Why are evangelical Christians so intent on ending the world?

Question

I find it extremely saddening that you can not see the sanctity and beauty of the world in which you live. Is it not better to focus on living well in this world, and improving the lives of those around you, than focusing on this eschatological outlook? There are many problems that are not being addressed, such as the threat of global warming.

I believe that these are only the last days if Christians succeed in making them so. You are so focused on the next that this world is neglected. There are things that need to be done NOW in order to preserve this world. If you are wrong (and there is always that possibility no matter how sure you feel) then your children and grandchildren will be the ones who will suffer.

To me, it seems that your sentiment is that: "It doesn't matter what happens to this world as I'm going to heaven", or: "The quicker this world is destroyed then the quicker judgement day will come and I'll have my perfect life". These sentiments do not reflect well on you.

primoa1970:
What if this world IS meant to be the permanent home and that your heaven will be made on Earth? If your belief is wrong, your children and grandchildren will suffer. Is this what you want?

Skip:
You're right, it's a position statement. I'm trying to stir debate and thinking. This is what I believe. I find it frustrating that a large number of people seem to be actively trying to destroy the only home humanity has. Nature will survive, humans may not.

primoa1970:
What if the thinking of your deity is: "build it and he will come"? There is free will and personal responsibility to take in to account here.

zotta1:
If you think I'm paranoid, please look at the answer of primoa1970. This is exactly the attitude I'm referring to.

Beng T:
Good answer. I disagree, but a good answer. To live is to suffer, the thing is to alleviate as much of the suffering as possible through the application of compassion.

Answer 1

Those who ignore environmental problems because they think the world will end soon are wrong because, assuming it does end soon, they still have a duty as human beings, to look after God's creation as stewards of the King of creation. God placed Adam in the garden to literally "serve and protect" (in the Hebrew) it, the Bible teaches that we have a duty of care to the planet. In the law in the Torah, not only the disadvantaged humans in society (widows, fatherless, aliens) are to be cared and provided for, but also the wild animals. The land itself is to enjoy periodic rests from farming.

However, it is also right to be interested inthe end of the world since it is a hugely important topic mentioned throughout the Bible. There are certain things about life on earth that cannot be fixed by us. Even if we took care of the environment and reversed global warming, there is still the problem of our sinful nature, and the imperfect nature of a fallen world, in which there are natural disasters, suffering and death. None of this is ideal, and God's intent is to restore the universe to perfection and harmony and put an end to disease, death, suffering. Thus, eschatology is important.

Answer 2

Christians are not intent on ending the world. In fact when Jesus returns, He will rule and reign here on this earth for 1000 years! After the angels clean it up, it will be more beautiful than can now be imagined. That is what Christians look forward to. It is too bad that non-Christians won't a part of it. This is also what Christians keep trying to get others to join.

On the other hand, the Bible tells us to be observant today as to signs, one is Israel becoming a nation again. There are many technologies today that seem to be in line with prophesies. Such as in Revelation it says that "peoples and tribes and tongues and nations" will witness the 2 prophets dead bodies lying in the street, which was not possible until television (or internet) and satellites. The anti-Christ controls buying and selling all over the world, which was not possible until computers and software such as you now see with grocery store cards and ID chips. The anti-Christ seems to come into power after an economic catastrophe and America's debt better worry you there, because if we fall so will the rest of the world.

But to a Christian this is not the end, but the beginning to a much better life.

Answer 3

I'm evangelical and I love the beauty of this world. I do not know of or have ever met an evangelical who deliberately goes out of his or her way to destroy this world. We know it will end one day. You are just too paranoid.

Also - if you haven't noticed - we are not the only ones saying this. Look at the climate change movement going on at the moment. Christians were saying all these things 30 years ago and were laughed at.

Answer 4

That's not it at all, but we do see the signs of the times and know its coming. Our consolation is heaven. If you need signs , you may want to look up The Hal Lindsey Report on the Internet.

Answer 5

This isn't so much of a question as a position statement.

However, I do agree. Any Christian who is looking forward to the end times certainly has a different understanding of it than I do.

Answer 6

They hate freedom and America. I have no doubt that the world will be destroyed by a fundamentalist launching a nuclear weapon muttering something about 'god's will' as they kill us all.

Answer 7

I'm not intent on the world ending....

But I am intent on the return of Christ.

You see, this world is NOT our permanent home.......so things like global warming are on the back-burner in my life.

Nothing can compare to the joy that is coming!

This world is NOT forever......but heaven is......and that's where I'm going.

Edit:

Regardless of what we do to the planet....God is going to make all things new.

Answer 8

Follow the money.