" ... knowing this first; that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation." . 2 Peter 3:3-4 ...
So as not to be accused of plagiarism, I 'stole' this title from an article by Wendy Wippel that was posted on The Omega Letter from last June. .. Obviously, as the title indicates, she was discussing the phenomenon of just how many church leaders of today have simply abandoned the teachings of Bible prophecy. .. She, like many of us, are simply astounded by this modern-day, 'post-Christian' trend. .. It's even more astounding when we realize that by not sharing the prophetic words of scripture, we are 'leaving out' almost one-third of the Bible's teachings! ...
This, of course, isn't something new. .. In fact, it's been going on for several decades now. .. Now because of my 'assignment' of being 'watchman' of God's prophetic word, I just couldn't leave this lie. ... Soooo, I decided to 'go to the source' and talk with several of today's pastors to get their take as to why. .. The information I was able to glean from these encounters were both interesting, and surprising, at least to me. .. Without further ado, let me share some of this information with you ........
*Burn-Out - Several told me the following ... It all started in the 1970s when Hal Lindsay's "The Late, Great Planet Earth" came to the bookstores. .. Everybody with the slightest leanings to Bible prophecy went off the deep end! .. Expectations of Christ's imminent return were rampant. .. Even the date-setters geared up their deception. .. But alas, He (the Lord) didn't come back then and as a result, the scoffers began to appear in droves ( which was prophesied - see opening verse). .. All this began causing serious division and turbulence in the Church ranks. ..
*Too Controversial - Pastors over the years have presented many varying interpretations of prophecy, again causing tons of controversy & division amongst the ranks. The simple answer? .. Just don't go there! ...
*Too Complicated - Tho many of the Bible's teachings can be learned in fairly short order, Bible prophecy cannot. .. It takes years of dedicated study plus a fairly complete understanding of the ENTIRE Bible to fully comprehend. .. Making it even worse, today's cemeteries (whoops, I mean seminaries) are not teaching Bible prophecy. .. Here's a fact - In order to receive a Master of Divinity degree, some seminaries require only 5% of the curriculum to be prophecy. .. Quite an imbalance when considering it constitutes some one-third of the Bible! ..So again, just don't go there! ...
*Too Depressing - The simple truth is, Bible prophecy is about death & destruction, punishment for sin, all of which are, on the surface, not very uplifting. .. But isn't this the way the world really is right now? ... And according to prophecy, it will continue to accelerate as we draw ever nearer ... . So why remind them? .. Better to just avoid it! ..
*Too Risky - Pastors today seem to feel that those of us who trumpet the prophecies are considered 'looney-tunes'
and feel that it would hinder their church's growth. .. Even though some didn't necessarily agreed with this, the 'bottom line' always seems to improve with bigger numbers, .. Keep it safe & simple, and all these controversies just seem to disappear, and everybody will feel 'safe & secure.' ...
Next I will list Jan Markell's five reasons as to the reasons the pulpits today are silent about prophecy .... *They don't understand prophecy ... *They fear offending members of the Church ... *They sense it will scare people ... *People might not tithe if they think we're close to the end ... *There is fear in looking like the 'looney-tunes' fringe - the Harold Campings
....have done great damage ...
Of course, there's all the deceptive, Bible altering Church leaders of today which focus almost entirely on money & 'bigger & bigger' congregations. .. The LAST thing they will EVER present to anyone is Bible prophecy! .. Why? .. Because it simply takes the focus off of them & the 'little worlds' they've become the center of. .. (More on this at another time) ...
But isn't it interesting that The Book of Revelation is the ONLY book in the Bible that promises special blessings to the saint or sinner who chooses to takes it on. .. "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants - things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near." .. Revelation 1:1-3 ... After we see teachings like this, why, on earth, would anyone choose to ignore it?! ..
Briefly, what I have learned as a presenter of Bible prophecy is that, when presented in a complete & positive light, it has huge benefits for those seeking answers to this dark world. .. For today's leaders who think that most everyone is 'ignoring the fact that this old world is falling apart are living in a fantasy world. .. Trust me when I say, their little, created 'safe zones' of ignorance will blow up in their faces in just a very short time. .. Simply, we who are called to be leaders & watchmen of God's ENTIRE Word are obligated & commanded to share the hope of what will be the end result of all this worldly chaos. .. This next scripture, which is also posted at the top of this webpage, shares the hope & light of understanding first what, and then why, all this crazy stuff is happening .......
"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; knowing this first, that NO prophecy of scripture is of any private interpretation, 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 (NKJV - emphasis mine) . ... Wow! .. What a beautiful & enlightening passage! ...
OK .. I need to finish this for now. .. Believe me when I say this .. as people become more & more aware of all the Bible, which includes Bible prophecy, their fears subside & their confidence in their final destiny blossoms before our eyes. .. It is truly amazing to witness people growing in the truth of scripture! .. As for myself, Bible prophecy was the 'finisher' of my complete love & dedication to being a follower & disciple of our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ! .. Any fears & doubts that I had all but disappeared because of the complete & irrefutable Word of God! ... Hallelujah!
Know that I am praying for each & every one of you, and God knows exactly who you are. .. Again, Hallelujah!
Until next time,
Red
