Way back in the 1800’s and early part of the 1900’s, as I
understand, at least in some places pastors in churches preached the word boldly. And then some of them applied the truths of
God they had preached to the specific congregation itself as appropriate. And they applied it to local and national
happenings and issues in the times they were living. That was the right thing to do. I think
most people expected that. After all,
those who were in the churches were hoping to learn and to live by God’s law,
by his commands.
Today, so many of our individual churches do not delve
deeply into God’s word, preferring to stay on the surface, or to focus on the
tried and true few verses that most people know, or to talk about cultural or
motivational issues. Those that go
beyond, especially those who apply God’s word to situations of the day, risk a
pretty violent reaction. Reporters may
show up. People who are “tolerant” of
just about everything in our modern society are most assuredly to be
offended. So too all those who believe
there is no absolute truth, only relative truths.
As we edge ever closer to that wonderful return of the Lord
and his collecting his believers, and as we see the prophecies being fulfilled
and heed the warnings of the Lord to stay alert, to watch we are not deceived,
and so on, we set ourselves up to offend others.
In this ministry as long as I preach and write on divine
healing, there are those who want to hear and to come (and also those of course
who can’t conceive of such a thing, believing incorrectly all the miracles and
the gifts of the spirit and such disappeared after the first century).
When I preach and teach more about the fullness of Jesus and
all he did, who he is and such, well, it seems it is more difficult to gather a
crowd. So many think they know it all
when they say he took care of our sin and brings us forgiveness and eternal
life. And they miss so much.
When I speak of his imminent return, well, there are those
who reply people have always said that.
There are those who can’t conceive that the Bible really is absolutely
true and that things are indeed happening and about to happen. So many don’t come because they either are
not interested or are frightened by it all.
And then when I apply all the prophecies of the Bible to be
fulfilled before the Lord’s return and note what is happening in society, it
seems even more are offended. They ask
to be removed from the newsletter list. They prefer to be comfortable in their
views than uncomfortable in God’s truths.
It is true. I see it
with the newsletters I write. I see it
in the donations and how they dwindle when a subject causes people to be uncomfortable.
But we press on, not doing all we would like because we
don’t have the funds, but doing all we can with what we have. I think many God expects to contribute just
do not do so, being interrupted by events of the day and the cares of this
world.
The facts are simple:
·
We really are at the end of the church age.
·
Jesus really is about to return.
·
A lot of unpleasant things are happening and
about to happen.
·
From his warnings and advice, it is apparent
that true believers in Jesus – members of His CHURCH (the only one that counts)
will be taken out of harm’s way sometime before the terrible wrath of God
explodes in the Tribulation period.
·
Things may likely get much worse here for
believers before the Lord collects us and takes us out of here.
·
Many people – certainly by far the majority of
society – prefer the approval of secular society, of the mass news media, of
the ever growing national government, of their neighbors and friends – to
following the truths of God. Even so,
the Bible warns us to let God be true and every man a liar. His word trumps all.
·
The Lord himself warns more than once that the
number finding the way to life (with him, with his father) is few indeed.
Some time ago the Lord made it really clear to me that I
should preach and teach about him and about his return. Even healing services in his priority system
take a second place to that. Of course
divine healing is part of who he is and thus appropriately part of any program
focusing on the Lord. But at this point
in history what does it matter if people are healed but do not know Jesus? So they can be physically and emotionally whole
as they enter hell?
I still enjoy healing.
But in the last two years as we have planned activities and discussed
events, Jesus has clearly guided me more to the focus on himself and his
return. About two years ago I actually
felt a need to say to him in prayer – “We’re holding a Day of Healing on such
and such a date…Is that all right?” and I received the shocking reply – “If you
want to.” No longer his top
priority. Getting as many of those who
are supposed to be his and go with him when he comes – that is his top
priority. Unfortunately this all has not
dawned on most people.
My advice to you in the midst of the confusion that is
modern life on earth today is to stay alert and focused on Jesus and all he is
and all he has done for you and all believers.
That way you should be able to avoid all that is coming on the earth as
well as participate in God’s leading others to Jesus. As our banner says:
