Causes for Severe World Events
All too often, when extraordinarily severe events occur (whether it be in the present or historically), some of us temporarily become Deists to a certain degree. We become quick to attribute such severe events described as tragedies, catastrophes, etc. to the evil schemes of men and Satan, while leaving God out of the equation— as if He took the day off and left men to their own devices, completely unconcerned and totally disconnected from our earthly events.
It’s akin to the same mentality that some Christians and unsaved Jews and Gentiles alike view the Holocaust in principle, but not in magnitude. Consulting the Scriptures must be what we look into, rather than giving men excessive credit or blame for world events. After all, we have a God who is sovereign over all things.
This concept of God’s sovereignty applies, regardless of whether God technically initiated and orchestrated such events or allowed them to occur. For the majority of unsaved Jews, belief usually comes down to two principal parties: perpetrator and victim. For the majority of Christians, it usually comes down to three principal parties: perpetrator, victim, and Satan. But to the men or women who consult the Scriptures as the preeminent source of all explanations, or as “the pillar and ground of truth,” we have not merely a fourth principle party,” but the “Alpha and Omega” of all things; that “Fourth man in the midst of the fire,” if you will. After all, in all their (our) affliction He was (is) afflicted (Isaiah 63:9).
We Have A Purposeful God
God is always after something. He is a purposeful God. If judgment must first begin with the Household of God (1 Peter 4:17), then, as is all too often the case, we look amiss and therefore, pray amiss when we immediately focus our attention upon the unredeemed world and not on the Household of God. It is His people that is God’s first and foremost concern, so that His people might “manifest the wisdom of God according to the eternal purpose” (Ephesians 3:10).
Saints in the past responded in the midst of catastrophic events with some parallels to our current worldwide situation, which, according to the prophetic Scriptures, is but a precursor of greater events to come.
During worldwide events like this pandemic, the Household of God will have the opportunity of all opportunities to shine as never before.
Christians Must Embrace Their Roles
Let us embrace this current period in history as a necessary “Boot Camp,” as if it were God’s means of preparation; that His people might become that (corporate) vessel fit for the Master’s use (2 Timothy 2:21), and thus, “serve the purpose of God in their generation,”(Acts 13:36) eventually leading to what will become the new and final greatest generation of all time in that day of all days.
Here is the passage I ask you to consider and meditate on:
Acts 11:27-29 – “Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea.”
The Value of House Churches
I am convinced this pandemic is a wake-up call to the Church on multiple levels and a precursor to what is eventually to come in the future. As such, the PRUDENT AND COURAGEOUS will discern the need to begin the transition from large gatherings in a single location to smaller gatherings in homes.
With this great challenge comes the need to change mentality. Smaller gatherings in homes may not have “mini-church services,” with the same format and leadership structure. As one man has said, “You can take the people out of the church, but not necessarily take the church out of the people.” In other words, changing the venue does not necessarily guarantee changing the mentality. Transitional steps to shift back into the paradigm of house churches can be made in the process.
Seize the Opportunity to Grow and Be Discipled in the Home
People can be trained, or rather, discipled into house church/home fellowship meetings. This is more than a nostalgic desire for the “good old days.” This is returning to the Church as it was practiced in the Early Church, and how it may have always been intended. The Biblical pattern, which is most conducive to discipleship, is also very practical. Church History confirms this not merely as a historical fact, but as a practical means of survival and growth.
And so, it would serve us and the Kingdom well to consider this transition seriously now, in a time of relative peace, before the window of opportunity is shut.
Proverbs 22:3 – “The prudent sees the evil and hides himself, but the naive go on, and are punished for it.”
<><><><>
1Deism refers to the belief in a God who created the world but has since remained indifferent to it.
Fred London
Fred London is a Jewish believer and the son of a Holocaust survivor. He is an author and messenger who delves into topics such as Anti-Semitism and how modern-day Christians ought to relate with Israel. He writes about how “the issue of Israel is the issue of the Church, and the issue of Israel is the issue of the nations.”
He has written three books: Mountain Watch: Writings from Outside the Camp, More Writings from Outside the Camp and An End-Time Church Manifesto. He also maintains a Facebook page, “The Biblical Watchman” and has spoken at churches and conferences. He has also contributed to interviews on podcast programs and newspaper features.
