Are there times when you wish you could just start all over again with a clean slate? Do you regret some of the bad decisions that you’ve made and the actions you took that led to some unpleasant consequences in life? Do you feel like you are hopelessly stuck in a rut with no way out (Ephesians 2:12)? Would you like to go to a place where there will be no more tears, death, sorrow, crying or pain (Revelation 21:4, 5)? Would you like to have erased from your memory all the hurtful things (Isaiah 65:17)? If so, read on.
Burden. Believe it or not, we all were born with a heavy load weighing down on us. This load leads to suffering, pain, and eventual death with judgment to follow (Romans 6:23; Hebrews 9:27). We had passed down to us from our parents a disposition (sinful nature) that reacts and rebels against anyone who tries to put limitations on us (Psalm 51:5; 2:1-10; Luke 19:14). We, like Lucifer, have a streak in us that doesn’t want to be accountable to anyone (Isaiah 14:12-15). But we will give an account to God someday for all that we do and say (Matthew 12:36; Romans 14:12).
Lawlessness. This sinful nature that we all have (1 John 1:8; Romans 7:15-25) prompts us to defy God and law enforcement personnel who were designed by God to protect the decent citizens from the wicked people of this world (Genesis 9:6; Romans 13:1ff). “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice, But when a wicked man rules, the people groan” (Proverbs 29:2). Did you know that Christians can intercede for or against others (1 Timothy 2:1-4; Romans 11:2)? “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16). Did you know that “The [ruler’s] heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes” (Proverbs 21:1)? When was the last time you prayed for those in authority over you?
Sovereign. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon learned the hard way that God rules in the kingdom of men and gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men (Daniel 4:17, 25). Because he refused to follow Daniel’s advice (Daniel 4:27), he was driven from men and made to dwell with the beasts of the field and eat grass for seven years until he acknowledged that the Most High rules over all.
Man Of Sin. The Scriptures tell us that there is coming a man, known to many as the “Antichrist, who will be empowered by the devil himself and who will rule over the entire world for 3 ½ years without the assistance of the 10 kings from the Revived Roman Empire or the apostate, one world church (Matthew 25; Revelation 13, 17, 18). These days don’t seem very far away from us. Where will you be when they happen? Can anyone be sure of his/her eternal destiny (1 John 5:13)?
Jews. Anti-Semitism is on the rise again around the world. It will continue to intensify so that the Jews will want to return to the land that God promised to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and their descendants (Genesis 15:18-21) as an everlasting covenant. In addition to all the scientific benefits that the Jews have contributed to the well being of mankind, they were selected by God to bring us God’s Word, the Scriptures (2 Peter 1:21), and the Messiah and Savior of mankind (Matthew 1:21; 16:16). They were supposed to bear witness to the greatness of Jehovah to the nations who passed through Israel on their way to Africa, Asia, and Europe (Isaiah 43:12; 44:8).
Failure. Because of their violation of the Sabbatical years for 490 years and their becoming like the idolatrous, heathen nations around them, God delivered them into the hands of the terrifying Assyrians and the cruel Babylonians for 70 years (Leviticus 26:24-43; 2 Chronicles 36:21; Daniel 9:24-27; Jeremiah 29:10).
Re-gathered. God promised to re-gather the Jews from the four corners of the earth and reestablish them in the land of Israel (Isaiah 11:12). Some have returned since 1948 A.D. But once again the Jews will be chased out of Israel during the last half of the Tribulation and will flee to Petra in Jordan where God will protect them from the hand of the Antichrist (Mathew 24:15ff; Isaiah 16:1). The only Jews in Jerusalem during that time will be the two prophets who will have power to torture the wicked people of the earth for 3 ½ years (Revelation 11). What do you know about Armageddon and what nations will be there for that battle (Revelation 16:16)?
Today. The “Good News” that Jews and non-Jews need to believe today is that Christ died for our sins, was buried for three day, and then rose again bodily and was seen over the next 40 days by over 500 witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Romans 1:16, 17). Have you placed for faith in Him alone to save you? We aren’t saved by our good works or by our faith plus our good works (Ephesians 2:8, 9; Titus 3:5).
Warning. “For those who reject God’s work in Christ there remains only judgment. Not only will there be eternal judgment, but ‘he that believes not is judged already’ (John 3:18). An ominous, dark cloud of holy anger hangs over the head of every sinner and will eventually break in a tempest of terror.” – E. Pickering
Crown. If you’ve been saved by God’s grace through faith in Christ, you can/should take part in introducing others to Christ so they can be saved too. The “Crown of Rejoicing” awaits those who have a part in the salvation of others (1 Thessalonians 2:19, 20). If you love God and others, join us in getting this message out to others.
Questions/Comments. If you aren’t sure of your eternal destiny or would like some clarifications of what you’ve just read, contact us at 805-238-3549 or visit our website at www.kelseypeach.com. If you’d like to receive future articles as they come out, click of “Follow.”
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