Today we are, “looking for the blessed hope and GLORIOUS APPEARING of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself FOR US, that He might REDEEM US from every lawless deed and PURIFY FOR HIMSELF His own special people, zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:13-14)
It is said that the most NEGLECTED BOOK in the Bible is the book of REVELATION. It is often regarded as a difficult and complex book to understand. Yet it is so important that GOD HAS ATTACHED TO IT A SPECIAL BLESSING for those who read, hear, and keep the things that are written in it. “BLESSED is the one who READS ALOUD the words of this prophecy, and BLESSED are those WHO HEAR IT and TAKE TO HEART WHAT IS WRITTEN in it, because the time is near.” (Revelation 1:3)
Underneath all of the many reasons why the church does not talk about the end times, ultimately the REAL REASON is because of fear.
FEAR OF:
- OFFENDING PEOPLE: because there is so much division as to the exact interpretation and understanding.
- DIVIDING THE CHURCH: and creating arguments among the congregation.
- SHOWING THEIR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE: on the subject of the End Times.
- THE POLITICAL CORRECTNESS: that has reached up to and affected many churches in these last days.
This is what the Word of God says about “THE WORD OF GOD.”
- “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God (theopneustos: God’s breath), and is profitable for DOCTRINE, for REPROOF (elegchos: the persuasion), for CORRECTION, for INSTRUCTION in righteousness, that the man of God may be COMPLETE, THOROUGHLY EQUIPPED for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
- “…the WORD OF GOD is LIVING and POWERFUL (not just words printed on paper they are God Breathed, God Living and God Powerful Words), and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
- “EVERY WORD OF GOD IS PURE (tsâraph: refined); He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.” (Proverbs 30:5)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham