You might be wondering, what is being besieged? Our borders? Yes. Common sense values? For sure. How about proper theology? Absolutely. We are besieged like never before but, then, this was predicted! There would be a vast “falling away” from the faith. (2 Thessalonians 2)
But I think that this issue goes deeper. Let me explain.
I have watched Bible prophecy attacked, scorned, mocked, criticized, and improperly taught for a lot of years. There has been overwhelming confusion about the last days. Again, that is predicted, so no surprise (II Peter 3:3–7).
In many denominations, it is taught egregiously wrong. Too many churches have all the end-time glory going towards the church (Dominion Theology).
Others say that all prophecy happened in 70 AD (Preterism). Who knew? We missed it! We need to look at eschatology in a rear-view mirror! What strange theology!
A significant number teach that believers go through the Tribulation, even though we are promised to be spared from the wrath to come (I Thessalonians 1:10; Revelation 3:10).
Preterist Gary DeMar accused me of holding a “hysteria conference” some years ago. Dr. Ron Rhodes and Dr. Mark Hitchcock—two of the most respected prophecy teachers to date—were going to lead my audience into error and confusion.
We are accused of “checking out.” Because we’re going to be taken out, we don’t run for office or try to make a difference in our confused world. Nothing could be further from the truth! The fact that time is short spurs us to share the gospel.
Author Joel Richardson scolds pastors who are not preparing their flock to meet the Antichrist, even though there is not one Bible reference about believers preparing for anything other than the “blessed hope.” (Titus 2:13)
And even though the writers of the Bible and the early church fathers taught about the Rapture of the church, we are lectured regularly that this theology was founded by John Nelson Darby in 1830! This misrepresentation is almost the most maddening!
What’s worse, he got it from some visionary woman—very troubled—named Margaret McDonald. This theological silliness will likely never go away! I wish these folks would read their Bibles and see the truth.
Just as tragic are the many denominations and pulpits that are totally silent on the glorious news that the King is coming! People write to my ministry telling me that they have visited “every prospective church in town” and not one will address eschatology! For that matter, most won’t address current events, Israel, politics, and other issues of relevance either.
Students of Bible prophecy, then, must tap into ministries and pastors who WILL discuss the topic and that we are in a race towards the end of the Church Age with its accompanying signs of the times. Somebody get excited about these signs, please!
Here is a revealing e-mail from Terry:
“Recently my pastor announced his series on Matthew. I was front and center, waiting for his exposition of Matthew 24. Surely, now he would address prophecy!
Sadly, he promptly announced that ‘prophecy conferences’ will instill fear and confusion, so stay away! His handling of Matthew 24 revealed a safe, ear tickling style and explanation of each verse. His closing comment was as you said, Jan. There are no stunning events today; there is nothing new here. Nothing new at all. Time to move on.
His conclusion: Anything going on today has always been going on.”
If I had just $1 for every similar e-mail, letter and call, I would be living in a mansion in Malibu.
To add insult to injury, churches like this marginalized Israel during her second Holocaust on October 7, 2023. They did not bring the tragedy up in a church service, a prayer meeting, a newsletter, or even a time of announcements! It’s like it never happened!
I could go on and on but you get the point. Bible prophecy is under siege. So, I was beyond overjoyed to learn that Dr. Ron Rhodes has a new book on this very topic: Bible Prophecy Under Siege: Responding Biblically to Confusion About the End Times. And he covers all the bases—and I am so glad he spelled out all the arguments under one cover.
He handles it in an easy-to-understand manner and certainly does not imply that those who are waiting for His appearing are a part of any Rapture Rescue Cult!
Find the book wherever Christian books are sold.
Terry James Prophecy Line 
I bailed out of the Episcopal Church in 2007. Four years earlier it have given the okay to the ordination of actively-homosexual Gene Robinson as bishop of New Hampshire. A small group of us hung in there in our parish until we saw it was a futile effort to ever turn this apostate church around, even at a local level.
The point here is that most of the modern church is dying more from internal decay than outside attack on a virtually universal scale. It is now a Bible-rejecting, lukewarm, and spiritually devoid entity which is very much a modern-day Laodicean social club.
I’d say the main reason that it has fallen so far is that even before things got this bad, its members were so Scripturally illiterate that they could not recognize the lying doctrines being foisted on them from their leaders for what they were. This, of course, included Bible Prophecy, a topic that was covered in a very limited fashion in seminaries even decades ago.
It is easy to see why Jesus found the ancient church of Laodicea (Revelation 3) so repulsive and it is a safe assumption he finds its modern counterpart equally so.
Exactly so Ed. And what is worse, they get very hostile toward anyone who attempts to guide them into Truth.
If we are repulsed by the modern day Church, imagine how our Triune God must feel. If I alternately weep and rage over this (and I do), we know He does even more so.
I did indeed get into some hot arguments with laypeople and clergy alike back in the day. Luckily for me, I was not easily intimidated and even less so now in my advanced years. And you are right – how much more disgusted and grief-stricken our perfect God must be to see all of this unfold.
Years ago, I was taken aback by the severity of the judgments I had read in Revelation. Now I can truly say that all those who have willfully cast God’s Word to the ground have it coming.
Those are some of the reasons I gave up trying to find a church after 18 months trying different ones. It’s really concerning. The home church is a good solution so far.
I consider this website as being a true church being a place where those of us who consider the Bible as the only litmus test for determining the truth can come and exchange ideas. Even if we differ on some points, we all agree in the Jesus we read about in Scripture is indeed, the way, the truth and the life – and there is no other!
Thank God we have Terry James and his unflagging witness and support!
Well, the church certainly does need biblical reformation again. But I am committed to the local church, even if I have to start one myself. We need each other in the local context and the internet soon will not be available for Christians serious about the Bible. The last few years, really since the pandemic, church has been frustrating. Finding one that doesn’t have their head in the sand or that isn’t trying to drive hard back to the status quo is almost impossible. As much as I appreciate the extended family in Christ around the world and on this blog, I love God’s church right here where I am and must continue to fight for it.
Good for you! I wish you every success in your endeavor.
Isn’t interesting, A. Clark, that the church which started out as a home church and it is now returning to this very thing. We are coming full circle and perhaps this is yet another sign of our times.
Yes. In my opinion, the home church may soon become the only survivable option. It is effective in other countries where there is persecution and it can be effective here. Again in my opinion, every local church should implement a strong home church component. We should all review the Acts model and be prepared to go back to it as soon as possible. The western model for church will soon no longer be viable.
When that day comes, I’m sure I will feel the same way. The Bible says so.
On this side of Heaven it is pretty hard to imagine cheering for the eternal suffering of those I love who may not be saved. It is not so hard to imagine for the incredibly evil purveyors of wickedness who are literally running amok in our world. Sadly all those who are unsaved will be shoulder to shoulder in the Lake of Fire when final judgment falls.
Good for you that you speak out. I do too, but more often I avoid anyone I know who is off the rails. I’m very weary of quarreling with people who don’t know what they are talking about and are even less interested in knowing the truth. Unrighteousness is beginning to drown us in its path and keeping my head above water is all I can do most days. And sharing the gospel when I have an opportunity, I still do that.
Hi, Robin.,
In the case of my former church, those of us who knew what it was doing was totally wrong made our stand and provided the evidence. When we saw it was a futile effort we left. This is my approach today. When the opportunity arises, I present my views and the evidence that I based them upon. If the person is receptive, well and good. If not, I move on. Time is too short to waste.
Jesus, even though he is God in the flesh, never forced anyone to believe in him in his earthly life and he still doesn’t. He gives them the information and respects their freely-made choice.
Maybe down the line, something I said may cause them to pause and reflect. I hope so because I take no joy at the thought of what awaits them if they don’t. But for those who revel in evil and cause others to suffer, especially innocent victims, I am admittedly unsympathetic. I know this comes off as pretty cold and I admit to this as being one of my many character flaws.
This passage comes to mind:
Revelation {22:11} He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him
be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous let him be righteous
still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. {22:12} And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
If I’ve learned anything in my 7 decades, it’s that eople are just gonna do what they’re gonna do!
Speaking only for myself here, guarding my heart as commanded by Proverbs 4:23 has taken a front seat in my life. I do not do this perfectly by any stretch, but as things get more difficult, it is becoming much more challenging to retain the heart of flesh the Lord placed into me when I was saved.
In Matthew 24:10-13 the Lord Jesus said 10-“At that time many will fall away and will betray and hate one another, 11-and many false prophets will arise and mislead many. 12-Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. 13-But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.”
Verse 12 plays over and over in my mind. I do NOT want my heart to grow cold. Probably there is nothing more dangerous for me than that. It is a long, slippery slope, and so easy to rationalize and allow but the result is disaster.
I am disgusted by this world and what it is becoming…I hate my sin and everyone else’s too. My mind and heart feel like they are being sanded with the coarsest sandpaper, and I’m raw.
It is no small battle to pray for my enemies and love those who are destroying our children, families, churches and nation. (This doesn’t come naturally to my flesh, not at all!) Often I fail, but I continue to fight because Jesus knows what He is talking about, He warned us to beware of descending into hatred. We can’t cast out Satan with Satan, who we know is the most hateful creature to ever exist.
I have hopeful faith my desire to be obedient will enable me to persevere to the end. Nothing is more important.
Thank you, Robin for your beautiful comment. You can’t know how important it is to me to be in a community where I can share, and others do also. It’s such a comfort to me to read the insight and encouragement of you and all the others. I pray God will call his Church Home soon.
You’re so kind Bonnie, and you are very welcome. Words from my heart…
You know what, Robin? You are much closer as to how a Christian should be than I am. I have never been one to wear my heart on my sleeve. Yet, even so, there are brief moments that remind me that my capacity for the gentler emotions has not been totally lost. I guess “jaded” is the word – I’ve just been here too long, seen too much, I suppose. Of course, many others have seen a lot worse and still made better progress in their walk with God than I have and I marvel at that a lot.
As for me is that I just can’t in good conscience pray for those who have willfully rejected the truth and victimize others as a result, even though I know I should.
This passage often comes to my mind:
Revelation {6:9} And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: {6:10} And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord,
holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? {6:11} And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they [were,] should be fulfilled.
Even these martyred saints in heaven are calling out for justice and I understand where they are coming from.
Now I do pray for the Word to reach those who have never heard it so they can get the chance to choose eternal life. I pray for those who are wrestling with their faith that their efforts bring about a successful resolution and for those who have become “collateral damage” to the actions of the wicked who are joyfully serving Satan.
To be sure, I have only taken a few uncertain steps in my faith journey despite all the time I have been on the path. Maybe I’m still here because I need to take a least a few more.
Thanks always for you insight and wisdom.
Hi Ed, this reminds me of a conversation with my mother, who has been a Believer far longer than I have. I shared my story of the vision I experienced when I was saved; where I was ‘shown’ and actually experienced a taste of the indescribable sorrow of those who were unredeemed at Christ’s second coming. (I wish everyone could experience that feeling just once. It changes (or should change) a person to their core.) My mom said, “I’ve never had that kind of experience” and I knew she felt somehow inferior in her faith journey. I said “Mom, this isn’t a contest. We are all different and have roles to play.”
I share this because certainly I am NOT closer to how a Christian is supposed to be than you are :). We are all being sanctified according to the plan of the Holy Spirit and when God wants us to be different, He leads us in the direction He wants us to go.
Another thought I will share with you. When I had that vision of the damned and unredeemed, I deeply understood there was no reason that I should not be included among them except that I was saved by grace. Not of my own doing, but by Him who pursued me. I didn’t reach the depths of the depraved evil that SURELY resides in my heart, only as a gift from the Lord. For those of us who are saved, we are kidding ourselves if we believe we can point to others and claim “I would never do something that bad!” Every one of us, given the time and requisite circumstances are capable of the worst things we have ever heard of in human history because that is the true nature of sin.
Instead of pointing and judging those who turn my stomach when I hear of their deeds, (usually, but not always) I am reminded of Jesus’s words in Luke 18:11 “The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.” No, in my heart I understand I am ALL of those things and worse. I have broken every commandment, many times, in thought, word or deed. Who am I to be spared??? It is only by the loving, patient, grace of my Savior that I have been redeemed. To Him alone is all the glory.
I hope this reply lands in the right place, Robin, because I haven’t quite figured out just how to make it happen consistently. I started playing around with computers back in the 1980’s and even with that experience, I have trouble figuring out making them do what I want them to.
So, with that said, I get to the important things.
Thanks for sharing your experience with that vision you had. I am well aware that the only way I don’t end up in hell is because Jesus gave his own perfect life for my very imperfect one. He paid the debt I could never pay for myself.
I am very much aware of the darkness that dwells within me and it is a continual effort to keep it in check. I very much identify with Paul’s own struggle (Romans 7:14-25). I dread to think of what I would have become had I not become a believer in Jesus. The concept of a sin nature is by no means an abstraction for me but a very real thing.
When we finally get off this earth into our glorified bodies no longer contaminated by sin, what a wonderful thing this would be. When God stopped Adam and Eve from eating the fruit of the Tree of Life, he did us a huge favor.
The worst thing anyone could ever tell me is that I’m immortal in this present body. It’s been tough enough putting up with it for 71 years, never mind forever!
Thanks again for your witness and encouragement.
God continue bless you as he obviously has already.
Thank you Ed, you are gracious and kind in every response you post.
And believe me, I will be cheering alongside you and the rest of Heaven when Jesus comes as Righteous Judge!
What a relief to know that He alone is qualified to decide our eternal home and the exact punishment each of the unredeemed deserve. None of us are made to be able to do that…if I heard every childhood backstory of the worst sinners, most would probably get a pass from me. (And I’m no pushover.) I just know these things are far outside my ability to understand.
Isaiah 55 says 8-“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
9-For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Amen Lord Jesus, thank you for your perfect justice. And Maranatha Ed, I pray this is the year we will all be gathered to our Savior in glory. God bless you.
And THANK YOU ALWAYS, Robin for sharing your insight and wisdom. The possibility that this could be THE year is most encouraging. Even if it is not, some year, perhaps soon, will definitely be.
I don’t know what motivates people who ignore what God promises us in the Bible to get up and face the world each day. I know I couldn’t.
I once heard a preacher say, “For those who are believers, this is the worst things will ever be. For those who are not, it is the best things will ever be.”
Makes me exceedingly glad that we belong to the former!
Amen Ed, this world is not our home.
People who live without Christ have nothing to look forward to, although they don’t yet comprehend this truth. We know that’s why they are growing more frightened and angry by the day, clinging desperately to life here. They have no hope.
I’m praying many more will have their eyes opened and come to saving faith before they face the Tribulation. May it be so.
I completely agree. God is tarrying until that last believer of this age is made and then he will comes to take us all home, based on this:
2 Peter {3:9} The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
It really could be any moment now.