Chuckles

     A member of our small group loves Christian radio programs that speculate about end times. She said the latest theory is that newly crowned King Charles is the Anti-Christ. This is based on the imagery of his coat of arms. I didn't want to hurt her feelings, so I held in my chuckle. There has always been speculation about such things. The list of candidates, just in my lifetime, varies to a bizarre degree. Yes, Charles is a king, and yes, his coat of arms has images that tie into last days prophecy, but seriously? Charles? The Anti-Christ has a personality so charismatic, nations throughout the world are willing to follow him. They believe he can make good on his promise to achieve world peace. King Charles has the personality of a sock puppet. He couldn't charisma his way out of a parking ticket. I doubt he could lead people out of a loo. Our friends who lived in England said many Brits believed Queen Elizabeth would bypass Charles, aka Chuckles, completely and pass the title to William. Recent news coverage showed that both despite, and because of, the fancy coronation, many Brits think the monarchy is antiquated and an unnecessary expense. 

    It is hard for us as Christians to find the balance between "understanding the times", which we are supposed to do, and "worthless speculation," which we are not. My preferred tool for that is logic. In this case, is it likely that ineffectual Charles will turn into a dynamic leader in his declining years? No. There are some things, like the identity of the man of lawlessness, that the Bible says will not be revealed until that which restrains, commonly understood to be the Holy Spirit through the presence of God's people, is removed. That would be in the rapture, the timing of which is also undisclosed. We know we are in the end times, but that has been true since Jesus went home to heaven. Speculation about prophecy among Christians is okay as long as it does not cause discord, or is exploited for financial gain. However, sharing speculation that turns out to be untrue with weak believers or unbelievers, makes them think biblical prophecy is not believable, and that is no laughing matter. 

    I am not without curiosity, but I am also one of those people who, if you set a bag on the table and said, "Don't open that, it's your birthday gift", I would leave it alone. It is not that I do not want the gift, I just enjoy things more at their proper time. And that is my approach to those coming attractions prophecies. If the Bible says the timing of Jesus' return is unknowable (we get there when we get there), I am happy to wait for the surprise party. If it says the Anti-Christ will be revealed after we leave the planet, I am not going to devote much time to curating candidates, especially the laughably unlikely candidates, like Chuckles.