Int. House of Prayer (part 2): Jesus Is Coming Back In 20 Years!?
A couple things I love about the International House of Prayer (I.H.O.P.) in Kansas City are: 1) its focus on “experiencing” ever-deepening intimacy with God; 2) its integration of emotional health.
One of the aspects of the I.H.O.P. community that concerns me is its views on the “end times” (i.e., its views on God’s plan for the future of the world). The I.H.O.P. community believes that Jesus is coming back soon, really soon. One lady we talked with at I.H.O.P. is convinced that Jesus is coming back within 30 years. I.H.O.P.’s views of the “end times” influence everything they do — eschatology (to use the theological term) is central for them. The I.H.O.P. community is preparing to be the bride of Christ — this is central for them.
One potential danger of I.H.O.P. focusing on Jesus’ imminent return is that I.H.O.P. may not be concerned with helping to transform this world. If Jesus is coming back any day now, why bother to help end poverty, AIDS, global warming, etc., etc., etc. That viewpoint, it seems to me, is the opposite viewpoint of Jesus — who was all about transforming this world in every way, ushering in justice, peace, and healing.
I think the evangelical Christian world needs to reform its eschatology … because much of the evangelical Christian world has a similar eschatology as I.H.O.P., though it’s usually not communicated as explicitly as it is at I.H.O.P. Our eschatology is important because our eschatology powerfully influences the way we live in this world!
For instance, if we think that this broken world is getting worse and worse (decaying, getting more evil, more broken, etc.), will we be inspired and motivated to help transform it?! If, on the other hand, we believe this broken world matters and is being transformed by God more and more — that the trajectory is up, rather than down — will we be more inspired and motivated to partner with God to help transform the world?
What if Jesus has already come back again — in the form of his Spirit? And what if this world is on a trajectory “up,” toward more and more transformation? What if this world is on a trajecotry of “intensification” of God’s loving, transforming presence?
December 13th, 2006 at 10:46 am
Preach it Andy! I so enjoyed being with you – you are beautiful!
December 14th, 2006 at 5:42 pm
Thanks, Sara. I had an absolutely wonderful, life-giving time with you, Dave and Hayden, who is gorgeous! And thanks again for the great chili and beer.
January 18th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
Obviously, I.H.O.P. holds a pretribulationist view of eschatology, which is the view that most evangelicals hold. However, I have a close friend who is staunchly POST-tribulationist in his eschatological view, and he brings up a point that so many “pre-tribbers” seem to hold a somewhat apathetic view of how to live the Christian life to prepare for the end times. For instance, there are some “pre-tribbers” who don’t seem to want to do much of the Lord’s work, because their attitude is, “why should I bother if Jesus is coming back.” The Apostle Paul warned against such an attitude the Thessalonians that believers must “work while we wait.”
I agree somewhat when you say, “I think the evangelical Christian world needs to reform its eschatology.” However, I like to consider myself an exception to the rule. I consider myself an evangelical, who leans towards the pre-tribulationist view, however I also know that Jesus gives us the Great Commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations. Regardless of when Christ is coming back — whether it’s before, during or after the Great Tribulation — the point is that we all need to be prepared for His imminent return. For one day, “every knee shall bow, every tongue shall confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord!”
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