The Gathering of Believers Part 6
The Righteous Brothers sang Rock-n-Roll Heaven with one correct phrase, but not all the rest: "If you believe in forever, then life is just a one-night stand." Now, that's an accurate perspective. After quoting the lyrics of rock-n-roll stars, they comment, "They've all found another place, another place to play ... They'll all be there together When they meet in one big show ... There's a spotlight waiting No matter who you are Cause everybody's got a song to sing Everyone's a star." Really! Then, I guess Jesus didn't know what He was talking about when He constantly warned the multitudes about hell.
Confronting the Culture is What Must Be Done
If there is no eternity, then everything we now know does not matter: not the sufferings, the wickedness, the love, the sorrow, and the joy; it will be no more. Certainly not for us because we will be no more. But if there is God, as there must be, as Einstein said, "There has to be a God because nothing produces nothing." Only the God of the Bible has revealed His character in His names: from "In the beginning God" Elohim the Strong, Covenant Keeping, Trinity as it is a plural name. To I AM THAT I AM when standing before Moses in a burning bush. His only personal name signifies him. He is eternal, which is the only explanation for creation. He alone answers the question of every five-year-old child, "Daddy/Momy where did everything come from?"
Confronting the Culture is what God Does
God confronted the culture of the first two generations, which lasted for
One thousand five hundred fifty-six years, according to Genesis 6:5-8, "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of mankind was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. So the LORD was sorry that He had made mankind on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. Then the LORD said, "I will wipe out mankind whom I have created from the face of the land; mankind, and animals as well, and crawling things, and the birds of the sky. For I am sorry that I have made them." But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD."
Confronting the Culture is what Believers Do
Listen to the words of the Apostle Peter when he addressed the very people present at our Lord's crucifixion, and then tell me if our present generation would not say he was being too harsh.
"Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a Man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, YOU NAILED TO A CROSS BY THE HANDS OF GODLESS MEN AND PUT HIM TO DEATH. But God raised Him from the dead, putting an end to the agony of death since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power" Acts 2:22-24. After slamming them for the death of Jesus Christ, he followed up with hope like no other, which is, "But God raised Him from the dead."
Chapter 11 of the letter to the Hebrews recounts some of the prophets, beginning with Abel, a son of Adam, and concludes by saying, And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel, and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection others experienced mocking and flogging, and further, chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented (people of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts, on mountains, and sheltering in caves and holes in the ground And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect," verses 32-39.
Remember, it was the religious leaders who led the murder of the Son of God!
Confronting the Culture is What False Propets Do Not Do
The people listed in the paragraph above were not false prophets but confronted the culture that is always led by false prophets of one type or another. Some are religious, others philosophers, scientists, intellectuals, and political leaders.
False prophets bleed the people for money; they are hired and paid professionals. Yes, it is correct for those who disciple others to receive back financial help for what they give spiritually. However, as was the Apostle Paul, they are careful to avoid becoming a stumbling block by taking payment (Study Paul's life).
Confronting the culture is what Believers will do Just before Christ's Kingdom Comes
Some may think that I am too hard on the church today, and maybe I am. However, my chief concern is that believers be prepared in case Christ is coming soon.
"But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name's sake. "It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony. "So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute" Luke 21:12-15.
Confronting the culture is what every person who takes the command seriously to go into all the world and make disciples does.
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