Well what do you know?
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If Christians actually followed Jesus and not their Pastor's interpretation or their church collectives, we'd probably not even be in this mess.
I disagree. Humanity is supposed to go to a singular point where during the end times the anti Christ will reign for a little while. It's gonna happen no matter what because we're imperfect humans who unfortunately gravitate towards sin. Some more than others. And the devil is always trying to plot and murder and lie because he hates humanity, which was created in the image of God. And that makes us unique and a mortal representation of the almighty Creator. Father, Son, Holy Ghost=Father, child, mother. I also think it's important to pray for discernment on what God is ACTUALLY saying in the scriptures, not necessarily what a pastor thinks. A lot of pastors are good and do preach the Word correctly, but like I've said, nobody I perfect. It's our responsibility to ruminate on the Bible for ourselves and let God guide us. There are many false prophets but with God we can pick them out and choose not to follow them
You are representing one view of eschatology and in the scope of the history of Christianity, it's the minority report. It's called Dispensational Premillennialism. Other than a few interpretations of early Fathers who tended to write on the Gnostic side of things, it's a recent creation of the 17th and 18th century. For most of Christian church history the idea of a great tribulation and a subsequent rapture and literal 1000 year reign of Christ on earth has not been held. On the contrary, the predominant view has been of an ever increases sanctification of the earth and reign of Christ from heaven over all things preempting his physical return . Despite the contemporary setbacks, or historical setbacks for that matter, Christianity remains mostly free throughout the world. There are literally Christians in every country on earth. God's Word has been translated into most languages. Most Christians experience enough freedom to practice the necessities of Christianity. In the greater scope of history, Christianity has progressively done better, not worse.
I would warn against relying purely on your own personal interpretation of God's Word. Prophesy (that includes all of God's Word) is not of private interpretation (2 Pet 1:20). God spoke through the Holy Spirit to his people (or his Church). The Church receives God's Word and through a sanctifying process the meaning and interpretation is to be adopted. If any person could simply read their Bible, invent a novel way of understanding something, and promote their new understanding among the Church.... well we call those people heretics. More learned men than you or I have spent their lives under the scrutiny of the Church at large writing and commenting on well established doctrine and theology.
Premillennialism has some establishment among the early Fathers and though its influence was mostly inconsequential in the past 2000 years we have seen it re-emerge in the past few hundred years. I don't think it comes to the level of heresy, but it is historically on the fringe of Christian orthodoxy. I recommend you at least become familiar (if you aren't already) with postmillennialism. Try starting with Augustine who regarded the millennium as a present spiritual reign by Christ in the earth. Everything before Revelation 20 is regarding the tribulations experienced in the sacking of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. This is backed up by Jesus who describes this in Matthew 24 stating that all this would come to pass within the current generation. In Revelation 20 you have a description of Satan being loosed from his currently bound state... but he and his false prophet are quickly put down and defeated. The battle is over in an instant by God's hand. We are reigning with Christ now. This is the millennial period.
God Bless.
We are supposed to take our interpretations, argue with each other and then conclude by breaking bread. Perspectives need to be shared, heard, challenged, and most importantly respected. No, we aren't always going to agree. But agreement isn't the point. If it was, we'd have all manner of irrefutable proof, thus rendering the purpose of faith meaningless.
What's the point of free will if doom and gloom is inevitable? Why bother doing anything at all if it's all going to go to shit?
Or... Maybe... Just maybe... God will change His mind and honor the fact that this Country chose Life. Chose Him and that evil people are trying hard to undermine that.
You also need to study sin and evil closely and learn to distinguish between the two. Sin can lead to evil, but they are not mutually exclusive. Ask yourself why Christ died for sin and not evil.
God CANNOT change HIs mind.
Sin IS evil. Christ paid our price for our sins. Which is death. Sin is disobedience of God. I'm not dooming and glooming just stating that we as humans are cursed with sin and until God finally puts and end to the devil, that's just the condition we're in. It's not a final say on us because when all is said and done we will be whole again in the light of God. The way we were meant to be before the devil seduced Adam and eve into disobedience. And that's a wonderful thing! I for one am excited to be made whole and free from sin! It can't get much better than that fren
If Christians actually followed Biblical directives instead of their own interpretation, we wouldn't be in this mess.
Very few want to follow the actual commands of Christ.
The problem is that the White House and Congress mirrors the electorate.
Wrong. People DON'T follow their own interpretations, they seek collectivism and then divide themselves over trivial issues.
Not wrong. (But, I do agree that, for some, there is comfort in collectivism.)
Blaming pastors isn't the fix.
People individually following Christ"s commands is. However:
That is what leads to the mess that we have.