October 25, 2009

Dear Friend,

This morning, the news displayed a chart claiming that by the year 2028 twenty-five percent of this nation will have no affiliation with the Christian belief in God.  Recently, the President of the United States told the Muslim nations and the world that this country is not a Christian nation. As the attack on the Ten Commandments increases, more and more will lose interest in the basic tenets of Christianity. This will cause God’s way of life to wane as the basis for human interaction among our people. It is also one of the prophesied events that would signal Christ’s coming and the end of this age “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” Matt 24:12

God’s Church is comprised of members called out of this world. That means that we are a reflection of the way of this world. Peer pressure makes us want to fit into our society. It influences us in one way and another. It is impossible not to be tempted in some way. It is one of the things that we fight everyday. “in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience“ Eph 2:2  The Bible commands us to come out of this world by separating ourselves from the influences that surround us each day. “And I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.” Rev 18:4

As we progress closer to the end of this age, Christ, in the parable of the Ten Virgins, warned that the Church of God would be asleep. This is because of the reflection of our society––a society lulled to sleep by the physical pleasures and the activities that numb our minds to the real pleasures of God’s way.  “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.” Matt 25:1-6

That is a description the nation and the Church at the end-time. We cannot ignore the condition of this nation. We must consider how it may influence us as members of God’s Church. As the sermonette taught us last Sabbath, we must endure to the end. The outcome of being asleep is frightening. “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' "But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” Matt 25:11-13

Just a comment about services––normally, we would have combined services this next Sabbath, but due to the loss of a place to meet, we have cancelled combined services. I will be holding services in Nashville and will be following our regular schedule thereafter.

In the service of Christ,
Ronald W. Laughland

Pastor