Lucian and Tom,
There are realities out there in the world that many people just don't see. Politics is a big, messy, business.
It's sad to see that there are so many Americans who are kept in the dark.
And can't see the real picture of the government that rules them.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Ps. 50)
Justin wrote:I've noticed a widespread fascination with eschatology in Orthodox circles all over this country. It's important in other places, too, but really, what it does come down to is living as we are supposed to regardless of what's going on or who's in power doing what horrible thing. I think that there is a huge eschatological mania that a lot of us retain because of our protestant and very darbyist culture. It's like agonizing over what's going to happen if you leave the house for the day. You leave the house and follow the rules you've been taught, and if something bad happens, it was meant to be. Recounting true prophecies or just rumors of rumors that ripple the water don't do much but start cheap conversation (of which I am the chief participant, hahah) that generally devolves into personal attack fests like this! Oh, and forgive me if I've offended anyone. I've mentioned no names, just my opinion (which I suppose is enough to cause a ruckuss).
I understand and appreciate what you are saying, but I have a few points to make that show why I disagree with it.
First, a pet peeve: why is it that everyone attributes the eschatological interests of converts to a supposed residual Protestantism?
Are Protestants the only ones who believe in the Second Coming?
How does one account for the Fathers' interest in it?
There is no hint of Darbysim in our discussion here. No one is citing Darby, Scofield, Chafer, et al. We are discussing what the Scripture and the Fathers have to say. Most of us are aware that the Church condemned chiliasm at the Second Ecumenical Council, at Constantinople, in 381.
Second, the Lord (through St. John) promises a blessing to those who read and keep the words of the Book of Revelation (Rev. 1:3).
Why should we avoid reading, studying, and discussing it?
Third, if the Lord wanted us to just go about our business without a concern for his Second Coming and the events the precede it, why did He bother to tell us about it?
Again, why did the Fathers trouble themselves about it?
Fourth, we need to know about this stuff in order to prepare ourselves or - if we are not the generation that sees the rise of the Antichrist - to pass on the Apostolic teaching concerning these things.
A healthy interest in eschatology is very Orthodox, in my humble opinion.
Joasia wrote:Lucian and Tom,
There are realities out there in the world that many people just don't see. Politics is a big, messy, business.
It's sad to see that there are so many Americans who are kept in the dark.
And can't see the real picture of the government that rules them.
Accusations and paltry conspiracy theories are a dime-a-dozen.
When one accuses those whom God has set over him or her of intentionally murdering thousands of people, it is customary (or at least common courtesy) to provide some evidence.
Accusations without evidence amount to backbiting (malicious gossip).
Rejecting lawful authority and speaking evil of dignitaries (see Jude 7-9) is not something to do lightly.
Lucian,
It's only gossip if there is no outward evidence. I can send you some websites, if you like...as evidence.
Even Jon Stewart on the Daily Show can poke holes through it.
He does it with humour, which makes the political personal look even more ridiculous.
There's no need to preach though. It's also important to know when the authority lie to us. There was nothing wrong with the Christians talking to each other about the Godless authority called Julius Caesar. They knew exactly what he was about, except for the Romans. Isn't it just as important to know who our authorities are?
That Bush and Kerry were members of the Skull and Bones secret brotherhood which is a direct afront to God, as they follow another god.
That previous presidents were also involved in these secret societies.
I'm not making this up. It's factual proof provided by many sources.
Washington was a freemason. He wore their symbol. Check your dollar bill. Does that pyramid and the eye, reflect an authority that believes in God? These are Egyptian occult symbols.
Don't tell me, that this is the first time you're hearing this information.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Ps. 50)
Joasia wrote:You think the Rockerfellers are something. You should read up on the Rothchilds. They're the ones that invented the Star of David.
Bah! Just a symbol. But the Tri-Lateral Commission..... now that is POWER!
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They say that I am bad news. They say "Stay Away."
