“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus… preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and WILL TURN AWAY THEIR EARS FROM THE TRUTH AND WILL TURN ASIDE TO MYTHS.” (2 Tim. 4:1-4)
According to George Barna’s research, Seventy-six percent of all Americans believe in heaven, but only 15 percent believe in Jesus’ teaching about hell. Many believe that if a person is generally good or does enough good things for others during their lifetimes, they will earn a place in heaven. However, the Bible declares that no one is righteous in God’s eyes; “There is none righteous, no not one;” (Rom. 3:10). Salvation is by grace alone, “For by grace you have been saved through faith…” (Eph. 2:8) Many teach that all people pray to the same god or spirit, no matter what name they use. However, “…there is salvation in no one else; for there is NO OTHER NAME (but the name of Jesus) under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12). This is so important for us to remember: “Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, PROCLAIMING HIMSELF TO BE GOD. (2 Thess. 2:3-4)
THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN UNTIL WE ARE “CAUGHT UP” TOGETHER TO BE WITH THE LORD…
-Bill Stockham