Is the church's complacency caused by a certain doctrine?

Is the church complacent because of a certain doctrinal teaching?  Some say it is because of a certain eschatological view, the pre trib rapture.  Since some are not preparing to go through the tribulation. This is one of those non- sequitur arguments that have no real point except to promote their particular view of end times and put down another.

And what of those who are preparing to be here throughout the judgment period of the tribulation. If they die as a martyr or if the rapture occurs they have wasted their time and others. On the other hand, If one thinks that because he will be taken he has no responsibility to be active today, than his lack of works shows his faith is not what it is supposed to be.

One can just as easily make the argument that the church is lazy and complacent because of believing once saved always saved, that no matter what we do or don’t do we are fine. Or, worse, that one can be saved again and again, professing their (doctrinal) belief in Christ saves and a changed life is not at all related to their belief. In fact one can choose among many teachings and claim this is the culprit of today’s complacency.

The answer IS about doctrine, but it’s not what you think.

It’s about not letting doctrine and the Spirit shape one’s life, inspire their life to “live in Christ.” So it’s only head knowledge and does not stir them to learn, be equipped and be a witness – to speak to the unsaved the gospel. It is this type of complacency that is part of the falling away from the faith, it is one of the many ways to being removed from being in the faith in Christ as His coming draws near.

The bible says something very different than those who make it about the doctrine of a rapture.  It is not a pre trib view teaching that has made people self assured and lazy. Scripture says “To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation” (Hebrews 9:28). “looking for the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13, which can be applied to both the rapture and the second coming). We are to anticipate his coming for the church, for US!

Luke 21:36 tells us, “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (KJV).

Pray to escape what? The judgements that will come upon mankind, the tribulation period that is sent that will test all on the earth.

 The fact that the bible teaches those who look forward to Christ coming purify themselves. They see an urgency of him coming and keep themselves in the love of God, the truth and are constantly reaching out to others. John 3:2-3 promises that “When He is revealed we shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is, and everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” He who has “this hope” (looks forward to the Lord’s return) cleanses themselves (keeps himself from the pollution in the world). The purifying effect is for our lives and our mission, so if we were to think of this event as so far away in the future it would not have the same affect.

Those who are preterists or Amillenialists cannot have this same concern because their viewpoints do not allow it. Neither can kingdom now adherents who think their mission is to christianize the world and bring the kingdom in before Christ. They minor on the gospel and major on the building the kingdom – changing the culture (which the Lord did not instruct us to do).  Each of these can just as easily be blamed for the churches non activity, more so than a pre tribulation view.

The actual reason- is a LACK of belief in The Word. They are not serious about its commands and the condition of people. Loving people is not their priority or they would be telling the truth to them.  The gospel is God’s solution to our disease of sin that leads to death. The majority cannot tell the truth because they don't know it, nor understand it because they have not been taught to explain it. And that is why the church is in the condition it is today.