Conclusions must be made, or is this just impatient reluctance?  Throughout man’s history religious leaders have damaged the truth through their inability to wait on God.  Many have failed to accept that there are some things He is not going to reveal until His timing arrives.  God knows that we have a capricious nature and have to fill in the blanks even with incorrect, incomplete or information that is just frankly wrong.   The Lord repeatedly, apparently and purposefully leaves important segments unknown or unknowable.  I believe that this is intended to produce faith in the Scriptural reader.  Since “hope is belief in things not yet seen”, then if I knew everything then it would produce no reliant faith.  My justifiable reliance upon the promises of God require that I accept also what He has chosen “not” to tell me.  That also is for my betterment.  The Bible states that “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God”.  It is striking that the Word does not say that faith comes through knowledge, which becomes faith.  Perhaps this is because then no man can boast, as faith does not depend on a man’s ability to assimilate knowledge but rather like Wisdom it comes specifically from the dispensary of God.

This parsing out of information produces an odd effect in humans.  It drives some men, crazy with diseased analysis trying to fill in the blanks or intuit what God has “not said”.  Is this a natural reaction or utter rebellion.  Judging by the resultant effects of providing what the Lord has not made clear I would have to say disobedience.  Thus the False Teacher and misleading doctrine is born, out of arrogance, impatience and disobedience.

I am responsible for false doctrine.  The only way to control this overwhelming urge to control the uncontrollable is to develop patience faith and trust in God’s Word and the Holy Spirit’s guidance.  I don’t need to know the identity of the two witnesses who will come to proclaim the truth at the “wailing wall”.  I don’t need to know the day and the hour of the Lord’s return for the elect.  I don’t need to know why America is not mentioned in the discourse on the “last days”.  My duty is to be ready for these things when they come. The enticement of being like God doesn’t capture me, I do not wish to be like God.  I prefer to leave the outcome in his hands, safe in the “faith” that whatever happens, His way is the best way.

Father, thank you for the in depth guidance Your Word provides.  You are enough for me in all things.  Forgive me for pursuing anything that is outside of Your Will.  Take me to that place where I am equipped with only that with which You need me prepared.  Give me peace in “not knowing” and do not allow my ego to become a foothold for the enemy’s tactics.  I am okay with not knowing everything.  Give me Your faithfulness when I possess none myself.  Show me the way to patience and long suffering.  In Jesus I find Truth and Trust.  Amen.