Unity In A Church That Holds A Different End Times Belief

Eschatology is the study of the end times and came be one of the most beautiful and yet more confusing things to study. For centuries, Christians have debated how Jesus will return and also when. One of my college professors said if you grab 10 different commentaries on Revelation, you are going to get 10 different opinions.

Regrettably, our end time beliefs have cause a wedge in unity within the church even to the point of name calling, which does no one any good. No matter what view you hold on the end times, you have unity in your church. Here are some practical ways to hold unity in an end time disagreement:

1. Agree to disagree.

Not everyone in your church will hold to the same opinions you have. Don't be afraid to express your opinions and what you think the Bible teaches in this area. If a majority of your church hold to one position and you hold another, both parties need to be humbled enough to respect what each other has to say.

2. Don't leave the church.

Just because your church hold one position does not mean they are in error. Every pastor you listen to on a podcast may hold a different belief on the end times then you do but you keep listening to them. Your church will hold a different end time philosophy but it should be no grounds to leave unless this happens, which brings me to my next point.

3. Don't make it a gospel issue.

If you church says you are not saved because you hold a certain view, it means you are not saved. The gospel is Jesus Christ being sent by God to redeem mankind from their sins on the cross, was buried in a tomb, rose again, and one day will return. The gospel is not about holding a certain end time point of view. If that was the case then all Christians will be one view and all the rest will be dismissed. If your church makes it a gospel issue, time to find a new church. If you make it a gospel issue, where you just someone's salvation based on their end times belief, then you need to repent.

Discussing the end times is good and healthy for the church because it reminds us that Jesus is coming again as well as discussing our disagreements. If a minority of your church hold a different end times belief then the rest of the majority and you, this will be a perfect time to discuss our disagreements.