In the middle of a pandemic, we are also seeing that this nation is being torn apart by many divisions, especially racial and ethnic divisions. Even the Church is often divided along racial lines. Jesus warned that racial animosity would rise as a sign of the last days before His return (Mt. 24:7, "kingdom" in this verse being the Greek word ethnos). However, His final instructions to His disciples, called The Great Commission, never divided the Gospel of Salvation along racial and ethnic lines, but included all ethnicities:
"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. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world ("aion" meaning: age, period of time, forever)...".
Mt. 28:18-20
Mt. 28:18-20
Seeing these signs and these divisions all around us, we should not be surprised, but we should be doing. The LORD has clearly told us what we should be "doing" in these challenging times which were foretold by God:
"If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, of if I send pestilence among my people; If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attend unto the prayer that is made in this place. For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there forever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually." 2 Chron. 7:13-16
God is addressing His people, above. He has chosen and sanctified this house. We are the chosen and sanctified (by the blood of the Lamb of God) temple, or house, of the Holy Spirit. Our land needs the healing of God, so where are God's people? These verses above are a key for the hope for us, and for our nation.
Our nation was founded in and by the Word of God, but we have forgotten it, and we have rejected it, and we are being destroyed because of that. God warned His people through the prophet Hosea of the consequences of rejecting His Word:
"...because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood. Therefore shall the land mourn...Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother. My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge, because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame." Hosea 4:1-7 (excerpt)
Where are the people of God? Instead of seeing the healing that follows the repentance of God's people (2 Chron. 7:14), we are seeing instead the destruction that comes when God's people have forgotten and rejected His knowledge (Hos. 4:6).
Who are the people whom God calls "my people" in 2 Chron. 7:14? Are we even able to recognize them, if they don't look like us? Revelation talks about those in heaven who have been redeemed. His people are praising the Lamb, proclaiming:
"...for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God king and priests: and we shall reign on the earth." Rev. 5:9-10
There is no racial nor ethnic preference in the kingdom of God.
The fragrances of the saints prayers fill golden vials in heaven (v. 8). Those who are God's people pray.
"...for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God king and priests: and we shall reign on the earth." Rev. 5:9-10
There is no racial nor ethnic preference in the kingdom of God.
The fragrances of the saints prayers fill golden vials in heaven (v. 8). Those who are God's people pray.
Again in another place in Revelation, it is revealed to us that the people of God are a great multitude, beyond number, "of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues...clothed in white robes" who praise the salvation of God, and the Lamb (Rev. 7:9-10). One of the elders in heaven asks John, the Revelator, "What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?" (v. 13). The elder tells John that this multitude came out of great tribulation. They washed their robes white in the blood of the Lamb. By this they stand before the throne of God, serving Him continually in His temple. The One who sits on the throne dwells among them. The Lamb, Himself, feeds them and leads them to living fountains of water, and there, God personally ministers to them (v. 14-17).
Scripture further describes those whom God calls, "my people". The Apostle Paul wrote that they are ones who present themselves to God as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable. They are those who are not conformed to this world, but are transformed by the renewing of their minds (washed in the water of the Word of God), showing forth to others through their lives what is the good, acceptable and perfect will of God. Though they are individual members, they are one body in Christ (Rom. 12:1-5).
These are who the people of God are, and this is where they are.
Scripture further describes those whom God calls, "my people". The Apostle Paul wrote that they are ones who present themselves to God as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable. They are those who are not conformed to this world, but are transformed by the renewing of their minds (washed in the water of the Word of God), showing forth to others through their lives what is the good, acceptable and perfect will of God. Though they are individual members, they are one body in Christ (Rom. 12:1-5).
These are who the people of God are, and this is where they are.
*The above is based upon the 6/14/20 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.
To Contact/Submit prayer requests/Support the ministry/Order the book, "NAZAH-White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling", and to help us get out the message, to contribute to the Book of Remembrance for Sean Stevenson:
everlastingcovenant@ymail.com
Dr. Stevenson's newest book is now available:
Sean Stevenson
To Contact/Submit prayer requests/Support the ministry/Order the book, "NAZAH-White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling", and to help us get out the message, to contribute to the Book of Remembrance for Sean Stevenson:
Dr. Kenneth Stevenson
P.O. Box 154221
Waco, TX 76705
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
http://endtimeschool.com/
P.O. Box 154221
Waco, TX 76705
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
http://endtimeschool.com/
everlastingcovenant@ymail.com
To watch/hear Dr. Stevenson's complete message:
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8
Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior: Lord Jesus, I desire to know You, and to know Your salvation. I believe that You died for me, and that You were resurrected for me. Forgive me of my sins. Come into my heart, change me, fill me with Your righteousness. Inscribe my name in the Lamb's book of life. Baptize me in Your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn the truth of Your Word and ways, and be strengthened in my walk all the days of my life. You are the hope of my life, and You are my eternal life. I place my trust in You, Lord, for myself, and my whole household. Use me to do the will of the heavenly Father, Who sent You, in Whose name You came. In Your name, and in thanks and praise I pray, Amen.
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