88 Reasons Why the Rapture will be in 1988 (a tome you can still , believe it or not). It was also the subject of a huge prophecy conference that year in the Anaheim Convention Center, I remember. The sequel came out a year later (same author) after obvious and awkward complications: The Final Shout: Rapture Report 1989 (also on Amazon, if youre interested). Then we all remember the more recent predictions (and later apologies) of Harold Camping about the End of the World being May 21, 2011. Somewhat ironically, it happened that the final exam for my grad course in eschatology and ecclesiology was scheduled for that very day. Real believers, I told the class, didnt need to study for that one! (No one took me up on it.)

blood moonSo now we have blood moons, tetrads, Jewish feasts, and cool-sounding apocalyptic biblical language (Acts 2:19-20, cf. Joel 2:30-31) all being marshaled to give biblical eschatology another black eye. While its true that this shiner is worn most by those actually fronting such things, I still get painted with it too. This is because I would probably have much in common with the Blood Mooners in the big questions of Christian orthodoxy, not to mention I also read Daniel, Jesus in the Olivet Discourse (e.g., Matt. 24-25), and Revelation as having application to the future.

Its one thing to be a scandal for the Gospel--the Gospel of Jesus Christ is scandalous to the world. Paul felt that, and I am proud to own that, too (1 Cor. 1:18-25). But blood moons as signs of the prophecy clock ticking is a scandal in the wrong direction.

Now Im all in favor of blood moons (awe-inspiring astronomical phenomenon!), tetrads (rare!), Jewish feasts (our overly Gentilized Church calendars should be more dominated by theseas they are fulfilled in Christ), and apocalyptic (it can be literal tooresurrection is a feature of apocalyptic and we all believe in that one). But put them together in yet another sensationalized, factually crazy ( are priceless), books-flying-off-the-shelf spectacle for the world, and I just shake my head. Were in the same ditch as those who have no hope.

Actually, I wouldnt mind at all if the blood moon clamor were right. Ill take the Lords Day over this present darkness any time! But in saying this, I also know that such predictions have been part of the Church since its founding. Every generation has located the signs of the end in its day. So, if you have a new supposed fulfillment youre cooking up, like blood moons, take a number and get in line! You have a lot of company.

Better is to keep ones focus about the end times where Scripture does. Why has God given his people any knowledge of the future? These are the things I have confidence in:

1. Knowledge of our story, the one God told us in the Bible including how it all ends, gives us stability for life. It gives comfort when standing for whats right (1 Pet. 2:23; Rev. 2-3), strength for service when weary (1 Cor. 15:58; 2 Cor. 5:10-11; 1 Pet. 5:4), grit to resist all thats unholy (1 Pet. 1:13-17), and intentionality for following the Master with all our heart (Matt. 16:24, 27). This world is not our home, and Christs coming for his own marks the end of our alien condition. We must live every day in the light of this truth, but God alone knows the end. His son said so (Mark 13:32).

2. Knowing Gods story keeps us from being taken in by those with other stories (see Matt. 24:5there will be pretenders). Its why Gods people dont need Tarot cards, psychics, astrology, channeling, etc. In fact, for their good, God even forbids these of his people (Deut .18:14-15).

3. Fulfilled prophecy validates the prophet (Deut. 18:21-22; see also Jeremiahs prophecy duel with Hananiah in Jer. 28:1-17good story).

4. Most of all, prophecy proves who is God and who is not. Who else can say, Truly I am God, I have no peer; I am God, and there is none like me, who announces the end from the beginning and reveals beforehand what has not yet occurred色 (Isa. 46:9-10)?

Someone wisely observed that God has told us just enough about the future so we don't despair, but not so much that we should not need him. Probably a wise balance and one I at least will aim for when the next blood moon comes around this fall.