the martyrs or their persecutors?
Who had the correct interpretation of the Antichrist—those who died trusting in the blood of Christ or those who shed the blood of God’s dear saints?
Jesuit futurism’s aim is to deny the Protestant Reformation’s application of prophecy, giving the Vatican an alternative doctrine:
" The futurist school of Bible prophecy was created for one reason and one reason only: to counter the Protestant Reformation!" Robert Caringola, Seventy Weeks: The Historical Alternative (Abundant Life Ministries Reformed Press, 1991): 34.
In fact, Jesuit futurism is at war with the prophecies of the Word of God itself. And if that’s not enough, consider this: Jesuit futurism originated with the Roman Catholic Church, which makes it the very doctrine of the Antichrist. When Christian ministries and movies like A Thief in the Night, Apocalypse, Revelation, Tribulation, and Left Behind: The Movie proclaim an Antichrist who comes only after the rapture, what are they really doing? They are sincerely and unknowingly teaching the doctrine of the Antichrist.
We live in a time when obedience is characterized as legalism, prophecy is viewed as some sort of optional study because no one can accurately understand it, and the love of Jesus over rides any rational reasoning, essentially voiding the Word of God.
Along with the relativistic attitude so popular today, it is no wonder that, according to a Barna Group study, 55% of American pastors do not believe in the Bible anymore as the unerring Word of God. While the Bible has its good points, they say, it is not to be taken too literally.
The sad truth is, however, that rarely does a congregation rise much above the pastor or church leadership. Most people simply accept what comes from the pulpit without checking its accuracy in the Word of God.
We are no longer people of the Book. Instead we follow the majority. There is a perceived safety in numbers. The majority of Christians can’t be wrong, can they? Hasn’t God appointed these pastors to their positions? But sadly, church leadership throughout Bible history has often been wrong.
Although futurism may be a comforting doctrine, it demands a faith that has no justification or fulfilment in the Bible or any history book. The Bible must be its own expositor. Letting the Bible explain itself allows for no other private interpretation. The Bible calls itself a double-edged sword:
"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword" (Hebrews 4:12).
God loves everyone and calls us to love everyone
It is never comfortable to have error exposed—not to the one having to say it nor to the one listening. It is always much easier to compromise or to say nothing. God has patience with each one us, and leads us to truth as we are able. All Christians are growing as God leads them.
God loves everyone and calls us to love everyone as well. Part of loving others is to speak the truth in love. We must accept the truth no matter what others may think, and no matter how deep it cuts us (2 Thessalonians 2:10).
Summary: Futurism has permeated Christian theology. What are the consequences of accepting such a doctrine?
When most Christians look at the last 1500 years, how much fulfilled prophecy do they see?
None. Because almost everything is now being applied to a future time period after the rapture.
As we have seen, this idea of separating the weeks originated with the Jesuits, and its insertion into the majority of 21st-century prophetic teaching is now blinding millions of hearts and eyes to what has happened and is happening in the Church.
It is this theory that permeates Futurism’s interpretation of all apocalyptic prophecy. Jesuit futurism has now become like a 300-pound boxer with spiked gloves. With an apparently all-powerful punch, it has almost knocked Protestant historicism entirely out of the ring:
"The proper eschatological term for the view most taught today is futurism…which fuels the confusion of dispensationalism. The futuristic school of Bible prophecy came from the Roman Catholic Church, specifically her Jesuit theologians…However the alternative has been believed for centuries. It is known as historicism." Robert Caringola, Seventy Weeks: The Historical Alternative (Abundant Life Ministries Reformed Press, 1991): 6.
"It is a matter of deep regret that those who hold and advocate the futurist system at the present day, Protestants as they are for the most part, are thus really playing into the hands of Rome, and helping to screen the Papacy from detection as the Antichrist." Joseph Tanner, Daniel and the Revelation: The Chart of Prophecy and Our Place In It, A Study of the Historical and Futurist Interpretation (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1898): 16.
Who had the right theology—those who were burned at the stake for Jesus Christ or those who lit the fires?
Who had the true Bible doctrine—the martyrs or their persecutors?
Who had the correct interpretation of the Antichrist—those who died trusting in the blood of Christ or those who shed the blood of God’s dear saints?
Jesuit futurism’s aim is to deny the Protestant Reformation’s application of prophecy, giving the Vatican an alternative doctrine:
" The futurist school of Bible prophecy was created for one reason and one reason only: to counter the Protestant Reformation!" Robert Caringola, Seventy Weeks: The Historical Alternative (Abundant Life Ministries Reformed Press, 1991): 34.
In fact, Jesuit futurism is at war with the prophecies of the Word of God itself. And if that’s not enough, consider this: Jesuit futurism originated with the Roman Catholic Church, which makes it the very doctrine of the Antichrist. When Christian ministries and movies like A Thief in the Night, Apocalypse, Revelation, Tribulation, and Left Behind: The Movie proclaim an Antichrist who comes only after the rapture, what are they really doing? They are sincerely and unknowingly teaching the doctrine of the Antichrist.
We live in a time when obedience is characterized as legalism, prophecy is viewed as some sort of optional study because no one can accurately understand it, and the love of Jesus over rides any rational reasoning, essentially voiding the Word of God.
Along with the relativistic attitude so popular today, it is no wonder that, according to a Barna Group study, 55% of American pastors do not believe in the Bible anymore as the unerring Word of God. While the Bible has its good points, they say, it is not to be taken too literally.
The sad truth is, however, that rarely does a congregation rise much above the pastor or church leadership. Most people simply accept what comes from the pulpit without checking its accuracy in the Word of God.
We are no longer people of the Book. Instead we follow the majority. There is a perceived safety in numbers. The majority of Christians can’t be wrong, can they? Hasn’t God appointed these pastors to their positions? But sadly, church leadership throughout Bible history has often been wrong.
Although futurism may be a comforting doctrine, it demands a faith that has no justification or fulfilment in the Bible or any history book. The Bible must be its own expositor. Letting the Bible explain itself allows for no other private interpretation. The Bible calls itself a double-edged sword:
"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword" (Hebrews 4:12).
God loves everyone and calls us to love everyone
It is never comfortable to have error exposed—not to the one having to say it nor to the one listening. It is always much easier to compromise or to say nothing. God has patience with each one us, and leads us to truth as we are able. All Christians are growing as God leads them.
God loves everyone and calls us to love everyone as well. Part of loving others is to speak the truth in love. We must accept the truth no matter what others may think, and no matter how deep it cuts us (2 Thessalonians 2:10).