One person's answer
The theology of the second coming is not relevant to space exploration, imho. Obsession with that aspect of Christian theology is not healthy. The 'Left Behind' series is, from my perspective, a kind of theological pornography, distorting theology and appealing to the lowest sort of interests. I think most who read it don't take it very seriously or very deeply. My bet is the number of people who believe it strongly is about the same number who strongly believe in UFOs at Roswell or in abductions.
I think the problem of space exploration is the problem of railroads in the 1700's: the technology was there, but it was not time for railroads.
We will get out there -not soon enough- but pretty soon.
Ed