A Lot to think about

In this series of posts on the theme, “How then shall we live?” I have been addressing the current turmoil in our world and its significance in light of God’s Word. We are by all indications on the brink of another global conflict. Missiles are flying in the Ukraine. Economies are tottering. The fabric of our culture has been unraveling and fraying to such an extent that things feel ready to tear apart.

What does Lot have to do with my recent posts? I have been studying Peter’s first letter to the Christians in Asia Minor. Peter was in Rome witnessing the horrific torture and murder of Christians by Nero. He wrote to these outcasts to warn them and encourage them in light of what was surely coming their way.

“Live your lives as strangers here” he exhorted them in chapter one. In chapter 2, he says it again “Dear friends I urge you as aliens and strangers in the world to abstain from sinful desires which war against your soul.” I Peter 2:11

This blog… this website… this ministry is called The Jude 3 Fellowship. I picked that name mindful of one of Tolkien’s stories, “The Fellowship of The Ring” A fellowship is a like-minded band of people pursuing a similar goal. I want to encourage you if you feel like a stranger in this world. If you feel like you don’t ‘fit’ in this present order of things you are not alone. If all that is going on right now seems alien to you, there is a reason for that.

Jude verse 3 says

“Dear friends
Although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share. I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.”

The word translated earnestly contend (KJV) comes from two Greek word Epi and Agonidzomai. It means to agonize over the conditions in which they found themselves.

In his second letter to these dear believers Peter wrote, reminding them that false teachers would arise from among their own group. Driven by greed They would literally make things up to ravage the sheep for their own gain. Peter told them that what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah would happen to those who intentionally deceived God’s people.

Peter cited Old Testament references to God’s judgments and in particular refers to what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah. He describes fire and brimstone (sulphur) and uses the word Hell. I have noticed that so called Emergent Church writers always begin their REIMAGINING the gospel with tirades against ‘Fire and Brimstone’ preachers.

In some instances they actually excise any references to the existence of Hell or state as fact that God would never allow such a place (See papa’s remarks in the runaway best seller The Shack) Peter cited to what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah. He spoke of the torment experienced by Lot who daily saw the rebelliona against God and its cosequences. That is hard to hear.

What Peter told them next, however is wonderful to hear

“The Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials.” II Peter 2:9

How then shall strangers and aliens in our day cope with pandemics and lockdowns and mask mandates and inflation and the emerenge of mental illnesses yet to be identified? My strong hunch is that as the headlines will shift from daily Covid updates to the drum beat of war, THE NARRATIVE, THE GREAT RESET will shift all of our attention to the climate and ‘Saving the earth.’ What the pandemic accomplished was the creation of fear and a spirit of subjection to THE experts.

Now I believe that contrary to virtually all the ‘Science’ on climate change (Those scientists with equal or in some cases superior credentials who oppose THE Science are ostracized and vilified…) those who believe the Bible is God’s Word have a relatively straightforward response to the coming propaganda barrage,

We as human beings are not going to ‘save the earth.’

Peter clearly claims that there is another inevitable climax to the history of this planet.
They (the false teachers) will say;

“‘Where is this ‘coming’ He (Jesus) promised? Ever since our fathers died everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation” Citing the historic flood (that even secular scientists agree took place) Peter reminds them;

“But The Day of The Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar… the elements will be destroyed by fire and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the Day of God and speed its coming.” II Peter 3:10-12

He concludes

“That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with His promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.”

As we move on from the pandemic, the next big Narrative that will be pushed is a rebranding of the same old Climate Change scare tactics. If you look past the propaganda, you’ll note that there is a push on for a globalization that eliminates all national sovereignty and submits to governance by some global elites and ultimately ONE leader who will supposedly save the world

The Lord is not slow concerning His promise. Peter concludes his second letter with this

“Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation.” II Peter 3:15

I know that many who read this are agonizing over our world. Look up! He is coming back! He promised.