The Power Is in the Word

About a month ago I reported on the struggle to write this new book--the second book, I called it--on prophetic interpretation to give away on opening night of the NET prophecy meetings. My deadline to finish the book was last week. Well, I have yet to write it. All this time has been spent on research and note-taking. Between travel, NET administration, and lack of a clear pathway where to go with this work, my plans have not turned out as hoped.

Why is this so important now? Because I have not found a book like it in the market. Most of the books dealing with prophetic interpretation are, understandably, scholarly books. But this is a book for regular folks interested in prophecy. Other books deal with the broader issue of revelation and inspiration. Then, others tackle the problem of literalistic interpretation leading so many sincere Christians to believe the nation of Israel today is in fulfillment of prophecy, that a secret rapture will precede seven years of tribulation under the world rulership of the Antichrist, when 144,000 Jews will end up trying to evangelize the world. This Dispensationalist model of interpretation is simply a cancer in Christian circles, the biggest impediment to understanding the truth of what the Bible really says about the end.

We have been raised by God as a prophetic movement at the time of the end--that is, since 1844--to give the world "the entire counsel of God." God has given this church the entire picture, without which so many sincere souls remain deceived, lured by Babylon in the guise of orthodox Christianity. Satan has managed a multi-prong, clever approach at this most crucial time in the history of human beings. Through Enlightenment ideas he has eroded faith in Scripture via critical--faithless--approaches to Scripture. Through evolution-based scientific explanations he has destroyed faith in God and made irrelevant the Sabbath of the Lord. Through Post-modern social attitudes the Bible is now viewed as a quaint book for a minority in the world insistent in tradition. The ONLY counter to this onslaught of clever deceptions lulling men and women to slow perdition is the wake-up truth of Jesus Christ as revealed in His Word! Nothing else will be able to open people's eyes to see things as they really are.

But to make matters worse, who studies the Bible anymore? Even our own members seem to be reading it less and less, and those outside our faith who still look into it do so through the glasses of Dispentationalism, thus end up just as confused as those who hardly know a word from the Word. People inside and outside of Christianity are still interested in Bible prophecy. A number of them will come to hear a lecture on Armageddon or the Antichrist. But they don't know how to read Scripture.

This is why this book needs to be written. But there are so many ways to go about it. And that's where I lack clarity, wisdom, and insight. We often hear that a writer's block is cured by writing, regardless of how good it is or where the writing takes you. Perhaps that helps in some type of writing, but not every type. I need a vision from God, perhaps not literally, but nevertheless just as real, of the steps to pursue. After so many weeks, I believe I'm closer to discovering what it is that has been elusive to this point. But the reality is that I'm out of time. In two days, I'll be speaking numerous times in Alaska, and mere days after I return, I have another commitment overseas. And after that, the schedule is full again, and the publisher wouldn't have enough time to produce it for the NET meetings. The way I figure it, my last chance to finish this will be the week before the overseas trip. So, one week left! What is that to organize the writing, write each chapter, and get feedback from readers to avoid the most glaring misses?!

For some time now I've wanted an I-Pod to listen to Scripture while running in the mornings, something I used to do with Bible cassettes years ago. My tech-savvy kids convinced me to simply get an I-Phone instead, and I'd have everything there already. So, this past Father's Day we did that. What a blessing to my soul has again been the listening of God's Word! It stimulates my thinking, it helps me understand God Himself, it answers existential and/or biblical questions I've had for years, it builds my confidence in an all wise and loving and powerful God. This is the God of the Universe and the God who knows me--even me--by name.

All I desire is for people to give themselves a chance to understand the God of the Bible. The rest will take care of itself. Would you join me praying for this?

Thank you. I know He will do it.

"The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for Your commandments.

Turn to me and be gracious to me,

After Your manner with those who love Your name."

Psalm 119:130-132