The onrush of disturbing national and world conditions challenges the Church to preach the gospel in ever-greater intensity.
by John Ross Schroeder
Some of the current advice doled out by liberal academics and educators in the West is symptomatic of the problems that plague society today. Consider for a moment just the subject of education and child rearing. Recent newspaper articles have been headlined as follows:
• Children of 5 should be given lessons in sex.
• Teacher-pupil affairs can be a good thing, says academic.
• Unruly pupils need praising not telling off, teachers are told.
• Don't blame the bullies! It's not their fault.
• Don't jail young muggers.
The cultural and moral problems that currently afflict our Western nations call to mind a crucially important passage in the book of the major prophet Ezekiel: "Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men and women that sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it" (Ezekiel 9:4).
Jerusalem is figuratively a type of a whole nation, and this basic principle applies prophetically to our nations today. Those who take God at His word are aghast at and appalled by the erosion of biblically based standards that has taken place in Western nations. (To understand more, please request our free booklet The United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy. )
The Church as modern watchman
Twice God told Ezekiel: "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me" (Ezekiel 3:17; compare Ezekiel 33:1-9).
