Showing posts with label Hosea 4. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hosea 4. Show all posts
Monday, November 14, 2022
A Desolate House*
Has America become a desolate house? Regarding more on this question, I hope to soon be publishing my book, "The Late Great United States", because I believe that both the nation and the church are missing the Word of God. I also challenge you to see the documentary "Monumental", from Kirk Cameron, as well as reading Jonathan Cahn's books, "The Harbinger", and "The Return of the Gods". In seeking the answer to the question asked at the beginning of this message, Proverbs says: "As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool. As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come." (Prov. 26:1-2). "A fool" is defined in scripture as someone who says in their heart "there is no God" (Ps. 14:1). While we hear the atheists proclaim this more and more, even believers act like a fool when they go against the Word of God! We hve seen the resulting signs of a curse come to this land, as Proverbs warned: the pandemic, economic, political, and weather crises, and so on. The prophet Ezekiel was told to prophesy the Word of the LORD to the mountains of Israel, that because of her sins, Israel's enemies have caused the nation to become desolate: "...the enemy hath said against you, 'Aha, even the ancient high places are ours in possession'...because they have made you desolate, and swallowed you up on every side, that ye might be a possession unto the residue of the heathen, and ye are taken up in the lips of talkers, and are an infamy of the people..." (Ezek. 36:1-3). The LORD then prophesied that this enemy that took joy in the shame of Israel will experience His jealous wrath. These enemies are natural but also spiritual, and seek the high places of the land. Demons are real, and we have given place and permission to these enemies to inhabit our land. What caused this desolation by the hands of an enemy to fall upon Israel in the first place? The LORD revealed to Ezekiel: "...when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their own way and by their doings: their way was before me as the uncleanness of a removed woman. Wherefore I poured my fury upon them for the blood that they had shed upon the land, and for their idols wherewith they had polluted it. And I scattered them among the heathen...according to their way and according to their doings I judged them." (v. 17-19). The LORD added that wherever He scattered His people, they continued to profane His name in those nations. He would restore Israel, not for the people's sake, but for the sake of His holy name, for which He had pity. He would sanctify His great name, which His own people had profaned among the heathen, by restoring His people to their own land (v. 20-24). Not only would the LORD restore His people to their land, but "I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments; and do them." (v. 25-27). The LORD, in sanctifying His own great name, also promised to make David (referring to the Messiah), "my servant", the one King over them, their one Shepherd, to be their Prince forever: "Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions...so shall they be my people, and I will be their God." (see Ezek. 37:21-28, see also Hos. 3:4-5). Israel, among other things, had been worshipping idols. We still worship idols today when we make anything more important than God. Israel sinned before the LORD and profaned His name. We all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, scripture says - and the wages of sin is death. The prophet Hosea also wrote what the LORD said about His people, which we see today also: "...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...My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing as thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children...I will change their (His people's) glory into shame...they set their heart on their iniquity." (Hos. 4:1-3, 6-8). We see this desolation of our land taking the form of an unrelenting attack against our children, as Hosea wrote above, with lies and twisted perversions. America, church, have we become a desolate house? Jesus spoke about certain disasters that had befallen groups of people in Israel in His time. He said that those victims were no greater sinners than others, "... but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." (Lk. 13:1-5). Jesus also told the parable of a man who had a fig tree that failed to yield expected fruit for three years. He ordered his vinedresser to cut it down so it wouldn't encumber the ground while producing nothing. The vinedresser asked the man to allow him to dig around and fertilize the tree for that year, and if it still did not produce, then it could be cut down. (v. 6-9). The LORD is not quick to judge or destroy, and will give the time and opportunity for His people to show Him the fruits justly expected by Him from their lives. Most of those who refused to hear Jesus' words were the religious leaders of His time. Jesus severely scolded the most religious of the people telling them that they cared for the outward appearance of righteousness only, while inside they were full of corruption, like tombs. These same religious leaders criticised Jesus for healing on the sabbath, when even a common animal, Jesus told them to their shame, deserved comfort and care even on the sabbath. Certainly, He said, a descendant of Abraham was entitled to be loosed from the bond of infirmity on the sabbath (v. 10-16). He warned them when asked if many would be saved, "Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." (v. 23-24). He said that the door would be shut, and many would come knocking and asking to be let in, but shall receive this answer from the Master, "I know you not, whence you are." (v. 25). These who are shut out would include those who had seen Him, and eaten with Him, but nevertheless, He would not know them, and instead say, "...depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity". While others would enter into the kingdom, these would be thrust out, "And behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first, which shall be last." (v. 26-30). These people felt assured in their place in the Kingdom of God based upon a meaningless and hypocritical outward appearance of righteousness, but they would find that they were mistaken. (see also Mt. 23:1-28). As Jesus continued on His journey toward Jerusalem, He reminded them that Jerusalem killed the prophets of God, while refusing to be gathered "under Jesus' wings": "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, You shall not see me, until the time come when you shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." (Lk. 13:31-35, see also Mt. 23:29-39). The LORD leaves us a time and an opportunity to turn back to Him. In 2 Chron. 7, the LORD answers Solomon's prayer as the work of the new temple is completed. The LORD makes this promise: "If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or 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...mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place...and mine heart shall be there perpetually." (v. 11-16). That "place" was the temple, but we are the living temple of God. However, to Solomon, the LORD said, "...if thou wilt walk before me , as David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and shalt observe my statutes and my judgments; then will I stablish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I have covenanted with David thy father...But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them; then I will pluck them up out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations..." (2 Chron. 7:17-22, excerpt). We know that Solomon did not walk after the LORD as his father, David, walked, and after Solomon's reign ended, the nation became divided, and many of the kings that followed established idols in the land. We are doing the same things as Israel did. We have just had an election in this country, and we voted for our choices. Will it change anything? The only thing that will change the desolation of our house is "If My people..." from 2 Chron. 7, which we read above. We recently honored our veterans, including those who gave their lives in service to this county, as we should. When will we honor Jesus, who died for us? God's people, for now, are being given the time and opportunity to repent, that God might heal our land. *Based on Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 11/13/2022 message to the church. To contact us, submit a prayer request, give a praise report, or to support this ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, theshroudofturin.org, and END TIME SCHOOL, also on Facebook.
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Foundations, Traditions and Doctrine*
More and more we are seeing examples of ideas and doctrines within the church that are not based upon the Word of God. They are instead doctrines of men, rather than God. There are consequences that occur when God's people begin to turn from His Word, and prefer the words of men: "Hear the word of the LORD ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, no 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." (Hosea 4:1-2). The LORD said through His prophet that as the knowledge of God was removed from the inhabitants of the land, sins and violence began to spread, as we see here in America. The LORD further warned: "My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge (Hebrew da-at - knowledge, wisdom, insight, understanding), 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." (v. 6). Rejected knowledge of God leads to corruption, creating future generations that are separated from God. Psalm 11, a psalm of David, tells us to place our trust in the LORD. It also carries the warning: "If the foundations (Hebrew satah - basis of political or moral support; defenders of morality fall from moral righteousness) be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (v. 3). The foundations of the Word of God, the foundations of our faith, are being destroyed. As an example of this, this Psalm warns that fire and brimstone will be poured out upon the wicked, but fewer and fewer believe that there is such a penalty for wickedness, or that Hell exists. Often, the church doesn't want to hear knowledge. Paul wrote to the church at Corinth that he had to continue feeding them milk, like babies, because they couldn't bear the meat of the Word. He told them this was because they were still so carnal, rather than spiritual (1 Cor. 3:1-2). If we are to be mature believers, we need the meat of the Word of God to grow. Paul described himself as a "masterbuilder" who has laid the foundation, that foundation being Jesus Christ: "For other foundation (Greek themelios - first principles of institution of truth) can no man lay that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." Paul warned others to be careful how they built upon that sure foundation (see v. 10-11). The elemental principles of the foundation of our faith established in Jesus Christ, which basic principles the church should know and teach, are described in the Book of Hebrews: repentance from dead works and of faith towards God (we are not saved by works, as some churches believe, but through faith), doctrine of baptisms (There is more than one baptism, however, many churches reject the baptism of the Holy Spirit, for example), laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment (There is a heaven to gain, and a hell to shun). These are foundational beliefs for the Christian, but the Christian is also expected to continue growing from these: "...let us go on unto perfection." (Heb. 6:1-2). Here is also a serious warning in these verses: for those who have believed this foundation, experienced this gift and the Word of God, and partaken of the Holy Spirit, and have seen the powers of the world to come, yet fall away from the truth, it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance because they crucify Christ again for themselves, and put Him to shame openly (v. 4-6). It is not a small thing for the church, or an individual, to fall away from the necessary foundation of truth in Christ. Again, Paul tells us in the Book of Ephesians that the foundation of our faith is established by the apostles and prophets, with the chief cornerstone of that foundation being Jesus Christ. There is a living holy temple of God being built upon this foundation, and this habitation of God is built together by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:19-22). Yet many in the church teach that there are no longer apostles and prophets, and many deny the active working of the Holy Spirit in this continuing work of God. Ephesians also tells us that the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers have been given to teach the church until all are brought into the unity of the faith, and the full measure of Jesus Christ (see Eph. 4:11-16). Since this outcome has obviously not yet been achieved, apostles, prophets, and the other gifts must still be needed and are present in the church. Paul tells Timothy to teach the church that they are to be "...laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. O Timothy, keep that which has been committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: which some professing have erred concerning the faith..." (1 Tim. 6:19-21). It is that good foundation, not false science or men's doctrines, that will keep us against the time to come, that will keep us unto eternal life. As people accused Jesus and His disciples of not obeying the Jewish traditions that had been in practice for centuries, Jesus warned them that these traditions of men could not save them, cleanse them from sin, or offer them excuses to ignore the Word of God: "Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." (see Mt. 15:1-20). They made their traditionals as important, or more so, than the scriptures. This took them away from the truth that they needed to know in order to be saved. Jesus told them that men were not defiled by what they touched or ate, but by what was in their hearts: "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man..." (v. 19-20). We see stories of so-called believers speaking hatred, anger and even threats against those with whom they disagree. They believe they are righteous in their violent militancy, but this is not the foundation of Jesus Christ. These are the doctrines of men and devils. Paul wrote again in Timothy: "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience seared with a hot iron...Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine...Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." (1 Tim. 4:1-2). To the church, Paul wrote: "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein in thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ...Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances (Touch not; taste not; handle not; which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?" (Colossians 2:6-10, 20-22, excerpt). Often we have seen that religious legalism stems not from the Word of God, but from the teachings of men. However, these teachings are wrongly treated with equal importance to the Word of God. The church has been impacted by all of the things that we have seen warned of here in the scriptures. In many cases, they have rejected the truth and the knowledge of God, as Hosea warned, and embraced instead the doctrines of men, demons, false science, philosophies, all of this world. We are not to be conformed to this world, however, but transformed by the renewing of our minds, by the washing of the water of the Word of God. I pray that eyes and ears will be opened to the truth that the LORD has provided to us. *Based upon Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 10/17/21 message to the church. To contact, submit a prayer request or a praise report, or to support this ministry: P.O. Box 154221, Waco, TX 76705 OR everlastingcovenant@ymail.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and endtimeschool.com.
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
What's Wrong With This Picture?*
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There is a game where a child must look at a picture and decide "What's wrong with this picture?". This applies to spiritual things as well. No matter how often a spiritual matter is verified by facts, there remains great debate and repudiation of those facts. In the many years that I have spent documenting the evidence, including scientific, medical, historical and scriptural evidence regarding the Shroud, people continually bring up the same arguments against it that were proven false long ago. It is an example of true knowledge being rejected, which is also the topic of this message today. Even the Body of Christ, knowing the spiritual truth from scripture that "a house divided against itself cannot stand", finds new ways to create and maintain divisions within the Body. The insistent rejection of knowledge in the face of so many confirmations and verifications, leads us to ask, "What's wrong with this picture?".
The prophet Hosea wrote the word of the LORD regarding this subject: "Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, 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, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish...Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for thy people are as they that strive with the priest...Therefore shalt thou fall in the day...and I will destroy thy mother. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing how thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children." (Hos. 4:1-6). The LORD told His prophet that this condition had grown as His people had increased, and He would change their glory into shame. This nation, like the Israel of Hosea, has also grown away from God as it has increased and strengthened. Above, the LORD reveals that His people are destroyed because they lack knowledge, and reject knowledge. The pictographic meaning of the individual Hebrew letters used in the word translated here as "destroyed" form the statement: "Behold the door to chaos". The pictographic meaning of the individual letters of the Hebrew word used here to mean "knowledge" forms this statement: "Behold the door to see the sign". It is necessary for us to seek the knowledge of God in order to see the signs of our times around us, and the signs of His coming.
Proverbs repeatedly tells us to fear (reverence) the LORD, and gain wisdom, knowledge and understanding. It is fools who despise wisdom and instruction (Prov. 9:10, 1:7). The prophet Daniel wrote that while the wicked would seek to destroy the covenant (marriage contract) of God, those who know their God shall do great exploits (Dan. 11:32).
Jesus told the parable of the five wise (thoughtful, discreet, with practical skill or acumen) and the five foolish (dull, stupid, blockhead) virgins who knew the bridegroom was expected, but the foolish virgins did not have oil for their lamps, and therefore missed the bridegroom's sudden coming (Mt. 25:1-7). Oil always represents the Holy Spirit, and this parable of Christ's teaches that the Holy Spirit is essential for all believers to have in order to meet the Bridegrrom when He comes. All believers should understand the importance of having the Holy Spirit, especially on this feast day of the LORD, Pentecost. The Holy Spirit is also directly connected with having knowledge: "But ye have an unction (anointing: the special endowment of the Holy Spirit) from the Holy One, and ye know all things." (1 Jn. 2:20).
Paul pointed out that it was necessary for believers to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. He came across new believers in Ephesus who had never heard of the Holy Spirit, nor the baptsm of the Holy Spirit. They had only been baptized in John's baptism, the baptism of repentance. Even John the Baptist referred to the coming Christ, and His baptism of fire that would come after John, and was greater than John. As Paul laid hands on the Ephesian believers, the twelve men received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. They began to speak with tongues and prophesy (Acts 19:1-7). Yet, there are those who will argue and try to persuade agqinst the promise of God, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, or the evidence for the Shroud of Turin, and the men and women of God who teach the truth of His Word. Their intention is to stir up (meaning "destroy") the people to prevent them from receiving the truth (Acts 17:13-15). However, all people, including believers in Christ, are urged by the Word of God to search the scriptures for themselves to see if persuasive arguments are true or not. This is considered a noble act by the Lord (Acts 17:10-12). When Jesus opens the scriptures to us as we search them, our eyes are opened in amazement, and we are convinced that we have received the knowledge of the Lord (Lk. 24:27-32).
*Based upon Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson's 5/23/21 message to the church.
To contact: PO Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705 OR Everlastingcovenant@ymail.com
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Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Will 2020 Be Ichabod For America?*
The series "United Shades of America" recently aired an episode concerning the racial injustices in the city of Pittsburgh. This is the home town of Dr. Stevenson, and the location of a satellite ministry of ECCE. The episode was personally disturbing and heartbreaking for these reasons. As the nation confronts racism, we need to understand the truth of the scriptures, rather than the prejudices and fears of man. Acts 17 states: "God that made the world and all things therein...and hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth...". Revelation 5, 7, and 14 says that those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, Christ, is "out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation."
All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. It is time to take a look at this issue and others that are troubling our nation, and what they mean to our future if they are not corrected.
In Luke 21:7-28, Mt. 24, and Mark 13, Jesus prophesies to His disciples about the conditions that will be on earth before, and at the time of His return. He warns of violence that will occur as nation rises against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. The word used for "nation" is the Greek word ethnos, which refers to racial and ethnic identities. This passage also warns of great earthquakes, famines and pestilences, fearful sights and great signs in the heavens. There will be hatred and great persecution against believers leading to imprisonment and death. There will be betrayal at the hands of friends and family. Jerusalem will be at the center of contention in the hands of the Gentiles, until the age of the Gentiles is fulfilled. With the re-establishment of Israel, and with the control of both Jerusalem and the Temple Mount now in the hands of the Israelis, we see the fulfillment of this prophecy. Jesus went on to say that there will be distress and signs in the heavens, on earth and among nations, and in the seas. When we see these signs begin to come to pass, Jesus instructs us, "...look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." (v. 28). We see the escalation of all of these conditions taking place now, including the ethnic hatred and violence of which Jesus spoke.
The prophet Hosea wrote of issues among God's people, including His priests and prophets, that would draw the judgment of God. In Chapter 4, the LORD tells Hosea the sinful conditions He sees among "the inhabitants of the land", which we also see today in America. The LORD said there was no mercy, no truth, nor knowledge of God in the land. Instead there is swearing, killing, stealing, adultery and bloodletting. His people are destroyed for lack of knowledge of Him. In America, our pulpits are refusing to teach the knowledge of God, and instead have "scratched the ears" of a people who are no longer interested in hearing the truth, or repenting of sin. In America, our trust is no longer in God, but in men. Hosea prophesies about a priesthood who has rejected knowledge of God, and fed themselves on the sins of the people instead. Therefore, God will reject them, and forget their children. The LORD said, "As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame." (v. 7).
The Book of 1 Samuel tells us of a similar condition in Israel. In Chapter 2, though the head priest is Eli, a man who knows God, even having witnessed the miraculous birth of the child Samuel, he does nothing to control his two sons, also serving as priests, in their predatory behavior against the people of God. God tells Eli that by not correcting his sons, Eli honors his corrupt sons more than he honors God. The sons even enrich themselves on the offerings of the people. God sends a prophet to tell Eli that his house will come to an end. His corrupt sons, Hophni and Phinehas, will not live. The sign to Eli from the LORD would be that both his sons would die on the same day. No one in Eli's family would live into old age. In Chapter 4, we are told that the two corrupt sons of Eli take the Ark of God into the battle against the Philistines. The Philistines win the battle and capture the Ark. Many are slaughtered, including the two sons of Eli, as God had prophesied. A messenger came to Eli to tell him that his sons were dead, and the Ark had been captured. Eli fell over dead at the news. Eli had judged Israel for forty years (note 20 20, our present year). The wife of Phinehas, with the shock and sorrow of hearing of her husband's death, and the loss of the Ark to the Philistines, went into labor (travail) and gave birth to the child she was carrying. She named the male child Ichabod ("no glory") saying, "The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken." (v. 22).
According to both Hosea and Samuel 1, the sinful, violent, and corrupt behavior of God's people, including prophet and priest, caused the glory of the LORD to be removed from the nation, and exchanged for shame. America is in danger of Ichabod.
A man, Alexis de Toqueville, came from France to examine America to see what it was that made America great. This is what he said:
“I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers – and it was not there . . . in her fertile fields and boundless forests and it was not there . . . in her rich mines and her vast world commerce – and it was not there . . . in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution – and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.”
America is in danger of Ichabod. We can no longer teach righteousness from the pulpits. We cannot teach sin because it causes offence. We cannot teach or speak the truth of the Word in our land. Have many of our "priests" become like Hophni and Phinehas, seeking only to enrich and indulge themselves? A compromise of righteousness and truth now rule the land, which is causing America to stand in judgment before God.
*The above is based upon the 7/26/20 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.
everlastingcovenant@ymail.com
Dr. Stevenson's newest book is now available:
Sean Stevenson
All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. It is time to take a look at this issue and others that are troubling our nation, and what they mean to our future if they are not corrected.
In Luke 21:7-28, Mt. 24, and Mark 13, Jesus prophesies to His disciples about the conditions that will be on earth before, and at the time of His return. He warns of violence that will occur as nation rises against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. The word used for "nation" is the Greek word ethnos, which refers to racial and ethnic identities. This passage also warns of great earthquakes, famines and pestilences, fearful sights and great signs in the heavens. There will be hatred and great persecution against believers leading to imprisonment and death. There will be betrayal at the hands of friends and family. Jerusalem will be at the center of contention in the hands of the Gentiles, until the age of the Gentiles is fulfilled. With the re-establishment of Israel, and with the control of both Jerusalem and the Temple Mount now in the hands of the Israelis, we see the fulfillment of this prophecy. Jesus went on to say that there will be distress and signs in the heavens, on earth and among nations, and in the seas. When we see these signs begin to come to pass, Jesus instructs us, "...look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." (v. 28). We see the escalation of all of these conditions taking place now, including the ethnic hatred and violence of which Jesus spoke.
The prophet Hosea wrote of issues among God's people, including His priests and prophets, that would draw the judgment of God. In Chapter 4, the LORD tells Hosea the sinful conditions He sees among "the inhabitants of the land", which we also see today in America. The LORD said there was no mercy, no truth, nor knowledge of God in the land. Instead there is swearing, killing, stealing, adultery and bloodletting. His people are destroyed for lack of knowledge of Him. In America, our pulpits are refusing to teach the knowledge of God, and instead have "scratched the ears" of a people who are no longer interested in hearing the truth, or repenting of sin. In America, our trust is no longer in God, but in men. Hosea prophesies about a priesthood who has rejected knowledge of God, and fed themselves on the sins of the people instead. Therefore, God will reject them, and forget their children. The LORD said, "As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame." (v. 7).
The Book of 1 Samuel tells us of a similar condition in Israel. In Chapter 2, though the head priest is Eli, a man who knows God, even having witnessed the miraculous birth of the child Samuel, he does nothing to control his two sons, also serving as priests, in their predatory behavior against the people of God. God tells Eli that by not correcting his sons, Eli honors his corrupt sons more than he honors God. The sons even enrich themselves on the offerings of the people. God sends a prophet to tell Eli that his house will come to an end. His corrupt sons, Hophni and Phinehas, will not live. The sign to Eli from the LORD would be that both his sons would die on the same day. No one in Eli's family would live into old age. In Chapter 4, we are told that the two corrupt sons of Eli take the Ark of God into the battle against the Philistines. The Philistines win the battle and capture the Ark. Many are slaughtered, including the two sons of Eli, as God had prophesied. A messenger came to Eli to tell him that his sons were dead, and the Ark had been captured. Eli fell over dead at the news. Eli had judged Israel for forty years (note 20 20, our present year). The wife of Phinehas, with the shock and sorrow of hearing of her husband's death, and the loss of the Ark to the Philistines, went into labor (travail) and gave birth to the child she was carrying. She named the male child Ichabod ("no glory") saying, "The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken." (v. 22).
According to both Hosea and Samuel 1, the sinful, violent, and corrupt behavior of God's people, including prophet and priest, caused the glory of the LORD to be removed from the nation, and exchanged for shame. America is in danger of Ichabod.
A man, Alexis de Toqueville, came from France to examine America to see what it was that made America great. This is what he said:
“I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers – and it was not there . . . in her fertile fields and boundless forests and it was not there . . . in her rich mines and her vast world commerce – and it was not there . . . in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution – and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.”
America is in danger of Ichabod. We can no longer teach righteousness from the pulpits. We cannot teach sin because it causes offence. We cannot teach or speak the truth of the Word in our land. Have many of our "priests" become like Hophni and Phinehas, seeking only to enrich and indulge themselves? A compromise of righteousness and truth now rule the land, which is causing America to stand in judgment before God.
*The above is based upon the 7/26/20 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:
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.
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
Who and Where Are The People of God?*
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.
Friday, November 29, 2019
For The Children*
We are seeing our children come under attack like never before. There are shootings in schools, sexual agendas towards children, books and other influential media dealing with witchcraft and demonology directed towards children, as well as the call for abortion on demand. However, through it all, politicians from both sides of the aisle use these dire events as political fodder, rather than as issues to be seriously and sincerely addressed.
Jesus taught regarding the preciousness of children in the Father's eyes:
"At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them. And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted (to turn one's self), and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend (to put a stumbling block in the way upon which another may trip and fall, to entice to sin, to cause a person to begin to distrust and desert one whom he ought to trust and obey, to cause to fall away) one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." Mt. 18:1-6
Our society is doing all it can to cause children to distrust and desert what they should trust and obey. We are teaching children falsehoods to lead them to things that are destruction for them. Jesus said it would be better to die than to be one who has this agenda towards children. In later verses, He said that it would be better to lose body parts like a hand, foot, or eye, rather than use it to cause spiritual or physical harm to a child, or to a believer who has come to God in the same manner as a humble, vulnerable child.
To the prophet Hosea, the LORD says to His people Israel that He has:
"...a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land." Hos. 4:1
The LORD goes on to describe a spiritually bankrupt condition of lying, swearing, killing, stealing, sexual sin and violence in His people in the land (v. 2). Aren't we witnessing these same sad conditions in our nation? The LORD said that as His people had forgotten His law, and rejected knowledge of Him, and His ways, He also would forget their children. The children, being the most vulnerable and trusting, are the first to be affected when God's people turn away from His Word, and ways. One such spiritual attack in our nation resulted in deeply affecting the children as Madalyn Murray O'Hair, an atheist, sued to remove prayer from public schools. God's people remained silent as, one after another, references to God, and to His Word, and to His Son, Jesus, were systematically removed from the public realm. Our children have paid the price.
It is the intention of God that the children should know Him, and His life-giving truth. As the LORD talked about restoring the estranged relationship between Himself, and one whom He considers His wife, Israel, He prophesied to Isaiah the effect this would have on the children:
"And all thy children shalt be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children. In righteousness thou shalt be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee." Isa. 54:13-14
To the prophet Hosea, the LORD said that He would wait for His people to turn back to Him. Unfortunately, He did not see that happening until the spiritual affliction that had resulted from their rejection of His knowledge, had become unbearable:
I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early." Hos. 5:13
After receiving this word, the prophet cries out to God's people:
"Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up." Hos. 6:1
Even the promise of resurrection comes with our return to the LORD (v. 2). The physical revival is directly connected to the spiritual revival. With our repentance, God's rewards for us become even greater than we knew before.
In another place Hosea wrote:
"O Israel return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so we will render the calves of our lips." Hos. 14:1-2
To the above cry of His prophet, the LORD replied and promised:
"I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him...They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon...Who is wise and he shall understand these things?...For the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein." v. 4-9 (excerpt)
Today, seeing the spiritual condition among the people of God, and in our land, including the victimizing of our children in every way, it is time to heed the call of Hosea, and return to the LORD humbly, as a little child. Again the LORD promises:
"If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command locusts to devour the land, or 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." 2 Chron. 7:13-14
*The above is based upon the 11/24/19 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 the prophet Hosea, the LORD says to His people Israel that He has:
"...a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land." Hos. 4:1
The LORD goes on to describe a spiritually bankrupt condition of lying, swearing, killing, stealing, sexual sin and violence in His people in the land (v. 2). Aren't we witnessing these same sad conditions in our nation? The LORD said that as His people had forgotten His law, and rejected knowledge of Him, and His ways, He also would forget their children. The children, being the most vulnerable and trusting, are the first to be affected when God's people turn away from His Word, and ways. One such spiritual attack in our nation resulted in deeply affecting the children as Madalyn Murray O'Hair, an atheist, sued to remove prayer from public schools. God's people remained silent as, one after another, references to God, and to His Word, and to His Son, Jesus, were systematically removed from the public realm. Our children have paid the price.
It is the intention of God that the children should know Him, and His life-giving truth. As the LORD talked about restoring the estranged relationship between Himself, and one whom He considers His wife, Israel, He prophesied to Isaiah the effect this would have on the children:
"And all thy children shalt be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children. In righteousness thou shalt be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee." Isa. 54:13-14
To the prophet Hosea, the LORD said that He would wait for His people to turn back to Him. Unfortunately, He did not see that happening until the spiritual affliction that had resulted from their rejection of His knowledge, had become unbearable:
I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early." Hos. 5:13
After receiving this word, the prophet cries out to God's people:
"Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up." Hos. 6:1
Even the promise of resurrection comes with our return to the LORD (v. 2). The physical revival is directly connected to the spiritual revival. With our repentance, God's rewards for us become even greater than we knew before.
In another place Hosea wrote:
"O Israel return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so we will render the calves of our lips." Hos. 14:1-2
To the above cry of His prophet, the LORD replied and promised:
"I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him...They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon...Who is wise and he shall understand these things?...For the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein." v. 4-9 (excerpt)
Today, seeing the spiritual condition among the people of God, and in our land, including the victimizing of our children in every way, it is time to heed the call of Hosea, and return to the LORD humbly, as a little child. Again the LORD promises:
"If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command locusts to devour the land, or 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." 2 Chron. 7:13-14
*The above is based upon the 11/24/19 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:
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/
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.
To order "NAZAH": https://twitter.com/everlastingcov8 http://endtimeschool.com/
Tuesday, July 16, 2019
Destroyed or Awakened?*
The prophet Hosea received the word of the LORD regarding the spiritual condition of His people, Israel:
"...the LORD hath a controversy (quarrel, contention, strife, dispute, case of law, a forensic cause) with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing, and lying, and committing adultery, they break out (to break away, burst out, breach, break up, break in pieces, violence), and blood toucheth (to strike, smite, reach onto) blood." Hos. 4:1-2
Hosea could be describing the condition of our people and our land today in these verses: no truth, no mercy, no knowledge of God. The LORD tells the prophet that this woeful condition of the inhabitants also affects the land which they inhabit:
"Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth within shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away....Therefore, shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother." (v. 3, 5).
We are seeing the land in which we dwell violently try to vomit us out with great storms, winds, earthquakes, floods, because of the sinful condition of its inhabitants (Lev. 18:24-28). God gives the cause of the inhabitants' corrupt condition:
"My people are destroyed for 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." (v.6-7).
The priests of God made gain over the people's sins, instead of ministering God's delivering Word of truth. This is also the condition of the Church today. Numbers and prosperity are more important than truth, mercy, and the knowledge of God. Sin is agreed with and condoned for the sake of "peace" and "relevance". The apostle Paul also warned about the spiritual consequences for those who wilfully ignore the truth, and reject the knowledge of God (Rom. 1:18-32). We are seeing those consequences in our land and people. Will we be destroyed or awakened? It depends upon how we receive the knowledge of God.
Jesus also gave the Word of truth to His own disciples who were self-satisfied with their spiritual condition as natural sons of Abraham, and therefore rejected the merciful Word of deliverance:
"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant (slave, bondman, serving another with disregard to one's own interests, fasten with chains) of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the son abideth for ever. If the son, therefore, shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." Jn. 8:31-36
Though these Jews who believed in Jesus thought they were connected to Abraham's righteousness because they were his descendants, Jesus told them that they were not like Abraham, whom they called "father", because they would not receive the One, the works, and the Word that God had sent, which was Himself, as Abraham would have done. Instead their father was the one who rejected the knowledge of God from the beginning: Satan, the father of lust, murder and lies (v. 37-47).
Jesus also warned that He and His Word would not bring peace but fire and division among men, even among households (Lk. 12:49-56). He remarked at His listeners' failure to receive the truth, and asked a question:
"Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time? Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?(v.56-57).
Is the Church discerning the time of His soon return? Are we judging ourselves according to what we know as right? Are we judging others wrongly instead?
Jesus encountered a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief publican, or tax collector, and he had become rich from his position because he was corrupt. He had run to see Jesus, and even climbed a tree to see above the press of people around Jesus, because he was a very short man, but he had to see Jesus. Jesus spotted him, and called him by name, "Zacchaeus (pure, innocent, bright, clean, shining, justified, purify or cleanse one's self), make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house." (Lk. 19:5). Zacchaeus received Jesus with joy (v.6), and immediately reformed his life. Jesus said, "This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek (seek in order to find (out), require, demand something from someone)and to save that which is lost (to destroy, to put an end to, to declare that one must be put to death, to perish, be lost, ruined)." (v. 9-10).
Though known by others as a corrupt publican, Zacchaeus discerned the time of the visitation of Jesus, and joyfully received the knowledge of God, and the Word of salvation. He "awakened" and was saved by the One who sought him by name. Zacchaeus changed his life, and WAS changed.
At the time of His visitation, Jesus entered Jerusalem on a colt, as the prophets had foretold, His disciples rejoicing, and declaring His kingship (Lk. 19:28-44). However, as Jesus viewed the city of God, Jerusalem, which was to reject Him, it was for Him an occasion for weeping. Some of those who rejected the Knowledge of God come in the flesh, demanded that He rebuke His disciples. Jesus answered, "I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out." Because Jerusalem did not "know the things which belong unto thy peace", those things would now be hidden from it, and it would be destroyed by its enemies. He said, "...thou knowest not the time of thy visitation."
As Hosea told us at the beginning, not knowing, or refusing the knowledge of God, results in destruction:
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge..."
*The above is based upon the 7/14/19 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.
Dr. Stevenson's newest book is now available:
Jesus encountered a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief publican, or tax collector, and he had become rich from his position because he was corrupt. He had run to see Jesus, and even climbed a tree to see above the press of people around Jesus, because he was a very short man, but he had to see Jesus. Jesus spotted him, and called him by name, "Zacchaeus (pure, innocent, bright, clean, shining, justified, purify or cleanse one's self), make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house." (Lk. 19:5). Zacchaeus received Jesus with joy (v.6), and immediately reformed his life. Jesus said, "This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek (seek in order to find (out), require, demand something from someone)and to save that which is lost (to destroy, to put an end to, to declare that one must be put to death, to perish, be lost, ruined)." (v. 9-10).
Though known by others as a corrupt publican, Zacchaeus discerned the time of the visitation of Jesus, and joyfully received the knowledge of God, and the Word of salvation. He "awakened" and was saved by the One who sought him by name. Zacchaeus changed his life, and WAS changed.
At the time of His visitation, Jesus entered Jerusalem on a colt, as the prophets had foretold, His disciples rejoicing, and declaring His kingship (Lk. 19:28-44). However, as Jesus viewed the city of God, Jerusalem, which was to reject Him, it was for Him an occasion for weeping. Some of those who rejected the Knowledge of God come in the flesh, demanded that He rebuke His disciples. Jesus answered, "I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out." Because Jerusalem did not "know the things which belong unto thy peace", those things would now be hidden from it, and it would be destroyed by its enemies. He said, "...thou knowest not the time of thy visitation."
As Hosea told us at the beginning, not knowing, or refusing the knowledge of God, results in destruction:
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge..."
*The above is based upon the 7/14/19 message to the Church from Dr. Kenneth Stevenson.
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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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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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