We have briefly looked at some of the eschatological views developed from a historical perspective. However, we should keep in mind that not all of the Reformers held to the same views about the end-time fulfillment of biblical prophecies. Neither did the Catholic theologians all hold to the same views, and there is a diversity of views in almost every major camp of Christianity today. Why is this?

First, more doctrine than we would like to admit is colored by our circumstances. It is to be expected that the Reformers' views of the Roman Catholic Church were colored by the persecution they were suffering at its hands. Likewise, the futuristic views of prophecy, such as those developed by the movements begun after the 1844 Advent Movement, which almost entirely abandoned the historical perspective on biblical prophecy, came from "the new world" that was devoted to the future in its culture and mindset, with very little devotion to the history of "the old world."

This is not to negate all of their views because of their circumstances, but until we recognize just how much our personal condition and circumstances can affect our doctrines and perspectives on life, we will have trouble receiving clear and untainted revelation from the Holy Spirit on prophecy or anything else. For this reason, it is only when we see from a perspective of love that we will not distort what we see, as Paul declared in Philippians 1:9, "And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment."

Much of what is called "discernment" today is rooted more in suspicion and fear than the only source of pure, untainted discernment, which is love. The old adage that "love is blind," is a fallacy. Only those who love can truly see without distorted vision. True love will see flaws more accurately because with the insight, it will seek the remedy.

It is a popular adage with Christians to "love the sinner, but hate the sin," and we need to do the same thing with other groups, including churches and denominations. Anything but love for them will distort our discernment of them. If we love them, we will not look at the problems or mistakes they have made in order to condemn them, but rather to help them.

If we are to be one with Christ and His purposes in our time, we must always remember that when He saw what was wrong with the world, He did not condemn us, but He laid down His own life for our salvation. He did not reject those who had rejected Him, but paid the ultimate price for them. Even if we are rejected and persecuted, we must love in return if we are going to be one with Him.

This does not mean that we compromise our convictions. True love is based on truth and stands on the truth without compromise. Truth is essential if others are to be called to the repentance that leads to life. However, there can be a great difference between truth spoken in bitterness and resentment, and that which is spoken in love. The former only further wounds and divides, while the latter can impart the peace that is needed for us to look at and consider our own errors and sins, turning them to the only remedy for them—the cross of Jesus.

If we see another's errors, we can also become arrogant, thinking that we are better than they are. As we are warned in Proverbs 16:18, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling." If we think that we are better, smarter, or more spiritual than those who made such mistakes in history, we are not only mistaken, but we are missing the main point of why the Lord allowed this to happen, even in His own church. It was not "them" who did these things, but "us." It is not just a cliché, but sound biblical truth that "Except for the grace of God…," we would have done the same things. That is why the great restorers in Scripture would confess the sins of their fathers as if they were their own.

True discernment is founded on a love that does not just try to see what is wrong with others, but sees in order to help. This is one reason why the Holy Spirit is called the Helper. Do you want to help Catholics? Then learn to love them. If you want to help Protestants, Evangelicals, or any other group, learn to love them first. We are commanded in Galatians 6:1:
 

The truly spiritual restore. They are in the business of restoration, just as this is the main purpose of God in the earth and will be until the job is complete. We can do this in a spirit of gentleness when we do it in the humility of "looking to yourself," knowing that we could have fallen to the same thing if the grace of God had not spared us. And we will do it in gentleness if we love.

We must redeem the past, redeem the time that we have been given, and even if we are called to live in the darkest of times and places at the end of this age, we must never forget that we are agents of redemption, reconciliation, and restoration. To begin practicing this, consider the denomination, culture, race, or people that you have the lowest regard for and begin praying for the Lord to give you His love for them so that you can see them as He does. Is that not our highest purpose—to see as He does so that we will be like Him and can be used by Him to do His work? This is the high calling.