Greetings,
The world has become a decidedly edgy place. There is tension and anxiety in the air. This is particularly observable in the political arena – especially in the realm of international relations. If we look at just one marker – political elections – the unease is clearly evident. In reaction to the developing of negative social conditions, there is often a trend to turn to “hard-line” leadership in the search for remedies. In Europe, and Germany in particular, the current leadership has suffered electoral defeat in local elections in favor of candidates decidedly more toward the right of the political spectrum. The refugee crisis in Europe as a whole is triggering unexpected reactions and creating anxiety. The current president of the European Commission Jean-Claude Junker’s strident call for a European army with an identified headquarters location, stirs uncomfortable memories in the generations who remember World War II.
The United States has been the dominant influence on the world stage since WW II and many nations have felt secure under its military umbrella of protection. But that feeling of security is rapidly dissipating. The current war games involving a combined Chinese and Russian task force send a clear signal of two nations on the ascendancy as American influence wanes. Nations formerly held in check by American influence now snub their defiant noses and the American response is tepid at best. It would seem that we are too self-absorbed in an unfathomable election process to see reality. The nations which have roots in the descendants of the tribes of Israel are losing their influence and moral positions. Western civilization is constricting.
So what are we to make of all this? What is expected of a person called into a personal relationship with God?
Firstly, none of the above is unexpected. Christ told us what to look for in the lead-up to His return. Although specifics are not given – because we would have the tendency to gear our spiritual lives to those details rather than focus on a relationship of faith toward God — we do have enough of a general overview to know the direction of events. Christ’s words together with Old Testament prophecies regarding Israel in the event that they failed to obey God, show us that the modern descendents of Israel will experience decline. We may not understand all the intricacies of where the nations were scattered, but Western Civilization has a profoundly Israelite foundation. The decline of the West is the decline of Israel. We know that and should not be anxious or fearful. Edginess is for the world, not for the Church.
Secondly, we should avoid creating specifics to give a false sense of security. Unfounded speculation in the realm of prophecy can undermine a life of faith. As the unfolding world events intensify, it becomes more tempting to make specific speculative assertions rather than keep the focus on watching in spiritual terms. God raises up and God puts down whom He chooses. He is working out world events and doesn’t need our help to know what to do.
Thirdly, and importantly, we must use the knowledge God has given us to gain the balance we need in this environment. This specifically refers to the plan of salvation as revealed by the Holy Days. The Holy Days very clearly lay out for us the time shortly ahead. This next set of four Holy Days is all forward projecting in terms of what is going to happen. There is no need of man-devised speculative calculations.
How are you approaching the coming Holy Day season? Are you open to gaining a deeper understanding of God’s mind as revealed in these days? Or do you feel so familiar with the days that you know it all and don’t feel the need to bear down on this period of holy time? Of all the people on earth, we should have our heads up and be looking firmly forward. We need to focus away from this anxious world – it doesn’t know God – but we do!
If you are rightly anticipating the upcoming Holy Days you will surely conclude that you need to “… take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:34-36).
Let us embrace the coming season with an intensity and appreciation befitting someone called out and known by God.
Warm Regards,
Brian Orchard
