The Great Falling Away
As are many others, I've been thinking much about the polarization in this world.
Seems to me to be great global tension in most if not all of the world. One doesn't have to look far to see great persecution, evil selfish leadership, hunger, poverty, conflict and polarization.
Examples include countries like China, North Korea and Iran with tremendous Christian persecution, countries like Venezuela with evil rulers, poverty and starvation; along with the polarization in the west on everything from immigration/refugees to the definition of life.
Facebook seems to be ground zero in the bantering back in forth (at least in my world).
Thinking about Ephesians 6:12 (..our fight is not against flesh and blood...), Ephesians 4:14 (...tossed around by every wind of doctrine...) and Romans 1:22 (..professing to be wise, they became fools...).
Seems Satan has us all fighting each other, particularly those of the household of faith. When Christ comes for his bride, the bridal party is going to be in an all out war, like something out of daytime TV and Maury Pauvich.
The behavior of Christendom in the macro and in my limited view has been abysmal. Long gone is any wide spread serious and actual thought of extending grace, the great commission, becoming all things to all people, the widow, the orphan, the prison, so that by all means we might when some (1 Cor 9:22), let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up (Eph 4:29), like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances (Proverbs 25:11).
Certainly it is the Christians who are leading the charge in this world. You won't find care and concern from anywhere else. The hospitals, universities, orphanages and homeless ministries all have at their root Christ followers. Still this focus has become the exception for most who profess.
Reminded of the fall in Genesis 3:1-7 and how quickly Adam and Eve attempted to cover themselves with fig leaves and instead of waving the fig leaf as a reminder and acknowledgement of sin, the desperate need for a savior and the joy over the triumphal entry of the once-for-all atoning lamb who would take away the sins of the world, the world trumpeted national pride and the palm leaf.
The fig leaf is a reminder of sin. Sin when it is full grown brings death. When Christ came to Jerusalem he saw sin in full bloom and lives full of sin.
In the context of how I already believe the hour is very late, I think about parallels between Christ's first review of Jerusalem and the one that's about to come.
The Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24, tells us essentially, when we see the fig leaf (the true national symbol of Israel-and all of us for that matter) and the symbol of sin in full bloom, know that the time is over.
When Christ came and inspected Israel, He found sin in full bloom and no evidence of fruit past, present or future.
Other verses from my time in the Word this morning: 1 John 5:13, 1 John 5:1-5, Romans 8:29, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 1 John 3:1-3, 2 Corinthians 6:14, John 1:5.
The Tribulation is about one last opportunity for Israel. One last chance to repent. This grace is extended to the Gentiles who remain.
Seems to me to be great global tension in most if not all of the world. One doesn't have to look far to see great persecution, evil selfish leadership, hunger, poverty, conflict and polarization.
Examples include countries like China, North Korea and Iran with tremendous Christian persecution, countries like Venezuela with evil rulers, poverty and starvation; along with the polarization in the west on everything from immigration/refugees to the definition of life.
Thinking about Ephesians 6:12 (..our fight is not against flesh and blood...), Ephesians 4:14 (...tossed around by every wind of doctrine...) and Romans 1:22 (..professing to be wise, they became fools...).
Seems Satan has us all fighting each other, particularly those of the household of faith. When Christ comes for his bride, the bridal party is going to be in an all out war, like something out of daytime TV and Maury Pauvich.
The behavior of Christendom in the macro and in my limited view has been abysmal. Long gone is any wide spread serious and actual thought of extending grace, the great commission, becoming all things to all people, the widow, the orphan, the prison, so that by all means we might when some (1 Cor 9:22), let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up (Eph 4:29), like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances (Proverbs 25:11).
Certainly it is the Christians who are leading the charge in this world. You won't find care and concern from anywhere else. The hospitals, universities, orphanages and homeless ministries all have at their root Christ followers. Still this focus has become the exception for most who profess.
Perhaps Matthew 10:21 is not so far away:
"A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed.
Matthew 18:8 also comes to mind:
I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?
There is one truth, but you couldn't tell that there is one right answer when you listen to those in and out of the church.
I'm certain this is a stretch, but when I think about apostasy, I wonder if the word is not so much an outright rejection of God, but an outright abandonment of truth.
Many want a Savior. Few want a Lord.
I'm certain this is a stretch, but when I think about apostasy, I wonder if the word is not so much an outright rejection of God, but an outright abandonment of truth.
Why call me Lord, Lord and do not the things I say...
Many want a Savior. Few want a Lord.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God
Thinking also about Matt 3:7-10, Mark 11:13 and the fruit that comes from repentance.
Reminded of the fall in Genesis 3:1-7 and how quickly Adam and Eve attempted to cover themselves with fig leaves and instead of waving the fig leaf as a reminder and acknowledgement of sin, the desperate need for a savior and the joy over the triumphal entry of the once-for-all atoning lamb who would take away the sins of the world, the world trumpeted national pride and the palm leaf.
The fig leaf is a reminder of sin. Sin when it is full grown brings death. When Christ came to Jerusalem he saw sin in full bloom and lives full of sin.
In the context of how I already believe the hour is very late, I think about parallels between Christ's first review of Jerusalem and the one that's about to come.
The Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24, tells us essentially, when we see the fig leaf (the true national symbol of Israel-and all of us for that matter) and the symbol of sin in full bloom, know that the time is over.
When Christ came and inspected Israel, He found sin in full bloom and no evidence of fruit past, present or future.
Other verses from my time in the Word this morning: 1 John 5:13, 1 John 5:1-5, Romans 8:29, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 1 John 3:1-3, 2 Corinthians 6:14, John 1:5.
The Tribulation is about one last opportunity for Israel. One last chance to repent. This grace is extended to the Gentiles who remain.
Thinking the axe is at the root and ready to swing.
A good word, Greg. It's time we make peace with our own in order to offer God's peace to others, "For He is our peace..." (Eph. 2:14).
ReplyDeleteOutstanding encouragement and exhortation, Greg! Many thanks for this posting....
ReplyDeleteMany Christian friends this evening comment with exuberance what a great job lady Gaga did. Singing God bless America and I was born this way in the same set.
DeleteThe great delusion has many tentacles and is blooming
This is a great post and very timely!
ReplyDelete