4-20-15<\/p>\n
I recently was at a dinner party and discussed reading habits with a lady. \u201cWhen you write fiction, I\u2019m sure you know how the story will end,\u201d she asked \u201cbut when you read a novel, do you ever peek ahead to the ending?\u201d I have heard that some people do this, but it sort of defeats the purpose, don\u2019t you think?<\/p>\n
There is only one book where I think it is worthwhile, even advisable, to peek ahead to the ending. To the very last chapter. And that is the best of books, the Great Book: the Holy Bible.<\/p>\n
It is a good idea to do more than peek. We should be as familiar with End Times as we are the story of Creation; with the requirements for Salvation as the Commandments of the Decalogue; with the \u201csigns of the times\u201d as the signs and wonders of Christ\u2019s ministry. God desires that we know what is coming \u2013 for the faithful, the faithless, and the apostates.<\/p>\n
The Bible is very clear about what is coming at the End of Time, the end of this world as we know it. And when the Bible is not clear \u2013 which is frequently, as many details are wrapped in allusions, poetry and, yes, mystery \u2013 I believe this too is intentional. God has not been sloppy nor the Holy Spirit an inadequate inspiration. God wants us to be forever on watch, always anticipating His return, constantly following Scripture for its signposts.<\/p>\n
To these ends we must study the Last Days, during which many believe, plausibly, we live today.<\/p>\n
We know that \u201cthe saints will be deceived,\u201d that many Christians, and churches, and entire denominations, will follow false doctrines.<\/p>\n
We know that \u201cmen shall be lovers of their own selves\u201d \u2013 more than selfish, but given over to their own desires, substituting their wills for God\u2019s.<\/p>\n
We know that the Bible speaks of a time when there will be \u201cwars and rumors of wars,\u201d more than usual; and \u201cpeople cry \u2018peace, peace,\u2019 but there is no peace.\u201d<\/p>\n
We know that \u201cThis gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.\u201d This is only happening with the advent of modern communications.<\/p>\n
We know that, speculations about the anti-Christ aside, the world will be beset by false Messiahs.<\/p>\n
Many are the prophecies of violent weather, \u201cdistress\u201d around the world, plagues, famines, oppression, persecution of the church. And many people see these as imminent\u2026 or already here. We do not have to wander into the tall grass of preterist debates and arguments for and against pre-millennialism, millennialism, and post-millennialism, as prerequisites to gain familiarity with scripture\u2019s pictures of the End of the Age. Whether Israel is the fulfillment of the biblical restoration of Jerusalem or a secular country unrelated to the spiritual dispensation of God\u2019s chosen, the spiritually circumcised, et cetera, et cetera\u2026 <\/p>\n
\u2026 the earth as we know it will end. We are on paths toward destruction. Judgment draweth nigh. Numerous prophecies are being fulfilled (from Daniel, Isaiah, and other Old Testament books, as well as from Jesus\u2019s words, Paul\u2019s letters, and the Book of Revelation) that could not have been imagined or understood just a few short years ago. Heresies abound. Men call evil good and good evil, right in our midst, even from our pulpits. All as the Bible predicted.<\/p>\n
I am not being pessimistic; I am being realistic.<\/p>\n
I am not voicing alarms; I am sharing the Truth.<\/p>\n
I am not showing lack of faith in God\u2019s working; I am reading the Bible about His ways.<\/p>\n
I am not decrying God\u2019s coming judgments; I know absolutely that He is a Just God.<\/p>\n
So. Now what, believers? I urge that we not get caught up in whether the Great Tribulation happens in the middle of the 70 weeks and what passages are literal and what references are true but allusions. We must deal with facts, not disputes; God\u2019s will, not our theology. <\/p>\n
We must be ready. We must look up. We must be pure and faithful. We must correct the misguided, witness to the lost, convert the rebellious. <\/p>\n
More, we must be willing to suffer for the gospel. We must be willing to be criticized by neighbors. We must be willing to be shunned by family members. <\/p>\n
We must be bold. We must speak up, speak out, and speak loudly against the horrible things in our midst \u2013 laws, rules, education, the courts, the schools, entertainment media, popular culture. <\/p>\n
We must take stands, even commit civil disobedience, on matters like suppression of the gospel, freedom of religion, infanticide and euthanasia, moral abominations. <\/p>\n
If you need a list, look in the Bible\u2019s descriptions of the days preceding End Time destruction. Our scripts \u2013 our marching orders \u2013 are there. Woe to those of us who wrongly apply \u201cturning the other cheek\u201d when His church is being attacked. Be not deceived: God is not mocked.<\/p>\n
It is time for Christians to stop trying to \u201cget along.\u201d We should be making waves, not riding them. This is not an option. Peek ahead, and read the end of the story.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn? According to His promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by Him without spot or blemish\u2026\u201d (II Peter 3:11-14).<\/p>\n
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