A story is told of a church who voted their preacher out because he preached too much on hell. They got a new preacher who preached even more on hell. They dearly loved Preacher 2 and kept him for many years. When asked what the difference was, the answer was that Preacher 1 preached on hell and acted like we deserved every bit of it, Preacher 2 preached on hell like it broke his heart. I think of that as I consider some things I believe the Lord wants me to write. It is regarding the state of the church and Christian community as a sign of Jesus’ near return. When I put it on paper, I think it sounds so stringent and judgmental. I think of God telling Moses to speak to the rock and Moses struck the rock – twice even. How hard it must be for preachers to speak God’s word of warning without striking out, but how necessary. Do we really receive a balanced message of warning, rebuke, and instruction? II Tim 4:2 “Preach the message, be ready whether it is convenient or not, reprove, rebuke, exhort to complete patience and instruction…” I am going to attempt to be obedient as I speak to the issue of the Church in the end times. I will be throwing in some chocolate candy along with the bitter pills, so hang in with me. And pray for me that I will be kind not caustic. (If I talk about charlatans and deceit, I tend to be rather caustic.)

Please respond with your view of the matters I discuss. I’m sure there will be ways we can learn from each other.

Look with me at the CONDITION of prophets and priests before judgment came to Judah. God speaking through Jeremiah (6:14) “They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace’ they say, and there is no peace.” The “sinner seeking” church today that refuses to address the sin issue, refuses to call sinners “sinners,” hops over the demand for repentance is not acknowledging the “wound” of the people.

Surgeons have to remove the problem before the wound can heal. The problem of sin is not removed by ignoring it. When you go to a doctor, you want one who will tell you the truth. Just saying, “all’s well” will not dress the wound. False prophets will say, “that conviction you feel is the devil trying to bring guilt on you. God loves you. He will not bring guilt. Go in peace.”

How we pride ourselves on not scaring sinners to Christ, and all the while ignore the issue of hell. Peace, peace vs hell! Prophets and priests, there is little time left. Don’t have blood on your hands because of not telling the uncomfortable and troublesome TRUTH.

John the Baptist said repent (Matt 3:2); Jesus said repent (Mark 2:15; 13:3 & 5), Disciples said repent (Mark 6:12); Peter said repent (Acts 2:38); Paul said repent (Acts 17:30; 26:20); John said repent (Rev. 3:19). Peter points out that one will perish if he does not repent (2 Peter 3:9) That’s quite a line up to go against.