“. . . for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12.
Several decades ago, as a young, inexperienced traveler, a visit to foreign mission fields underscored dangers in assuming the schedules of others to be dependable. The trip to Costa Rica included a stop in Mexico City. It was a blessed time which demands a story within itself.
But the point is that the time for departure from Mexico City was assumed to be dependable as printed. An early arrival at the airport allowed some leisure time, and then an early check-in put me directly on the airplane. As I was being seated, the plane started to move. I exclaimed, “but this plane is not scheduled to leave for another 30 minutes. The stewardess's reply was, “It is O.K. everyone is here so let’s go!” Huh! I was glad to be on the plane early.
Later, when departing San Jose, Missionary Ward was also traveling back to the States, so we went together. At the airport, we were told all seats were taken, and I was not included.
Under protest that I had an international ticket that scheduled my travel on this flight, I was told a 24 hour early check-in was required. So, it appeared that I would be left behind, awaiting another flight, perhaps the next day. I had assumed that my placement was secured by the scheduling of others.
Fortunately, Gene Ray Ward intervened on my behalf, and not knowing Spanish, I do not know for sure just what all went on, but because of his intervention, I was allowed to travel on that flight by using a stewardess jump-seat. I was, and am, grateful for the help, and those incidents made me a much wiser traveler. It truly is dangerous to assume.
That danger is greatly underscored in the world of spiritual things. So many guilty of assuming that others are right will face a rude and disastrous awakening when they find out that baptism, church membership, good works, and their dependence on the misinformation of others have not saved them. Paul said, “I know Whom I have believed…” Personal relationship with Christ Jesus cannot be replaced, or substituted in any way. Assumptions may be worked around in mundane things, but not in the eternal welfare of the soul!
FOR THOUGHT: Can you think of any other area of life in which there is more assumption that religion? Who would want to go to hell or for that matter, lose the reward of life for eternity because they trusted someone who was blind? Are you exercising faith in a man, a church, a denomination, or in the eternal Word of the Creator God?
THE DEVIL’S DISTRIBUTION OF DECEPTION
The influence of God in the world of men has been consistently counter to their depraved propensity. Consider the global propensity of men in the antediluvian world when they were left largely to themselves. It was a disaster. Then consider the second global ecumenical movement at the Tower of Babel. God interfered there, and instituted barriers to prevent replication of a similar movement.
But egotistical sin in men drives them ever onward toward some undefinable goal of utopian finality by which they are the creators of their own glorious destiny apart from any notion of God. It is allowed by the extended grace of God, but men will bring the species to the unspeakable quagmire of slaughter in Armageddon, and opine, “How can this be?”
Denying the existence and influence of God is also denying that of the devil. Men forget willingly that he is the god of this present, evil world system.
The cunning patience of Satan working in the cosmos of sin and death allows for just the right environment to set the stage for the final act of the age. That environment is mentioned in Revelation 16:13-14 , “And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet, for they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to battle of that great day of God Almighty.”
So, the unified, unclean spirits like frogs emanate from the mouth of the dragon (Satan), the beast, (government), and the false prophet (religion).
It is offered that these unified unclean spirits with their unified message and influence amounts to nothing more than the deception of people who have rejected God and His eternal truth. They will lead men to create the third and final, global, ecumenical movement, glorying that they overcame every barrier God placed in the cosmos at the tower of Babel: race, geographical boundaries, language, and last, but not least, the truth.
The unclean spirits are strong, persuasive, and will accomplish their task. Those who know truth may rejoice as this heralds the soon appearance of Christ Jesus, but it brings great mourning and grief over the blindness of men. Many who call themselves churches of our Lord are not immune from these spirits, but wil advance their cause. It is so important that God’s people spend more time in THE BOOK!
FOR THOUGHT: Do you know that charlatan religionists spend much more time studying the term of your faith that you do? They become masters of deceit by using terms you know, but with different meanings attached. Do you agree that one can best identify error by knowing the tenets of truth? Does this underscore the need for much study to The Book of Truth, the Bible?
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