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Recently I listened to a 23 year old junior high school teacher speak of how drastic things had changed since she was in junior high…which was only 10 years ago! The changes of which this young teacher spoke were not good. She considered the students’ attitude much worse than 10 years ago. The same was said about the parents’ and school administration’s attitude. It doesn’t take a Greek scholar or seminary graduate to see that 2 Timothy 3:13 is taking place:
“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”
Every Bible believer who reads his Bible very often (and believes It) knows that mankind, as a whole, will go downhill morally and spiritually. Not one writer of scripture has ever even hinted that things would get better and better so that Christ would feel welcome to return to earth. Just the opposite is true. No matter how the positive thinkers are going to eliminate poverty and problems, reality and scripture tell us differently. The thing that seems to have taken the most dedicated Bible believer by surprise is not that these evils are happening, but the rapidity with which these things are happening.
How would anyone have suspected that in just a very short time after 9-11, our schools, politicians and national leaders would be aiding and promoting the Moslem religion? Satan’s crowd is big on words like “tolerance,” “love” “unity” and “we should all get along.” Satan’s crowd uses euphemistic terms to cover the most hideous of sins, like “Pro-Choice” and accuse good moral people of “homophobia.”
Almost 2000 years ago, Jude said it like this:
“These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage. But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.” Jude 16-19
Just as technology has expanded quicker than anyone would have dreamed, so have moral traditions and scriptural positions gone south at the same speed. Churches which once were known as Bible preaching, praying, soul winning churches are now little more than a rock concert and services designed to make one feel good about his “rotten self.” (Romans 3:10-17.) People can believe what they want, talk about God as they understand Him, read out of any kind of Bible and (as one pastor said) “everyone has to work out his own situation with God; there are different ways for different people.”
Professing Christians keep using the terms of old, but to them the meanings have changed. The next time you hear the preacher say he believes that the Bible is the word of God, ask him, “Which Bible?” He will not name one! Betcha! I recently purchased a Bible for my granddaughter. When I told the saleslady at the Christian book store that I wanted a Bible, her question was, “Which version?” Fifty years ago this question would not have been asked. According to 2 Timothy 3:13, do you think men have made the new versions better or worse? Listen carefully…every version will contradict another version at some place…so which is right? Take the King James Bible your grandma had and compare 2 Timothy 2:15 with a newer version (any of the 220+.) What’s the difference? Does this difference make any difference?
Everyone must have a “bottom line” for their faith and practice. Even lost people claim to have a reason for what they believe. What do you base your beliefs on for all eternity? Is it a feeling…a vision…a dream? Is it faith in your parents, pastor or teacher? If you depend on a feeling, what happens if that feeling changes? What if your parents change…pastor…teacher? In this fast changing world, do you have an anchor that holds solid and never changes?
What did Jude say about what the apostles told us? Wasn’t it something about them mocking, walking after their own ungodly lusts and having not the Holy Spirit (Jude 18-19.)
I have often commented that I didn’t think I would live to see Satan running rampant on this earth. I have made the same comments about my children, but not my grandchildren. I have worried about them. I thought they would have to endure trials that no American has ever endured. At the rate things are happening, it seems the deceiver will totally change this nation and our way of life in less than five years. I hope I am wrong.
If there ever was a time we need an anchor, it’s now. If there ever was a time we need to know what we believe and in Whom we believe, it is now. Would you like a barometer on this matter? Rick Warren of “The Purpose Driven Life” fame has been asked to do the inaugural prayer of newly elected President Obama. This has caused much concern on both sides due to Warren’s endorsement of traditional marriage and on the other hand, his lack of support of traditional Bible doctrine. What will be more interesting to me is whether Dr. Warren will pray in the name of Jesus Christ (John 16:23-24) or will it be a neutered prayer that will not offend the Muslim, Hindu or the ACLU? It will be at this point that you and I will know what purpose is really driving Dr. Warren.
According to Jesus Christ, there can be no fence straddling.
“He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” Matthew 12:30
These are exciting times!
Keep Looking Up!
Leland Maples
(this was reposted in memory of Leland Maples)