Many times the subject of whether we will have to endure great tribulation of a physical nature has come into our conversations. Some think strongly, that there I will be a time of physical persecution, and some think us to be living in the time of tribulation now . . . the time of trouble and trial of our faith to be in the disease I of “oneness” with the world.
We have to agree that in comparison, we are much more acceptable to those about us in the world than those in generations past of the brotherhood. Not only individually are we more acceptable to the world, but we seem to be becoming more alarmingly so as a body!
And though we know the danger of this disease and its fatality . . . we still seem to be taking on more and more characteristics of other religious organizations, incorporating more of their same ideology and language into our own midst. Things which the Apostle Paul warned the Colossians of in chapter 2 at verse 8: “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
of physical persecution, Matthew 24 and Luke 21 define a time of trouble experienced prior to A.D. 70, but had we given thought to the possibility of similar events being replayed in the not so distant future, just prior to the return of Christ? Especially in light of the national emphasis on military spending, arms build-up, the increase and continuance of wars world-wide, the arms competition- – – and more recent events that have shook the so-called national “safety” – – – things which could possibly bring about a mandatory draft – – – and possibly with no option of C.O. work – – – Had we thought of this?
All would indeed be a severe trial.
What would the punishment be for refusal to comply? To what degree would we stand the ground of faith?
Would the cock crow before we would deny our Lord?
Still, our personal opinion is of the former, if for no other reason than that Christ’s coming is “as a thief in the night.” – – – and a thief is usually a surprise. If we were being physically persecuted, we would be alert to his coming being indeed imminent and though unaware of the exact time, his return wouldn’t be as a surprise or “as a thief.” And all things wouldn’t be continuing “as they were” . . . And contrary to the parable of the ten virgins, every lamp would be filled as they should be with the oil of the Word, and every wick would be trimmed.
In any case, if one is questioning “when it will be,” then the time of tribulation, of being persecuted, is not now.
Why is it not?
We assert that if our preaching were as it should be, we might well be seeing persecution!
This isn’t to say that our preaching efforts as a body are especially in need – – – for we do indeed keep ourselves active as a body in preaching, but what of our individual selves?
We have a check-point given to us in Paul’s second letter to Timothy, chapter 3, verse 12—”Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
To live “godly” is to live a devout “well-reverent” life. We try to live in a godly and well-reverent manner in Christ, or at least we say we do . . . Do we appear so to others?
It has been reasoned, and quite true it is, that to those of the world we may be the only Bible some will ever see.
We attend meetings every Sunday, keep active in the attendance, teaching and running of the Sunday School, attend the lectures, the public preaching efforts, assist in advertising for them . . . not to discount the relentless hours of unseen efforts in the smooth running of the ecclesia, the time spent in study rather than in abundant recreation of the many different forms it takes, or washing and waxing the car every Saturday . . . and here we mean to the point of excess. To our neighbors and others observing us, we exhibit the priorities of our life – – – we preach what we believe.
Yet because of the harried schedules we seem to ever find ourselves in, do we lean to reasoning that since our lives are an on-going preaching effort, we are the world’s “viewed Bible” anyway?
We need to be on guard against this kind of reasoning. The command of our Lord is, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
Something is heard, then believed or rejected. He doesn’t speak of a well-reverent life—though we know we must live this way. Christ’s command is for verbal preaching!
How are we preaching? Are we seeing the opportunity? Are we availing it? We may well do for reaching out, but what of those who reach to us?
Many of us have had the experience of encountering missionary people in various places, probably more so members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses or of the Mormons right on our own front door steps. What is our reaction? Do we act or do we shun the opportunity to hold our candle to the gross darkness?
What are our immediate thoughts? Does the heart beat faster and do we begin to sweat as we wonder how we are going to “get out of this one?” And what do we do regardless of our immediate thoughts?
Do we ignore the palpitations and challenge the “proofs” of their theology with our grounded ones, or remain silent with maybe the occasional nod of the head, and endure a line of glib parting words.
If we do remain silent and “endure” in a manner such as this, how do we look to them? Of course! We look like those who seem so satisfied with their own lives that they aren’t interested in anything we have to say in our verbal preaching!
True, these missionaries have been trained to do their work, but we cannot class all of them as the same. Some may not be so brainwashed as others. And though others may be convinced of their doctrine, do we think to take the opportunity for our own benefit to be able to confront another with their convictions? If the opportunity is taken, we could if nothing else, implant some doubt into another’s mind and cause him to later search out the truth for himself!
We have to seize the opportunity! To preach is the command!
Though society is much more passive and accepting of others beliefs, (such as “Do your own thing”) some do get quite irritated by religious people. And if we are truly exhibiting a well-reverent devout life, we will feel the jabs thrown our way.
If we are looking for a “persecution,” then here is where it lies.
Silently, how do we appear as the Bible “seen” ?
If we could look at ourselves from the outside, would we see what another should see when they look at us?
When one looks at us, without a word being said, can the Bible be seen? Very generally, can one see in our dress, our mannerisms, the company we keep . . . a reverent follower of Christ?
Can “the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit” be seen in us?
We cannot say with our mouth what we so truly believe, without having our overall appearance formulate a picture of a true, honest servant of God and a follower of His Son.
We may not realize this, but not only do our audible and silent actions give voice but our countenance speaks volumes!
We have been blessed beyond the expression of words with grace through our Lord Jesus Christ – – – indeed abundantly!
We are not as those who wander aimlessly with no direction in life, no commitment, no meaning to existence. We have all of these and more!
We have the peace and contentment that comes of true knowledge and hope of being a part of God’s plan and purpose with this earth.
We haven’t the worry of an ever increasing, never ending world of violence, the worry of a possible nuclear holocaust of annihilation.
We have every reason to be happy, not only on the inside, contented with knowing the truth, with knowing the future as we do, unfolded to us already. . . but we must show our happiness – – – – we should exude with joy, and so preach the good news of the Kingdom of God! For in the face of all evil and persecution, the Apostle Paul declared, “Yea, doubtless and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, . . .” (Phil. 3:8)
We have been most privileged of all this people to have such a hope – – – – and so nigh at hand !
Let us then smile for this hope we hold so dear, and by our peaceful, happy countenance, and our godly appearance, be able to give opportunity to any who may ask “a reason of the hope that is in you. . .”
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One