Peace to you,
Athetotheist wrote: ↑Tue Oct 08, 2024 7:15 pm
In the 19th century, a movement started among Native Americans which was believed by some to be a way to bring back their former way of life. One of its names was the Ghost Dance, and its participants hoped that performing it widely enough would bring about the disappearance of their white oppressors, the return of the buffalo herds and the restoration of peace and prosperity.
Fast forward to modern times, when "Dominion Theology" has become a significant movement. There are various approaches to it, but one facet is:
Dominion Theology defines the churchs hope to be the establishment of an earthly kingdom instead of the second coming of Christ. Under this view, Christ cannot come back until the church first establishes the millennial kingdom. This kingdom is not simply the rule of God in the hearts of people, but it is to be political, social, and visible. The great commission is redefined: instead of the primary goal being personal evangelism, the churchs mission is to gain control of the world, institution by institution and nation by nation.
https://www.apostolic.edu/is-dominion-t ... criptural/
Is Dominion Theology a fundamentalist Christian version of the Ghost Dance?
I can understand how you could draw that parallel.
One big difference is that a dance is possible to do (even if it didn't bring about what they hoped); whereas, establishing a world-wide "Christian" Kingdom established by men does not seem at all possible. Although the ideal of 'dominion theology' might be a good way to gain money,
some power, and followers. Not followers of Christ, mind you, but rather followers of itself.
I would be surprised if the leaders of that religion ever expect Christ to return. The followers might.
But if you are trying to suggest that these people have come up with (or bought into) a reason to explain why Christ has not yet returned, then maybe. I cannot speak to their motivations. As 1213 said earlier, that would be a question for you to ask the people who adhere to that theology. If true, it sounds like it might be a
lack of faith. Christ said He would return. He will. It will happen at the time the Father has already determined.
**
Christ does not come back and kill people though.
He is the LIFE.
When He returns:
- He gathers up first His own, to be changed 'in a twinkling', for the marriage of the Bride and Bridegroom 1 Thes 4:15-17, 1Corinth 15:31-52
- He sits on His throne and reigns upon the earth (along with His bride reigning with Him as king-priests) Rev 20:6, 5:10,
- He separates the sheep from the goats, so that the sheep are invited into the Kingdom; the goats are cast out into the darkness (outside the Kingdom, where the Light IS.) Matt 25:31-46
At the
end of the thousand years (when Satan is released from his thousand year imprisonment), the people living OUTSIDE the Kingdom are misled into coming AGAINST the Kingdom to attack the people God loves. (remember that Satan's tends to tempt people with something they already want.) THEN fire comes down from heaven and devours them. Rev 20:7-10
That doesn't occur until a thousand years AFTER Christ returns. Christ's return and "Armageddon" (the great battle of God) are not the same event.
Peace again to you,
your servant and a slave of Christ,
tammy