2. The Persecution Narrative Fits the Culture Wars
Conservative Christian media thrives when there is an enemy attacking Christians, and what could be better than incarnate evil? The Antichrist is like the culmination of the abortionist, gay, liberal, communist and Canadian agendas all into one slithering beast.
Even if you don’t call a sitting president the Antichrist, you can find some awesome work-arounds, like suggesting that the current president is “preparing the way” for the Antichrist without actually being evil incarnate. That’s also super convenient because that gives you an escape hatch in case people think you’re being too extreme, while giving yourself a chance to look smart in case the president actually turns out to be the Antichrist.
“I knew there was something fishy about that guy!”
The prophecy experts on websites, television shows and radio stations assure us that they’re looking out for us, and their concern for our well-being includes scouring the headlines for hints and tips of the coming end. They’re looking for the signs of the times so that we’re not caught unawares, and that vigilance pays off—in cash.
Someone is out to get us, and as long as there’s something big, mean and evil lurking, we’ll never ask about the credibility of our supposed watchmen and whether we should fear them more.
3. We All Have a Dan Brown Conspiracy Theorist in Us
It’s hard to resist a good conspiracy. Even after all of these years debunking Revelation-based conspiracies, I still have my moments when I stop myself.
Four blood moons, eh? Could there be something to that?
That’s when I stand in front of my bathroom mirror and mix repeatedly slapping myself in my face and chanting, “I will not believe in conspiracy theories. I will not believe in conspiracy theories.”
We can’t resist conspiracies that make seemingly legit connections between current events and the Bible. Heck, we don’t even need the Bible to get jumpy about the end times. When everyone predicted the end of the world with the Mayan calendar, I still picked up Jason Boyett’s Pocket Guide to 2012 because, you know, you can’t be too safe, right?
We’re all suckers for a good conspiracy theory, and the perplexing stories in Revelation assure us that we’ll have plenty of speculations to enjoy as long as the second coming is delayed.
4. Suffering and Persecution? YUCK!
Creepy as it may be to be raptured out of your clothes during your morning commute, that sure beats sticking around for the mark of the beast and the bloody apocalypse complete with plagues and demonic horsemen. Let your new car crash into the median. It’s alright. Jesus will give you wings.
Even though the rapture and the dispensational theology that feeds into the rapture have some significant biblical problems (such as misunderstanding Paul’s concept of welcoming a coming king by greeting him outside the city gates), we’ll always favor the easy out from suffering and persecution. That’s just human nature. If one interpretation guarantees zero suffering, are we surprised that it’s popular?
Never mind that Revelation is all about enduring suffering and the promise of eternal life to those who sacrifice their lives for Christ. Eternal life is great and all, but the thought of suffering today could really wreck my to-do list.
