|
|
|
|
 |
Perilous times. Are you prepared?
The Old Path Magazine | Vol. 1 No. 2 | 2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 ven
before the ancient civilization, men are hunters.
They make clothes out of the fur of animals they
killed and they take refuge in caves. During the
ancient civilization, the Egyptians, who are
concerned with their shelter and protection after
death, placed treasures, clothes and furniture in
their tombs for use in the “afterlife”. The Greeks,
however, take refuge in the beautiful temples they
built for their gods. People in the olden days
colonized, fought, raided and invaded nations after
nations just to seize power and usurp territories
and land. During the Middle Age (11th-13th Century),
the kings fought for all land. Knights fought for
their kings for land and castle. The first and
second World Wars were also the result of these
objectives—to conquer and amass authorities from
nations to build empires. These significant world
events happened and will continue repeating itself
because it was already written in the Bible
(Ecclesiastes 3:15).
"That hath been is now; and that which is to be hath
already been; and God requireth that which is past."
(KJV)
In the ancient days, people searched for shelter,
sought refuge even to gods and goddesses. They took
the liberty of claiming power by force and served
evil to obtain wealth. Now, we are faced with even
more enormous and horrifying events in the future.
Things that never happened since the world was
created is also expected to unfold (Matthew 24:2):
"For then shall be great tribulation such as was not
since the beginning of the world to this time no,
nor ever shall be." (KJV)
Least we say, the signs of the perilous times are at
our doorsteps (Matthew 24:3-14):
"And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the
disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us,
when shall these things be? And what (shall be) the
sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And
Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no
man deceive you. For many shall come in my name,
saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye
shall hear of wars and rumours or wars; see that ye
be not troubled: for all (these things) must come to
pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise
against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and
there shall be famines, and pestilences, and
earthquakes, in divers places. Al these (are) the
beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up
to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be
hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then
shall many be offended, and shall betray one
another, and shall hate one another. And many false
prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And
because iniquity shall abound, the love of many
shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the
end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the
kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a
witness unto all nations and then shall the end
come."
During the Renaissance period (14th-15th
Century), new thinking and learning flourished.
Ideas quickly spread from Italy across Europe as a
result of the development of printing. People
learned about many discoveries in astrology and
other sciences. It was also during this period when
Galileo built the telescope to study the stars and
planets. He believed correctly that the Earth moved
and revolved around the sun, and was the center of
the universe as also stated in the book of Proverbs
8:27-29:
"When he prepared the heavens, I (was) there: when
he set a compass upon the face of the depth: When he
established the clouds above: when he strengthened
the fountains of the deep: when he gave to the sea
his decree, that the waters should not pass his
commandment: when he appointed the foundations of
the earth;"
The creator of the heavens and the earth is an
Almighty God. It is righteous that we seek and serve
God who is the source of life. Man do not know when
life would end but being prepared for death by
having God gives hope to everlasting life. In our
present dispensation, there are countless news of
murders, homicide and suicide because of drug
addiction, envy, wrath, vengeance and other
reveling. These are indications that without love in
the hearts, men are prone to create trouble and
disaster (Galatians 5:19-21):
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are
these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness,
lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred,
variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions,
heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings,
and such like: of the which I tell you before as, I
have also told you in time past, that they which do
such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
We are in the last Christian days (2 Timothy 3:1-5):
“This know also, that in the last days perilous
times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their
own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers,
disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without
natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers,
incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are
good, Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of
pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of
godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such
turn away."
We are now at the time prophesied by
Prophet Daniel in his book about the influx of
knowledge through computerization and technological
development, a time when there is a deluge of people
from all nations who wants to be converted from one
religion to another as they seek and asked for the
truth and God.
"But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the
book, (even) to the time of the end: many shall run
to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased."
"And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words
(are) closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried;
but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the
wicked shall understand; but the wise shall
understand." (Daniel 12:9-10)
Man should again forge a relationship with God
through religion. Religion is essential to salvation
and eternal life, the answer to questions focused on
the purpose of man in this world, and of knowing God
and His laws. But how do we seek the truth about
God? Logically, you must seek what you do not have
(Matthew 6:33):
"But seek ye first the kingdom of
God, and his righteousness; and all these things
shall be added unto you." (KJV)
"If thou seekest her
as silver, and searchest for her as (for) hid
treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of
the LORD, and find the knowledge of God." (Proverbs
2:4-5, KJV).
To seek the truth is not easy mainly
because to find where is God is another quest. The
Bible, however showed us answers (Isaiah 34:16):
"Seek yet out of the book of the LORD, and read: no
one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate:
for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it
hath gathered them." (KJV)
Some people may contest this but the Bible is the
most accurate book ever written. It is where you can
find information on science and medicine, politics
and architecture, and history and prophecy. The
authenticity of the Bible is supported by facts and
pieces of evidence gathered by archeologists and
bible scholars, proving that God guided the
Apostles, prophets and other Bible writers for His
gospel to reach the people today to bring us to
salvation. Death comes unexpectedly because God owns
our lives. Tomorrow may not come because danger is
at hand. It is now in the power of your hands to
make the decision: to seek God and find the truth.
Jesus said in Matthew 28:19-20:
"Go ye therefore,
and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with
you always, (even) unto the end of the world. Amen."
Perilous times. Are you prepared?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Doctrines of
Christ
