Hi I was wondering if you could possibly answer a few qustions for me, but first let me explain myself. I’m 15 going-on-16 i am reading the Left Behind Series for kids i am on book number 27. While reading these books a have developed an intrest in whats goning to happen and when, do you think you could helop me with this? Also I would like to no if I was to commit myself to God what would happen if I sinned or messed up? Also how do I commit myself to God what do I do and how do I do it? Also how do I no that I’ve done it right, do I feel something? And one more question how do I get other people to believe as I do, like faimly and close friends? Well thank you for your time. ~ Amy Mellon P.S. is there any signs to the end of time, do think it’s near? If so please tell me what you beleive.
The Left Behind series of books represents religious fiction; they are more fiction than biblically correct. These books capitalize upon a popular religious doctrine called premillennialism, which concerns the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, at which time he supposedly will establish a 1,000-year physical kingdom with his throne in Jerusalem. Premillennialism is based on the mistaken and non-biblical ideas: (1) Jesus Christ failed to establish the kingdom when he came the first time. (2) The type of kingdom Jesus Christ came to establish was a physical kingdom and not a spiritual kingdom. (3) Jesus Christ established the church as a temporary substitute for the kingdom he came to establish. (4) Signs of the times will indicate when Jesus will return.
The truth is: (1) To ascribe failure to Jesus Christ in a failed attempt to do anything he purposed to do would essentially dethrone Jesus as Christ and from consideration of possessing the qualities of Deity. (2) Jesus plainly told Governor Pilate that our Lord’s kingdom was not a physical kingdom, but that it was a spiritual kingdom. Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence” (John 18:36). Pilate could not have been loyal to the Roman Emperor had he believed Jesus meant to establish a physical kingdom when Pilate said, “I find in him no fault at all” (John 18:38). Jesus had already refused two offers to be king over a physical kingdom (Satan’s offer, Matthew 4:8-10; contemporary Jews in the first century, John 6:15). (3) Jesus used the terms “church” and “kingdom” interchangeably (Matthew 16:18-19). Jesus also gave Peter the “keys of the kingdom,” which he used to open the doors of the church (Acts 2). The church was in the eternal purpose of God (Ephesians 3:10-11). The power with which Jesus said the kingdom would be established within the lifetime of the people to whom he was speaking brought the church into existence (Mark 9:1; Acts 2:1-4). The church and the kingdom, as well as the body and the house of God, etc. refer to the same divine, spiritual institution.
(4) The only signs of the times in the New Testament refer to the destruction of Jerusalem that occurred already in A.D. 70. The disciples of Jesus were impressed with the grandeur of the Temple compound and dumbfounded when Jesus said it would all be completely destroyed (Matthew 24:1-2). The disciples mistakenly thought the buildings were so massive that nothing short of the end of the world could destroy them (Matthew 24:3). Jesus, though, answered two questions posed by his disciples (the destruction of Jerusalem, Matthew 24:4-35; the end of time and the Second Coming, Matthew 24:36-51). The signs of the times pertain to the destruction of Jerusalem and appear in that context. The Second Coming part of the context begins with the affirmation of Jesus that he did not know when the Second Coming would be: “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Matthew 24:36).
Jesus did not leave humanity without information regarding how one’s past sins may be taken away. Summarized, Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16). Earlier, Jesus had also included repentance (Luke 13:3) and telling others about one’s faith in him (Matthew 10:32). Hence, man’s part of initial salvation includes belief or faith (John 8:24), repentance (Acts 2:38), professing Jesus Christ to be the Son of God (Romans 10:9-10; Acts 8:37) and immersion (a burial) in water for the remission of sins (Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12; Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21).
Assurance of salvation is not owing to a subjective, emotional feeling, but is based on knowledge of God’s Word with which one complies [obeys, Hebrews 5:8-9; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9]. A good feeling based on biblical evidence and one’s compliance with the Word of God is not subjective but certain–certified by the written Word of God. Please allow me to assist you further respecting God’s redemptive plan, or contact a local congregation of the churches of Christ in your community.
