I have a burden I'd like to share. And, I could have predicted this burden would eventually come given the circumstances...
My husband and I host a neighborhood bible study which includes ourselves, a neighbor family with four kids (who don't always come) and a neighbor woman who is 50 or so and was just saved about a year ago. We have attended at least four churches over 11 years of being in Wyoming and are fed up with the seeker sensitive on the one end or the replacement, cessationalists on the other end. No in between here.
We began with our self-appointed teacher (I mean no negativity saying it that way) who suggested we are in the last days (the very last days) and he had a study in Revelation that corresponds to the feasts and blood moons. He basically says he knows when the tribulation will begin, etc.
OK, interesting. But, I was, for my part alone, clear from the outset that I don't believe in date-setting as many, many have done in the past, but we 'd listen to what he had to say.
We've been in Revelation since Spring and are in Ch. 21. He seems to be drawing it out. Really drawing it out. Many side topics come into play like New World Order, prepping, etc. etc. Many of you can imagine without me filling in every detail. Every Sunday ends with a prepper meeting. Now, I'm not against this because we live where you can get into a bind and be snowed in for days, if not weeks, and it's happened. I keep extra and my husband has over the year started major prepping in response to our leader's admonitions. OK.. Fine. My husband bought an assault rifle. I have no plans to shoot my way through the end, killing others to the end of self-preservation. I would have to count on the Lord's daily promptings.
So, a couple of weeks ago, my husband brought up where we'd be going in the Bible once we're done with Revelation. The teacher became defensive when I suggested balance, teaching the whole counsel of God and that, since we have a new believer, we might read Ephesians or Romans and that her position in Christ would be most valuable for her to know. If she doesn't know where she rests in Christ, all the prepping won't matter if and when hell breaks loose. I said I think there's so much in the Word we could read and that I felt burdened with so much of the prophetic and end times stuff over the past 10 months or so. I said I felt overwelmed with the details of all the yucky stuff that would happen and was not restful. The teacher was so offended that he looked angry and said "I told you this is my thing to teach. It's what I believe is important". My husband thought he was really defensive.
So, my hubby says, let's find a church. I say stick it out and be honest, urging him to have a passion to "teach", but not a "need" to be "heard" which is how I'd sum up the core of the problem.
Today, I suggested that some of those people being addressed in specific places in the New Testament are Jews primarily, but that it applies to us, he got angry and told me I was WRONG. OK. There are no Jews and no Gentiles any longer. I pointed to a few examples where I believe Paul is talking to Jews (in Romans or Hebrews) and in James, but got knocked off my pedestal I guess. I guess I was wrong in thinking that James, Peter, Paul, et al had evangelistic outreaches to different groups -- Jews and/or Gentitles? Sometimes they're talking to Jews more specifically, but we can take it on for ourselves too. NO NO. NO.
I really feel bad about this whole thing. I guess I know the end is coming, but I feel judged when we've not purchased the $1,000 pair of walkie talkies that reach 40 miles. What's wrong with us anyway? My husband gave me a great deal of cash which is hidden in the car. He told me if hell breaks loose, to try to go to the store, buy everything I can with the cash if possible. The teacher told him not to tell me this. That I should not go to the store. That we should have all the food stored by now. It's too late. I told him politely that if that's what he asks me to do, I'll try to do it.
It seems like its getting ugly, and no matter how honest I am in just saying what I believe, i.e. we should study other scripture, I get shot down. My husband shoots me down in the group, but at home agrees which makes me pretty frustrated. He's always kind of a cameleon.
My friend says no matter what book we study next, ie. Song of Solomon, this teacher will always swing it around to the same topic. She says it's what always happens. So, I hate to abandon these people, but would like to keep urging to balance in the whole counsel of God.
What would you all do?