World events are startling! Watching the Middle East, Japan, Australia, Europe, and a meltdown in America, have prompted some healthy discussions on the last days. When events happen at such a rapid pace, it is wise to ask, “What on Earth is happening?” Those who could care less are likely drowning in some kind of destructive behavior because they, too, notice but cannot cope. Who can we trust with answers?
Most turn first to their pastors. Some provide wonderful, biblical insight into our times. May their numbers increase! From what we hear at this ministry, they are in the minority, for one ministry supporter sent me an email from her pastor. I did a double-take on it upon reading it. I so wanted to believe it was just made up. He writes:
“The number of troubles in the world overwhelmed me for a while and I didn’t know how to respond. I am suggesting we pray for the people we see or hear about in the media who are working in these troubled areas and also for the victims and their families whose faces and voices carry so much grief and anxiety.
“Some may wonder if these are signs of the end-times because they certainly appear to fit the descriptions we read about in the Bible. But, I suggest we don’t rush to express this view. Historically, there have been seasons of trouble that have had the hallmarks of the end-times, most notably, the early 20th century.Some people were driven by fear to repent. Other people concluded that such a violent and indiscriminate series of events that killed ‘innocent’ with the guilty did not present the God of Christianity in a good light and there was then a great falling away.
“Now is not the time to theologize or speculate on causes. It’s just time now to help.”
How tragic that he discourages people from considering the serious warnings that great traumas would come upon the world as we hurdle towards the very time of the end. He discourages a conversation about these issues and would thus rob many of the “blessed hope” that Christ’s return offers. Without the proper biblical perspective, the strongest believer could cave. When we realize what is happening to this planet — the Japan scenario most recently, but preceded by global chaos in many hot spots — it should quicken our spirits and affect the way we live and think and carry on with our relationships. Jesus is coming soon! Live your life in light of eternity! God is shaking the nations as spoken of in Haggai 2:7.
People cannot take chaos and confusion forever. They need some comforting words. They need some insight. They are asking why all this is happening. They don’t know how to connect the dots. Tell them! This is a dress rehearsal for Matthew 24. We don’t know if that drama is center stage tomorrow or 20 years from now. But it will happen.
This pastor also told the woman to whom he sent his email that she should not talk about repentance, for that might lead to a great falling away. It is the withholding of the message of repentance that has led to the great apostasy of our day. But he states what is most important — more important even than speaking of repentance — is to go and help. I guess that means the social gospel or good works is what really matters. Yes, it is a great idea to make a donation for those suffering in Japan or you-fill-in-the-blank. The globe is throbbing. But the social gospel has been implemented now for a century as liberalism has emphasized feeding the stomach but starving the soul.
This ministry exhorts you to reach out to the lost with the truth of the gospel while there is time. The world and much of the church are deceived. Strong delusion has run amok. The apostate church is thriving. Bible-believing, discerning Christians are being left on the side of the road, scorned and displaced with no church to attend. The Church of Laodicea has left the light of the Word and the world. That is why a shepherd of the sheep can pen the words quoted above.
I am weary of hearing that Bible prophecy is scorned in church after church. If it is one-fifth of the Bible, it has to be relevant! If Jesus’ first coming is significant, why is His Second Coming controversial and not seeker-sensitive? When and how did the message that the King is coming become a downer? On some end-time issues, we “see through a glass darkly,” but other issues are crystal clear.
It seems that for 25 years seminaries have been cranking out pastors who aren’t sure what theology to teach when it comes to eschatology, so they won’t visit the topic at all.
Here we are, likely in the last of the last days. God bless the pastors who tell the truth and teach the whole counsel of God. I exhort you now, while there is still time, to become fishers of men just as Jesus challenged us. It is a small price to pay in light of what He has done for us. Evangelism and issues of the last days fit hand-in-glove. Everything has an end, even life as we know it. I can almost hear the hoof beats of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse.
You need to go out and tell people. Shout it from the mountain tops. You are not responsible for their response. There may not be much time left.