The Hard Truth – By Steve Schmutzer

I have little idea where this post is going to go. I guess I’m partly writing it as a personal catharsis, and so I advise you – I’m not feeling warm and fuzzy.

I’m not a gambler, but if you asked me to pick up the dice and roll ’em, I’m going to tell you America is done. No single issue prompts me to say that, but rather many of them.

America is hurtling down a steep one-way road with no U-Turn on the map. It is experiencing a comprehensive and catastrophic moral collapse. Read Romans 1:18-32. It’s basically today’s news, and it makes one point clear: America is so far gone that it’s already experiencing the wrath of God. It is done.

I don’t see any valid “if’s” on this issue anymore. The most qualified questions are those that responsibly weigh the “when’s” and “how’s.” America is now marinated in lies and depravities of the sort that – not long ago – used to cower in the closet and carefully pick their disguises before daring to crack the door.

Not anymore.

Patently obvious deceptions now proudly parade in the public forums. Intentional fraud is welcomed at every level of our governing structures. Myriad efforts are being expended to ruin anyone or anything that speaks the truth or shows the facts. Many millions of dollars are spent on marketing, policy, and PR campaigns to advance exactly the sort of corruption, evil, injustice, and debauchery that God routinely – and forcefully! – judged in the Scriptures.

We live in a time where the agendas of depopulation, immorality, lawlessness, intolerance, and tyranny are celebrated – while efforts to support virtue, common sense, law and order, free speech, and personal responsibility are ridiculed. Children have become a key target in all of this. They are the victims of every vile form of wickedness imaginable, and legislation is even being proposed to legitimize these evils.

This nation’s descent is breathtaking to see. We’re rocketing so quickly into a sticky morass of wickedness that you can almost hear the sonic boom.

It doesn’t help that so much of our nation’s population is woefully uninformed – – and it helps even less that they choose to stay that way. There is a vast swath of our society that refuses to spend one calorie of energy to study the truth and confront their ignorance. It’s so much easier for them to attack the facts instead.

It’s that ‘safety in numbers’ thing that seduces them to float downstream with the dead fish – – to hurl themselves off the cliff with the rest of the ignorant lemmings.

But the gravity of this situation is so in-your-face that it’s now impossible to overlook. One must WANT to not see it for what it really is.

Honestly, I expect this sort of foolishness from those who have rejected God. Romans 1:28 makes the case that those who have done this end up with minds that don’t work like they’re supposed to. They’re as dumb as a frying pan. There’s a direct connection between their consecutive choices and their constant idiocy.

So again – I expect such darkened people to do precisely what they’re not supposed to do. I expect them to reject common sense laws and values that find their source in God’s divinely inspired Word. I expect this from the masses that want nothing to do with a right relationship with Jesus Christ. Their whole motive is to energetically go in the opposite direction instead – no matter the consequences to themselves or to others, or their self-evident displays of ridiculousness.

Perhaps that’s why this entire situation gives me another very specific discomfiture. Maybe it’s why I’m saying all these things in the first place – because the bigger picture is even worse.

You see, this whole problem extends well beyond that group we typically expect to applaud fraudulent elections, promote fabricated ‘science,’ or support foolish laws. This problem is much bigger than the bunch who cuts off their genitals, wears masks while driving alone, waves rainbow flags, conceals their violence under black hoodies, touts BLM, or sets up filthy communes in public places.

Here’s the hard truth. There are plenty in the church who have already made it clear they identify more with the postures of those who show they have rejected God than they do with anyone who diligently seeks to be in a right relationship with Jesus Christ.

I’ve heard pastors foolishly claim wearing a mask is a sign of worship. I’ve heard other pastors chide their congregants for wanting secure borders, for supporting responsible conservative values, and for not accepting plainly fraudulent ‘medical science.’ I’ve had conversations with church leaders who vigorously support the ‘Palestinian cause’ and a ‘two-state solution’ over all clear Biblical instructions to the contrary.

I’m just scratching the surface of all the ways I’ve seen church leaders lose their moorings.

Furthermore, there is no shortage of “Christians” who march for BLM, advocate for LGBTQ lifestyles, embrace gender rebranding, and promote the fallacy of climate change which lies at the heart of globalism. All of this shows glaring faults in the integrity of their faith since this bunch are “Christians” who also pick their way through the Scriptures like they are at a buffet – – ignoring what they don’t like and overindulging in what they most want.

That’s the part that gnaws at me and causes me no end of frustration. The truth is there for them to know it, but so many within the church are woefully uninformed – – and they choose to stay that way. There is a large proportion of “Christians” that refuse to spend one calorie of energy to study the full counsel of God’s Word, to humbly yield to its instructions, and to confront their ignorance. It’s so much easier for them to run with the packs that believe as they do and attack the truth instead.

The standard pew-warmer today desperately needs a carnivore diet (1 Cor. 3:2), but as Paul lamented, many of them can’t handle it. Just as Paul recognized young believers needed “milk” instead, so I think he would chastise those churchgoers today who have obstinately remained content with a lactose diet. Hebrews 5:12 states we should be striving for “solid food,” but most “Christians” and their leadership would much rather sip their doctrines through a straw.

A leading giveaway of such “Christians” is their inability to perceive the present times for what is really happening and for what they really mean. If we take 2 Timothy 4:3 at face value – and I do! – then it’s less of an ‘inability’ than it is a ‘refusal.’

This passage makes it clear such “Christians” will not tolerate hearing the things from God’s Word that they MOST need to hear. They will consciously embrace the “fables” instead that are the values and choices of this world.

They do this by “gathering around them teachers to suit their own passions.” That means such “Christians” will openly support pastors, teachers, and other church leaders who show they are not yielded to the full counsel of Scripture, and who evidence by the things they say that they have dangerously “conformed to this world” (Romans 12:2). It also means such “Christians” will isolate and berate any other pastors, teachers, and other church leaders who call their choices into proper Biblical accountability.

Churches and “Christians” who behave in this manner are living proof that we are indeed in the last days. The Bible calls these folk “scoffers” in 2 Peter 3:3. This bunch is noted for ridiculing the things of God they want no part of, for denying the truth of Scripture when it confronts their choices, for following their own evil desires over the clear counsel of God’s Word, and for mocking those who wait for, long for, and earnestly study the issues around the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Jude goes one step further in Jude 1:18. He makes it clear that churches and fellowships will greatly suffer under the influence of these kinds of scoffers because they create division and introduce erosion. They may imagine themselves to be church leaders, they may imagine they are giving priority to the things they ought to be giving it to – – but Jude adds, “they do not have the Spirit” in vs. 19.

The surge of scoffers in the church today is a clear Biblical sign that we are in the last days. While there are many outside the church that plainly want nothing to do with the truth, there are many inside the church that are the same way.

I’ve come full circle to my opening comments. The prognosis for this nation is not good. You may choose to disagree with me on that – – but I urge you to “be as the Bereans” (Acts 17:11) and examine the Scriptures for yourself. This exercise will clarify all current events through the wisdom of God’s Word.

I believe – if you do – you will ultimately be prompted to say with a new hope, just as Paul did in 1 Corinthians 16:22, “Maranatha” (“Come, Lord Jesus”).

 

Don’t Fall for the Illusion of Peace in our Time :: By Jonathan Brentner

I can’t imagine living at a time when deception is greater than it is now, but the Bible says that just such a day will exist during the time of the antichrist.

Those who reject the words of Scripture become easy prey for the wiles of the devil; they believe many things are not true. We see the words of 2 Timothy 2:13 lived out all around us as never before; there, Paul says that “evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”

Sadly, the lie that “all is well” has invaded many churches, even those that claim to be Bible-believing. Despite the multitude of signs that tell us the wrath of the Day of Lord is ever so close, a majority of Christians remain unaware that they live in the last days.

As I reflect on 2022, the illusion of peace that’s become the hope of many saints saddens me. This deception has come about through false teaching concerning the end times, which prevents them from recognizing the signs of the rapidly approaching Tribulation period.

Viewpoints Close the Eyes of the Saints

Let’s begin by looking at some of the various teachings regarding the end times that give believers a false illusion of peace in our time.

  1. The Rebranding of Premillennialism

During the past several years, I have become aware of several churches that hold to a type of premillennialism that’s far different from what Bible-believing ones taught during the twentieth century. Whereas the Bible teaches the restoration of a glorious kingdom to Israel, today’s updated version denies this while still maintaining a belief of Jesus’ future reign, which may or may not include a literal belief in the words of Revelation 20:1-10. Most often, it does not.

In churches that rebrand premillennialism, you will not hear sermons that reflect the signs of the times in which we live. Instead, the messages frequently deny the reality of Jesus’ soon appearing as well as the reality of the seven-year Tribulation.

The new premillennialism might include a “role” for Israel, but it’s not the reign of Jesus over the nations seated upon the “throne of David” in Jerusalem, which God’s Word promises the descendants of Jacob in passages such as Jeremiah 33:23-26, Zechariah 14:9-21, Isaiah 9:6-7, and Luke 1:30-33.

  1. Replacement Theology

Many churches adhere to the more traditional form of amillennialism, replacement theology, which teaches that there’s no thousand-year reign of Jesus because the church has replaced Israel and thus inherited all its physical promises, albeit in a spiritual sense. Similar to the rebranded form of premillennialism, they see the church as God’s physical kingdom and regard the book of Revelation as something far different than a book of prophecy, which it claims to be (Revelation 22:6-10).

Replacement theology lies at the heart of all other errant viewpoints on the end times. If one combines the church age with the kingdom promises God made to Israel, it always leads to further errant teaching, always.

  1. Kingdom Theology

Replacement theology emphasizes that the church is now God’s kingdom. Those who adhere to Dominion Theology, or what many refer to as the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), take this a step further.

The proponents of NAR teach that since the church is God’s kingdom, it will eventually defeat all the evil in the world and usher in the peaceful conditions of the Millennium before Jesus returns to earth.

They rely on “new revelation” to the church. However, what they teach contradicts what the Bible reveals about the Lord’s defeat of wickedness during the seven-year Tribulation and Jesus’ glorious return to earth before the Millennium.

  1. Preterism

Many of those who hold to the preceding viewpoints claim that the words of Jesus in Matthew 24:4-28 have already happened; they are past history. Preterism extends this faulty interpretation by teaching that Jesus has already returned to earth in AD 70 as He promised to do in Matthew 24:29-31. Rather than regard most of Matthew 24:4-31 as already fulfilled, preterists regard the entire passage in this way.

I include this blatant false teaching to show how the failure to distinguish between the church and God’s promises regarding his future kingdom on the earth, the restoration of Israel during the Millennium, cascades into many errant teachings that lead to the denial of the “blessed hope” of the Gospel (Titus 2:11-14) and sometimes even to the subversion of the Gospel itself.

“Peace, Peace, When There Is No Peace”

In Jeremiah 6:14, the prophet records the Lord’s complaint regarding the spiritual leaders of the people in Judah. He wrote that they “have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.” The sense is that of applying a superficial salve that not only failed to address the hurts of the people but also promoted a false sense of security despite the threat posed by Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians.

I believe the words of this passage apply to church leaders and writers that promote doctrines that close the eyes of the saints to the dangers posed by the Satanic globalists. They do not proclaim “peace, peace” as did the false prophets in ancient Judah, but by their silence, they fail to warn those that they lead of the great dangers that exist in our time. They repeat the errors of the false prophets and priests of Jeremiah’s day.

I know that the majority of those who read my posts are fully aware of all the signs that tell us the seven-year Tribulation is ever so near, which means the Rapture could happen at any moment (the sooner, the better).

I go to this place of warning again, however, because of my sadness for believers who never hear about their joyous hope in Jesus’ soon appearing.

As a result, many Christians don’t recognize the great evil that masquerades behind the mask of good intentions of the globalists and most government leaders. Beneath the many benevolent-sounding words lies the spirit of the antichrist taking people down paths that lead to lawlessness, chaos, destruction, and certain death.

The prevailing message of peace in our time prevents believers from seeing behind the veil of deception to the working of our dreadful enemy. They fail to recognize the extensive stage-setting for the kingdom of the antichrist that’s so rampant throughout the world.

The Way of Wisdom

I love the contrast between the way of wisdom and that of folly in Proverbs 9. I’m not saying this chapter speaks directly to the end times; it does not. However, it’s something I believe we can apply to it.

In the book of Proverbs, wisdom reveals the person of Christ. We trust the words of wisdom because they come from Him (2:6), are righteous (8:8-9), and bring blessing and “life” to us (8:34-35).

In Proverbs 9:13-18, the “woman Folly” sits in front of a nondescript house offering “stolen water” and “bread.” Her seductive ways appeal to a great many, but in the end, her ways lead to death.

Compare that to what Wisdom offers (9:1-5). Her magnificent house has “seven pillars,” and she provides so much more than a meager meal. Those who accept her invitation feast on meat from a freshly butchered animal and wine. She offers “insight” or “understanding,” which signifies greater discernment in all things pertaining to the wisdom of God’s Word.

I believe we can apply the fabulous feast offered by Wisdom, aka Jesus, to our hope of eternity, beginning with the Rapture and the receipt of our immortal and imperishable bodies. In 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, the Apostle Paul clearly says that not all believers will die, but many will be alive at the time of Jesus’ appearing. After that, our experience in eternity will far exceed the happiness of our very best day here below.

On the other hand, teachings that see the church as God’s physical kingdom have great appeal. Many Christians don’t want to hear that the Rapture might interrupt their cherished aspirations. Perhaps this is why so many flock to churches that assure them “all is well” and avoid any suggestion that the Lord’s appearing might suddenly interrupt their future plans. They hear wonderful sermons and leave with the assurance that all is well for the remaining years or decades of their lives.

However, in reality, they settle for a meager meal that fails to satisfy. The “full preterists” believe we are already in the eternal state. Many of the other viewpoints postulate a continued existence on this earth devoid of the glories of the New Jerusalem or a new earth.

It’s rare to hear any mention of the glorious, immortal bodies that the Lord will give us at the time of the Rapture.

The way of wisdom revealed in the Proverbs leads to a belief in what the words of Scripture tell us about our imminent hope and our reign with Jesus when He rules the world from a gloriously restored Israel. It’s not bread and water but rather a fabulous feast that we will enjoy forever.

My book, The Triumph of the Redeemed-An eternal Perspective that Calms Our Fears in Perilous Times, is available on Amazon. If you desire assurance regarding the validity of the pre-Tribulation Rapture and the restoration of a kingdom for Israel, this book is for you.

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