At the church I attend, we believe that we are likely very close to the return of the Lord for His church. And I suspect that I do not need to detail for any of you the convergence of signs and world events that support that conclusion. And I would like to take a moment to remind us of how we should be living in light of that. The first thought that comes to my mind is the need for doctrinal purity. By that I mean being certain that what we believe lines up with what the Bible actually teaches.
Imagine for a moment that today you walked in to speak at the “average-church-in- America.” And when you addressed the congregation with a big smile on your face, you said, “Okay – let me see a show of hands. How many of you plan to spend your eternity in heaven with God?” If you actually asked that – what do you think would happen? I personally suspect that in that “average-church-in America” today – virtually every person in that room with you would have a hand up.
The problem with that of course is – the Bible does NOT teach that. The Bible teaches that the church will be raptured into heaven for the marriage supper of the Lamb and believers will later return to Earth at the Second Coming for the millennial reign of Jesus Christ. After the millennial reign, – the Bible never mentions another transition back to the heavenly realm. There is no biblical reference to a 2nd rapture we get us back into heaven. When we come to the end of the book of Revelation and the Bible passes off into eternity – believers are not in “heaven with God.” We are still in the New Jerusalem with Jesus Christ. That is what the Bible teaches.
Some of us may also carry with us unbiblical teachings which we learned in our childhood – maybe because we attended a church that bases some of its doctrine on tradition rather than on what the Bible teaches. But in these times, doctrinal purity is essential. As the Bible predicted, in these last days perilous times have come – and I believe one of the reasons for that peril is because many Christians do not really know what the Bible teaches any more. And that makes it very easy for the enemy to turn our heads to the right or to the left. The unfortunate result can be seen in the number of individuals, churches and entire denominations that are getting side-tracked into deceptive doctrines and practices. This should deeply concern, but not surprise us. The Bible teaches there will be an apostacy [a great falling away from the faith] in the last days.
When America was an infant nation, the kids were taught the alphabet using Bible characters and Christian values. And the Bible was their basic textbook through the school years. In those days, everybody knew what the Bible said. But we as a nation have fallen a long way from where we once were. My brothers, let us commit ourselves to knowing what the Bible says. And in whatever ways the Lord is using us to minister to others, let us commit ourselves to earnestly contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.
The 2nd thought I would like to remind us of – is that we need to be doers of the Word and not just hearers only. Or as my pastor recently put it. “(Mature)…men don’t need to find another Bible study – they need to live out what they already know.” The Bible uses a lot of military examples, like the spiritual battle in the heavenlies and putting on the full armor of God. These examples help us how to see how to live our lives. But in the military the general is often the only one who knows everything that is going on. And he often has to make sudden changes to cover developments on the battlefield. And in these last days, God may also be calling us to be ministry-flexible so He can use us in different ways than He has used us in the past.
Last summer I made the trip to the Sacramento capitol building to lobby against AB2943. And I am planning to go again as needed. And I have no idea how many school board/city council meetings I have attended recently as well. God may be calling you to something else, and that is fine – but my point is that a couple of years ago I had no idea God would be leading me in this direction; and He may be calling each one of us to action in ways that we have never even imagined before. Even this series of devotions is a new way that I believe God is leading me. May we all be open to hearing and obeying His still, small voice! And may each one of us rise like an apostle Paul when he said, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ because it is the power of God unto salvation to all who will believe!”
In closing my brothers – I cannot do any better than the Apostle Peter did [1 Peter 4]:
7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore, be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
In the Master’s service, Walt h.