In the early 1970s, during the “Jesus Revolution”, speculation reached a fever point around Biblical prophecies anticipated to be fulfilled very soon (especially those from the book of Revelation). Hal Lindsey’s 1973 book, The Late Great Planet Earth — translated into 54 languages — was the non-fiction bestseller of the decade, eventually topping 35 million copies sold.
This thirst for getting a grip on the future — and who doesn’t want some handle on the future — occasionally leads believers into detours. I remember a young man whose newfound faith revolved around his numerical formula identifying then President Richard Nixon as the 666 beast of Revelation. His unhealthy focus took him in the wrong direction.
Enthusiasm for prophetic conjecture has brought fame to other authors. From 1995 through 2007, Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins teamed up to release the mega popular Left Behind series of books which sold around 80 million copies, followed by 5 related movies. As a result, many present-day Christians have been influenced by the connections to contemporary culture contained in those publications of Lindsey and LaHaye and Jenkins.
However, it is valuable to weigh these publications against a historical perspective of the Bible. Here’s a statement by Ben Witherington III of Asbury Theological Seminary regarding almost 2,000 years of attempts to decode the book of Revelation.
Indeed if one is a student of the history of the interpretation of Revelation, one recognizes a near 100 percent failure rate when matching up images and events in Revelation with particular historical figures. (Revelation — New Cambridge Bible Commentary).
But, before you rush to “throw out the baby of truth with the bathwater of speculation”, consider that, although Revelation is not primarily a plethora of images to translate into current events, Jesus pulls back the veil of the unseen realm to reveal his power and glory throughout the book. As you study, notice that Jesus and those who trust him are portrayed as conquerors over our broken, defiant, godless world. Therefore you may nourish your spirit with the mystery of his eternal presence and future hope of his final victory, enabling you to stand in the midst of any current oppression you might experience — even an oppressor as formidable as an antichrist.
John (the same John who most scholars believe wrote Revelation) wrote this about antichrists.
Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. I John 2:18-19 ESV
Meditating on Revelation’s mysteries can energize us to build the Kingdom of God, fight discouragement, resist sin, and love one another — even if Jesus doesn’t return during our earthly journey. Therefore, although we might entertain a healthy curiosity about specific images in the book, it’s counterproductive to obsess about Richard Nixon or any other world leader being the antichrist or to develop anxiety around, or fixate on, the book’s scenarios being fulfilled in particular ways. Those approaches are best left to prophecy “cherry-pickers” in strange cults.
As we search Revelation these next few months, we’ll examine methods respected scholars have developed for reading and understanding this complex and critical message from Jesus. Pray this study will enhance understanding of our abundant heritage in Jesus Christ and encourage us to daily anticipate and value the inestimable benefits of his return.
by Kathleen Petersen
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