A Startling Revelation

Revelation 16:21

"And great hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, fell from heaven on people; and they cursed God for the plague of hell, because the plague was so severe."

"God is love" they so often proclaim, and a God of love He is indeed. The greatest aspect of God's love for us is that "even while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Yes, "God is love," yet love is not His only characteristic, and it alone cannot fully define His character. God is also a God of holiness who demands justice. God loves you, and He wishes for you to accept His prescribed way, which is Jesus Christ, the Christ which is rightly defined by Scripture alone.  When we read the last letter of the New Testament, we are reading the "Revelation of Jesus Christ."  Revelation displays to us the fact that "God is love," and yet we see a full display which also defines Him as a God of judgment.  There is a perverted, twisted, philosophical type of love which owns the world today, and has invaded most of the professing church. Many have sought to define Jesus Christ as being non-judgmental, totally accepting, and tolerant of all things; as one who will overlook sin, and would never hold anyone accountable or responsible via His judgment. This is a distorted and twisted view and definition of Jesus Christ, who is God, the very essence of love. Throughout the Revelation of Jesus Christ we see a God who pours out extreme wrath, anger, vengeance, and judgment on a rebellious world. The same God as defined in the Old Testament when He displayed His judgment on many occasions. The New Testament defines God as "the same yesterday, today, and forever." In the Old Testament, God says of Himself, "I change not." Where can this Christ be found among the professing body of Christ today?  This is the Christ of Scripture who has been thrown out of most churches in our modern day era, and He stands at the door knocking, seeking entrance. They are members an apostate church, tares which the devil has planted among the genuine, and defined in Revelation as a spiritual whore who has committed adultery against God. The modern day church era has created, produced, and is following after a Jesus of their own making. They live in the fantasy land, made up world of Hollywood, having chosen to write their own script about who and what Jesus Christ is. They have produced a Christ of their own making, and in doing so they have created their own little idol, a false god whom they follow and worship. They are in essence cursing the God of heaven, cursing the true Christ of Scripture, because His demands of accountability do not square with the Christ they have produced and created for themselves.

God Knows

2 Timothy 2:19

"But the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, the Lord knows those who are His, and, let everyone who calls on the name of Christ depart from iniquity."

Have you made the claim of Christianity?  Do you profess to be a born-again child of God? Can you say with absolute certainty, "God knows me, and I'm covered with the grace and righteousness of Christ?" Does the "Spirit of God" bear witness with your spirit that you are truly His, that you have more than a mere profession of Christ?  Does your life illustrate that transformation has transpired within? Those who are truly known of Christ have been sealed with eternal security, with certainty and assurance. A "sure foundation" will prove to be trustworthy and secure, regardless of what may come its way, because it's built on Jesus Christ and the sure Word of God. If you are indeed "known of God," if you truly are a possession of His, having been "bought with a price," then there should be some demonstration and evidence of it in your life. You should be striving with all that is within you to "depart from iniquity." You should turning from sin, turning from the world, and striving for a life of godly and holy living. Professing Christ is one thing, living for Him is another issue. The modern church era is strewn with multitudes of those who profess Christ, yet in reality, He knows them not. Have you placed you faith in Christ?  Can you say with certainty, "I'm the genuine thing?"  Make sure you're not among the tares with which the modern day church age has become riddled with. Follow the exhortation of Paul to "examine yourselves to make sure you're of the faith," the "faith that was once for all delivered to the saints."  May the "peace of God which passes all understanding" reign in your heart regarding he salvation of your soul; which is an experiential reality to those who possess it.

Babble & Contradiction

1 Timothy 6:20-21

"O Timothy, guard that which is committed to your trust. Avoid profane babblings and opposing views from so-called knowledge. By professing it, some have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with you, Amen."

Timothy, as with all ministers of the gospel, had been entrusted by God with the truth.  Jesus speaking to the Father said, "thy word is truth." It is a grave responsibility, as well as a command of God that the man of God vigorously guard the truth he has been entrusted with. Paul and Timothy faced a growing problem in the early church, much like the modern day church era is currently confronted with. False teaching and "so-called knowledge" are lies which the enemy uses to lead men astray; yes, including many professing Christians. There is much "so-called knowledge"  in the professing church that is nothing but mere babble and falsehood. It comes to the church from both internal and external sources. Error is a dangerous issue for the church to which God has called to be "without spot or blemish."  The current church era is plagued with babble and false knowledge, which occupies both pulpits and pews around the world, and the professing church within the United States has become a "Playground Of Babble," saturated by those who are following after false knowledge, which they somehow believe to be supernatural knowledge from on high. They are as the gnostics, believing they have a special revelation from God.  The ESV uses the word "contradictions" in place of "so-called knowledge."  There is much false doctrine pervading the professing church of our age, which is clearly a contradiction to the truth (the Word of God). The problem lies with a lack of true knowledge found within the pages of Scripture. Counterfeit, other gospels and "ministers masquerading as angels of light" abound in today's professing Christianity. The only real means of recognizing that which is counterfeit and contrary to the truth, is to have the Word of God "dwelling in you richly."  You can never know the Word of God well enough!  Study it, read it, meditate on it, and immerse yourself in it. When you do, you will find yourself with the much needed discernment necessary for recognizing "babblings and contradictions."

He Died For Who

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

"For the love of Christ constrains us, because we thus judge; that if one died for all, then all have died. And He died for all, that those who live should not from now on live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again."

The person with whom Christ indwells has the love of God living within his heart, and thereby should understand certain elements of God's love. God's Word defines "God as love," and the love of God contains certain attributes and characteristics. One gets to know God and the "love of God" by spending quality and quantity time in His Word, which tells us what God is like. The Word of God provides us with God's thoughts and ways. Knowing the love of God, His thoughts and His ways are very instrumental in "rightly dividing the word of truth," of which far too many are very inept at accomplishing, even in many pulpits because they have not spent both quality and quantitative time in the Word of God. Paul makes it abundantly clear in this text of Scripture that Christ "died for all" when he writes "if one died for all, then all have died." Notice again the words of Paul in verse fifteen as he declares, "and He died for all."  I am often amused by those who act as biblical scholars, yet are so inept as to defining the simple word "all" as presented in this text and others.  It's very clear my friends, Christ "died for all," because all were dead. Understand that Christ "died for all," thereby offering life to all. We should now live for Him rather than ourselves. Jesus Christ calls for us to "die to self," and live for Him.  We are to "take up the cross and follow Him."  Jesus said, "those who save their lives will lose it, and those who lose it will save it."  Jesus Christ has called us to not only receive Him as our Savior; He demands that we bow to Him as Lord, because He died for us.  When Christ died for us, He won the right to demand that everyone, and every religion bow the knee to Him. Man will choose to bow now to the Sovereign Judge of the earth, receive His mercy, grace, and forgiveness; else he will face eternal judgement as declared by the one who "died for all." My friend, you among the "all" for whom Christ died. Have you bowed to Him as the Lord and Savior of your life. It not, I would encourage you to do so this day -- tomorrow may be a day too late.  

The Noble

Acts 17:11

"Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if they things were true."

How noble are you when it comes to the Scriptures and defining the truth? Do you receive God's Word with "all eagerness," does it hold great value and meaning to you? The Christian should have a hunger and thirst for the Word of God, and if you do not, then you need to "examine yourselves." Just how much time do you spend in Scriptures my friend, my fellow professing brother or sister in Christ.  Is the Word of God a priority in your life; is God's Word on you daily menu; have you made it a mainstay of your life?  You should, if you claim to be a child of God. Jesus in speaking to the Father, said, "thy word is truth."  My friend, you'll only find the truth in the Word of God, you'll only get to know God by spending time in His word that defines who the "I AM" of Scripture is. Do you find yourself testing, questioning, judging, and examining everything in accordance with the Word of God? There are many voices in the world, as well as in the professing church of our day, which are claiming to be of God. John counsels us in 1 John 4:1 to test, or "try the spirits to see if they are of God."  Much that is being received today as gospel truth is rooted in a lie -- sometimes a deadly lie. Spiritual poison will make you spiritually sick my friends.  Spend time in the Scriptures, "study that you might rightly-divide the word of truth, and thereby display an attitude of spiritual nobility.

Blessed Indeed

Romans 4:7-8

"Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin."

Can you say, "I am blessed?"  Can you sing this little chorus with joy in your heart?

  "I am blessed, every day that I live I am blessed.  When I wake up in the morning, when I lay my head to rest, I am blessed, yes, I am blessed."  

Who are those who can be truly be defined as "blessed?" Those who know Jesus Christ, those who have had their sins forgiven, and are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ.  Here is a great truth of Scripture of which many Christians fail to comprehend and grasp by faith.  Listen my friends, we all commit sin, whether in deed, thought, or action, we're all guilty.  Yet, as Christians, God has made provision for us when we do sin, and we should always strive to sin not.  The Word of God never gives man a license to sin.  Yet, for those of us who are truly in Christ, our iniquities are forgiven, our sins are covered, and God does not hold our sin against us (it is not imputed to us). God does not credit any sin to our account, He does not blame us. This does not however mean that sin will have no consequence, nor does it mean that God will never discipline us. To the contrary, because He loves us, He will discipline us when necessary. How can God on the other hand not credit sin to our account?  Because when He looks upon His own, He sees us fully clothed with the righteousness of Christ, not in our own filthy rags.  The "righteousness of Christ" has been credited to our account, instead of our sins.  There is peace, joy, and rest to be found in this bedrock truth of Scripture.  Believe it, stand on it, rest in it, and live in it.  Oh my friends, it's true, "Whom the Son sets free, is free indeed."

No Way Out

Romans 8:37-39 (KJV)

³⁷ Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

³⁸ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Get this my brothers and sisters in Christ. If you have truly been born-again, having entered into the Kingdom of God, there is no escape, no way out.  Paul describes those who know Christ as Lord and Savior as "more than conquerors through Him."  This means we cannot lose it my friends; that which we have been given is everlasting, and as Paul so aptly proclaims, nothing can separate us from God's love.  Once you're in, you're in to stay, and there is no such thing as separation from that point forward.  The Word of God proclaims that which God begins in us, He completes to the very end; He sees it through to the very completion, and God cannot fail my friends.  Paul was persuaded, and you need to be persuaded likewise, for such persuasion brings an everlasting "peace that passes all comprehension" to the believing soul of man.  God has proclaimed us "more than conquerors," and so will it be.  Those of us who know Christ are on the winning side of the past, the present, and the future; for Christ has given us the assurance of complete victory in Him.  If you will only believe, you can learn to rest in this doctrinal assurance, and experience the true "peace, joy, and righteousness" that God has provided for those who place their faith, trust, and confidence in Jesus Christ.

Knowing God

2 Chronicles 33:12-13

"And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. And prayed unto him, and he was entreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God."

Do you know that the Lord is God?  Do you have a personal, intimate walk and relationship with Him.  I wish to tell you today that you can know and walk with God.  One of the great keys to knowing the "Lord is God," and having this personal relationship with Him if found in this text.  Notice that Manasseh turned to God in a time of affliction, in a time of desperation, at a time of need in his life.  God must bring us to the end of ourselves my friends, if we are to ever truly know Him.  The first step toward a relationship with God is discovered in verse twelve.  We must humble ourselves (lower ourselves), and seek God.  We must understand we are a nobody within our selves.  Without God, we are helpless, hopeless, worthless, and useless.  Get this, and keep it in mind each day!  The next step in getting to know God is found in verse thirteen --- "he prayed."  My friend, when you seek God with a humble heart, God will hear your cry and respond in His time and in His way.  Taking these important steps will lead you into a personal relationship with God.  Jesus said, "ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you" (Luke 11:9).  Jesus Christ is the Door my friend.  You must turn to Him by faith, look to Him by faith, ask Him by faith, and seek Him by faith.  Then, as did Manasseh, you will come to know that "the Lord is God."

Satan Uses The Name

Acts 19:13-16 

"Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists invoked the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, We command you to come out in the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches.' There were seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva doing this. The evil spirit answered, 'I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?' Then the man in whom the evil spirit was jumped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled from that house naked and wounded."

Notice carefully in this text that using "the name of Jesus" does not define one as a true man of God. These "exorcists" were using the name of Jesus, just as many use it today --- for personal gain. They even dared to invoke the name of Jesus in the exercise of a command. The modern day church age has flooded pulpits with those who use the name of Jesus, but do not truly know Jesus.  "Ear-tickling" preachers abound across the country today; those who are using the "name of Jesus," as well as the term God, but their message does not line up with "what says the Scriptures." These false teachers who use the name of God, who use "the name of Jesus" have actually been overpowered by the power of Satan who is using them to spread a false message, all while they pretend to know Christ. Satan has "prevailed against them," and their followers as well, having been led into deception by a lie which is promoted "in the name of Jesus." Both the false teachers and their followers are "naked and wounded," while actually running from the truth.  Attempts to tell them they are "naked and wounded" seems to be a futile effort; nevertheless, in the "name of Jesus" (the true Jesus), we must inform them.  

"He who thirst let him come unto the well and drink."

The Daily Drink

Acts 13:6-10

"When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, 'You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?"

Notice the "false prophet" is referred to here as a magician.  He was a "person of charm," and the text tells us that he was a "person of intelligence." Likewise are the false teachers in the current church age; they are most often charming and intelligent.  This charmer heard the word of God, he was introduced to the truth, and was therefore without excuse. Our text also reveals the false prophet was guilty of attempting to "turn the proconsul away from the faith."  Herein lies the danger of modern day false teachers whether intentional or not, they are actually leading people away from "the faith once delivered to the saints." Paul recognized the works of this false prophet, this intelligent charmer, as coming straight out of the bowels of hell -- and Paul did not hesitate to say so. He was quick to speak to the deception, and expose it.  Note that Paul  was "filled with the Holy Spirit," and was therefore able to easily recognize this deceptive huckster.  Many are led away from the faith by modern day false teachers, and the reason being is that most do not have "the word of God dwelling in them richly," and therefore are not as Paul, "filled with the Holy Spirit." To truly be "filled with the Spirit," one must be filled with the "word of God." Many wish to believe that being "filled with the Spirit" is some magical, emotional experience.  They have an "experience," but they are not "filled with the Spirit."  The man of God who will dare to speak as Paul spoke in this text, would be quickly labeled as judgmental and mean-spirited. Nevertheless, Paul confronted it with boldness and sterness, referring to the false prophet as a "son of the devil," the "enemy of all righteousness," who was "full of deceit and villainy," and guilty of twisting the straight into something that was crooked.  The word of God is the rule of our faith, and to twist it in any direction is to make it crooked, and therefore be guilty of leading others away from the faith.  False teachers are preaching and teaching a crooked path, and guilty of promoting a twisted truth.