HOW time flies when we’re having fun!  Although I read the following earlier this week it’s now time to re-read what my friend and author Neil emailed last Thursday!  (Regular readers of this blog may recall his previous insights and book SIGNS). He writes,

“I have, as ever, been following your Blog with great interest. I have been intrigued by the information Nina has been receiving, and the “God-incidences” associated therewith. In line with that, the Lord has been telling me that those who do not study / know what the Bible says are in great peril. Tragically, many churches are not preaching the Gospel in all its fullness.

It is so hard to convince those who should be caring for the flock, that teaching End- Times prophecy and what to watch for is both vital and urgent.

There is a lot going through my mind at the moment that I am processing – attached is a recent paper which came from my endeavours to understand the way “woke” is used today…”

HOPE, NOT WOKE

Woke:  A term that originated in the United States and which originally referred to recognising (being awake to) racial discrimination. About ten years ago it started to encompass a broader awareness of social inequalities and has been used as shorthand for ideas involving identity politics and notions implying (stigmatising) white privilege – it has now become a battle cry for pressure groups who perceive themselves as victims of some injustice or have decided that aspects of history should be “airbrushed” out. Those who challenge their perception are likely to be accused of not being “woke” or, worse still, ridiculed, “no-platformed”, and pilloried.

Any teaching that runs counter to the Bible should be resisted and, where appropriate, challenged, even though to do so may be uncomfortable (isolating). That statement begs a question: Do we know the Bible well enough to recognise proposals, practices and policies that are in conflict with the teachings of Scripture, and well enough to give a reasoned response?

Because of the overzealous application of aspects of political correctness, many people are unwilling to express their true feelings. Topics that are now largely avoided, especially when it comes to preaching, include (in no particular order): the reality of radical Islam; Hell; LGBTQ+ issues; BLM; abortion; End Times prophecy in general, and its relationship to current world events in particular; and the reality of humanism. Put another way, the hazards of saying something that others might see as not being “politically correct” (PC), has encouraged many people to remain silent. Freedom of speech is under threat and the middle ground is disappearing. The easy option of remaining silent on burning issues is equivalent to appeasement: we have allowed a liberal ideology to infiltrate our society and set the agenda for political correctness.

PC indoctrination starts at an early age: children face all sorts of confusing messages at school and through the media. Every day they are confronted by a myriad of liberal views that are in direct conflict with Bible principles. If we do not stand against this onslaught of opinions and propaganda, some of which is likely to (designed to?) alienate children from their parents, we are endangering the well-being of the next generation.

“For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” –  Esther 4: 14

‘But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” Peter realized that he had no choice but to resist the unreasonable ban on the Gospel. Not to do so would, over time, undoubtedly lead to further restrictions on what could be preached.’ – Acts 4: 19

In the World Economic Forum’s proposed great global reset, aimed at resolving the world’s burgeoning debt crisis, and if the “New World Order” materialises, there is a distinct possibility that sermon topics will be proscribed. In the short-term, silence may appear to be the wisest course – but where will that lead? Their proposals are definitely not God-focused!

There are many who see nothing wrong with combining Christian faith and woke-ness. They may support the abortion laws as allowing “life-style” choices, or encourage LGBTQ+ rights and education as aspects of an enlightened society. They don’t recognise the contradiction in claiming that Biblical truths and the liberal agenda are compatible.  Protecting complacent congregations from the hard truths of the Bible may seem expedient – but it endangers their souls!

Perhaps the only consolation in this downward spiral is that Jesus said that these things would come to pass. That leads into the necessity of our knowing what the Bible says, if we are to have any chance of understanding what is happening in the world today.

Realising that prophetic Scripture is being fulfilled as we watch, is proof of God’s omniscience and omnipotence: He knows the end from the beginning and is in control.

That is the foundation of our hope.

Neil Mackereth, 11.11.2021