Nådens Mission

From a Christian perspective, this world seems to be heading for self-destruction. Just when we think that things cannot get any worse, suddenly, we experience new levels of foolishness and crazy decisions in the political, social and spiritual spheres. We often wonder why people cannot use “common sense” or at least understand the obvious. What is it that motivates people to so aggressively push their agenda, trying to establish a new world order – a utopia, as it were? 

Inverted Mirror Image

From a biblical perspective, this, for the world, longed-for utopia, despite its pompous promises, is an inverted mirror image of what God’s coming kingdom will be like. That this world lacks discernment concerning this is one thing. But, by and large, to our great consternation, God’s people seem to be deceived as well. Today, among Christians, truth seems to be a scarce commodity. Well, everything we see and observe has been predicted and should not come as a surprise to us as born-again Bible believing Christians, should it? (cf. 2 Thess 2:9-12). Isaiah faced a similar situation in Israel about 2700 years ago when he wrote, “Justice is turned back, And righteousness stands afar off; For truth is fallen in the street, And equity cannot enter. So truth fails, And he who departs from evil makes himself a prey” (Isaiah 59:14-15 NKJV). 

Challenged Convictions

Clearly, we want to be careful not to politicize the church, but sometimes our biblical convictions will have political ramifications, will they not? If we believe that life is sacred from conception and should be protected and preserved, we are looked upon as reactionaries. Likewise, if we think that marriage is between one man and one woman, we are viewed as narrow-minded. Furthermore, if we believe that Israel is God’s people and our support of them as individuals, as well as a nation, is crucial, we are viewed as biased. Finally, if we believe that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, we are considered to be hopelessly misled. Yet, all these, to us at least, self-evident convictions, whether we consider them political or not, are very clearly confirmed in Scripture (Ps 139:13, 16; Matt 19:4-6; Gen 12:1-3; John 14:6). Consequently, we think that the above-mentioned things, and, unfortunately, they are just the tip of the iceberg, should be obvious to the Christians also in our generation. Apparently, they are not. Why is that? 

Current Charge

According to dispensational theology, each time-period along the Lord’s timeline charges the people of that specific time with a certain responsibility. We currently live in the Church Age. As Church Age believers, we are charged with the responsibility of keeping our doctrine biblically pure and sound (Col 2:8; 2 Thess 2:15;1 Tim 6:20). Many churches today have changed from teaching doctrine to sharing opinions (2 Tim 3:1-6; 4:3). The Bible has predicted that these “doctrines” of the last days will be demonic in nature (1 Tim 4:1). 

Contemporary Church

Many scholars believe that the characteristics of the seven churches mentioned in Revelation 2-3 are reflecting, in chronological order, different periods of church history. Thus, the last church, Laodicea, with its lukewarm attitude towards the things of God, describes the state of the church at the end of the current dispensation. Often, students of the Word of God think that Revelation 3:20 is a “salvation verse”: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Rev 3:20 NKJV). However, a careful observation of the context will reveal that it was written to believers. Consequently, this is not a passage dealing with our relationship with God, which is settled once and for all when we believe (Rom 5:1-2). Rather it is about our fellowship with the Lord, which is fragile and subject to change. To maintain an unbroken fellowship, the believer must learn how to confess his or her sins and to be filled with the Holy Spirit (1 John 1:9; Eph 5:18). The Laodicean church, experientially speaking, was a Christless church. That is, of course, a contradiction of sorts. If this interpretation of the seven churches is correct, we must conclude, unfortunately, that this is the stage that the church will be in on the eve of the rapture. When we observe the current condition of the church, our experience confirms what the Bible depicted 2000 years ago through the Laodicean congregation in Minor Asia. How did the church end up in this condition?  

Mangled Minds

The Western mind has been grinded down by socialism through evolution. This seems to have been more effective than socialism through revolution. In the West, people feel like they have been enlightened by this ideology, rather than something forced upon them, which was the case in Eastern Europe.  Societal chaos seems to be a fact. A collapse of Western Civilization will inevitably follow suit. In that state, the state (pun not intended) will seize the opportunity to take over. The villain which caused the chaos and collapse, that is the socialist and liberal governments(s) of the West, will present itself as the saviour and bring in the longed-for control. Who will be blamed for all this? You guessed it – the Christians. Although specifically aimed at the Jews in the Tribulation Period, we find a scary prediction about the spirit that will prevail in the last days. They, the persecutors, will think they offer God a service (John 16:2). What then should Christians be aware of today?     

Kingdom Now Theology

In Christian circles today, we find much “kingdom language”. We often hear believers say that we are building the kingdom, which incorrectly is believed to have already been inaugurated and that it is in some mystical way growing within us. According to classical dispensational theology, which I believe is biblical, the kingdom has not been inaugurated yet. Rather, it has been postponed and awaits its future establishment (cf. Matt 23:37-39). It is not within us, but instead, we will enter it when he comes back (cf. Matt 25:31-46). If our generation of believers is striving to join forces with those who are promoting “human good”, in an attempt to gather together all the forces for good, we are sitting ducks for the enemy. We will doubtlessly be deceived. In fact, we may very well find ourselves building the wrong kingdom, strictly speaking, the predicted satanic counterfeit. Is there any hope? Indeed, there is!  

Resisting Remnant

In Matthew 16:18, when Jesus prophesied about His building of the future church, He promised that His church cannot be ultimately conquered and destroyed. The Book of Acts tells us that God has never left man without a testimony (Acts 14:17). The “rapture generation”, which we could very well be parts of, is no exception. I still see sound doctrine taught and worldwide mission carried out by those who constitute our generation’s remnant. By the grace of God, I think Greater Grace can be included in that group, can we not? 

Prominent Promises

Satan may want to create chaos, both in the world and in the church. However, God is not the author of confusion, but of peace (1 Cor 14:33). The enemy may want to cause a collapse of both the society and the church. Despite that, God is able to build up His Body, also in times of distress (Eph 4:11-16; cf. Dan 9:25). The god of this world may want to take control over both the governments and the church. But God has promised freedom to His followers (John 8:36; 2 Cor 3:17). Paul asks a rhetorical question in the Book of Romans; “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31 NKJV). Many, of course will be against us, but to no avail. 

Marvellous Might

We are encouraged to be renewed in our minds daily (Rom 12:2). This will result in us having the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16; Phil 2:5). David’s friend, Jonathan, understood an important principle when he said that “nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few” (1 Sam 14:6c NKJV). There are even examples of when the Lord Himself achieved salvation (Isa 59:16). 

Apprehensible Advice

When a friend of mine, P. Maciek in Warsaw, with a small group of people, met Pastor Stevens in his home at the end of his life; one person asked the aged, battle-scarred man of God a question: “what is the key to your “spiritual success”? P. Maciek brought out his pen and notebook, expecting to hear a long and informative answer. To his great surprise, he did not say much. Instead, he answered with one word – availability! Wow!   

Decisive Doctrine

Paul heartened his spiritual son, Timothy, with the following words: “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Tim 4:16 NKJV). Contextually, the apostle is obviously not talking about salvation in terms of justification, which takes place in the blink of an eye. He is instead talking about salvation in terms of sanctification, which is a lifelong process. It is not salvation from hell, but rather from being deceived in one’s walk with the Lord. In other words, sound doctrine is the antidote to chaos, collapse and control. No wonder Paul, in his last epistle, goes on to say: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15 NKJV). 

Dare to be Different

Doubtless, it is possible, due to God’s limitless divine resources, to manifest the “Philadelphia Spirit” during the Laodicean age (Rev 3:7-13). For them, God opened a door that no man can shut (Reb 3:8). Likewise, Joshua and Caleb manifested a different spirit amid a grumbling and faithless generation (Numb 14:24; Josh 1:1-9). They alone were able to enter the Promised Land, a picture of the victorious Christian life. We do not know what the remaining part of this year will bring. Will we experience chaos, collapse and control? Maybe. But we are part of the reserved remnant. What we do know is that “all the promises of God in Him are yes, and in Him amen, to the glory of God through us” (2 Cor 1:20 NKJV). Because of God’s character and nature, that is sufficient knowledge for us, is it not? God Bless! 

In Christ, Dr. Mikael