Faithful In The Mean Time

                I have been reading a required book for my classes by Barry L. Callen titled “Faithful In The Mean Time”. It is one of those books that cause you to think and study what scripture says. The author makes you think about what is important and what Jesus wants us to do concerning eschatology (end times study and interpretation).

                The main point of the book is to not get caught up in the hype, wrong interpretations, and marketing of the “End Times” theme, but what does Jesus call us to do? That, I believe is always the central question to everything we do.

                I do not want to get into misconceptions and prophetic interpretations of the Books of Isaiah, Daniel and Revelation. What I want to remind the reader of, and find common ground in, the message of Christ for His Church. Be faithful in the mean time!

                We know that it is a biblical truth that no one here on earth will know the time of the end. The time for the last trump to blow and the Church to be called home is a secret. No “biblical code” or secret text is revealed to anyone human concerning this event. We have been living in the end times since Christ ascended to Heaven. Trials and tribulations have been attacking believers since the crucifixion, starting with our Lord Himself on the cross.

                We need to be careful that we are not spending time worrying about the return of Him when we could be serving Him. If we are saved, what is the worry? It should be a joyous event for us.

 

                Are we spreading the Gospel to others, or are we holed up reading and watching every end time TV show or book. Do we discern false teachings and teachers against what the bible says? Do we study enough biblical history to put the writings into context?

 

                We must be so careful applying individual scripture to our present definitions and views. The prophet Isaiah gives a perfect example of how to study the Bible: Isaiah 28:9-11 (KJV) 9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. 10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

                What he is telling us is that we must read the whole idea of the verse, study against other verses to make sure we have the correct understanding. If we read the instructions of Jesus, we see in every instance He told us not to worry about tomorrow, but to do that which He has given us to do.

                So what does being faithful in the mean time actually mean? It’s simply to continue to spread the seed of the Word to unbelievers by preaching salvation and edifying His Church by preaching and teaching the meat of the Bible. We are to aid the widowed and orphaned. We are to help the poor and needy. We are to be the ambassador’s of Christ for as long as he keeps us here.

                Dear friend, I know for some of us, it’s exciting to think about how it will be when He does call the saints home and imagine what it may look like. It is interesting (for me at least) what is happening in our world. But we must remain focused on the lost souls, not the time of His return. Honestly and biblically, it does not really concern us as we are His already. Near or far, sooner or later, we still have the same commission, to go forth into the entire world and spread the Gospel!

                And to be faithful in the mean time!