CHAPLAIN’S PAGE – “A CALL TO ARMS”
In this politically correct society, any mention of arms or warfare is strictly ‘no go.’ Any form of resistance to the nation’s plunge to extinction is viewed with suspicion. This is not only so on the political front, but also within the church of Christ. There has never been a time such as this when the church is so asleep, soundly asleep. It has ignored all the warning signs that have been with us for well over a hundred years. In the eighteen hundreds, Bishop J.C. Ryle of Liverpool warned the church of such a time of apostasy that is now upon us. Who would have imagined at that time, when the nation was a church going and openly Christian nation, that the time would come when all would come crashing down? No one listened to that prophet of God. Thus has it always been through the centuries with God’s sleeping nation.
In past times there were always future years in which to wake up and recover. Those days have passed as we now stand at the threshold of a new age. How is it that the church is soundly asleep, how has this come about? There are several reasons, chiefly because of a heresy which has been foisted upon the congregations, pre- tribulation rapture. The reason for its resounding success is because it removes all sense of urgency, and leaves the hearer with a warm comfortable feeling. ‘Why should we worry’, we won’t be here when the going gets tough. By then the church will have been snatched up in chariots.’ So they continue with their snooze of happiness. As they wave goodbye to the world, they believe that the Holy Spirit will accompany them, leaving the world to suffer torment of every kind. Then, after three and a half years, they will return and enjoy all the fruits of the new age. This is a selfish, foolish and dangerous teaching still being taught in many churches today.
If this teaching is true, it begs many questions. Think of our Lord and how He had to suffer to the end. He would have liked to have been taken from it, but He knew that He was appointed to suffer beating and humiliation before His execution.
“O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” – (Matthew 26:39)
There were more than twelve legions of angels awaiting His call, but He never made it. It was expedient that Christ should die in order that the nations should not perish (John 11:50.)
In the same way, His body, the church, must suffer to the end in order to be made perfect and cleansed. Again, why did our Lord say,
“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” – (Matthew 24:13.)
If the church is not here how will it be enduring unto the end?
The end time scene on the earth is one of disbelief in God’s Holy Word.
“Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” – (Luke 18:8)
It would appear that, generally speaking, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will be at an all-time low.
“Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.” – (Jeremiah 30:7)
To be saved out of it is not to mean that the nation shall be snatched away into heaven. Read the subsequent verses which make it perfectly clear that it will still be on the earth when David, that is, Christ, will commence His earthly rule.
It is very evident from II Chronicles 7:14 that the Lord has never taken away His wonderful offer to Israel,
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
 This is a double blessing, forgiveness of sins, and healing of the land. Our wonderful Lord is never short in His blessings! There will be no running away when the going gets tough. Both national Israel and the church  will be needed, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, to act as light bearers during the time of universal turmoil. Ephesians chapter six is surely the wake-up call to church and state. Verse 15 “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.”
The Ferrar Fenton vision renders it in readiness. It is up to us as believers, to make it known in every way possible, that these last days are times of spiritual warfare in high places. The very name of Christ is hated, and those with the courage to stand for the truth are labelled as dinosaurs! Your chaplain is quite happy to be one!
Those who understand the signs of this time period are greatly blessed. As we go about the Lord’s business we often feel that we are bashing our heads against a brick wall. Each day, the going gets tougher. How can this be a great blessing to others? In past times it was fairly simple to bring people to Christ. There was little opposition to the Gospel of Salvation, and also the gospel of the kingdom. Social engineering has made sure that this present generation as ignorant of Christianity. To put it bluntly, apart from a few exceptions, this generation is akin to an alien culture, and there is no point of contact. Satan has performed a brilliant job of diverting the attention of people of most age groups from the urgency of the world situation. Read a daily paper, and you have probably noticed that the amount of news covering vital world issues is negligible. On the other hand, the sexual exploits of politicians and footballers is given over to page after page. Even such dailies as the Telegraph devotes more space to such rubbish, anything to divert people’s attention from major issues.
The question was asked above, how can we be a great blessing? If you are a regular reader of The Ensign Message, then presumably you have a knowledge of the kingdom truth. If so, then we know the answers to many questions that would otherwise be unanswerable. Armed with this knowledge, we have no right to keep it to ourselves when faced with questions. There is no doubt whatsoever that the time is shortly coming when we will be faced with many questions. Not only from those outside the church, but also from those within. Because of the false teaching, especially the pre-rapture heresy, Christians will be bewildered, and wondering why they haven’t been taken. Their pastors will be as puzzled as they are.
It is for this reason that those of us who are blessed with this knowledge, must use this precious time to study and make ready.
“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching there unto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” –Â (Ephesians 6:17-18.)
