Authors Tim LaHaye and Craig Parshall, say that the Obama administration’s use of the phrase “freedom of worship” instead of “freedom of religion” is indicative of the global unification of religion, and apocalypse. One might ask why they continue to write books and issue warnings. According to their eschatological beliefs, these things are inevitable and nothing remains but to tighten our seat belts for a bumpy ride.
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Gary is a graduate of Western Michigan University (1973) and earned his M.Div. at Reformed Theological Seminary in 1979. Author of countless essays, news articles, and more than 27 book titles, he also hosts The Gary DeMar Show, and History Unwrapped—both broadcasted and podcasted. Gary has lived in the Atlanta area since 1979 with his wife, Carol. They have two married sons and are enjoying being grandparents to their grandsons, Calvin and Paul. Gary and Carol are members of Midway Presbyterian Church (PCA).
The fundamental point is is that LaHaye's eschatology is wrong on biblical grounds. He only makes it worse by entrapping millions of Christians with his incorrect interpretation.
If we have counter ideas —bring 'em on. But the redefinitions of religion & religious freedoms that are going on are part of the abandonment of Truth and should be addressed as part of our apologetic & manner of living in the world —-regardless of how we feel about the messengers.
Reading Scripture & church history —many living through such times thought the End was nigh. Yet –they didn't lay down their faith & obedience to the apparent 'futility' of staying true & serving because the culture apparently wasn't receptive & the End was near anyway. It seems to me that the redemption & sanctification of individuals & cultures in their turn is an outcome and positive side effect of being true to & applying God's Word to all of life to the best of our ability, wherever and whenever we live in right relationship to Him. Maybe I'm missing something —but it seems silly to quibble this point which must be taken on faith at any rate, when we may be missing the real point of awareness of some very real & dangerous trends & ideas that we should understand, resist & counter REGARDLESS of our eschatology.
Wasn't it John Adams who wrestled with this prior to joining his effort to the Revolution because it might be the inevitable End —-yet determined & resolved that he should be joined to the effort & fighting for right in any event —even if 'futile'? How could Christ's return & the fulfillment & consummation of all things be determined 'futile' in the true sense of the word in any event? As you say —such twistings of truth & perversions leading to persecution have happened before. Should we ignore the facts of such warnings because we don't like the source or their interpretation of the facts? Or presume to know in advance the behavior of everyone who hears them?
Surely the blindness of self-assurance runs both ways ! After all–presumption in error has been known to occur in man. I don't understand why awareness of prophetical trends that have occurred and reoccurred in part in the past are such a threat in the present. Did Jesus not say that no man knows the Day, not even the Son, but the Father in Heaven? Yet, watch for the signs? Were the prophets wrong for warning Israel of events that were 'inevitable'? Has prophecy never been fulfilled partially as in David the King–then Jesus, THE King? Did being warned of the inevitable judgment of Israel, then Judah, absolve those who corrupted, added to or compromised the Word & Law & true faith in the meantime?