Day 32 in the Wilderness: Don’t be “willingly ignorant.”
40 Days in the
“Then he spoke to the children of Israel, saying: “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ then you shall let your children know, saying, ‘Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land’; for the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over, that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.””
Joshua 4:21-24 NKJV
OK…So today, you’re going to think I have taken leave of my senses. I have not.
I am reminded today of the host of “willingly ignorant” people who are out there purveying ridiculous “revelations” about the word of God. Full disclosure: I did not originally employ the term “willingly ignorant,” but rather a possibly offensive word to describe these people. I understand that I probably should be above that; but here we are.
In The Revelation of Jesus Christ, Jesus references those who think they have “deeper truths,” but are actually purveying demonic doctrine.
“But I also have a message for the rest of you in Thyatira who have not followed this false teaching (‘deeper truths,’ as they call them—depths of Satan, actually). I will ask nothing more of you”
Revelation 2:24 NLT
So, what new and “deeper truths” were being taught at Thyatira? Well, a certain “Jezebel” (either her actual name or a reference to the spirit in which she was operating), was leading the people into sexual sin and idolatry.
“But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman—that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet—to lead my servants astray. She teaches them to commit sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she does not want to turn away from her immorality. “Therefore, I will throw her on a bed of suffering, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer greatly unless they repent and turn away from her evil deeds. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches out the thoughts and intentions of every person. And I will give to each of you whatever you deserve.”
Revelation 2:20-23 NLT
The Lord had been patient with this evil sway; but He is warning that the time for patience is about to be over.
Sadly, even today we have the torturing of scripture to make it condone all sorts of sin, including—but certainly not limited to—sexual sin, and what I would call, “subtle idolatry.” Subtle idolatry, can be found in the teaching which—in the name of “inclusivity”—allows that there are many “ways” to God. Whereas we are to love all people, and are not to abuse anyone, we must be clear in our own mind and hearts, and by the words of our mouth, that we believe what Jesus said: that He is the only way.
Of course, I can offer any number of additional examples of heretical doctrine being fed from the spoon of “deeper revelation,” but—for now—it will suffice for me to spotlight one of the biggest piles of refuse currently being served up: the castigation of those of us who believe that Jesus will actually return to earth to rule and reign. And, those of us who believe that Jesus will return soon, are dismissed as some kind of robe-wearing, sky-gazing, backward, legalistic, people who desperately cling to the hope of “escape,” as an excuse to do nothing.
Remember what I said about the “willingly ignorant”? The Apostle Peter uses this terminology in referencing the Last Days naysayers who scoff at those who still look for Jesus’ return.
“Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 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. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ough