According to Jesus' words what would be the situation of human society before His returning to the earth?“When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8).
“For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man” (Matthew 24:38, 39).
“Emboldened in their wickedness they mocked the messenger of God, made light of his entreaties, and even accused him of presumption. How dare one man stand up against all the great men of the earth? If Noah's message were true, why did not all the world see it and believe it? One man's assertion against the wisdom of thousands! They would not credit the warning, nor would they seek shelter in the ark. Scoffers pointed to the things of nature,- to the unvarying succession of the seasons, to the blue skies that had never poured out rain, to the green fields refreshed by the soft dews of night,- and they cried out: "Doth he not speak parables?" In contempt they declared the preacher of righteousness to be a wild enthusiast; and they went on, more eager in their pursuit of pleasure, more intent upon their evil ways, than before.... Christ declares that there will exist similar unbelief concerning His second coming. As the people of Noah's day "knew not until the Flood came, and took them all away; so," in the words of our Saviour, "shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Matthew 24:39” ( Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, pg. 338).
“All Christian world will be involved in the great controversy between faith and
scepticism”( Ellen G. White, Final Events, pg. 120).
Being the World of God reliable why many people do not accept it?
“Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say….He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God” (John 8:43, 49).
"There is a large class by whom the word of God is looked upon with distrust for the same reason as was its Author - because it reproves and condemns sin. Those who are unwilling to obey its requirements endeavor to overthrow its authority"
(The Great Controversy, pg. 526).
How can that happen?
“While God has given ample evidence for faith, He will never remove all excuse for unbelief. All who look for hooks to hang their doubts upon will find them. And those who refuse to accept and obey God"s word until every objection has been removed, and there is no longer an opportunity for doubt, will never come to the light” (The Great Controversy, pg. 527).
Why does not God reveal Himself to this world in a undoubtful way eliminating thus the possibility to scepticism?
In the book I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist, pg. 31, written by Norman Geisler and Frank Turek, we can read that God, wanting to assure that our choice is totally free, put us in a full of proof of His existence place, but without His direct presence - a so powerful one which could go over our liberty and, that way, deny our possibility to reject it. In other words, God gave us enough proof in this life to convince anyone who wants to believe Him, but He also left some doubts, because He cannot compel the one who is not inclined to believe.
What if the sceptics could read the best books on apologetic which are favorable to Christian faith?
“Unbelief is seldom overcome by controversy. It is rather put upon self-defense, and finds new support and excuse. But let Jesus, in His love and mercy, be revealed as the crucified Saviour, and from many once unwilling lips will be heard the acknowledgment of Thomas, "My Lord and my God." John 20:28" (Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, pg. 808).
What should be the Christian attitude toward the sceptics?
Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34).
“We must expect to meet unbelief and opposition. The truth has always had to contend with these elements. But though you should meet the bitterest opposition, do not denounce your opponents. They may think, as did Paul, that they are doing God service; and to such we must manifest patience, meekness, and long-suffering...” (Ellen G. White, Evangelism, pg. 305).
Is it possible to the sceptic mind to be changed?
Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God" (Luke 18:27).
What should the unbeliever do?
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
“All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away” (John 6:37).
“And without faith it is impossible to please God..." (Hebrews 11:6).
"Distrust of God is the natural outgrowth of the unrenewed heart, which is at enmity with Him. But faith is inspired by the Holy Spirit, and it will flourish only as it is cherished" (The Great Controversy, pg. 527).
Invitation: What about answering God with the words below?
"I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24).
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