His Hand is on the Door

The Danger of Consensus…

One of the difficulties, currently, with living at the end of the age is how that paradigm has shifted the nature of my ministry.  It has taken a course that I never could have anticipated when I began to explore and study what the Bible says about the end-times years ago.  I am now, at times, given to what I distrust about those who preach about the dangers of global warming.  I am an alarmist.  I find that I have (according to what I believe is the grace of God to do so) retrained my mind to hear and perceive that which is going on around me differently than when I was younger.  I believe, with great conviction, that when one gives themselves to a focused and biblical study of where history is going, one has a better chance of identifying the factors today that will contribute to the end of the story.  Thus I endeavor to be a biblically informed alarmist.

In that I took note during the recent discussion when the word “consensus” emerged.  I understood the context - scientific consensus is a powerful weapon in an argument.  Few want to be listed in the annals of history alongside those who refused to believe that the earth was round and not placed in the center of our solar system.  Often Christians are easily viewed in that light because of how often we seemingly rage against the consensus; thus in our desire to avoid being labeled as “unenlightened” in areas of obvious scientific proof we take the opportunity when possible to show that we can love Jesus and be reasonable.  I understand that dynamic.

I still am wary of consensus as the guiding principle for fact and truth.  Facts and truth are what they are regardless of human opinion.  Objective truth is not in the eye of the beholder - it transcends argument and establishes a foundation and anchor point for knowledge that transcends our sensibilities.  The reason that I am stating the obvious is because I am troubled today by where the argument for truth by consensus goes in a democratic society.  The consensus - scientifically - in Nazi Germany was that the Jew had genetic inferiorities from birth.  The consensus among much of today’s Islamic community, historically, is that the holocaust never happened and that there was never a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem.

This is how Barack Obama defines morality: “the standards and principles that the majority of Americans deem important in their lives, and in the life of the country”.  This sounds, in his book “The Audacity of Hope”, so noble and excellent - particularly compared with the frustration many in our nation currently have with the “Christian Right” and their grating notions of antiquated morality.  What a worthy goal - to contend for what the majority of Americans deem important!  Hearing this definition, however, makes me cringe.  Why?  What the majority of Americans deem important, related to morality, is radically different today than what was considered unacceptable just a decade ago!  The “consensus” changes so fast, that it is difficult to keep up with what constitutes morality today versus the morality of our fathers.

What Obama and others have not considered is that the Bible depicts the destination for the nations in their zeal to redefine morality by consensus rather than biblical truth.  Great judgment is coming, and those who subscribe to the consensus will be swept away suddenly in its relentless power.  This is what Jesus was describing in Matthew 24:36-44, when He compared the hour that is coming to one of the the last times there was a global consensus - the days of Noah.

What Obama can not promise, nor reconcile in his book or personal ideals, is that the Bible is clear about the cost of human consensus apart from God.  I tremble at the consequences of his ideals and the manner in which many will hail with great joy his deceiving and sinful genius, disguised as a benevolent and conciliatory plea for togetherness and cooperation.

David

12 comments March 20th, 2007

The Outrageous Promise…

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name….Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.” (Rev. 3:7-12)

This little church with little influence, little wealth, and a little strength stayed steady under pressure - they would not forsake Jesus, even in the face of great trial, compromise, and apathy that was prevalent throughout the region. These faithful believers were like the “Sons of Zadok” in Ezekiel 44:15 - when everyone else was compromising their calling, they held the line - they kept charge of the sanctuary and did not lose heart.

Thus, Jesus identifies Himself to them by the designation “true” or “genuine”; two ways to interpret His identity in Rev. 3 is: “real” or “reality” – in the Greek context; “faithful and trustworthy” – in the Hebrew context. The One who is fully authentic, the very essence of reality itself, is the very definition of faithfulness and trust and has evaluated this little church with little influence and found it real, authentic, and faithful and true to their charge (His word and His command).

Thus, their incredible reward – while others will come and go in the assignments He will give, they will become an immovable pillar in the temple of His Father and “go out no more”; where the eternal assignments of others may change, theirs will never change – they will belong to God as a key part of the city, enjoying incredible honor, priestly dignity, and intimacy stewarding the very secrets of the heart of Jesus.

What an outrageous promise!

David

7 comments March 20th, 2007