2nd Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
This passage of scripture teaches us to avoid the snare of popularity, by which we listen with itching ears, to only those truths that we prefer to hear, and which are now being disseminated throughout the land by many unfaithful under-shepherds. To accept doctrines, simply because they are popular with the majority of people, is a course of action that will certainly lead us to the gates of hell, because Bible truths are never to be found with the overwhelming majority. Furthermore, the true gospel of God will never ever become popular, for it calls for humility, self-denial, and service, to which most people are averse.
Nevertheless, it is always dangerous to follow the crowd, or to base our personal convictions of truth and duty, on what the media says, or what most people believe. When Donald Trump began his campaign for the presidency, he deeply offended many establishment politicians, by the vitriol that was spoken concerning Latinos, immigrants, and other minority groups. But as it became apparent that thousands of people were flocking to hear him, and as he continued to rise in the polls, many of those same career politicians changed course, and began taking a second look at the one whom they not too long ago derided.
Again, when the issue of gay marriage began to surface here in America, there were very many politicians on the right who were vehemently against the idea of redefining marriage. But as the movement gained steam after pope Francis' cryptic words "Who am I to judge", many of those same political leaders began jumping ship, as they saw the popular majority embrace the new ideology, and instead of standing firm for truth and righteousness, many of them joined the band wagon, for fear that their public support would suffer greatly.
Thus, because of the gravitational pull of the popular majority, and the lure of "Hush money", those who were expected to rigorously defend the sacred marriage institution, now turned their backs on the truth, and some have even gone so far as to endorse what the courts have recently done. This is just an eerie reminder of the words of Christ, as He warned us of these very developments, and cautioned us against falling into the snare of popularity. Let's read:
Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Next month, pope Francis will be visiting the united states for the first time in his papacy, and he is scheduled to speak before congress, and the united nations. But he is known to be the king of popularity, for whereas Donald Trump may be drawing thousands to his events, pope Francis is known for drawing millions to his side, wherever he goes, and thus he will certainly dwarf Trump, or any other political or religious leader in our day. The question then is, will we fall for the snare of popularity, as we behold with our own two eyes, the reverence and worship that will be rendered to a mere mortal man, by the hundreds of thousands, yea millions, who are motivated by nothing else than popular sentiment?
To address this predicament, Christ has issued a stern warning that should be heeded at this time, for now more than ever, the way has been prepared by a multitude of false televangelists and preachers, for popularity to bear sway over truth, and we should not be surprised if many prominent bishops, pastors, protestant, and evangelical leaders are found bowing or buckling, as the case might be. Hence the reason why we should now heed the words of Christ on this very issue. Let's read:
Matthew 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 25 Behold, I have told you before. 26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
Let us therefore be vigilant and sober, especially as the recent turn of events declare that the coming of The Lord draws nigh, and let us not be swept away by the popular majority, who are motivated not by truth, but by numbers. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which reiterates the warnings of Christ, and it is the will of God that all true soldiers of the cross now give the trumpet a certain sound, whether the multitudes will hear, or whether they will forbear. Let's read:
2nd Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work"... 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what The Spirit saith unto the churches. God bless!