The tale of two prophecies

 

Over the years I have noticed that some denominations will preach on prophecy and the subject of eschatology. I think if we look at the beliefs and history of the denomination and their identity within the body of Christ, we may be able to uncover some insight as to why this may be. 

Historical churches, that is those that can trace back an unbroken line to the early church. Church such as Catholic, Protestant ( those coming out of the Catholic faith ) Orthodox, and Coptic to name a few see prophecy as an ongoing, never-ending part of who they are. They see prophetic signs in many parts of their lives and through world events. The gift of prophecy is not one given only to the major prophets of the old testament. They are not limited to the prophecies of the End Times. They can be as simple as a prophetic word of the upcoming needs of those around us. 

Those more modern churches, those offshoots from the reformation such as Baptist, Methodist,  Evangelical, and non-denomination can identify with a point in time when their founder had a revolution and started a theological understanding and began a new spiritual movement. They did not see themselves as reformers in that they are working within the framework of the established church. They disregard the past traditions and jump back to the bible. Many times disregarding any and all writings and traditions that may have occurred in the early part of the church. The time in which the New Testament was being written down and codified in what we now know as the NT. These denominations are more likely to be those that teach and focus on prophecy and the End Times. Due in part that they are less able to point back to the past, and more able to focus on future events. 

Please don't mistake my conclusions here. I am not pointing out that one way is right and the other wrong. I hope to only point out that these may well be only an understanding from verifying worldviews as understood by their understanding of their place in the body of Christ. I fear that this ongoing debate within the church ( even more so with recent events ) has become a point of contention that the devil has capitalized on. The world now sees the church-dividing from the world and the church again dividing within itself. The world sees the church debating and flaming one another on social media of understanding the times. 

In the end, we can all agree that there will be troubling times, each generation will have its moments of struggle and celebration. But know that Jesus is Lord of lords and King of kings. And he promised that one day He will come again. Until then hold fast to the promises He has given that they who believe in Him will have everlasting life.