Is this a commonly held view within Christianity?

[ohfook]

I appreciate this post shows my ignorance somewhat, but this is something I've been curious about for years.

My parents raised me as a Christian and would describe themselves as very religious. Their belief system could be summarised as they believe that god is love, we don't need to worry about hell because god forgives and that all religions are just different paths to the same destination and it should be possible for them all to coexist.

I was much older when I realised that other Christian's take a far more bookish/learned approach to the religion. In particular an ex of mine had parents who knew the bible to the letter. They said a lot of things that totally contradicted the belief system that I'd been brought up in. One thing they said really stuck in my mind. They believed that the when the Antichrist came, he'd bring seven years of peace to the Middle East first and people would think he was a hero?

I was just wondering if a lot of people believe this? Mainly because if I was a politician, it would really put me off getting involved because I wouldn't want people to think that about me.

It's 3.5 years of peace and 3.5 years of horror to make a 7 year tribulation. People would have to receive the mark of the beast to buy and sell things, and the last half of the tribulation would see the death of most of human kind.
I believed all this many years ago, our church believed the rapture would happen, all true believers would ascend, leaving everyone else to go through the tribulation period. The end of which would be the battle of Armageddon and then the final judgement when satan, his antichrist and everyone else would get thrown into hell (lake of fire) after being judged by Jesus.
The 144000 Jews who were given a second chance to believe during the tribulation period (and did) would get to stay on the new earth which would be perfect the way it was during Adam and Eve's time, and all the believers (Christians) would spend eternity in heaven.

This is a extreme evangelical literal view of the bible, I don't believe it anymore but my parents do and they believe this is all going to happen in the next few years.

I don't think it's a commonly-held view, but it's not unheard of. It's not a mainstream belief in that it's not part of the catechism of any church I know of; I've come across it in Brethren circles though.

Most Christians do not believe that all religions are just different paths to the same destination. Christianity specifically teaches that Jesus is the only way to God (In the bible Jesus is recorded as saying "I am the way and the truth and the life, no one comes to the father except through me")
And for Christians, the Bible is the main source of authority for knowing who God is and how He wants us to act, therefore we read it and try to know what it says.

It's fine for people to believe that all religions are the same/there are many ways to God/Jesus was just a good teacher like Buddha/you don't have to pray or read the bible you just have to try to be a good person. Anyone can believe whatever they like, but that's not Christianity.

Regarding the Middle East 7 years thing, I have been slowly reading through the book of Revelation (last book of the bible) recently. It is hard to understand, and there are different ways things could be interpreted. What your friend's parents have said is definitely a tenable interpretation of Revelation, but it's not the only interpretation and not a universally held Christian belief on a par with Jesus being God and rising from death.

I think the word Christian has come to mean different things to different people, and some people have expanded it to mean more than its original meaning. This often happens because people like the idea of being a Christian but don't actually like all the teachings or practices involved in being a Christian. So rather than saying "Christianity teaches that Jesus is the only way to God but I don't really believe that, so I guess I must not actually be a Christian", they would say "I am a Christian but I don't believe that Jesus is the only way to God, therefore not all Christians believe in that ". There are problems with expanding the definition of a word (anyone who visits FWR board should be able to see the obvious parallel with that issue). If you expand the meaning of Christian widely enough, you have a meaningless word that basically means whatever anyone who wants to call themself a Christian wants it to be, and then the word has no real meaning or value.

I'm absolutely not trying to pass judgement on who gets to call themself a Christian. All Christians fail and make mistakes, the bible says that we have all fallen short of God's glory. So I would never start saying that because someone acts this or that way, they are not a christian, or if someone doesn't agree about some specific bit of the bible, or teaching on female vicars and priests/abortion/homosexuality they are not a Christian. But if someone doesn't believe the main key things that Christians believe then they are not a Christian, regardless of how they act or how good a person they are. I woudn't just go round telling people I'm a doctor because I like the sound of it and like the idea of being a doctor. There are lots of different types of doctor, but there's also a fixed definition of being a doctor, and if I don't meet that definition then I'm not a doctor.

Hi Op,

you’ll find people that say all paths lead to God. Even some Christians may say that. But the majority of Bible reading, practicing Christian’s don’t believe that all paths lead to God.

They believe that no one can access the father, you can only do it through jesus.So if you don’t believe that God came to earth as a man called Jesus, died to take away the sins of humanity and was resurrected three days later and is alive now - Then you can’t access the father and you ultimately won’t go to heaven.

In regards to the antichrist, yes at first he’ll be seen as a hero and loved. But He will turn out to be hitler esque but much much worse. He will be used by the devil to bring chaos, persecution and evil. Basically he’s going to hell and his purpose is to drag everyone else to hell. In typical hitler fashion, he’ll persecute anyone that won’t worship him.

When dealing with prophecy, you may see differences in what people believe.
In regards to your question, going from the Bible, I believe that:

• Christian’s will be raptured (Christ will come back and take them to heaven). So they won’t have to experience the antichrist
• he will bring peace with Israel but it will ultimately stop and Israel will be massively persecuted again
• many Jews will finally come to Christ

obviously more evil things will happen that time. Be sure to read the book of revelations and to study the Bible and get to know who God is for yourself. Pray and ask God to help you understand and to send the holyapirit to live in you. It’s only through the Holy Spirit that we can see God and know that he’s been real and there the whole time.

I agree with other posters - it is not an unheard of view. It is an Interpretation of what the Bible says is going to happen. Do lots of Christians believe this? On a global scale, probably in the millions. On a local scale in the UK I don’t know, I would imagine somewhat fewer but I don’t move in those circles so much.

If you are thinking of getting involved in politics, people are likely to ascribe all sorts of views to you that you don’t actually hold. One suggestion is to get some media training to help you cope with that.

There is a Christian Mumsnetters board where you could canvas more perspectives. It’s under Talk > Other Stuff.

I always wonder if the antichrist will know he's the antichrist, it will be merely be a puppet?
There's the false prophet also. Who will lead a one world religion.

Your parents view is the "normal" view, I work for the church and we have two main things we say, love God/Jesus and love your neighbour (taken to love others) if we did this life would be great!

Unitarians believe what your parents believe, op- that no religion has an absolute monopoly on religious truth, and that the idea of eternal damnation is incompatible with an infinitely loving God. It’s not the mainstream but it’s a well-established branch of Christianity that has been around for hundreds of years. There are Unitarian churches throughout the world- it’s definitely not just them 🙂 There are also people within other branches of Christianity who believe that we will all be saved- universalists.

Christians have been fighting over this stuff for nearly 2000 years- which beliefs are fundamental to the Christian faith and which are not. Personally I find your parents’ beliefs far easier to square with the Gospels than a lot of more mainstream tenets of Christian faith.

Hello, Christian here.

If one holds the view of the Apostle Paul that “all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16) then one cannot disregard the many warnings regarding hell contained within it, not least those of our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, who spoke of hell more than anyone else.

In addition, as mentioned by another poster, scripture consistently speaks of salvation by grace through faith and Christ declared explicitly Himself to be the only way to the Father (John 14:6).

Regarding the Antichrist, there is much prophecy throughout the Old and New Testaments regarding his personality, activities, and ultimate ruin.

A strong case can be made for the idea that he will be a Middle Eastern political leader, with which I concur. There’s a common perception that he will be universally loved - however there’s no scripture to support this. He will be revered, feared and people will prostrate themselves to his “image”.

The most detailed prophecy of him, his character and activities, is found in Daniel- specifically beginning with chapter 11, when in a long sweep of future history the prophecy focusses in verse 21 on the rise of “a contemptible person” (thought to be “the Antichrist”) continuing to the end of chapter 12. It should be noted when the Lord Jesus spoke of the exact moment of the commencement of what is known as the Great Tribulation He referenced Daniel 11 verse 31 (see Matthew 24:15).

There is an opinion that Christians will be taken away before these events occur (known as a “pre tribulation rapture”). Personally I don’t agree with this idea, as I don’t see it in scripture. I believe a huge number of Christians will be martyred during this time by the forces of the Antichrist, as they will refuse to prostrate themselves before his image (see Revelation 20:4).

As you agree with ops parents…

Can I ask, so you don’t believe that God will send people to hell? And you believe all religions lead to God?

@mitogoshigg So do you ignore all the other teachings of Jesus, he spoke more of hell than heaven? (Not trying to be obtuse as I don't believe any of it anymore having been raised in an evangelical church), just interested to hear how more liberal Christians interpret this sort of stuff. Also, the teachings in the bible around eschatology, how do you see that? The book of revelation is pretty terrifying (and the book of Daniel which ties in with revelation), so how do you justify this less evangelical approach to Jesus and his apostles teaching?

As a Christian I tend to look for the lessons for my life right now with regard to Revelations and the themes played out within the narrative . Not having a transactional life view, forgiving people, not attempting to judge (condemn) them.

Regarding literalism we are not supposed to be adding or taking away anything from the book of Revelations. I think too much insistence on particular readings of this book being the 'correct' reading could stray into this. I am content with the details how all this plays out to remain somewhat mysterious.

I'm Orthodox and my Church wrote the New Testament and we don't believe this and it isn't taught. Beware the trap of Sola Scriptura. We read the Bible through the lens of the Church Fathers and Saints. Reading it without guidance leads to misinterpretation and errors in doctrinal understanding.

https://www.oca.org/orthodoxy/the-orthodox-faith/doctrine-scripture/new-testament/book-of-revelation#:~:text=In%20the%20book%20of%20Revelation%2C%20one%20comes%20to%20understand%20that,by%20Him%20for%20their%20victories.

How my Church interprets the Book of Revelation.

There are different ways to interpret the bible and to understand Christianity.

Many would say their way is the only correct way.

I feel strongly that we cannot know and will wait to see it play out, as @eyestosee says. Meanwhile I do the best I can with the knowledge and understanding I have.

There are some key scriptures I hold to which are probably about ways to behave rather than things to believe- loving your neighbour as yourself, thou shalt not judge…

A lot of people who are convinced they have the one and only truth are also judgemental and condemnatory, which rather undermines their message imo.

I asked a friend years ago about brain washing, because I was concerned about the style of teaching I had seen elsewhere. She assured me it was fine because, ’we are right’. (Or possibly she said, it’s true).

I don’t agree with that. Individuals need to choose their way, not have it imposed upon them.

I was brought up Anglican so I suppose technically I am a non-practicing Christian, but the whole idea of God or Jesus or your priest / vicar / minister / whoever (men, basically) telling you that if you don't do what they say you must, then you will be punished in Hell for all eternity... well it doesn't sit all that well with me. Sounds like blackmail.

Do as you are told or else. Hmm. I don't think I want to be part of any religion with that attitude. Which is why I choose not to go to church.

@ohfook I've never heard of that Antichrist business at all. What denomination were these people?

You are more likely to come across a literal interpretation of scripture in conservative evangelical/protestant churches. I was taught that the book of Revelation is apocalyptic writing, really difficult to interpret and should be handled with a great deal of care. It almost didn't make the cut when the decisions about which writings went into the Bible were made.

The idea that all faiths lead to God is pretty common in some churches but rubs up hard against some of the key sayings of Jesus. That said, whether a decision to follow Christ has to be taken in a particular church with a particular prayer to ensure salvation is one that is argued hard by conservative Christians. The official position of the C of E and the RC churches is that there is no such place as hell and if there is it is empty. I've encountered many conservative Christians who have made it clear that my immortal soul is in peril because I don't go to their denomination, which is the only one and true church, and because I'm a woman on church leadership.

I'm trust in that God is love and that Jesus is Lord.

I read a great series of books, about 20 years ago, called ‘left behind’.

It was a novel set in revelation.

The basic premise is that the faithful are called miraculously home- disappear- leaving everyone else to cope with the end times. It was a good, fun read. My Theology tutor suggested we needed deprogramming from its dangerous ideas!

Revelation is wonderful and weird. I love some of the imagery and messages- every tear will be wiped away, and so on. It’s beautiful and comforting.
But it isn’t a coded description of the future.

The Bible doesn’t mention abortion at all, but plenty of Christian’s speak as if it does!

I agree with your theology tutor!

There are a lot of differing views on the 'end times' and the time of Christ's second coming. Personally I am not going to argue with anyone about what they believe as it's not a salvific issue. I believe in a pre-tribulation rapture which is followed by the Tribulation of 7 years, then the second coming of Christ and His establishment of the Millennial Kingdom. If others do not, that's fine.

I think it's far more important to focus on being good Christians, as the end times will come about no matter what we do or don't believe about them. I believe that although God is a loving God He is also a God of righteousness and must judge all evil. I also believe Jesus is the only way to salvation, by faith in his sacrifice and his resurrection. The Nicene Creed is a good way to see what the core beliefs of Christianity are.

I feel like americans cant wait for this and all their tv output these days is either raptureprn or post raptureprn. Churches are like country clubs and ammasing wealth is good rather than a stain on your immortal soul. Whereas I had a catholic upbringing but now teach my children that the message of jesus was love: to treat others how you want to be treated and thats all you need to be a good christian. If you’re at peace with your actions you have harmony. Maybe like your parents but certainly less bogged down in church politics and corruption. “End times” is a fear stick, look out for who’s waving it and you’ll understand why it’s being dragged out to beat us again. (And then ignore them)

Revelation is a bit of a hot mess, tbh. Unsurprising, given that it was probably influenced by drugs widely thought to be by the same author that considered that meandering Logos passage to be "unfolding the mystery" of the Incarnation. It also has been variously thought to refer to the Apostolic Age, the fall of the Western Roman Empire, and a general spiritual allegory.

"The Rapture" upon which the Left Behind (TWBITW) series is based is entirely extra-biblical, originating in 19th-century America and based on the conflation of a couple of sayings from Jesus (at least one of which was totally upended).

My old vicar, herself American, introduced us to a great book called 88 reasons why the rapture will be in 1988. And noted that the same author wrote a sequel, explaining that actually it would be in 1989. I see from Wikipedia that there were a further two attempts

Jesus said "no-one comes to the Father except through me" but he didn't say one has to believe - or even be aware of - that for it to happen.

Jesus also said that the sheep and the goats were separated according to their works and some of the goodies were a bit confused because they hadn't been doing it for him. The afterlife is still a mystery, and don't let anyone tell you different. Personally I don't think it's particularly relevant. Here And Now.

My mother, who studied theology for and achieved a Bishop's Certificate warned me to avoid any group which preached mainly or wholly from Revelation or Daniel or Matthew 24. Notice that the creed says nothing of the teachings of Jesus or what sort of person he was, how he met with people of all sorts. Matthew 25 is much more useful. Is this person really likely to come down and throw people into eternal fire? Is His father likely to have created such a place?

Hi
Thank you so much for spending the time to type out your replies. They were really informative and have given me a lot to think about.
In reply to the poster who asked what denomination my ex's parents were, I don't remember but I recently read the Megan Phelps-Roper book and it reminded me a lot of that. Not necessarily the rampant homophobia but the huge emphasis on hell and suffering for those who don't believe and behave according to the gospels, but mixed with a lot of quite happy singing. I remember once them saying that a muderer who later found god but repented would be more likely to avoid hell than a person who had lived a life free from sin but hadn't actually believed.
I suppose it's just a case of remembering that everybody has their own interpretation of the gospels and nobody really can say for sure they have interpreted it correctly.