A Christian View of 2022 - #13

The giants have cast their shadows over the earth - COVID, Conflict and Chaos - millions have died, millions more displaced from home.

What is the forecast for the future?  Are there any reliable resources from which to draw?

We, Christians, become too reliant on the self-proclaimed prophets. Dreams and decrees, political preferences and conspiracy commentary get front page coverage …

There is a growing danger that threatens the credibility of the Christian gospel.

1. Gullibility

Too often we want “inside information” and “God-insights”. We want “cutting-edge” truth.

Instead, we swallow the words of men and women who are more concerned about building their reputation as the new prophet on the circuit rather than the kingdom of God.

This is nothing new. The church at Ephesus had to examine and evaluate those who came on the stage of apostolic authority.

Revelation 2:2 NLT

“I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars.”

We need to have the ethics of the Ephesian in the hour in which we live.

2. Group-thinking

The Christian community has had its share of cliques - created to promote a particular point of view, a narrow narrative that is off-centered and distracts from Christ and the gospel of grace.

They develop terminology that is trendy to tickle the ear and steal the heart. They label those who challenge them as being “out of touch”, “not spiritual” or “unable to read the signs of the times.”

Elisha lived outside the school of the prophets. His ministry was not marked by group mentality - where prophets compared notes and synchronized their messages and ministry.

There is a growing danger of getting caught up with the popular and the prophetic to the detriment of the Body of Christ and to the neglect of the saving and settled scriptures.

3. Gazing

Angels asked the question:

Acts 1:9-11 KJV

“And while they looked steadfastly, toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”

Mesmerized by miracles, longing for what used to be, failing to realize the power for today and the promise for tomorrow - they stood gazing. Empty people staring at an empty sky!

Their destiny was only ten days away. Soon the Holy Spirit would descend in fiery flames and Pentecostal Power and they just stood there gazing.

Ah, are we less guilty than they? Living somewhere between His Ascension and His Second Advent, sandwiched in between the clouds that took Him away and the clouds that will announce His Return.

Gazing without power, passion or purpose.

One of the needs of this present hour is a reviving and renewing return to the “upper room” of a spiritual encounter with God.

It was not the end but a new beginning

That would truly be amazing

But the disciples were looking into the sky just wishfully gazing.

The clouds received Him from their sight where angels would soon be praising

But here on earth they stood around and spent their time just gazing

Gazing was not their destiny His plan was for more than that

An Upper Room - tongues of fire - upon their heads had sat

The Holy Spirit had come and the Church was born and hearts and hands are raising

We cannot idle our time away and spend our time just gazing.

Let us then rally to our Saviour’s call, the Spirit’s fire within us blazing

Lest He asks us once again;

“Why stand ye here just gazing. RBL

 Randy B. Leavitt

Pastor