THE QUESTION

 THE QUESTION

    "Why are so many good people having problems and difficulties in every
day living now?" That's the question that seems to pop up with most people
I talk to recently. It's a tough question, but there is an answer. Unless you
have considerable financial resources or enjoy good health, the nasty bug
seems to be working overtime.

    I do have the answer, but the path you have to take to get there requires
some serious study. When I entered college, I was a pre-law candidate. As
such, I was prepared to dig in to the field of history. That is one of my favorite
fields of study. The United States is founded on laws, and legal matters are
based on the history of reason and decisions of interpretation and 
understanding of previous situations (cases).

    But, we have to take a further look at history, predating the United States,
Europe and Asia, to learn from the many decisions of culture and religion. There
is a statement that man repeats mistakes when he doesn't learn from previous
mistakes and experiences. History bears that out. We need to be as certain
as possible that our history records are accurate.

    In my study of history, I found some of the most accurate physical evidence
of authenticity in the bible. We have found evidence of such historical items as
chariot wheels in the area of the Red Sea crossing, locations of major ancient
cities, artifacts and manuscripts. This evidence ties in nicely with the historical
writings of many historians, past and present. There is an added gem in using
the bible as a historical reference, because we can see what the future has in
store for us through prophecy.

     Prophecy does not give us a particular day, hour or year for most things, but
it does give us an idea of certain eras of time. To attempt to boil down such
information, it is necessary to do some intensive study of scripture. No one who
has ever read scripture has ever said it's an easy study, except, of course, those
who lack basic intelligence.
    
    To provide a foundation to build the answer to the "Question", I will quote some
scripture, using both the Old and New Testaments. You may note the important
directions are usually repeated three or more times. Just as an aside to get you
thinking, do you wonder why more and more professing Christians do not know
the two most important Christian rules? Christ said His Eleventh Commandment
was only second to the First Commandment. It is "love thy neighbor as thyself".
(John 31:34) We are living in an era where loving your neighbor is missing.

    What I hear so many Christians saying has no love in it. They are pushing
only those issues that enrich themselves and treat others less fortunate than
themselves the same uncaring way you find in the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
It would be amusing rather than tragic if these "Christians" actually had any idea
of their total lack and practice of Christ's teaching.

    To begin our historical foundation, we latch onto the beginning of Christianity, with
the prophecy of His coming. Isaiah wrote (roughly 600B.C.), in 9:6, "For unto us a 
child is born, Unto us a son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace." For our second look at prophecy, go to Zech. 9:9. "Rejoice greatly,
O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming
to you; He is just and having salvation." Note that forecast of salvation!

    Now to the New Testament, and Luke 1:32, 33. "He will be great, and will be called
the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David."
There are three prophecies many years apart and prior to Christ's birth. This prophecy
is true. History reinforces that Christ lived and died, rising for our redemption. If you
dispute Christianity, that's your decision. But look at what follows from scripture if
you want to know what's happening now.

    The Thessalonians were concerned about the second coming of Christ, and
Paul explained certain things had to occur before Christ would return. (Silvanus and 
Timothy were with Paul). 2 Thes. 2:3, "Let no one deceive you by any means; for
that day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is
revealed, the son of perdition," There is always a certain amount of "falling away",
but apostasy has increased by leaps and bounds in the past 50 years. Here are
some examples:

    Many thousands of "Christians" have joined the recently created new domination
that has bound Christians with Muslims. Chrislam has both Christians and Muslims
sharing the same pew, with both the bible and Koran. Muslims do not recognize
Christ as the Son of God, and belief of the divinity of Christ is called "shirk" by the
Muslims. The word means "filth". How can any Christian share Islam? The Muslims
worship Allah, not God, and their Koran calls for the death of anyone not converting
to Islam. Now, that's falling away, and there are many mega churches already
embracing Chrislam.

    Also joining in the falling away movement is the movement known as the New
Apostolic Reformation. It is a methodology of spiritual warfare and theocratic
domination. Quite a number of our wannabe leaders belong to this group, who
have a "seven mountain" platform that features total control of business, the media,
government, arts and entertainment, education, family and religion. There is a lot
more to this dangerous group which includes some elected leaders, such as
governors. Territories and leaders are already established. They are revisionists,
and although they claim to be Christians, they follow their own agenda, and not
Christ's.

    Speaking of revisionists, we can look at the Lutheran church. It is split, with one
branch following scripture, and the other branch actually rewriting some of the bible
to accommodate their ideas. Several denominations have defied Rev. 22:18, 19,
which states, "For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the  prophecy of this
book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written
in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy,
God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the
things which are written in this book." When people who claim to be believers jump
into quoting scripture, they usually are not committed, and they join the billions of
"believers", who also include Satan. Be careful of who you follow.

    The apostate teaching is alive and well in many independent churches. Many of
the pastors attend a "short course" to become a pastor, and only teach what they
have learned at the school. I have yet to see one that actually knows anything
about scripture, and they are ignorant of spiritual things. One more scriptural
historical quote, and we find the answer to the Question. If this is boring you,
remember you don't learn the important stuff in school without studying and practice.

     Go now to Matt. 13:3, another parable. These were given to make you think
and try to understand. Do not get fooled by the introduction to this parable, as
you were probably fooled by the Parable of Talents. Neither is about money, sad
to tell wannabe leaders who covet even more financial riches. Matt. 13:3,8 "Behold,
a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the
birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have
much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth,
But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered
away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up  and choked them. But
others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some 
thirty."

    Here we finally see the answer to the Question. The "falling away" occurs before
Christ returns. If you are interested in the End Times Prophecy, this is for you. The
seed that is scattered is the Word of God. If you attend a church, you can probably
identify those "believers" who are on the wayside and watch birds devour the seeds.
Perhaps you can identify those who receive the seeds as "stony", and who do not
have much earth (interest or understanding). As soon as they "get heat in the
kitchen", they cant take it, and having no root in the Word, they fall away. Some seed
fell among thorns and were choked. This is for "believers" who keep the wrong
company and join in things such as drunken parties or drugs.

    But, be of cheer, because if you are one of good ground in the Word, you will
yield a crop for the Lord, and it won't be money. The crops here are the result of
the same talents in the other parable. They are called heavenly rewards that will
be waiting for your arrival in heaven. Almost everybody has the talent for witnessing
if they are really saved. There are dozens of other talents, and you can find them
in the New Testament. 

    People now are living in the era of "falling away". There are so many fakers and
so many organizations of apostate teachers that it is difficult to recommend any
domination or church. Satan has a very good plan, and except for Christ's return,
he would win. This falling away is, at the least, the prelude to the period of
tribulation. You see and hear of the terrible persecution and slaughter of people
all over the world--some in America, too. You have a choice of being a "good
earth" Christian or one of the pretenders. Those who fail the test of the sower
will miss the Rapture. They will be among the many who will have to go through
phase two of the tribulation. At that time it appears people will have to choose
between accepting the apostate religions and false leaders, or face torture and
death. 

    We all have a choice. This message is based on scripture--lots of it. If you
disagree with me, it is not my problem. I only write what the Holy Spirit gives
me. Christ tells us to open our eyes and ears. He tells us to open our mouths
to accept Him as Savior. Simple and easy instructions if you aren't "full of
yourself". 

Rev. Walbear


(The picture is from the Christian's journey, Pilgrim's Progress written by John Bunyan)