Two Seas

[seeking_truth_1 0]

If one would compare the two seas within Israel, it can provide a good illustration of what is happening within the Molokan Church today.

 

In the North is the Sea of Galilee. With its thriving seaports and commerce, it is teaming with life. Large fresh-water lake (40,000 acres) about 15 miles long & 8 miles wide in the central Jordan valley. Its surface lies 640 feet below the level of the Mediterranean Sea about 25 miles to the east. Except for narrow strips of fertile coastal plain on its northwestern & southern shores, it is ringed by steep slopes on all sides. Valleys through the mountains to the west & east provide natural routes for commerce, but also channel winds that still produce sudden storms that raise 7-foot waves on the normally placid lake.

 

The population around the lake increased dramatically in the 1st Century AD, sparked by Philip's transformation of Bethsaida into a major city & Antipas' foundation of Tiberias on the southwestern shore. Except for occasional trips across the lake into the Golan or Decapolis, the center of Jesus' public activity reported in the gospels was the 10-mile strip on the northwestern shore of the lake.

 

In the South is the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is 75 kilometers long and 6 to 16 km wide, it is also the lowest point on earth with approximately 400 meters under the sea level. Its salt concentration gave it its name; indeed no animal or vegetal life is possible with such a salinity rate reaching 33 percent. This rate is due to the fact that, throughout the years, water evaporation led to an accumulation of salt.

 

What is the difference between the two? Both are bodies of water yet one is alive and vibrant and the other is dead.

 

The Sea of Galilee has one important difference. It has an outlet.

 

Both take in water but without an outlet, water will become stagnant, subject to evaporation and will not support life. Even if some of pollutants enter in they will be washed down the drain as more water is introduced.

 

Many Molokans have lost their way by turning inward. By creating a type of closed club that only a special few can join. This is in direct opposition to Biblical teaching.

 

And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15 NKJV)

 

34 ¶ Then Peter opened [his] mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.

 

35 "But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.

 

36 "The word which [God] sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ——He is Lord of all—— (Acts 10:34-36 NKJV)

 

At one time the Molokan Church had been thriving, growing and very much evangelical. Once in America, the change began. Non-Russians (Armenians, Hispanics etc…) were once welcomed into the church. Now you have people within the church asserting that they are the "New Israel" and only the "true molokan" is going to Heaven. Again this is direct opposition to Biblical teaching.

 

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9 NKJV)

 

For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." (Romans 10:13 NKJV)

 

The word whoever in the original Greek (pav pas) means anyone or everyone on an individual basis.

 

1) individually

 

1a) each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything

 

Each person will have to make a decision about Christ during his or her lifetime. Not whether they are a Molokan but rather a follower of Christ.

 

10 "let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.

 

11 "This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.'

 

12 "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:10-12 NKJV)

 

The leadership is not teaching this. You have a mixed message of Salvation by lineage, works and/or another prophet. Again this is not Biblical.

 

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; [it is] the gift of God,

 

9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV)

 

His Spirit is evaporating away because they (the Molokan "church") have left their first love much like the Church of Ephesus in their Book of Revelation

 

1 ¶ "To the angel of the church of Ephasus write, 'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:

 

2 "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;

 

3 "and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary.

 

4 "Nevertheless I have [this] against you, that you have left your first love.

 

5 "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place——unless you repent. (Revelation 2:1-5 NKJV)

 

A call needs to be made to the leadership of the Molokan "church" to drop all of the religious non-sense and begin teaching only the Word of God and then go out to the entire World and preach the Gospel. Thereby allowing His Spirit to flow again, flushing out the false teaching and promoting growth.

 

1 ¶ Blessed [is] the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

 

2 But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.

 

3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. (Psalms 1:1-3 NKJV)