From the Pastor's Desk

Recently, I scanned a book about the end times from a well-known Bible teacher. If I called his name, you would recognize him. He is a good man with a lot of good teaching. But he made the statement that while some hope for revival in the last days, it will not be so. Instead, he said, the Bible foresees "a great falling away" (2 Thess. 2:3). That really bothered me.

First of all, the "falling away" refers not only to the church, but also to a world system in complete revolt against any kind of biblical morals or Christian values. Secondly, we already see a great falling away in the form of a huge portion of the professing church that continues to live in sin while claiming salvation. But here is the real problem.

While this brother certainly has good points, he and others have never had any room in their theological box for the Holy Spirit. They have not allowed for Him over the years, and they do not make room for Him in the last days. Scripture declares, "And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh" (Acts 2:17). "The last days" were inaugurated with Pentecost, but God promised the Holy Spirit throughout the church age, culminating with the prophetic witness of what we understand as "the last days." In other words, we have been blessed with the Spirit for 2,000 years. We can believe for that to only increase on those who are hungry as we approach Christ's return. Martin Lloyd-Jones said there are those "whose whole doctrine of the Holy Spirit really leaves no room for revival." As the world grows worse, we need more of the Holy Spirit, not less.

-Pastors Mark and Jennifer