2 Corinthians 4:7-9 MEV “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, the excellency of the power being from God and not from ourselves. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.”
This is how you and I are able to endure trials. Our power comes from God. Trouble hits us on every side yet we still make it through. Sometimes we get perplexed or confused but we’re never left hopeless. When we are persecuted God is always right there with us:
Acts 9:1-5 KJV “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, [2] And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. [3] And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: [4] And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why PERSECUTEST THOU ME? [5] And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I AM JESUS WHOM THOU PERSECUTEST: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”
See, when we are being persecuted Jesus is also persecuted. He is right there with us. When knocked down we get back up. That kind of tenacity is not human. It comes from God. If not for the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us we would fall apart. We truly do have the greatest treasure dwelling in these weak bodies of clay. We have Almighty God Himself!!!😃
Psalm 91:1-16 KJV “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. [2] I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. [3] Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. [4] He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. [5] Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; [6] Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. [7] A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. [8] Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. [9] Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; [10] There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. [11] For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. [12] They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. [13] Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. [14] Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. [15] He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. [16] With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.” 😊
2 Corinthians 4:14,16 KJV “Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. [16] For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”
We know that we have eternal life through Jesus our Lord. Hence like Paul we too don’t faint though our outward body is passing away. Our inward man is being renewed day by day. This is our main focus; leaving these earthly bodies of humiliation, and being clothed with our perfect spiritual bodies. Then we will be joined with the Lord forever in the most intimate way.
1 Corinthians 15:44-54 KJV “It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. [45] And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. [46] Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. [47] The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. [48] As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. [49] And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. [50] Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. [51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, [52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. [53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. [54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”
Look at what God has given us, WOW! We will bear (literally) the image of our Lord and Savior Jesus! Just as we all bore the image of the first man Adam who is from the earth we shall bear the image of the second Adam who is from heaven. How unworthy we are to be given bodies just like Christ’s own body:
Philippians 3:20-21 MEV “But our citizenship is in heaven, from where also we await for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our body of humiliation, so that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working of His power even to subdue all things to Himself.”
Yes we are being made just like our Lord in every way including our bodies.
Romans 8:28-29 KJV “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. [29] For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
So while evil men are down here doing everything possible to defile and destroy God’s temple; His church, Christ’s body, don’t fret. They will not succeed even if it looks like they are. The Lord Jesus has forseen and declared it all:
Matthew 24:22 MEV “Unless those days were shortened, no one would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.”
1 Corinthians 15:51 KJV “Behold, I SHEW YOU A MYSTERY; WE SHALL NOT ALL SLEEP, but we shall all be changed.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 KJV “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. [18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
1 Corinthians 3:17 KJV “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”
Galatians 1:10 NET “Am I now trying to gain the approval of people, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ!’
What strong words by the apostle Paul a real man of God. Paul said the above words right after saying these:
Galatians 1:8-9 NET “But even if we (or an angel from heaven) should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be condemned to hell! 9 As we have said before, and now I say again, if any one is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let him be condemned to hell!”
Paul could care less about making people happy when it came to protecting the church of God. This shows his faithfulness to the gospel and the seriousness of any false gospel message that is being spread. We’d do well to be like Paul. Who’s approval are we seeking, people’s or God’s?
I’ve noticed the fear of rejection is a most powerful tool that the evil one uses. But a child of God overcomes such fear. The servant of God learns love which casts out all fear:
1 John 4:18 KJV “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”
The more we come to know God the more we love and fear Him. This is not a morbid fear but a wholesome healthy respect and reverence. Fearing God is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom. (Proverbs 1:7 9:10) And God teaches us not to worry about what others think of us. Pleasing God is our main goal.
1 Corinthians 4:3 “So for me, it is a minor matter that I am judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.”
This is why Paul could so effectively serve the Lord, he desired God’s approval more than anything else. Do we feel the same way? Or are we trying to be friends with God and friends with the world? News flash: it can’t be done:
James 4:4 KJV “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 KJV “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? [15] And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? [16] 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. [17] Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, [18] And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”
Deuteronomy 30:16 MEV “What I am commanding you today is to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, so that you may live and multiply. Then the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess.”
Who doesn’t want to live and multiply? Who doesn’t want God to bless them? These are the benefits of obeying the Lord. Most want God’s blessings but don’t care to obey Him. It just doesn’t work that way. The Israelites were about to take possession of a very prosperous land. A land flowing with milk and honey. The best of the land God was giving them. God was going to drive out all of Israel’s enemies and give them their land as an inheritance. It all belongs to Him anyway. Israel’s enemies were terrifying. But God instructed His people not to fear them only fear Him. All the Israelites had to do is love, trust, and obey the Lord their God and He would give them the desires of their hearts.
Put yourself in Israel’s place; God will fight your battles, drive out all of your strong enemies before you, give you possessions and the desires of your heart, allowing you and your children to prosper. All you have to do is obey and love the Lord. Is that too much to do?
Does not everything we have come from God? Even our very lives? Don’t we owe Him our love and obedience just for that? Nothing we have originated with us. Yet people act like that’s the case. Did we create the air we breathe that sustains us? Did we make the sun that sustains all life on earth? How does the heart keep on beating then one day stops? Did we make that? Don’t you see that if God never did another good thing for us as long as we live we still owe Him? He gave us life! Is it really a tererible thing to want to know and love the one who’s responsible for your very existence? And as far as obeying God is concerned His commandments benefit us. He doesn’t stop being God if we decide to be fools. His instructions show us how to live life to the fullest even in a crooked generation. And we’re ultimately shown the way to eternal life:
John 14:6 KJV “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and THE LIFE: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
John 17:3 KJV “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”
Don’t you see that loving God is only right and beneficial?
1 John 5:3-5 NLT “Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. [4] For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. [5] And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.”
Genesis 39:20-23 KJV “And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. [21] But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. [22] And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. [23] The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper.”
When God is with you he shows you merciful kindness just like he did for Joseph. Notice that Joseph was put into prison. If you read his story you will find he was framed. Joseph was innocent. But God was with Joseph in the prison. Everything Joseph touched prospered while he was confined. So much so that he was made the head of all the prisoners.
Why did God show Joseph such kindness? Because of His love for Joseph and for His glory. And it’s interesting to note that Joseph was kind himself. He was a man of integrity, a man of moral excellence. This man was in prison because he would not sleep with his bosses wife! She lied and said he sexually assaulted her. When going through trials it is good to keep one’s integrity like Joseph. God will be with us in our darkest hour:
Isaiah 43:2 NIV “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
Wow!😊
Kindness or gentleness is a fruit of God’s spirit. It’s who He is. Do we recognize the many kindnesses God shows us even in the midst of our problems? And do we constantly thank Him for His generosity? Or are we too consumed by our troubles? Every servant of God goes through many temptations. If these are not viewed the right way one may think God is unkind. We may not notice the many blessings that God gives us right in the midst of our trials.
James 1:2-4 KJV “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; [3] Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. [4] But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
God says to count all of our temptations as joy because of what they are doing for us. We gain patience through trials, which is a neccessary ingredient to walk with God. The end result is perfection or spiritual maturity, spiritual completeness. God won’t leave us all alone just as He did not leave Joseph alone in prison. He sees what’s happening. He will come to our rescue and show us His great kindness. All wemust do is trust Him and patiently endure trials. Let us thank God always for His great kindness. 😊
Psalm 149:3-4 KJV “Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. [4] For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.”
There are many scriptures that tell us to praise God with music, songs, and dance. So it’s proper do so. But is this a requirement in a church service? In other words is our church service incomplete if there is no music, singing, or dancing. And should people be forced into doing these things?
GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS FOR CHURCH WORSHIP
1 Corinthians 14:26-40 KJV “How is it then, BRETHREN? WHEN YE COME TOGETHER EVERY ONE OF YOU HATH A PSALM, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. [27] If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. [28] But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. [29] Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. [30] If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. [31] For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. [32] And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. [33] For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. [34] Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. [35] And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. [36] What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? [37] If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. [38] But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. [39] Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. [40] Let all things be done decently and in order.”
You just read GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS for how HIS CHURCH SERVICE should be conducted. I ask you, is this how your church service operates? If not, your fellowship is not in the will of God. These are God’s instructions on how HIS CHURCH should be ran. Today we will focus on the music aspect: Psalms.
A psalm is a spiritual song always accompanied with one or more musical instruments. In fact the Bible book of Psalms is just that; many songs accompanied by music. The book of Psalms was penned by David and Asaph under inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit. Did you notice in God’s instructions for the church it says, “BRETHREN? WHEN YE COME TOGETHER EVERY ONE OF YOU HATH A PSALM?” That means everyone in the church can sing or play a song; his or her own spiritual song if they choose at the church gathering. As long as it edifies the church it is acceptable. But did it say that when the church comes together everyone MUST sing a psalm, and everyone else MUST join in? No. So it is wrong to force others to sing, play an instrument, clap their hands, etcetera. And did it say that a psalm MUST be sung at every church meeting? No. The instructions are, ‘one has a psalm, a doctrine (or teaching), a tongue, a revelation, or an interpretation of tongues.’ And that all these MUST be done for the edification of the church, in decency and order. Each believer present can do these things.
Notice also there are no instructions to designate a praise and worship leader, or a certain group of singers, musicians, etcetera. Again all can engage in psalms in the church if they choose. It is wrong to make fellow believers feel guilty if they don’t decide to sing spiritual songs, or play an instrument, stand up clap their hands and such at a church meeting. Just as it would be wrong to force someone speak in tongues, or share a doctrine (teaching), or a revelation. Because God never commanded this. But sadly this goes on.
MUSIC IS MY MINISTRY?
Many church services resemble music concerts way more than churches. I’ve even heard people say that their music is their ministry. That it’s their way to reach nonbelievers and the youth. As we’ve seen music is permitted in a church gathering. But should it be the focus, the way to reach people for the Lord? Think about it: how many people did Jesus sing into the kingdom? When did he instruct His disciples to sing Psalms to the lost? And how many lost souls did Jesus and His disciples just simply talk to? Aren’t we commanded to follow Jesus’ example? (1 Peter 2:21) The Bible says that psalms, hyms, and spiritual songs are for believers, not for unbelievers:
Colossians 3:16 KJV “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; TEACHING AND ADMONISHING ONE ANOTHER [believers] IN PSALMS AND HYMNS AND SPIRITUAL SONGS, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
Yes, we are told to share psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with, “One anther,” our fellow believers for teaching and encouragement. And we are encouraged to sing to ourselves in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs:
Ephesians 5:19 KJV “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”
If we use music the way God tells us to our church services won’t be mere entertainment. Instead our music (if there is any) will be used for the edifying of the church. If an unbeliever wants to listen to a spiritual song cool. But thinking that singing to the lost is the way to get them to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior is erroneous. It is nowhere in scripture. Let us obey all of God’s commands. Even when it comes to music at our church gatherings.
1 John 5:3 KJV “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”
2 Samuel 12:13 NIV “Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die.”
After committing some horrible sins David woke up and repented. His sins ranged from adultery, to murder, deceit, and then some. But when David realized the trouble he was in he confessed his sins. Because of his heartfelt confession and repentance David was shown mercy. He is a model for us all when we know we have blown it.
1 John 1:7-10 NLT “But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and THE BLOOD OF JESUS, his Son, CLEANSES US FROM ALL SIN. [8] If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. [9] But IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS TO HIM, he is faithful and just to FORGIVE US OUR SINS and to cleanse us from all wickedness. [10] If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.”
A key to being a true Christian isn’t we never sin. It’s are we honest enough to confess our sins like David did. Are our confessions penitent? Or are they braggadocios about unrighteousness? Are we trusting in Jesus’ blood to cleanse us from all sin? Or are we trusting in our own righteousness to cleanse and save us? To be frank you and I don’t have any righteousness. So how can we trust in it?
Romans 3:10 KJV “As it is written, THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, no, not one.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV “God made him [Jesus] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
BELIEVE IN GOD’S FORGIVENESS
Do we believe that God forgives us when we come to Him humbly asking for forgiveness? The Bible says God never turns away those who come to Him with a broken heart and contrite spirit. This is a pleasing sacrifice to Him:
Psalm 34:18 NLT “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”
Psalm 51:17 KJV “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”
Isaiah 57:15 KJV “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”
Isaiah 66:1-2 KJV “Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? [2] For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.”
Luke 8:17 KJV “For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.”
Mark 4:22 NET “For nothing is hidden except to be revealed, and nothing concealed except to be brought to light.”
Matthew 10:26 KJV “Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.”
The words above are the words of Jesus Christ who is THE TRUTH, the way, and the life. (John 14:6) Jesus says that whenever people hide things they WILL ALWAYS come out into the open. That’s why everything is coming out now. Because God has decreed it.
God is light, and light exposes what’s in the dark. That’s why the deepest secrets will never stay hidden. This really upsets those in the occult. The word, “Occult,” doesn’t only mean mysterious witchcraft and magical practices. It also means, “Hidden;” to keep from view. But again, God is light, and light is way more powerful than darkness. Those who are in cahoots with the dark side (demons) whether through secret societies, covens, etcetera will never succeed at keeping their plans hidden. Somehow some way God makes what is secret known. The same person who said in the begining, “Let there be light,” and there was light, has decreed that whatever is done in the dark WILL ALWAYS COME OUT in the light.
Why Is Everything Coming Out?
2 Corinthians 2:11 KJV “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”
Matthew 10:26 KJV “Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.”
Let’s give God credit for His almighty power and the truthfulness of His word. He has a perfect track record by the way. But whether we give God credit or not it doesn’t change the fact that everything he says is true and succeeds:
Isaiah 55:11 KJV “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”
Daniel 12:4 MEV “But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book until THE TIME OF THE END. Many shall run to and fro, and KNOWLEDGE SHALL INCREASE.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 KJV “Rejoice evermore. [17] PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. [18] In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
We just read God’s will for us all. Let’s be honest, doing what the passage above says can be a challenge. With all the fear mongering in our worldly media it can be tough. We can forget to REJOICE ALWAYS, to PRAY WITHOUT CEASING, and to GIVE THANKS IN EVERYTHING.
Though Jesus tells us to be watchful we must be careful not to watch what the other side is doing so much that it depresses us. I have to admit I recently made that mistake. It’s so easy to get sucked into the alternative or mainstream news media. There’s always something wickedly weird going on. But we must fight to keep our joy always, make time to pray always, and remember to give thanks in everything. We must keep our eyes on Jesus more than this world’s latest freak show. Anything that hinders keeping our eyes on Christ must be eradicated; pulled up by the roots, and burned.
PRAY ALWAYS
Luke 21:36 KJV “Watch ye therefore, and PRAY ALWAYS, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”
After describing the many evils that would come to pass in the last days Jesus encouraged His disciples to PRAY ALWAYS that they may be counted worthy to escape all the terrible things that would come on the earth. Again, if we’re always watching the news even to see how Bible prophecy is being fulfilled, but we’re not always earnestly praying, that’s not good. We must spend more time in prayer.
Recently I prayed to God asking him why I was feeling so down. He revealed to me I was doing too much watching (YouTube videos etcetera) and not enough praying. What we take into our eyes and ears through TV, videos, etcetera really affects us. We must be careful that what we deem as good doesn’t become bad. Think about it, what would benefit us more, spending much time watching what the evil one and his team are doing? Or spending more time in prayer with God? If we choose the latter we will feel a whole lot better. Over-watching everything can be so depressing. Moderation is definitely encouraged here. Knowing everything in the news is not what will make us escape what is coming. But having a good relationship with God through prayer is our safety net.
Proverbs 18:10 KJV “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”
‘I AM ABOUT TO UPROOT’
Jeremiah 45:4-5 KJV “Thus shalt thou say unto him, The Lord saith thus; Behold, that which I have built will I break down, and that which I have planted I will pluck up, even this whole land. [5] And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the Lord: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest.”
These words above were spoken under inspiration of the Holy Spirit by Jeremiah to his assistant Baruch. At a certain point in Jeremiah’s ministry Baruch wrote down in a scroll the words of God as he heard them from Jeremiah’s mouth. He also read these words in the presence of all the people. When the scroll was read to king Jehoiakim he burned it. He also ordered that Jeremiah and Baruch be arrested. But they could not be found because the Lord hid them. Why was the king so furious at the words in the scroll? Because they prophesied doom for his kingdom. God decreed that the whole land would be destroyed by king Nebuchadnezzar the king of of Babylon because of the Jews constant unfaithfulness to Him.
Do you see a parallel in our world today? The Bible says:
Psalm 9:17 KJV “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.”
The nation that forgets God will perish! It’s happened all throughout history. Kingdoms come and kingdoms go. No matter where you live on earth today it is apparent that we are living in a time similar to Jeremiah’s. There is wickedness and chaos everywhere! The whole world is falling apart. They’re trying to hold it all together by selling the masses a fake peace and security where we all come together as one. But as Jehu told Jezebel’s son king Joram:
2 Kings 9:22 NLT “How can there be peace as long as the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother, Jezebel, are all around us?”
Our world is steeped in idolatry and witchcraft! (1 Samuel 15:23)
The Jezebel spirit permeates the world. There can be no real peace as long as this exist. It’s all a facade. Hence God is about to destroy all who hate Him and love this filthy world! Then there will be true peace and security. The only way to avoid God’s judgment is to individually repent. Some of us have. But the world has a way of still tugging at us. Hence, God’s question to Baruch in Jeremiah 45:5 can be posed to us:
Jeremiah 45:5 MEV “But are you seeking great things for yourself? Do not seek them. For I will bring disaster upon all flesh, says the Lord, but I will give your life to you as booty in all the places where you go.”
God is saying to us, “Wake up!” just as He told Baruch. Though he wrote down and even read all the words in the scroll to the people Baruch was distracted. The judgments of God depressed him so much that he couldn’t rest. Some of us feel the same way today. Jeremiah told Baruch:
Jeremiah 45:2-5 MEV “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, to you, O Baruch: You said, “Alas, WOE IS ME! For THE LORD HAS ADDED GRIEF TO MY SORROW. I fainted in my sighing, and I FIND NO REST.” Thus you shall say to him, “Thus says the Lord: That which I have built I will break down, and that which I have planted I will pluck up, even this whole land. But are you seeking great things for yourself? Do not seek them. For I will bring disaster upon all flesh, says the Lord, but I will give your life to you as booty in all the places where you go.”
God got to the root of Baruch’s problem and encouraged him to repent. Baruch was seeking great things for himself. He did not want life as he knew it to come to an end. This is why it was so hard for him to accept what God was about to do to the nation. His whole world was falling apart. There was something great that Baruch was seeking. And now was not the time to be searching for it God said. God’s plan to bring destruction on the whole land must have looked to Baruch like his goal would never be attained. But God was lovingly telling him to, ‘Let it go, this is all about to be destroyed. But you will escape with your life!’ God did not want what happened to Lot’s wife to happen to Baruch.
Luke 17:32 NIV “Remember Lot’s wife!”
Do we hear God lovingly telling us to, “Let it go,” because He’s about to bring destruction on the whole land? Has God added grief to our sorrow?’ Just when we’re about to accomplish this or that, does it look like it’s all about to come to an end?
BE ENCOURAGED
What God has decreed must take place. God would not be a righteous God and a God of justice if He did not bring this wicked world to an end. And like king Jehoiakim the rulers and peoples of this world system have burned God’s words. They want nothing to do with God. They have outlawed God’s words in one country after another. Last I checked the Bible and Christianity was banned in over 52 countries. And right now in the United States in the state of California they are trying to get a law passed that would ban the Bible as hate speech. Oh yeah, imagine what happens next. Idolatry and witchcraft is EVERYWHERE! Just as it was in Jeremiah’s day. Do you think that America and all the other nations will be immune from God’s punishment?
Let’s accept the counsel that God gave to Baruch: “STOP SEEKING GREAT THINGS FOR YOURSELF! SEEK THEM NOT!” You don’t have to go down with this world. God promised Baruch (and he promises us too) that he would escape with his life as a reward. But that did not mean he would be immune from all hardship while his nation was being destroyed. Think about it.
Proverbs 14:32 KJV “The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.”
Instead of seeking great things for ourselves in this world let’s follow the counsel below:
Matthew 6:33 KJV “But SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
1 John 2:15-17 KJV “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. [16] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. [17] And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”
Also remember:
Luke 21:36 KJV “Watch ye therefore, and PRAY ALWAYS, that YE MAY BE ACCOUNTED WORTHY TO ESCAPE all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”
Fall out of love with this world. It’s going down!
Revelation 17:8 KJV “THE BEAST that thou sawest WAS, and is not; and SHALL ASCEND OUT OF THE BOTTOMLESS PIT, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they BEHOLD THE BEAST THAT WAS, and is not, AND YET IS.”
In the Bible book of Daniel the angel of the Lord explains to Daniel that beasts are kingdoms or governments. (Daniel 7:23) In the passage above the angel of the Lord explains to John that a particular beast or government system will return that was once here before (“the beast that was”). This would take place in the time of the end. The time we’re living in right now.
YOU DON’T HEAR MUCH ABOUT …
Why do we not hear much about mankind’s history before the flood of Noah’s day? One reason is that would be admitting there was actually a flood. And that would make some believe that the Bible is right, which is counter productive to those who control the world. But have you ever asked yourself what kind of government or kingdom ruled the world back then? The Bible has the answer:
Genesis 6:1-5 KJV “And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, [2] That the sons of God [spirit beings] saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. [3] And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. [4] There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. [5] And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”
No wonder they hide all the giant’s skeletons and bones they find all over the earth. Some of these skeletal remains are taller than trees. Some group doesn’t want us to know about the time period when giant Nephilim hybrids roamed the earth and ruled it mercilessly. This ancient world order is referred to by some as The Golden Age, or the antediluvian period, when the angels, “the sons of God,” rebelled and left heaven in order to mingle (have sex) with women on earth, creating their own crossbred offspring. These were the bully tyrants, the mighty men of renown (celebrities), the rulers of old. Merriam Webster’s definition of, “Golden Age,” is: “a period of great happiness, prosperity, and achievement.” Oh there were many achievements that took place but it was everything but peaceful and happy. As God said, “And God saw that THE WICKEDNESS OF MAN WAS GREAT in the earth, and that EVERY IMAGINATION of the THOUGHTS OF HIS HEART WAS ONLY EVIL CONTINUALLY.” (Genesis 6:5 KJV) Do you see any similarities with that world and ours today?
Imagine living in a world ruled by fallen angels and their hybrid offspring. Imagine being a hybrid: part angel, part human? The advantages you would have over the average human being would be staggering! You could systematically wipe out all normal human beings! Hmmmmmmm, is that going on today? 🤔
According to the Bible manipulation of human DNA is nothing new. It happened thousands of years ago in Noah’s day. Now it’s back again in everything from cloning to creating designer babies. Hmmmmmmm,🤔 could this also be what Jesus was talking about when He said:
Matthew 24:37-39 NIV “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. [38] For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; [39] and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.”
PYRAMIDS DEBUNKED
It’s been proven that the pyramids were not built by the Egyptians, and they were not tombs of the Pharaohs. Need proof? Just do a little research on the subject. Did you know that these megaliths have been discovered all over the world, not just in Egypt. It’s been reported by achaeologist and others that THOUSANDS, yes THOUSANDS of pyramids have been found worldwide; from Asia, to Europe, to Africa, the Americas, etcetera. Who knows how many more there are? What else is of interest is they are eerily constructed in a similar way. Most are perplexed as to how they were built. The greatest architects and engineers can’t figure this out. What else is strange is they all have evidence of being fully submerged under water. Hmmmmmmm,🤔 this proves they were all built and existed around the same time period; the period before the flood of Noah’s day, the period fallen angels and their hybrid offspring controlled the whole earth. How else could thousands of pyramids worldwide experience total water submersion? And the fact that there are so many of them in so many places (WORLDWIDE) proves these pyramids were all part of a world governing system of sorts. There is definitely a universal connection here.
As you look deeper into how the pyramids were built and the materials that were used to make them you will find they were perfect for conducting wireless electricity. That’s right, wireless energy such as we have today! The pyramids were far from tombs of dead Pharaohs. Do your research.😀
THERE’S NOTHING NEW
The new world order or the one world government system ruled by rebellious angels and their hybrid children (some call them aliens) is nothing new. It was here before in Noah’s day:
Ecclesiastes 1:9 NIV “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.”
Ecclesiastes 3:15 KJV “That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.”
If you think all of this is too far-fetched or it sounds like something out of a Hollywood movie remember this; the Bible was written way before Hollywood existed. Also, remember these next texts that were written thousands of years ago that said something similar would happen in the time of the end just as in Noah’s day:
Revelation 12:9 KJV “And the great DRAGON WAS CAST OUT, that old serpent, CALLED THE DEVIL, and SATAN, which DECEIVETH THE WHOLE WORLD: he WAS CAST OUT INTO THE EARTH, and HIS ANGELS WERE CAST OUT WITH HIM.”😱
It was prophesied that Satan and his angels would be kicked out of heaven and thrown to earth one day. And concerning the last government system to rule the world before the end of time the Bible says:
Daniel 2:43 KJV “And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, THEY SHALL MINGLE THEMSELVES WITH THE SEED [or offspring] OF MEN.”😱
Wasn’t that done in Noah’s day? Truly there is nothing new under the sun.
Like The Bereans 