Much of the Bible addresses the End Times, perhaps 14%. Does the teaching in your church approximate this ratio?

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There was a time just a few decades ago when many church emphasized eschatology beyond the subjects of heaven and hell. Although someone might challenge these statistics, I have read that at least 150 chapters of the Bible are predominantly about the End Times and about 14% of the Bible deals with the End Times. I can believe that.

So, the expanded questions sounds like this: If you consider how much fo the Bible deals with the End Times, would you guess that your church’s teaching/preaching ministries resemble the emphasis of Scripture?

Book by book exposition would result in the perfect balance, if preachers and teachers of the Word do not skip or rush through sections. If I preach through Ezekiel and do not address the Temple measurements or the Gog Magog war, for example, that would decrease my emphasis. If I take great pains with Matthew 1-23 and then rush through 24-25, I am covering the text (in a sense), but I am not giving equal time to the prophetic section. The reverse is also true!

So please consider a bit before answering!

Poll Results

Much of the Bible addresses the End Times, perhaps 14%. Does the teaching in your church approximate this ratio?

We might put more of an emphasis on the End Times than the Scriptures do. Votes: 0
Yes, we come pretty close to putting the same emphasis on the End Times as the Scriptures do. Votes: 5
Somewhat, but perhaps a little less. Votes: 6
We address the End Times, but much less than the Scriptures do. Votes: 8
We generally avoid addressing the End Times in our main service(s), but do so in specialized settings or on occasion. Votes: 1
No, we rarely or never do. Votes: 2
Other Votes: 1

(Migrated poll)

N/A
0% (0 votes)
Total votes: 0

Discussion

I am growing in my conviction that church preaching and teaching should emphasize the significance of the Bema Seat, accurately and more frequently, than we tend to do (1 Corinthians 3:10-4:5).

Thomas Overmiller
Pastor | StudyGodsWord.com
Blog | ShepherdThoughts.com

If you preach in an expository fashion, verse by verse through a book, then you can’t rally avoid uncomfortable doctrine or ride your own hobby horses. If you preach in an expository way, you have to let God decide on His own hobby horses. It’s always better to do that; I think He knows best.

Tyler is a pastor in Olympia, WA and works in State government.

Tyler, agreed! Somewhere in a Prezi by Joel Arnold (can’t find it online right now), I read a statement to the effect that we all have a handful of passages we naturally avoid, because they are uncomfortable, awkward and don’t seem to ‘fit’ our theological system. Preach them anyway. All Scripture is profitable…

Thomas Overmiller
Pastor | StudyGodsWord.com
Blog | ShepherdThoughts.com