Why Do Christians FEAR Christ's Return?

Published on April 11, 2005 By Gideon MacLeish In Religion

As a longtime Christian, there is an attitude among my contemporaries that I can only describe as incomprehensible.

Countless books have been written documenting end times theories based on probably the most misunderstood piece of literature EVER!

And virtually all of them have revolved around a fear of the end times.

This is silly.

Christ will return when He chooses, and, according to MY theology, at least, that should be a time of JOY, not fear and dread, for Christians. The only way I can see a Christian FEARING Christ's return would be if they are unsure of their faith.

And I'll leave the article on that note.

Comments

InfoGeek

on Apr 11, 2005

The only way I can see a Christian FEARING Christ's return would be if they are unsure of their faith.

I think you're misreading the situation.

I don't think that they fear the return as a question of their faith. People intrinsically do not like chage. We don't. We like things as they are. It's basic to our makeup. Sameness is good. Now here comes this Bible and tells us in very vague terms what heaven is like. No details. Just JOY. Well, I'm happy now, thank you very much. I have my wife and kids, a job I like, cable TV, Starbucks, Krisy Kreme and thenew Fantastic Four mvoie is coming out in July, so i am happy, why mess with that compared to a vague description of Joy?

Will I die, yes. Do I fear it, no. Do I fear the leaving of what I love for another reality? Yes.

That's where the fear resides, not inthe Coming, but in the Leaving.

IG

carebear07

on Apr 11, 2005

I think people are afraid because they don't know what to expect when Christ does return. The are afraid of what could or might happen. And it could also be that they are unsure of their faith too.

I also agree with InfoGeek. Some people do not like change. So maybe that's why.

~carebear~

Ionolast

on Apr 11, 2005

I think you're way off base, InfoGeek. Why all the worry that, "Is my faith strong enough?" Why do they go to church every week (even more frequently sometimes) to try to be sure that they'll go to Heaven? Why do they want to be Baptized? Why do they pray for God to make them better people and to show them how to love and worship him more?

Ionolast

on Apr 11, 2005

Some people do not like change

Even if it's supposedly a change for the better? Besides, after they're dead they won't care.

Ionolast

on Apr 11, 2005

Will I die, yes. Do I fear it, no. Do I fear the leaving of what I love for another reality? Yes

I think you just contradicted yourself.

InfoGeek

on Apr 11, 2005

Even if it's supposedly a change for the better? Besides, after they're dead they won't care.

But, you or I don't know that. And thsat's the point. No one knows what we will and will not remember when we change form.

I think you just contradicted yourself.

No contradiction. I do not fear the termination of this life cycle. I fear the unknown. What is after mortal coil is shuffled off.

IG

ParaTed2k

on Apr 11, 2005

I don't fear the second coming for myself, but I do for others. Also, there are supposed to be some awefully catastraphic things going on between now and then, so at least for this Christian, I don't fear the actual Second Coming, but I do fear the calamities to come.

Of course, on the other hand, my whole adult life has been based on responding to and (more recently) satiring such catastrophies, so I will have plenty to keep me busy... and plenty of material!!! ;~D

Dr Guy

on Apr 11, 2005

fear? no. Regret? yes. For it means Childhood's end, and I want my children to have a life before they must pass on.

Reiki-House

on Apr 11, 2005

Imagine you're staying at the ultimate King's palace somewhere you created. Imagine you and all your friends acting like selfish humans who enjoy the frivolous sin that surrounds us. Imagine you're really into banging on women, lots, whenever you can. Imagine being told on day 1 that one day the palace owner will come back. Years and decades and eons pass. That promise is as old as the hills. It's largely seen as symbolic, but with a twist of truth to it. The palace is polluted. The pollution can only be stopped if the spoiled kids will stop crapping in the palace water supply. For them to do so would mean spending tons of money, money they'd rather have themselves. Look at some of the people in the palace. Some of them like to eat their own feces. Some like to molest little children while pretending to work for God. Tons like to rape women violently, many like killing people for fun. Some people like to bang on statues of the Virgin Mary, and some like to drink people's piss and blood and anything else. To want to see Jesus return would be the same as wanting to look at the hideous darkness which really does lurk under all people's very thin soulskin. People will go to great lengths to avoid this fact.

bakerstreet

on Apr 11, 2005

There needs to be a new subdivision for Christians that feel this way. In reality many Christians, and most theologists, reject the literalist interpretation of the book of Revelation. Many, possibly most, Christians don't believe in a literal second coming at all.

So, when you say "Christians", I think it is a bit inaccurate. The whole "Left Behind" phenomenon is a side-show of religion. The only reason NBC and others want to "explore" Revelations is because of the success of those books. I have a feeling if you asked the people who read them if they believed that it would go that way, most would disagree.

Ionolast

on Apr 11, 2005

In reality many Christians, and most theologists, reject the literalist interpretation of the book of Revelation. Many, possibly most, Christians don't believe in a literal second coming at all.

Three cheers for evolution!

preacherman

on Apr 11, 2005

It could be Gideon that the beliver has not lived a consecrated life for the Lord that brought their salvation- " And now, little children, abide in Him, that when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming". 1John 2:28

Greetings Iconoclast.... my friend.

preacherman

Spc Nobody Special

on Apr 11, 2005

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.

But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.
Phil. 1:21-24

Dr Guy

on Apr 12, 2005

Three cheers for evolution!

I thought it was Revolution?

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