In the late 1920’s and early 30’s across the planet there was a great depression, an economic downfall that was felt in one way or another by nearly every person on this planet. The days were difficult to say the least, and as is our human nature when these times arrive, some turn to the Almighty for help, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:10) More churches were built at that time than at any other, and then they were filled with people seeking the face of God. But not this time.
Some places of worship are being forced to close, others are doing so willingly, either by mandate or request, in either case, men are making the decision to forsake the assembling of themselves together. Many will have their services broadcast in different forms allowed them by the technology of today, presuming at best that all have access to this technology, at the least feeling within themselves as if they are fulfilling their obligations to God, or to their parishioners. The strong in faith continue to meet, the fear of the authoritative rule, the fear of persecution or imprisonment, the fear of death, whether it comes at the hand of the persecutors or any other form, is less than the fear of disobeying the Lord God. There are countless rationalizations and excuses that are brought up for closing the church doors, fear of repercussions, fear of death, even reasonings of protecting the weak from growing in their faith too quickly, but they are all the same excuse, they do not trust in the Lord for His protection in the storm, even when the storm is only a small drizzle.
In the earliest days of the church, people met in secret, for fear of being cast out of the synagogue, (John 9:22) for fear of persecution and death from Saul of Tarsus, (Acts 9:26) they met in caves and catacombs, when the Roman Catholic Institution began the crusades, faith spoken of or shown in Christ meant certain torture and death at their hands, Adolph Hitler began a crusade that not only the Sons of Jacob felt, but nearly every Christian as well. These are just three of many historical facts in the ages of man. And today?
Today we lock the doors, tell the congregation to turn on their computer or hand-held device, stay six feet away, and do not forget your mask. Those who are doing so are either deceived or should of and for in themselves feel ashamed, for “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.” (Prov. 24:10) Perhaps I sound like a purist, one who believes the “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,” (Heb. 10:25) is of the utmost importance to the Lord, nothing could be further from the truth, “Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD?” (1 Sam. 15:22) “ Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” (1 Sam. 16:7)
To allow a virus, pestilence, plague, or any other event, real or not, to allow persecution, the fear of suffering to hinder the fellowship of the saints, for the worship and praise of the Lord Jesus Christ, is evil in its intent when it comes from an outside source, but when it comes by decision of the hierarchy of the church itself, I have no words to describe this. Perhaps I speak as a fool, perhaps I see not the intent of the heart of those who are willingly hiding from the possibility of what may or may not be, but my friends, as fearful as the thought may truly become in that moment for me personally, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Phil. 1:21), I know for a fact that because my Redeemer lives, His perfect love will cast out all fear. (1 John 4:18)
Times are approaching fast that will require great faith and trust in the Lord, but it is sad to say that instead of building more churches and flinging wide open the doors of the ones already in existence, we are putting on masks and locking them. “All these are the beginning of sorrows.” (Matt. 24:8)
