NOTE: This was written for Nov. 6 but I apparently didn’t post it. Sorry!
IRRELEVANT SCRIPTURE?
Paul couldn’t write I Thessalonians five to most “evangelical” churches today. https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1-thessalonians/5/1-11
His opening line, “Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you,” doesn’t fit us. We are either ignorant of, or choosing to ignore, “the times and the seasons.”
We, as individuals and as the organized church, pursue our earthly agendas and expand our own kingdoms with little apparent awareness that TIME is racing toward Rev. 7:9-10 in this harvest SEASON.
YES, BUT NO
Yes, we are aware of the darkening clouds, but mostly because they threaten our so-called inalienable rights, our religious freedom, and our pursuit of the American Dream. We have little sense of how God is turning up the Light as He allows Satan to deepen the darkness.
We are oblivious to the fact that today’s opportunity to extend His Kingdom through serving, giving, and praying, is unrivaled in history.
We don’t understand that Satan’s Covid-19; his Afghanistan debacle; and his influence through unregenerate politicians, is creating worldwide hunger that God is ready to satisfy in Jesus, through the Church.
He is raising up ministries who are humbly and effectively making disciples who make disciples who make disciples. He is entrusting to faithful men and women the technologies and missional strategies to bring in the harvest. Meanwhile, we Christians, at least we Americans, are too busy with earthly concerns to be distracted by such matters.
THE QUESTION
Paul indicates that the fact that the Thessalonians know the times and seasons, confirms that they are of the day and not of the night. Does that imply then, that those who are NOT aware of the times and seasons, are of the night?
Do we believe Jesus when He said, “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” Rev. 22:12 niv
Who will tell me that I’m just a negative old man who doesn’t understand scripture?
Ken Stoltzfus
Kidron, Ohio USA
November 6, 2021
CLICK HERE for a printable pdf.