August 14, 2020 – Click here to listen
A reader sent me a partial quote, “Gloriously Dark” by famed pastor Adrian Rogers, so I looked it up and here is some of what he had to say:
“How can it be gloriously dark?
We’re living in strange days, are we not? When I see what’s happening to this world, if I didn’t know the Lord Jesus Christ, I’m not sure what I would do. Yet, knowing the Bible and Bible prophecy, when I see all these things coming to pass, they do not shake me. Sometimes they grieve me, sometimes they sadden me, but they do not shake me. That’s because I know God’s Word. I know they’re a fulfillment of prophecy. I can say with all the saints, “Praise God, it’s getting gloriously dark.”
The book of Revelation is known as “the blessing book” because it’s the only book out of the 66 books in the Bible that promises a blessing to those who study it. Our hope for blessing is not found in studying science books. There’s no eternal blessing in books of politics or sociology either. The blessing is in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, as revealed in the book – the Bible – the Word of God – the Book of the Ages.
But how are you going to know this? You’ve got to know prophecy. God gave us the book of Revelation to show us the “things which must shortly come to pass” (Rev. 1:1). You’re not supposed to be in the dark. You’re to be informed. You are to know, so “that day will not overtake you as a thief” (1 Thess. 5:4).
Next time you read something in the paper that shadows the end times, use it as an open door to share the Second Coming of Jesus with someone. The words I studied in Revelation really spoke to my heart.
I was greatly encouraged when Trump was elected, and the Republicans had control of the House and the Senate. I thought that finally at long last the gridlock in Washington will be broken and the immoral downward spiral and taxpayer funded abortions would be stopped. It was my hope that this country would repent over its behavior and a majority would return to God.
My optimism was short-lived. Today as I hold my nose and read the news each morning, I’m reminded of the days that Obama declared we were no longer a Christian nation and illuminated the Whitehouse with the gay flag, and Planned Parenthood was merrily tearing unborn children apart in order to harvest their body parts to sell them. Well the people spoke during the last election and the Democrats won the House back. The media is like a pack of sharks always attacking anything good about our country and trying to influence the election toward darkness. The potential of Biden winning the election is scaring half the populace to death.
The darkness is returning, and we will have no one to blame but ourselves for what they will do to our nation. One thing sure, it is already growing darker for those who follow Christ and each day it seems that it will only get far worse.
Burning Bibles, antisemitism, refusing to allow churches to open their doors, cold heartless people murdering and robbing, civility all but a thing of the past, lawlessness abounding are all indications that the times of grace are rapidly disappearing.
Sounds dark – huh? Ah, but as Adrian Rogers has pointed out it is growing gloriously dark. Jesus told us not to worry for these things must come to pass before He returns in all of His glory to redeem His children. In the meantime, He told us to be patient . . .
Luke 21:18
And you will be hated by everyone because of My name. Yet not even a hair of your head will perish. By your patient endurance, you will gain your souls
Have a great weekend and go to church this Sunday!