1. Where do you believe the church is right now in the light of Bible prophecy?
2. What really happened to the church in America and around the world?
3. Will there be another real evangelical outreach in our lifetime? (a) Where the true gospel is preached. (b) Where there are life changing experiences and cities changed to honor the Lord?
4. Do you see any real spiritual energy or power of God working in the church today? And if so, where is it and what effect is it having?
The ensuing comments represent where I See the Church in light of Bible Prophecy. While there are a number of dangers and temptations awaiting the faithful Bible student, we will list only two: 1) One danger is that of reading one's own current events into the prophetical passages. The technical term for such a practice is called "eisegesis." 2) The second danger looming over Bible believers is the practice of reading fulfilled prophetical passages as though they were yet unfulfilled. Herein is what the unbelieving Jews are still doing regarding the Messiah - Christ Jesus our LORD -- when reading the prophetical portions predicting HIS coming, suffering, and reigning.
Sensationalism sells while Biblical truth too often sets on the shelves collecting dust. Mankind (both secular and sacred) has a propensity to be thrilled with the latest scheme or scenario of events. A quick look at how the people of Athens in Paul's day rallied around new and interesting concepts illustrates the mind of man. "(For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)" Acts 17:21 Unhappily, many preachers in our modern era are simply newspaper exegetes, while others seem to ignore the fulfillment of portions of holy Writ. As Pastors that should be biblical scholars, we are to make an honest, earnest effort at practicing exegesis rather than eisegesis when reading and then preaching the Bible. That said I must respond to your four questions concerning where the Church is in this fashion:
Since I have been called to preach the Word (2 Timothy 4:2) not the opinions of mere mortals, the answer to the first question regarding the Church and prophecy is that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the Church (Matthew 16:18). The Church is comprised of born again (John 3:3,7; 1Peter 1:23), blood bought (Acts 20:28), baptized by immersion believers (Acts 2:41). The power of the gospel (Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:18) has not changed. The efficacy of the blood (Ephesians 1:7; 1John 1:7) of Christ Jesus our LORD has not lost its saving power. The Holy Spirit has not relinquished HIS office of convicting (John 16:8-11) men of their sin, convincing them of the righteousness of Christ, and causing a man or woman to be drawn (John 6:44, 65) unto the Father through Christ Jesus our LORD. The Bible has not lost its eternal power (Isaiah 55:11; 2 Timothy 2:9; Hebrews 4:12). And man's sin (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Isaiah 59:2; Mark 7:21) is still just as vile as ever before.
The condition of the Church in America and the world over right now is fat, lazy, and ignorant (Isaiah 5:13; Hosea 4:6) of the righteousness of Christ. This is not because of it being prophesied, quite the contrary: "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it"(Matthew 16:18), but because of prosperity. Too long believers, generally speaking, have lived at ease in Zion, as it were. Rather than looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), folks are looking at a plan, program, or even a prophecy plot most recently hatched and eagerly sold to gullible buyers.
Although there are a few pockets of faithful believers, I currently do not see great move of God. Nevertheless, we should be walking by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). The children of Israel were in Egypt 430 years before God granted them a deliverer. When Judah was sent into the 70 year captivity for its perpetual disobedience, it looked very bleak. Few preachers stood fast for the LORD. There were some, however. Viz., Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel.
Regarding the extent of our outreach and its effectiveness, we have been called to "preach the Word" (2 Timothy 4:2). I have hope and confidence in the power of the gospel (Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:18, 21). Even in Jesus' day, our LORD Jesus could do no mighty works because of their unbelief (Matthew 13:58;). The faithful believers during the dark ages no doubt wondered whether they would ever see better days. The Black Death, also known as the Bubonic Plague, that decimated Europe during 1347-50 dimmed the hopes of believers to be sure. It is stated that 75 million people died in those three years due to the plague.
War, disease, and the pseudo religion of Catholicism did not extinguish the light of the glorious gospel of Christ. In less than one hundred years from time of the Black Plague (1456) a German book maker, Johann Gutenberg, invented the printing press, and the first book printed was the Bible. Before that century ended a man sailed (1492) the ocean blue and discovered the Americas. We know him as Christopher Columbus. Back in Europe a German monk by the name of Martin Luther threw off the blinders of Catholicism (1517) and the believers were freed from the thousand years of darkness. Some believers did not see these things come to pass, they died. While others did see the glorious gospel proclaimed and souls turned unto Jesus, and communities altered for Christ's glory. "Do it again" is my humble prayer.
Two hundred and twenty-five years ago the American believers were struggling against the mighty British forces. Baptist preachers were publicly beaten, their property stolen; it appeared that there was no tomorrow. As a last resort our forebears entered a war for their independence when only 3 per cent of the population were in favor of the fight for independence. They were out numbered and outgunned. Thankfully America won its liberty. The point is, dear brethren, they knew not -- and neither do we know -- "what a day may bring forth" (Proverbs 27:1). "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Therefore, I see the Church of our day in the midst of compromise; pragmatism is the norm in far too many assemblies. Secularism is on every hand. Saints are weary, worried, and wounded. Take heart O child of God, "Greater is He that is in You, than He that is in the world" (1 John 4:4). Our LORD is coming (John 14:1-3) one day for HIS bride. When Jesus will come no man knows (Mark 13:32), because it is not for us to know (Acts 1:7). When Jesus comes the Church will not be bruised, bleeding, and battered. It is to be a glorious Church without spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:27). When our LORD at last arrives, let us be found faithfully serving KING Jesus.
May God be glorified in each of our lives!
Pastor Brown
"I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do. What I can do, I should do. And what I should do, by the grace of God, I will do." - Edward Everett Hale
You are welcome to visit my website, if you do let me know.
http://www.link2000.net/~preacher/ or email me preacher@link2000.net
Pastor Brown has served the LORD with The Eternal Grace Baptist Church for over twelve years. The Church is located on 8965 N. County Road 675 E. Bainbridge, Indiana (actually in New Maysville). The Eternal Grace Baptist Church is true Church, an unregistered Church, not a religious 501 C (3) corporation or association.
The Times of service:
Sunday Bible Training 9:45 A. M.
Morning Worship 10:45 A.M.
Afternoon Worship 3:00 P. M.
Wednesday Prayer 7:00 P. M.
Pastor Brown may be contacted for counseling, answering questions, preaching or any other ministry service in the following ways:
Phone: (765) 522-1308
Email: preacher@link2000.net (lower case)
Email: PastorJSBrown@juno.com (no spaces)
Website: http://www.link2000.net/~preacher/