The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum The work of the Holy Spirit in lives of believers.

Dave,

I really think John hit the nail squarely on the head with his several reasons he gave. So, let me address your question from another direction. It should not be surprising to see or even expect what you are lamenting about. Why? Because it is written that only "a remnant" will be saved. Yes, the size of that remnant will vary according to God's eternal counsel where in some periods of history He has been merciful to grant revival to the Church and call many to Christ and sustain them throughout their lives. But those are the exception to God's typical operations among Adam's fallen race. Accepting this truth should dispel any notion that the present kingdom of God on earth will be a dominant force in the world, be constantly increasing in numbers, and especially that at least the majority of those who profess to be Christians really possess what they profess. Of course Baptists like to think that with few exceptions everyone they dunk is saved. Post-millennarians want to believe that things are going to get much better and true Christianity will someday dominate the earth before Christ returns. The emergent church promoters have their ideas on how to "win the world for christ" [notice the small "c"]. And the list could go on to include all those who hold to some form of misguided expectation or doctrine of "love" that the majority of professing Christians are in fact actually regenerated and destined for glory. A quick reading of the letters to the Churches in the book of Revelation should tell you that these ideas are not in line with history nor with Scriptural teaching.

What was it that the Lord Christ said about the end times, particularly that period of time just prior to His return?

Luke 18:7-8 (ASV) "And shall not God avenge his elect, that cry to him day and night, and [yet] he is longsuffering over them? I say unto you, that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?"

And let's not forget about those several warnings given to us in Scripture by the inspired authors, for example:

1 Corinthians 11:19 (KJV) "For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you."

2 Peter 2:1-3 (ASV) "But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their lascivious doings; by reason of whom the way of the truth shall be evil spoken of. And in covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose sentence now from of old lingereth not, and their destruction slumbereth not."

1 Timothy 4:1-2 (ASV) "But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron;"

2 Timothy 3:1-6 (ASV) "But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power therefore. From these also turn away. For of these are they that creep into houses, and take captive silly women laden with sins, led away by divers lusts,. . ."

2 Timothy 4:1-4 (ASV) "I charge [thee] in the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables."

Such passages of Scripture should strike fear in the heart of everyone who names the name of Christ, IMHO. What saint today does not pray, "O Lord, let me not be deceived by false teachers and carried away as so many have that have gone before me. Hold me firm and close and give me a generous portion of Thy Holy Spirit that I may discern rightly and do that which is pleasing in Thy sight according to Thy precious Word. Yes Lord, keep me on those 'old paths' and may my heart never lose that yearning created in it for Thee and all that which is good." I thus persevere knowing that God has promised to preserve me.

Psalms 1:1-6 (KJV) "Blessed [is] the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly [are] not so: but [are] like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish."

In His Grace,