Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
Isaiah 42:21 It pleases the LORD for the sake of his righteousness to make his law great and glorious.
Eph. 4:27-28 Leave no [such] room or foothold for the devil [give no opportunity to him]. Let the thief steal no more, but rather let him be industrious, making an honest living with his own hands, so that he may be able to give to those in need.
PROCLAIM DECREE; WOE A YOKE OF RESTRAINT. WOE A YOKE OF RESTRAINT WOE A YOKE OF RESTRAINT BE UPON THEM THAT CALL CALL EVIL GOOD AND THOSE THAT CALL GOOD EVIL
Operation God's Vengeance. Pile on the vengeance! Crush Babylon
Just watch! I'm bringing doom on the king of Babylon and his land, the same doom I brought on the king of Assyria.
The Decree of the Master, The God-of-the Hosts -Angel-Armies of Heaven.
God's Decree. Time's run out on you: Mister Pride I'm your enemy!
It's Doomsday. Mr Liar, Mr God Robber, Mr Rebellion, Mr Greed, Mr extortioner, Mr Monopoly, Mr Cartel, Mr Wealthy Fool you are all falling you will not rise again.
I set a trap for you and you were caught in it. In the Revenues of the wicked there is much trouble
Babylon is the mindset of the Babyonian’s and Chaldeans who worked evil in Zion. A stronghold or mindset of actions of people who exalt their own carnal, worldly thinking, (so that they do what is evil in God’s sight) Thinking that they are above God this is to be crushed and pummeled beyond recognition.
O Babylon, you will never knew what hit you, Caught and held in the grip of the HAND OF GOD That's what you get for taking on God.
Babylon's down. the very earth will shudder at the sound. The Good news will be heard all over the world.
Jeremiah 50:1-3 The Message of God through the prophet Jeremiah on Babylon, land of the Chaldeans: "Get the word out to the nations! Preach it! Go public with this, broadcast it far and wide: Babylon taken, god-Bel hanging his head in shame, god-Marduk exposed as a fraud. All her god-idols shuffling in shame, all her play-gods exposed as cheap frauds. For a nation will come out of the north to attack her, reduce her cities to rubble. Empty of life no animals, no people not a sound, not a movement, not a breath.
Jer. 51:12-13 Lift up a banner against the walls of Babylon! Reinforce the guard,
station the watchmen, prepare an ambush! The LORD will carry out his purpose, his decree against the people of Babylon. You who live by many waters
Lam. 3:64-66 Render unto them a recompence, O LORD, according to the work of their hands. Give them sorrow of heart, thy curse unto them. Persecute and destroy them in anger from under the heavens of the LORD.
Psalm 37:37-38 Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace. But all sinners will be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off.
Luke 18:6-8 And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"
Babylon occurs in the Christian New Testament both with a literal and a figurative meaning. In the time of the New Testament, there was probably no Christian community in the actual city of Babylon. In the Book of Revelation, the city of Babylon is a symbol of every kind of evil. New Testament era
Babylon was later the nominal seat of a Latin archbishop, of a Chaldean patriarch and of a Syrian archbishop. But according to the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: "Babylon" [1], there was probably no Christian community in the actual city of Babylon during the time when the New Testament books were completed (roughly, the second half of the first century). There are passing references to the historical Babylon of the Jewish past in Matthew 1:11,12,17 and in Acts 7:43, but these are literary. In 1 Peter 5:13 Babylon is designated as the place from which that Epistle was written, but this has traditionally been interpreted as an example of the figurative sense of "Babylon", as a euphemism for Rome. There is no reason to believe that any of the events of the New Testament literally transpired in the actual city of Babylon, nor has that been claimed by any significant commentator. Book of Revelation
- See also: Whore of Babylon
In the Book of Revelation, the destruction of 'Babylon', a city a symbol of every kind of evil, is foretold. The connection with the actual historical city of Babylon is usually held to be metaphorical. Virtually all New Testament scholars believe that "Babylon" is here used as a metaphor, euphemism, or 'code word' for the power of the Roman Empire, which was oppressing the nascent church much as the Babylonian empire had oppressed the Jewish people in Old Testament times; with the reason given usually being that it was not considered safe or prudent to speak openly against Rome. Elsewhere in the Book of Revelation, Babylon is the name of a whore who rules over the kings of the earth and rides upon a seven-headed beast. In one of the Bible's most famous cases of numerology, the beast is assigned the identifying number 666 (believed by a few scholars to be Nero). Whom or what Babylon refers to in the Book of Revelation has been the subject of much speculation over the centuries:
- As noted above, the standard scholarly interpretation is that Babylon symbolises Rome and the "Whore of Babylon" therefore either refers to the Roman emperor, or personified the power of the Roman Empire under whom many early Christians and Jews were persecuted, tortured, and marytred for their beliefs because they wouldn't submit to the Roman Emperor as a god. Many scholars believe that the early Christians used "Babylon" as a euphemism for pagan Rome, so that their small community wouldn't be found out and persecuted even more.
- Some Fundamentalist Protestant commentaries on the Book of Revelation treat the references to the city Babylon in Revelation as both the City of Rome and the Roman Catholic Church personified in the institution of the papacy. Some Protestant denominations today do not give credence to such arguments however.
- Some groups, including the Jehovah's Witnesses and some Mormons, believe as a variation of the above, that Babylon represents all false religion (ie: that thought to be disapproved of or condemned by God).
- San Francisco is sometimes called (in varying degrees of seriousness) as "Babylon by the Bay". Others have referred to the United States as Babylon, and New York as its Whore.
- A modern interpretation is that the Whore of Babylon refers to the institution of multinational corporations. (whore one whose loyalty can be bought; rules over the kings of the earth is more powerful than any individual secular government.) While this might be acceptable as an oratorical figure of speech, serious Biblical scholars would regard it as an abuse of an ancient text to suppose that this was the intended meaning of the phrase.
- Fritz Lang's film Metropolis interpreted Revelation's "Whore of Babylon" as the android Maria.
- In William Shakespeare's play Henry V, Falstaff's dying words refer to the Whore of Babylon. This is probably a final touch of comic relief in Falstaff's career, since he intends a spiritual or Biblical meaning, while Mistress Quickly takes it to mean a literal prostitute, one he knew and she had not.
- In the Rastafari movement, Babylon is a key theological concept referring to any oppressive power structure that adherents believe has been responsible for keeping their people poor and oppressed for generations. However it also refers to the literal Tower of Babel, which Haile Selassie sometimes referred to in his speeches, seen as an act of human rebellion against JAH.
CLEAN HANDS
“Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart.” – Ps. 24:3-4
“He that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.” – Job 17:9
While the “clean hands” would be a part of being “righteous,” as we considered in yesterday’s meditation, there are some specific points to be considered with this qualification. To be clean is to be free from whatever sullies or defiles, no interior flaws. Why do we say “no interior flaws”? Because Jesus made it very clear, it isn’t the outside of the cup alone, but the inside that needs to be clean, and then it follows that it is also easier to keep the outside clean. For “not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man – for out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: these are the things which defile a man.” (Matt. 15:11, 19-20). Therefore we say, to be clean requires that the inner condition be pure and clean, then the acts which follow will be clean also.
Jesus said, “for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me…” (John 14:30). When there is nothing within that the enemy can lay claim to, this is purity indeed. This is our challenge, our vision, and to this end we understand that God has purposed our daily travail and processing. We might say, in the measure we have been, and our being purified, we are going from strength to strength.
Recognizing that it is a daily work of God within, what is it that is doing the cleansing work in us? Jesus said, “Now are ye clean through THE WORD which I have spoken unto you.” (John 15:3). While Paul wrote that “He might sanctify and cleanse us with the washing of water by THE WORD.” – Eph. 5:26
James also links the hands and the heart together when he admonishes, “Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands… and purify your hearts.” (James 4:8). Thus we will daily overcome!
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MONDAY MANNA ISSUE 131: JESUS' 2 TYPES OF FRIENDS: WHICH ARE YOU?
MONDAY MANNA: A few minutes to help equip Jesus' soldiers for another week in the SPIRITUAL WAR
By Marc White, Walk Worthy, Central Florida, USA
"(God) rained down manna upon them to eat, And gave them food from heaven." Psalm 78:24
Monday Manna, Copyright, a Walk Worthy ministry; permission granted to repost in full.
The Vision of Walk Worthy is to be preaching and discipling the whole Gospel and purpose of God worldwide so that His body will walk in all purity and holiness.
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My friends,
One of the best things about the New Covenant record is that the inspired writings are in the Greek language. None of us has to be an expert in Greek to glean some of the facts conveyed from the mind of God. To say the least, using this ancient language is an expressive strategy in communicating truth at all levels. Our Lord certainly knows how to teach us the deep ways of His faith to us, His most trusted vessels of mercy.
For example, most of us have probably heard of at least the 3 types of "love" that are described in Greek by the single English word. The most famous Greek word to us is likely called "agape" love used to translate about 250 times an affection towards others that's both merciful and approving, that is both unconditional and conditional. This might be said to be a love from the heart itself.
Another Greek love type is "phileo" used over 20 times to translate the thoughts of having a fond and dear affection, but more from the head than the heart. You've heard of the city of 'brotherly love' know as Phil-adelphia, or 'loving-brethren. ' You can see this concept used one of six times in the NT in Romans 12:10 where it commands us to be devoted to one another in 'brotherly love.' Even if the town of Philly here in the USA is not so loving these days, we assume at one time it was more so than today!
Of course, another type of love is sexual in nature, reserved for the wonderful confines of the marriage bed, a celebratory expression in some limited human way of the oneness God desires with us, and with each other as husband and wife.
Each type of love originates from the mind of God as only He can orchestrate. Praise be to His nature of loving holiness!
But have you ever heard of Jesus' 2 types of friends? And which one might you be? Let me explain my leading if I might.
Only by sifting the richness of the original written language can we uncover clues to the character and nature of God Himself. It's a terrible sin to misrepresent the character and nature of the Creator. If we have the tools to do so, and the insight of His Holy Spirit, then we're obligated to live in such a way that acknowledges these facts. Also, we're commanded to proclaim these facts to the others He has graciously placed in our sphere of life.
I stumbled upon this truth many years ago when studying the different uses of the word "friend." My questions to God went something like this. Lord, are all people your friends as we think of that endearing term? Is there anything that can begin to separate us from that love we've been erroneously taught is the same no matter what our behavior? In faith, He answered quite quickly as I recall.
Let's take a look now.
The main use of "friend," then, in the NT record is "philos" (fee'-los) and is used about 50 times to convey the emotions and actins of beloved, dear, friendly, etc. You'll quickly notice that this Greek word is almost identical to one used in type 2 "love" above, "phileo." For in actuality, "phileo," or a type of "love," is derived from "philos," or "friend." Fascinating, isn't it, how God weaves His truths to enlighten us to love each other in perfected unity?
How about a sampling of how it's used to educate us a bit?
First, Jesus is a "philos" of sinners, His enemies using it as a term of derision:
Matthew 11:19
"The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a FRIEND of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds."
Next, Jesus tells us we're now "philos" to Him, and not just slaves, since His teaching us the Father's ways prove us to be so:
John 15:15
"No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you FRIENDS, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.
Are there any conditions on this gracious blessing? Certainly not, you say. But that popular notion is absolutely false! Just one verse prior to this, Jesus first proclaims that this intimate friendship is, at least in part, conditional upon our obedience. This flies in the face of the teachings of American Christianity. So there's both an unconditional and conditional part of love, both merciful AND approving based on our actions. Let's read it together:
John 15:14
"You are My FRIENDS IF YOU DO WHAT I COMMAND YOU.
Not convinced yet? Let's read it backwards for a more profound interpretation:
"You are NOT My FRIENDS (philos) if YOU DO NOT DO WHAT I COMMAND YOU."
If this shakes you up a bit, that's good, for it did me too the first few times I dealt with who God really is, not what we've mistakenly created Him to be in our own image. We need to get over this false notion that Almighty God will compromise His holiness for His love. Never. At the throne, the angels sing from eternity past, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts. The whole earth is full of His glory (Isaiah 6:3)." They don't sing, "Love, love, love."
What else, then, does Jesus say to His real "philos"? Next up are warnings to not fall away from the faith, but fear being cast into hell itself:
Luke 12:4-5
"I say to you, My FRIENDS, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. "But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!
Also, Jesus warns His "philos" about what might happen in this dangerous world and that even our own family and the dearest of friends (or so it may seem) will betray us to the world system, with some of us being murdered for our faith:
Luke 21:16
"But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and FRIENDS, and they will put some of you to death,
Thus, we might have, and should be ready at a moment's notice to exercise, the eternal privilege of martyrdom:
John 15:13
"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his FRIENDS.
Lastly, what happens when a "philos" of Jesus drifts away from Him, and commits treason? This is now described as the type 2 friend. Hold on as we explore this chilling fact.
This type of friend is called: hetairos, het-ah'ee-ros; (a clansman); a comrade , fellow, friend. The image conveyed is one that was once intimate with the other friend, a once trusted person and past member the in-group, but now….no longer a member for the distrust and treason that has appeared in their life.
There's still an affection from the original faithful party to the departed "friend" but the relationship has changed forever. The once tight relationship was sweet. But the key word to notice is "was." Past tense. It's not longer intimate. Trust is broken irreparably. It's actually severed. Why else would the sacred Word go through the point of making so obvious a distinction?
Three times this severed friend is seen in the Word of God in the NT, all in the gospel of Matthew and all in Jesus' parables to illustrate one vital point. Drifting away from the faith is a real possibility. So, be on the alert, and trust the Father by staying rightly related. Perseverance is a key ingredient, but active faith on or behalf is the element that needs to be present to be kept by the power of God (1 Peter 1:5).
First up is the story of the man who struck a deal with his employer and then bears the toughest work of the day, but later complains about the late comers unfairly getting the same wage, i.e. eternal life. The employer (the Father) is not pleased his response:
Matthew 20:13
"But he answered and said to one of them, 'FRIEND (hetairos), I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius?
Next up, this particular "hetairos" is ill prepared to meet His Maker and has catastrophically wasted his life thinking he was still a safely saved "philos," but tragically now will be cast into hell for treason. He was not ready for the coming of Christ. Like the foolish virgins (Matthew 25), his lamp was not trimmed with oil waiting for the bridegroom and now bears this consequence, for he, like all, was called but eventually not chosen:
Matthew 22:12-14
and he said to him, 'FRIEND, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?' And the man was speechless. "Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the OUTER DARKNESS; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' "For many are called, but few are chosen."
How sober is all this to us? Does it get our attention at all? Is God just a permissive grandfather always accepting all we do in His name, even fornicating with the world's ways? Even when we do not come out from among them and actually become more like the people of the world than the people of God?
Are we walking daily as a "little Christ," the real meaning of the word "Christian?"
Lastly, we have a real world example of a "philos" that eventually turns into a "hetairos:" Judas Iscariot, a disciple turned traitor.
Matthew 26:50
And Jesus said to him, "FRIEND (hetairos), do what you have come for." Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him.
Drifting away is just that: drifting. It's often not obvious in bold ways. The word picture is a ship looking for safe harbor that loses its focus and drifts unsuspectingly unto the shoals of life, the underlying rocks of destruction, even the hidden reefs than our brother Jude warned us about (Jude 1:12).
So, then, the original question remains. Which type of friend would Jesus consider you to be? Not the type YOU think you are to Him, but what matters is the type of "friend" HE considers you to be: is it faithful to His cause, His heart, His purpose.
Again, what type of friend are you? We all love something. Faithful in loving sacrificial service to God the Father, intimately related, a "philos?" Or drifting away and a "loving friend" more faithful to the devil's world, a "hetairos?"
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A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
Everyone fears a goat from the front, a horse from the rear, and a fool on every side.
SUBMISSION
"Submit to one another in the fear of GOD and Christ." [Ephesians 5. 21] "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." [Philippians 2. 3 - 4]
When we are truly in a right relationship with the Great GOD of Heaven, we will be submissive, patient, long-suffering, receptive and honest with one another. Messiah Jesus taught that serving others was of much greater value in the eyes of Almighty GOD than mastering over them.
Selfishness, self-indulgence or an unwillingness to serve among believers brings about many conflicts. "Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?" [James 4. 1] A Spirit-filled Christian, one who's thoughts and actions are moment-by-moment controlled by GOD, desires to submit and serve, rather than to assert and rule.
"Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for GOD resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." [1 Peter 5. 5] "Thus says the High & Lofty ONE Who forever dwells on high in holiness with him who has a contrite and lowly spirit." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 57. 15 Tanakh, Nevi'im] "At scoffers He scoffs, but to the lowly He shows grace." [Proverbs (Mishle) 3. 34 Tanakh, Kethuvim] "Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account." [Hebrews 13. 17] "Recognize those who labour among you, and are over you in the LORD and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves." [1 Thessalonians 5t. 12 - 13] "Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the LORD's sake, whether to the kings as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by Him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good." [1 Peter 2. 13; also see Ezekiel/Yehezke-El 3. 17 - 19]
The Hebrew word "raphac" translated submit clearly means to "prostrate, humble, to line up under, to rank lower than." Our objective, therefore, should be to place others above ourselves and be in submission to and in service of them.
This was the attitude of Messiah Jesus. He left the splendor of His Heavenly Home to come and be under the Law, to serve mankind, then die in our place. The Lord Jesus "made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a Servant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a MAN, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." [Philippians 2. 7 - 8] "Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." [Hebrews 12. 2] We should eagerly submit to the Lord God, just as Messiah joyfully submitted to His Father's will.
Sha'alu (Pray) for the shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel!
As we bid farewell to Shabbas, our prayer is that GOD, WHO separates the holy from the secular, forgive our sins; and may our children be as many as the sands of the seas and the stars of the sky. Tov sha-vu-a! (Have a good week!)
YINNON THE SUN
"And you, O Bethlehem of Ephrath, least among the clans of Judah, from you One shall come forth to rule Israel for Me -- ONE Whose origin is from of old, from ancient times." [Micah (Michah) 5. 2 Tanakh, Nevi'im]
According to the prophet Micah, the Messiah was to be born in the city of Bethlehem. He was to be King of the Jews, Whose goings forth have been from of old from everlasting indicating He existed before He came to earth in a human body. "Before the sun was, His Name "Yinnon" (a name of Messiah Jesus) had been prepared and all nations will be blessed in His merits." [Psalm (Tehillym) 72. 17 Tanakh, Kethuvim] This statement also implies pre-existence. From this passage on Yinnon the word "Shiloh" or "Sheloi" comes to which many Jewish scholars admit as referring to Messiah.
"Shiloh" means the exact image and reflection of GOD. "In Him dwells all the FULLNESS of the GodHead BODILY." [Colossians 2. 9] "Sheloi" is an acrostic meaning "His Name shall be continued as long as the sun."
"Thus says the LORD GOD: 'Remove the turban and take off the crown! Nothing shall remain the same! Exalt the humble, and disgrace the exalted. Ruin, an utter ruin I will make it overthrown! It shall be no longer, until HE COMES TO WHOM IT RIGHTFULLY BELONGS; and I will give it to Him.'" [Ezekiel (Yehezke-El) 21. 26 - 27 Tanakh, Nevi'im] "The scepter (a symbol of kingship) shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between His feet; until SHILOH comes, so that tribute shall come to Him and the homage of peoples be His." [Genesis (Bereshith) 49. 10 Tanakh, Torah] "In that time, tribute shall be brought to the LORD of Hosts from a people far and remote, from a people thrust forth and away - a nation of gibber and chatter, whose land is cut off by streams - at the place where the Name of the LORD of Hosts abides, at Mount Zion." [Isaiah 18. 7 Tanakh, Nevi'im]
Yes, to Yinnon, Shiloh, Lawgiver, Messiah, Saviour, Redeemer, Almighty GOD, King Jesus "all kings shall bow down to Him and all nations shall serve Him." [Psalm (Tehillym) 72. 11 Tanakh, Kethuvim] How can one help but serve the LORD JESUS in fear, and rejoice with trembling; all those who put their trust in Him are eternally most blessed.
Sha'alu (Pray) for the shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel!
Be submissive to a superior, affable to a suppliant, and receive all men with cheerfulness. Then, give your problems to the LORD GOD and find rest in HIM.
The power and love of God to Israel are here made the ground and reason of a number of cautions and serious warnings; and although there is much reference to their national covenant, yet all may be applied to those who live under the gospel. What are laws made for but to be observed and obeyed? Our obedience as individuals cannot merit salvation; but it is the only evidence that we are partakers of the gift of God, which is eternal life through Jesus Christ, Considering how many temptations we are compassed with, and what corrupt desires we have in our bosoms, we have great need to keep our hearts with all diligence. Those cannot walk aright, who walk carelessly. Moses charges particularly to take heed of the sin of idolatry. He shows how weak the temptation would be to those who thought aright; for these pretended gods, the sun, moon, and stars, were only blessings which the Lord their God had imparted to all nations. It is absurd to worship them; shall we serve those that were made to serve us? Take heed lest ye forget the covenant of the Lord your God. We must take heed lest at any time we forget God’s Covenant. Care, caution, and watchfulness, are helps against a bad memory. (De 4:24-40)
Warnings against disobedience, and promises of mercy.
Moses urged the greatness, glory, and goodness of God. Did we consider what a God he is with whom we have to do, we should surely make conscience of our duty to him, and not dare to sin against him. Shall we forsake a merciful God, who will never forsake us, if we are faithful unto him? Whither can we go? Let us be held to our duty by the bonds of love, and prevailed with by the mercies of God to cleave to him. Moses urged God's authority over them, and their obligations to him. In keeping God's commandments they would act wisely for themselves. The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom. Those who enjoy the benefit of Divine light and laws, ought to support their character for wisdom and honour, that God may be glorified thereby. Those who call upon God, shall certainly find him within call, ready to give an answer of peace to every prayer of faith. All these statutes and judgments of the Divine law are just and righteous, above the statutes and judgments of any of the nations. What they saw at mount Sinai, gave an earnest of the day of judgment, in which the Lord Jesus shall be revealed in flaming fire. They must also remember what they heard at mount Sinai. God manifests himself in the works of the creation, without speech or language, yet their voice is heard, Ps 19:1, 3; but to Israel he made himself known by speech and language, condescending to their weakness. The rise of this nation was quite different from the origin of all other nations. See the reasons of free grace; we are not beloved for our own sakes, but for Christ's sake. Moses urged the certain benefit and advantage of obedience. This argument he had begun with, ver. #(1), That ye may live, and go in and possess the land; and this he concludes with, ver. #(40), That it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee. He reminds them that their prosperity would depend upon their piety. Apostasy from God would undoubtedly be the ruin of their nation. He foresees their revolt from God to idols. Those, and those only, shall find God to their comfort, who seek him with all their heart. Afflictions engage and quicken us to seek God; and, by the grace of God working with them, many are thus brought back to their right mind. When these things are come upon thee, turn to the Lord thy God, for thou seest what comes of turning from him. Let all the arguments be laid together, and then say, if religion has not reason on its side. None cast off the government of their God, but those who first abandon the understanding of a man. (De 4:41-49)
The Israelites not to think their success came by their own worthiness.
Moses represents the strength of the enemies they were now to encounter. This was to drive them to God, and engage their hope in him. He assures them of victory, by the presence of God with them. He cautions them not to have the least thought of their own righteousness, as if that procured this favour at God's hand. In Christ we have both righteousness and strength; in Him we must glory, not in ourselves, nor in any sufficiency of our own.
It is for the wickedness of these nations that God drives them out. All whom God rejects, are rejected for their own wickedness; but none whom he accepts are accepted for their own righteousness. Thus boasting is for ever done away: see Eph 2:9, 11, 12. (De 9:7-29)
Lam. 3:64-66 Render unto them a recompence, O LORD, according to the work of their hands. Give them sorrow of heart, thy curse unto them. Persecute and destroy them in anger from under the heavens of the LORD.
Terrorism is another of his judgements on wickedness
Floods are one of His judgments on society,
The introduction of pro-gay laws and Pro choice groups seeking to encourage or liberalise abortion laws, has provoked God to send the storms that have left thousands homeless. while those affected may be innocent victims, the flooding was a result of western civilisation' s decision to ignore biblical teaching. The floods were not only a result of a lack of respect for the planet, but also a judgment for decadence.
"This is a strong and definite judgment because the world has been arrogant in going its own way," he said. "We are reaping the consequences of our moral degradation, as well as the environmental damage that we have caused."
"People may not see natural disasters as an act of God. However, we are now reaping what we have sown. If we live in a profligate way then there are going to be consequences. " God is exposing us to the truth of what we have done."
Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
Isaiah 42:21 It pleased the LORD for the sake of his righteousness to make his law great and glorious.
PROCLAIM DECREE; WOE A YOKE OF RESTRAINT. WOE A YOKE OF RESTRAINT WOE A YOKE OF RESTRAINT BE UPON THEM THAT CALL CALL EVIL GOOD AND CALL GOOD EVIL
"Thus says the LORD GOD: 'Remove the turban and take off the crown! Nothing shall remain the same!
Exalt the humble, and disgrace the exalted. Ruin, an utter ruin I will make it overthrown! It shall be no longer, until HE COMES TO WHOM IT RIGHTFULLY BELONGS; and I will give it to Him.'" [Ezekiel (Yehezke-El) 21. 26 - 27 Tanakh, Nevi'im] "The scepter (a symbol of kingship) shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between His feet; until SHILOH comes, so that tribute shall come to Him and the homage of peoples be His." [Genesis (Bereshith) 49. 10 Tanakh, Torah] "In that time, tribute shall be brought to the LORD of Hosts from a people far and remote, from a people thrust forth and away - a nation of gibber and chatter, whose land is cut off by streams - at the place where the Name of the LORD of Hosts abides, at Mount Zion." [Isaiah 18. 7 Tanakh, Nevi'im]
Yes, to Yinnon, Shiloh, Lawgiver, Messiah, Saviour, Redeemer, Almighty GOD, King Jesus "all kings shall bow down to Him and all nations shall serve Him." [Psalm (Tehillym) 72. 11 Tanakh, Kethuvim] How can one help but serve the LORD JESUS in fear, and rejoice with trembling; all those who put their trust in HIM are eternally most blessed.
Nahum 1:2 God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies. 3The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked:
the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
POISON FROM YOUR ASSOCIATIONS
As Christians, it is vital that we are very careful who we spend our time with. Why? We will become like them! We need to have the ways of Christ, the character of Christ, the teachings of Christ, and all the teachings of the Bible to govern our lives to make sure that we are not deceived in what is truly pleasing to our Heavenly Father. In these days, many, I mean many Christians are blind and under strong delusion of what is acceptable in the eyes of God.
Proverbs 22:24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
It is clear in the book of Proverbs that if you hang or associate with an angry man, you will learn his ways and get a snare to thy soul.
2 Corinthians 6:14-17 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
It is clear in this passage to the believers in Corinth that your fellowship should change. Paul ends this passage by saying, Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
Let me bring this closer to home: If you hang around people that live a "riotous lifestyle", you will become like them. If you hang around people that want to be divorced, you will become like them. If you hang around rebellious people, you will become like them....and so on!
But if you hang around people that LOVE GOD and want to serve HIM, you will have the same results! If they pray and seek the face of God, you will become like them! If you hang around people that want to be holy, you will become like them! If you hang around people that study the word of God and let God work on them, you will become like them!
You see Saints, your associations will tell who it is and what it is that you spend your time with. Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. Because Peter and John were unlearned and ignorant men, their boldness and conversation revealed that they must have spent time with Jesus.
Who have you been hanging with? Is it Jesus or the unsaved? Is it the whoremongers & adulterers? Is it the liars? Is it the drunkards & party people? Is it the whisperers & gossipers? Is it those that despise the things of GOD??? ..... if so.....YOU WILL BECOME LIKE THEM!
We need to have the ways of Christ, the character of Christ, the teachings of Christ, and all the teachings of the Bible to govern our lives to make sure that we are not deceived in what is truly pleasing to our Heavenly Father.
Blessings,
From Nicholas King and P.A.L.S. Our help, strength, comes from the Lord maker of heaven and earth. W.C.P.F. http://wcpf. angelfire. com/ ; http://picasaweb. google.co. uk/worldprayer
