What if they're wrong??

Have you ever noticed how some particular denominations can be dogmatic on some issues that are not necessarily clear in the Scripture (and often times weak on those which are)? Now, I know that in my own denomination's background we have probably been guilty of this as well, however I feel we are pretty balanced today. I believe that the issues we should be dogmatic on are those which the Bible makes abundantly clear.

One issue on which there are many differing views and lots of dogmatic opinion is the issue of when the Lord is going to return. Will it be Pre-millennial, Post-millennial, Amillennial? As if that is not enough choices, if you believe in the Pre-millennial view, you must then determine if you are Pre-tribulation, Mid-trib, or Post-trib...and even this list of views probably doesn't cover all of the options.

I am always interested in how different denominations cover this hot topic in their Statement of Beliefs. I found the following in one group's Statement of Beliefs today:

We believe the Bible presents the coming of Christ as personal, imminent, pre-tribulational and pre-millennial. We further contend that this position alone admonishes watchfulness, incites holy living, prevents spiritual declension, and provides maximum incentive and motive for urgency and zeal in evangelizing the unsaved. As demonic deception and satanic darkness deepens, we urge our ministers to maintain and proclaim this doctrinal viewpoint as the “blessed hope” of the Church.

Furthermore, we recommend that should any of our preachers hold to the mid or post-tribulation doctrine, they refrain from preaching and teaching it. Should they persist in emphasizing this doctrine to the point of making it an issue, their standing in the fellowship will be seriously affected.

Wow! Talk about strong! I take it they believe in the pre-trib/pre-millennial position! :) It makes me wonder...what if they are wrong? What if Jesus' return isn't pre-trib/pre-millennial? When the Anti-christ is revealed will they accept Him? Will they take the Mark of the Beast because Jesus hasn't returned and since He hasn't returned it couldn't be the Mark?

Just wondering...

What's the point of all of this? Good question...call it Thursday afternoon musing. I do know this - let's be dogmatic on what the Scripture is clear on, and a little more understanding in those issues that maybe aren't as clear.

Of course then again, some of you would argue that the Bible is very clear on this issue...

Now, for those of you who are calling me a heretic and wondering what view I am dogmatic about, it's called the Pan-theory...it's all going to pan out in the end - I'm dogmatic about that!