*Opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor are not necessarily those of The Messenger.
To the Editor;
It will all begin with a great falling away of the church. “For the time will come when they will not endure; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4). It will be a time of false doctrine coming from the pulpit.
They represent the seven churches and the seven angels of Asia Minor as found in the first three chapters of the Book of Revelation. They are a foreshadow of what is to come in the end times.
The Book of Revelation speaks of five churches that Jesus condemned: Ephesus, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis. and Laodicea; two churches that He commended: Smyrna and Philadelphia. While each of these churches are found in today's world, I list Ephesus and Laodicea to make Jesus' point: Unless they repent, they will be part of what Revelation 3:10 calls, “the hour of temptation,” and what Mark 24:21-22 warns, “For then shall be great tribulation, such was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days should be shortened.” These are the kind of people who will be left for the Tribulation:
And Jesus said, “Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write: “Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou has left thy first love” (Revelation 2:4). “The church at Ephesus abandoned their love for God and His Word” (KJV).
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write: “These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that though art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit thee out of my mouth. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, repent” (Revelation 3:14-16, 19). Jesus and the infallible Word of God were no longer the “Heart” of the Church. “The spiritual worthlessness of the church in Laodicea was nauseating to Christ” (KJV).
As I look at churches in the Kenyon area, I find eight Lutheran Churches: Hauge, First Lutheran, Gol, Holden, Vang, Moland, Hegre, and Dale. In addition, I find St. Michael Catholic Church and the United Methodist Church. With the exception of Hauge (AFLC) and St. Michael, all of the ELCA Churches, as well as the United Methodist Church, are in support of abortion with gay and lesbian pastors and lifestyles to follow. In each case, it is called an abomination and a violation of the infallible Word of God.
As one looks as far back as the Book of Exodus, Chapter 21, the Bible uses the word “mischief” to describe an abortion that causes the death of an unborn baby. The penalty: life for life (v.23). Sadly, Reverend Elizabeth A. Eaton, Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, reinforces this kind of behavior by saying, “This church teaches that abortion must be legal and accessible.” Is there any wonder why the seven area Lutheran Churches no longer subscribed to the infallible Word of God? Accordingly, they are no longer Evangelical Churches.
And finally, the Epistle of Romans, Chapter 2:24-32, and the Epistle of Colossians, Chapter 3:5-9, make it clear what the penalty for gay and lesbian lifestyles will be according to the infallible Word of God: “The second death.” While God is a God of unending love, His holiness will not permit this kind of lifestyle to exist.
But there is more to the story. At least one member of a local ELCA congregation has made the argument that the Old Testament is no longer relevant to the Bible (Replacement Theology); at least one ELCA pastor made the argument that our American Flag has no place beside the church altar. Thankfully, at least one member of the congregation had the courage to stand up and demand that the flag be returned to its proper place. God bless her memory!
Let me conclude with some final thoughts. Now that the word “repent” is staring you in the face, I would like to share with you what I have observed over the last few years. This is not something that happened over night.
First, Bishop Eaton is the type of teacher that the Apostle Paul is talking about in 2 Timothy 4:3-4. When you listen to her; when you believe in what she has to say, you are believing in false doctrine. Here is a Bishop of the Lutheran Church (ELCA) leading you away from your first love. Don't let her do this to you. Repent!
Second, both the Old and New Testament is not only alive and well, but it tells us that life begins in the womb. If you do not believe me, read the Word of God: Jeremiah 1:5 and Psalm 139: 15-16. If you do not get it right after reading these versus, you are in serious, serious trouble. Repent!
Third, the Bible clearly prohibits gay and lesbian (Homosexual) lifestyles. If you do not believe me, read Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13; Romans 1:27 and I Corinthians 6:9. Don't place your salvation in this lie. Repent!
Fourth, you need to remember Acts 5:29 where it says, “We ought to obey God rather than man.” If people like Bishop Eaton are speaking from your church pulpit, you need to find a new Bishop or search for an Evangelical Church. Repent!
Fifth, seven churches in the Kenyon area claim to be Evangelical...but they are not; one church claims to be United...but it's not; one church believes in a Mass of Indulgence and Purgatory to make satisfaction for the sins of people who have passed away even though the Bible says, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). The belief that people who have not repented (repentance always comes after the sin) of their sins before death will be given another chance somewhere between earth and heaven is absolutely contrary to the Word of God. These are the Churches of Ephesus and Laodicea. Repent!
And sixth, one church follows the infallible teaching's of the Word of God. “Saved by Grace through Faith” (Ephesians 2:7-8), they have not lost their first love; and remain committed to an Evangelical heritage (the absolute authority of scripture) that all began at the Old Stone Church over 150 years ago. A Light on the Hill.
In closing, let me leave you with the words of Frederick P. Wood: “Ask the Lord to make your life a glory to Him, a menace to the devil, a strength to your church, and a witness to the world.” (Turning Points)
Dr. James Russell Lehman
Kenyon MN
