So what, if Jeremy Greaves doesn’t believe?
Jeremy Greaves doesn’t think Jesus is returning. Sure, you might think, lots of people don’t think Jesus even exists (despite historians backing up to the contrary), let alone believe he is returning in some Schwarzeneggerian I’ll be back moment.
But, here’s the thing. Jeremy Greaves is the Provincial Bishop over the province of QLD and the Northern Territory and will be the Archbishop of the Diocese of Southern Queensland*. He not only works for the Anglican Church; he leads it. So, it probably matters.
Especially since the Anglican Church’s 39 Articles assert that Jesus is returning. They are the doctrinal position of the Anglican Church since 1571.*
The 4Th Article from the 39 Articles
Here’s the 4th article:
Christ did truly rise again from death, and took again his body, with flesh, bones, and all things pertaining to the perfection of Man’s nature; wherewith he ascended into Heaven, and there sits until he returns to judge all Men at the last day.
Sure, it’s old but it is clear. Jesus is returning to judge all men which means all men and women, and old men, and young men, and young ladies et cetera.
I reckon it’s a safe bet, though I’m no Anglican, that at least at one point Jeremy was asked if he believed this article and would uphold it as part of the 39 articles. And it is only because he said yes that he was given the right to teach, lead and draw a paycheck as an ordained leader & teacher in the Anglican church.
BELIEF IN Jesus’ return matters
Okay, you might be asking, so what if Jeremy Greaves doesn’t believe? Fair question. Things move on. Times change. Surely Christianity will be fine as a belief system even if Jesus doesn’t return and this idea isn’t part of Christian belief.
Not so. Here’s what is lost if Jesus is not going to return, according to the Bible.
Evil won’t be overthrown and will continue to exist without end. For Jesus returns to judge evil and end it. There will be no end to suffering, pain, and tears (Revelation 20:11-15, Revelation 21:4).
Those who’ve done great evil in this life and died will escape justice since there is no resurrection of the dead for judgment. It’s at Jesus’ return that the resurrection of the dead will occur (1 Corinthians 15:13-28, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
And since the dead will stay dead – there will be no resurrection to eternal life for those who trusted Jesus Christ (John 11:23-25, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-16).
Jesus is a liar (John 5:21-23).
And not only that – but Jesus himself must not have been resurrected! For the proof that he is the judge is that he was resurrected (Acts 17:30-31, Acts 2:32-38).
There will be no new creation. This cosmos is it. Which means this planet is it. And it will limp on in evil and brokenness until the universe winds down or we, humanity, take ourselves off the stage.
Christians adoption into the family of God will remain partial and always painful. Thus, worth nothing (Romans 8:19-21).
There will be no new heavens. God’s rule in the universe is bankrupt and worth nothing (Revelation 21:1-4, 1 Corinthians 15:23-28).
Given this, Jesus Christ must not be ruling in power, or must not care about evil and sin and suffering.
In other words, pulling the thread that Jesus isn’t returning unravels Christian belief. It kicks it to the curb and stomps on it. Even if the stomping is done in church gowns and with dainty archbishop’s feet.
This makes me wonder what Jeremy Greaves thinks he is on about as the Archbishop of Southern Queensland. Perhaps he truly believes the church is in the business of putting on band-aids for wounds that can never be fixed. And all Christian ministry must be palliative care for dying people on a dying planet without hope, purpose or joy. And the message of Christianity, of a ruling Lord who will come to judge and overthrow evil is utter emptiness.
This is about as far from Christian teaching as you can get. In other words, it really matters what Jeremy Greaves believes.
Apologies that I got this wrong. Archbishop of Queensland and Northern Territory was incorrect. Thanks Joshua for clarifying this for me.
Regarding the date of the 39 Articles, this comes from a Britannica Article. The date in other sources is 1562.