The Importance of Good Theology

I struggled to name this post - wasn't sure whether to use 'theology' or 'doctrine'. Both are probably important, but I digress. What I mean is - the importance of a) knowing what is True and b) having a firm foundation built upon what is True. It strikes me that if Yeshua is coming back in our lifetimes, and I believe that He is, that things are going to get much, much tougher before that happens. I have Matthew 24 on my brain today:

"Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house. Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! But pray that your flight will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath. For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will again. Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short." (Matthew 24:17-22, NASB)

You might say, "that's silly, He is not coming back in our lifetimes..." I would reply, "The Disciples all thought Yeshua was coming back in their lifetimes and they lived accordingly." I believe that the vagueness of the timing of His return was intentional, to keep everyone who would follow Him focused on what is to come. When we have a theology that is motivated by what is coming, we have a unique ability to cut through all of the noise and remained focused on what is important. There are many things happening in the World today that suggest His return is not that far off. Satan knows what is going to happen as well - and my personal sense is that the Great Tribulation, spoke of in the verses above, is Satan's last gasp at getting people to give up on God and His promises.

I think about what is coming - more craziness and government oppression...you know it's coming... Will I lose myself in fighting against it, or will I realize that suffering is THE hallmark of this present Age and keep my eyes focused on the promises of God? Will Western Christians keep the faith when our livelihoods, way of life, and perhaps even our lives, are threatened? Yeshua, in the Sermon on the Mount, talks about two kids of houses - one built on sand and the other built on rock. I believe He was talking about how fully we are committed to God and to His promises. Everyone is building a house, and everyone will face a storm, whether that be something on a personal level, or the certain trouble at the end of this Age. What will our house be standing on and how will we respond to the storm? These are the questions we need to ask ourselves as a matter of self-examination. The heat is just now starting to rise, let's all take advantage of this moment to really consider where our faith is, while the temperature is still bearable.