.
"Jesus is coming - don't get bogged down"
.
or
.
"when these things begin to come to pass, then look up"
On another page we've touched on distractions, hindrances and
things that would beset and get us off guard in our walk with
Jesus. Now I think we should look at red herrings and things like
strawman erecting, schemed in order to get our eyes off the Lord and onto
issues of no or little importance, while made out to be real and paramount, instead of having the mind of Christ.
Take f'instance a
strawman. This is something invented out of thin air and made to
look real when it is actually a cover for a weak argument that would
never stand by itself. The weak argument could be if you, as a
Bible believer, do not condemn eating meat or wearing fur you are
therefore now
branded (or labelled or accused) of being an "animal abuser" by those
who think they can
change the world without changing mans heart first. Thatz the
strawman that only exists in the mind of those who think they have a
point to prove. In real life, outside of fantasy, it simply does
not
exist. In your case, anyhow. Not to forget ... after
the flood God himself
sanctioned eating meat and pre flood sanctioned man wearing animal skin
(that would be fur in modern terms). Therefore, pleaze enjoy your
cut of steak tonight while you are cozily wrapped up in your woolly
jumper!
Using
other examples, I could mention a loving parent physically
disciplining their child (sanctioned by God Almighty himself) being
accused
of using "violent behaviour" or in need of "anger management" (smacking
your child with an instrument of correction, in the smallest way, is
now a criminal offence in good'ole
NZ). Moreover, using this law change could now be an excuse to
arrest
innocent folk
who could also be frowned upon as worse criminals than the dangerous
ones
running free with the blessing of Nanny State, because they have
behaved themselves more for a couple of years while in
internment. Proves being a Bible believer is now a danger to this obvious Christ rejecting
world! Moreso than those who brutally abuse beautiful, wee
helpless, innocent children.
Well, the Bible says things are gonna get worse
and worse, doesn't it? Therefore, if you agree with the Bible and say homosexuality is not a
natural affection you are accused of hate mongering. Strawman ... a "gay
basher" this time! Moreover, if you say Jews are on equal terms with
Gentiles as far a salvation goes and can only enter the kingdom
through Jesus their true Messiah, you could be branded "anti-Semite"!
Meaning, you're just as bigger a scum bag as Nazis or "white
supremacist" thugs, irrespective of whether you are against violence and lawlessness!
Moreover, if you are honest and biblical
enough to state Jesus is the (only)
way, you will be accused (even arrested) of being a
"social misfit" or "culturally insensitive", and need to go through an
intensive adjustment programme, learning to prove you are a good complaint
citizen of the local or international community.
And on it goes! Get
the gist? All men's excuses and alibis he assembles in order to
side-step the cross and fabricate his own remedy! While feeling
comfortable about it coz he has eliminated those that made him feel
uncomfortable because they would not comply to rebellion and ungodliness
Then
there is the other very effective tactic of manufacturing red herrings
and using them to throw many a saint off balance, by diverting and
engaging him in
fruitless, endless, and destructive debates. A red herring being
a
truth, or blatant error, being pumped-up to look much more important
than
what it is or isn't, to draw attention away from the real issue.
The real issue in the Bible believers walk in making the cross central
to our faith, the Bible our final authority in everything, and living
outside the Spirit of God a futile and wasted exercise.
One of the biggest red herrings in Christian circles (and this is very
sad and a major catastrophe) is the subject of
which camp you happen to belong in regards to the end times.
Voilą ... the running controversy over the timing of the
Lord's return! Plus the
side issues that are tagged onto this, breaking up God's one camp out in
the wilderness, to many fragments, and reflecting to the world a
fragmented and divided people who claim to have found God, but have lost their way. Contrary
to this very important statement made by Jesus of Nazareth himself ... "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
Actually, there should not be any controversy with this subject at all;
nor irate issues. Evidence in this is even the thought of why
something futuristic (that has never occurred and where no one can be 100% sure, if you
really want to be honest) should divide us the way it has. Who is
qualified to make 100% accurate predictions in regards to Jesus' return
anyway? Even
to the point of all out hostility, breaking fellowship, spitting the
dummy, and worst of all ... being a lousy witness to the world,
as well as letting God down no end! Can you think of a better way
to discredit the gospel and dishonour the Lord, outside of blatant sin
and fully fledged heresy? I can't!
However,
some are prepared to go to all these destructive measure coz they
don't want to be proved wrong or have their hero/prophet/guru proved
wrong! They would rather initiate division and heartache, and consume
their brothers and sisters in Christ in the process, than become
teachable and tender hearted loving children themselves.
Some say the Lord is coming before the great tribulation (labelled -
"pre-tribber"). Others say after the trib (labelled - "post tribber") but
before the Millennium (thatz the 1,0000 year reign of King Jesus on
earth, ruling it with an iron rod from restored Jerusalem). While
others say that after the trib there will be a new heaven and earth
without a Millennium (thatz the "amil" camp). Not to forget those
who say the Lord's return will not occur before the trib but during (half way through) the seven year reign of
antichrist ("mid trib" if you like)'. Or that he is coming after the trib but "pre wrath"
(another label - phew!!), etc. etc.
Also, some see these future events interpreted as
symbols only, being used only to have a practical and literal application. On the other hand, others
teach them as pure figurative with only mystical meaning. As you
could imagine ... this causes a real stink! And on it goes!
There are reasons for all this of course (remember, they don't stone
wayward prophets to death any more). F'instance, through the
ugly
word called 'pride' there is a underhanded mindset where some folk love
to be right, or prove themselves right all the time (howabout - professional pride). Or
subconsciously, somewhere,
they think they are spiritually advanced over others, or are
supernaturally capable of predicting the future
(or whatever term you prefer to use). This may mean they can be
associated with, or even titled a
"watchman", or "prophet", or "prophetess", or a "minister of
discernment", or someone special in the last days, even though
they may never admit this themselves. They will even network
themselves with their like-minded cronies thinking there's still safely
in numbers (better to be back slaped than face slaped I guess!). Furthermore, there is stern
warnings given in scripture (Deut. 10:18,14) to those who think they
are "observers of times"! Better to be a nobody really!
If you feel you are an important somebody and can't bear to be overlooked, or challenged in love, please click here.
.Everyone wants to be an
"authority" in some way, but never a 'servant' in the truest sense, when it comes
down to the tintacks of our faith, don't they? Oh, if we could only heed the simple and clear words
of Jesus to his (Jewish) disciples when they thought the signs were
there and said, "wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to
Israel (his 1,000 year reign)?" Jesus' reply (and is this not his
reply to us if you don't happen to break 'the church age' up into segments of time, as some do?):
"It is not for you (dispensationalists are excluded for some reason) to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power."
In the Father's power it was HIS WILL for NO ONE (get that, NO ONE! - whose excluded?) to know when Jesus
would return, but just to be comforted with the fact it was going to
happen sometime, and that in the meantime it was business as usual
(there was a very important job to do after all - aka, getting the gospel
out!). If they did know, they would be a "spiritual"
'cut above' everyone else after all (even above the man Jesus of
Nazareth, who, as a man, was resigned to the fact he never knew the time
of his return). Moreover, we would not need the Holy
Ghost either, would we, if we had revelation all sown up? Who is our teacher anyway?
Herez that
reminder again from the gospels, and this is
what we are told to do:
"Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is."
Capping it off, Jesus went onto say, after his disciples where asking
him about the time of restoring the kingdom (as we just read previously), "it is not
for them to know"! On the other hand, herez WHAT IT WAS for them to know as well as experience (that includes all servants and nobodies):
"But ye (YOU and ME) shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon
you (YOU and ME): and ye (YOU and ME) shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all
Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (hey, thatz where I happen to live - WOW!!!)."
Looks
like we are ALL called to be witnesses first (or at least
after the call to be servant). This is the principle thing, right at
the commencement
of
Acts. Moreover, it
is nothing to do with wrangling or fighting over dates or future events
that has not happened up to this point in time. Which was no
doubt the reason Jesus jumped on this right at commencement, spelling
it out real clear as we just read.
Whatz the most
important thing to do? The New Testament answer: Bring
Jesus to the world as one faithful
body and frail earthen vessel, in his power and might! Or
(alternatively and ineffectively), come as
a divided front, fighting over this same Jesus in regards to
his timing and entry back to this world ... and the gospel will
be discredited to no end! Ring a bell!?
Trying to convince another group or individual that you are right
and they are wrong simply will not work. Allowing the Lord to reveal himself to the
other party prayerfully, with brotherly love, will have a much greater
impact and effect! 2 Peter 1:7 says (paraphrased) about allowing
'godliness' to produce 'brotherly kindness'; that 'brotherly kindness'
will result in 'charity'. Thatz nothing to do with supporting a
mission or slipping a donation onto the plate by the way, but placing others before yourself,
to the point of being prepared to die for them.
Her'riz another from 1 Peter 1:22
... "unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one
another with a pure heart fervently"! This is allowing the Holy
Ghost to do his work, and not us getting in his way or taking over his
job because we want to be a hot shot for "Gawd". The opposite to devouring
one another; because you would not capitulate to someone's "biblical"
doctrine or intellectual view point, just for their sake or to appease their "caring", "heart throbbing", "kind intention".
Some? They prefer to remain on their high horse or mighty lofty plain,
at the expense of true love and the unity of Jesus' precious body, we
are to fearfully discern and to let shine as a city on a hill!
Hopefully, me? I know what
I believe ... and it iz more to do with the past than the
future! The past iz always safer and more proven than the future, iz
it not? Let me repeat it again in order (or the hope) that the penny
will drop ... THE PAST IS ALWAYS SAFER AND MORE PROVEN THAN THE FUTURE
TO USE AS PROOF OF THE PUDDING! It is
a proven 'track record' case, in other words! A running principle
right
through scripture; to
do with God always removing His righteous before proceeding with His
wrath! However, you are entitled to your opinion. As long
as you don't
use mine to attack me in person and undermine my credibility! Or
cut me off because my convictions would not allow me to agree with you
in this case! Or vice versa! After all, I am only saying ...
'confirmation'
is far safer and prudent than 'speculation' (maybe 'presumption' is a
better word used here)! Allow me to repeat this also, in order to sink
in ... CONFIRMATION IS A FAR SAFER AND PRUDENT THAN SPECULATION OR
PRESUMPTION! Is this not good sound advice?
However, I am refraining from getting
involved. Whatz the point? I seen no fruit; just friction,
heated
debated, sour 'falling outs', and destroyed relationships between good
people. My advise now (to both babies and the mature in the Lord)
... stay out yourself! If
someone is out to distort and complicate the simple gospel or water down Christ's divinity or
prove the Bible is unreliable, thatz a different scenario. The
word says the following things are inevitable ... "evil men
and seducers shall wax worse and worse,
deceiving, and being deceived." Therefore, these are the ones to
mark and
avoid. Not your precious (even wayward) brother or sister, who
can't always (for some reason) agree with you!
Patronizing, again? Nope! Just giving sound advise, if that
iz all right? Here it is ... letz just know Christ and
Him crucified and preach the cross! After all, he is coming back (this
iz a divine decree and solid guarantee) and this is our
blessed
hope! Just as he
has promised! Can we trust him this much, as always! The
important thing is to be always ready (for His appearance) and on the
alert for such things as strawmen building and red herrings, and other
distractions, like feeding religious trolls or naming dates. Not to
forget to mention ... unproven predictions
and theories, no mater how plausible they appear or are justified!
Remember, many have got recognition or become wealthy in the process, and
time has not been kind to them when it has caught up with them!
Don't get bogged down, look up (thatz scriptural)! The KISS
principle always applies ... Keep It Simple (dear) Saint! Jesus is
coming again!!
Maranatha!!