Scripture: 2 Peter 2 v 12 - 13: "But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;"Luke 15 v 13 - 15: "And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine."
All over the world we are observing serious reaction to governments that have ceased to function in a democratic way. Like the reaction to Putin and his annexation of almost a fifth of Ukrainian territory last Friday, after a hasty, sham referendum in places he has not conquered. People voted at gunpoint and the result was 94% pro-Russian.
And afterwards the shameful retreat of Russian forces from the seized territories as the Ukrainian army threatened to capture them. The Russians stole civilian cars and clothing to make their escape. The might and power of Russia is being seriously humiliated by these events. Our God upholds the righteous, and we can observe this on social media.
The sudden death of Queen Elizabeth II the same week a new Prime Minister was installed in 10 Downing Street threw the British financial sector into chaos as the value of the pound fell to levels not seen for years.
In South Africa, there is devastating loadshedding of electricity for many weeks, and worse to come. In Johannesburg it has affected the pump stations causing the taps to run dry. The dams are full but nary a drop to drink in some parts. This in the middle of a heatwave in Spring.
Florida USA, has been devastated by Hurricane Ian with many lives lost, unbelievable damage across the whole state. The unprecedented surge of water has caused flooding that will take months to fix. No amount of prayer could change the course of these events.
What do we do when there are fires, floods, riots, wars, upheavals with no end in sight. When do we begin to understand that this is not a drill? This is not a practice run to see how prepared we are for the end times prophesied by Jesus Christ.
Satan has lost his dominion over this planet and like any loser he wants to trash the place before he leaves. He has always wanted to destroy the Earth but has been stopped by our God who put boundaries he cannot cross.
Everything happening right now from pollution of air, land, sea and rivers, to anarchy, apostasy...a falling away from Christian living, and rebellion against authority, is orchestrated by our enemy. He hates us with a passion, he hates every human being created by God, because he hates God and everything He made and loves. Us in particular.
He especially hates Christians because they love Jesus, and the Father, and the Holy Spirit. They are obedient to the Lord and oppose Satan by rebuking him and binding his demons, as well as taking captured souls away from him. So he sets up many persecutors and some are not afraid to kill, maim or destroy us. They may hurt our flesh but our spirit is eternally safe in God's heart.
Only the Father knows the exact day and time of the Rapture, and the Second Coming of Jesus. We only know the season. We know when that season is upon us, and it is definitely here. This is not a drill! This is the real thing.
Churches everywhere are slumbering under a delusion that this too shall pass. There may be respite for a short while here and there, but now is the time to assess where your heart lies, and if you have ticked all the boxes to ensure where your destiny lies.
In September the One World Church had a conference, attended by Pope Francis who declared that Christianity, as seen through Roman Catholic position, worships the same God as every other religion especially Judaism and Islam. Only true Christians will totally reject this global religious unity.
I say this because Jesus sadly said there will be much crying and gnashing of teeth. This means that many who think they are perfectly secure, aren't. There is some sin unrepented of that will trip them up. There is some doctrine of man they cling to that will cause them to regret that choice for eternity.
Study the Bible to ensure all the things you believe about salvation are in there. Are you relying on infant baptism instead of immersion in water after repentance? Verse 16....he that believes and is baptised shall be saved. First believe then be baptised.
Mark 16 v 15 - 18: "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."
Signs following a believer....cast out demons, speak with new tongues, snakes can't hurt, poison can't hurt, heal the sick. This does not mean that you go out and deliberately try this, no! It means that if your enemy tries to destroy you, Jesus will protect you.
Acts 28 v 3 - 6: "And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.
5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god."
It was good staging by the Lord because Paul could now tell these barbarians about Jesus and heal their sick folk. So even where the ship was wrecked was planned by God.
Let us be mindful and look on every event as an opportunity God is making to display His power. This is not a drill so we must use the time well to bring Jesus into action where the devil is trying to scare everyone.
I exhort you family of God, do not be hamstrung like the British Parliament, nor defunct like the ANC government of South Africa. You have the ability, duty and knowledge to save souls on the street where you live. Jesus said, By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love one to another. For sure, this is how He will know if we have ticked all the right boxes.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I ask that this blog, or any other manner that You can use, will raise up Your people to reach out strongly to people they know who have never met Jesus and are trapped in Satan's world system. Their minds are confused and distracted by sin and lust. O God, have mercy upon them and send Your people in. In Jesus' name. Amen.