God's Timetable in Our Generation

 

 

Historically speaking, 2017 marks an important milestone anniversary for several world-changing events:

• 120th anniversary of the First Zionist Conference (1897), with the goal of seeking to establish a home for the Jewish people in Palestine
• 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration (1917), announcing British government support for the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine
• 70th anniversary of the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine-mandating the establishment of a state of Israel
• 50th anniversary of the re-capture of East Jerusalem by the Israeli army

In the last few years, there have also been noteworthy signs in the heavens, including full lunar eclipses and blood moons occurring on Jewish Feasts.

These unusual events, and more, should be putting us on alert to watch, and prepare for the return of Christ.

On top of all of these things, in Mt. 24:3, Jesus spoke privately, with only His disciples, about the signs of His coming, and the end of the age (not the end of the world, as translated incorrectly from the Greek KJV).  These were things He wanted not only His then disciples to know, but also His present disciples, you and me. He wanted us to have this information, in order to protect us from deception:

:And Jesus answered and said unto them, "Take heed that no man deceive you."  Mt. 24:4

"Deception" is most often mentioned by Jesus as a danger of this age before His return-both those who wish to deceive, and those being deceived (V. 4, 5, 11, 23, 24, 26). Christ's first instruction to us is in regard to this wide-spread deception: "Take heed" meaning in the Greek "beware (or be aware), see, perceive, discern, understand, weigh carefully, examine". The deception involved will be very seductive, and convincing, and many will fall victim to it, even those who should be the least likely to fall, the elect (V. 24). Included in the powerful deception of this age will be the arising of those who claim to be Christ (Messiah), those who falsely claim to be prophets, and those who declare Christ has returned, or will return, in a false manner (V. 5, 11, 26).

One reason the false Christs and false prophets will be so convincing to many is because they will work great signs and wonders.

In our time, we have seen this happen with news stories of false Messiahs and false "messengers" and prophets leading many to ruin, and even death. All over the world, people are following these deceptive leaders. Many are murdering in the names of false prophets.

Jesus also warns that warfare, racial, and national hatreds will dominate this age (V. 6-7). Hatred and violence in all nations against believers will escalate (V. 9-10). Racial, ethnic, and national violence rages today like never before in history, and anti-Semitic, anti-Israel, and anti-Christian hatred and persecution are on the increase around the world. The same United Nations that originally mandated a state of Israel, now officially condemns it.

Jesus tells us that in this time, before He returns, lives will be destroyed by famines and pestilences (V.7). Famines have indeed decimated many areas of the globe, and plagues of deadly diseases have spread through nations and continents.

Even the earth itself, will be in upheaval with quakes (V.7). We are now seeing more frequent, and greater intensity quakes than ever previously recorded. This turmoil is not limited to the earth, but enters the heavens also (V. 29). Stars will fall, bodies of light will dim, and heavenly powers will be shaken.

As the heavens, earth, and nations twist in violence, the individual soul will also see turmoil. The soul will be burdened by offenses and betrayals (V. 10). In droves, people have walked away from their churches, and even their faith, as real and imagined offenses and betrayals have entered in.

Jesus also warned that there would be a great increase in sin and iniquity around us. It will cause our own love of God and each other to grow cold (V. 12). In our own time, our hearts and souls have been grieved as the world has demanded that sin and perversity be considered as righteousness, and goodness, and cause for celebration. The human soul is being twisted and torn, as truth is being twisted and torn. It has now become evil in the eyes of men, to stand for righteousness, and believe the Word of God.

All of these troubles and more, will intensify as the return of Christ draws nearer.

Those who have heard and understood the words of Jesus, when they see all of these things, will know that His appearing is near, even at the doors (V. 33). Jesus gives this description of the approaching time:

"But as the days of (Noah) were, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that (Noah) entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be...Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come."  Mt. 24:37-39, 42

What are believers to be doing as we see the time drawing nearer? Jesus tells us:

"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."  V. 14

Remember:

"Behold, I have told you before."  Mt. 24:25

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Is The Bride Ready to Say, "Come Quickly"?

 

 

So many signs around us point to the lateness of the hour. From the time that the nation of Israel was miraculously re-established in 1948, and the subsequent triumphant entry into Jerusalem in 1967, those who love the Lord's appearing have been on high alert.

Preparations have been made by some of the Jewish people to re-build the third temple, and to re-establish temple worship. Priests' garments have been prepared according to the Law of Moses, utensils used in temple worship have been made, a cornerstone of a new temple has been hewn, and the ashes of the last red heifer have been found.

The nations of the world are lining up according to prophecy.

The prophetic stage is set, the curtain is about to go up, the other players are all in place, but the key player is missing from the scene. The clock is ticking, and the audience, which is all creation, is getting restless, and beginning to call out. However, the curtain will not go up, and the greatest event of all time, the return of Christ, the Messiah, will not begin, until the lead player, the Church, is in its proper place, playing the role for which she has been ordained, and speaking the words from her heart that have been written for her to speak by the Author and Finisher of our faith.

Why is the Church missing from this stage? What is the Church's role in this great event? What are the words written, which the Church is to speak?

The first question, "Why is the Church missing?", can be answered with examples from scripture. In Lk. 14:15-24, Jesus told a parable about a certain man who prepared a great supper, and invited many to come: "Come; for all things are now ready." (v. 17). Every invited guest began to make excuses for why they could not be there. The excuses all had to do with the common cares and distractions of daily life. The man who had prepared this great supper was angry, and commanded his servant to bring in any poor stranger on the street, even those not usually held in esteem. There was still room, so the servant was told to go into the highways, and the countryside outside the city, and "compel them to come in that my house may be filled." (v. 23).

The Church, so caught up with daily cares, activities and needs, has chosen to send our excuses for our absence, and we have also not bothered to compel others to come so that the house may be filled.

There are also those who are supposed to be in place, but because of their own lusts, have chosen to walk in those desires, untransformed, unrenewed. They have become scoffers of the return of Christ saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation."  (2 Pet. 3:3-4). For these people, the return of Christ is not desirable, nor convenient, so they choose to ignore the signs of the times, and the role they are supposed to play in these times.

Jesus said that there are those who are called "Jerusalem, the City of God", who refuse to be gathered and covered. They would rather kill the prophets who are calling and warning them, than heed and obey. They are determined to be their own lord and master, under the cover of religion, and as a result, they will become desolate (a flock deserted by the shepherd; a woman neglected by her husband, from whom the husband withholds himself). Jesus warns that these will not see Him again until the time comes when they cry out "Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord". (Lk. 13:34-35, Ps. 118:26).

What is the Church's starring role in this great upcoming event?

 

 

The Church has been called to become the Royal Bride. The Bride is lovingly and eagerly awaiting the great moment of the coming of her Bridegroom, Jesus Christ. This Bride is not distracted from her preparations. She is not dreading, delaying, nor avoiding the day because she desires others. She is not refusing because her Father has set the date and place, rather than herself. This Bride knows that the time of her departure is at hand. She stays on course to complete her role. She has prepared and made herself ready, clothing herself in the fine, clean, white linen of righteousness (Rev. 19:7-8). She faithfully plays her regal role with a crown of righteousness upon her head:

"Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing."  2 Tim. 4:8

The Church, who is to be in her proper place on stage, will be there because she desires not to be anathema, accursed, but, instead, to be Maranatha, "O Lord, come!"  (1 Cor. 16:22).

From offstage, we hear the Bridegroom proclaiming, "Behold, I come quickly...and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be...Surely I come quickly."                                                                                       Rev. 22:7,12, 20

The Bride now stands in the center of the stage, joined with the Holy Spirit, to speak those words which have been sovereignly written for her, and only her, to speak, "Come... Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus." (Rev. 22:17, 20).

 

 

"And let him that heareth say, "Come."

 

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Purim- Now is the Appointed Time

Esther exposes Haman before the King

 

Because of her great beauty, Esther was chosen to become the new queen of King Ahasuerus. He was the king of Persia and Media. His kingdom stretched from India to Ethiopia (Esther 1:1). Esther entered the palace, and lived a pampered, luxurious life. Esther, whose real name was Hadassah, hid her Jewish identity by posing as a Gentile on the advice of her uncle, Mordecai.
 

Persian "pur" or lot

One of the king's most honored counsellors, Haman, an ambitious and evil man, had persuaded the king to sign a command that all of the Jews in the kingdom should be destroyed, and the spoil taken into the king's treasury. Haman cast lots (dice) called pur, to determine the date when the Jews were to be destroyed (Est. 3:7). The root word pur, means to break, crush, bring to naught, to utterly take. The king even gave his ring of authority to Haman to accomplish this terrible deed (Est. 3:9-12). Although Haman cast lots to find the best date for the Jews' destruction, the lots were really forecasting the date of his own destruction, as we shall see.

Mordecai came to Esther, and asked her to intercede with the king to stop Haman's plans. She was reluctant and afraid, because anyone who approached the king, without being summoned by him first, was subject to death. Mordecai convinced her by saying:

"...who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"  Est. 4:14

Esther told Mordecai that he should have all of the Jews pray and fast before God for three days, and on the third day, Esther entered the king's inner court, where he was enthroned. 

The next problem for Esther was how she might expose Haman, the king's closest advisor, and change the king's mind. However, in order to expose Haman, she would have to expose herself, and reveal her own Jewish identity. The dangerous situation was a great risk for Esther, but the people of God had fasted and prayed. Haman was successfully exposed by Esther, and he was ordered to be killed by the king. Esther rose in great authority in her husband's kingdom:

"Then Esther the queen....wrote with all authority, to confirm....these days of Purim in their times appointed,...and the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book."   Est. 9:29-32
Not only was Esther's authority established in her husband's kingdom, but also the authority and favor of all of God's people:
"For Mordecai the Jew was next unto King Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews,...seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed."  Est. 10:3
During this time of Purim, we are reminded that God's people, like Esther, are set in specific places, even king's palaces, for appointed times and purposes.
The prophet Daniel received revelations from the LORD regarding appointed times, and the vital role played by God's believing people. As it was with Esther, these appointed times are dangerous, and risky, but this is exactly when the people of God are called to impact these times with the power of the Kingdom of God. It is interesting to note that Daniel's king, Darius, was the son of Esther's husband, Ahasuerus.
The point of impact into the perilous times spoken of by Daniel, began with his fasting and repentance on behalf of himself, and all of God's people:
"And I set my face unto the Lord (Messiah: Ps. 110:1, Mt. 22:42-46)) God, to seek...and I prayed unto the LORD (YHWH, Jehovah) my God, and made my confession, and said,...We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments,...yet made we not our prayer before the LORD God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth....O Lord, hear; O Lord forgive; O Lord, hearken and do...for thy city, and thy people are called by thy name."  Dan. 9:3-5, 13, 19
Prayer and repentance should also be our beginning point in impacting our appointed times. Daniel's heartfelt prayer of repentance was answered immediately with the appearance of the angel, Gabriel, who explained and revealed to Daniel the awesome purpose God would fulfill through His people in the appointed time of the perilous last days. God wants His people to know and understand the appointed times, and the role we are to play in them.
As revealed by the angel to Daniel, the appointed time dealt with the last week of Jeremiah's seventy weeks of years. This is the time in which we are now living. According to Daniel, desolations and war, and "troublous times" will come to God's people, and to the city of God (Dan. 9:25-27).
However, in the midst of this time of intense spiritual and natural warfare against the saints, "the time came that the saints possessed (root- to lay up in store, to heap up, to be strong) the kingdom" (Dan. 7:22). Even though a "king" will arise speaking against the Most High, seeking even to change the appointed times, and wearing out the saints (v. 25), the saints of this time shall "take away his dominion, to consume and destroy it unto the end" (v. 26):
"And the kingdom, and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him. Hitherto is the end of the matter...but I kept the matter in my heart."  Dan. 7:27-28
During this appointed time of which Daniel prophesied, though wickedness seems to be prevailing, God's people will be a people of understanding, and will instruct many, and "the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits"  (Dan. 11:32, 33, 35).
The Book of Revelation also talks about an appointed time of great spiritual warfare that begins in the heavens, but soon impacts the earth. The enemy uses deception, persecution, and accusation against the brethren (Rev. 11:7-8, 12-13). However, this appointed time will also be the time of the overcoming of this evil enemy by the brethren in the power of Christ:
"And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ"...and they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."
                                                                                                Rev. 12:10-11
As we see the signs of the times around us during these days of Purim, we also know that we, the people of God, have been called for this appointed time of Daniel and Revelation. We, like Esther, have come into the kingdom for such a time as this. Let us begin our impact upon this appointed time as Daniel did, and as the Jews of Esther's Purim did, with fasting, and prayers of repentance on our own behalf, and on behalf of our nation, which is covered with iniquity and wickedness. Like Esther, we are Jews (Rom. 2:29) hidden amongst the Gentiles. We are the beautiful Bride of the King, called during this appointed time to accomplish, through the power of Christ, a great work of deliverance. AMEN.

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You Might Be A Reprobate

 

The term "reprobate" in both Hebrew and Greek describes something that is rejected, cast away, not approved, refused. Reprobate describes something that "does not prove itself as it ought", and as "not standing the test". The word was especially used regarding metals and coins that did not prove themselves up to grade. Jer. 6:30 says:

"Reprobate silver shall men call them because the LORD hath rejected them."

These of God's people, who were rejected by Him, are further described as "grievous revolters, walking with slanders: brass and iron; they are all corrupters." (v. 28). God's people, who were supposed to be silver, turned out to be brass and iron when tested, and were therefore rejected.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul tells believers in the Church to "Examine (test, prove, scrutinize) yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves...except ye be reprobates...do nothing against the truth, but for the truth."  2 Cor. 13:5, 8

The truth is the Word of God. How many in the Church have rejected God's Word as truth, and have accepted the words and ways of the world instead? A Church that was called to be the salt of purification, and the light of truth has become - something else.

Paul describes reprobates as those who seemingly have a form of Godliness, but their words and actions deny the power of God (2 Tim. 3:5). They are described as men who resist the truth, having corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith (v. 8). Because they resist truth, and have become reprobate, they are despisers of those who are good, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, without natural affection (v. 3-5), never able to come to the knowledge of truth (v. 7). Paul says that these reprobates seek to lead away others. This is confirmed also by the Hebrew letters of the word for "reprobate":

מָאַס

The Hebrew word for "reprobate" is ma as. The Hebrew letters of the word are mem, aleph, and samek. The pictographic meaning of these letters is "the source or beginning flow of power that causes a slow twisting or turning aside (like a plant propped to turn or lean a certain way).

Paul warns that this reprobate condition is even more prevalent in the last days (2 Tim. 3:1). Perhaps this is because the testing and proving of one's faith and faithfulness are at the most intense level during these days.

In Titus1:16, Paul gives a further description of reprobates:

"They profess that they know God; but in works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."

Paul says that reprobates teach falsely for the sake of money (v. 11). They teach untruths and commandments of men that turn (see Hebrew letters above) from the truth (v. 14). Their mind and conscience is defiled (v. 15).

The Church today, which is supposed to bring truth, light, and life from God's Word to those who are perishing, is instead, more and more frequently, bringing the darkness and death of compromise, worldly ways, and the politically correct commandments of men, in order to please men, and prosper.

Paul warned that as men deliberately turned away from the knowledge of God that had been revealed to them, their hearts and imaginations would be darkened:

"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened."  Rom. 1:20

Ultimately, Paul said, God would give them up:

"Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this cause, God gave them up unto vile affections...women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise, also the men...And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient."   Rom. 1:24-28 (excerpt)

As these chose to become reprobate, their souls and bodies were turned, and they became, even to the depths of their nature and being:

"... filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful;"

                                                                                               Rom. 1:29-31

Can there be a more accurate description of the condition of our society today, both in and out of the Church? Is the reason we who believe don't speak the delivering truth about the darkness, torment and captivity of sin, really because we don't want to "exclude" and offend? Or is it that we no longer believe that God has the power to heal and deliver, and set the heartache of captive souls free? Then we are reprobate. Is the reason we do not speak the name of Jesus in public really because we want to respect others' beliefs? Or is it because we no longer believe that the name of Jesus has the power to save? Then we are reprobate. Is the reason that we are silent on the true nature of the abomination of abortion, and its terrible spiritual toll on those involved with it, because we really believe it is a "private matter"? Or is it because we do not believe the Word of God about the shedding of innocent blood (Deut. 19:10, 21:9, Ps. 106:38, Prov. 6:16-17)? Then we are reprobate. When we teach the acceptance of sin in our churches, is it really because we are expressing the "love of God"? Or is it because we want to please men, have larger numbers, exploit the skills and talents of those in sin, and ultimately prosper? Then we are reprobate.
Paul begs the Church:

"I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service (spiritual worship). And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and that ye my prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

                                                                                              Rom. 12:1-2

We are to continually renew our minds in the truth of God's Word, not in the lies of the spirit and "wisdom" of this world. We are to offer continually to Him our spiritual worship and sacrifice of self, not the worship of self, self-will and imaginations, that we may be proven to be those who fulfill the will of God, which is everything good, everything acceptable to Him, and everything which is perfect in Him.

 

 

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Hosea and Gomer:Yeshua and America

 

The prophet Hosea, whose name, like Jesus' name, means "salvation", "deliverer", was instructed by God to marry a prostitute named Gomer, and have children with her. Many times, Hosea had to go out and find his missing wife, and buy her back from one of her male customers. This marriage was a prophetic picture of how God sadly viewed His relationship with Israel. Like a prostitute, Israel was unfaithful in her relationship with God, her Husband (Hos. 1:2). Gomer's name can mean either "completion" or "failure" in Hebrew. The dichotomy of Gomer's name represents a crossroads in God's relationship with His people, Israel.

Just as Israel came to this crossroads of choice in her relationship with God, America has come to a very similar crossroads of choice with Jesus, Yeshua. The choice we make at these crossroads, as with Hosea's Israel, will determine the future of America. Will we, the people of God in America, choose the road to "completion" in Christ, or "failure"? As Israel was the bride of God, the Church is the bride of Christ. This is a very serious turning point in our history as a nation, which will hinge upon the choice made by God's people-not the politicians, nor unbelievers, but by His own people, called by His name.

We will see clearly the choice that lays before us as we examine the very similar conditions

between the nation of Israel during Hosea's time, and the America of today.

Israel was brought to a crossroads of choice because she forgot her God from whom all of her blessings came, and worshipped instead false gods and idols:

"For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, which they prepared for Ba'al."   Hos. 2:8

Though God had blessed Israel, Israel turned to blood-thirsty false gods, who demanded even the sacrifice of their children in fire. Similarly, God's people of America have forgotten the source of her riches and blessings, and have used these abundant riches from God to indulge self, and to enrich the idols of our souls- our own desires, our own will, comfort, entertainment and adornment. We have wrongly believed that the power to get wealth has been a power of our own hands.

Israel saw God remove His wealth and blessings from her (Hos. 2:9-13). America, including God's people, is seeing the same removal of God's blessings in our own economy. Although we are seeking to become economically great again, we will find "failure" instead without seeking God first in repentance. God rewards those who diligently seek Him (Heb. 11:6).

As with the economic similarities between Hosea's Israel and America today, so also are the political, spiritual, and moral similarities. Israel fell into political chaos and division, as well as a spiritual vacuum, as they forgot God:

"For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod (chest piece of a priest's robes which includes the Urim and Thummim) and without teraphim (a figure, or idol, from which oracles are sought)...there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land."  

                                                                                                      Hos. 3:4, 4:1

The chaos of the political condition, and the emptiness of the spiritual condition of Hosea's Israel, was also reflected in the fallen moral condition of God's people at that time:

"By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood. Therefore shall the land mourn, and everyone that dwelleth therein shall languish...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."   Hos. 4:2, 3, 6

We cannot help but see these same things today in America- economic loss, political division and chaos as never before. Truth, faith and morality are at an epic low. And our children! God help the children of America, who, having been raised without the knowledge of God, are treading in the darkness of that loss.

These sad conditions were also reflected in the names of the children Hosea fathered with his wife, the prostitute, Gomer:

Jezreel- God sows/scatters (casting in various directions)

Lo-Ruhamah- no mercy, compassion, nor tender affection

Lo-Ammi- not My people/kindred

Even the Hebrew letters of Gomer's name, gimel, mem, and reysh reflect the spiritual condition of God's people illustrated in the above verses: rising up from the knees in pride, floods of chaos, and what or who is the highest, the most important in our lives.

Like Gomer, God's people in America, have lifted themselves up off of their praying knees, full of pride and self-importance. What has become most important in our lives seems to be everything, and anything other than God. We have given everything to the temporal, the things that pass away, and ignored the eternal, the things that are lasting. Floods of chaos have come into our lives and nation as a result. Truth, mercy, and the knowledge of God, have been replaced by swearing, lying, killing, adulteries, and bloodshed upon bloodshed. We have, as a result, been brought to a crossroads with God.
 

The good news, as it was with Israel, is that God  and "completion" are waiting at these crossroads to forgive, heal, and restore, if we will seek Him, seek His face, once again returning to our knees in prayer, repenting and making Him, and Him only, the God of our life (2 Chron. 7:14).

"...and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said to them, "You are not My people", there it shall be said to them, "Ye are the sons of the living God."

"And I will betroth them unto Me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto Me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto Me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD....And I will sow her unto Me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not My people, "Thou art My people"; and they shall say, "Thou art my God."

"Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their King (Messiah);and shall fear the LORD and His goodness in the latter days."

                                                                            Hos. 1:10, 2:19, 20, 23, 3:5

We are living in the "latter days". Hosea and Gomer: Yeshua and America. We are at the crossroads of decision with God.

 

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Unrepentant Sinners in the Hands of a Holy and Righteous Judge, Who is God

We live in a time when many do not believe in either a heaven, or a hell. However, we have several eye witness testimonies of people from various ages and walks of life, who have experienced both places from which they were subsequently returned to life. The witnesses encourage the faithful, but also warn all living by their testimonies, to consider their own salvation and future destination.
Our nation desperately needs to repent, and experience, by God's forgiveness, a spiritual awakening. Men feel safe because their sins have become the law of the land, but they are fatally in disregard of the Law of God. Because they believe they live with impunity, they reject the Mediator of the Covenant of Grace between God and man, Jesus. Some even believe that because they sit in church, and follow the religious tenets, they are safe. However, this is not so because they remain spiritually unregenerated, and unchanged.
In 1739, the minister Jonathan Edwards delivered a sermon to a church congregation entitled "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God", which stunned the hearers. Many related that they saw the mouth of hell opening up underneath them as they sat in their seats. This sermon caused a widespread move of repentance and spiritual revival in America which history calls The Great Awakening (1730-1755).
This message to you today is titled "Unrepentant Sinners in the Hands of a Holy and Righteous Judge, Who is God", because we are all sinners. Some of us have been cleansed, and made new by casting ourselves upon Jesus. However, hell is reserved for those sinners who are unrepentant, and unconverted by Jesus, who is the only way of salvation and means of escape provided by God from the just condemnation and punishment we would otherwise deserve.

Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God (Excerpts):
Based upon the Scriptures: "...their foot shall slide in due time..." Deuteronomy 32:35,
and Psalm 73:18-19, "Surely Thou didst set them in slippery places: Thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors."

"He is not only able to cast wicked men into hell, but he can most easily do it. Sometimes an earthly prince meets with a great deal of difficulty to subdue a rebel, that has found means to fortify himself, and has made himself strong by the numbers of his followers. But it is not so with God. There is no fortress that is any defense from the power of God. Though hand join in hand, and vast multitudes of God's enemies combine and associate themselves, they are easily broken in pieces: they are as great heaps of light chaff before the whirlwind; or large quantities of dry stubble before devouring flames. We find it easy to tread on and crush a worm that we see crawling on the earth; so 'tis easy for us to cut or singe a slender thread that anything hangs by; thus easy is it for God when he pleases to cast his enemies down to hell. What are we, that we should think to stand before him, at whose rebuke the earth trembles, and before whom the rocks are thrown down?

The devil stands ready to fall upon them and seize them as his own, at what moment God shall permit him. They belong to him; he has their souls in his possession, and under his dominion. The Scripture represents them as his "goods" (Luke 11:21). The devils watch them; they are ever by them, at their right hand; they stand waiting for them, like greedy hungry lions that see their prey, and expect to have it, but are for the present kept back; if God should withdraw his hand, by which they are restrained, they would in one moment fly upon their poor souls. The old serpent is gaping for them; hell opens its mouth wide to receive them; and if God should permit it, they would be hastily swallowed up and lost.

The corruption of the heart of man is a thing that is immoderate and boundless in its fury; and while wicked men live here, it is like fire pent up by God's restraints, whenas if it were let loose it would set on fire the course of nature; and as the heart is now a sink of sin, so, if sin was not restrained, it would immediately turn the soul into a fiery oven, or a furnace of fire and brimstone.

Natural men's prudence and care to preserve their own lives, or the care of others to preserve them, don't secure 'em a moment. This divine providence and universal experience does also bear testimony to. There is this clear evidence that men's own wisdom is no security to them from death: that if it were otherwise we should see some difference between the wise and politic men of the world, and others, with regard to their liableness to early and unexpected death; but how is it in fact? Ecclesiastes 2:16, "How dieth the wise man? as the fool."

But the foolish children of men do miserably delude themselves in their own schemes, and in their confidence in their own strength and wisdom; they trust to nothing but a shadow. The bigger part of those that heretofore have lived under the same means of grace, and are now dead, are undoubtedly gone to hell: and it was not because they were not as wise as those that are now alive; it was not because they did not lay out matters as well for themselves to secure their own escape. If it were so, that we could come to speak with them, and could inquire of them, one by one, whether they expected when alive, and when they used to hear about hell, ever to be the subjects of that misery, we doubtless should hear one and another reply, "No, I never intended to come here; I had laid out matters otherwise in my mind; I thought I should contrive well for myself; I thought my scheme good; I intended to take effectual care; but it came upon me unexpected; I did not look for it at that time, and in that manner; it came as a thief; death outwitted me; God's wrath was too quick for me; O my cursed foolishness! I was flattering myself, and pleasing myself with vain dreams of what I would do hereafter, and when I was saying, ‘Peace and safety,’ then sudden destruction came upon me" [1 Thessalonians 5:3].

So that thus it is, that natural men are held in the hand of God over the pit of hell; they have deserved the fiery pit, and are already sentenced to it; and God is dreadfully provoked, his anger is as great towards them as to those that are actually suffering the executions of the fierceness of his wrath in hell, and they have done nothing in the least to appease or abate that anger, neither is God in the least bound by any promise to hold 'em up one moment; the devil is waiting for them, hell is gaping for them, the flames gather and flash about them, and would fain lay hold on them, and swallow them up; the fire pent up in their own hearts is struggling to break out; and they have no interest in any mediator, there are no means within reach that can be any security to them. In short, they have no refuge, nothing to take hold of, all that preserves them every moment is the mere arbitrary will, and uncovenanted unobliged forbearance of an incensed God.

You probably are not sensible of this; you find you are kept out of hell, but don't see the hand of God in it, but look at other things, as the good state of your bodily constitution, your care of your own life, and the means you use for your own preservation. But indeed these things are nothing; if God should withdraw his hand, they would avail no more to keep you from falling, than the thin air to hold up a person that is suspended in it.
Your wickedness makes you as it were heavy as lead, and to tend downwards with great weight and pressure towards hell; and if God should let you go, you would immediately sink and swiftly descend and plunge into the bottomless gulf, and your healthy constitution, and your own care and prudence, and best contrivance, and all your righteousness, would have no more influence to uphold you and keep you out of hell, than a spider's web would have to stop a falling rock. Were it not that so is the sovereign pleasure of God, the earth would not bear you one moment; for you are a burden to it; the creation groans with you; the creature is made subject to the bondage of your corruption, not willingly;

The bow of God's wrath is bent, and the arrow made ready on the string, and Justice bends the arrow at your heart, and strains the bow, and it is nothing but the mere pleasure of God, and that of an angry God, without any promise or obligation at all, that keeps the arrow one moment from being made drunk with your blood."

The above excerpts are sobering to all of us. They are just a portion of the complete sermon of Jonathan Edwards. However, if you have any doubt at all as to whether this fate, this hell, may await you, it is urgently time for you to accept Jesus as the One who can and will be your Redeemer. He is the One who ransomed us out of this pit which awaited us. It is not God who sends us there, but the weight of our own sin, and our own choice to reject His provision of mercy, that sends ourselves there. Not one of us is "good enough", or "religious enough", to escape on our own. Turn to your Savior today, and call upon His Name, Jesus.
To those who do know Jesus, we are also being called to repent and turn away from our sins:
"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 heal their land."     2 Chron. 7:14
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."    1 John 1:9
"...before the great and terrible day of the LORD come...it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered..."  Joel 2:31-32, Acts 2:21, Rom. 10:13)
That day is here.

Full Text of Jonathan Edwards' Sermon:
Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

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The Coming Resurretion and the Living Resurrected

 

These are perilous times for many Christians across the world. Many are persecuted, some even to death. On the other hand, many Christians are filled with the desires for the things of the world. They enjoy their comfort, prosperity, and status, and would not want to risk losing those things. However, all Christians should treasure the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the hope and promise of resurrection for ourselves. Whether we are prospering or suffering, we all need to have a deeper and more intimate understanding of His resurrection.

Jesus taught us that even as His Father raises and quickens (restore to life, to cause to live) the dead, so the Son is also able to enliven those whom He chooses (Jn. 5:21). The Son will raise the dead by the sound of His voice:

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him who sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life...The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live...the hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good (by His leading and righteousness), unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."   Jn. 5:24-29 excerpt

Those raised by the voice of Jesus will be judged by Him, because He is the Son of man, as well as being the Son of God. His Father has entrusted this justice and judgment to Him.

 

The prophet Ezekiel experienced a profound vision of resurrection in a vast valley full of dry bones. Ezekiel was also called "the son of man" by God, as Jesus was, and this resurrection also occurred by the sound of his voice:

"Again He said unto me, "Prophesy unto these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD...behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live. So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceeding great army."   Ez. 37:4-5, 10

The dry bones heard the voice of the prophet, the son of man, who prophesied the word of the LORD God to them, and they were once again joined together, covered with sinew and flesh. They lived, breathed and stood again. It was the time of resurrection. This is the Valley of Decision of the prophet Joel, and the hour of harvest, in which the earth will be reaped (Rev. 14:15-16). These events of which the prophets spoke are about to come to pass upon the earth.

As we all wonder at this great resurrection authority and power of the Father, and the Son, the apostle Paul tells us that we are to seek becoming the living resurrected. We are to reach for this as something to be incorporated into our spiritual lives now. How are we to become the living resurrected? Well, before something is resurrected, even as the living resurrected, it has to "die".

 



 

Our bodies and lives are to be presented before God as living sacrifices, not conformable to this world, but transformed. This is the only way to live by the will of God, and become the living resurrected  (Rom. 12:1-2). Paul teaches further:

"...I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ...that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable (receive the same form as, to bring to the same form not found elsewhere, fashioned like) unto His death.    Phil. 3:8, 10

Our communion with Christ must include a communion with His sufferings, and death-death to the image and likeness of this world, death to the things of this world, death to our own will and flesh. If we conform to His likeness, we also must conform to His sufferings, His death, and even then, with great joy, His resurrection, while we still live.

This is not the time for a comfortable, satisfied church, but rather a church who hears His voice, His call to a living resurrection, and is pressing toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
If you would like to know Jesus like this, and know the power of His resurrection, to have fellowship with Him in all ways, you can seek Him, and receive Him through simple, sincere prayer:
"Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Forgive me of my sins, and become Lord of my life. I turn away from the sins and cares of this world, even my own flesh, and I turn to You, as my Savior, the true and living God. I believe that You died for me, that You rose again from the dead, and that You are coming again as our LORD and King. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, and teach me and lead me in Your righteousness. By Your Spirit, give me the power and strength to live and walk in Your ways. Thank You for hearing my prayer, and receiving me. I pray this in Your name, Amen."
If you have prayed this and received Jesus, let us know! God bless you.

 

 

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