Manipulated Christians

by Van Robison

Most of us as Christians have heard all our lives "Jesus is coming are you ready", or "Jesus is coming soon", and "we are living in the end times", and similar phrases that have shaped our thinking. After many years, any thinking person has to wonder exactly when is "soon" that Jesus is coming again? One church I was associated with many years ago published a booklet entitled 1975 in Prophecy!, which led the readers to believe that "end time" events would come to a basic conclusion around the year 1975. The author now deceased, who was Herbert W. Armstrong was dead wrong. Like countless other "prophets" who have made specific predictions, and who set dates for specified events, Herbert W. Armstrong misled many people.

Not only did Herbert W. Armstrong make false statements about "prophecy" being fulfilled, but many famous name preachers of our day and age have done so also, such as Pat Robertson, Hal Lindsey, Jack Van Impy and many others. Their television broadcasts, and their books reveal what they predicted and even though their predictions failed, they continue to speak as if they represent truth. Hal Lindsey in his famous book The Late Great Planet Earth predicted the "rapture" in 1988, which never took place. Many of these same "prophets" also jumped on the "Y2K" bandwagon, and they were all in error. Some internet sites have posted a listing of failed prophetic predictions that have been made over the years by various church leaders and book authors.

Probably the greatest reason that millions of Christians believe celebrity preachers know what they are talking about, is because they are on television or they are famous for selling millions of copies of their books. Truth however is not determined by being on television, or because an author's book(s) sells millions of copies. Countless Christians have had their attention focused on "end times" and "last days" events by many preachers and book writers. A great deal of misguided belief stems from the private and personal interpretations of the book of Revelation and other prophetic sayings in scriptures. Even among "pastors", they also are greatly influenced by "celebrity" personalities, and in turn promote false teachings about "end times."

Jesus Christ was asked the question "When will the Kingdom of God come?" in Luke 17:20, and His reply was "THE KINGDOM OF GOD COMES---NOT WITH OBSERVATION" (King James New Testament). From my perspective that means we won't see it, so why do we look for a physical something that Jesus said we can't observe in the physical realm? And Jesus goes on to say in verse 21 "Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN YOU." That is so profound that many "scholars", "theologians", and multitudes of Christians still don't believe it or comprehend it. Jesus said it, and it is recorded for us. Do other scriptures override the words Jesus Christ spoke? Some "prophets" seem to think so.

The reason the Kingdom of God is within us, is because Jesus Christ lives in us through the Holy Spirit. From the time that Christians first started being told "Jesus is coming soon", millions of Christians the world over have died and gone on to eternal life with Jesus Christ. The focus on future events is a false focus, when the real focus of all Christians should simply be to "take up your cross daily and follow Me--Jesus Christ." The purpose of our lives is not to cower in fear waiting for a supposed "rapture" that we are told is coming soon, but we are meant to live life and be salt in the earth, and to let our light so shine, that men may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:13-16).

Christians unfortunately have been and are easily manipulated by preachers who often don't have a clue what they are talking about in terms of "prophecy". As a result, many Christians are manipulated and spiritually abused by "authoritative" church leaders, who make others believe they are God's spokesman. There is no greater Teacher or Counselor that ever lived besides Jesus Christ, and when we choose to believe Jesus Christ instead of the many false prophets in this world, we will know truth.