I was part of a small group of Israeli pastors who met with a similar sized group from abroad to meet each other and to study together last days prophecies, particularly the geo-political and prophetic implications of Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39. The purpose of the discussions and studies was to seek God’s plans and purposes for the end of the age before the coming of the Lord, so that we could be better prepared and equipped to faithfully shepherd the flocks under our care in the times still ahead of us.
As you can imagine, the time together was very stimulating. What impressed me was how in such a small group there was such a diversity of understanding, of approach, of processing with respect to what God has given us in writing and how we filter what is taught. The men in the room were all teachers and/or pastors. We all love the Lord Yeshua and believe in the Bible as authoritative. I’m always brought back to remember the words of the Messiah Himself to His disciples, “Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am.” (Jn 13:19) Jesus is looking for faith from us in Him as a guard against leaning on our own understanding, even as the Holy Spirit leads us into all the truth. Do we love Him enough that we would rather die ourselves than to betray Him? I believe we will be tested on that one, no matter our end-time views.