What I Didn't Say on Sunday

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11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. Acts 17:11

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As a pastor I have a huge concern that I want to address...

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A CALL TO DISCERNMENT

11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. Acts 17:11

As a pastor I have a huge concern that I want to address briefly.  My concern is this: that believers in Jesus Christ take "prophetic words", "utterances", and "teachings" at face value and never measure them against Scripture or the wisdom and discernment of fellow believers.  Others claim to "hear God" and never test their prophetic impressions or inner voices against the standard of Scripture.  I've seen so much devastation connected to false discernment.   It is a big problem in the church. Usually, those who cling to their personal judgment have elevated their own discernment above Scripture or wise counsel. 

Personal discernment was never intended to operate apart from Scripture and the fellowship of the local church – simply because there is no believer in the New Testament who was not part of a local church  - committed to others and committed to the Scriptures.  The Holy Spirit inspired the Scriptures.  He doesn't disagree with the clear teaching of inspired Holy Scriptures.  He will not "tell" you to do something which is clearly contrary to Scripture. 

Please don’t make major decisions solely on the basis of a “word” or a “dream” or a “vision” without praying, submitting it to your pastors, and measuring it against Scripture.  This is why God gives gifts to the leadership of local church – Ephesians 4:11-12 is clear on this:

“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”

Beloved beware of “lone ranger” individual groups that exist to “tickle the ears” and tell you what you want to hear.  They appeal to the flesh. They love to criticize the church and pastors. They promise true “freedom” but what they actual deliver is bondage and confusion.

Be a Berean.  “Receive (prophetic) messages with great eagerness and a examine the Scriptures!”  It’s never “either/or” – but “both/and.”  Believe AND Examine.

I am a firm believer in extra-Biblical revelation. I love the prophetic. I firmly believe the Spirit speaks to individual believers – but when you are “led” to make major decisions – take the matter to the Lord in prayer, search the Scriptures, and seek the wisdom of other mature believers and pastors in the local church.   Listen to what the Apostle John lovingly tells his congregations:

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1)

I say the same to you “test the spirits” – test those inner voices.  It might be God, it might be the flesh, or it might be something else.  These words are not just for the church 2,000 years ago.  It is also for today – world is riddled with “false prophets”  - more than ever before, the church of Jesus Christ needs careful discernment.

Grace and peace from the Lord Jesus Christ.

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More From Revelation Chapter 14 -

Preaching for me is always an "agony and an ecstasy." Ecstasy because I can sense at times that the Spirit is hovering over the words that are coming from me and I know that it is reaching hearts. The agony for me usually comes afterwards, as I drive home to eat that mid-afternoon "lunch" with the family.  I find that my brain is still "preaching" and going over the things I said - wishing at times that I had said them differently. I talk to myself a lot on Sunday afternoons. 

This Sunday was no exception. Although I heard a lot of good feedback following the sermon (even from my wife. Cathy is ominously silent when she didn't like the sermon!) - I knew there were some significant things I did not get to say.  Sometimes I can say them the following week - which is what I intend to do in a couple of weeks.

Anyway.  Here's the gist of Revelation 14.  Revelation is a book of intensification.  Just as the Kingdom of God is progressively growing and expanding on the Earth - the Revelation goes from Seals which reveal, Trumpets which pronounce, and Finally to Bowls which bring final judgment.  The chapter begins with what I see as the Final Warning - the last call to the Earth.  As I mentioned this past Sunday it is the "other side of the Gospel."  "Turn to God, give Him glory before it is too late." Because we've been studying the Book of Romans on Thursday Nights at Deeper Life, I caught an interesting insight.  The Gospel appeal of Revelation 14 is found in verse 6 - "Fear God and give Him glory!  Because the hour of His judgment has come.  Worship Him..."  In the opening chapters of Romans we see that the fallen human race refuses to give God glory and refuses to worship Him instead turning to idols.  Instead of embracing the truth of God, they suppress it - denying it.  The Bible says because of this that "God turns them over..."  Revelation 14:6 is the other side of the Gospel of Grace.  This is not another Gospel.  To believe in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son is to give Him Glory.  To fear God is to revere Him - instead of the Beast of Chapter 13.  The "earth dwellers" of Chapter 13 are "astonished" - enthralled by the Beast (verse 3.)  The whole world is in dread fear of this individual who has recovered from a "fatal wound" but now commands the military and economic power so completely that people are led to "worship" (fall down before him) and say "Who is like the Beast?  Who can make war against him?"  

In the face of all of this, there is a final wake up call - a blasting voice from a great heavenly herald flying so high that nothing can obscure him - speaking with such power that everyone hears.  This is God calling to the world He loves.  A heart felt plea for people to turn.  I believe some do.  I believe that even in the midst of the greatest deception - even those who seem utterly hypnotized by the power of the Beast (or any current earthly ruler) will hear that voice - acknowledge the Creator God who made the heaven, the earth, and the springs of water - and, instead of suppressing the knowledge of God, they will say no to the Beast and turn to the Lamb!  

I think this is exactly what is happening in the second part of chapter 14.  There are clearly two "swings of the sharp sickle" - one to reap the "blessed dead" who hear the voice of the Angel and embrace the Eternal Gospel - verse 15.  This harvest is a harvest of souls who will "enter into rest" (verse 13.)  But there is also a second swing of the sickle in verse 18 and 19 - clearly this one is not so save - but to gather into the "winepress of the wrath of God."  John tells us that this occurs "outside the city."  This is widespread bloodshed which spans the entire land of Israel - 180 miles from north to south.

I don't know.  But I think we are living in the days leading up to this final end time harvest.  At the moment it seems that the whole Earth is enthralled, and utterly distracted with the powers of the Babylonian World System.  I believe we are living in the days of the "final appeal" - the Angel flying at the zenith of the heavens - calling out with a loud voice.  We must be echoing this message.  This is not the moment for vague, stuttering appeals - we must proclaim the Eternal Gospel to those who live on the earth!  Beginning with our neighbors - our actual neighbors.  More on this to follow.