I continue to read articles and posts that question the Truth of the Scriptures and sow doubt about its revelation. These doubts are coming from people who at one time were strong in faith but for whatever reason, they have become offended. They are offended at scriptures that they don’t understand, or verses that contradict their emotions.
"And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me." (Mt. 11:16)
It doesn’t matter that Jesus spoke at length about everlasting hell. Rather than submit to something they may not presently understand, they prefer to try and make it go away through logic and semantics. If hell is not a reality, why would Jesus, the Old Testament writers and the New Testament writers all speak of the coming wrath of God and paint a picture of torment? Just the mention of such a thing would be wrong if it didn’t truly exist. But they did mention it over and over and over.
Some have decided that all Bible prophecy has been fulfilled and that Jesus returned in AD 70. Great leaps of blind logic must be believed in order to reach such a conclusion, but this isn’t new. It was already beginning in Paul’s day.
“who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.” (2 Tim. 2:18)
In our day these teachers are offended at the future implications of the last days. A persecution of Christians and the shaking of heaven and earth do not fit into their theology of grace. It offends them, so they must make those verses go away.
Jesus warned, “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” (Mt. 24:4-5) He was not saying that these deceivers would claim to be Christ. That wouldn’t deceive very many. Jesus was saying that these deceivers would claim that He, Jesus, was the Christ, and then go on to deceive many. This is the most subtle and dangerous deception that we face today.
Others have their understanding darkened to the revelation of Jesus in the Old Covenant. To them, the Law and the Prophets represent man’s attempt to explain a God they did not know. The value and truth of the Old Testament is questioned and doubts are sown into the hearts of believers. Why? Because the Old Testament speaks of things they do not understand, with language that offends them. The same principle that was true of the Jews in Jesus’ day is true of many Christians in our day.
“But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” (2 Cor. 3:14-16)
When people seek to minimize or subvert the authority of the Old Testament, it is because their minds are blinded. They have not truly turned to the Lord. They have created a God after their own image.
“And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” (Luke 24:27)
“And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.” (Luke 24:45)
Does it sound like Jesus was embarrassed by the Old Testament? Yet, many modern ‘grace teachers’ seem to be embarrassed. The idol of false grace they have imagined must be worshipped no matter what the Scriptures reveal.
"But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." (2 Tim. 3:13)
I am a grace teacher, but I honor and submit to the Word of God, even when I don’t understand it. It is God breathed and the revelation of Jesus is contained throughout. It also contains the revelation of God’s righteousness, wrath, love, justice, mercy and final judgment on unbelievers. We cannot pick and choose which aspects of God’s nature we will accept. The Scriptures are His living Word. When the veil is removed from our hearts and minds, the Scriptures come alive.
“Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32)
If your heart does not rejoice in the whole counsel of God, don’t attempt to make it go away. Understand that we are all growing in the full revelation of Him. Don’t get offended. Don’t let others deceive you, even if they name the Name of Jesus. Sowing doubt about God’s Word should be a giant red flag to you. Don’t be deceived in these last days.
“knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts” (2 Pet. 3:3)