First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4) They will say, ‘Where is this coming he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.’ ” .. 2 Peter 3:3-4 ..
No scripture is more true than this one right now! .. I mean, scoffers & naysayers abound! .. And why is this phenomenon taking place? .. Simply put, since the election of Donald Trump, the majority of people in this country, which includes the vast majority of churches, are singing a positive song .. that all will be better now that we have a new confidence in the coming restoration of our economy, etc. ..
So here we go again .. putting our confidence in the systems designed by mankind! .. I’m sure you’ve heard the term ‘populist’ since Trump’s election. .. That’s the label being pinned on the new government here in America. .. Also, Europe is in the throes of the ‘populist’ conversion. ..So what is it? .. How is it different? .. When I looked up the definition of ‘populist,’ it stated that it represents ‘the people’s party. .. Then I thought, ‘but doesn’t that sound like what the socialists/communists call theirs?’ .. Like I mentioned in my last commentary, there are so many ‘ists’ (ie. socialists, communists, populists, globalists, etc) relating to a governing style these days that it is becoming much more difficult to even begin to track them all! .. So back briefly to the currently reigning ‘populists’ .. what it reminds me of is a more isolationist, me-first type of approach than that of the previously labeled globalist style. …
Attempting a stab at some perspective here, let me say this … Globalization has been the primary form of government in the world for the better part of these past two decades .. but now appears to be in real trouble with the advent of the British vote to leave the European Union plus the election of Donald Trump here in America. ..
OK .. enough of this! .. So why is this important in regards to the teachings of Bible prophecy .. why does it increase the number of ‘naysayers’? .. I’m glad you asked. .. If you remember what took place back in the late 20th century, specifically 1988 thru 1991, date-setters & Bible prophecy expectations were rampant. .. Many were expecting the immediate return of Jesus. .. But then, in 1991, the USSR ceased to exist, which many felt was the destruction of the prophesied ‘Magog’ of Ezekiel 38. .. As a result, prophecy prognosticators took a literal beating. .. The naysayers came out of the woodwork! .. I remember being asked how I felt about it. .. My answer was feeble at best, but I simply stated that I didn’t fully understand how or why this happened, but that somehow Magog (Russia) would someday soon rise again. .. Well? … The Bear is back in full force, and now building relationships with the other nations of that exact prophecy! …
The point here is this. .. Prophecy followers over the past couple of years have been very excited about the turning of events .. that Christ’s return was once again very, very close. .. Just look back even a few months ago as an example. .. In September of ’16, we had the Shemitah teachings going on .. blood moons .. Rabbinical prophecies galore .. I mean, the atmosphere was filled with ‘rapturistic’ excitement! .. But now, what I am witnessing is a movement that very similarly looks like 1991 all over again .. that the expectation of Christ’s return will be put off once again & we must now focus on the complete renewal of or ways of life here on earth. .. Bible prophecy is once again a relic of the past. ..
Let me now take you to a scripture that is rarely spoken of in today’s circles. .. It is the conclusion of the ‘Days of Noah’ passage in Matthew 24:36-39 which talks about how people totally ignored the perceived ‘nut-job’ that was building an ark on the side of a mountain & shouting warnings to the people of the coming destruction. .. Sounds like today’s world, doesn’t it? .. And these recent election results & world government shifts will only exacerbate this condition! .. So let’s now finish the concluding warning given in that passage. ..Verses 42-44 says this .. “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43) But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44) So you must also be ready, because the Son of Man WILL COME AT AN HOUR WHEN YOU DO NOT EXPECT HIM.” (emphasis mine) …
This is exactly what is happening right now! .. People are once again putting the imminent return of Jesus Christ on the back burner! .. Even the churches, the few that were still preaching the prophecy message, seem to be pulling back somewhat. .. Simply, the remnant of prophecy ‘watchmen’ like myself will become a deterrent to all that is now deemed to be the priority of the day .. In fact, we most likely will become a pariah to most all we come in contact with. (Oh well .. I knew winning a popularity contest was off the table when I entered into this arena.)
What does this all mean? .. The urgency is being replaced with complacency .. what I call the ‘Laodicean effect.’ .. This was the condition of the last Church of the Seven Church teachings in Revelation, chapters 2 & 3. .. In short, the Laodicean’ condition was one of lukewarmness & complacency. .. And what was Jesus’ warning regarding this condition? .. “I’m about to spit you out of my mouth.” .. Wow! .. Doesn’t get much clearer than that. ..
Enough! .. You get the point. .. What I want to SHOUT to all of you out there is this. .. Don’t leave your ‘spiritual house’ unattended! .. He’s coming, and soon! .. No human election or government shift is going to change that! .. And I promise you this … I WILL NOT stop shouting the warnings as long as I am able! .. I am also encouraged to know that there are some fellow brothers & sisters out there who totally understand all this & will share in the shouting! .. Hallelujah! ..
Know that I am praying for each & every one of you, & our Great God knows exactly who you are. .. Keep up the good fight, & let nothing deter you from the battle that is about to intensify all around us. .. Amen. ……
Until next time,
Red