Vetting Teaching

It really bothered me that so many people across the world were working incredibly hard to connect recent historical events in some way or form to the timeline of end-time prophecy.

During some time of fellowship that I was privileged to have with some mates, it happened as it occasionally does that we ended up in the gauntlet of a debate. The conversation followed the watching of a YouTube clip that touched on some apparently relevant issues surrounding the global COVID 19 pandemic and how it relates to the end-times prophecy mentioned in the Bible.

This was the latest in a stream of clips that have been coming my way that was focused on discussing, not just covid 19, but also how a number of global events over the last seventy years could be related back to end-time prophecy. It really bothered me that so many people across the world were working incredibly hard to connect recent historical events in some way or form to the timeline of end-time prophecy.

Although not one of these speakers would be bold enough to commit themselves to speculate the return date of the Lord Jesus there were some that were convinced that massive milestones in our very near future would be directly related to very specific events that were prophesied. As a rule of thumb, I like to look at any teaching from scripture objectively and for the most part like to connect the dots for myself. This is not because I do not trust the credibility of the speakers but simply because I do not know them well enough to vouch for their research and teaching.

This then brings me to the actual focus of this post. I was accused of being hard-headed and difficult to reason with. I took that as a compliment and invested some time to meditate on why this claim would even be made. As it turned out I spoke out and in retrospect, this became sound reasoning for me and has set a new perspective for me when it comes to interrogating any teaching, doctrine, or Biblical opinion in the future.
I remember making the statement that the weight of some one’s opinion in my life would be determined by the amount of real-estate they owned in it. There were so many things that logically line up with scripture but I felt that I could only agree with what was taught if I was able to substantiate the teaching through or with reference to scripture.

At this point, I must be honest enough to acknowledge that time or at least the lack thereof often keeps me from totally immersing myself in every wave of teaching that I may come across. This also means that I find it of utmost importance to repetitively rehash the importance of the very basics of the Gospel of Jesus.

LOVE THE LORD ABOVE ALL ELSE AND YOUR NEIGHBOUR AS YOURSELF.

When I find that there is a trend or general direction of any seasonal teaching I ask myself simply how this knowledge or doctrine would improve or impact my ability to live out the one commandment given by Jesus. If it lines up with what I already know of the Bible and guides me to greater understanding and obedience to the Lord of Lord’s then it becomes part of what I accept and shapes how I think moving forward.

This may be an archaic way of thinking in some people’s minds, but I find that it forms a strong foundation for stable ongoing growth in my personal walk with my Lord Jesus.