Totally agree !!
I fear for those that are at "crossroads" they are leading their children and the next generation. Who will stand in the gap and stand for the whole truth? I just dont see much if any exsist anymore. What will happen in the last days, when all those that had their ears tickled look around in dismay wondering whats happening??? Little is given little is expected, but for those that teach and know the word of God are held to a higher standard, i have great fear for them, for they are picking and choosing certain parts and not the whole. Look at the peoples blood that will be upon their hands......
Hi solomons porch,
Yes, there is that reality among the body of those who call themselves believers of the truth of God. But, none of this is unexpected to God. All we need do is to read the letters to the churches in the Revelation and know that this phenomenon had started fairly shortly after Jesus' ascension and his sending the first apostles to establish the 'church'.
But, faith in God, true saving faith, is a personal issue. Look to Elijah. Here was a man who believed that he was living as the only one who was living a life true to God throughout all of Israel. The examples of disobedience given in the Scriptures always go from reasonably good to frightfully bad.
Adam and Eve began with true faith and God actually spoke to them. Move out a few generations and sin was so rampant that God said that all the thoughts and desires of man were wicked. Noah and his family started over with an understanding and reverence of God. Move out a few generations and men began building a great tower on the plain of Shinar that was displeasing to God. Then God began with Abraham to raise up a nation. Abraham was a righteous man who believed God. But, move out a few generations to when God came to deliver them, and most of them didn't even know God. He worked to make Himself known among them through the many miracles He performed in freeing them from their captivity. Then God began with the Israelites in the desert. He spoke to them and gave them His law and decrees. Move out a few generations and Israel became pretty much as wicked as the rest of the world. They demanded a king so that they could be like the rest of the world. Throughout the history of those kings they built altars to false gods and did many wicked things such as that.
God sent them prophets and one after the other, without fail, every prophet spoke of Israel's wickedness before God. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel. Each one of them preached of the wickedness that had become Israel. The faithlessness of the people for their God. Daniel prayed for Israel. Asking God to forgive them their many sins.
Then God sent His Son. The one to tell us the truth of His Father. The one who was to bring not only Israel under the grace and mercy of God, but the whole gentile nations as well. Through Jesus and the ministry of the first apostles, God sought to send the message of His love and truth out into all the world, but Jesus said of this work, "Few there be that will find it."
Yes, at the end, throughout all the generations that have lived in the so far 6,000 year history of the creation, the number of saints will be many. But, in each generation, the number of faithful will be few. Just as in Elijah's day the nation of Israel likely numbered several million people. However, God only counted 5,000 who had not bowed the knee to Baal. So, when we get to the end, the number that will be granted eternal life with God may be in the millions, but I'm confident that the ones outside the city will be counted as a great multiple of billions. Based on what the new covenant Scriptures seem to teach, as we move outward from Jesus' day throughout the generations, there will be fewer and fewer of each generation. The Scriptures tell us that in the end, every nation on the earth will rise up against God.
It's going to get a lot worse and yes, it is something to be sad and fearful of, but it is going to be. Our peace and our joy individually as a child of the one true and living God is to live in obedience to Him despite how the rest of the world lives. It can be a lonely existence here on this earth. Just as Elijah felt all alone and persecuted by his own people, I think Jesus taught that it will be the same for us. Our own enemies being our familial loved ones. It is explained to us that the world will hate us because we are not like them. We are even encouraged to count such hate and persecution as joy because it is a very sign to us that we are living as we are supposed to be.
Now, many among the fellowships believe that this hate and persecution is only to come from those outside the fellowships. Many among the fellowships are uncomfortable living under this hate and persecution and, therefore, strive to create a life that allows them, according to their own understanding, to live a life with one foot on either side of the chasm. Yes, we are to show love and have compassion for those who are lost to God, but we are not to live as they live, or believe as they believe.
God bless you,
In Christ, ted
