In
the New Testament, Jesus, God Incarnate, warns Israel to repent. As they had
done with the warnings from the prophets of old, Israel ignored Jesus,
crucifying Him on a cross. Of course, Jesus is much more than a prophet. He
rose from the dead, making a final payment for the sins of those who put their
faith in Him. The result of the Jews ignoring Jesus is the destruction of
Jerusalem in A.D., 70.
The
hard truth is that what is happening in America is not new. This scene has been
played out repeatedly throughout the Old Testament. Like Israel of old, America
is turning its back on God, rejoicing in wickedness. As with Adam, Cain, and the
nation of Israel, God gives time for repentance. Judgment comes, when
repentance does not occur within the timeframe allotted by God.
Another
hard fact is the warnings God gave Israel, were ignored. What? Are you saying
that the American Christian will lose? The answer is, most likely, yes, if you
call losing failing to stop a nation from embracing evil. I said “most likely,”
because our God is Al-powerful. He can bring on revival if He chooses, but we
must remember we are the tools He chooses to use.
How many prophets did God send to Israel? How
many times did the people listen to the prophets? “Yet he sent prophets to
them, to bring them again unto the Lord; and they testified against them: but
they would not give ear” (II Chronicles 24:19).
In the end, God expects us to be His prophets.
It may be as in the days of Noah, with the warnings falling on deaf ears. It
may be as in the case of Isaiah or Jeremiah; we speak, and few listen. Many
prophets were persecuted and even killed for their warnings. Maybe it will be
as in Jonah’s time, where an evil city repented of their sins, and God withdrew
His wrath!
Nothing
new under the sun! We are a nation that has turned its back on God. Look at the
list of sins attributed to Israel at any point before they fell. You find
paganism and witchcraft, rampant sexual immorality, homosexuality, and
idolatry. Can we attribute these same sins to America today? Will God’s
response to those sins be the same as it was in Biblical days? He is the same
God today as He was then.
The
prophets of old were generally despised by the people and the kings. So why did
the prophets of old warn the people, even though the people did not want to be
warned? The prophets loved, just as God loves. They loved the people around
them. They knew that God’s coming judgment was the least of their worries. The
prophets knew an eternity in anguish and pain in Hell (Sheol) awaited those who
continued in evil, rejecting the love of God. They loved so much, they were
willing to die, in the hope that a few would come to the saving knowledge of
God.
Jesus warned us that we would be
treated the same as the prophets of old. We would be despised, as He was
despised. John 15 warns us that the world will hate those who claim Jesus is
God.
Children of the living God
understand that God is victorious, even though we may not be. We are to preach,
teach, fight evil, and warn everyone around us. It starts when we love as God
loves. It starts with a correct perspective in our lives, a clear understanding
that death does not mean the end.
Most people think death means
the end of life. This is far from the truth. Biblically, death means a single
word: separation. When you die, you are separated from your perishable body.
This is the first death. If you die in your sins without faith in Jesus Christ,
then a second death occurs; separation from God for all eternity. Man is
eternal. Death is not the end, only a separation. “Then shall the dust return
to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes
12:7).
God
told Adam and Eve that if they ate of the fruit, they would surely die. Some
will point to this story, and say that death did not occur until more than 900
years later, when Adam died. However, death (separation from God) occurred as
soon as they bit into the forbidden fruit. Death (separation from the body)
occurred nine centuries later. Jesus came to end the separation from God for
all who trust in Him.
Once
you have love for people in your heart, and you see the probability of their
eternal separation from God in flames, a deep concern for them overcomes you.
You warn them, plead with them, pray for them, and do anything you can to get
them to give their lives to the Living God. What happens to you does not
matter.
Our
message of love is not always returned with love, and we should not expect it
to be. That is why the homosexual community lashes out with hate at the
Christian, who loves them enough to try and warn them of the consequences of their
sin. Hollywood despises Christians and their message of love. Want to feel the
“love” of the world? Proclaim your belief in a true Biblical creation and a
true, unchanged Bible, and run for a political office. We have all seen our liberal
media mock these Godly politicians. There is no love for those who proclaim
truth, to a world in love with lies.
Alarm
bells have been sounding among Christians today, and rightfully so. God’s
children realize that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. God is
shockingly patient (II Peter 3:9), but brings swift and utter judgment, when
His Righteousness causes Him to pass judgment.
Christians
fear God could judge this nation at any time. How did our nation, a nation
under God, founded by God-fearing men, end up as a nation that spreads
immorality and idolatry around the globe? How long will God give America,
before the gavel falls? Is there anything we can do to cause our nation to fall
to its knees in repentance? Will the lost and dying listen to the prophets God
is sending them?
From the new book: Proclaiming Truth
To a World In Love with Lies
