There is an interesting “debate” going on within the evangelical Church today, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I wind up on the losing side.

In years past, the concept known as “Kingdom Now” was somewhat confined to the Pentecostal world. In short, Kingdom Now means that we should work to build the Kingdom of God here and now.

The opposite view is the one I’d call the Bible Prophecy view—that is, Jesus will establish His kingdom when He returns.

I fall into the latter camp.

One of the themes of Scripture, as it relates to the last days, is that the world will become worse: the creation itself is groaning under the curse, but people will also become narcissistic, thus (ironically) embracing Herbert Spencer’s “survival of the fittest” view.

It seems clear to me that our world, our culture, is disintegrating into a meaner and more inhospitable place. I’m not sure at all why certain Christian leaders embrace the idea that man can establish any kind of “utopica” (my word) on this sin-wracked planet.

But that is not such a popular view these days, in the Church. It’s all about building some sort of positive environment in which righteousness is the law of the land.

Many of the popular writers and speakers and leaders today in the evangelical world promote the Kingdom Now philosophy. Oddly enough, this is exactly the view promoted by Darwinists in the 19th century. The idea was that man can evolve past his animal instincts.

Bible prophecy, especially as it relates to the last days, is quite clear and not really hard to understand at all. Unless one’s narcissism compels him to believe he can interpret it or ignore it or re-fashion it.

As always, though, the marker—the signpost of history—is Israel. The nation is fulfilling major prophecies right before our eyes (notice the intensifying pressure on the Jewish state, a hallmark of last days theology).

Soon enough, we will all know who was right and who was wrong, with regard to the timing of the Kingdom of God.

I’m content to wait.