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What in the World is Happening
- October 2007
A series of articles by Brian Papworth,
our PWMI Representative in New Zealand.
"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day
shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of
sin be revealed, the son of perdition." [2 Thess 2:3KJV]. The
falling away words which are indicated differently in some translation's,
is the Greek word "apostasia" meaning: Defection from the truth,
falling away, or forsake. We are told that this will be one of the signs
immediately preceding the Rapture of the Church and the revealing of the
Antichrist.
If, as many believe the letters to the seven churches in
the first chapters of Revelation are a prophecy of the Churches history,
then the Church of Laodicea represents the last one in the history of the
Christian Church; the body of born again believers who are made up of all
races and nationalities and can be found in all denominations. Many Bible
scholars are beginning to say that we are moving from the time of the
Church of Philadelphia to the Church at Laodicea with the Christian Church
beginning to show the signs of apathy and lack of enthusiasm. This will
develop into the apostasy, indicating the immediate prospect of the
Rapture, removal of the Holy Spirit [2 Thess 2:7], revealing of the
Antichrist [2 Thess 2:8], and the countdown to God's final judgement and
the return of Christ [Zech 14:4-9].
Paul's second letter to Timothy outlines some of these
signs that not only have appeared throughout history but are becoming more
present in the established Church in the day in which we live. Probably
one of the worst occurrences that tend to encourage the other errors is
apathy. People want to belong to a church but don't want to do anything to
help it function, let alone attend the services. They think Church is a
spare time hobby in which ones spare time is used if one has nothing
better to do. Not the living breathing body of Christ with a message to
proclaim and souls to bring to Christ as He asked us to do as our main
mission.[Mark 16:15]. The Christian Church particularly in the West is
desperately short of Ministers, Evangelists, Pastors, Elders and workers
prepared to take responsibility for the church, its congregation and its
work. "You say I am rich,… and do not need a thing. But you do
not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked."
[Rev 3:17]. All we have here will be left behind, so let us store up
for ourselves treasures in Heaven [Matt 6:19-21].
In many places in the world, mainly where Christians are
persecuted and life is tough, people are being added to the Body of
Christ, and a live and vibrant Church is evident. As an example it took an
African immigrant to the UK, a Bishop in the Anglican Church, to chastise
his fellow ministers for erring from Biblical truths at a recent Lambeth
conference. In places where it costs something to follow Christ, the
churches are alive and adding to their numbers with born again believers
daily.
Today we are being increasingly faced with errors in
teaching which are even creeping into the evangelical church. Not only
caused through apathy of Christians to study the Bible for themselves but
by theologians to fail to take the Bible as the inspired word and the
command of God. [2 Tim 3:16 KJV]. Plus some translations of the Scriptures
that although easier to read and understand are not totally accurate
translations and are not suitable for deeper Bible study. In the USA it
has been reported, there is only 31% of the Church that take the Bible as
the infallible Word of God.
We as Christians living a busy life can be caught up in
the things of this world and not find the time or the quietness of mind to
pray and be in communion with our Saviour. Things come crowding in and
snatch away the peace and communion with our Lord. If you live with, or
are with someone much you tend to get like them. If you don't, and loose
touch, then when you meet again you will be as strangers and you are far
from being aware of their ways. So it is with our Saviour, loose touch and
your new nature He gave you will fade into one of your own making. In
Ephesians chapter 6 we are told to put on the whole armour of God to
protect us from the Devil and the evils and ways of the world. Soldiers
have training and discipline and are equipped to carry out their tasks
properly. In 1 Corinthians Chapter 9 and verse 24, a Christians life is
likened to being an athlete in training for a race, if they take it all
half-heartedly, they will never win a race or succeed in what they are
trying to do. So it is for a Christian, we must study and train and be in
communication with our commander, our Lord, if we are to carry out the
work He asked us to do.
A well known Bible teacher once said that "The world
is spiralling downwards and the Church is spiralling down not far behind
it". So we come back to the indications within the worldwide
Christian Church that appear today. In the warning letter to the church of
the last days, Laodicea, they are told to feed on things that last and not
be enslaved by the things of this world. In our Lords last words to the
Church he assures us that He stands at the door and knocks. Jesus
says" If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and
eat with him and he with me". [Rev Ch 3: 20]. Christians pray for
revival, but we are reminded by Scripture that revival only starts when it
comes from within us. If my people, which are called by my name, shall
humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked
ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will
heal their land.[2 Ch 7:14] (KJV).
Yours in His Service
Brian D Papworth
Representative for the Prophetic Witness Movement International for New
Zealand, Australia and South Pacific.
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