# Admonition for Uncertain Times Having faith in perplexing times MODERN\-DAY PERILS Language: en Author: by Larry Zook Kalona, IA Original issue: The Heartbeat of the Remnant, Winter 2020, Number 4 Source pages: 20–22 Read article: Original PDF: Winter\-2020\-Remnant\-1\.pdf [The Heartbeat of the Remnant, Winter 2020]() ## Having faith in perplexing times And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken –Luke 21:25\-28\. *We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair –2 Corinthians 4:8\.* It is not comfortable to be perplexed\. And in general, the sooner we leave perplexity behind, the better off we are\. However, if even someone like the *Apostle Paul* could be perplexed, then I can surely expect that I will be perplexed\. And I should be humble enough to acknowledge that I may not have a quick answer to some issues\. In our perplexity, we should not despair\. God has not abandoned us, and this did not take Him by surprise\. God will give wisdom if we ask\. Remember, God is never perplexed about anything\. Perplexity tends to produce fear\. Or even despair\. But in that hour, we need to turn our heart and mind toward God in faith\. *So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God –Romans 10:17\.* I would encourage each one to read all of 2 Corinthians chapter 4 and encourage yourself in God’s promises\. Be on guard against entering into strife with your brethren because of perplexing issues\. Seek wisdom together and be at peace among yourselves\. ## Vaccine Concerns for Conservative Anabaptists *Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves –Matthew 10:16\.* I have concerns about the vaccines being rushed into use for COVID\-19\. This subject would merit much more detail on some of the following points of concern, but I will briefly list a few thoughts: The rushed nature of the approval process resulted in shortcutting the standard testing procedures and safety measures that are normally applied to vaccines and medicines\. This means the safety of the vaccines are not fully known, especially the long\-term effects\. As good stewards of our bodies, we should take care to consider both short\-term and long\-term effects\. The new mRNA technology has not been used before in vaccines\. While that does not mean it must be rejected, it is reasonable to be a bit cautious before blindly accepting it as the jab\-that\-saves\-the\-world\-from\-COVID\-19 remedy\. Some concern has been raised that this new mode of action could cause sterility in women of childbearing age\. Are those concerns valid? Have studies been done? Just be aware that in a society that embraces abortion as okay, sterility may not be seen as a great problem, but for those with a Biblical worldview which understands that children are a blessing, a heritage of the Lord, this is a cause for concern\. There seems to be a mainstream, fear\-based narrative that pushes everyone to accept the vaccines as the only hope for the COVID\-19 problem, while at the same time there is concerted effort to suppress information on the use of existing therapeutic remedies\. Add to that the oft\-repeated narrative of ‘listen to the experts’ or ‘follow the science’\. Then the accepted narrative censors the experts and the science that doesn’t support the mainstream narrative\. This creates a situation where it becomes difficult to discern what is fact and what is fiction\. I would just urge that before we rush out to share with others the latest amazing and astounding, or heartbreaking new ‘fact’ about COVID\-19 or it’s treatment, please apply what due diligence you can to verify if what you have heard can be trusted\. Apply some critical thinking\. Consider the source\. Are there multiple testimonies to the issue? As Christians it is important to remove hype or fear from your decision\-making process\. On the opposite side \(alternative medicine\) of the issue there have been many, both professional and lay folks, who have taken advantage of the confusion, and fear resulting from the pandemic\. Many conspiracy claims have been spawned and propagated, purporting to be the ‘inside’ or ‘real’ story\. Again, try to apply some due diligence\. Some claims and allegations, when personally followed up on by church brothers, it was discovered that the purported ‘facts’ were inaccurate or untrue Many home remedies have ‘gone viral’ even among the plain people, some of them if followed exactly as promoted have the potential to cause serious harm or even death\. Even a good thing, *in excess*, can be dangerous\. One thing is certain, this side of the issue has tested and tried the conservative, Anabaptist people in the areas of gossiping, making, and believing a lie, and bearing false witness\. The same critical, objective thinking needs to guide our journey on this side of the issue as well, as we strive to establish the ‘facts’\. The same carefulness needs to again be applied here, that of not allowing either fear or hype to motivate or dictate our decisions\. ***Informed Consent*** and ***Getting a Second Opinion***—have both been the long\-standing ethical basis of decision\-making in choosing medical treatment\. I hope we retain both\. ## The Imminent Dangers of Deception *Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world –1 John 4:1\.* There are dangerous heresies around today, and one of them is this: an individual seeks a subjective experience as the means to ‘hear from God\.’ Then that experience and what ‘God tells me’ begins to displace, and sooner or later, contradicts what the Word of God *actually says\.* Dangerous deceptions take root in people’s hearts when they believe ‘spirits’ that are not of God\. However, what often precedes people allowing deception to take root is that they first open themselves to false teachings which they embrace leaving them unable to discern what spirit is speaking to them\. These people embrace false teachings concerning spiritual warfare, and the work of the devil and false teachings about ‘casting out’ sin, rather than ‘putting it away’, ‘putting it off ’, or ‘turning away from’ as the Scriptures teach\. This is the danger of subjective experience becoming our guide in the realm of the spirit, rather than steadfastly keeping the Word of God as the foundation for all Truth\. We are not ignorant of Satan’s devices, and this one needs some thorough exposure to deliver us from its snares\. ## Being Aware, Prepared, and Watching *And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you\. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many –Matthew 24:4\-5\.* Is there a good understanding of the end time events as prophesied in the Scriptures, so that we are not deceived? There are some who give it little study, perhaps because it is difficult to understand\. But the Scriptures tell us: *Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand –Revelation 1:3\.* Throughout the history of the church there have been a number of times when wrong interpretations of the prophetic Scripture have led to serious errors in doctrine and practice\. Likewise, today, there are some errors leading people astray\. And I am concerned about some teachings, that today seem like just competing lines of interpretation, but in the future may have major impact on our faith\. One I am thinking of is the timing of the rapture\. The most common view in the evangelical churches of our day is that the rapture occurs before the tribulation\. I believe the Scriptures teach that it will occur at or near the end of the tribulation at the second coming of Christ\. And therefore, we should prepare our minds to understand that Christians need to be faithful in the midst of tribulation\. When we see all these things come to pass, *…then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh –Luke 21:28\. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly\. Amen\. Even so, come, Lord Jesus\. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all\. Amen –Revelation 22:20\-21\.* ## The Mark of the Beast ***And he causeth** all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name\. Here is wisdom\. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six –Revelation 13:16\-18\.* I have been reading and hearing that some people are concerned that the Covid\-19 vaccine is the mark of the beast spoken of in Revelation\. This topic is a combination of my previous points\. While I think there are valid reasons to be concerned about the vaccines, I don’t see it as the fulfillment of the mark of the beast\. Even though a vaccine could be mandated or required for everybody before they are allowed to travel or even function in society, it seems to lack some specific details of the prophesies concerning the mark of the beast\. As we see in the above Bible passage, the mark is **required by the Beast**, which Scripture speaks of as a particular end\-time ruler\. Daniel’s prophesy calls him the *‘King of the North’\.* Isaiah calls him the *Assyrian,* Paul called him the *Man of Sin,* and John called him, *antichrist\.* The Apostle Paul said this man of sin would be revealed before the day of Christ\. The mark this end\-time ruler requires clearly signifies **worship** of the Beast, which would imply allegiance\. And it would imply that to receive it is a choice on our part, and not something we are deceived into getting, only to realize later that it is the mark of the beast\. According to my understanding of the Scripture’s teachings, the *Beast* is not referring to the *world* or to sin in general, but to a specific end\-time ruler\. ## In conclusion, lets read Luke 21:25\-36… 25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken\. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory\. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh\. 29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; 30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand\. 31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand\. 32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled\. 33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away\. 34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares\. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth\. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man\.