Devoutly Rapturous

[Hitch]

'Shortly previous to the first coming of Christ the Holt Ghost, although He and given through Daniel the definite prophecy of the seventy weeks, gave a special revelation unto the devout Simeon-who was 'waiting for the consolation of Israel' to-wit:' that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ Luke 2;26. And this lead us to ask: May not the same blessed Spirit who thus revealed this mighty event to Simeon of old (and probably to the aged Anna, also) likewise give unto a favored one , or chosen few of the faithful watching ones , to know that their glad eyes shall see His appearing and that they shall never taste of death. Even so now ,many of the most devout and faithful of God's people in all denominations both in this and foreign lands are seriously impressed with the conviction that the coming of the Lord is near." *

Its easy to see that the author grants all who agree with his prediction the status of , faithful, devout and spiritual. This tactic is all the more common today. When anything counter to pop eschatology is expressed many adherents of it will dismiss the opposition as unlearned, unspiritual and even unfaithful.
Another common factor is the implied urgency. Of course it is also implied that if you dont 'get it' you are unlearned, unspiritual and even unfaithful. Sometimes it is even said outright. Sad as it may be some have even taken up the notion that the Holy Spirit has purposely led the church to live in this constant state of urgency , of believing rapture is very likely soon ( this time) and could come at any second. Forgetting that the imminent rapture could by no means have preceded the birth of modern Israel, if that is a fulfillment of prophecy. The author dutifully includes reference to the 'fig tree' as a sign of the nearness of "the end of this dispensation" .
But its really its the bait that is the problem. Believers pine for the slimmest chance , even hoping to see the death and destruction of millions, to cheat death. It is a shame. It would be easy to think they dont really believe they will have a perfect view and experience of the last events if they have passed.
This has led us , the American church, to sowing only for the short term. And what we read in the headlines is , far from some pre-ordained escatological outcome , it is simply the gathering what we have planted.

* Jesus Is Coming W E Blackstone, 1908.