A year for restoring hope

Too many Christians like to focus on the dark side of Bible prophecy, and this impairs their vision for Israel, the Church and even their own lives.

By JÜRGEN BÜHLER
western wall kotel 1912 521 (photo credit: Courtesy of American Colony/ Matson Eric GPO)
western wall kotel 1912 521
(photo credit: Courtesy of American Colony/ Matson Eric GPO)
Without question, 2011 was a truly extraordinary year. One could not help but recall how the Prophet Haggai foresaw a time when God would shake everything that can be shaken. In March, we witnessed the apocalyptic images of the tsunami hitting Japan – just one of a succession of huge natural disasters of late.
The European Union is in the greatest financial crisis since the Eurozone was launched. Americans are increasingly divided over their role internationally. In the Middle East, the entire region is being shaken. Aging despots have been forced out and replaced by Islamist factions.
In a recent year-end review, New York Times columnist Roger Cohen declared, “There’s agony in Euroland, angst in America, uncertainty in Asia and anger on the Arab street. Everyone’s feeling the birth pangs of global integration.”
He could hardly have given a better description of what Jesus foretold 2,000 years ago about the end of days: “And there will be… on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity… men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken” (Luke 21:25-26).
Where do we stand as Christians in all of this? Are we also fearful and perplexed? Since Israel’s modern rebirth in 1948, most Evangelicals (myself included) have believed we are living in the last days. But there are also many hopeless Christians. I have attended prophecy conferences and Israel gatherings all around the world where, all too often, Christian messengers predicted only gloom and doom for Israel and the nations.
We have to ask ourselves: To what worldview do we subscribe? I understand that the Word of God predicts troublesome times such as the world has not seen before. But these prospects should not cause us to have a fatalistic worldview where we cannot see any good coming.
The Prophet Joel foresaw the nations one day being gathered together in the valley of Jehoshaphat (the Kidron valley in Jerusalem) to be judged by God concerning their mistreatment of Israel. But this same prophet could also see God pouring out His Spirit upon all flesh “before the great and terrible day of the Lord.” While he understood the seriousness of God’s end-time judgments, Joel also spoke of revival and proclaimed a message of hope that “everybody who calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved.”
The Prophet Daniel describes in chapter 11 the rise of an evil and frightening figure who will “make war” on the saints. Yet in the midst of this dark time are people who “know their God, and they are strong and carry out great exploits.” While he saw the redeemed under great persecution, he also them as saw victorious overcomers.
In Chapter 12, the same prophet sees terrible times such as never before. And in exactly that setting, Daniel sees the saints not as weak and defeated but shining as bright stars on a dark firmament, leading many to righteousness. We should never forget that even in the darkest times ahead, the Word of God foresees a body of believers having an incredible impact – doing “great” exploits and leading “many” to righteousness.
Too many Christians like to focus on the dark side of Bible prophecy, and this impairs their vision for Israel, the Church and even their own lives. What is your vision for the future? Can you see God working through you in 2012? Make no mistake! The word of God does not promise that times will become easier – on the contrary. Yet if our outlook is focused on apostasies and wars, who will want to join our fellowship? Rather, let us be those who restore hope!
Dr. Bühler is executive director of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem; www.icej.org