I’ve learned another valuable lesson this week
It is: don’t ask the newly-ordained Baptist minister at work any questions about politics, religion, or anything else for that matter. I saw he was reading “Revelation Unveiled” by Tim Lahaye of the “Left Behind” series fortune and fame. (No linked provided for Lahaye’s book because I don’t think Catholics should be reading it.)
“What do you think of that book?” I asked. Forty-five minutes later my guardian angel tapped me on the shoulder to tell me my lunch break was over and I’d better get back to work before I committed any more sins against charity. He didn’t look happy.
The Reverend had assailed me with a heaping pile of garbage about the “Book of Revelations,” the end-times, the Rapture. “There is going to be a great chastisement during which time all non-believers will be chaste. But I’m not worried, I don’t plan to be here for the tribulation,” he said.
“You believe in dispensationalism?” I asked.
“No, what I am saying is that Christ is going to come back, all the believers are going to be caught up with him, and then everyone who is left behind is going to be tribulated.”
Tribulated. If I had laughed out loud it would have knocked over all our modular office furniture. I think my lip quivered for a second. Reverend might have noticed.
As that singularly hilarious moment passed he spoke about how he believes the Holy Spirit is going to leave the Earth during the tribulation but there will still be an opportunity for salvation if those left behind accept Christ.
“What about what Jesus said, ‘I am with you always, until the end of the age.’?” I asked.
“Well see that’s only for the believers.” he replied.
“The ones who won’t be tribulated?”
“Yeah, them.”
Yow. Don’t just pray for our preachers, pray for other Christian preachers as well.