Last time I spoke about Eve’s temptation, and how dangerous it was/is for humanity. I think one of the greatest temptations facing humanity today is one that doubts that God will be true to his promise.
Consider the words of the Apostle Peter in the New Testament writings bearing his name.
“ First off, you need to know that in the last days, mockers are going to have a heyday. Reducing everything to the level of their puny feelings, they’ll mock, ‘So what’s happened to the promise of his Coming? Our ancestors are dead and buried, and everything’s going on just as it has from the first day of creation. Nothing’s changed.’ They conveniently forget that long ago all the galaxies and this very planet were brought into existence out of watery chaos by God’s word. Then God’s word brought the chaos back in a flood that destroyed the world. The current galaxies and earth are fuel for the final fire. God is poised, ready to speak his word again, ready to give the signal for the judgment and destruction of the desecrating skeptics. Don’t overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, and thousand years as a day. God isn’t late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn’t want anyone l0dt. He’s giving everyone space and time to change.” II Peter 3:3-9 The Message
It seems as though God has gone silent, and perhaps he has. It seems as though paranormal and supposed alien activity has increased, and that may well be true. It seems as though wrong is being touted as righteous, and right as unrighteous.
Just like in Eve’s story, God spoke, never changing his mind, and fulfilled to the letter, the things he spoke. God’s creation, man and woman, ate something they were clearly told not to eat, and suffered the consequences God said they would suffer—they died. In fact, two deaths took place that day, eternal separation from God, and physical death—even though a perfectly made body told centuries to decay.
The argument Peter makes is the same argument today. If God did precisely as he said in the beginning, and every time following, what has changed to make this promise any different? The answer is priceless. On the one hand, there is no evidence that God has changed anything, while on the other hand, nothing has changed, so God must have changed.
As the Apostle Peter states, people have reduced the answer to their “puny feelings,” in order to justify their reasons—as well as actions (sound familiar?)—for believing the way they do.
Jesus is returning, and God’s judgment will be accomplished exactly the way he says it will be done. Anyone who believes differently (and everyone has the right to do so) is simply wrong according to the word of God. But if you don’t believe the word of God, does that mean you are right?
I suppose that depends on which side of the fence you wish to be on. On the one hand, you can believe what you chose to believe and find out after death if you are right or wrong. On the other hand, you can choose to believe what the word of God says finding out after death if you are right or wrong. One is a huge step of faith with possible eternal consequence, while the other simply ends with death.
A close personal relationship with the godhead catapults you far past such silly arguments bringing you into the presence of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. There is a line in an old hymn that says, “Oh the joy we share, as we tarry there. None other has ever known.”
All I know is that humanity is 2,000 years closer to an answer, or 2,000 years farther removed from one. I chose to believe the former because of the many historical proofs, and because of the relationship, I have enjoyed with the godhead these many years. I know that Jesus is alive. He has settled that question in my heart without reserve.
If he hasn’t settled it in your heart, then you have a difficult choice to make. You must either decide to believe and continue to pursue a close personal relationship or not believe and go your own way.
If you chose to believe and stay, I will do my best to guide you in this unexpected journey.