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( Chapter One: WEDDING PAST MIDNIGHT) re-edit 4/2005
THE FUTURE IS
THE LORD'S
When people go to fortune tellers, they believe they'll hear happy stories and, no doubt, are seldom disappointed. They may have a sense of the fear of God—but not enough to seek Him directly, through the Bible. By seeking a back door entry, they hope to avoid the consequences witihout realizing God's true love, for them. Yet even a true clairvoyant only operates by means of a "familiar spirit" -a demon working with inside info from the spirit world. They have been studying human quirks for thousands of years and understand man far better than any human psychologist. Then too, they may have access to the underworld's own plans for the future. What they do not fully grasp, however, is the mind of God (I Cor. 2:8.11).
Yet, even a fortune teller who realizes that trouble is coming is unlikely to inform the inquirer of it. Why upset a profitable client? After all, dead men can't return to get their money back!
When God tells us about the future, however, He does so as a loving, heavenly, Father: not to frighten us, but to help us prepare.
This, then, is our real reason for studying prophecy-not to be soothsayers mouthing sweet nothings (and lies) into our neighbors' ears, but to be ready: Not to support (or refute) this or that prognosticator's guesses, but to examine the very word of God: the Holy Bible. Believe me, it's not all roses and lollipops on the road up ahead!
Yes, we are we going to study the parable of the ten virgins, and its "midnight cry" will be mentioned over, and over again, until you will certainly know its significance before putting this book down . . . but not, just yet. For now, we are going to remind ourselves of a few basics, without which all study of scripture (much less prophecy) is useless.
The first thing we want to remind ourselves of is this: that it's God's Universe we're living in, and all things come from, and are made for, Him. This seems like a rather simple statement to make, when considering the matter of unlocking Bible prophecy, yet we dare not overlook it. The secret things belong to the Lord (Deut. 29:29).
the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:
"You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created."
Revelation 4:10,11nkj
These twenty-four elders represent the two major segments of the Church, in Heaven, and we will continually come back to this theme, for it will help us to understand many events which are immediately before us.
Our point, for now, in quoting John's picture of events in Heaven, is to observe the heavenly perspective: that it is pure, and crystal clear. Man was created by God, and for God. Further, the most fearsome thing in the universe is not the advent of asteroids or flying saucers . . . but of standing before this very God of Creation, without protection or preparation. Recent Hollywood flicks note the phenomenon of falling stars, mentioned in Jesus' discourse on the end of the world, but then, very conveniently leave out the most fearsome part: the appearance of the Son of Man, in the Heavens!
. . . the sun [will] be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Matthew 24:29,30
It is true that those, in Christ, need not fear His appearing (we will welcome it!). Yet, we must not forget this underlying principle. So important is it, that the entire next chapter will be devoted to showing its importance in the true believer's life. It is the loss of this very attribute which is largely responsible for the apostle Paul's list describing "perilous times" (II Timothy 3:1-5) and which makes way for lawlessness to abound (Matt. 24:12). Further, we can also demonstrate that the loss of this attribute within the church is a major reason for judgement upon society. The fear of God is a major restraining force within civilization. Operating through the conscience, it alerts "decent" persons to the fact that, what a man sows, he will also reap—and that fast and loose living, most naturally leads to an early, and hasty, grave.
In the very midst of John's hottest pronouncements, concerning the judgements of God, an angel appears in heaven to (of all things) preach "the everlasting gospel" to those on earth. And just what does this angel "preach"? The fear of God.
Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
Revelation 14:7
In other words, it is the loss of godly fear, which will fuel the judgments of God, both within and outside of the church (we've already begun to see some of them, within! -I Pet. 4:17). For, God is not an "American God." He does not operate by the Constitution. His laws are not negotiable, via the Supreme Court. No, although God is a covenant keeping God (i.e. He both makes, and keeps, His promises) He answers to none but Himself. He is sovereign. He is King. We answer to Him, and not visa versa.
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
Psalm 19:9-11
Do you really want to be prepared for the future??? Read the above verses carefully, and allow their truth to sink deep down into your soul. For truly, "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him. . ." (Ps. 25:14)
Understand this, the generation which is about to be judged, lacks this most basic attribute: the fear of God. Without it, prayer is futile (notice that even the Lord Jesus utilized it (Heb. 5:7)!) When the fear of God exits, iniquity abounds, and man gets cocky, as society starts to (essentially) dare God to answer from the heavens. This takes place outside of the assembly (church) via turning one's back, on God (Ps. 14:1) . . . and within the assembly, by assuming that rites and ceremonies (or doctrines) may be used to "twist God's arm" to submit to our will, over His own (Jer. 7:3,4, Matt. 24:12 & Rev. 3:15-17). Worst, just before the axe falls, with finality, God seems to allow evil to prosper (Ps. 92:7). This, I believe, is an integral part of God's way of doing things: to see if those who say they love Him, do so, only for the "goodies." Thus, in the closing moments, just before midnight, new theologies begin to emerge among those who have cast off godly fear: pride starts to become a virtue, and prosperity; a god.
And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.
Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
Malachi 3:15,16
UNTIL prophecy is studied reverently, with the fear of God-while recognizing that we deserve His judgements, so that we embrace His righteousness more than our very lives (Rev. 12:11) -we will not be able to grasp, nor accept, God's true plan for the future. It is for this reason that prophecy is best understood by prophets, and by those with a prophetic heart. Prophets love God above all. They hold nothing dearer, than Him. Not surprisingly, because God is also a God of intense love, we often find that the very safest place to be, is around the table of a prophet. For in His Presence there is fulness of joy. At His right hand, there are pleasures forevermore (Ps. 16:11).
In our surrender, to Him. We find victory, in Christ.
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Yet now, you may begin to wonder, how does the fear of God work in a child of God's heart? How does it "jive" with being "born again"? Thought you'd never ask. The answer? It works in our hearts . . . much as it does in the Father's. Let us reverently consider, then, Daddy's Fear.
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