I’m grateful to my good friend Neil Mackereth for this paper. I’ve known him since his stimulating summer-time evening courses several years ago in Winchester Vineyard Church. The appendices to this will follow in my series of End-Times Briefings.
SIMPLICITY
Jesus said: “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” John 12:32 NIV (other versions say “I, if I be lifted up ……..”)
And: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matt 18:3 NIV
“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” 2 Cor 11:3 KJV
Introduction
The Lord has been laying on my heart the need for simplicity. I have felt a growing urgency for clarity and, in particular, the avoidance of theological obfuscation with words such as ‘theological obfuscation’!
First, I am convinced that we stand on the threshold of an unprecedented outpouring of the Spirit. The associated revival will tax our mental and physical resources – we should be preparing now. Our Gospel message to enquiring non-believers needs to be simple and unmistakable.
Secondly, I feel called to express in plain English the End-Times timeline and why we need to re-engage with those parts of the Bible that Satan has sought to sideline. I see the two stages as closely linked: a mighty revival followed by a rapid advancement of God’s End-Time plan.