A TIME FOR WARNING

“..........let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? (Romans 3:4-6 KJV)

Even as God through Joshua destroyed Jerico, men, women, children, animals and belongings, so shall He destroy all unrighteousness when His time has fully come to perform His wrath. His Saints are safe from His wrath, now and then when it will be perfectly manifested, and new Heaven and earth will replace the present which shall be burned:

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. “(2 Peter 3:9-14 KJV)

There are those in the world today, and have been among God’s people from the time of Caine whose heart’s desire is to hate and kill all who stand in the truth, sharing the love of God. But God has a word for the righteous as they walk in this dangerous world:

“And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.” (Luke 12:4-5 AV)

As we wait and watch for the coming of our Lord, we have a sure word from Him regarding the treatment of evil. God has not left us without a sword of power. Beginning in the home and extending through the community, the state, through the nations, even to all world judges and magistrates. Here is our responsibility to God in response to the power He has entrusted us with:

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. “(Romans 13:1-7 KJV)

We see then, when we pay out taxes we support the work of God’s avengers against evil. The question that needs an answer is, “are our fathers standing against evil in our homes; are our police and judges doing their work according to God‘s will; do our state militia do their calling; and does our national forces seek out and destroy evil that effects our land by God‘s power? If not, we are not keeping God’s word for the peace of our homes and land, which neglect in itself is evil, and will bring an avenger against those responsible for the offence. We need to get serious!!

If you are not standing in the safety of God’s will in Jesus Christ, you are in danger of God’s Hell fire, reserved for Satan, his angels and all those who are his. In Christ we find as he has told us, “the way, the truth and the life“. His ways are higher than man’s ways; His way is the way of righteousness, the natural man‘s way is the way to destruction because of unforgiven sin. In Christ, the Truth is the power for freedom from sin and it‘s consequences, that which the Pharisees rejected, bringing them bondage in which with hate demanded the crucifixion of the Lord of Glory, the only begotten Son of God. In Christ is the eternal life, the Word of redemption and grace which when received with a repentant cry for forgiveness of sin and acceptance of His person as Lord of life, exacts the writing of the names of these, the redeemed, in the Book of Life for their hope of eternal peace with the Father and His angels of glory.

All the above is clearly revealed in the faithful Word of God. If you, dear reader, are not conversant with these truths, let me assure you that all who are truly God’s children will confirm them to you; ask them. God’s Word is a mystery to the unsaved, so it is up to the unsaved to hear the Gospel, Good News, of Jesus Christ’s free gift of His death to pay for your sins, and His resurrection to prove that there is life after physical death, and His ascension to the right hand of God to prove that there is an abode beyond this Earth where we shall abide with Him if we are part with Him.

Your response today should be to accept Christ’s love and gift for you, asking for freedom from sin through His blood and your repenting willingness that He change your life. Agree with Him that you belong to Him, and that you desire that His will be accomplished in your life for His glory and your peace, peace to know that you will be in Heaven when you die, that you will live knowing that you will escape His wrath on that day when He brings the world to judgment. 12/26/01