Kingdom Now Or Apocalypse Next

by Roger Oakland
www.understandthetimes.org

Some news headlines attract my attention. This one certainly did: “Lutheran leader calls for ecumenical council to address growing biblical fundamentalism.” [1]

Now, to explain what this headline means, I will quote from the article:

The leader of the nation’s largest Lutheran denomination has called for a global Christian council to address an identity crisis on how churches interpret and understand the Bible. Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson of the Evangelical Church in America called for Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican and Lutheran churches to come together to combat a fundamentalist-millenialist-apocalypticist reading of the Scripture.” [2]

Bishop Mark Hanson

Perhaps you may be wondering: How significant is this statement? Who is Bishop Mark Hanson and what is he really advocating?

Here’s the answer. Hanson called for the formation of a “global ecumenical council” during the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America’s Assembly in Orlando, Florida in August of 2005. Hanson is also president of the Geneva-based Lutheran World Federation. [3] His request for a group to monitor and expose anti-ecumenists who take the Bible literally carries some weight!

Hanson’s message contained other statements that indicate his disdain for Bible believing Christians – particularly those who take Bible prophecy seriously and see Israel and the Middle East crisis as an end times sign post. For example he said:

Mainline churches traditionally are uneasy with literal readings of Scripture, particularly in fundamentalist churches, regarding the end of the world and political unrest in the Middle East. [4]
Now, let’s evaluate Bishop Hanson’s statement. He said that if you are a believer in a biblical end-times scenario that is based on taking the Bible literally, you are dangerous and counterproductive to the cause of Christ. He would like to form a council made up of Roman Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans and like-minded Lutherans to investigate and deal with this “crisis”.

In other words, Bishop Hanson views those who reject “Kingdom Now” and believe in “apocalypse next” as fundamentalist-millenialist-apocalypticist crackpots.

But there is more. Hanson seems to believe the Reformation was without cause and that the church must join with the Roman Catholic Church and embrace the Eucharistic Jesus in order to bring about an ecumenical unity and the Kingdom of God here on earth.

Quoting once more from the article:

Hanson also urged the Vatican to work with the Lutheran World Federation to develop a joint statement on the Eucharist to mark the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation in 2017.

What does this mean?

Eucharistic Unification

Roman Catholic Eucharistic Jesus

I have been following the Roman Catholic Church’s agenda to evangelize the world for about a decade. It is a fact that many evangelical Protestants are unaware that there is an agenda. It is also a fact that some are aware, but simply don’t care. They agree Christianity should no longer be burdened by doctrine and different beliefs that are divisive. Let’s all be one, they say.

However, there are those who study Bible prophecy who have grave concerns. They believe the Scriptures warn about a time of great spiritual deception that will occur before Jesus returns. They believe deception takes place in His name and many will be deceived. When they hear statements made by leaders saying “unity at any cost” without giving regard to “the finished work of the cross,” they are urged to sound a warning. Thus the reason for this commentary!

Further, Bishop Hanson, not only called for a “global committee” to discuss “dangerous” Christians, he has also called upon the Vatican to facilitate unity of the brethren by making a “Eucharistic Sharing Agreement”. Here is what an article titled “Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Assembly Hears Presiding Bishop’s Report” stated about this agreement:

Hanson reminded the assembly that “the unity of the church as the Body of Christ is not a goal to be attained, but in fact to be recognized…” In that regard, Hanson referenced the ecumenical work of the ELCA in establishing five full communion partnerships and the recommendation for an interim Eucharistic Sharing agreement with the United Methodist Church that will come about before the assembly August 11. He then suggested that the ELCA “explore the possibility of a joint declaration of the Eucharist” with Roman Catholics “as one way of celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation in 2017.” [5]

Eucharistic Ecumenism

Today the word “Reformation” is merely a word without meaning for most Christians. They have no idea what the Reformation was about or the fact that some of the reformers died as a result of standing up for biblical truth.

For example, author J. C. Ryle made this point clear. In a book titled Light for Old Times, published in 1890, Ryle stated:

The point I refer to is the special reason why our reformers were burned. Great indeed would be our mistake if we supposed that they suffered in the vague charge of refusing submission to the Pope, or desiring to maintain the independence of the Church of England. Nothing of the kind! The principal reason why they were burned was because they refused one of the peculiar doctrines of the Romish church. On that doctrine, in almost every case, hinged their life or death. If they admitted it, they might live, if they refused it, they must die. The doctrine in question was the real presence of the body and blood of Christ in the consecrated elements of bread and wine in the Lord’s Supper…[6]

Reformers Burned At The Stake

Perhaps some who read this article will not understand what this previous statement means. Let me explain in simple words what Ryle documented. He said that Reformers were burned at the stake during the Reformation because they refused to believe that a priest could turn a wafer into the presence of Jesus during Mass.

Now of course, that was then, and such barbaric practices are not happening now. But, it is important to mention that the Roman view of the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is still required to be a member of the Roman Catholic Church:

If anyone denies that in the sacrament of the most Holy Eucharist are contained truly, really and substantially the body and blood together with the soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, and consequently the whole Christ, but says that He is in it only as in a sign, or figure or force, let him be anathema. [7]

This is why I am amazed when I hear about a Lutheran Bishop promoting ecumenical unity with the Vatican focused on a Eucharistic unification. It is very clear that the Vatican has no intentions of revising their view on the presence of Christ in the Eucharist. In order for Eucharistic ecumenism to be a reality - that would mean those who are not Roman Catholic will have to become Roman Catholic by accepting that Jesus Christ is present in the Communion wafer – if there is going to be “Christian unity” Rome’s way.

Mother Of All Churches

So, if Eucharistic ecumenism happens by the year 2017, look for a unification of the “separated brethren” with Rome – according to Rome’s rules. Second, there will be more and more pressure on those who resist this ecumenical agenda. Remember, while Hanson is promoting Eucharistic unification with Rome, he is also concerned about those who resist such unification.

I for one will be on a road headed in the opposite direction. I believe in unity, but at the foot of the cross – the empty cross, where Jesus said as He died, “It is finished!” – no more sacrifices required.

Finally, with regard to human beings establishing the Kingdom of God here on planet earth - this will never happen. The Bible states that the Kingdom of God will be established by King Jesus alone, after there has been an apocalypse.

[1] http://news.ucc.org/index.php/option=cpm_content&task=view7id=2977Itemid=54, Religion News Service, August 11, 2005. Emphasis mine.
[2] Ibid. Emphasis not in original.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] www.elca.org/ScriptLib/CO/ELCA_News/encArticleList.asp?article=3137, August 9, 2005.
[6] J. C. Ryle, Light from Old Times - Volume 1, Charles Nolan Publishers, Moscow, ID, 1890, pages 54-55.
[7] The Canons and Decrees of The Council of Trent, Rockford, IL, Tan Books and Publishers, Inc., 1978, page 79, Canon 1.