Our Role in the Days of Sodom

 

Jesus spoke of a spiritual unawareness and indifference to the judgment of God, especially as His coming draws near:

"Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus it shall be in the day when the Son of man is revealed."   Lk. 17:28-30

Life went on as normal in Sodom, not acknowledging that utter destruction was about to fall.

The days we live in are very similar to the time of the destruction of Sodom-not only because we have followed after their sexual sins, but because our spiritual condition now is very much like theirs then:

"Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom (meaning "burning, conflagration"), pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good."   Ezek. 16:49-50

Since we can see how our current condition mirrors Sodom's, what is the role of the Church in these days?

First of all, not everyone is unaware of the real and present danger of impending judgment. The people of God are being warned by the prophetic voices and messengers that the LORD has placed in our midst, according to His specific promise and His foundational precepts:

"Surely the LORD God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets. The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the LORD God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?"  Amos 3:7-8

We see this exact principle in the example of Sodom. As the time grew near for Sodom's destruction, the LORD made it a point to appear to Abraham in the form of three men, as Abraham sat in the door of his tent in Mamre (meaning "strength, vigor, the effort needed to hasten one's self or lift one's self up) at the hottest time of the day. As was the custom of that time, Abraham offered these strangers his complete hospitality, and bowed himself to the ground as a servant before them. Abraham then hastened and ran to provide the men with every comfort (Gen. 18:1-8).
At the close of this prophetic visit, the strangers began their journey to Sodom, as Abraham led them on the way. The LORD then asks this question, "Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?" (v. 17). The LORD told Abraham that He had heard the cry from Sodom and Gomorrah, and the grievous sin, and He had come to see for Himself the truth of their sinful condition. Abraham delayed the LORD, and began to intercede with Him, asking Him if He would destroy the righteous with the wicked. As Abraham continued to intercede, he obtained the LORD's agreement down to the presence of just ten righteous in the city. The whole wicked city would be spared if there were ten righteous within it (Gen. 18:23-32).
On the other end of the story, Abraham's nephew Lot ("covering, veil"), living in importance in Sodom, also received the visit of the strangers with the same hospitality that Abraham had shown them. When the strangers had told Lot that he and his whole household must leave Sodom immediately, Lot went to tell his sons-in-law. They treated the urgent news as a joke, and refused to leave with Lot (Gen. 19:14). Even Lot sought to delay leaving the city. When morning came, the angels tried to hasten Lot, lest he be consumed in the iniquity of the city. Lot and his immediate family lingered still, and had to be dragged out by the angels of the LORD (Gen. 19:15-16). He then argued with the angels about how far he should retreat from the doomed city!
Our prophetic voices, and our warning messengers are telling us in the Church, that the day is drawing near when we will see calamity come upon another, modern-day Sodom that is present around us. Our role, like Abraham, is the role of intercessor. The LORD stops at our tent doors to give us just this same opportunity to delay Him, and entreat Him. Others may mock, and continue going about their daily lives as usual, but we should heed the warning, and hasten to enter into intercession with the LORD. Some, like Lot, sit in comfort in the midst of Sodom, not stirring themselves to intercede. They also receive the warnings, and the benefits of the intercession of others, but they do not act upon them with the necessary urgency and obedience.
The LORD knew He could depend upon Abraham, and the promised descendants that Abraham would teach in the ways of the LORD (Gen. 18:19). Is the LORD, with this same confidence, also able to depend upon us with His urgent business? This is our role in these days of Sodom.

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Prayer of Intercession:
Heavenly Father, we reach out to touch Your arm, in order to intercede with You to cleanse us of all unrighteousness. Wash us in Your Word, and in Your Spirit. Purify and sanctify us by the blood of the Lamb. You have called us to be the righteous whose presence preserves the city. You have promised us that if we, Your people, who are called by Your name, humble ourselves, pray, seek Your face, and turn from our wicked ways, You will hear from heaven, forgive us, and heal our land.
As the day draws near for the revealing of the Son of man, we, Your people, desire to stir ourselves up, and fulfill the role that You have for us in this generation. In Jesus' name, we bring this intercession to You. Amen.

Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior:
Jesus, I want to know You as my Lord, and as my Savior, who covers my sins, and cleanses my heart. Come into my heart, and also fill me with the Holy Spirit, who will lead me into all truth, and will teach me how to follow You. I believe that You are the Son of God, the Messiah, that You were crucified for me, and rose from the dead to give me everlasting life. I believe that You are coming again. Lord Jesus, in Your name I believe, pray, and receive all of these things. Amen.



Understanding Our Warfare, And Our Weapons

 

In these End Times, it becomes especially important that we understand our spiritual warfare and its weapons. It is deception to believe that the enormous problems facing the world today, or in our individual lives, can have political, economic, or social solutions. While the world relies upon these remedies, the church should understand differently. Scripture tells us:

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. Do ye look on things after the outward appearance?..."  2 Cor. 10:3-7

First of all, the battle begins in our own minds and understanding. Our minds have to be conformed not to what we see, but to God's word, the knowledge of God. Warfare begins in our own thoughts. Do they line up with the word? Scripture tells us to renew our minds with the washing of His Word (Rom. 12:2, Eph. 5:26). The Word of God that we know changes how we think. Our own obedience to spiritual truths in the Word makes the difference between victory and defeat. This is the warfare, but what are the weapons appointed by God for us to use in the battle?
Psalm 20, written by David, begins in this manner:
"The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee....in the name of our God, we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfill all thy petitions....Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen and stand upright."  (excerpt)
The phrase "day of trouble" used in the above Psalm, not only refers to any day in which we are desperately struggling, but t is also an expression used to mean the end times (Zeph. 1:14-18). In any case, one of our greatest spiritual weapons is the power of the name of the LORD in the mouth of the faithful. One of the greatest confrontations in scripture illustrated this power.
The Philistine army drew near to fight the army of Israel under King Saul. David, a young man, went to visit his older brothers, who were in the army of Israel. While there, he witnessed the challenge from Goliath (meaning splendor, an exile, a denuded captive), the champion of the Philistines, as he demanded a showdown with a warrior from Israel. All the army of Israel were fearful and ran from this giant's challenge. According to his name, outwardly, Goliath looked to have impressive splendor, but in truth, he was already a defeated foe, humiliated, shamefully revealed and cast out.
When David heard about the rewards the king was offering for anyone who would go against Goliath, he stirred himself up against this enemy and said, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?"
His older brothers mocked David, and Saul feared for David and tried to outfit David in his own armor, including his own sword. However, David found the armor awkward, refused it, and said he would rely instead on his own proven weapons. Goliath mocked the seemingly humble weapons of staff and sling that David carried, but David declared what he was about to do to Goliath, and said to him, "Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied." (1 Sam. 17:21-45). We all know how that encounter ended. Even the giants are subject to the name of the LORD!
Our battles, large and small, individual or worldwide, belong to the LORD  On the occasion of a great battle between Judah and an overwhelming enemy army, the LORD prophesied:
"...Be not afraid, nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours but God's....Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah, and Jerusalem: fear not...for the LORD will be with you."   2 Chron. 20:15-17
The king of Judah sent the choir out before the army, and instructed them to sing and praise the beauty of holiness. With this spiritual weapon of praise, the LORD defeated the armies of three enemy nations that had come against His people (v. 21-23).
Moses and the Israelites, who found themselves in a seemingly hopeless position, were also able to witness the destruction of the Egyptian army in this same manner. Moses declared to the people:
"Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will shew you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace."  Ex. 14:13-14
In both of these cases, the LORD saved His people by His salvation, "yeshua", who was the person of Jesus, the greatest of spiritual weapons in warfare.
Finally, the prophet Joel, describing a coming day of terrible destruction, accompanied by fearsome signs and wonders in the earth and the heavens, urged the people of that time to gather together, to fast, to repent, to weep in intercession, to call upon the LORD.
The LORD will hear their prayers, and receive their repentance, Joel prophesied. He will turn mourning and destruction into rejoicing and restoration. He will pour out His Spirit upon all of His people in a miraculous way. He also promises:
"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in Mt. Zion, and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call."  Joel 2:32
This is the warfare, and these are the spiritual weapons that the LORD has placed into the hands of His people.

To Contact/Submit Prayer Requests/To Give To The Ministry:
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Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior:
Jesus, I want to know You as my Lord, and as my Savior, who covers my sins, and cleanses my heart. Come into my heart, and also fill me with the Holy Spirit, who will lead me into all truth, and will teach me how to follow You. I believe that You are the Son of God, the Messiah, that You were crucified for me, and rose from the dead to give me everlasting life. I believe that You are coming again. Lord Jesus, in Your name I believe, pray, and receive all of these things. Amen.







 

 



Ready or Not: Wise or Foolish

 

Many in the world are not ready for the soon return of Jesus Christ. Before we look at that issue, we have to ask, "Is the church even ready for His return?"

Paul described a ready and perfect church as one which, under the guidance of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, comes into the unity of faith, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, speaking truth in love, having grown up into Christ's headship, with all parts joined together and supplying to the increase and edifying of the whole church (Eph. 4:11-16). We are also to be mature enough to discern and reject the lies and tricks of false doctrines that come against the truth. It doesn't sound like we have yet achieved any part of this readiness.

Jesus told the parable of the ready and watching servant, who was waiting for his master's return:

"Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately..."  Lk. 12:35-36

Our condition is to be one of expectantly waiting, ready to immediately open the door to Him. There is to be no delay in our response. We are not to be sleeping in bed, but up and dressed, our loins girded. Paul said in Eph. 6:14, that as part of our ever present spiritual armor, our loins are girded with truth. As we will see, the End Times in which we live are full of deceptions, but we, as the followers of Christ, are to stand and surround ourselves in the eternal truth of God. The truth of God does not waver with the times, but remains the same throughout eternity.

The faithful, waiting servants carry lighted lamps in the above parable. We are not children of darkness, but children of light, and we are to be leading others out of darkness, into that same light-the light of salvation.

Jesus continues, "Blessed are those servants whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching (vigilant, awake, watching, giving strict attention to, active, to rise up from sleep, or from a position of resting)..." v. 37

How many of us act as though Jesus is returning at any moment? How many of us have completed our spiritual works, should we not be here tomorrow? Yet, Jesus makes the point that it could be at any time, and most likely, when He is least expected:

"Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not." v. 40

The fact that we are not alert, watchful, and ready, not only makes us unprepared for Christ, but also unprepared for the thief that is waiting to break in (v. 39).

That thief is the deception that has entered into the world, working its lies to keep people from their salvation, from the truth of their God, especially as the return of Christ draws near:

"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you..." 2 Pet. 2:1-3

These false teachers speak evil of the way of truth. We are seeing an increasingly intolerant and accusatory attitude towards all those who believe and stand uncompromisingly in the truth of God. Some are even brought into courts for their belief in the truth.

Peter says, above, that many shall follow these thieves of the truth. Jesus said also, "...broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat..."
                                                                                                                    Mt. 7:13

There are many walking straight to destruction. Is the church busy about the precious work of rescuing these many from the way that leads to death? (Prov. 14:12 ,Prov. 16:25). Jesus said in the first parable, above, "Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing."  (Lk. 12:42-43).

This "doing" servant is described as wise. We found out last week that a wise man shines, and is one who wins souls (Prov. 11:30, Dan. 12:3 ). Jesus also describes these watchful servants with their "lights burning" as wise. This servant is watching, he is waiting, but the wise servant is also doing. He is doing the work of winning souls, pulling them from that way that leads to destruction.

In another part of scripture, Jesus, seeing His future disciples fishing, promised that He would make them, that they would become, fishers of men (Mt. 4:18-19, Mk. 1:16-17 ). Not only were these His first words to the disciples, but also His last, as He said, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mk. 16:15). This is the work that the faithful servant is found doing when his master returns.
Will we be ready and wise? Or unprepared and foolish? We must choose quickly, because the time grows short.

 

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Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior:
Jesus, I want to know You as my Lord, and as my Savior, who covers my sins, and cleanses my heart. Come into my heart, and also fill me with the Holy Spirit, who will lead me into all truth, and will teach me how to follow You. I believe that You are the Son of God, the Messiah, that You were crucified for me, and rose from the dead to give me everlasting life. I believe that You are coming again. Lord Jesus, in Your name I believe, pray, and receive all of these things. Amen.
(Rom. 10:9-11)
 



Word For The New Year-2018

 

Some of the last words that Jesus spoke to His disciples are found in Matthew 28. He says:

"All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.." (v. 18-19)

Jesus connects the power which He has been given, to his disciples ability to go and teach the nations. He makes the connection as He assures His disciples that He, with His power, is always with them unto the end of the age (v. 20). As signs tell us that we are indeed approaching the end of this age, these words of Jesus become especially pertinent to us today.

Jesus described the readiness to receive the Gospel of salvation as a ripened field just waiting to be harvested:

"The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest."  Mt. 9:37-38

The Lord has already done the work. The spiritual seeds have already been planted. The stalks have already grown tall, and the grain has not only appeared on the stalks, but has turned from newly formed green, to the white of readiness. And now the field, with its rich, ripened grain, stands waiting to be harvested (Jn. 4:35). This harvest is prepared already, and is just waiting for us to labor to bring it in. This waiting harvest also comes out of the Jewish people, and Israel. They are "every one that shall be found written in the book." (Dan. 12:1).We will discuss this in more detail later.

This commandment from Jesus stated above, requires more from us than lip service, procrastination, and the deferring of the task to others. Jesus tells a parable of two sons (Mt. 21:28-31) who were asked by their father to "go work today in my vineyard". One son answered his father that he would go, but he didn't. The second son said he would not go into the vineyard, but repented of that attitude and went. Those listening to the parable, who happened to be the chief priests and religious elders of Israel, agreed that the second son, who actually did the work, was the obedient son, doing the will of the father. Jesus concluded by saying that because these very respected religious leaders had not been obedient to the work the Father in heaven had given them, common sinners would enter the kingdom of God before they would.

Will we make the choice to obey the command to go into the harvest? This is the question for all of us in this new year. This does not necessarily mean going into foreign lands to preach the Gospel. The harvest is all around us, even where we ourselves have been planted. The Lord calls us to bloom right where He has planted us.

The prophet Daniel describes those who turn many to righteousness, "even to the time of the end", as the wise who shine with brightness like the stars (Dan. 12:3-4). Proverbs also associates winning souls with wisdom:

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise." Pro. 11:30
As mentioned earlier, the waiting harvest also includes those who are Jewish, and those who are out of Israel. Paul says in Romans, that when the fullness of the Gentiles comes in, all Israel shall be saved (Rom. 11:25-26). Who is the Jew, and who is included in Israel? Paul said that being "Israel" is not judged solely on the flesh, nor made up of all the descendants of Abraham, but rather "the children of the promise are counted for the seed" (Rom. 9:8). The children of promise are those who have relied on the belief that as God prophesies, He will prevail and perform. The children of promise believe God's eternal promise of salvation, redemption, and re-birth unto everlasting life. These are those of Israel who are found written in the book, and are those for whom the archangel Michael, the great prince, stands in the battle (Dan. 12:1).
This new year, will we choose to go into the harvest, as Jesus has asked us to do? If we choose to obey, for obedience is a choice, then we are doing the will of the Father.

God's prophetic promise:
Salvation Through Faith

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"NAZAH", the new book from Dr. Stevenson is now available. To order:
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