Category: evil world system

He Was One of The World’s Richest! #7

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

“But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” (Luke 12:20 KJV).

He was “one of the world’s richest,” but now he is among its poorest!

Recently, I read the protracted (and pompous) obituary of a woman whose earthly sojourn was just under a century. Her many accomplishments had been laid out in great detail for everyone to notice and admire. From a large family, she attended college, obtained a degree, and became a schoolteacher. She joined a certain prestigious club. The lady liked to be at the center of attention, especially when hosting or attending parties. She and her husband went on many pricey vacation trips. They played sports at their neighborhood country club. She taught her children and grandchildren how to plan meals and properly set tables. Being wealthy, she owned real silverware, fine china, and crystal! She cooked magnificent dishes and loved books. Quite religious, she “strove to be close to God.” Deeply devoted to her works-religion denominational church for decades, she taught religion classes and volunteered to participate in various charitable events.

The above profile is commonplace. Billions of sincere people spend much time, energy, and money pursuing happiness in this world. They are under the (false) impression that, provided they believe and do what they wish, they will lead a full and significant life. Yet, we mature Christians wonder. While they amassed physical possessions, what spiritual riches did they acquire? They enjoyed education and books, but did they ever read and believe so much as a single verse in the Holy Bible? Though they taught their children this skill or that ability, did they impart sound Bible doctrine to them? While they made important social connections, did they know the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour? They attended church services and busied themselves with religious affairs, but was it ever the Holy Spirit working in their life?

Dear friends, when we contemplate these grave questions, disconcerting truths come into focus. A life that society applauds now seems unimportant, a person who appeared wise and successful is now revealed to be foolish and a failure, and the soul who seemed to be prosperous was in fact eternally bankrupt….

God’s Offer to the Nations

Monday, September 11, 2023

“…[T]hat God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:19 KJV).

Today’s Scripture is God’s offer to all the nations of the world today.

September 11, 2001 was a day that changed our nation forever. It was the worst terrorist attack in our two-century national history. Afterward, many Americans began to talk about “God Bless America” and “God Save the United States.” These phrases are not as commonplace as they used to be.

In the 22 years that have passed since that awful day, it is a sad commentary that “God” is now the least of our nation’s concerns. With the redefining of marriage, controversial political arena, moral decay, skyrocketing national debt, and the uncertainty as to what constitutes a human life and what does not, obviously, the God of the Bible has been largely pushed out… until we need His help, and then we cry out to Him. Unless we need Him, we rather not think about anything He has to say.

While many argue that God is judging America today for its sins, the Bible does not support such an idea. Certainly, God dealt with Israel in that manner—“Do good and I will bless, but disobey and I will curse” (Leviticus chapter 26; Deuteronomy chapter 28)—but we have no relation to that Old Covenant of Law.

For the last 20 centuries, God has offered His grace to all the world’s nations, to have a right standing before Him by trusting Jesus Christ. People still die and go to hell, but today’s Scripture says that God is not judging nations for their sins. Through Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork, God offers reconciliation to sinners, whether here or around the world. However, that grace is exhaustible, and one day, it will be replaced with His wrath (Romans 2:1-16). Still, we believers are not appointed to God’s wrath; we are saved from all wrath through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:9).

The only hope for America—yea, for any nation—is faith in Jesus Christ alone!

*You can also see our 2011 Bible study commemorating the 10th anniversary of 9/11. It can be watched here or read here.

He Was One of The World’s Richest! #6

Sunday, September 10, 2023

“But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” (Luke 12:20 KJV).

He was “one of the world’s richest,” but now he is among its poorest!

Returning to the account of the rich man and Lazarus (read Luke 16:19-31), we can pick out some interesting tidbits. Firstly, contrary to popular belief, this is not a parable; it was a literal and historical event, as the proper name “Lazarus” indicates. Secondly, it sits in the context of verses 13-15, which set the tone: “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon [wealth deified, idolized, worshipped]. And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.”

The rich man of Luke chapter 16 had an earthly life described as follows: “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:…” (verse 19). He lived in luxury, with “purple” being the color of affluence because of the dye’s rarity. Moreover, in verse 21, he loved “fine dining,” his crumbs contrasted with the hungry, poor beggar named Lazarus. It seemed like God was blessing the rich man. Yet, it was not until after physical death that reality set in: the rich man was in full communion with this present evil world! That rich man was just a sample of his nation (lost Israel, including the Pharisees). By the way, the rich man is never given a name. He was a “somebody” on Earth, but, in Hell, he was just another nameless and penniless character; his identity was lost! Death robbed him of his earthly fortune, and sin kept decaying his soul as he suffered the wrath of the offended righteousness of a holy God….

Note: So as to bring you a special study tomorrow, we will temporarily break away from this devotionals arc….

He Was One of The World’s Richest! #5

Saturday, September 9, 2023

“But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” (Luke 12:20 KJV).

He was “one of the world’s richest,” but now he is among its poorest!

Re-read The Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21), the context of today’s Scripture. If you then back up to verse 15, the Lord prefaced this illustration with some severe advice: “Take heed [Beware! Watch out!], and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”

Covetousness is the longing or desire to have more and more and more belongings, an all-consuming passion or obsession in getting everything you possibly can—every coin, every new gadget, every piece of real estate, and so on. The aforementioned rich fool was of that same persuasion. He had bountiful harvests, so he, seemingly, had financial strength for “many years.” In fact, notice all those references to self, self, self in Luke 12:17-19: “himself… I… I… my… I… I… my… I… my… my… I… my… thou… thine….” He talked with himself, made plans for himself, and cared only about himself. Verse 21 summarizes: “So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

Owing earthly wealth was not this fool’s sin; his wrongdoing was replacing the one true God with an idol (the false god known as “mammon!”). He was covetous, wanting more and more worldly possessions. Ephesians 5:5 and Colossians 3:5 teach covetousness is idolatry (which again loops back to Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13). He was not seeking God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness (Matthew 6:33; Luke 12:31), an answer to his sin problem. Instead of the afterlife (everlasting, unending existence), he concentrated solely on this life (brief, temporary existence). He thus lived a rich man, but died a poor man.

Even now, in our grossly materialistic society, that attitude abounds. In fact, it will worsen all the way up to the end-times, when the Antichrist brings it to its pinnacle. Millions of Jews will be supporting him so as to retain their earthly treasures, thereby losing their identities when they depart this life….

He Was One of The World’s Richest! #4

Friday, September 8, 2023

“But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” (Luke 12:20 KJV).

He was “one of the world’s richest,” but now he is among its poorest!

The Lord Jesus posed these solemn questions in Matthew 16:26 (cf. Mark 8:36,37): “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Examining the context (Matthew 16:24-28; Mark 8:34-38), we ascertain this applies to Israel’s situation leading up to His Second Coming.

Read Matthew 10:32,33; Revelation 12:11; and Revelation 13:1-18. With the Antichrist ascending to power, individual Jews will have one of two choices. Firstly, they can confess Jesus Christ, upon which time they forfeit their material possessions and are executed. Secondly, they can deny Jesus Christ, after which the Antichrist allows them to retain their physical belongings and they avoid the death penalty. Ultimately, when Christ returns, He resurrects the slain saints to enter His kingdom (Revelation 20:1-5) but He kills the living sinners to be taken to Hell (Revelation 14:9-12)!

Christ’s questions in Matthew 16:26 and Mark 8:36,37 are rhetorical. He knew the answers, and we do too—provided we have the renewed mind. To “gain the whole world” means to be in full fellowship with Satan’s evil world system (see Galatians 1:4)—all its diabolical desires, thoughts, values, preferences, and goals (see 1 John 2:15-17). If it were possible for a man to acquire all secular knowledge, all earthly riches, everything this life has to offer, it would really amount to nothing because he lost his soul. Not only would his earthly life be taken, his soul would be eternally damned! Here was the precarious fate about which Christ warned during His earthly ministry.

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:…” (Matthew 6:19,20). This part of the Sermon on the Mount was Jesus’ way of preparing Israel to escape the Antichrist’s deception….

He Was One of The World’s Richest! #3

Thursday, September 7, 2023

“But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” (Luke 12:20 KJV).

He was “one of the world’s richest,” but now he is among its poorest!

Since Israel is God’s literal, physical, visible, earthly people; He promised them literal, physical, visible, earthly blessings. Read Deuteronomy chapter 8, elderly Moses’ counsel to the Jewish people preparing to enter the Promised Land with Joshua: “[10] When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. [11] Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:…. [17] And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. [18] But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. [19] And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.”

Yet, unbelieving Israelites concentrated so much on wealth—worldly possessions, earthly goods—they forgot the LORD precisely as Moses foretold. When Messiah Jesus came to minister, they were still preoccupied with physical property to the point of disregarding spiritual truth. This necessitated Christ to twice declare, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24; cf. Luke 16:13). These two verses sit in the context of material wealth (see Matthew 6:19-34; Luke 16:13-31), with “mammon” being riches deified or idolized (worshipped as a god). Extreme materialism was distracting the Jewish people from the LORD God, so Christ issued that warning.

Moreover, today’s Scripture was spoken with a similar transgression in mind. Focusing on self, self, self, the physically-rich Israelite died a spiritual pauper….

He Was One of The World’s Richest! #2

Wednesday, September 6, 2023

“But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” (Luke 12:20 KJV).

He was “one of the world’s richest,” but now he is among its poorest!

In John chapter 6, the Lord Jesus Christ performed a miracle, feeding over 5,000 men with just five barley loaves and two small fishes (verses 1-14). However, there was spiritual confusion, as verse 15 reports: “When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.” They actually chase Him to the other side of the Sea of Galilee so He can fill their stomachs with another free meal!

He rebuked them for their worldly-mindedness: “Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed” (verses 26,27). The Lord was more than a food-delivery Man, but they had reduced Him to such! Overall, they ignored how He had come to deliver them from their sins!

In the context of today’s Scripture, another distraction arises. A man beseeches the Lord Jesus to settle an estate. The man’s father is deceased, but his brother is being greedy with their inheritance, so the man (also materialistic!) wishes Jesus would intervene. In fact, the rabbis (Jewish teachers) could handle the matter, so it was unnecessary to involve the Lord. (His time was more precious than to waste it squabbling over earthly riches!) “[13] And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. [14] And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? [15] And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”

When death claims all souls, even the largest earthly fortune passes to no one….

He Was One of The World’s Richest! #1

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

“But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” (Luke 12:20 KJV).

He was “one of the world’s richest,” but now he is among its poorest!

Read today’s Scripture in context. Luke chapter 12: “[13] And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. [14] And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? [15] And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. [16] And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: [17] And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? [18] And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. [19] And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. [20] But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? [21] So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

As we meditate on the above verses (known as “The Parable of the Rich Fool”), let us also consider the following true story. Once, a man amassed a fortune and became a celebrity billionaire. He owned several homes and planes, traveled the world, and enjoyed partying. When illness cut his life short, however, his biography read, in part, “He was one of the world’s richest….” The key word, of course, is not “world’s” or “richest.” It is the verb “was.” This past tense means it is no longer true. He used to be wealthy, but not anymore. As today’s Scripture proves, that little three-letter word has profound spiritual implications….

Saints, please remember this work of the ministry requires monthly financial support to operate (Galatians 6:6; Philippians 4:16-17; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Those who prefer electronic giving can donate securely here: https://www.paypal.me/ShawnBrasseaux. Anyone who wishes to donate by regular mail can visit https://333wordsofgrace.org/contact-us-mailing-address-for-donations/ for details. Thanks to all who give to and pray for us! Unfortunately, since our ministry audience is so large and our ministry staff is so small, I can no longer personally respond to everyone. Thanks so much for understanding in this regard. 🙂

For Students This is Safe

Friday, August 18, 2023

“Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way” (Psalm 119:128 KJV).

As a new school year dawns, let us awake unto spiritual truth!

Although the autumnal equinox is still over a month away here in the Northern Hemisphere, summer is finally beginning to wind down for most of us. Students—with long faces and deep sighs—have returned or are beginning to return to school. As students return to the classroom, they need to be particularly mindful of the following.

Firstly, learning in and of itself is not a sin. Moses was “learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians” (Acts 7:22). Luke was a medical doctor (Colossians 4:14). Daniel and his companions were skilled in science (Daniel 1:4). Adam was the first taxonomist (Genesis 2:19,20). The God of the Bible is never against learning new things—remember, He gave us His Holy Bible so we can have plenty to learn for all of eternity!

Secondly, what the God of the Bible opposes is when we believe/trust ideas that do not seek our best interests, that contradict the way He designed our lives to function. Certainly, we Christians should never go around believing anything and everything heard and seen. Just because the professor, preacher, pope, or president says it is true, that does not make it so. Scientific consensus has been wrong before, religion has been wrong before, politicians have been wrong before. Much of the ideas that permeate our world today are wrong.

Lastly, there are many wonderful, exciting ideas and concepts out there—medical advancements, technological breakthroughs, and so on—but there are equally detrimental ideas that will mess up your life—religious traditions, secular humanism, and other philosophies. Daily intake of the King James Bible rightly divided will cleanse our souls of the filth and foolishness that we hear and see day in and day out in this evil world system. We highly exalt God’s Word, we know it is right “concerning all things,” and we hate and ignore the error.

Have a wonderful school year in our Lord Jesus Christ! 🙂

God’s Profaned Name #10

Thursday, August 17, 2023

“And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes” (Ezekiel 36:23 KJV).

How was God’s great name “profaned among the heathen?” In what way will He “sanctify” it?

Today’s Scripture is definitely part of the prophetic program. It involves God’s purpose and plan for Israel and the Earth. The Holy Spirit comments on how the nation Israel in time past abandoned the identity that their Creator gave them. They were not reflections of the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Despite their infidelity, He, in the ages to come, will be faithful in bringing to pass His original promise to them. They are to be His vessels to reach the Gentiles when the Lord Jesus Christ comes back to reign.

What about us, the Church the Body of Christ? Can we profane God’s name? Yes, we can. If we are not careful to walk in our identity in Christ, as described in Romans to Philemon, we can misrepresent Him as Israel did long ago. “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17).

If what we say and do is incompatible with all that the Lord Jesus would say and do (His “name”), then non-Christians will see and hear conflicting information. Our misconduct will become the scoffer’s principle: “I am not a Christian and never want to be a Christian because ‘Christians’ lead a worse life than I do as a non-Christian.” It will be similar to ancient Israel’s detractors: “For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written” (Romans 2:24). “If that nonsense is what it means to be a worshipper of JEHOVAH God, we will keep our idols and die as heathen!”

As we (the Body of Christ) seek to avoid Israel’s disasters, we bear in mind passages such as Philippians 1:9-11 and Philippians 2:13-16. “And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful” (Titus 3:14).