Prophecy

Why Are Christians Freaking Out?

by Andrew Tuttle
04/23/21
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He’s coming.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, we’ve heard of His coming for ages.

But this time it feels real, doesn’t it?

So then why do so many Christians seem on edge?

A strange thing I’ve noticed in the past year since the start of the pandemic. The Christians I know have taken the coronavirus in stride whether they recognize it for what it is – an overblown reaction fueled by the media and government – or they feel secure in knowing where their final eternal destination rests. Maybe both!

Meanwhile, the non-Christians I know mask up like their life depends on it, believe everything fire hosed on them by the media and pretty much think death is coming for them named Covid – despite statistics saying otherwise.

Conversely, these same non-believers seem relaxed in knowing we simply need to get past the pandemic so we can return to the way things used to be. The Christian, however, fully recognizes the signs of the times and sees all that Jesus said would happen in Matthew 24 is happening - leaving them a wee bit tense.

Wars and rumors of wars. Plagues. Earthquakes. Volcanoes. Nations rising against nations or, as it’s literally interpreted, ethnos rising against ethnos, i.e. ethnicities rising against ethnicities. Locusts wreaking havoc in Africa. The southwest United States in dire drought straights while the country as a whole no longer presents a formidable foe to our enemies. 2 Timothy 3 describes the lay of the land to a T and, all the while, back in the Middle East an end times brew of ingredients setting up the war of Gog and Magog.  

Isn’t this what we have all been praying for?

The rapture of the church appears imminent. Perhaps our generation will be the generation that does not taste death. What a blessed hope! Perhaps one of these days, in the blink of an eye, your weekly coffee talk get together with friends takes you from discussing the world’s events to suddenly meeting Him in the clouds.  

Leaving all that you have ever known behind.

Maybe that’s why so many Christians come across a little apprehensive. Because the reality of that taught to us by Bible believing pastors no longer sounds like fantasy or at least no longer feels something we can kick the can down the road on.  

Despite the riots, lockdowns, assault on civil liberties and the ever looming policies of a federal government looking to bring that which we used to war against as the established  authority, life in America remains relatively low key and, for some, maybe a bit hopeful.  This is all we know, why would we want to leave it? Heaven Can Wait, I once wrote.  

Let’s be honest. Though we long for heaven, the idea of heaven and eternity and dying or being raptured can send you down a weird thinking rabbit hole in the middle of the night. It’s beyond our comprehension and we really have no idea what heaven will be like. One reason I began reading Heaven by Randy Alcorn. It’s a bit of a slog at times, I really just want to get to the good parts (Will I See Max in Heaven?) but I am taking it page by page. However, even Mr. Alcorn is probably a bit off in what to expect.

The Bible also does not make clear on how long the current trials and tribulations last for believers prior to His coming in the clouds. Living through the prophesied birth pains could very well mean the loss of our home, job, or loved ones, and even our own death, in any number of possible scenarios. Therefore, perhaps the stress meter for many Christians rises because “it’s getting real” and now their faith requires even more determination and strength to get through only God knows how long.

How many of us have friends and family who we know will be left behind and how many of us have friends and family who we wonder if they will be left behind?

I know far too many parents who trained their children in the way they should go but as they grew older fully abandoned it. On multiple occasions, I have heard a parent worry they will not see their child come to faith before they die. But, if you read the fig tree leaves than these parents understand they might no longer have decades to pray, and knowing the coming wrath causes them to shiver for their child. Fold in Hebrews 6 to this dilemma and these parents have every reason for concern.

Lastly, watching prophecy fulfilled in real time drops a dose of reality. Am I secure in my faith? Will I be left behind? Horrific thoughts. Are you simply “playing church?” Then stop. We all let doubt creep in from time to time. So keep praying. Read your Bible. Congregate with other believers.  Go to church.

Here’s the thing: Nothing can prepare us to meet the maker of the heavens and earth. The eternal God. Jesus. He knows everything about you.

So perhaps that’s why so many Christians are freaking out.