Recently there was a comment on the blog we posted concerning the endtimes desiring to set me straight. It was obvious that the author of the comment has disdain for the pre-trib rapture view. It distressed me only in that the comment appeared to be anti-pre-trib rapture without addressing specific content in the blog. There was a subsequent blog entitled "A Better Way" which we posted concerning Christian love and how that should affect us when considering those who hold views that differ from our own (in particular views concerning the endtimes) . While the entimes blog and the Better Way blog were posted on the same day the person who commented on the endtimes blog made no comment on the other. There is no question we will always have differences of opinions concerning many things in Scripture. However, when we insist that our way is right and that those who differ are deluded, then we must consider our tolerance to others in the body of Christ. Consider the following blog which was originally posted on or church website:
Pastor’s Blog December 2, 2009
The Gospel Is Truth That Must Be Received
Up to this point in these blogs, I have talked about the end times and in particular the Rapture of Christ’s Church, will it be before or after the Great Tribulation? That is a topic which we as believers will probably never be in agreement until the coming of Christ. My opinion on the subject is very clear as evidenced in these blogs. However, we must be careful to not judge one another, or ridicule their position. We must respect them as fellow believers in Christ and allow God to make His changes in them or in us as it fits His purposes. We must avoid that feeling of superiority that comes whe we feel we have the corner on the truth. Can we truly say our reactions to those whose opinion differs from our own, is directed by the Holy Spirit?What is important is the unity we need to have as believers in Christ through the Gospel of Christ. No matter when we expect the Rapture to be, we need to use the time God has given us to preach the Gospel to everyone and anyone we can.
However, in a world where pastors proclaim, “You can have a better life”, “Come to Jesus”, “Only believe”, without further explanation, we must be clear as to what the Gospel is. All the phrases above are good and true as far as they go. We can have a better life—in Jesus. We do need to come to Him—receiving Him as our Lord and Savior. We do need to believe—cling to, rely on and trust Him. I am convinced that it is possible that there are those who get “almost” saved. They make a decision without really understanding what trusting in Jesus is all about. When this is the case, it is because we who know the Gospel have not made it clear.
In I Corinthians 15:1-5 Paul clearly states the Gospel: “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve.” Paul makes it clear that the Gospel is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is this Truth that we must proclaim.
From these verses we see that the Gospel is Truth that must be received. To receive this Truth is to believe it and to accept it into one’s life. That is we receive the fact that we are sinners, bound for Hell, in need of Someone to take the punishment for our sin and that Jesus is Lord, the “mighty God” (Isaiah 9:6) whom we receive into our lives. I not only see Jesus as Lord but He is my Lord, the One who has “bought me with a price” (I Corinthians 6:20) to Whom I now belong.
Some will now say, “Hold on there, you are getting into ‘Lordship’ salvation, which is works.” However, wherever in Scripture where we are told to receive Him we see Him as Lord. Likewise we cannot have salvation if we avoid the issue of sin. A Gospel that omits the fact that we are sinners for whom Christ died on the Cross, is no Gospel at all. We can entice people to have better lives, to come to church and to name the name of Jesus, but unless they receive that they are sinners, believing what He did for them on the Cross, and receive Him, they are still lost. They may come to church, sing praise songs and hymns, but without the Lord Jesus in their lives, it is all nothing.
“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble”. Such is the warning we have in James 2:19. To know that Jesus is God is wonderful but not enough. “But as many as received Him to them gave He the power to become the sons of God, even to them who believed on His name” (John 1:12). These words are ever clear. Let us teach men to receive salvation by receiving the Living God into their hearts.
Friday, May 21, 2010
What Is Sin?
This is a topic no one likes to talk about much anymore. In fact, churches are warned to stick to “more practical” topics if they expect to see church growth (usually defined as increased numbers of attendees). However, sin is a real issue that is talked about at length in the Bible. From Adam’s fall as described in the book of Genesis, through to the events described in the book of Revelation, we see God dealing with the issue of sin—man’s rebelliousness. The truth is, God hates sin. In fact He hates sin so much that He sent His Son to die for our sin. Ought we to ignore something on which God has put such importance?
The problem that quickly comes up in any discussion concerning sin, is how are we to define it? After all, didn’t Paul say that we are not under Law but under Grace and that “…all things are lawful…”? After all, should we not avoid the lists of things that in the past that have led to legalism? The idea so often brought out is that sin is something personal between individuals and God with the idea that “What is sin to me may not be sin to you”.
While there is some truth in all the ideas brought out in the statements above, there is more to be said about sin. Paul, in Romans while affirming we are saved by grace, also very emphatically instructed us not to continue in sin (Romans 6:1-2). Paul admonishes believers in Christ to walk in the Spirit not in the flesh (Galatians 5). Paul makes it clear that while we are no longer under the judgment of the Law, there is such a thing as sin, which we are to avoid.
But what makes a particular activity “sin”? We, in our fleshly nature, are quick to justify our own actions as “not being that bad” or “something that God understands” while overlooking the fact that sin is anything that run contrary to the will of God in our live, that is, when we let our wills override that of God, it is sin. Isn’t that what we see described in Genesis 3:1-6. The serpent tempted Adam and Eve with the promise that they would “…be as gods…”, or in other words they could decide for themselves what is right or wrong. All of us their descendents have been doing that ever since. We have been doing as in the days of the judges of Israel when “… every man did that which was right in his own eyes”. To keep oneself from sin is to keep in God’s will.
To determine God’s will, we look to His Word. Certain things are clearly against His will. Certainly God does not condone murder, adultery, lying or stealing. But what about the so called “grey areas” we encounter in life? Romans 6 gives five tests and Galatians gives two more. These tests are:
1. Can I honestly say God would have me do this thing? All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient. I Cor. 10:23 a
2. Does this activity build me (or others) up in Christ?…all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not I Cor. 10:23 b
3. Does this activity bring me under bondage? ...all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. I Cor. 6:12 b
4. Does this thing mean a step back in my Christian walk? Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. Romans 6:18
5. I am set apart for God’s purposes, does this activity honor God? …even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. Rom. 6:19b
6. Does this thing destroy or lead to eternal life? The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord? Romans 6:23
7. Will my action hurt others? 24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: 33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. I Cor. 10: 24, 31-33.
Sin is a choice. Will I choose my will or that of God? Will I seek my own way or seek to draw closer to Him?
The problem that quickly comes up in any discussion concerning sin, is how are we to define it? After all, didn’t Paul say that we are not under Law but under Grace and that “…all things are lawful…”? After all, should we not avoid the lists of things that in the past that have led to legalism? The idea so often brought out is that sin is something personal between individuals and God with the idea that “What is sin to me may not be sin to you”.
While there is some truth in all the ideas brought out in the statements above, there is more to be said about sin. Paul, in Romans while affirming we are saved by grace, also very emphatically instructed us not to continue in sin (Romans 6:1-2). Paul admonishes believers in Christ to walk in the Spirit not in the flesh (Galatians 5). Paul makes it clear that while we are no longer under the judgment of the Law, there is such a thing as sin, which we are to avoid.
But what makes a particular activity “sin”? We, in our fleshly nature, are quick to justify our own actions as “not being that bad” or “something that God understands” while overlooking the fact that sin is anything that run contrary to the will of God in our live, that is, when we let our wills override that of God, it is sin. Isn’t that what we see described in Genesis 3:1-6. The serpent tempted Adam and Eve with the promise that they would “…be as gods…”, or in other words they could decide for themselves what is right or wrong. All of us their descendents have been doing that ever since. We have been doing as in the days of the judges of Israel when “… every man did that which was right in his own eyes”. To keep oneself from sin is to keep in God’s will.
To determine God’s will, we look to His Word. Certain things are clearly against His will. Certainly God does not condone murder, adultery, lying or stealing. But what about the so called “grey areas” we encounter in life? Romans 6 gives five tests and Galatians gives two more. These tests are:
1. Can I honestly say God would have me do this thing? All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient. I Cor. 10:23 a
2. Does this activity build me (or others) up in Christ?…all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not I Cor. 10:23 b
3. Does this activity bring me under bondage? ...all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. I Cor. 6:12 b
4. Does this thing mean a step back in my Christian walk? Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. Romans 6:18
5. I am set apart for God’s purposes, does this activity honor God? …even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. Rom. 6:19b
6. Does this thing destroy or lead to eternal life? The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord? Romans 6:23
7. Will my action hurt others? 24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: 33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. I Cor. 10: 24, 31-33.
Sin is a choice. Will I choose my will or that of God? Will I seek my own way or seek to draw closer to Him?
Friday, May 14, 2010
A Better Way
You would think that with such a title as “A Better Way” that I would be writing about love as found in I Corinthians 13 and you would be right. However, before getting into that topic in full force, I think it best to make some comments about two “old” blogs about the end times I recently posted on this blogsite. Nothing seems to separate genuine believers today like this topic. If you doubt this, research end times prophecy on the internet. You will find much commentary and much heated rhetoric much of which stops just short of condemning those who disagree with the opinions expressed in the particular commentary at hand.
I do not know why two believers who look at the same Scriptures can have such different opinions about the end times. I can only search the Scripture, praying for illumination from the Holy Spirit and trust Him for what He brings to me. I certainly have a particular view concerning the end times as evidenced in these blogs, but I refuse to allow myself the luxury to judge those with a different point of view. No doubt many factors can affect how we as individuals interpret Scripture. Denominational teachings, basic presuppositions and even personal preferences can cloud our view. Only as we draw closer to the One Who authored it all will we be in more agreement. For now we must agree to agree on the most important things, in particular, the Gospel, agreeing not to let the secondary things, no matter how important they may seem to us, separate us from sweet fellowship in Jesus Christ, while we seek as individuals to draw closer to God..
I Corinthians 13 shows us that the most important factor in drawing close to God is in experiencing His love as we share His love with those around us. I begin to understand God’s love for me, as I allow His love to flow through me. When I choose not to allow God’s love to flow through me (and it is a choice), I have no real experience as to the height, breadth and depth of His love. I may believe John 3:16 that “God so loved the world” and may trust Jesus to be my Savior and Lord, but unless I allow His love to flow, my faith has no real feet. How can I believe God’s love is great enough to forgive me all my offenses, if I am unwilling to forgive those that offend me? Am I to take the place of God? I desire His forgiveness but when I am unwilling to forgive, do I see my sin somehow less than theirs?
In this blog site I try to write from the point of view of the local church. I am much concerned about the lack of love shown among believers in churches today. Differences about the doctrine of the end times, is only a drop in the proverbial bucket when we consider what separates believers today. Often it’s “If you only knew what he (or she) did (or said), you would know why I can’t forgive.” However, the love in I Corinthians is unconditional and not self serving. It is not envious, but patient, as is God’s love is with us. It is this love by which others will be able to identify us as true believers.
I am convinced that on this earth we believers will never be in total agreement on all matters. I am determined however not to let those differences separate me from fellowship with those that truly embrace the Gospel of the all-sufficient death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Gospel that begins with the words “God so loved…” is what really matters for eternity. All else will fail. For me to experience the fullness of this Gospel, is to experience the fullness of God’s love as I let it flow through me to love not only those who love me, but also those who have offended me (the greater the offense the greater the love) and disagree with me.
Read I Corinthians 13, is God’s love in you?
I do not know why two believers who look at the same Scriptures can have such different opinions about the end times. I can only search the Scripture, praying for illumination from the Holy Spirit and trust Him for what He brings to me. I certainly have a particular view concerning the end times as evidenced in these blogs, but I refuse to allow myself the luxury to judge those with a different point of view. No doubt many factors can affect how we as individuals interpret Scripture. Denominational teachings, basic presuppositions and even personal preferences can cloud our view. Only as we draw closer to the One Who authored it all will we be in more agreement. For now we must agree to agree on the most important things, in particular, the Gospel, agreeing not to let the secondary things, no matter how important they may seem to us, separate us from sweet fellowship in Jesus Christ, while we seek as individuals to draw closer to God..
I Corinthians 13 shows us that the most important factor in drawing close to God is in experiencing His love as we share His love with those around us. I begin to understand God’s love for me, as I allow His love to flow through me. When I choose not to allow God’s love to flow through me (and it is a choice), I have no real experience as to the height, breadth and depth of His love. I may believe John 3:16 that “God so loved the world” and may trust Jesus to be my Savior and Lord, but unless I allow His love to flow, my faith has no real feet. How can I believe God’s love is great enough to forgive me all my offenses, if I am unwilling to forgive those that offend me? Am I to take the place of God? I desire His forgiveness but when I am unwilling to forgive, do I see my sin somehow less than theirs?
In this blog site I try to write from the point of view of the local church. I am much concerned about the lack of love shown among believers in churches today. Differences about the doctrine of the end times, is only a drop in the proverbial bucket when we consider what separates believers today. Often it’s “If you only knew what he (or she) did (or said), you would know why I can’t forgive.” However, the love in I Corinthians is unconditional and not self serving. It is not envious, but patient, as is God’s love is with us. It is this love by which others will be able to identify us as true believers.
I am convinced that on this earth we believers will never be in total agreement on all matters. I am determined however not to let those differences separate me from fellowship with those that truly embrace the Gospel of the all-sufficient death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Gospel that begins with the words “God so loved…” is what really matters for eternity. All else will fail. For me to experience the fullness of this Gospel, is to experience the fullness of God’s love as I let it flow through me to love not only those who love me, but also those who have offended me (the greater the offense the greater the love) and disagree with me.
Read I Corinthians 13, is God’s love in you?
Tribulation or Rapture?
The following were on our church website so some may not have seen them here. I thought it might be good to review them now. I realize that by bringing out these "old" blogs I may offend some who hold opposing views. If so, I encourage you to read the next blog coming: A Better Way.
Pastor’s Blog Week of 11/23/09
End Times: Is Tribulation or Rapture, Ahead For The Church?
When the World Trade Towers were destroyed there were those who were quick to say that this event was the prophecy of the overthrow of Babylon fulfilled inferring that we are in the midst of the Great Tribulation. While this is easily refuted (more than seven years has gone by and Christ has not returned bodily to Earth), there continues to be much speculation about the relationship of prophesy and the days in which we live. A lot is being said in Christian circles about these being the end times with the inference that we are increasingly seeing prophecy fulfilled as we see increased violence, poor economic news and numerous natural disasters. Many in Evangelicals are still looking for the coming of Jesus Christ to rapture the Church to that great meeting in the air while others say that the events we now see will continue to progress, that the Anti-Christ will soon be revealed and that the Church needs to prepare for its role during the coming days of the Great Tribulation. The doctrines of the imminent return of Jesus Christ and the pre-tribulation rapture have lost their support even among respected Bible teachers who once held to their validity. The charge has been made that those who still hold to these doctrines have their heads in the sand falsely hoping that Christ will come to rescue them from the difficult days ahead. In many pulpits where the pre-tribulation was one strongly proclaimed, pastors are now saying “I don’t really know”. The time has come for us to stand strong in faith looking to Scripture and looking to that “Blessed Hope the Glorious Appearing of our Great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).
It is not surprising that the doctrine of the imminent return of Christ is being attacked alongside the doctrine of the pre-tribulation rapture, because the doctrine of a post-tribulation rapture and the teaching of the imminent return of Christ cannot coexist. For imminent return to be true, nothing (including the Great Tribulation) can remain on the “prophetic clock” before the rapture. Critics say that the teaching of imminent return along with the teaching of the pre-tribulation rapture of the Church is something not known until the mid 1800’s therefore, they imply, it cannot be true. This argument, which is not a Biblical one, ignores the dominance of the Roman Catholic Church (and the Reformers who still accepted many of the Catholics Church’s teaching) which persecuted non-Catholic groups and suppressed their teachings from the 300’s onward. The truth of doctrine does not hinge on Church History but rather on Scripture, and from Scripture, we determine that the early believers did believe in the imminent return of Christ. This is evident from the epistles of Paul. In I Thessalonians 1:10 he commended the believers at Thessalonica for their resolve to wait for Jesus’ coming. In the remainder of the letter and again in II Thessalonians, Paul writes to comfort these believers who, because of the difficult trials they faced, had apparently thought that they had missed Christ’s coming and were in “the day of the Lord”, that time of great tribulation on the Earth. Paul never once told them they were wrong to expect the imminent return of our Savior, nor does he tell them to brace for the great tribulation, but he did tell them they were not “appointed to wrath” but to “deliverance” (I Thessalonians 5:9) for whether we be awake or sleep we will living together with Him (I Thessalonians 5:10). The doctrine of the imminent return is true and so consequently is the doctrine of the pre-tribulation rapture.
The real importance in this issue is not the issue itself but how we are to live in the last days. Should we be bracing for the Great tribulation, storing up supplies so that we can be ready to share with unbelieving neighbors, winning them to Christ in a revival such as we’ve never seen before? Or should we be looking for Jesus’ soon return telling the Good News of the Gospel and warning of the days ahead? To expect the pre-tribulation rapture is not hiding our heads in the sand. We are not to do nothing, but rather are to live, watching and waiting, showing the evidence of Christ in all we do. This is what Paul told the Christians at Thessalonica (and us) for he followed the words of comfort with words of how we are to live. While the message of the pre-tribulation rapture is comforting as well as exciting, it is also very sobering. What about our friends and loved ones who will be left behind? We need to remember the imminent return of our Savior and redouble our efforts to reach those all around us who are lost and truly face the truly difficult days ahead.
Pastor’s Blog week of 11/30/09
The Greatest Revival Ever Seen
Just prior to the year 2000, the Christian community was inundated with reports of an upcoming economic collapse that would forever change things. We were warned that when January 1, 2000 arrived computers would fail, and that systems that depended on computers would shut down. Not only was the financial sector to be affected, but transportation, utilities, manufacturing facilities would be as well. Even one’s automobile would not operate properly because of technological failure. People were admonished to stockpile supplies to be ready for a disaster, which in fact, never occurred. While secular society did not seem too disturbed by these warnings, Christian leaders of all denominations were at the forefront of spreading the news. Some people gave up as much as their life savings to prepare for this event.
In the aftermath of such a non-event, we must consider why believers who look for Christ’s Coming would be so effected by these warnings. Where did these dire predictions originate? Who was behind their popularization? Why did they mostly affect the Christian community? While the origination of the predictions will probably never be clear, the whole affair was an embarrassment to the cause of Christ. Perhaps there was some obscure report in some scientific journal which was picked up by a news seeking media even though the bulk of the scientific community said the event would not happen, then, governmental officials got involved, contingency plans were made, and the public was told there was little to fear. Why then the hysteria in the Christian community? Did someone know something that secular society did not?
To answer the questions above, we need to understand who, in Christian circles were the ones who did the most to propagate this message of a coming collapse of society. Dave Hunt, in his book, Y2K A Reasoned Response To Mass Hysteria, gives us clues. Hunt points out that among the major proponents of this hysteria were those who believed that the Y2K disaster would be the impetus that would lead to the greatest spiritual revival ever seen. As Christians became prepared for this disaster, they would be able to share with their non-Christian neighbors, who would be led to Christ through this Christian generosity. While not all those who predicted this revival agreed, many felt that this event and the subsequent revival would bring about the return of Jesus Christ. Of course, Y2K proved to be a non-event hardly worth mentioning (and here I’ve spent nearly two paragraphs on it) except for the fact many of the same voices are being heard today as our world faces financial and political uncertainty .
As Post-Tribulation Rapture Theology grows in acceptance in Bible believing churches, so too is the idea that the present political and economic conditions will lead to the Great Tribulation. Consequently, it is taught, Christians need to prepare by stockpiling supplies so we will be able to share with our unsaved neighbors who will be saved in tremendous numbers because of our generosity (sound familiar?). The thought is expressed that those who believe in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture are being deluded into thinking that Christ will rescue them from the difficult days ahead and will be unprepared for the greatest revival this world has ever seen. The problem with this line of thinking is that it ignores what God has to tell us in His Word.
Jesus, in Matthew 24 had much to say about the coming Tribulation which will be a time as has never been and never again will be (Matt 24:21). In the description of these days, one can hardly see a believing Church sharing its goods and winning the unsaved world. Instead we see judgment and destruction where the inhabitants of that time are warned to flee. Verse 37 describes the coming time immediately proceeding the time of judgment as “the days of Noah”, a time of prosperity, not one of economic decline followed by complete destruction of those caught in it.
There is something else to note about Matthew 24:37. Jesus refers to this as the time Noah (and his family) was taken out before the destruction of the rest of the people of the earth. In the Gospel of Luke we have the illustration of Lot being taken out of Sodom before the destruction of that city. While those who believe in the Post-Tribulation rapture are quick to point out that believers are not guaranteed we will not go through tribulations, and that there are many examples in Scripture when believers went through hard times alongside the unbelievers (ex. Daniel during the Exile), Jesus, however, did not refer to any of these times when talking about the coming time of great Tribulation.. Instead, we see Jesus referring to a time of peace and prosperity ending with believers being removed being followed by judgment and total destruction.
Christ’s Church is called to look for His coming. We are not called to look for the time of His great wrath. In fact, we told we are not meant for this wrath but for deliverance for whether we be “…awake or asleep we should live together with Him” (I Thessalonians 5: 9&10). When Jesus is coming, we do not know. But the fact that He is coming is clear. Our call to win the lost has never been so urgent. The vast majority of those on the earth today face a Christ-less eternity with no guarantees for second chances for those who enter into The Great Tribulation. In fact, there will be a great delusion in that day, that they should believe a lie, and be condemned because they “…believed not the Truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (II Thessalonians 2:8-12). We need to be faithful –now! “…Now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation” is God’s word to us in II Corinthians 6:2. Then again we are warned, “Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts…” (Hebrews 3:7&8).
Jesus can come at any time. We are not told to wait for the Great Tribulation first. The only thing that delays His Coming is that He is “…longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9). Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus, looking for His coming. Who knows what opportunities are ahead? Let’s pray that the Lord of the harvest will grant a great revival before He comes.
Pastor’s Blog Week of 11/23/09
End Times: Is Tribulation or Rapture, Ahead For The Church?
When the World Trade Towers were destroyed there were those who were quick to say that this event was the prophecy of the overthrow of Babylon fulfilled inferring that we are in the midst of the Great Tribulation. While this is easily refuted (more than seven years has gone by and Christ has not returned bodily to Earth), there continues to be much speculation about the relationship of prophesy and the days in which we live. A lot is being said in Christian circles about these being the end times with the inference that we are increasingly seeing prophecy fulfilled as we see increased violence, poor economic news and numerous natural disasters. Many in Evangelicals are still looking for the coming of Jesus Christ to rapture the Church to that great meeting in the air while others say that the events we now see will continue to progress, that the Anti-Christ will soon be revealed and that the Church needs to prepare for its role during the coming days of the Great Tribulation. The doctrines of the imminent return of Jesus Christ and the pre-tribulation rapture have lost their support even among respected Bible teachers who once held to their validity. The charge has been made that those who still hold to these doctrines have their heads in the sand falsely hoping that Christ will come to rescue them from the difficult days ahead. In many pulpits where the pre-tribulation was one strongly proclaimed, pastors are now saying “I don’t really know”. The time has come for us to stand strong in faith looking to Scripture and looking to that “Blessed Hope the Glorious Appearing of our Great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).
It is not surprising that the doctrine of the imminent return of Christ is being attacked alongside the doctrine of the pre-tribulation rapture, because the doctrine of a post-tribulation rapture and the teaching of the imminent return of Christ cannot coexist. For imminent return to be true, nothing (including the Great Tribulation) can remain on the “prophetic clock” before the rapture. Critics say that the teaching of imminent return along with the teaching of the pre-tribulation rapture of the Church is something not known until the mid 1800’s therefore, they imply, it cannot be true. This argument, which is not a Biblical one, ignores the dominance of the Roman Catholic Church (and the Reformers who still accepted many of the Catholics Church’s teaching) which persecuted non-Catholic groups and suppressed their teachings from the 300’s onward. The truth of doctrine does not hinge on Church History but rather on Scripture, and from Scripture, we determine that the early believers did believe in the imminent return of Christ. This is evident from the epistles of Paul. In I Thessalonians 1:10 he commended the believers at Thessalonica for their resolve to wait for Jesus’ coming. In the remainder of the letter and again in II Thessalonians, Paul writes to comfort these believers who, because of the difficult trials they faced, had apparently thought that they had missed Christ’s coming and were in “the day of the Lord”, that time of great tribulation on the Earth. Paul never once told them they were wrong to expect the imminent return of our Savior, nor does he tell them to brace for the great tribulation, but he did tell them they were not “appointed to wrath” but to “deliverance” (I Thessalonians 5:9) for whether we be awake or sleep we will living together with Him (I Thessalonians 5:10). The doctrine of the imminent return is true and so consequently is the doctrine of the pre-tribulation rapture.
The real importance in this issue is not the issue itself but how we are to live in the last days. Should we be bracing for the Great tribulation, storing up supplies so that we can be ready to share with unbelieving neighbors, winning them to Christ in a revival such as we’ve never seen before? Or should we be looking for Jesus’ soon return telling the Good News of the Gospel and warning of the days ahead? To expect the pre-tribulation rapture is not hiding our heads in the sand. We are not to do nothing, but rather are to live, watching and waiting, showing the evidence of Christ in all we do. This is what Paul told the Christians at Thessalonica (and us) for he followed the words of comfort with words of how we are to live. While the message of the pre-tribulation rapture is comforting as well as exciting, it is also very sobering. What about our friends and loved ones who will be left behind? We need to remember the imminent return of our Savior and redouble our efforts to reach those all around us who are lost and truly face the truly difficult days ahead.
Pastor’s Blog week of 11/30/09
The Greatest Revival Ever Seen
Just prior to the year 2000, the Christian community was inundated with reports of an upcoming economic collapse that would forever change things. We were warned that when January 1, 2000 arrived computers would fail, and that systems that depended on computers would shut down. Not only was the financial sector to be affected, but transportation, utilities, manufacturing facilities would be as well. Even one’s automobile would not operate properly because of technological failure. People were admonished to stockpile supplies to be ready for a disaster, which in fact, never occurred. While secular society did not seem too disturbed by these warnings, Christian leaders of all denominations were at the forefront of spreading the news. Some people gave up as much as their life savings to prepare for this event.
In the aftermath of such a non-event, we must consider why believers who look for Christ’s Coming would be so effected by these warnings. Where did these dire predictions originate? Who was behind their popularization? Why did they mostly affect the Christian community? While the origination of the predictions will probably never be clear, the whole affair was an embarrassment to the cause of Christ. Perhaps there was some obscure report in some scientific journal which was picked up by a news seeking media even though the bulk of the scientific community said the event would not happen, then, governmental officials got involved, contingency plans were made, and the public was told there was little to fear. Why then the hysteria in the Christian community? Did someone know something that secular society did not?
To answer the questions above, we need to understand who, in Christian circles were the ones who did the most to propagate this message of a coming collapse of society. Dave Hunt, in his book, Y2K A Reasoned Response To Mass Hysteria, gives us clues. Hunt points out that among the major proponents of this hysteria were those who believed that the Y2K disaster would be the impetus that would lead to the greatest spiritual revival ever seen. As Christians became prepared for this disaster, they would be able to share with their non-Christian neighbors, who would be led to Christ through this Christian generosity. While not all those who predicted this revival agreed, many felt that this event and the subsequent revival would bring about the return of Jesus Christ. Of course, Y2K proved to be a non-event hardly worth mentioning (and here I’ve spent nearly two paragraphs on it) except for the fact many of the same voices are being heard today as our world faces financial and political uncertainty .
As Post-Tribulation Rapture Theology grows in acceptance in Bible believing churches, so too is the idea that the present political and economic conditions will lead to the Great Tribulation. Consequently, it is taught, Christians need to prepare by stockpiling supplies so we will be able to share with our unsaved neighbors who will be saved in tremendous numbers because of our generosity (sound familiar?). The thought is expressed that those who believe in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture are being deluded into thinking that Christ will rescue them from the difficult days ahead and will be unprepared for the greatest revival this world has ever seen. The problem with this line of thinking is that it ignores what God has to tell us in His Word.
Jesus, in Matthew 24 had much to say about the coming Tribulation which will be a time as has never been and never again will be (Matt 24:21). In the description of these days, one can hardly see a believing Church sharing its goods and winning the unsaved world. Instead we see judgment and destruction where the inhabitants of that time are warned to flee. Verse 37 describes the coming time immediately proceeding the time of judgment as “the days of Noah”, a time of prosperity, not one of economic decline followed by complete destruction of those caught in it.
There is something else to note about Matthew 24:37. Jesus refers to this as the time Noah (and his family) was taken out before the destruction of the rest of the people of the earth. In the Gospel of Luke we have the illustration of Lot being taken out of Sodom before the destruction of that city. While those who believe in the Post-Tribulation rapture are quick to point out that believers are not guaranteed we will not go through tribulations, and that there are many examples in Scripture when believers went through hard times alongside the unbelievers (ex. Daniel during the Exile), Jesus, however, did not refer to any of these times when talking about the coming time of great Tribulation.. Instead, we see Jesus referring to a time of peace and prosperity ending with believers being removed being followed by judgment and total destruction.
Christ’s Church is called to look for His coming. We are not called to look for the time of His great wrath. In fact, we told we are not meant for this wrath but for deliverance for whether we be “…awake or asleep we should live together with Him” (I Thessalonians 5: 9&10). When Jesus is coming, we do not know. But the fact that He is coming is clear. Our call to win the lost has never been so urgent. The vast majority of those on the earth today face a Christ-less eternity with no guarantees for second chances for those who enter into The Great Tribulation. In fact, there will be a great delusion in that day, that they should believe a lie, and be condemned because they “…believed not the Truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (II Thessalonians 2:8-12). We need to be faithful –now! “…Now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation” is God’s word to us in II Corinthians 6:2. Then again we are warned, “Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts…” (Hebrews 3:7&8).
Jesus can come at any time. We are not told to wait for the Great Tribulation first. The only thing that delays His Coming is that He is “…longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9). Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus, looking for His coming. Who knows what opportunities are ahead? Let’s pray that the Lord of the harvest will grant a great revival before He comes.
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