The Forsaken Gospel

This Bible teaching from Founded In Truth Fellowship, presented by Matthew Vander Els, addresses what is described as the “Forsaken Gospel”, a message that has been abandoned and deserted. According to the teaching, this forsaken gospel became popularized in the 1830s by John Nelson Darby, who zealously promoted the theory of the pre-tribulational Rapture. This theory suggests that Christians will escape this world before a period of great tribulation and destruction.

The speaker notes that this idea gained significant traction in the believing community, especially in the United States during the 20th century, becoming a foundational pillar for many regarding the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Growing up, the speaker was also taught a version of the gospel that centered on humanity being damned to hell, with the good news being the escape from this fate through belief in Jesus and the promise of going to heaven. This version often emphasized a progressively worsening world destined for ultimate doom, from which believers would be rescued before the final tribulation. The Left Behind book series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins was mentioned as a popular portrayal of this end-times scenario.

However, as the speaker matured in faith and studied the scriptures more deeply, a realization dawned that the gospel taught in the Bible differed significantly from this popularized version. While acknowledging that the traditional message contained good news, the speaker argues that the true Gospel is far different. The central critique is that the focus shifted from actively engaging with and transforming the world to a passive expectation of escape. This “pseudo-gospel” made belief easy, requiring little action beyond personal salvation and anticipation of rescue.

The speaker contends that prior to this emphasis on end-times escapism, believers were actively involved in trying to change the world on a large scale. Their efforts focused on creating new social systems to serve the broken, uplifting the poor and oppressed, and combating social injustices contrary to the kingdom of Yeshua. The mission was to manifest God’s will on Earth, experiencing the presence of God’s Kingdom here and now, rather than waiting for a distant future in heaven. God’s good news was demonstrated through actions, not merely through a message of escapism based on fear.

The modern gospel, according to the speaker, has often taught believers to sit back, criticize the world’s condition, and await Jesus’s return to fix everything. This has led to a lack of active engagement in living out God’s standards for the world to see. The invitation of Yeshua to follow him was not just about a physical journey but a call to empty ourselves and become agents of reconciliation in a hurting world. The primary message of Yeshua was not about rapture or escaping to heaven after death, but about the Kingdom of God having come and the invitation to live in its reality right now.

Drawing from Luke 17:20, the speaker emphasizes that the Kingdom of God does not come with outward observation; it is within you or in your midst. Quoting N.T. Wright’s book, “The Day the Revolution Began,” it is argued that humans are called to be at the intersection of Heaven and Earth, working towards the restoration of creation. The goal is not to escape creation but to be rescued to creation, returning to the purpose given in Eden: to till, defend, and govern the Earth under God’s authority.

The Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:10 is highlighted, where the petition is for God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done on Earth as it is in heaven. This signifies that the focus should be on God’s reign being established here on Earth, rather than believers being taken away to heaven. God’s reign, the speaker suggests, looks like Yeshua himself – embodying love, forgiveness, and service, even towards enemies. Followers of Yeshua are called to walk as He walked, loving and serving to establish God’s kingdom.

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Application for Everyday Life:

• Actively seek to transform the world around you, rather than passively waiting for its end.
• Focus on bringing God’s Kingdom to Earth in your daily actions and interactions.
• Embody the characteristics of Yeshua: love your enemies, forgive others, and serve those in need.
• Be agents of reconciliation, bringing healing and restoration to a hurting world.
• Practice good stewardship of the Earth and care for the environment as part of your God-given vocation.
• Show the world what God’s justice, love, forgiveness, and mercy look like through your life.
• Recognize that the new creation has already begun in Christ and live in that reality now.
• Engage with the world boldly and vulnerably, unashamed to represent God’s kingdom.
• Be ministers in the world, actively working for God’s kingdom instead of merely criticizing the world’s evils.
• Participate actively in establishing God’s reign on Earth through tangible actions in your community.

References:

Bible Verses:

• Luke 17:20
• Matthew 6:10
• Isaiah 65:16
• Isaiah 66:22
• 2 Peter 3:12-13
• John 1:1
• 2 Corinthians 5:17

Books and Resources:

• The Bible by Various Authors
• Left Behind series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins
• The Day the Revolution Began by N.T. Wright