When I read about Evan Ratliff’s attempt to vanish, the first thing I thought of was the Left Behind Series. When it came out, folks had ‘what-if’ discussions, and some even made preparations for that time described in Revelation when Christians will either have to “take the mark’ or face death. Somewhere along the line a third option (that I don’t recall seeing in the bible) was added: go into hiding and join the resistance! Honest theological discussion with a big dash of drama – our inner Wolverines are apparently just dying to come out. The Underground. It has such an aura of excitement, heroism, and romance. The French Resistance in WWII, the Underground Railroad… good people, putting their very lives on the line for a cause worth dying for. Add religion to that and what could be better?
Back in the 70s, A Thief In The Night scared the crap out of me. Then in the 80s, I had to suffer through first all the 1984 hype, then “88 reasons Why The Rapture Will Be in 1988
So is the end near? I don’t know. But I know one thing: if I am ever presented with a “take the mark or get your head chopped off” scenario, I’ll just step up to the guillotine and get it over with.
I honestly don’t see the point in waiting. Why go through all that stress and suffering of living in hiding just to put off your arrival in heaven? If you’re not a believer and you think life is not eternal, it would make sense to fight for every minute. But if you’re a believer, why wait? Wouldn’t your fearlessness be a much better testimony than hiding from what the bible says is inevitable anyway?
You will never have to make that decision, dear friend. You will be gone before it gets to that point. Those in the series are the ones who thought they’d go with you, but wake up to the realization that the decision they’d been puttin off or on the fence about – or the one they thought they’d made but weren’t sincere – was past due. Some who thought being good was enough have a “whack on the side of the head” moment. Highlight the pastor in the Left Behind story. A rude awakening of biblical proportions to be sure.
There is actually no third option in the story – nor will there be in reality. Those in hiding ARE facing death; that’s exactly the reason for running. I’d like to think that if I were one of those, I’d also do what I could to stick around long enough to help others figure out the truth and face in inevitable. It’s what we do now (the helping on my part of course, but martyrdom is not a thing of centuries past.)
If people won’t be worth it then, they why are they worth it now? If the guillotine is my fate, and I’m all that matters to me, then why wait till I’m forced? Send me home now. But you and I don’t believe that. We want to arrive at the pearly gates holding as many hands – figuratively speaking – as we possibly can. The characters in that story were not fighting for minutes; they were fighting for souls.
I do agree that every new reason to fear the “end times” that comes along and get people all ruffled up in “preparing” makes me roll my eyes. There is only one preparation needed, and it doesn’t require registration, heavy equipment, or symposiums. It’s not hard to line up your ducks if there’s only one. Set it down; taa daa, it’s in a row).
The wringing of hands is just a distraction from the work those hands should be busy with. If we really do believe the “end times” ushers in the coming of the world’s Saviour (world peace personified!), then why don’t we relish it with joyful celebrations and fireworks displays?
An ultimate Lundi party on the day before the never-ending Heavenly Tuesday?
Sure, but I’m enough of a Calvinist that I don’t feel compelled to fight for anyone. I don’t think God will send anyone to hell or heaven based on my action or lack of it. He saves, not me.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Having said that, an expression I love dearly is “Predestination is a doctrine and I believe it; evangelism is a command and I obey it.” I think our role in evangelism is for the joy of glorifying God and being used by him for his purposes; for our own benefit, not for the purpose of saving anyone, which is God’s prerogative.
I heartily agree with you about the hand-wringing. Now is the time to work and study and prepare (not for the short period of the end times but for eternity), so that we will have confidence about what the future holds, not fear. And that makes for an incredible testimony that draws others in.
There will be no resistance. Anyone bearing the mark is condemned and anyone not bearing the mark will find living on earth to be impossible. They will not have access to money, food, housing, transportation or anything else. How long will they resist once they run out of food and ammunition with no access to more? You will either bear the mark and live condemned or not bear it and die. There will be no choice in the middle.