There has been quite the explosion of end time prophecy teachers since the late Tim Lahaye and Jerry Jenkins released their wildly popular “Left Behind” series. I read all the books myself waiting expectantly for each one to come out about a year apart. It’s what got me interested in end times doctrine myself.

There are many outstanding prophecy teachers that have emerged since then who have added a massive amount of material to the body of teaching on the topic. It’s a keen interest of mine and I continue to follow many of these teachers.

What About the Mission?

That said, are we reaching the point where end times teaching is elevated above core teachings so desperately needed in the church? I find myself wondering why there is such an intense focus on end times teaching which, in my opinion is subordinating many other massively important biblical doctrines that should be dominating teaching bandwidth in our churches. The mission is to preach the gospel, make disciples and equip the saints. I think end times teaching does indeed equip the saints in an important area but it’s not the main focus of the mission.

Beyond the Pale

Some teachers have gone to the extent of doing intense research, writing, podcasts, etc about highly technical domains such artificial intelligence, quantum computing, robotics, and crypto currency to name a few. These technologies will likely drive the Antichrist system but I question the value of the technical deep dives.

For example, I recently read a very technical multipart series from a brother about the algorithms that make AI work. Total TMI. The purpose of the series was to answer a odd question about whether an AI entity can be demon possessed. Why this particular person felt it necessary to dive into the technical complexities of AI to answer the question is perplexing. The question can be easily answered in a single paragraph using only scriptural references.

While I appreciate the end times coverage, many of these teachers cover the exact same material in much the same way over and over again. Teachers, instead of focusing on the mission of the gospel and associated teaching of key doctrines that build up the church seem too focused planning the next prophecy conference. These conferences are expensive, with a limited reach to a very small community within the church that follows these teachers. I’m part of that community and I do incorporate prophecy as a teaching priority in my home church but I’ve come to recognize that other more important teachings are neglected. End times prophecy is a good segue to the gospel but it’s not the gospel.

Mission, Mission, Mission

In these last days there should be laser focus on mission related doctrines and equipping the saints. In Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians, he writes to set things right about end times matters including the rapture, the coming wrath, the last days, and the prerequisite for the arrival on the man of sin. But he was writing to a church that was clearly well known for their focus on taking the gospel to the streets.

1 Thessalonians 1:5-8
…our gospel did not come to you merely in words, but in power and in the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction (surely you recall the character we displayed when we came among you to help you). And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, when you received the message with joy that comes from the Holy Spirit, despite great affliction. As a result you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For from you the message of the Lord has echoed forth not just in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place reports of your faith in God have spread, so that we do not need to say anything.

What are our churches to be known for? End times teaching or getting people trained to spread the gospel? From my own observations, most pastors assume that saved people know how to effectively share the gospel. But from my observations of believers, they don’t share the gospel because they don’t know how.

There is a big disconnect between what pastors think is happening and what is actually not happening. Many believers want to share their faith. But church leadership makes a false assumption about their ability to do so. (Based on my experience, most pastors and elders also don’t know how to effectively preach the gospel.) I know because I have trained people about how to share their faith. When people came into the church class for training, they only had a desire to learn, tempered with fear of rejection. Most people have a confidence issue as well as simply not knowing what to do or say. By the end of the training most people have the skills to steer a conversation to spiritual matters, diagnose a person’s spiritual background and condition and share the gospel effectively.

Then there are the important follow up matters of assimilating new believers into a good church, home church planting, baptism, and discipleship.

Equipping believers in core mission activity should be the primary focus. I don’t think it is in most churches, which means we are missing a huge opportunity. Has the Lord provided a narrow window of opportunity for the church to prepare? I think so.

Pastors might be surprised about how many of their parishioners would like training in ministry. It would be interesting to do a survey card one Sunday morning on a few questions:

1. Have you ever received formal training in how to share the gospel?
2. Would you attend a class that not only trained you to share the gospel but also gave you the opportunity to share the gospel with unbelievers?

In a healthy, Bible believing church, there should be some interest. If there isn’t, that may also tell you something valuable about the spiritual health of your church.

Core Mission Training

In my opinion, there are three core mission teachings that need much more emphasis in today’s church: 1) basic equipping of people to effectively share the gospel, 2) practical training in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and 3) the supernatural ministry of Jesus Christ as a model for the church.

I appreciate the emergence of biblical prophecy teaching in the church. It’s been a neglected body of teaching for far too long. But my concern is that other more urgent doctrines and training are taking a back seat to prophecy. Biblical prophecy is certainly a good motivation for the gospel but it does no good to be knowledgeable about everything in end times prophecy and know nothing about how to share the gospel.

Does your church have an equipping ministry for any of the above areas? Let me know.