This book courageously probes the many challenges now facing the evangelical church here in America - challenges that far too many Christian leaders are ignoring. With the whole world spinning out of control and events now taking place that clearly correspond to the End Times scenario the Bible spells out, believers are pleading with their pastors to teach on prophecy. But those pleas, with but a few exceptions, are being brushed aside. It's a failure the church will soon desperately regret - because it's leaving believers ill-equipped to either face the hard times that lie ahead or reap the vast harvest of souls that hard times always make possible.Pastor Shearer begins with a careful exposition of Matthew 24:1-31, and clearly spells out the many events that Jesus himself warns will herald the approach of the Tribulation. With stunning boldness, Pastor Shearer proclaims that we've been living in the lead-up to the Tribulation for the last 100 years, an era that Jesus calls the Birth Pangs; that, furthermore, many of the events Matthew 24:1-31 delineates have already taken place or are even now taking place and about to climax. The hour is urgent!Following his exposition of Matthew 24:1-31, Pastor Shearer takes up the Parables of Readiness and Judgment, extending from Matthew 24:32 through to the end of Matthew 25. He shows (1) how those parables are linked to Jesus description of the Tribulation and its lead-up and are meant to warn believers to remain faithful; and (2) how several of the parables put believers on notice that their faithfulness will be evaluated at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Three of the parables spell out the actual criteria Jesus will use in evaluating a believer's faithfulness: watchfulness, walk, and service. For those believers whose faithfulness measures up, they will be rewarded; for those whose faithfulness falls short, they will suffer loss.Following his exposition of Matthew 24 and 25, Pastor Shearer traces out the long forty to fifty year decline of American evangelicalism, first lapsing into a defensive posture, building walls of protection around itself; and now into a state that can only be described as irrelevant. He then goes on to show how the ever-mounting hostility the church has been confronting for the last thirty years has led to serious compromises that have eviscerated the gospel message. He especially focuses on the issue of homosexuality, and shows how it has become the leading edge of a battering ram used by the secular elites to undermine the crucial importance of sin. But sin is what the gospel is all about: deliverance from both its penalty and its power. Playing down the crucial importance of sin strips the gospel of its power and its authenticity. Next Pastor Shearer focuses on the role of Israel in the Last Days scenario - and how ignoring Israel mutes the alarm bell that God is using to warn both the saved and the unsaved that judgment is on its way. Finally, Pastor Shearer spells out a series of strategies he believes will help revitalize the church.
About the Author: Douglas Ray Shearer has had a variety of Secular and Christian experiences. He was born in Berkeley in 1941. He attended the University of California at Davis in 1959. He transferred to the University of California Berkeley campus. At this time, he studied political philosophy, political science, sociology, history and statistical analysis. He was admitted to the UCD graduate student program and received a M.A. in Political Science. Doug acquired a position with Legislative Analysts Office with the California Legislature under Governor Ronald Reagan. In 1972 he and his family answered a call to establish a church in Berkeley during the height of the Jesus Movement . Later in the '70's Doug helped found TAV Evangelical ministries with the purpose of supporting the State of Israel and introducing Jews to their Jewish Messiah. During this time he became acquainted with many biblical scholars who became his mentors and friends. They included: Dr. Ray Stedman, Dr. Earl Radmacher, Dr. Gerry Breshears, Dr. Ron Allen, Dr. Willard Aldrich, Dr. John Walvoord, and Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum - all supporters of the establishment of Israel. In addition pastors Glen Cole, Lee Thoms, and Richard Paradise. In 1982 Doug and his family answered a second call to establish a church in Sacramento named New Hope Christian Fellowship. There he served as Senior pastor for 26 years. Doug retired from New Hope Christian Fellowship in 2008. Since then he has travelled to Israel for three months in 2013. In conclusion throughout Doug's life there have been several streams of interest. The first, a constant and profound study of the scriptures and dedication to the Lord's church. Second, a love for the hope and power of the gospel, personally leading many to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Third, a love for Israel and the chosen people of God through which God's faithfulness has been demonstrated throughout human history. He has demonstrated these through street ministries and tours, worship events, study of theology under renown theologians, outreach to Jewish communities and trips to Israel. Again church planting, marriage seminars, Bible studies, and book and pamphlet authorship. Doug Shearer has been married 52 years, has four married children and sixteen grandchildren.