When the sense of urgency diminishes from the message of the church, the zeal of the people fades accordingly.
We are very excited to provide the ministry, membership and interested persons, with commentary and analysis of selected world news topics. Our purpose is to help readers discern the times and increase their awareness and understanding of the answers Christ gave to his disciples' questions: "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" (Luke 12:54-56; Matthew 24:3).
Christ's first response to the disciples was: "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many" (Matthew 24:4-5). Since Christ spoke those words, thousands of books and articles have been written on Bible prophecy and especially about the end times. Some of these proclaim that Christ has already returned and is hiding in a secret place ready to be revealed at a certain time or at the juncture of certain events.
The words of the New Testament are presented with a great sense of urgency. Such expressions as: "The time is at hand; the end of the world; behold I come quickly" made a deep impression on Christians of the first century. To a large degree, first century Christians viewed the Bible in eschatological terms. In other words, they thought that they were living in the end times and that the return of Jesus Christ was imminent.
The Apostle Paul wrote his second epistle to the Thessalonians to clarify misunderstandings that some of them were promoting concerning the second coming of Christ. Paul wrote: "Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition" (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3).
Just as Christ warned His disciples about deception, so did Paul. Both Paul and Christ gave some definite signs and details of events that must transpire, before the return of Christ.
The eschatological fervor of Christians has waxed hot and cold through the centuries. The writings and teachings of the Church of God in the twentieth century reflect a strong eschatological orientation. But in recent years, the eschatological fervor of the church's teaching and preaching has diminished. Is there a relationship between spiritual zeal and a sense of urgency in a church's preaching and teaching? There is no scientific way that I know of to objectively answer that question. But from a pragmatic, historical point of view, there is some evidence to support that claim. The teaching and preaching of the prophets, apostles and Christ resounds with a great sense of urgency. Through the centuries God has raised up individuals who began to preach the soon coming of the kingdom of God and people responded to the message and the sense of urgency. When the sense of urgency diminishes from the message of the church, the zeal of the people fades accordingly.
Perhaps some have become weary of "gun lap" prophecy. Most of us will remember the story of the little boy watching sheep for his father who gave false cries of "wolf, wolf" and wearied the townspeople who ran to his aid. When the real wolf came, no one responded to the boy's cries.
For over fifty years, the church of God has heard the alarm sounded. In some cases dates were set. The dates came-time passed-and nothing happened. Moreover, the church has experienced many other traumatic events that resulted in a scattering of the flock. But the misinterpretation of end time-or any set of tragic events-does not negate end time prophecies. Though false alarms may weary people, they do not do away with "the wolf."
The word of God is true. The Apostle Peter wrote: "And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts...for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:19, 21).
We will do our level best to rightly divide the word of truth. The publication is not a doctrinal treatise. The material is presented to help stimulate your thinking and motivate you to watch and pray.
In times like these, it is easy to fall into the attitude of, "My master is delaying his coming" and "begin to beat [our] fellow servants" (Matthew 24:48, 49). The person who falls into this frame of mind, and action, will not be prepared for the return of Christ (Matthew 24:51).
"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 'Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish'" (Matthew 25:1-2). Note the time frame. (There should be no chapter break between Matthew 24 and 25.) When will the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins? Answer, "then!" That is, when people begin to say in their heart that Christ delays his coming and begin smiting their fellow servants. That attitude and action is the time period in which the kingdom of heaven will be likened unto ten virgins-five wise-and five foolish.
Contrast the attitude of "my master is delaying His coming" with, "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing" (Matthew 24:42, 44-46). "So doing" refers to watching and praying so you will be ready. Obviously, so doing can refer to doing the work of God in general, but in this context, it refers to watching and praying for the purpose of being ready for the return of Christ.
The book of Revelation pronounces seven beatitudes or blessings. Let's focus on three of these beatitudes.
In Revelation 1:3 a blessing is pronounced on those who read, hear and keep the words of this prophecy. This blessing is in essence repeated in Revelation 22:7, "Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."
And in Revelation 16:15, "Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame." It is in the spirit of these verses, and the admonition in Matthew 24:42, to watch and pray always that we were moved to provide God's people with this publication.
As the new millennium draws ever closer, more and more attention will be focused on Bible prophecy and end time events. More and more material is being distributed on prophecy and end time events. Even though world news is so readily accessible in today's fast paced, technological society, it seems that many of us have less and less time for reading newspapers and magazines. Most Americans now depend on television and radio for news. These broadcasts oftentimes give only short snippets of the news. In some cases, the more relevant issues in terms of Bible prophecy, are not covered at all.
We hope that this publication will make it easier for you to track some of the major items that are shaping the future of the world and the fulfillment of Bible prophecy. Moreover, we hope the articles will stimulate you to be sober, vigilant and watchful, so our heavenly Father may say of you, blessed is my servant for he or she is watching and praying so that day will not come on them unawares. WNP
