by Mark Huey

If someone told you that “believers in God are about to be declared outlaws in the United States and that there are laws being formed right now to make our faith against the law,” what would you think? Would you be alarmed? Would you be fearful? Or would you check out the information from independent and reliable sources, getting a second or third opinion? Would you examine the status of the US House of Representatives HR 1592, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007, and determine the possibility of it becoming law in the near future? Remember the Torah admonition that requires two, three, or more witnesses to verify or confirm an allegation (Deuteronomy 19:15).

What if the person delivering this message was directly connecting this purported anti-Christian legislation “in the next couple of years” to the rapidly approaching Great Tribulation? Would the timeframe generate a sense of urgency in your heart? What would you think if the source of alarming information from a teacher who is simply repeating a pattern of failed warnings that stretch back to the 1980s? What if most of the “prophetic” insights are simply recycled interpretations from similar fear inducing alarms over the past two decades? Would you continue to respond fearfully, awaiting anxiously for the next interpretive pronouncement about other “end-time signs” that are being promoted—despite the obvious bias and poor track record of the teacher?

Clearly, when everything that is happening in the world today is viewed through a self-imposed grid of anticipating the imminent initiation of the Great Tribulation, then almost every significant global event, from the Pope’s visit to Israel, to the Temple Mount Faithful marches with an altar cornerstone, to a presidential speech in Cairo, to an election in Israel or Iran, to hate speech legislation, can be falsely interpreted as contributing to the start of the Great Tribulation. This is especially a problem if the person making these prophetic proclamations depends on generating fear to support his or her efforts. (But of course, for a donation of any size you can get the real “insider” information!)

This lack of discernment for many Messianic Believers—who should really know better—is reminiscent of how the imminent “rapture” promoters manipulate many in the Christian Church. For nearly a century, whether it is the World Wars, the rise of a Hitler-type, the formation of the State of Israel, or the annual celebration of the Feast of Trumpets in tumultuous times, those who prey on the unsuspecting and gullible use the threat of the pre-tribulation rapture to generate enough fear to fund their enterprises. In many respects, various Messianics are succumbing to a remarkably similar trend that could possibly be identified as a spirit of “end-time mind control.”

Apparently, the fear of being “left behind,” or abruptly entering into the Great Tribulation without proper preparation, incites the human need for self-preservation on at least some levels. Perhaps you have, or are currently experiencing, these feelings. If you are, then we recommend that you learn from your past experience, or the experience of others, and replace any fear with faith coupled with discernment.

Believers are supposed to be a people of faith rather than fear. When “red flag” statements arise—and they will with increasing frequency—consider the source. Do some diligent homework about who the teacher is you are listening to! Prayerfully discern the truth and motivations of the statements, and react with knowledge and courage.

Believe me when I say this: we all need to be aware of the signs of the times, as we are nearing closer and closer to the return of the Lord. Yet, He will not return until His people are ready—and if we focus too much on “the end,” the necessary work of today may not get accomplished. Remember that Yeshua is concerned about the evidence of faith when He returns: He once asked, “when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). And so you might ask yourself these question: Would I rather be found among the faithful, bravely declaring His salvation? Or, would I prefer to be cowering among the fearful, seeking to survive while following the notions of limited mortals?