We like to think we would have been different. If we lived in the days of Jesus, unlike Israel's spiritual leaders, we would have recognized Him. We would have been among those faithful disciples who followed Him unto death. But, would we?

This morning I read something Jesus once said to Israel's religious establishment that reminded me about what I've been going through the last few years trying to get the word out about what's going on in Europe. And, as I thought about it, I began to wonder if we modern-day evangelicals would have reacted any different than Israel's religious leaders did when Jesus showed up. Here's the passage:

You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life. I do not receive glory from men; but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves. I have come in My Father's name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him. How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God? Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; the one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have set your hope. For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words? (John 5:39-47 New American Standard Bible).

No, I don't in any way compare myself to Jesus. However, I do see a frightening similarity. You see, while the religious establishment in Jesus' day was busy interpreting Scripture for everyone else, what the Scripture foretold was standing before them, in real time, and they refused to see it.

Friends, I fear that's the way it is today. While our evangelical leaders are assuring us we have nothing to worry about, the events foretold in the Bible are once again unfolding before our eyes. And, while our well known teachers are publishing their books and holding their conferences, those like myself -- who see what is happening -- are being ignored. 

 No, it's no different today.