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Monday, August 7, 2017

Onward Christian Soldier

Many times in the past 10 years or so I have thought to myself.... "What's the use of even trying; the fool says, 'there is no God.'" They try to shame the Christians and even many of the pastors seem to deny God's warnings to United States of her destruction just as the Pharisees and Sadducees had done long ago when they denied the prophecies of Israel's coming destruction. But then I remember how God's warnings through Jonah convinced all the citizens of Nineveh to repent of their sins just before God was going to destroy their city and all it's inhabitants for their great sins. Because of the citizens of Nineveh repentance God relented and held back the destruction of Nineveh for approx. 120 years or so until the children and grandchildren returned to the sins of their parents.

Today in United States the vast majority mock and ridicule the Christians that attempt to share God's Love, His WORD and His warnings of her destruction. They have been corrupted to the very core of their being; calling lies the truth and the truth they deny as being lies. They blaspheme the LORD's name in nearly every sentence... They have embraced the abominations of evolution, homosexuality and abortion, thus God has been warning United States of her coming destruction since at least the mid 1980's.

Just as we are warned in the Bible, we are seeing total chaos throughout the world today, nation rising against nation. Islamic terrorist's attacks all around the world, and the love of many is waxing cold just as we are told in Matthew 24:12, And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

It’s vital that every one understand the work of God's watchmen as events grow increasingly tense in a rapidly changing world. In ancient times the city watchmen watched from the city towers for any approaching dangers, either from beast or man. If the watchman spotted a danger of approaching armies the watchman would warn the people and the gates of the city would be closed aiding in the defense of it's inhabitants.

Ezekiel 33 best describes the job of the Watchman and how the blood of those killed by invaders would be on the hands of the Watchman if he failed to shout the warnings of danger to the citizens of the city.

Just as God provided prophets and watchmen for the nations in ancient times, so too does He still provide prophets and watchmen throughout all of man's history on earth. And just as the vast majority rejected the warnings of the prophets and watchmen in ancient times, so too do the vast majority of the people still reject the warning of the prophets and watchmen today.

An atheist told me the other day that he didn't believe in God. I asked, "Have you searched for God? Have you read through the Bible?"
The young man's answer was, "No, why should I when I know God doesn't exist?"
My reply was, "For you to know that God nor anything else for that matter doesn't or hasn't ever existed you would have to have known all of the past and presence history of this world."

The following was copied from the Bible Pathway Ministries Daily Devotional which I have used for over nineteen years.

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Read Isaiah 10-14

And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation; neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there. But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their house shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there. And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces; and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged (Is. 13:19-22).

When Israel allied with Syria to invade Judah (Is. 7:1-7), Isaiah foretold that Israel would be defeated by Assyria (7:8). He then looked beyond Assyria's victory to the rise of Babylon, the new world power who would eclipse Assyria and one day overthrow Judah and take her people into captivity. Yet even as he predicted the ascent of Babylon, he also foretold of her permanent downfall.

The Babylon of which Isaiah spoke would soon become the dominant world power. She would be known as a center of business, art and architecture; her high level of civilization would maintain influence far beyond her borders. Her citizens would be infused with both patriotism and prided, certain that they were partaking of the best that the world had to offer. Yet even with all her resources, culture and military prowess, The nation of Babylon lived in total opposition to the Word of God.

Although He would use her to bring judgment to His people, the Lord would form no relationship with Babylon or her leaders. As these verses from Isaiah reveal, her eventual destruction would be swift and brutal, with no chance of reprieve or revival. By choosing to live in violation of God's Word, they ensured that they would die in fulfillment of it. The Lord is known by the judgment which He executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God (Ps 9:16-17).

The only means by which to escape judgment is to repent of our sin and begin walking in the ways of the Lord. God sent admonishments and warnings to the nation of Babylon, just as He had to the nations of Israel and Judah. At times, some of her leaders, such as Nebuchadnezzar, gained a passing appreciation for the power of God, but that was not enough to save the nation. God is looking for individuals and those who will come to Him in complete surrender. Anything less than this will always be unacceptable to Him. If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land (2 Chr. 7:14).

All who revel against the Word of God will find themselves in the same situation. Although they may think for a time that all things are in their control, sooner or later they will discover the lie behind that thought. True safety and security can only be found under the provision and protection of Christ, and ultimate control always lies in His hands.

Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:5).

Thought for the day: Rebellion is a provocative word, but make no mistake, a person who does not follow God lives in open rebellion against Him.