How Can I Not?

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

How can I not do this!? This was a question brought up in our Revelation study by one woman after reading carefully what will occur in the future, maybe closer than we know.

In our study this week we were shown some of the things this world will--will--go through in the last days. While we may not understand all the imagery of Revelation 8 and 9, it again points us to Who, not what, is in control and Who we can trust. Read for yourself! 

We have to believe that even though we live on earth in an earthly body with earthly desires, there are two unseen spiritual atmospheres. Some of us can feel the presence of them. There is a joy about one but a heaviness and sorrow about the other. 

With that, listen to a few of the things that will happen in those last days. Remember that if it is in the Bible it will happen. God does not lie but He also wants us to be fully aware, warned and prepared for those days. These are judgments that will take place. This may seem like a lot of scripture but nothing says it better. 

...hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up. (Revelation‬ ‭8:7‬)

...something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. (‭‭Revelation‬ ‭8:8-9‬)

...a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. ...A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter. (Revelation‬ ‭8:10-11‬)

...a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night. (Revelation‬ ‭8:12‬)

That's just the environment. Imagine a third of all crops, water, fish and animals destroyed and less sun to grow what remained. That would be a problem. This will be done that man will look to God and believe. He will be controlling all this. But there is more.

Next the judgments upon man. A bottomless pit was opened and locusts swarmed out. They were not to harm (the remaining) vegetation but were given authority to torment anyone who was not of God. In this prophecy, however, there are still many who, like Pharaoh in Exodus, hardened their hearts and refused to repent and still would not bow to God. And they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man. In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them. (‭‭Revelation‬ ‭9:5-6)‬ ‭Five months of wishing death. 

Next 1/3 of man was allowed to be killed by a huge, powerful army. And yet, even after that some would not bow to the Lord. By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed—by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths. But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts. (Revelation‬ ‭9:18,20-21‬)

This bowing to God is not just the idea that we believe there is a God and taking the idea He will return lightly or believing it won't happen in our lifetime. Bowing means submitting to Him, asking forgiveness of our sins and following and obeying Him. It is something we must do. James 2:19 says: You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! If the demons know and they tremble over God, shouldn't we? With reverent fear. 

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The Lord is merciful. These things must come to pass as signs. We haven't  seen anything like this yet but it will happen. He tries to get our attention personally even today with financial hardship, illness, murder, theft, terrorism. Weren't we shocked at 9/11? Aren't we concerned about the rise in terrorism, human trafficking, unnecessary violence? Still some don't get it. He will step it up as the days go on. Jesus would prefer that none perish, yet He knows that will not be the case. These are the stark warnings for us that we might come to Him and believe, trust, have faith in and obey Him. Even if He waits 25 years, knowing Him is His desire. Underlying all this destruction is His love. It might not seem like it, but it's there. He keeps warning and warning. He loves us so much.

How can I not do as the opening scripture tells us? Do I expect everyone to listen/read? No. Do I want people to harden their hearts all the more? Of course not. How can I not share what the truth of God's Word says? 

How many times do we, even believers, have to hear what God commands us and reject it? We are all guilty of putting other things before Him, as came out in our Revelation study yesterday. God's warnings are for our good. He is delaying His return, for awhile, that more would submit and receive Him. But...He could come any time. Or anyone could be struck by a car or sudden illness. We must know Him before disaster arrives. Then we can look to Him to get us through. No one or thing can compare. 

How can I not continue to share His love and warnings? How can I not say it like it is? How can I not? His words might be hard to believe, unless you know Him. We cannot be content in this world with all its trappings. Do the things of this world really satisfy or do you always desire more? People throw their money into lotteries hoping to win the big one. How about throwing your heart at the throne of God for the greatest reward of all...eternal life. The greatest gift we can receive is Jesus Christ. All that money will not satisfy in the long run. It will not prevent our death or the death of others. It will not bring our salvation either.

In class we all agreed that what we share with others isn't always going to be received joyfully or thankfully. Most will reject the words of God. That is the greatest burden we all carry. But Jesus says to give our burdens to Him. We do what is required and let Him sort it out.

C.S. Lewis said: If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. I know that many will say they are satisfied in this world. Jesus tells us not to seek the treasures of the world that perish but seek the things of God. It goes against the human mind. We are told that we are to have faith in those things we cannot see. Wow. Jesus' followers had the opportunity to see Him and believed (and even then there were those who wanted no part of Him). Through His disciples and others after them, the testimony of Jesus Christ has continued...among those who have not seen Him. Only He will remain in the end after the earth is gone.

Matthew‬ ‭10:32-33‬ ‭- Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

Beginning of Sorrows

Matthew 24:6-8 - And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Hah! A friend of mine was talking about a study on the Book of Revelation she will be taking. When she emailed me she said her iPad changed Revelation to rebellion. Makes sense to me! I have decided to join her in this study.

I'm certain while little is said just yet, there have got to be a lot of people noticing a shift in this world. Revelation will show what will occur. We have been warned. Are we prepared? We can be if we believe what the Bible says about all things. We can be if we trust in the Lord for our lives, which I mentioned yesterday.

What will it take before everyone takes a long, hard look at their own lives and realize how we need a Savior for remission of sins, everlasting life and strength for the days we will all face in one way or another? He came to save us! I was just as stubborn once in thinking I didn't need anyone to help me with my life. I was doing fine, got through the glitches on my own or with the help of friends. I was achieving my goals, whether in the right way or wrong. Living the way I wanted, whether right or wrong. What was wrong, I thought, anyway? Wasn't it the way we perceived it...or didn't? But one day that all changed and I "saw the light."

So, some don't believe we are nearing the end of all things. Some believe life will just go on. Some think the Church, or at least certain ones, are just trying to instill fear to fill the pews for profit. What will it take for them to even consider the times we live in?

We must be able to face bad things we will go through, or have gone through. We cannot push them in a corner or sweep them under a rug and pretend they don't, or haven't existed. Bad things happen and will continue to. Since that bite out of the fruit in the Garden of Eden we have had our share of trouble. It happens. It won't go away till Jesus returns. 

But God...brought a solution. We are all born into sin but we can all be reborn into that "arrogant" righteousness if we submit our lives to Jesus Christ. The Word of God has explained it all. He laid the foundation in the first five books of the Old Testament. He continued in the Old Testament to show the ongoing sin, the rebellion of Israel to God's commands and their ability to "forget" all He had done for them. He has shown what He does when His people returned to Him, then turned away, then returned and turned away again. The ongoing struggle of rebellion and disobedience and righteousness and obedience. And we still struggle with it today.

But then the solution became reality in the New Testament in the form of His Son, Jesus. Redemption was a possibility for any and all who would recognize and receive it. We can still turn to or back to God, as a people or a nation. Jesus may not be physically walking the earth today but spiritually He is still available to receive anyone who struggles with the things of this world brought on by sinful natures.

The other night I had dinner with a friend and this subject came up. We see the beginning of sorrows referred to in the Bible. The only thing I can do is take the subject of the changes in this world all the way back to that garden! That's where it all began. How they have escalated. Oh, some say, that was so long ago. Does it really matter anymore? Yes! Your life today, 6,000 years later, still depends on Him. 

How I love the Bible and the accounts of people long gone. How they knew God, listened to Him speak, watched Him do miracles; how He supplied their needs, loved them even in their sinfulness, but disciplined for their rebellion. Nothing has changed. God never changes. When they returned to Him, like the prodigal son's father, God received them back with open arms and joy. He wants the same today. 

He will return someday for all those who have called on Him. For those who have stopped being rebellious and now wait for His return. Revelation outlines things we need to know, even if it's to teach the youth. It talks about the churches in these last days and the rebelliousness of many of them. It gives them warnings and how to turn back. It brings up satan and his last days, the dreaded mark of the beast. It speaks of false prophets present even now and describes the last days war, the revealing of the anti-Christ. God's wrath is explained. From Revelation we can better understand the rebellion that is taking place in our lifetime and what it will turn in to. And best of all it reveals Jesus and all that believers have to look forward to...the Lamb's book of life.

Yes, it's about our rebellion. Our rebellion against God. This is individually and corporately as churches, governments and societies. We walk away from God, He's not happy. He will judge. And He will return to do one final judgment of all. Will we be ready?

Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds
of heaven with power and great glory. Behold, He is coming with clouds, and
every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the 
earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. “I am the Alpha and the
Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and
who is to come, the Almighty.” (Matthew 24:30, Revelation‬ ‭1‬:‭7-8)

For Our Learning

Romans 15:4 - For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

I have been prompted to read other prophets of the Bible. Many words of warning were declared. And when we hear words of warning from God, we should heed them. It requires us to do these things: humble ourselves before God, pray, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways. The result of this is His hearing us, forgiving us of our sins and healing.

I began to read Habakkuk and was struck with some of the wording that sounded familiar. I had highlighted some of it in the past and even had notations. Listen to these words from God to Habakkuk after he had complained to God about the state of his nation's wickedness and when was He going to do something about it:

The LORD replied, "Look at the nations and be amazed! Watch and be astounded at what I will do! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn't believe even if someone told you about it. I am raising up the Babylonians to be a new power on the world scene. They are a cruel and violent nation who will march across the world and conquer it. They are notorious for their cruelty. They do as they like, and no one can stop them. Their horses are swifter than leopards. They are a fierce people, more fierce than wolves at dusk. Their horsemen race forward from distant places. Like eagles they swoop down to pounce on their prey. On they come, all of them bent on violence. (Habakkuk 1:5-9 NLT)

Babylon's location today is Iraq! Need I say more? Think about the words of Isaiah 9:10 and the comparison between Israel and the United States by Jonathan Cahn written in The Harbinger. And remember, what has been written is for our learning. 

We should be crying out to the Lord as Habakkuk and other prophets: How long, O God, shall we cry and you will not hear? How many of us are really crying out for His mercy? How many of us want His judgment?

Later Habakkuk pleads more with God, worshiping Him as the God everlasting and holy. Habakkuk knows that despite all that happens, God's people will not be totally destroyed. But...He has chosen to appoint an enemy for our judgment and correction (Habakkuk 1:12). He allows these things in order that we might once again return...to...Him.

This country has started to allow one enemy to infiltrate our society and allowed evil to look good and good to look evil. If you don't see it, you are living in a fantasy world. The only way is to return to God, turn from the evil ways, seek God through prayer. This is the narrow way; Jesus is the narrow Way. No political figure can do this, no matter how "right" he might seem. No strength of our own in our military. Both are mere men. 

If God wants to cast judgment on us, He can. And I believe He will. He will use a physical enemy.

Here's another tidbit from God in Habakkuk:

Then the LORD replied: "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. (Habakkuk 2:2-3).

A commentary on these verses said that this prophecy is for a future time also. Could that future be now? When are we going to learn what we are called to do? Will we as a nation wait until the next attack against us? All things are written for our learning. The tablets could be the Bible, the herald, all who share the words of God. 

If each one of us would trust in God, seek Him first for our salvation that we might understand all these things through the power of His Holy Spirit, gain the discernment necessary for these days, we might be able to effect some change in the world. We cannot, as people, be the change, as many suggest. If the change does not take place through the power of God, it is meaningless.

All things are written for our learning. Although God is patient with us, hoping we will get it, His patience with us will wear out. A judgment will come. Are we ready? Are we truly ready...in heart, soul, spirit and body? As Romans 13:11 says, we are to understand the present time; we are to awaken from our slumber. Remember we have a means of salvation. Turn to God, humble yourself, seek His face, and give your life to Jesus that you will be safe from future judgment. 

1Corinthians 10:11 - Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 

Warning!

Luke 21: 25-28 - "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."

This has been quite the summer. As the fall season begins and we have one last patriotic celebration ahead of us, what will the rest of the year hold in store? We pray that God's hand is on this country, but what if all we are seeing and hearing are the beginning of birth pains the Bible tells us to expect before things go from bad to worse? Could this be part of God's plan? 

I watched in wonder last weekend the 8/28 Restoring Honor rally held by Glenn Beck. Amazing. How the media loves to distort the truth, even when pictures don't lie about the size of this rally. How I wish I could have been there. I'll bet there were hundreds of thousands more who wished they could have been there. What does this tell us about what so great a number feel about our country? We've had it so good...we should never have grown lax and comfortable. 

I recall something Beck said that really stood out. I'm paraphrasing: People think I'm just a fear mongerer. Do you think when the captain of the Titanic said, "It's an iceberg" that he was a fear mongerer? No, he was warning them. He was telling the truth. That's all he's trying to do. He's digging for truth and he's passing it on to us...with the admonition to check it out for ourselves so we will see for ourselves it's the truth. Hey, Jesus only told the truth and has asked us to seek it as well. Beck believes, as I'm sure most Christians do, that God needs to be restored to this country. Without God as our leader we are nothing. Just as without Jesus as center of our individual lives, we are nothing.

Beck told us we must know what we believe in order to have a firm reliance on it. He suggested that goes for God (Jesus) as well. We must seek the truth...in life and spiritually. Do you rely on man or God when the storms of life hit? God is the ultimate protection, through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Without that there is no hope. Glenn also said this: If you find out who God truly is, I warn you, it will be the greatest blessing of your life, but it will also be the biggest curse because on some things you will no longer have a choice because you know what is true, you know who you serve and you must stand there because you have no other choice. Know who He is and know who you are. This is true! Christ changes your views, your thoughts, your life. Change...something some people don't want to do. 

We have long been a Christian nation. But we see churches crumbling and falling for the enemy's lies and slowly taking on worldview in order to not offend. Our nation does not help this situation with it's call for diversity and tolerance. It's the old double standard when it comes to Christianity. Christians need not be tolerated; God need not be tolerated. But other religious beliefs are. Perhaps it's not just the government's fault. The Church may have lost its foothold, it has distorted the truth and people have fallen for it. Morality has taken a nose dive. Another thing Beck said stands out for me: He does not see a political candidate yet that has the right morals to be a leader of this nation. I think there are hints of candidates, but how would they fare? Truth, morals and honesty don't seem to be something people want. 

There's an underlying feeling by some that something is going on that we can't quite put our fingers on. It's an unsettled feeling. I've said it before in regard to myself, it's like waiting for the other shoe to drop. It almost goes unspoken because we don't know exactly what it is. It's time for Christians to rise up and begin warning others. It's time for the Church to stand up as well and stand for the truth.

There is a spiritual realm we do not see, but can sense, if we are aware of it. I know there are many who think all this "spiritual" stuff is nonsense. The idea that God is up to something behind the scenes may seem preposterous. But like the scripture above, there will be a day like this...when the powers of heaven will be shaken. This is not a doom and gloom scenario but the truth. Peter told us, as well, that there would be a day such as this: "...scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and 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.'" (2Peter 2:3-4) 

Of course a person first needs to believe that the Bible is the inerrant, truthful, God-breathed Word. It all starts there. I shudder to think of the day when things begin to happen in this world that absolutely cannot be explained away, except that God's hand is in it. Some scoffers will change their minds. Some's hearts will fail them. 

Those who understand what could very well be happening will still undergo tribulation. It will not be an easy time; however, there is a hope that we (yes, I'm included here) cling to. That hope is Jesus Christ. It is part of His plan to draw all men unto Him. Things have to get to a point where we have no place else to look but up. That's why He first tries on a more personal level to get a person's heart to change before it gets worse (for me April 18, 1999). When God chooses to move, no man will be able to stop Him. No man in even the greatest authority in the world will be able to overthrow God. Don't forget, He humbles the proud...any way He has to.

A friend and I were talking one day and we both agreed we would much rather be on the side we are on than to be counted among the scoffers. Yes we are looked at a bit oddly for our beliefs. But, again, as the Bible says, "we are a peculiar people" (1Peter 2:9) because of those beliefs. I'll tell you, I would really like to be wrong. 

I'm not trying to paint a gloomy picture, either, just a realistic one. Something is happening in the atmosphere around us. There is an enemy who wishes to turn people's hearts away from God. He wants to drag those who are willing to be sucked into his beliefs down with him because he knows the beginning from the end as God does...and he knows he doesn't win. He just doesn't want to go down alone. He's being quite successful...

Anyone can have peace if they choose to look to Christ. What more can I say? It's my story, and I'm sticking to it. Just like history cannot be changed, HisStory will not change either. His story makes a lot of sense if you take the time to search it out. All throughout the Bible Jesus and peace go together: Jesus is called the Prince of Peace. It is in Christ that we can have the peace that passes all understanding.  He Himself is our peace...  He will also be the only peace in this world when all will begin to feel the unsettling changes take place. In Christ we can overcome the difficulties of this world.

Romans 5:1 - Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance...