MEAT IN DUE SEASON

   As we travel down the Apocalyptic Highway we can hear the increasing rumble of mighty war machines just over the stormy horizon.  As I write this article great tension is building between Israel and Iran.  From our living rooms we are frightened every time we hear the word "nuclear" as men march toward the Valley of Megiddo.  Even though we can see the end time signs clouding up the prophetical skies we're left to ask what will it take to wake up the sleeping church?
   I think before we can wake up the church we first have to wake up the preachers that put them to sleep.  Many pastors today are preaching a message completely out of season.  They think that end time prophecy (which includes both Heaven and Hell) puts condemnation on their congregation while totally disregarding what God said through Paul in Romans 8:1 "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
   In Matthew 24:45,46 Jesus asked a question and promises a blessing, "Who then is a wise and faithful servant, whom the Lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?  Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing."
  
   When a church congregation has been put to sleep by a wordless preacher the least little movement will disturb them and like little babies they will begin fussing, fighting, and gossiping.  In the mid-seventies while I was in a crusade in the London, Kentucky area, the Lord taught me a lesson that I will never forget.  While having lunch in a nice restaurant I couldn't help but hear two fancy dressed women who had tongues so long and sharp they could get a peanut out of a Coke bottle.  It seemed they knew everybody in the entire area and everything about them as well.  As I sat there, I noticed that they hadn't been served their food yet.  At that time, a thought came to me to keep listening and watching.  Sometime later the slow moving waitress brought their food and instantly, all I could hear was the sound of knives, forks, and spoons hitting the plate.  The women were now talking about how good and delicious the food tasted.  At that time the Holy Spirit whispered into my heart and said, "That's the way my children are when they get hungry for my Word, feed them meat!"  When all they hear is feel good sugar-coated sermons about how good Sister Susie sang her song in the seniors' social session on Sunday.
   The scriptures speak very plainly in chapter 5:12-14 in the book of Hebrews about meat and milk.  (V12) For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat;  (V13)  For everyone that useth milk is skillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.  (V14)  But strong meat belonged to them that are of full age, even those by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."
   These verses bring out the difference between a baby in a high chair with a nipple in it's mouth and a much older child that has lived and learned for awhile.  In my way of thinking, if I walked into a home and found a baby talking gibberish I would probably talk back to them in a little gibberish of my own.  On the other hand, if I walked into a home to find a perfectly healthy 12 year old sitting in a high chair talking gibberish I would think that something fouled up somewhere along the way. Will everyone who has sat on a church pew service after service and heard nothing but milk sermons be able to eat the strong meat?  In a church where nothing but the Word is preached you will find many strong Christians who have exercised their senses, and therefore will be able to eat the strong meat!
Dear Reader,  I hope that you are going to a church where the pastor knows the times and the seasons so that he would be able to feed you Meat in Due Season!
Until He Comes Again,