Category: God’s wrath

The Word Wearied With the Wicked’s Words

Saturday, January 31, 2015

“Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?” (Malachi 2:17 KJV).

Today’s Scripture could have been written to our profligate society today!

The Prophet Malachi had a ministry to Israel about 400 years before Christ. Post-Babylonian-exile Israel, while not as wicked as it was centuries before God sent them away captive to Assyria and Babylon, is nonetheless still plagued with spiritual, economic, and societal problems.

Through the Prophet, the Holy Spirit rebukes His people—especially the priests in chapter 2 (today’s Scripture)—of their wayward behavior. They then ask Him what they are doing wrong, and God replies each time. Malachi’s short book, only four chapters, is compiled around six objections and six divine answers. Today’s Scripture is the fifth. God never grows tired in the sense of doing work and then feeling “drained.” Existing outside of our universe, He is not bound by our time-space continuum. But, today’s Scripture says that God can and does grow tired of people talking about Him in a very foolish way.

Just as you eventually have enough of someone slandering you, or trampling your name underfoot, and you finally react, God has grown sick of the Jews saying that He approves evil, them saying that He delights in those workers of iniquity. Furthermore, God has grown sick of the Jews asking where He is, if He will show Himself and punish them for their wrongdoings. They challenge JEHOVAH to retaliate! Chapters 3 and 4 proceed to explain how Messiah Jesus is coming: “But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purge the sons of Levi…” (3:2,3).

Messiah Jesus came once, and He will be back again one day! He will punish the additional 2,000 years of man’s “wearisome words!”

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Will we know if a loved one is not in heaven with us?”

Roasted with Fire

Friday, January 23, 2015

“And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof” (Exodus 12:8,9 KJV).

Israel will learn 15 centuries later why JEHOVAH told them to roast the Passover lamb.

Throughout Moses’ five books—the “Torah,” “Pentateuch,” Genesis through Deuteronomy—we see glimpses of Jesus Christ’s life and ministry, some 1,500 years beforehand. Today’s Scripture is a graphic portrait, Him not simply being nailed to a cross and suffering immense physical pain, but a crushing force inside, His soul experiencing such a radical transformation that it is just as horrific as the sight of His disfigured body. Oh, what Israel has done to Him! Oh, what Rome has done to Him! Oh, what we have done to Him! Oh, what Father God is now doing to Him!

Today’s Scripture says that, after the Passover lamb was killed and bled, its entire body was to be roasted with fire, and finally eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Every Passover, every year, JEHOVAH God was rehearsing for Israel what would happen to His only begotten Son in their land on a cruel cross. He never told them exactly what Passover meant until after Calvary happened, but we can look back and see the blueprints were all there.

Messiah Jesus cried out from Calvary’s cross in Matthew 27:46, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Quoting Psalm 22:1, Jesus signifies this psalm is Messianic, descriptive of what was going through His mind and heart as He hung there. “But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people” (Psalm 22:6). What lost people experience in hell (Isaiah 66:24; Mark 9:44,46,48), Jesus literally felt it in His soul while on Calvary’s cross. Our sin was placed on His soul, and then God’s righteous fury was poured out on it: “[Father God] made [Jesus’] soul an offering for sin” (Isaiah 53:10). His soul was completely heated in God’s judgment, as the Passover lamb was thoroughly roasted.

Oh, what a great sacrifice! Oh, what a great Saviour!

Come Into the Ark!

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

“Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he” (Genesis 6:22 KJV).

What can we youngsters learn from old man Noah?

Genesis chapter six opens with Satan’s angels corrupting the human bloodline (to defile the coming Messiah’s lineage). “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” (verse 5). God, grieved at His heart (verse 6), would thoroughly purge Earth of man, beast, creeping thing, and fowl. Living amongst this widespread mayhem and devil worship was Noah, one man of faith, one who trusted what revelation God had given mankind thus far.

Hebrews 11:6,7: “[6] But without faith it is impossible to please him [God]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. [7] By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.”

To have righteousness (a right standing before God), and avoid God’s righteous wrath against our sins, we must believe God’s message to us. God instructed Noah to build a massive ark (boat) to save his family and the animal families from a coming worldwide flood. Having never seen rain (Genesis 2:5,6), Noah did not understand: regardless, God said it, and Noah did it: “And Noah did according unto all that the LORD commanded him” (Genesis 7:5; cf. today’s Scripture). Even today, Noah does not regret it!

While we have never seen hell and the lake of fire, we can prepare for it as Noah prepared for God’s wrath in the Great Flood! Jesus Christ is our Ark: in preparation for the impending divine wrath, we must be “in Him.” When we trust His finished crosswork as sufficient payment for our sins, we are just as safe from God’s wrath as Noah was in the ark. May we not be foolish like the billions who refused to come into the ark, but perished in the wrath of God—water and ultimately (eternally) fire.

The Misunderstood Messiah #5

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

“Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God” (John 8:41 KJV).

Did you ever notice the magnitude of the insult put forth toward Jesus Christ in today’s Scripture?

Once Christ replied with sound doctrine (verses 42-47), Israel’s religious leaders simply resorted to name-calling again (verse 48): “Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?” A Samaritan was half-Jew/half-Gentile, and “the Jews [had] no dealings with the Samaritans” (John 4:9). Notice Jesus was insulted twice more—they called Him a “Samaritan” and “devil possessed.” Throughout the rest of John chapter 8, Israel’s religious leaders continue arguing with Jesus and nearly stone Him to death (verse 59)!

Why did Jesus not simply “zap” these religionists and instantly throw them into hellfire? They belittled and blasphemed Him several times in this one account, and then attempted to murder Him, but rather than Jesus killing them with His spoken word (which would have been justified), He only conversed with them. Why?

Remember, when the Apostles James and John saw how the Samaritans refused to accommodate Jesus, they asked Him if He wanted them to call down fire from heaven and consume those sinners, He replied, “Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them” (Luke 9:55,56). This First Coming of Christ was His “meek and lowly” coming: He did not come to judge man’s sins, but to die for them!

Even today, God is still not pouring out His wrath on wicked mankind (2 Corinthians 5:19), creatures who still snicker at Jesus Christ, deceive others in His name, persecute His saints, ignore His Word, and “rub His nose” in their sins. Lost mankind is wasting God’s grace and mercy that He is offering so freely. When His grace is finally exhausted, the undiluted wrath that has accumulated will finally be poured out (His Second Coming). May we trust Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour now so we have our sins forgiven now, lest we face that angry, righteous God in judgment (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9)!

Peace with God

Thursday, December 11, 2014

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1 KJV).

As the Christmas Season approaches, we remember where true “peace on Earth” can be found!

Our world is always searching for peace. It is said if we could eliminate anything and everything “religious” and “spiritual,” our world we be peaceful. Others say that we should meet and converse with heads-of-state, and make many peace treaties to ensure international tranquility. Africa and the Middle East are ravaged by war and destruction, ever so desperate for peace from centuries- or millennia-long conflicts. The suffering these poor people are facing make even some Christians wonder how can God just keep letting it continue. We can rest assured that God is not “sitting around in heaven in a recliner,” taking pleasure in what mankind has done to His once-perfect world. In His own time, He will consummate it all: we cannot rush Him because He knows best.

Beloved, we will never even partially fathom the depths of God’s longsuffering. Even in the Apostle Peter’s day, nearly 20 centuries ago, the scoffers kept asking how long before Jesus Christ would return and wipe them out. We read in 2 Peter 3:8,9: “[8] But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. [9] The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Once God gets angry, whether one day or 1000 years later, His wrath is still undiminished, until it is poured out. But, today, God is withholding that wrath.

In verses 15 and 16, Peter reminded them that Paul had the answers to Christ’s delay—He was waiting for people to be saved into the Body of Christ: “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;…” May we never take God’s peace in and through Christ for granted, for one day, He will withdraw it from this world, and replace it with His wrath!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “What does ‘Forbid not to speak with tongues’ mean?”

Israel, Be Still, and Know That He is God

Sunday, November 30, 2014

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10 KJV).

Today’s Scripture is a well-known verse from the book of Psalms; we look at it briefly within its context.

“[1] God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. [2] Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; [3] Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.”

As believing Israel struggles through Daniel’s 70th week, persecution by the Antichrist and his followers, JEHOVAH is her shelter and strength. He has a watchful eye on her, to “see” her through the seven-year Tribulation!

“[4] There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. [5] God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. [6] The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. [7] The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.”

Jesus Christ has now arrived on Earth, concluded those seven years, defeated Israel’s enemies in fire and wrath, redeemed and delivered His believing Jews, now become “Immanuel,” “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14; Zechariah 8:23).

“[8] Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. [9] He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. [10] Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. [11] The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.”

Israel rejoices that she is free from her captives, never again to fear oppression or war. Her King is sitting on David’s throne in Zion, Jerusalem, urging her to “be still,” rest, and enjoy Him, for she is now become His vessel to reach the Gentiles!

NOTE: As I announced Friday, I have been diagnosed with double-lung pneumonia (which can be fatal). Currently, I am on medication, improving in strength and appetite, recuperating slowly with much rest. Later this week, I visit my family doctor for a follow-up exam. I will provide additional info in the near future. Thank you for your continued prayer!

Glorious Freedom #3

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof” (Romans 6:12 KJV).

The third verse of Haldor Lillenas’ classic 1917 hymn “Glorious Freedom” highlights today’s Scripture.

“Freedom from pride and all sinful follies;
Freedom from love and glitter of gold;
Freedom from evil temper and anger;
Glorious freedom, rapture untold!”

Once, when we were lost, under the control of the Adversary, separated from the Creator God, on our merry way to eternal hellfire, we “were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past [we] walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others” (Ephesians 2:1-3). What a description!

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us [given us life and power to function in life] together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” (verses 4,5). Now, we are dead with Christ and raised with Christ (Romans 6:3-11). Today’s Scripture says that we do not have to serve sin anymore; sin does not have to reign as a king over us anymore. We can choose to walk by faith in our new identity in Christ.

We are freed from pride (Philippians 2:5-11), for it is not us, but Christ living in us (Galatians 2:20). We are freed from foolishness (Ephesians 5:3,4; Titus 3:3), for we have Christ’s wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30; 1 Corinthians 2:9-16). We are freed from materialism, for “the love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10; cf. 1 Timothy 6:6). We are freed from unrighteous anger; we are to be “kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven [us]” (Ephesians 4:26,32).

Freedom, not to serve self, but to serve others! Inexpressible delight indeed! 🙂

Meek and Mighty

Monday, September 29, 2014

And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them, derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God” (Luke 23:35 KJV).

Today’s Scripture is proof that God’s ways and God’s thoughts are truly higher than ours!

Galilean king Herod Antipas and Judaean governor Pontius Pilate had heard much of this Jesus of Nazareth these last three years, but, so far as Scripture is concerned, they did not personally meet Him until His final hours alive. To them, He did not appear as royalty. Firstly, He had allowed Himself to be captured peacefully. Then, He let soldiers harshly abuse Him. Finally, He remained mostly silent during their many extensive interrogations leading up to His crucifixion. Pilate “marvelled greatly” (Matthew 27:11-14). Those watching Jesus die were equally shocked. “This is the King whom JEHOVAH God sent to rescue us? He is now helpless on the cross!”

Little did mankind know that Messiah would come twice—once to suffer and die as Saviour, again to judge and reign as King. Neither the prophets nor the angels could understand (1 Peter 1:9-12). Now, with the completed Bible canon, we see it all quite clearly. One is His meek coming (Zechariah 9:9) and the other is His mighty coming (Zechariah 14:3). Before Messiah Jesus could be manifested with power on His majestic Davidic throne, He had to first go to Calvary’s cruel cross. The scoffers did not understand it, but even if God had revealed it, they still would not have cared to know His truth.

In Father God’s own timing, He will reveal from heaven Jesus Christ in “flaming fire,” to take vengeance on those who do not know the God of Scripture and those who refuse to humble themselves and trust the Gospel of His Grace as sufficient payment for their sins (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10). Jesus Christ came the first time, not to save Himself, but to save us, to suffer God’s wrath on our behalf, that we trust Him alone as Saviour now, that we not have to suffer God’s wrath against our sin when comes the second time, when He proves again that He is “the chosen of God!” What wisdom!

Damnation and Salvation

Friday, September 26, 2014

“And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them, derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God” (Luke 23:35 KJV).

Today’s Scripture is proof that God’s ways and God’s thoughts are truly higher than ours!

Imagine that you literally and physically stood right before Calvary’s cross as Jesus hung on it. You would see a truly awful sight, a body so disfigured that the Bible says it did not resemble that of a human. “As many as were astonied at thee; his visage [appearance, particularly his face] was so marred [disfigured] more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men” (Isaiah 52:14). It is doubtless that those who actually witnessed it ever forgot that scene they saw on Golgatha, when the Son of God was crushed under the weight of Father God’s wrath and man’s wrath.

From all outward appearance, Jesus had lost. The Roman and Jewish governments had finally arrested their chief enemy and had condemned Him to death. He was now nailed to a cross, wearing nothing—His lacerated skin rubbed against the splintered wood as He pushed Himself upward to exhale. It was becoming harder to breathe, and the onlookers taunted Him (today’s Scripture; cf. Matthew 27:39-43; Mark 15:29-32). “You saved others and You cannot save Yourself! Come down from the cross and we will believe You!” (They fulfilled Psalm 22:7,8, written almost 1,000 years earlier.)

The God of the Bible always thinks differently from us humans, just as He said in Isaiah 55:8,9: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Jesus Christ appeared to be weak and defeated on Calvary, but as God saw it, He stayed there so that His damnation would result in our salvation. He could have saved Himself, but then He would not have saved us! He chose not to save Himself—He chose to save us instead! What wisdom! What selflessness!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “I am new to the Bible. Where should I begin?”

Eternal Life or Folly Forever

Thursday, September 25, 2014

“Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” (Galatians 3:3 KJV).

Like the Galatians, many today are “foolish,” not thinking clearly, assuming our salvation unto eternal life is gained or enhanced by our frail efforts!

Organized religion always urges us to do something to “enhance” our Christian life—tongue talking, aisle walking, sin confession, holy-day obligation, prayer recitation, generous donation, water rites, visits to holy sites. To varying degrees, every group pushes external activities, either to gain your salvation, to prove your salvation, or to keep your salvation. Undeniably, to arrive at such conclusions, they had to completely ignore the six Bible chapters, 149 verses, and 3,098 words known as “the book of Galatians.” As 1 Timothy 1:7 says, these works-religion people have no idea what they are saying or what they are insisting.

Friends, to corrupt the grace of God into a works-message is the most damnable of all teachings. It is strong language, but here is the plain truth. Either Jesus Christ paid for all our sins at Calvary’s cross, or He did not; either His performance was and is enough, or it was and is not ( He should have stayed in heaven then!).

To put our dirty, sinful fingers around God’s holy collar and demand He give us a place in heaven because we did a few “good” works is utterly silly; Jesus Christ did more than a few good works, and, unlike us, He was no sinner. On Calvary’s cross, He suffered your second death, the pain so deserving us in hellfire. What would take you eternity to do, He satisfied God’s righteousness in just a fraction of a day! God does not want reformation of deeds; He wants Jesus Christ to be in you to do good works (Galatians 2:20,21). We need a new nature, not just a change in lifestyle.

If our dear religious family members and friends could grasp these simple Bible truths, it would literally save them an eternity of regret! Jesus Christ’s shed blood paid the price, and His resurrection gives us new life. We can trust in Him alone, and He will do the rest! (Or we can continue in our folly.)

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Does God intervene in my life? If so, how?”