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;"
2 John v 9 - 11: "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds."
One of the instructions Jesus impressed on His disciples concerning the period of time before His return to Earth is: Be not deceived! He was addressing Christians.
Do we throw caution to the wind? Do we become gullible, not checking for truth and validity? Do we fall for lies and get scammed? How did the early Church survive?
Over and over this week from all sides I have been reminded that the Church exists in power. Not secular or political power but in the power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of Truth. Truth is powerful. It keeps us on the strait and narrow way that leads to life. We must not stray beloved family of God, we must not compromise the truth that is Jesus.
The British Parliament is under fire after the stance of the PM plus the Leader of the Opposition refuse to insist on a cease-fire of the Israeli army against the Palestinians. The truth is that the evil Hamas terrorists have made it clear that they will not stop their attack on Israel until the Jews no longer exist. More than a dozen Muslim MP's have resigned in fury.
The fight is between Hamas and Israel not the Palestinians. Hamas use them as human shields to bring the wrath of the world against Israel. Hamas hide beneath hospitals, mosques, village homes, and travel in ambulances. They refuse to allow the Palestinians to use the safe passage out of danger provided by the IDC 48 hours before they move into a specific area.
The whole world is being conned by Hamas looking for sympathisers. Hundreds of thousands have mobbed the streets of cities not knowing the truth nor caring to know. John says in the verses above to not allow unbelievers into your home and do not bless their journey or you will be seen as a partaker in his evil ways. How much more those who are deceived about Israel and her intentions who march in solidarity with Hamas the Destroyer?
What do we do when there are wars, storms, floods, riots, erupting volcanoes, many earthquakes, economic upheavals and no end in sight? When do we begin to understand that 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 the Holy Spirit who put up boundaries he cannot cross. After the Rapture these restraints will be gone, and Satan's unholy trinity of the Antichrist, the Beast and the False Prophet will wreak havoc in the Great Tribulation aka The Wrath of the Lamb.
His wrath is against those who made the choice to trust Satan, the Great Red Dragon, more than the Saviour and Redeemer who died to set them free. He will allow Satan to do as he pleases until the people left behind will become martyrs to be saved.
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 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.
I say this because Jesus sadly said there will be much weeping and gnashing of teeth on the Day of Judgment. This means that some 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.
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.
Jesus said, "In the world you shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." We too, are to be overcomers - bringing the light of Jesus into a world filled with darkness and hate.
Let us be mindful and look on every event as an opportunity God is making to display His power. We must use the time well to bring Jesus into action where the devil is trying to scare everyone. Truth be told, it frightens Satan.
Be honest with yourself. If you knew we only had a few weeks till the Rapture, would you gather the people you truly love, friends, family, colleagues and speak earnestly about salvation? Or would you ask God to send someone else? Remember its true. Jesus said, What you do unto the least of these, you are doing it to Me!
I exhort you family of God, do not be confounded like the British Parliament, nor uncaring like the ANC government of South Africa. You have the ability, duty and knowledge to save souls on the street where you live. You have resources to rescue the lost rather than spending it on luxuries.
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. Lord 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.