In the wrath poured out of the first five angels' bowls, we can "see" the destruction and suffering that false teachings and bad theology have. Messages we hear today tell us:
- if it makes you happy, do it
- "God" made me this way (in defence of sinful behaviour)
- Why would a loving God allow such things to happen
- I'm OK if my good outweighs my bad
- Karma - what goes around comes around
- Religion is a crutch
- Government can solve the world's problems
- That's just your interpretation
- Global warming terror - the notion that we caused it and we can fix it or it will destroy us!
- Pretty much any self help book.
- How about the "preacher" on TV that's message includes "if you believe it, you can do it!"
- Don't even get me started on the whole "elf on the shelf" thing - with the message to kids that "he's watching you to see if you're naughty or nice and you'll be rewarded if the report back to Santa is good". Seriously? Creepy elf spy watching your every move and dangling a "cookie" of lots of presents in reward for being good during the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas? But I digress...
So we have the breakdown of the family. Divorces. Depression. Despair. Social programs that won't help people the way it's promised - but makes things worse. People running after things that will never make them happy, fulfilled. Rebelling children. School shootings. Chaos. People burned by the church that they turn their backs forever. Bitter and mislead.
But as we near the end, fewer and fewer will repent. That's the reality we're given.
And after we move from these plagues, there's NO mention of repentance. Now just unadulterated hostility. Satan, the world governments and all who preach the message of "salvation by man" will join forces in battle against the Lord Almighty. And just as Elijah went up against the followers of Baal - the Lord Almighty will prevail. And then it's done. God's wrath poured out on everything and everyone in unbelief. The end of the world as we know it.
But we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. (2 Peter 3:13)
May God keep us from believing these lies told around us. May we "see" the destructive message given in their pretty packaging. May we put our trust in him and nothing or no one else. Thank God for preserving us through the means of grace. Thank God for preserving his church and that truth can still be found preached from the pulpit!
*thanks for allowing my rant on the "elf on the shelf". I feel better now!
6 comments:
Reading Revelation gives me comfort in knowing that "Jesus wins" and by grace we are saved. But, it also never fails to be an eerie reminder to me of those I love who do not know Jesus. I love God's mercy, but, oftentimes, his justice scares me. I pray it motivates me to look for opportunities to share the gospel with those I love. And, as always, I pray that I continue to trust God in both his mercy and justice.
Thank you, Rachel for the reminders! The past few days have been filled with sections in Revelation where I have had to really pour over the study notes and Lutheran theologians to "un-teach" the wrong things I was taught growing up. I, too, agree with you on your perspective (not "rant"!) about the sugar-coated poison shelved right in front of us, but remain grateful that we can, by God's grace, mercy, and the Holy Spirit, see many of the deceptions for what they are: lies. Half-truths. Outwardly "clean" vessels filled with filth. I've been thinking about this in light of Matthew 23. It comes to mind, especially with Jesus using the word "Woe" so much and this theme being repeated again and again in our study of Revelation and the events where the world will witness such woe and devastation and despair.
Thank you, Rachel for the reminders! The past few days have been filled with sections in Revelation where I have had to really pour over the study notes and Lutheran theologians to "un-teach" the wrong things I was taught growing up.
I, too, agree with you on your perspective (not "rant"!) about the sugar-coated poison shelved right in front of us, but remain grateful that we can, by God's grace, mercy, and the Holy Spirit, see many of the deceptions for what they are: lies. Half-truths. Outwardly "clean" vessels filled with filth. I've been thinking about this in light of Matthew 23. It comes to mind, especially with Jesus using the word "Woe" so much and this theme being repeated again and again in our study of Revelation and the events where the world will witness such woe and devastation and despair.
Chris, I agree with you that there is something unnerving in dwelling on the justice that God will swiftly carry out. Then I remind myself that it's perfectly balanced (a concept I can't imagine in myself!) with the desire for ALL men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, his patience I can't even begin to imagine when I compare it with the lack of my own patience and the constant opportunities he gives to all to repent and turn to him.
I am praying with you!!
cre8ev, you have the unique perspective (from those of us who grew up with Biblical, Lutheran theology) of having been taught false teachings and experiencing for yourself the harm it does to souls! Thank God that he has guided your path and led you to a church that teaches truth! Praise God for the yearning in your heart to learn the truth and your humbleness of self to being open to "re-learning" and sitting at Jesus' feet as Mary did - especially during the time of year when it's REALLY easy to let "Martha" take over!!
Oh dear sisters, I am so thankful to God for this "book club" and the discussion and encouragement we share here!
Particularly striking to me was Rachel's comment, "But as we near the end, fewer and fewer will repent. That's the reality we're given." I hadn't thought about it in that way before, but now that she mentions it, I see that too, particularly in this reading. People are not repenting because of the terrors inflicted on them from the seven bowls. They are cursing God. I feel a great sense of sorrow about that. All that God has done for the people he created - sending his Son, giving them a lifetime of grace, sending his messengers to share the gospel with them, sending difficulties into their lives to draw them to himself - and no matter what, they still curse him. Surely we can share the gospel more zealously, with more of our resources of time, talents, and treasures... Surely we can do something to make them see and repent... But no. Fewer and fewer will repent. Now my sadness shifts toward anger.
Time to take a step back. What I'm thinking and feeling leads me to separate myself from the world and not even try to share the gospel. It leads me toward anger and bitterness and cynicism about the people of the world. That’s not a God-pleasing attitude.
The answer is to focus on my Lord and Savior - to be thankful for what he has done for me, and to look to his instructions for me as a guide for living a life of thanks to him. He has told me to share the gospel even though it is something of a losing battle that will be a bitter (scroll) to swallow. He has told me to be his hands and feet to show his love and be his ambassador to the world. He has told me to teach my children about him, and to encourage my fellow Christians in their faith walk. He has told me to rejoice in Him always! To trust in him fully! To not be anxious about anything, but instead bring my concerns to him in prayer!
Speaking of my children, I want them to understand what God has told us about the end of the world better than I did at their age. They will, Lord-willing, walk farther into the future than I will. They need to know what God says about what is coming. As I continue to learn (I intend to continue my study of the End Times into the new year), I will be looking for opportunities to show them what God has told us, point out what we see in the world as evidence that what God has told us is coming to pass, and guide them in the way they can think and live to keep themselves firmly grounded on the Lord and his word.
Gracious God, give us a rich measure of your Holy Spirit to preserve us in this hostile world. Come soon, Lord Jesus!
I love that you are thinking of ways to pass this knowledge on to your kids! God has revealed this to us as a comfort and why shouldn't our children be comforted by these visions too? I too will pray for wisdom in knowing how much age appropriate information to give them and look for similar opportunities to " show them what God has told us, point out what we see in the world as evidence that what God has told us is coming to pass, and guide them in the way they can think and live to keep themselves firmly grounded on the Lord and his word."
Great thoughts!!
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