Article #13 of 12/01/23

In what state of mind are we going to approach all the biblical subjects ?

This is an interesting question that allows us to specify in this editorial what we define as essential - important - and "not important".

We have just completed a series of editorials on The Church of Jesus Christ. We discussed the three forms of churches that we extracted from the reading of the New Testament. We consider this to be an important subject. Yes, it is important to talk about the form, the structure of the Church. This has practical consequences, in our daily life as believers.

What do we call: essential?

The main thing is to remain faithful to the words of Jesus who, in John 13:34, 35, says: “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another”. Jesus did not say that the world will recognize his disciples by the unity of their doctrine, although this has its place. We will be known, to Love – Agape between us, his disciples. So whether or not you adopt the teaching that we have transmitted to you on the 3 forms of the Church of the New Testament (an important one for us), the essential thing is that we keep between us, the unity of Love. - Agape. We cannot risk dividing the Body of Christ on such matters. Unity of heart, between brothers and sisters in Christ, is essential.

Apart from the fundamental truths, with which all Christians agree, these notions of essential and important are valid for all the biblical subjects that we share.

What, then, would not be essential or important within the framework of the Maranatha Project?

Well, for example, talking about a cooking recipe or the latest sports results. This can be an opportunity for a friendly exchange between friends, but these things are not important for the editorials of the Maranatha Project.

The difference we make between the essential and the important lends itself very well to the theme of the end times (eschatology in theological terms).

If we consider the signs that precede the return of Jesus, or the time of his return, all of this is important. But, we must recognize that there are several possible options on all these subjects, depending on whether you listen to this or that theologian. Nothing but the “famous millennium” is the subject of a theological debate, between four different interpretations. And yes ! Four !

We will therefore consider these elements as important. This does not detract from our studies and our personal convictions. As a reminder, 1 Corinthians 13.12 tells us that: “…now I know in part (partially)…”. At the very heart of the great chapter on Love, it is here that the apostle Paul leads us to become aware of our partial knowledge, of our limited understanding on this earth. The main thing is to stay humble and love one another.

So, for example, in our discussions of the chronology of all end-time events, humility would be to say like Derek Prince* that "we don't know that exact chronology." Above all, let us therefore remain united in Love.

However, we can say that the vast majority of Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical and Orthodox theologians agree on 3 major events that we will therefore qualify as essential. These 3 essential events, which we will discuss shortly, are:

• The Return in Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ

• The Great White Throne Judgment or Last Judgment

• The New Jerusalem

Let's pray out loud : “Yes Lord Jesus, teach us to study Your Word, open our eyes by Your Spirit, and that we remain in humility in order to keep the unity of Love – Agape between us. Amen!''

* Derek Prince, now with the Lord, was a renowned teacher specialising in end-time issues.