We are living in some of the most contentious and difficult times ever know to man. As one of my Bible school profs used to say, “if this isn’t the last days, it’s the best dress rehearsal he’d ever seen”. When I was in my younger years during the 1960’s, one of the churches greatest draws were all kinds of prophecy conferences. With the “cold war” in full swing including the “Cuban Missile Crisis”, everyone’s thoughts seemed to be about the end of the world and Jesus’ second coming. Churches were packed with prophecy teachers explaining scripture with charts based upon on the opinions from their study and interpretation of the timing of the return of Christ. We were convinced that the rapture was imminent. Movies like “A Thief in the Night” and “Years of the Beast” and books like Hal Lindsay’s best seller, “The Late Great Planet Earth” only intensified the atmosphere of Jesus’ soon return. In church youth group, we were convinced that Jesus would come back before any of us could experience the joy and marital bliss of a wedding night. That was 50 years ago. Then along came Ronald Reagan in the 1980’s, the iron curtain came down and the entire scenario painted by the teachers of the 1960’s seemed to collapse.
Fast forward 40 years. The Holy Spirit told Daniel in Daniel 12:9 (ESV)
“He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand.”
Is it possible that full prophetic understanding would not be fully known till the time of the end? Is it also possible that we were interpreting end-times perspectives through a theological temp-plate that wasn’t fully mature? Would it also possible because of our lust for knowledge, we gave ourselves over to “doctrine of demons”, also an end-times issue; 1 Timothy 4:7 (ESV)
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared”
It would make sense for Satan to send his minions into the church to deceive her. Theological and doctrinal arrogance opens the door to spiritual deception. But the Holy Spirit also says that there will be those that “purify” themselves and allow themselves to be “refined” and made “white”. We are purified and refined by the fire of the Holy Spirit. Humility and intimacy with Jesus allow the fire of God to purify us from pride and selfish ambition. Neville Johnson alerted the church a few years ago that the “seraphim” and “cherubim” had been sent to the US Church to purify and refine her. How do we survive the present season? I believe Jesus gave us a solution in Luke 21:26-28 (ESV)
“And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Don’t allow fear to possess you! Look up and keep your eyes on Jesus. Trust the plan! Jesus’ plan! I received this excellent cartoon from Bruce Allen today. I include it to encourage you.
