When the Homily is about Immunology

Realized Eschatology

My wife recently found a book at a garage sale (or something akin to one) that she just HAD to bring home to me. It is called "The Coming Russian Invasion of Israel." Althought written in the early seventies, a simple search of this title shows that this belief is by no means gone, despite its framing being done in altogether different times.

Having been out of the evangelical Eschatological loop for so long I have occassionally wondered what the newest rage is...does Lindsey still comment on current events somewhere? Surely he must...but does anyone still care, since so much of what he said in the past has never come to fruition?

I can remember loving eschatology...it always seemed to be such a powerful evangelistic tool. At the end of the "Russian Invansion" book they have a well trodden history timeline graphic that shows all those wonderful events: the Tributlation, the Anti-Christ in the Temple, Armageddon, and of course the Rapture which is represented by a great big rising line that takes a ballistic trajectory over the mess of the world and is labelled "The Preferred Route."

The religion to be found in Magog ahem...I mean Orthodoxy, doesn't fret much about Eschatology and I think Fr. Michael Oleksa reminds us why:

In both rites [Baptism and Eucharist], the natural (water, bread, wine) is juxtaposed with the singing of Biblical texts, liturgical poetry, and the charismatic preaching of the Word in such a way that the cosmic and historical are imbued with an eternal significance. This is true in the writing of every icon, the building of every Orthodox church, the celebration of every sacrament. By taking natural elements of this world and linking them with the historical and eternally significant Biblical words and deeds, proclaimed and accomplished once and for all by Christ, the Church manifests and actualizes eternity in the midst of time. In Baptism, water is seen as the source of life, the primal element from which all creation was made, and also a sign of chaos and death. It is then revealed to be the manifestation of God's love and power, of Christ's saving action, and of the Holy Spirit's sanctification. At the Eucharist, wheat and grapes which require the light and warmth of the sun, the nourishment of the earth, the moisture of the elements and the care of gardners - in short, contributions from both the whole creation and from human beings - are offered "on behalf of all and for all," in remembrance of Christ. Through the invocation of the Holy Spirit, both the community and the gifts become the Body and Blood of the Word. Here and now, the faithful eat and drink at His table in His Kingdom. The life of the Church is realized echatology.

(emphasis mine) Now...talk to me about "The Preferred Route."