I distinctly remember the phone call. It was the spring of 1999, and I had worked up the nerve to telephone my esteemed professor, Dr. John C. Whitcomb—the man whose reputation caused me to choose my theological seminary five years previously.

To my surprise, he picked up the phone, stirring within me a mixture of relief and horror. It just seemed like it wasn’t the right instant to talk with him, however. I learned he was actually on his way to what would be his final international speaking trip, to London.

I was preparing to apply to a highly acclaimed doctor of philosophy program, and I knew from a prior discussion that Dr. Whitcomb—who was extremely sensitive to the issue of drift within theological higher education—was dubious about that choice. I was calling to seek his perspective and his guidance—and hopefully his blessing.

However, with one declarative statement, he dashed my hopes completely and offered an unexpected change of course. “What you need is a mentor,” he stated. “Who that is, the Lord knows, and I don’t.” His words left me puzzled—and musing.

Fast forward to the spring of 2003. A multitude of details had changed in my life, and the Ph.D. program hadn’t worked out in any case.

Dr. Whitcomb, now almost 79, had just endured a major health challenge with colon cancer, and I hadn’t seen him in more than a year. I sent him a letter and then called him again—this time asking to come and interview him and write an account of his incredibly interesting life and ministry.[i] He was very leery, but—as he would say—in a weak moment, he agreed.

My wife and I first visited the Whitcombs at their Indianapolis home the weekend after Memorial Day in 2003. I spent several hours recording interviews with Dr. Whitcomb in his basement office. But, before we left, something quite unexpected had happened. Our old car was filled with papers and projects for me and Lynnette (a fantastic secretary) to work on—again, as Dr. Whitcomb would say—in our spare time.

Without seeking it or even really knowing what happened, we had agreed to assist Dr. Whitcomb in the work of Whitcomb Ministries. I had found my mentor.

Dr. Whitcomb lived for 17 more years, and we enjoyed countless opportunities to fellowship with the Whitcombs in their home as well as at various conferences and events. We accomplished a great deal during that stretch—including the launch of a radio ministry and other media outreaches to correspond with Dr. Whitcomb’s diminishing ability to travel, as he had for decades. Today, 20 years later, I continue to serve Dr. Whitcomb’s ministry on a limited basis—although I can no longer communicate with him. Yet, “He being dead still speaks” (Heb. 11:4)—another reference that would cause him to smile.

Shortly before our visit, I had learned of a website that seemed almost too good to be true. It was called SermonAudio.com. Here churches and ministries could post messages for the whole world to listen to and create their own broadcast platforms. This was truly a technology of which one previously could only have dreamed.

In one of our earliest conversations about Whitcomb Ministries, I persuaded Dr. Whitcomb that he needed to be on SermonAudio.com. He didn’t totally understand how something like this could work—but he was forward-thinking enough to move on it.

Dr. Whitcomb had much teaching recorded on cassette tapes, and the only type of internet I knew was dial-up. Thus, Whitcomb Ministries utilized a service that uploaded these taped messages onto SermonAudio. I remember walking away from the post office after I mailed off the initial round of sermons that we would be placing on this brand-new page and feeling exhilarated—thinking to myself, “We’re on SermonAudio!”

My prayer was that Dr. Whitcomb would live to see a million downloads at SermonAudio.com/Whitcomb. He didn’t witness that milestone on Earth, and I don’t know if the Lord passed the word to him … but he exceeded it in 2021.

My experience in cataloging Dr. Whitcomb’s vast teaching library on SermonAudio proved to be invaluable for me in the service to which God would call me with The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry. I was eventually able to open my own page there in 2020—two months after Dr. Whitcomb went to be with the Lord—during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns, which prohibited us from traveling, but provided a wonderful opportunity to consolidate and organize our efforts with regard to technology.

Two decades of serving Dr. Whitcomb, and two decades of collaborating with SermonAudio, have been foundational in my life and ministry. They evidence God’s extraordinary providence and undeserved blessing toward me. I hope that rehearsing them will edify all those who read it.

Can you perceive the Lord overseeing your steps as you look back? (see Ps. 37:23-24.) I encourage you to share the story. You may even hearten yourself as you do.

***

Paul J. Scharf (M.A., M.Div., Faith Baptist Theological Seminary) is a church ministries representative for The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, based in Columbus, WI, and serving in the Midwest. For more information on his ministry, visit sermonaudio.com/pscharf or foi.org/scharf, or email pscharf@foi.org.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version.

[i] The results of these interviews are chronicled in the following two writings by Paul J. Scharf: “John C. Whitcomb: Hero of the Faith.” Gospel Herald and The Sunday School Times Vol. 23, No. 4. (Fall 2005): 12-13; and “A Biographical Tribute to Dr. John C. Whitcomb Jr.,” in Coming to Grips with Genesis: Biblical Authority and the Age of the Earth, Terry Mortenson and Thane Ury, eds., 437-451 (Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 2008).

(There is a special message at the end of this article for those who might happen to read this and do not have Jesus in their life and are looking for peace and a way to better understand the present-day insanity and confusion.)

(There is a correction to my previous article at the end of this one.)

It is with mixed feelings that I write this article. Feelings of both joy and sadness.

It is one of life’s little juxtapositions.

There may be some who do not understand my position, especially those who may read this that have no interest in God, His Savior Jesus Christ, and the other things relative to His plan that are discernable only if enabled by the Blessed Holy Spirit’s indwelling of believers that results in the enabling of the understanding of Scripture.

There may even be some followers of Christ who may not understand it either, primarily due to having little or no interest in Bible Prophecy. Such a shame.

This article is prompted by the realities of God’s Prophetic Word rushing into view like a high-speed freight train.

I do not want anyone to perish, and God has made it clear that He does not either.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

Having made that clear, I feel we must now face reality head-on. Situational awareness matters, and the Lord is executing His plans just as He promised.

In the famous movie Titanic [1997], possibly, the most sobering scene in the entire film was when the character, Rose, was told in response to her questioning of Thomas Andrews [played by Victor Garber], the man who was the builder of the stately, “not even God Himself could sink this ship” vessel, answered, “In an hour, or so, all this will be at the bottom of the Atlantic.”

In that same scene, Rose considered Mr. Andrews’ statement for a moment and then accepted the truth. It was convincingly portrayed by Ms. Winslet.

Given present current events and circumstances, it would be timely if people would respond in the same manner to the reality that America is not recoverable by any political candidate, any remnant of the military that is still loyal to the Constitution, lawyers, lawsuits, what few congressional members that are still loyal to their oath to protect and defend the Constitution, or any other human being(s), neither the rule of law nor any other mechanisms embedded in the Constitution by the founding fathers.

I believe evil and sin have become too firmly entrenched, not just in America but in the entire world.

Lawlessness now rules over the affairs of men.

This is, of course, my opinion and is made with the understanding that God could prove me wrong by intervening in the ongoing American (and worldwide) national and individual suicide that has become impossible to ignore. Indeed, He has done that many times over the span of human history.

But why should He continue to do it any longer?

Every evil act that is anathema to Him and His Righteous Laws is common practice now, and He has warned repeatedly over the entire course of human history that there must be, and will be, consequences for this deliberate disobedience and depravity.

“And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: they were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building; but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed” (Luke 17:26-30).

By the recording of these different events, God has demonstrated that there is a point at which, by His own authority, He must reluctantly execute His righteous judgment by destroying, in whole or in part, the offending nations and/or individuals.

Eventually, this human conduct will lead to the complete destruction of the world as it currently exists.

This is the reality that must be understood in order to respond accordingly.

There are two factors that bear witness to my sad but firm conviction that this is true, especially as far as America is concerned:

1. “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” – John Adams.
2. There is absolutely no mention of America anywhere in Bible prophecy.

When faced with impending, unavoidable calamity, people normally take some kind of action to prepare to deal with the circumstances once we accept and understand them.

It is also common for many to try to ignore unpleasant realities when we sense their presence.

Much like seeing the loss of an aging and beloved pet drawing near, we try to put the reality of it off, but we must eventually deal with the truth, as difficult as that is.

If they succeed in ignoring these things, they do nothing, and this is the sad status of most people today.

Coming to grips with reality must occur in order to make right decisions. Again, it is called “situational awareness,” and it must be faced.

The collision of current world events and the impending fulfillment of Bible prophecy will soon force people to choose one of only two options.

Like it or not, God is Sovereign over all creation, and His will will be done.

I believe God’s Word has made these two choices clear right from the outset.

1. We can put our hope in man.
2. We can put our hope in God through Jesus Christ.

• In the first case, an honest review of human history should be enough to make the consequences of putting trust in man very clear. Are things getting better? Or worse? It’s a simple question with a yes or no answer.

It is a question you must answer for yourself. You have been given free will along with the responsibility and the accountability that accompanies it.

• In the second, I would offer up the proof of Bible prophecy and its record, up to this point in history, of 100% accuracy. And it will be 100% at the end of history as well.

Prophecy, like God’s Righteousness, is rolling on like a river.

The Lord of creation has spoken for Himself through His Word.

“Put no more trust in man, who has only the breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?” (Isaiah 2:22).

“Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure'” (Isaiah 46:9-10).

Some say the Bible is a myth, or they will attempt to downplay its veracity by saying, “The Bible is just a bunch of books written by men.” There are so many smoke screens like this that I could go on for hours. Already fulfilled Bible prophecy debunks every one of them. Some have said, usually in an effort to condemn the Bible’s teachings, that Christianity is “exclusive,” meaning its claim to be the only way of Salvation is somehow unfair, false, or “mean-spirited.”

It is exclusive in only one respect: It is what God has established as the method He chose to bring about His perfect will to rescue people from the consequences of their sin without compromising His Perfect Righteousness.

It IS NOT exclusive in this incontrovertible truth. Absolutely no one is excluded from God’s Grace, Mercy and Salvation. The only thing that makes Christianity exclusive is a condition that those who reject it refuse to meet, which is to acknowledge that they are a sinner and that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and Him alone paid the price for their sins on the cross of Calvary.

They want to achieve it on their own merit, but God has already made it clear that that is not possible:

• “All have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
• And, “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).
• Salvation is a free gift offered to penitent humans, paid for by Jesus’ death in our place. (The entire Gospel / Good News).

It is a simple path to eternal life and rescue from a sin-doomed world.

The joy of writing this article is in knowing that God is, as He always has, keeping His Word and that the end of sin and rebellion, depravity and evil is drawing very near.

It is joy also that I can still convey this life-saving message to anyone who will listen. (Please see the special message below).

The sadness of writing it is that so many will not respond to the signs that are all around us by heeding and believing God’s message of life: The Gospel.

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). Emphasis added by me.

Now to the crux of this article.

• You don’t have to take the path of destruction. You can choose life.
• You must act. It is not earning salvation (works) that saves you; it is repentance and receiving Jesus Christ as your personal Savior (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Again, it is a simple path to eternal life and rescue from a sin-doomed world.

If you have not yet received God’s free gift of redemption, I pray that you will not put His Grace off any longer.

The special message I promised you:

For anyone who may read this article and has not trusted in Jesus Christ and therefore has no hope or peace in your life.

You can have hope. You can have the peace that Jesus has promised to all who have made Him their Lord and Savior. The peace that passes understanding.

It requires that you come before God on His terms.

And, what are His terms according to His Word?

• Genuine repentance (turning to God instead of continuing to reject or ignore Him).
• Confession of sins (that you are a sinner and acknowledge that to God).
• That you understand that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
• To acknowledge to God that you are unable to pay that debt.
• Belief that Jesus Christ paid your death sentence for you on the cross.
• To believe that Jesus is the Way, the only Way, that God has established by which humans may be saved from the consequences of their sin and rebellion.

God has made it absolutely clear that there is no one who comes before Him, under His terms, that will be refused.

• No one: no race, no color, no country of origin, regardless of any previous belief system: no one.
• No matter what your past sins have been, God can and WILL forgive you because He says He will.
• Salvation is available to everyone without any exceptions.

If you put all your trust for salvation in Jesus, and Him only, you can follow that prayer up by simply saying, “Thank you, Father God, for hearing my prayer and saving me,” because we can trust Him to keep His Word. He always has. He always will.

“Truly, Truly, I say to you that he who hears My words and believes the One who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned. He has crossed from death to life” (John 5:24).

There are no answers and there is no hope in the world by governments, organizations, politics or politicians. There are only lies and deception. But you can have the Truth and the peace you seek.

The answers are in the Word of God—The Bible. If you ask God, with all your heart, He will hear you.

“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).

Pro Salvator Vigilans

To contact me: canoeman96@gmail.com

Correction to previous article, “So What Makes “This Time” Any Different II”

Third paragraph: At that time, I wrote: “The imminence of the Rapture of the Church (the true Church) has undergone many undulations over the years. By imminence, I do not mean the scriptural indications – they remain [un]changed.

Correction above in BOLD.

My apologies! Scripture does not ever change.