I am noticing a disturbing trend lately, perhaps it has been going on longer than I realize, but not to this extent, and it is getting worse. Many of those I speak with that profess a faith in Christ will not only not debate Scriptural topics, but they will vehemently defend what is most definitely not the truth found in the Scriptures.
If I was to speak as one from seventy years or so ago, I would say that there is an evil spirit of divisiveness being exhibited on a grand scale, but perhaps the Scriptures may explain this phenomenon best, “The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.” (Luke 12:53)
Just a few short months ago I would not admit to myself that we are indeed nearing the end of the age of the gentiles, (Luke 21:24) and the rapture of the church, (1 Thess. 4:17) but my mind has been changed. Churches, those churches that still claim to be Evangelical, are filled with people behind the podium that are well versed in how to tickle those itchy ears of people in the pews, (2 Tim. 4:3) sound Biblical doctrine is rare today, discipleship is almost gone, fear permeates our society, even in the lives of those who are to hold fast onto 1 John 4:18, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”
I believe that much of this can be explained in part, with the devotional that my wonderful wife read for us this evening, people’s lack of trust in the faithfulness of the Lord is waning, the circumstances of the hour has become their focal point, and each day that focus is diverted away from the truth by our adversary.
“A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.” (Prov. 1:5) The fools are dying for lack of wisdom, (Prov. 10:21) wisdom that is readily available, but they either refuse to see it, or another verse stands true, the Lord has begun to send them a strong delusion. (2 Thess. 2:11) Not only is the truth being stifled and rebuked when it is brought up, but debate is discouraged, and in fact, if it is found to go against what some governments proclaim is the truth, can land you in jail now for a very long time. All of this, both in the world of the lost and that of many who claim to be saved, is bringing with it the intended consequences, fear, depression, rage, anger and violence.
My friends, we are witnessing the end of the age, we are watching as Satan begins his final attack, and subtlety is going out the door.
I do not know many who have been born-again that are prepared for a full-frontal attack, their swords and shields (Eph. 6:16-17) have collected far too much dust over the last few years. They have forgotten that the day they got up from their knees at the cross that they walked directly onto the battlefield, and I fear that many may become casualties of their own making. The time is coming, and may have already arrived for some of you, when we will need to make a decision as to where we stand, and as I have said to my lovely wife more than once, that decision is easy to voice when one is sitting down on their comfortable sofa, in peace, with no war nearby, and the closest serious trouble is that which one is watching on their television.
“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17)
I will leave you to contemplate this thought, and I ask that you would verify these words for yourself. Structures, large complexes of many buildings with razor wire surrounding them are being built on nearly every continent, places that can hold tens of thousands of people, and I would ask you to contemplate this verse along with that information. “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” (Rev. 2:10) Notice the end of that verse, to put it in today’s terminology, the only way that anyone is leaving one of these places is in a body bag. Debate of the truths of the Word of God then may likely be the last thing on someone’s mind that day.
