My Pearl of Great Price

An honest look into the deepest part of my heart will reveal that I have no desire for worldly recognition.  While I often attach my name to the things I write, and the web pages I control, this is only done for the sake of creating a reference point and never in hope of gaining personal attention or glory.

However, I cannot claim the same in regard to the truth I possess.  The truth I possess is of great value and is worthy of worldwide attention.  This truth is my pearl of great price, and I want all men to recognize its beauty.  I do not desire praise or recognition for owning the pearl; instead, it is the glorification of the pearl I seek.  My desire to share the beauty of this gem compels me to knock on doors around the world in hope of finding just one who will appreciate it value. 

I knock on door after door after door, yet never find that which I seek.  Most simply ignore my presence as I stand at their door, and those who do respond to my knock, fail to show any real interest in the treasure I possess.  It is often acknowledged that my pearl is beautiful, but never does it generate the response and excitement it deserves.

 Many a time, my audience at the door will apologize for their lack of excitement but then go on to explain that they already own a pearl of similar value and beauty.  Skeptical to the claim that such a pearl as mine can exist elsewhere in the world, I will ask to see the stone that competes with mine.  To my request they comply and fetch the treasure from their vault, but always, it is the same.  The object they produce proves to be nothing but a poorly fabricated fake.  

When this happens, I try to educate my gullible listener as to why their stone has no value.  I hold my pearl of great price next to the imposter and point out the glorious and obvious characteristics of that which is real.  My hope and expectation is that my listener will eagerly toss aside their trinket and purchase a share in the pearl I possess.   But never does my hope take flight.  Instead it is crushed by the reality that the owner of the trinket has no concern that they own a fake.  Instead, it is expressed that they are content with what they have. 

“It kind of looks like a pearl,” they will say.  “And that is all that really matters to me.”

l leave these encounters quite grieved and discouraged.  It never makes sense to me that one can fail to be moved by the beauty of what I hold.  Yet, over and over and over again that is what I find.  Eventually, the grief and discouragement will get the best of me.  I will put my pearl away and vow to never show it again.

Such a strategy will work for a time, but eventually I will hear the pearl calling from my vault.  In response, I open my vault to once more look upon my prize.  As I see it in its entire splendor, I again find myself overcome with the need to show it to the world.  So here I stand, pearl in hand, ready to go forth once more.

Tomorrow, I will display my pearl in the market place.   I will rent my booth and take my place next to the other merchants of the world.  If history can be used to predict the future, I know what to expect.  My booth will remain empty as the other merchants struggle to keep up with their crowds.  Unfortunately, the goods they sell are worthless trinkets, but the customers never seem to mind so long as the price is right.

If it is a really good day, one person might just stop by to examine the prize I offer.  They will pick up the jewel, look it over and take full notice of its beauty.  At which time, they will ask “how much for your pearl?”

Then I will reply, “It will cost you the same that it cost me ----- everything.”

At that time, my potential customer will pause and consider. 

My heart never fails to burst with hope as this time of consideration takes place.  “Just maybe” I hope, “this will be the one.”  But all too soon, I see the look wonder shift to sadness.  They will put the pearl down, then move on to the next merchant and purchase a white, round, plastic bead at a price they are willing to pay.

Regardless of these past disappointments, I hope for better things tomorrow.  Just maybe - tomorrow will be the day maker of all pearls will open up the eyes of the blind so they can see the glorious splendor of this jewel I possess.

Almost a Rotten Day!

Written September 5th, 2012

Today I was trimming branches on the cedar tree that is right outside our front door.  About mid-way through the job, I was cutting through a branch when a Yellow Jacket Wasp whacked me in the ear and gave me a good sting (Just for the record, he stung me right on that hard tip of cartilage that is right above the ear lobe, and yikes, is was the most painful sting I have experienced so far in my life).

Now, I do not typically lose my head, however, whenever I get stung by a wasp, I tend to get really mad.  And while I am content to usually leave wasps along and let them go about their business, once I get stung, I go on a mini rampage and destroy every wasps nest I can find.  Today was no different.  Once the pain of the sting began to sink in, I grew quite angry and determined that I would have revenge on the colony of wasps from which my attacker came.

Believing that we were out of wasps spray, I determined I would simply find a broom and give the nest a good whack.  Probably not the smartest idea, but if the nest contains only a few wasps, and if you have room to run, you can sometimes get away with doing this without suffering any additional stings.  And even though you don’t actually kill many wasps by whacking the nest with a broom, it does offer a momentary feeling of satisfaction.

Before grabbing the broom, I decided to locate the wasp nest.  Since I was stung while trying to cut a branch, I figured that the wasps nest was likely attached to the branch I was cutting.  My figuring was correct, and in just a few seconds I located the nest.  And once I located the nest, my idea of the broom no longer seemed like such a good idea.

Fortunately, my wife discovered that we had some wasps spray after all.  And so, with a push of the button, I took my revenge.  While many wasps got away to live another day, I at least got to see a satisfactory pile of dead wasps lying on the ground under the once thriving nest.

It was only as I resumed my chore of cutting the branch that a great deal of thankfulness filled my heart.  Though the sting I received was not pleasant, it suddenly occurred to me that the one sting I received prevented many.  I was less than two second away from completing my cut through the branch when I was stung.  And had I actually completed the cut and sent the nest to the ground, well, let’s just say, it probably would have been a pretty rotten day.

Thank you Father for my one sting in the ear!

Lost and Found!

It was without question one of the most terrifying moments of my life up until now, and yet, it is a moment I will trade for nothing...

Today, as I do most days of week, I went for a walk.  It's a four mile, round trip walk that takes me two miles north from my house then the two miles back south. Though I had no knowledge of what was happening, my wife sent my son to meet me during my walk with an extra bottle of water (it was 100 degrees +).  Based on how long I had been gone, my wife assumed that I was fairly close to returning home and that it would be a simple matter for my son to take the water to me. 

Well, having no knowledge that my son was sent to meet me, and having never crossed his path,  I returned home from my walk, took my shower, then got dressed to go out for the evening (a night out alone to catch up on some writing).  When I was finally ready to head out the door it dawned on my wife that she had not seen our son for a while.  Neither of us was very concerned about this because we just assumed he was up in the field somewhere.  You see, my wife didn't realize that we never crossed paths.  She assumed we met, came home together, and that JJ (my son) then continued on his own to the field.  While at the same time,  I still had no knowledge that he was ever sent to meet me.

With no real concern, I took my motorcycle up in the field and  searched all the places I thought I would likely find him.  However, my search turned up empty.  I still had no real worry as I figured he would probably be home by time I returned.  But, upon my return, my wife met me and was both surprised and concerned that I hadn't found him.  It was in the midst of this encounter that it dawned on her to ask if I met him during my walk - which, as previously mentioned - I had not.  Realizing that my nine year old son had set out on a journey to find his dad on a very hot day and that he had somehow missed me, and realizing that a good hour and half had passed since he had last been seen, I took out like a crazy man pushing my bike faster than it should ever be driven down a gravel road - especially without a helmet-  to see if I could find my son.  

In just a few minutes I reached the turn around point of my walk, and yet saw no sign of my son. It was at this point a deep sense of concern and dread took over my heart.  I knew that it would be very unlikely for my son to take his bike that far without turning around (for one thing, he knows my turn around point, for another, my son is not the type of kid who enjoys long bike rides).  However, just for good measure, I continued about another half mile down the road so I could see over the next hill.  But as I feared, there was no sign of him. 

At this point my belly was nearly sick.  Though I realize that true, random, child abductions are extremely rare, it was quickly starting to appear that that was the only likely explanation.  In my mind, based on the evidence, the only real option was that at some point between the time JJ set out to meet me and the point in which we should have met, something unthinkable must have happened.

Though I don't take calling 911 lightly, upon returning home with no sign of my son,I didn't hesitate to tell my wife to do so.  

As my wife was calling 911, I  took my bike back down the road to search the perimeter of our field.  During this trip, I passed by a couple of cars that were stopped in the road.  One of the cars contained my neighbors who knew my son was missing.  They were apparently telling those who were stopped in the other car about our missing son.  I drove past them and then turned around once I reached the point our field ended.  On my return trip, the people in the car whom my neighbors were talking to stopped me and asked ask if my son was wearing a striped shirt and if he was riding a black bike.  Knowing this description fit, my heart took a good leap.   They then told me that he was several miles down the road.  He was apparently heading in the direction of my walk, but he was much further then I imagined he could have possibly been.  They told me that he looked hot, tired, as well as lost, and with this description, I wasted no time but took out once again like a man with a death wish (at least this time I had my helmet on).

Though the trip had to have taken less than five minutes, it felt like forever until I reached the peak of a hill that allowed me to see the dark spot in the distance that I hoped to be my son.  Thanks be to the living God, hope did not disappoint, but instead turned into joy as my son's image came clearly into focus.

Now, I dearly love my son, and it would not be a dishonest to say that I enjoy each of our reunions.  Whether it be the reunion that occurs each morning after being separated by a night of sleep, or whether it be the reunion that occurs when I return home from a day's work.  While all reunions have a certain sweetness to them, nothing compares to the joy that I experienced with this reunion.  MY SON WHO WAS LOST WAS FOUND!!!

So, what happened?  Well, I was much closer to home than my wife realized when she sent my son to meet me with the water bottle.   My son must have simply been in the shed getting his bike as I returned from my walk and walked into the house.  He then took out to meet me not knowing I was already home.  As a child who is eager to please and obedient to his parents, he didn't want to turn around and return home without having delivered water to me.  At one point it finally began to occur to him that he had probably gone too far; however, this was after he passed a house at which a couple of dogs chased him.  Since he was afraid of returning and passing by the dogs again, he just kept on going.  He was a good four miles (Edit: We checked the distance, it was actually 5.2 miles) from home at the point I found him.  It was obvious that he was relieved to see me, but no where near as relieved as I was to see him.

Oh God, how good and wise you are.  Throughout this whole event, my heart had much more fear than any child of yours should ever have, but at the same time there was an underlying peace knowing that all thing would ultimately work out for good.  Thank you that we got to see this work out for good sooner rather than later.  Though I never want to go through that experience again, I also would not want to remove it from the history of our lives.  The joy of finding that which is lost and precious is much greater than the daily joy that comes from the same precious thing that is always present.  Truly you have brought the parables your son taught to life.  I now understand in a deeper way the truth that was shared in the parables of the lost coin, the lost sheep, and the prodigal son through the experience I had this day.  Lord, if I can ever play a part in giving you this joy by leading one who is lost to repentance, then I am certainly available.  I would count it among the greatest of privileges to play a part in bringing you they same joy that you in your kindness brought to me this day.

With sincere love, devotion and thanks, 

Your son,  Jason

Is it the Last Time?

Nearly every one of the New Testament writers warn their intended readers about a time of falling away and great deception that is to come. Through the words they write, it is clear that this time will be a time of great deception in which many who are in Christ will fall way from their devotion to God and give heed to the false prophets who will abound during this time. Through the warnings provided in the New Testament, it is clear that this will be a time of great darkness.

Now, an important question to ask is this: is this a season that has yet to start, or is this a season that has already began. This is an important question because of the serious consequences it could have. You see? If we can conclude that this time of falling away and deception has not yet begun, then it is possible that the things we have been taught and believe are good and true. But on the other hand, if it can be definitely established that we have been living our lives during the time of darkness and deception foretold by the New Testament writers, then we have to pause and ask ourselves whether or not it is possible that everything we have been taught is false. If it can be definitely established that we are living in the day of darkness and deception, then we each have to ask ourselves whether or not it possible that maybe we too are deceived.

I realize that this world is full of things to grab your attention. I realize that the last thing you want to do is read something that on the surface appears quite dull. However, if you will be honest with yourself, you will have to admit that this is a pretty important issue. After all, is it not an issue with eternal consequences? Because of the importance of this issue, I hope you will at least make a reasonable attempt to read this writing that you now have before you.

Is it The Last Time?

Part 1: The Evidence

Exhibit A: 1^st Timothy 4:1-2 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (2) Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

What does this passage definitely establish? This passage establishes the fact that at some point after it was written, a time of departing from the faith would come. According to this passage, this would be a time in which many would begin listening to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. This passage established the fact that there will be both seducing spirits and people giving heed to these seducing spirits. This passage also establishes the fact that this will happen in the “latter times.”

What does this passage fail to establish? This passage fails to establish a definite time frame in which this would occur. While this passage tells us that this will happen in the “latter times,” is does not provide us with enough information to definitely establish exactly when the “latter times” would begin. The limited information in this verse makes it possible to only guess. One person could argue that it would happen soon, and another could argue that it would happen much later; however, neither person would be able to prove their case based upon the previous passage alone

Exhibit B: 2^nd Timothy 3:1-5 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, (4)Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

What does this passage definitely establish? This passage establishes the fact that a future season will come in which men will become ungodly in every way. Paul says that this will happen in the “last days.”

For the words of this passage to have their full effect, you have to realize that Paul is not speaking about the secular world here (for the secular world has always had these traits), but rather, Paul is speaking about men who once belonged to the household of God. Once you understand this, you can see that Paul is once again speaking of a time of falling away. He refers to this time as a perilous time (perilous = dangerous, unsafe, hazardous, risky, terrifying).

Since Paul uses the words “latter times” in the first passage (1^st Timothy 4:1-2) and the similar term “last days” in the above passage, it seems safe to make the conclusion that these are the same seasons described in different ways.

What does this passage fail to establish? Just as before, this passage fails to establish exactly when this would take place. The only thing we can know for sure is that this will happen in a season referred to as the “last days.” However, the passage does not provide enough additional information to establish exactly when these “last days” will begin. Based on the information given, one cannot be certain as to whether or not they will begin sooner or later.

Exhibit C: 2^nd Timothy 4:1-4 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; (2) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

What does this passage definitely establish? This passage establishes that fact that at some point after it was written a time would come in which people would no longer listen to sound doctrine. At that time, people will begin to listen to teachers who say the things that they want to hear. Based upon the information provided, we can also make the indirect conclusion that there will be both false teachers, as well as foolish people who will listen to these false teachers. We can also conclude from this passage that these same people who are listening to false teachers are people who at one time knew the truth. This can be established with verse four which says – and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. That fact that they are turning away from the truth seems to me a strong indication that they once knew the truth.

I would also say it is safe to conclude that the dark season described above is the same as the seasons of “falling away” that have been described in the previous two passages.

What does this passage fail to establish? Once again, this passage fails to establish a definite time frame in which one can expect this to happen. However, this passage is different from the previous two passages in that is appears to give a hint that this is going to happen sooner than later. This “hint” I am referring to is the urgency I sense in Paul’s writing. As I read Paul’s mandate to Timothy to preach the gospel, I get a strong impression that Paul feels that the time in which true preaching will be received is very short. Based upon this passage of scripture, I would guess the coming season of “falling away” was going to happen sooner instead of later.

However, with that said, I must admit that this is just my observation. Others may not sense this urgency that I sense in this passage.

Exhibit D: 2^nd Peter 2:1-3 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2) And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. (3) And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

What does this passage definitely establish? Like the others, this passage establishes the fact that after it was written a time would come in which false prophets would invade the household of God. It also established the fact that many would follow after their destructive ways.

In this passage it is Peter who is speaking instead of Paul. However, it seems likely that this season of “false prophets” is the same as the dark seasons previously described by Paul.

What does this passage fail to establish? Just as before, this passage fails to establish a time frame in which this can be expected to happen. The only thing this passage establishes is the fact that it will happen at some future point after it was written.

A Quick Summary: So far we have read four different passages. And each of them either speak about an invasion of false prophets, false teachers, and seducing spirits, or they speak about people who were at one time members of the household of God turning away from the truth and giving heed to these false teachers (I realize that the passage from 2^nd Timothy, chapter three doesn’t really mention false teacher and people giving heed to them. However, I am certain that it is related in that it is describing the fruit that is being produced because of these things).

While each of these passages definitely state that such thing will occur after they were written, none of them provide enough information to establish when they would occur.

Let’s move on. But let me first urge you to begin paying closer attention.

Exhibit E: Acts 20:17, 28-31 --- (17) And from Miletus he (Paul) sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church (and he said to them)….(28) Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (29) For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. (30) Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them (31) Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

What does this passage definitely establish? This passage establishes the fact that a time will come in which grievous wolves are going to enter the household of God. It is established that these wolves will not spare the flock of God. It establishes the fact that some will be drawn to follow these “wolves.”

It is my belief that the time of “grievous wolves” referred to here is firmly connected to the seasons mentioned in the previous passages. Just as the other passages talk about false teachers, Paul once again in this passage makes a reference to perverted teachings. Because of this, I feel certain that this is just one more reference to the same season that Paul and Peter have described elsewhere.

Now, if I am correct in this assumption (which I am confident I am), then this passage is elevated to a place of critical importance. It is important because this is the first passage that provides a couple pieces of information which prove to be helpful in establishing an approximate start time for the dark season we have been warned about.

The first piece of helpful information is the fact that Paul says this will begin after his departure (vs. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you).

The first question to ask here is whether Paul was talking about his immediate departure from the location of Miletus or whether he was speaking of his departure from this life (his death). Since the answer to this question is not really of utmost importance, I will not spend a lot of time making my case. However, based upon the context of his other writings, I feel pretty certain that Paul was speaking about his death. And so, if that be true, we can now begin to consider the possibility that just maybe this dark season has been well underway for over 1900 years. For if it began shortly after the death of Paul, and if Paul has been dead for over 1900 years, then we can conclude the world has been living in this dark season for just as long.

While this piece of information is helpful, I must admit that it is not solid and conclusive. It lacks a little bit of substance because it doesn’t say how soon after his departure this would occur. Some could argue that Paul meant two years after his departure and some could argue that he meant 3000 years. However, neither of these arguers could prove their case. For this reason, I can only call this piece of information “helpful.”

However, this passage does include one additional piece of information. And this additional piece of information isn’t just helpful, but rather it seems to me as if it is quite solid in helping to establish a time frame in which this dark season could be expected to begin.

If you look at verse 30, you will notice that as Paul is speaking to the elders from Ephesus, he tells them that some of the very men to whom he is currently speaking will begin to stray and speak perverse things in order to draw disciples after themselves

Acts 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

Based on this statement, it seems only logical to conclude that if some of the very men to whom Paul was speaking were to become false teacher and prophets who would play a role in the warned about dark season, then we can conclude for sure that the dark season began in their lifetime. And so, if it began in their lifetime, and they lived over 1900 years ago, the only possible conclusion is that the past 1900 years have been years in which false teachers, false prophets and deception have flourished on this earth.

Now, if everything I just stated is correct, then that obviously means that each of us alive today have spent our entire lives living in days in which false teaching and deception abound. And if that is truly the case, shouldn’t everyone reading this be drawn to pause and examine themselves and question as to whether or not they are possibly deceived? Now, of course your first instinct is going to be to say that there is no way you are deceived. If you are as I was just eight years ago, then you certainly don’t feel deceived. Instead, you probably feel quite certain that you know truth. However, does your confidence automatically exclude the possibility that you are deceived? Of course not! No one who is deceived actually feels deceived. For if the deceived person felt deceived then certainly they would step out of that deception. No. The problem with deception is just that… it’s deception. And when you yourself are deceived, you will have no knowledge to that fact.

With this all said, skeptics may argue that my case is rather week. Some may insist that I am simply misapplying scripture to make it mean what I want it to mean. However, while you are welcome to express your opinions, you should first probably be aware that I am not yet done presenting my case. No. I have one more piece of evidence. However, this evidence is quite different from the others in that it is quite solid and conclusive. And at the risk of turning off some of my readers, I have to honestly say that I see no way to deny this evidence except to deny scripture itself. Let’s now look at exhibit F.

Exhibit F: 1^st John 2:18-19 & 26-27 --- (18) Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. (19) They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us…. (26) These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. (27) But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

What does this passage establish? If you look at verse 18, you will notice a sharp contrast between what John says in comparison to the warnings that were given in the previous passages by Paul and Peter. In the previous passages, Paul and Peter warn about a future time of darkness to come. In one of the passages, Paul referred to that season as “the latter times.” In another passage, Paul referred to it as “the last days.” However, it both instances, it was referred to in a future tense. But, if you look you will see that John is not using future tense speech to warn about the deception in the latter times. Instead, John is using present tense speech. John is not saying that a time of darkness and deception is coming; instead, John is telling his readers that the time of darkness had arrived.

John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

Can you see the sharp difference between the warnings from the other writers and the warning from John? While the other writers said “It’s coming! It’s coming!” John says “It’s here! It’s here!”

Do I have anyone’s attention yet?

It is clear in this passage that John is telling his readers that the dark season they had often been warned about had arrived. He told them that the evidence that it had arrived was the great number of false teachers (or anti-Christ) that were running rampant. Based upon this passage of John, one can logically conclude that his readers had been warned about a day of darkness and deception. They apparently had been told that this time would be marked by the presence of many false teachers. So John uses this common knowledge to alert his readers that it had become officially obvious the last times they had been warned about were now upon them.

Fully recognizing that these dark days were now upon them, and realizing how strong the deception was going to be, John makes a very drastic proclamation. The proclamation was simply the fact that the days in which God’s children would learn from teachers were over.

John 2:26-27 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. (27) But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

Since the birth of the Church on Pentecost until the time of the writing of John’s letter, God provided teachers to nurture and instruct his children. However, John let his readers know that those days were over. He told his readers that they no longer needed teachers to teach them. Instead, he told them that they could now trust the Spirit of God that was in them to lead them and guide them.

Why does John make this proclamation? Simple! He makes it because he knows that the days ahead are going to be so dark and deceptive, that it will be very hard to tell those who know the truth from those who don’t. So in order to protect those to whom he is writing, he simply tells them that they no longer need anyone to teach them but instead to trust the one who is in them to lead them and guide them. This proclamation assures his readers that they at least won’t be led astray by listening to the teachings of others who have already been deceived.

Please Note: He in no way told his readers to disregard all they had previously been taught. Instead he was instructing them that they didn’t need to pay any regard to future teachers and there teachings.

Part 2: Responding to the Evidence

Look closely at all I have written. Have I made anything up? No! Everything I have shared is clearly written in the pages of the book you claim to hold as the source of truth. Nothing has been twisted or hyped to make more of it than it really is. The fact that several New Testament writers spoke of a future time of falling away and spiritual deception is just that – it is a fact of scripture. Also, the fact that John wrote that those days had arrived is also just that – a fact of scriptures. And finally, the fact that John told his readers that teachers were no longer necessary is also just that – a fact clearly expressed in the pages of the book you claim to be truth. And so, with these facts firmly established in scripture, do we not have some very serious questions to ask ourselves?

The most obvious question I can think to ask involves the great institution that exist on this earth that calls herself the church. What exactly is this institution?

If John knew that the days of deception were going to be so intense that he frees his readers (and I believe actually encourages them) to ignore all who claim to have authority as teachers, then what in the world is this great institution that week after week claims authority to teach and instruct people regarding the things of the one true God. Considering all the evidence that has been laid out before you, it is more likely that this institution is God’s institution for proclaiming truth, or is it more likely that this great empire is a source from which deception has flourished throughout the earth. In light of all we have just read, do you think the apostle John would encourage you to attend and give your attention and loyalty to such a place, or do you think that he would tell you to run for your life?

Despite all that I have written, I truly doubt that anyone reading this will give even a moment’s consideration to the possibility that the institution who calls herself the church is really the great vehicle for which the great deception is spread throughout the earth. I am sure it is very hard to wrap your mind around the idea that the institution you find lovely and Godly is in reality nothing more than a warehouse of lies leading to damnation. Yes, I realize that this is a very hard thought to even consider, but I ask, what if this is the truth?

What if God placed this great institution on the earth to test and try his people? What if God uses this great institution to separate the wheat from the chaff? Just maybe He knows that those who truly love and trust him with every fiber of their being will cling to His word above all else, and as such a person clings to His word they will discover for themselves how blatantly opposed this institution truly is to the truth of His word. And as a result, this person will flee this institution at the risk of great disapproval and persecution from the people they used to fellowship within it. So when all is said and done, this person has passed the great test that God laid out to separate the wise from the foolish and the faithful from the unfaithful.

“Craziness!” you say. “God would never do such a thing.” “God would never intentionally lay stumbling blocks by which people could be deceived.”

Well, if you’re talking about the God you have come to know through the teaching of the “church” institution, then you are correct. However, if you are talking about the God who created heaven and earth, the God who is revealed in scripture, then you are wrong. For scripture makes it clear that God does exactly this.

Deuteronomy 13:1-4 If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, (2) And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them. (3) Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. (4) Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.

The above makes is apparent that God allowed the false prophet to perform a convincing wonder while at that same time speaking a lie. God allowed this in order to test the sincerity of the His people. Would His people cling to what the Lord said to be true, or would the follow the deception of the false prophet?

Another example of this is in Judges 2:20-22. God chooses not to drive out all the previous residents of the promise land in order to use them to test Isreal as to whether or not they will be faithful to God or not.

Judges 2:20-22 And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and he said, Because that this people hath transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice; (21) I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died: (22) That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not.

So you see, the very book you claim to hold as truth testifies to the fact that God does intentionally allow stumbling blocks to exist in order to test and prove the loyalty of His children.

While I don’t ask you to jump to an immediate conclusion that the institution you hold dear is actually a warehouse of deception and lies, I do suggest that you at least ask yourself, “What if it is?”

What if the days of falling away and deception began over 1900 years ago?

What if the institution that calls herself the church is the great promoter of this deception?

What if the beliefs you hold dear are in reality well-crafted lies designed to give you a false security that all is well between you and God.

What if God allowed all of this to separate the wheat from the chaff and you are being proved as chaff?

How do you respond to this?

I don’t write unto you in order to call you out of the institutionalized “church.” For leaving her in your current condition would accomplish nothing.

[I know a great number of people who have left the modern institutionalized church who are no better off than those who are still firmly connected to her. For these who have left the modern version of the institutionalized church still hold her earlier version dear to their hearts. They still hold her doctrines dear and revere the men of old who taught them these doctrines. Though they proclaim their disgust at the current style this lady has adopted, they are still very much unknowingly under her spell.]

However, I do write unto you to encourage you to sincerely turn your heart and love towards the great God of this universe. For if you will sincerely turn your heart and love toward Him, if you will seek Him with nothing less than your whole heart, then He will reveal Himself to you. He will try you and test you as you have never been tested, but once you have proved yourself faithful, He will give you the greatest gift imaginable – the gift of son-ship. And once you are made his son, He will teach you great things through His word. He will teach you the basics of the gospel through which He miraculously made you his son. He will also teach you who this great empire that calls herself the church really is. But as it is now, the only reason you fail to understand these things is because you fail to have a heart that is 100 percent turned towards the great God of this universe. May today be the last day of your foolish apathy and rebellion towards God.

Final Note:

Once upon a time I was deceived. I confidently believed something as truth that later proved itself to be a lie. Because of the strength of my deception, I had no fear of death or encountering God. The lies I believed convinced me that all was well.

Fortunately, a day came in which the wonderful God of this universe called my name. As he called me to Him, I ran to him with all my heart. In my pursuit of Him, I chose to cling to his word above all else. That decision was critical in my journey which ultimately led me to life and truth.

I hope that the great God of this universe will call your name. I hope you will hear His voice and run to Him with all your heart. I hope you will cling to His word above all else. I hope you too find life and truth.

Sincerely,

Jason Holman