CONLUSION
In closing let me say, “Eschatology is not for everyone.” As one theologian phrased it over a hundred years ago, “There is too much dogmatizing on whether the Rapture would occur before or after the Tribulation, therefore we prefer to leave it for that day to reveal.” For some people this statement expresses their sentiments exactly. Whatever God has intended for His people is good enough for them and their futuristic curiosity doesn't need to be satiated. It's enough for them to follow the teachings of Godly living, without complicating their minds with ‘this view’ or ‘that view’ concerning the end times. Eschatology is certainly a fundamental doctrine, but it is not the absolute, utmost priority for a mature growth in Jesus. For a majority of Christians out there the ‘end of the age’ is just not that important. I’ve often heard comments like, “I don’t think this end times stuff really matters”, or “It’s too complicated and not that important to me”. The problem with these views, however, is that it focuses on what “I think”, or what “I feel”, rather than on how God views the end of the age. Let’s remember, for a moment, that the first time God sent His only Son into this world it was for the purpose of bringing salvation and redemption to a lost world. Jesus came to this earth as a servant, humbling Himself to the will of the Father, even to the point of dying on the cross for our sins. Jesus, the Creator of all things, endured ridicule, shame, beatings, and finally the cruelest form of death known to man at that time...from the very creatures He created. The lowly Son of Man, who came riding in on a donkey on Palm Sunday, will now appear for the whole world to see. This time, not as a meek and unobtrusive figure, but as the glorious and powerful Son of God (and no one is going to lay a hand on Him this time). His power will be powerful enough to shake the heavens, move the earth out of her orbit, and cause everyone on the entire face of the planet to witness His glorious appearing. His second time to earth will be an immense contrast from His first visit. I really believe the Father wants His Son to have the most spectacular entrance imaginable, and to show the world and ‘those who’ve pierced Him’ that Jesus is not this wimpy little man portrayed in pictures and theaters, but the very power and majesty of God.
My purpose for writing this book was not necessarily to provoke everyone into becoming scholars regarding 'last days events', but simply to present, as uncomplicated as possible (even though I know it seemed impossible) a systematic exposition of related scripture passages dealing with the Day of the Lord and what events precede our Lord's second coming. As I have stated earlier in this book, the pretrib view has by far the most supporters, but I have a feeling, as time progresses, that some of these 'posttrib-supporting' views will start gaining popularity, especially as the rise in Christian persecutions around the world increases. I personally believe that when Jesus returns nobody will be a believer in the pretrib theory. The pretrib view, which has for the last century had the prevailing support from the 'prophetic scholors', will soon take a back seat in prophetic teaching as the spirit of ungodliness increases. There are people I've talked to who always said they had a 'gut' feeling that we (the American churches) might eventually go through some serious persecutions in the future. Well, maybe this book will provide some Biblical backing for those 'gut' feelings. I believe, if my conception of the Day of the Lord is correct, the Church should not be left ignorant of another possible future for Her, and if She's going to go though a time when there is no fence-riding then She better get off the fence and start enduring a little persecution before the 'Big One' gets here.
