A8. CONSEQUENCE OF SIN

CONSIDER

• Many can see God’s justice and truth in regard to others, who are heedless and blind to themselves and their own sins

• Sooner or later, all men will be sensible that their sin is the cause of all their miseries  <H83>

• Remove any thought of 'group accountability' because you have some association with a group of people; this is the foundation of secular progressivism

• Seldom is God in covenant with a group of people (such as His promises to Israel) but works on an individual basis at all other times

• Remember: we are individually made in the image of God, having an individual relationship with Him, and will be held accountable individually for our sins  <D40>

• The Bible teaches that God is perfectly holy and cannot tolerate sin but must deal with it -- and He does so in one of two ways: either grace or wrath  <R173>

DAILY STRUGGLE

• Everyday the enemy tries to entice believers to ignore and even harm their relationship with Christ

• Believing in Jesus and accepting his sacrifice allows believers to experience God's grace and presence  

• Satan hates the fact that believers have access to God and will do everything in his power to stop them from growing and thriving in their faith

• He wants to keep believers from living abundant, fulfilling, difference-making, holy lives

• To this end, the enemy will set traps with scenarios that exploit their weaknesses and go against God  <L120>

Romans 5:1-2 NIV

[1] Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, [2] through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.

• To guard against the enemy's attacks, followers of Christ should introspectively discern where they have a weakness that leads to sin  <M1501>

• Then be ready to repent when falling prey to that weakness, with resolve to combat it in the future

• This process of sanctification will ultimately deepen the believer's relationship with their Father while advancing a holy fulfilled life

1 Corinthians 11:31 NIV

[31] But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment.

ETERNAL PUNISHMENT

• Many people are uncomfortable, to say the least, with the idea of an eternal hell

• This discomfort, though, is often the result of an incomplete understanding of three things: the nature of God, the nature of man, and the nature of sin

• We tend to see God as a kind, merciful Being whose love for us overrides and overshadows all His other attributes

• Of course God is loving, kind, and merciful, but He is first and foremost a holy and righteous God who cannot tolerate sin

• He is a God whose anger burns against the wicked and disobedient

• The realities of eternal damnation, eternal hell, and eternal punishment are frightening and disturbing

HOPE

• While this may sound grim, there is good news: God loves us (John 3:16) and wants us to be saved from hell (2 Peter 3:9)

• But because God is also just and righteous, He cannot allow our sin to go unpunished; someone has to pay for it

• In His great mercy and love, God provided His own payment for our sin -- He sent His Son Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for our sins by dying on the cross for us

• If we confess our sin and place our faith in Christ, asking for God’s forgiveness based on Christ’s sacrifice, we are saved, forgiven, cleansed, and promised an eternal home in heaven

• God loved us so much that He provided the means for our salvation, but if we reject His gift of eternal life, we will face the eternal consequences of that decision

John 16:33 NIV

[33] “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 3:36 NIV

[36] Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them.

2 Peter 3:9 NIV

[9] The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

RELATED COMMENTS

Note: each ** comment in this APPLICATION doc comes from CHAPTER doc(s), where the comments are in numerical order according to verse(s) from the chapter

** The concepts of 'running out of time' and 'finding yourself locked out' are to warn us of impending judgment -- from Noah's day to today!

• Noah preached for 100 years, and no one listened

• He built a giant ship in the middle of the desert, and the world of onlookers just scoffed and laughed at his foolishness

• The animal kingdom started acting bizarrely as two by two, every variety of creature marched across the land, coming from near and far to enter the new sea vessel, yet the people continued in their denial

• One day, the door was closed, and those onlookers felt a few drops of rain hit their skin, but they still didn’t want to believe

• But when the waters burst forth from beneath them and the heavy storms came upon them all at once, they were washed away by the flood before they knew what hit them and they were all gone

• The same thing will happen to this generation!

• The boat was assembled before everyone's eyes, just as the infrastructure of the Antichrist Beast System is being revealed today

• The raindrops are all around us now and we are only moments away from the Dams bursting

• And when they do, the flood of judgement will overtake the whole world Instantly!  <B315> (Sep 2025)

Luke 13:25-27 NIV

[25] Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ “But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ [26] “Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ [27] “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’

** A genuine Christian cannot claim to follow Christ and live against His teaching at the same time  <M1501>

• True believers 'pick up their cross' and follow Him no matter what the cost

• Those who live a life of hypocrisy are not following the true Jesus of Scripture but the created version of Jesus they prefer

• Creating a version of Jesus is akin to idolatry

• In the end, Jesus will say He never knew those who did not follow Him with a pure heart -- but, in truth, they also never knew Christ!

Matthew 7:13-14 NIV

[13] “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. [14] But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

James 1:22,27 NIV

[22] Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. [27] Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Matthew 7:21-23 NIV

[21] “Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' [23] Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

** Entertainment is not neutral, for it is discipleship in disguise  <H9993>

• The question to ask: who is doing the discipling?

• It's never just a movie, show, song, game, or book, for what we consume through our eyes, ears, and minds shapes us

• Movies, shows, songs, games, and books are today’s Trojan Horses

• Media doesn't just storm the gates but slips inside dressed as laughter, art, and harmless fun and with the package comes the payload

• They deliver worldviews that deny God, normalize sin, glamorize the occult, invert morality, and reshape how viewers see truth

• Entertainment molds our worldview, influences our desires, and can either draw us closer to God or push us further into compromise

Psalm 101:3 NIV

[3] I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it.

• By the time the credits roll or the playlist ends, the message has already been delivered and the heart is a little more desensitized, a little less discerning

• Darkness rarely shows up looking dark

• It looks fun, exciting, beautiful, even good -- until it begins reshaping what we believe about truth, morality, and God Himself

• We live in a world where people can quote spell incantations from movies better than Scripture, where song lyrics shape identity more than the Bible, and where 'binge watching' has replaced Bible reading

• What we laugh at, sing along with, or excuse as harmless eventually becomes what we believe and accept

2 Corinthians 11:14 NIV

[14] And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV

[22] You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; [23] to be made new in the attitude of your minds; [24] and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

** Those who deny the existence of Heaven and Hell are challenging God and denying the authority of His Scripture that clearly identifies both  <B23>

• In order to understand what is good, there must be a contrasting evil

• Let's term this dichotomy as 'opposing forces of good and evil'

• If those who believe in God expect to enjoy a blissful existence with Him in eternity, then those who reject God should also expect to suffer without Him in eternity

• Both punishment and reward, the results of each opposing force, are required to establish an equilibrium of outcome

Revelation 22:12 NIV

[12] “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.

• The same 'opposing forces of good and evil' help us understand what is at the foundation of Christian theology

• Consider good and evil needed for 'salvation'

• Using a medical analogy of curing a disease, you can't have a cure (salvation as good) without first identifying the disease (sin as evil)  <M130>

Luke 5:31-32 NIV

[31] Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. [32] I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

** God wisely removes sin-cancer like surgery from our life, but then helps us recover and heal afterward  <M136>

• To ‘correct’ is to set right what has been wrong

• Surely if a man is going in the wrong way and God turns his feet back to set him in the right way, a blessing has come to the man!

Job 5:17-18 NIV

[17] “Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. [18] For he wounds, but he also binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal.

** Satan is King of the Narcissists because everything is 'only about him'  <H87>

• Satan entices others to be on his team as he develops the Beast System for the end times scenario

• We know that ultimately those doing his bidding will be thrown overboard when he is done with them

Isaiah 14:12-14 NIV

[12] How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! [13] You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. [14] I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”

John 8:44b NIV

[44] [the devil] was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

** Woman was created to complement a man perfectly, and man was created to complement a woman perfectly  <P168>

• We know that Satan got involved after God created both man and woman, and sure messed up His design

• Now there is an endless struggle between the two, when they were created to compliment each other

Genesis 1:31 NIV

[31] God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning---the sixth day.

** God makes it perfectly clear in the book of Isaiah what He will do during the end times to those who have chosen their own ways and delighted in their abominations  <N157>

Isaiah 66:4 NIV

[4] so I also will choose harsh treatment for them and will bring on them what they dread. For when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, no one listened. They did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.”

Isaiah 5:20 NIV

[20] Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.

• Let's beware of these warnings and make sure to follow God at all costs

• Christians already know there is a simple remedy Christ has offered to help us face the future

• Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ to obtain eternal life with Him and avoid perishing

John 3:16 NIV

[16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

** The 'days of lawlessness' indicate evil being normalized in society, which is evident in these last days  <H86> (Jun 2025)

• There is an increase of overt amoralism seen in not only on the streets, but in our education, media, legal, and other societal organizations

• Lawlessness becomes an option for people to achieve the ends they desire

• In other words, 'the ends justify the means'

• Followers of Christ must be aware of Satan's deceptive tactics so they can protect themselves and their faith

2 Peter 3:17 NIV

[17] Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.

John 10:10 NIV

[10] The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

** Everyone has the opportunity to choose to believe in God and follow His ways at any time  <M1501>

• We are given free will to believe in Christ and acquire righteousness

• But we also have the free will NOT to believe

Romans 10:4 NIV

[4] Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

Hebrews 11:1 NIV

[1] Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

• Outright rejection of God is different than a prodigal who 'has their moment' of doubt or operating counter to the ways of God but then returns to the Father

• The chances of a Christian eventually rejecting Christ increases the more they quench the Holy Spirit, for rejecting the Holy Spirit causes the heart to grow harder and harder with each rejection

• The enemy wants all Christians to eventually question their belief in God and deny it altogether

• We are warned not to get to the stage of unbelief even after initially believing in Him

• God never revokes His promise of eternal salvation, but it can be lost when a person willingly chooses not to believe

• Those who lose their salvation have already witnessed and know the power of God, but then WILLINGLY quench the Holy Spirit and reject their belief in Jesus Christ

Hebrews 3:12 NIV

[12] See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.

1 Timothy 4:1 NIV

[1] The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

** God laid out a standard that when someone inflicts harm, the penalty is to be fair -- no less, no more  <W212>

• One of the most misunderstood instructions appears in the book of Deuteronomy where consequence for harm is an "Eye for eye, tooth for tooth”

• Often treated as a mandate for vengeance, the Torah actually set boundaries on justice

• Known as lex talionis, it was meant to ensure proportionality, not cruelty

• Later, Jesus expanded on this principle

• He revealed the spirit of the law: it was never intended to fuel bitterness, but to establish righteousness and mercy

• Retribution was limited to courts, not individuals

• In this way, Scripture restrained the human impulse for revenge, directed Israelites toward equity, forgiveness, and compassion beyond mere rule-keeping

Deuteronomy 19:16-21 NIV

[16] If a malicious witness takes the stand to accuse someone of a crime, [17] the two people involved in the dispute must stand in the presence of the Lord before the priests and the judges who are in office at the time. [18] The judges must make a thorough investigation, and if the witness proves to be a liar, giving false testimony against a fellow Israelite, [19] then do to the false witness as that witness intended to do to the other party. You must purge the evil from among you. [20] The rest of the people will hear of this and be afraid, and never again will such an evil thing be done among you. [21] Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

Matthew 5:38-39 NIV

[38] “You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' [39] But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.

** Although the Bible does not specifically say there are different levels of punishment in Hell, it does seem to indicate that judgment will be experienced differently for different people

• In Revelation, the people are judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books

• All the people at this judgment, though, are thrown into the lake of fire

• Perhaps then, the purpose of the judgment is to determine how severe the punishment in Hell will be  <G72>

• There are varying degrees of punishment in Hell based on what each person did with the knowledge of Christ

• Many verses specify the requirement that a person trust in Jesus Christ for their salvation  (John 3:5, 14-15)

• Those who did not hear about Christ will have less of a punishment for not accepting Him than those who outright rejected Christ  <M130>

Revelation 20:11-12 NIV

[11] Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. [12] And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.

John 3:5,14-15 NIV

[5] Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. [14] Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, [15] that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

** God instructed Moses to get rid of all the pagan inhabitants from the land He was giving them  <H87>

Numbers 33:51-52 NIV

[51] “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'When you cross the Jordan into Canaan, [52] drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you. Destroy all their carved images and their cast idols, and demolish all their high places.

• There were consequences for not following God's instruction

• The current troubles Israel faces today is a result of her disobedience in Moses' day

• Israel is still dealing with the enemy in the four regions it previously ignored: Gaza, Judea, Samaria and the Golan Heights (Mar 2025)

Numbers 33:55-56 NIV

[55] “ 'But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land where you will live. [56] And then I will do to you what I plan to do to them. ' ”

** Several Old Testament prophets foretold of the destruction of Gaza  <G72>

• Gaza’s destruction was prophesied by Jeremiah, Zephaniah, and Zechariah

• The Bible associates Gaza mainly with the Philistines

• God had given the city to Judah, but the Israelites had failed to obey God in driving out former occupants of Canaan (Num 33:51–53)

• Because of that disobedience, the Philistines and the city of Gaza remained a thorn in Israel’s side for centuries (Judges 2:3)

Jeremiah 25:17-20 NIV

[17] So I took the cup from the Lord's hand and made all the nations to whom he sent me drink it: [18] Jerusalem and the towns of Judah, its kings and officials, to make them a ruin and an object of horror and scorn, a curse---as they are today; [19] Pharaoh king of Egypt, his attendants, his officials and all his people, [20] and all the foreign people there; all the kings of Uz; all the kings of the Philistines (those of Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and the people left at Ashdod)

Zephaniah 2:4 NIV

[4] Gaza will be abandoned and Ashkelon left in ruins. At midday Ashdod will be emptied and Ekron uprooted.

Zechariah 9:5 NIV

[5] Ashkelon will see it and fear; Gaza will writhe in agony, and Ekron too, for her hope will wither. Gaza will lose her king and Ashkelon will be deserted.

Numbers 33:51-53 NIV

[51] “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'When you cross the Jordan into Canaan, [52] drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you. Destroy all their carved images and their cast idols, and demolish all their high places. [53] Take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess.

Judges 2:3 NIV

[3] And I have also said, 'I will not drive them out before you; they will become traps for you, and their gods will become snares to you.' ”

** Recognize the 'dividing line' that Jesus lays out for us when considering current world events  <N152>

• We can take comfort when aligning with God in this spiritual battle

• It doesn't matter what the enemy has accomplished in corrupting this world or what he has planned for the future

Luke 11:23 NIV

[23] “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

Matthew 12:30 NIV

[30] “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

** Absalom killed Amnon during a family gathering; the report got back to David and Absalom fled

• Because Amnon would not accept responsibility for his sin, he was murdered

• Tamar was also unable to find peace because of Amnon’s response

• The only healthy was to deal with sin is to acknowledge our sin, accept responsibility for it and trust God to forgive us and then undo the harm we have done to others  <R1795>

2 Samuel 13:28-29 NIV

[28] Absalom ordered his men, “Listen! When Amnon is in high spirits from drinking wine and I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon down,’ then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Haven’t I given you this order? Be strong and brave. ” [29] So Absalom’s men did to Amnon what Absalom had ordered. Then all the king’s sons got up, mounted their mules and fled.

** Discernment isn’t only the ability to know what is good or bad – that is definitely part of it -- but it involves knowing the proper amount of something that is within God’s design

1 Corinthians 10:23 NIV

[23] “I have the right to do anything,” you say---but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”---but not everything is constructive.

Successful discernment involves =

Coming to know the proper AMOUNT needed in any given situation

+ the ABILITY to identify when moving beyond healthy limits into excess

+ an AWARENESS of the consequences

+ the ACTION required to retreat to safe ground when experiencing excess and its consequences

Amount:

• Drinking water is needed for a body to survive, but ocean water can drown a person when not careful

• The sun is needed as vitamin D for the body, but it can also burn the body when exposed to it for too long

• The body craves food to function, but too much of it or the wrong type of food can hinder its proper function

• We need to take time to relax, but spending all our time doing nothing of lasting value diminishes the purpose we have in this life

Ability and Awareness:

• Comes from reading of God’s Word and knowing His design for the world around us

• This is not limited to the physical objects around us, but understanding His purpose for creating us

Action:

• Believers in Christ have the Holy Spirit within to help them move to safety

Example:

• Just because one is exposed to false doctrine, doesn’t mean they can identify it and remove themselves from it through God’s help

1 Corinthians 6:12 NIV

[12] “I have the right to do anything,” you say---but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”---but I will not be mastered by anything.

Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV

[20] Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, [21] equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

** This section of 2 Kings covers 90 years of reign and shows the existence of fundamental problems: the false religion established by King Jeroboam in Israel and the high places had not been removed in Judah  <M130>

• The unbroken succession of wicked kings wore away at the moral and religious foundations of Israel

• It eventually led to the fall of Israel to Assyria

• One bad choice may not bring ruin, but a series of wicked choices surely will  <R1795>

2 Kings 14:23-24 NIV

[23] In the fifteenth year of Amaziah son of Joash king of Judah, Jeroboam son of Jehoash king of Israel became king in Samaria, and he reigned forty-one years. [24] He did evil in the eyes of the Lord and did not turn away from any of the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit.

2 Kings 14:1-4 NIV

[1] In the second year of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel, Amaziah son of Joash king of Judah began to reign. [2] He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother's name was Jehoaddan; she was from Jerusalem. [3] He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not as his father David had done. In everything he followed the example of his father Joash. [4] The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.

** The human race is cursed because we are all born into original sin through Adam, therefore, no one can say they are ‘inherently good’; humans have potential to do good, but human nature is not inherently good  <D40> <E58> <M132>

• Original Sin = the state of being that is rebellious to God

• Humanity's sin nature explains why people are the way they are

• Praise God He sent His Son, the second Adam, to make things right for those who choose to follow Him, for He paid the penalty for sin and save humanity from eternal death

• There are still consequences for sin, but eternal consequences are covered through the atonement made possible through Christ; death has been defeated!

• Those who do not believe in original sin won’t see the need for a Savior

• Therefore, according to those who believe they are inherently good, Jesus died and suffered for nothing

• Even Christians can have a difficult time accepting this concept of original sin, for they would rather 'wink at sin' and think their ‘goodness’ will be sufficient to save them

Romans 5:12 NIV

[12] Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—

Psalm 51:5 NIV

[5] Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

Romans 3:23 NIV

[23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Other considerations:

• Actual Sin = the act of conscious sin

• The fact that children don’t reach an ‘age of accountability’ until (somewhere in) their teen years, is the reason why the Catholic Church decides to baptize infants and the Protestant Church depends on God’s mercy to save those in this age bracket

• Jesus was born of the Spirit (virgin birth) and not by man; if Jesus was born through man, then He would be born into sin and could not be a Savior that would free man from sin

** God will let everyone see His judgment on those who do not produce fruit for His kingdom  <M1501>

• It is not enough to simply believe in God, for even demons believe and tremble, but one's faith must produce fruit or an expression of work  

• The passage in Isaiah 18 is synonymous with Christ's words of admonition of the separating of wheat and tares

Isaiah 18:5-6 NIV

[5] For, before the harvest, when the blossom is gone and the flower becomes a ripening grape, he will cut off the shoots with pruning knives, and cut down and take away the spreading branches. [6] They will all be left to the mountain birds of prey and to the wild animals; the birds will feed on them all summer, the wild animals all winter.

Luke 3:17 NIV

[17] His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

** Rumors are carried by haters, spread by fools and accepted by idiots  <D502>

James 1:26 NIV

[26] Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.

James 3:5-8 NIV

[5] Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. [6] The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. [7] All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, [8] but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

** We are responsible for our sins, no matter the circumstances that led to them  <L120>

• The devil is not to blame for our sin and neither is God

• We all do a pretty good job of getting ourselves into trouble because we have a sinful nature

James 1:13 NIV

[13] When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone

• If we try to shift the blame, we miss a golden opportunity to repent and receive God’s forgiveness

• God promises that if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all wickedness

• To claim that promise, we must first take full responsibility for our sin; the verse doesn’t say, 'if we incriminate others' but 'if we confess'

1 John 1:9 NIV

[9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

** What we are experiencing is a world where the vast majority choose to deny God, and we see the resultant corruption and evil  (Aug 2024)

• No wonder most people want to get off this 'merry-go-round of evil'

• But no one needs to exit from the world in order to find relief

• Every individual can accept Christ's offer of salvation to know true peace and joy, regardless of circumstances

• Invite God into your life to make this world livable until Jesus comes back

• All of God's children are promised a place He has waiting for us after we endure this world!!

John 14:1-3 NIV

[1] “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God ; believe also in me. [2] My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

2 Corinthians 7:1 NIV

[1] Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

** God’s anger is unlike ours, for it is provoked by sin and injustice; in God’s righteousness, His response to sin is never an overreaction or vindictive  <R1795>

Psalm 7:6 NIV

[6] Arise, Lord, in your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies. Awake, my God; decree justice

** The Lord will repay each person according to what they have done, such as rewarding the humble and bringing down the haughty

• There's a difference between haughty and prideful spirits

• Haughty = arrogant, conceited, superior and disdainful

• Prideful = feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction from one's own importance; living off the admiration of others for achievements

• Remember that ALL things come from our Creator, including our very lives, material blessings and abilities that may have be used to acquire them

• Knowing this, let's keep a modest assessment of our importance and give all glory to God!

Proverbs 16:18 NIV

[18] Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

Psalm 18:27 NIV

[27] You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.

Romans 2:6-8 NIV

[6] God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” [7] To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. [8] But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

** How believers live their lives today will determine how God blesses their life for eternity

• One of the many blessings of trusting in Jesus now is that we will face only one judgment – the judgment seat of Christ – which will not determine whether or not we enter heaven, but our rewards in eternity  <H992>

Romans 14:12 NIV

[12] So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.

** The enemy seeks to divide and conquer by instilling doubt in the minds of those following Christ  <M1501>

• Today's society is quick to ignore God, thinking that solving problems with limited human intellect is going to accomplish desired solutions

• Satan loves to plant those who follow the world (Christian and non-Christian alike) among God's people to get them questioning their beliefs and denouncing God's ways

• The enemy's aim is to sow division among as many as possible and get believers to turn from God

Jude 1:19 NIV

[19] These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

• How are faithful followers of Christ to respond to those sowing and 'buying into' worldly doubt?

• Be merciful to those who follow the world, and bring them to a place where they recognize God's truth and show them the need to be led by the Holy Spirit

• Remember there are different stages of spiritual maturity and discernment within the Christian community

• Use opportunities to draw people's attention to God

Jude 1:22-23 NIV

[22] Be merciful to those who doubt; [23] save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear---hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

1 Peter 3:15-16 NIV

[15] But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, [16] keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Psalm 133:1 NIV

[1] How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!

• At the same time, recognize those who are double-minded Christians that know better yet still refuse to adhere to the Holy Spirit

• There comes a point when we move on (wipe the dust off our feet) from those who remain obstinate, to be able to focus our energies in other areas

• In time, any love that is constantly rejected must ultimately fail  <R1795>

• It’s best to know when to ‘let go’ and use our energies toward more-successful ways

Luke 10:10-11,16 NIV

[10] But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, [11] 'Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.' [16] “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

** Satan has sold the world a bill of goods concerning the nature of God and most people, both Christian and non-Christian, tend to view God as being a sort of cosmic teddy bear  <R173>

• They see Him as big and warm and soft, full of infinite love and forgiveness

• He couldn't hurt a fly and He certainly wouldn't be so cruel as to condemn or harm any beings created in His own image

• On the Day of Judgment, God will simply give everyone a big hug and wink at their sins

• The only problem with this wonderfully comforting image is that it is a lie straight from the pit of Hell  

• God IS love and grace -- thankfully or we wouldn't be here -- but God is ALSO perfectly holy and must respond to our sin and disobedience

• God's wrath is holy and always justified

John 3:36 NIV

[36] Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them.

** Anyone who rejects Christ will be judged and sent to hell; no exceptions  <S199>

Hebrews 9:27 NIV

[27] Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment

** Be encouraged when evil seems to be winning because God has everything under control; God places evil doers on slippery slopes, soon to realize their demise!

Psalm 73:14,16-19 NIV

[14] All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments. [16] When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply [17] till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. [18] Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. [19] How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!

** Not all disease or death sentences are a result of sin

• Popular first century theology explained every disaster as a consequence of sin

• Seeing a man born blind, led the disciples to ask whether the man sinned in the womb or the parents caused his condition

• Jesus rejected both alternatives; the cause was unimportant  <R1795>

John 9:1-3 NIV

[1] As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. [2] His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” [3] “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

Luke 13:1-5 NIV

[1] Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. [2] Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? [3] I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. [4] Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them---do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? [5] I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

** Contrary to the Lord blessing Israel when they were obedient, He promised horrendous times of cursing for those not upholding His law; see Deut 28-30 for the contrast of blessings and curses

• Three groups of curses are found for disobedience, spelling out that a) Israel will experience poverty rather than prosperity, b) Israel will live under constant threat of foreign invasion, and c) Israel will be torn from her land and hurled among other nations

• These warnings remind us that no one can sin safely, for God will punish directly or through natural consequences  <R1795>

Deuteronomy 27:9-10 NIV

[9] Then Moses and the Levitical priests said to all Israel, “Be silent, Israel, and listen! You have now become the people of the Lord your God. [10] Obey the Lord your God and follow his commands and decrees that I give you today.”

Deuteronomy 27:12-13 NIV

[12] When you have crossed the Jordan, these tribes shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph and Benjamin. [13] And these tribes shall stand on Mount Ebal to pronounce curses: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan and Naphtali.

Deuteronomy 27:26 NIV

[26] “Cursed is anyone who does not uphold the words of this law by carrying them out.” Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”

Deuteronomy 28:45-48 NIV

[45] All these curses will come on you. They will pursue you and overtake you until you are destroyed, because you did not obey the Lord your God and observe the commands and decrees he gave you. [46] They will be a sign and a wonder to you and your descendants forever. [47] Because you did not serve the Lord your God joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity, [48] therefore in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and dire poverty, you will serve the enemies the Lord sends against you. He will put an iron yoke on your neck until he has destroyed you.

Deuteronomy 28:67 NIV

[67] In the morning you will say, “If only it were evening!” and in the evening, “If only it were morning!”---because of the terror that will fill your hearts and the sights that your eyes will see.

Deuteronomy 30:16-18 NIV

[16] For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. [17] But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, [18] I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.

** God established a moral law that man cannot edit or ignore without consequence  <D66>

Ezekiel 11:20-21 NIV

[20] Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God. [21] But as for those whose hearts are devoted to their vile images and detestable idols, I will bring down on their own heads what they have done, declares the Sovereign Lord. ”

** God exiled Israel and removed them from His presence because of their sin

Israel was guilty of:

• Worshiping other gods

• Following practices of other nations

• Building high places in their towns

• Setting up altars, sacred stones and Asherah poles

• Doing wicked things that angered God

• Not following God’s commands

• Not trusting the Lord

• Following worthless idols and becoming worthless

• Bowing down to the stars

• Worshiping Baal

• Sacrificing sons and daughters in fire

• Practicing divination and seeking omens

2 Kings 17:13-15 NIV

[13] The Lord warned Israel and Judah through all his prophets and seers: “Turn from your evil ways. Observe my commands and decrees, in accordance with the entire Law that I commanded your ancestors to obey and that I delivered to you through my servants the prophets.” [14] But they would not listen and were as stiff-necked as their ancestors, who did not trust in the Lord their God. [15] They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their ancestors and the statutes he had warned them to keep. They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless. They imitated the nations around them although the Lord had ordered them, “Do not do as they do.”

2 Kings 17:18-20 NIV

[18] So the Lord was very angry with Israel and removed them from his presence. Only the tribe of Judah was left, [19] and even Judah did not keep the commands of the Lord their God. They followed the practices Israel had introduced. [20] Therefore the Lord rejected all the people of Israel; he afflicted them and gave them into the hands of plunderers, until he thrust them from his presence.

2 Kings 17:22-23 NIV

[22] The Israelites persisted in all the sins of Jeroboam and did not turn away from them [23] until the Lord removed them from his presence, as he had warned through all his servants the prophets. So the people of Israel were taken from their homeland into exile in Assyria, and they are still there.

** When the wound becomes incurable, it must be wiped out  <R173>

• God first warns prophetically

• He then ushers in remedial judgments

• Destruction is the final stage when God's warnings are not heeded and people stubbornly continue to rebel against Him

Jeremiah 30:12 NIV

[12] “This is what the Lord says: “ 'Your wound is incurable, your injury beyond healing.

2 Chronicles 36:15-16 NIV

[15] The Lord, the God of their ancestors, sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling place. [16] But they mocked God's messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets until the wrath of the Lord was aroused against his people and there was no remedy.

** God has a history issuing divine consequence for positive and negative allegiance to Him

• Punishment came to Israel for rejecting God and not upholding His covenant

• God then followed through on banishing the Israelites from their land into slavery in 70 AD for nearly 1900 years -- until 1948 when they became a nation again

• Bottom line: seek the Kingdom by seeking the King  <M130>

Joshua 23:15-16 NIV

[15] But just as all the good things the Lord your God has promised you have come to you, so he will bring on you all the evil things he has threatened, until the Lord your God has destroyed you from this good land he has given you. [16] If you violate the covenant of the Lord your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, the Lord's anger will burn against you, and you will quickly perish from the good land he has given you. ”

Hosea 13:9-11 NIV

[9] “You are destroyed, Israel, because you are against me, against your helper. [10] Where is your king, that he may save you? Where are your rulers in all your towns, of whom you said, 'Give me a king and princes'? [11] So in my anger I gave you a king, and in my wrath I took him away.

** The Bible is replete with examples of God allowing other people groups to interact with Israel, forcing Jewish people into decisions they would have not made otherwise (Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Greeks, Romans and many more)  <M135>

Isaiah 43:3-9 NIV

[3] For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. [4] Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. [5] Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. [6] I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.' Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth--- [7] everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made. ” [8] Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf. [9] All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble. Which of their gods foretold this and proclaimed to us the former things? Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right, so that others may hear and say, “It is true.”

** God used neighboring idolatrous nations to punish the Israelites when they sinned against God in their practice of idolatry; God does not 'look the other way' when His people sin but can still use pagans to deliver needed punishment  <D40>

1 Samuel 4:10-11 NIV

[10] So the Philistines fought, and the Israelites were defeated and every man fled to his tent. The slaughter was very great; Israel lost thirty thousand foot soldiers. [11] The ark of God was captured, and Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, died.

** David is a classic example of one who left his first love and failed spiritually

• The Bible describes him as 'a man after God’s own heart' and 'the sweet psalmist of Israel'

• But he also was an adulterer and, in effect, a murderer

• David didn’t start that way, for when the Bible first introduces us to him, he is a young boy watching his flock of sheep and writing love songs to the Lord

1 Samuel 13:14 NIV

[14] But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord's command.”

2 Samuel 23:1 NIV

[1] These are the last words of David:

 “The inspired utterance of David son of Jesse, the utterance of the man exalted by the Most High, the man anointed by the God of Jacob, the hero of Israel's songs:

• Fast forward a number of years, and David is kicking back at a time when kings would lead their troops into battle

• We don’t read of him writing beautiful psalms or singing to the Lord; we don’t see his tender heart

• He left his first love, and as a result, his life was a mess  <L120>

1 Chronicles 20:1 NIV

[1] In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, Joab led out the armed forces. He laid waste the land of the Ammonites and went to Rabbah and besieged it, but David remained in Jerusalem. Joab attacked Rabbah and left it in ruins.

2 Samuel 12:7-10 NIV

[7] Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: 'I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. [8] I gave your master's house to you, and your master's wives into your arms. I gave you all Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. [9] Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. [10] Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.'

** The punishment for eating an apple was death which, admittedly, seems a bit severe until we realize that Adam and Eve went against God, the author of life  <T202>

• Going against life = death

• Christ on the cross reversed course and defeated death so that we may find life again!

Genesis 3:6 NIV

[6] When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

Revelation 21:3-4 NIV

[3] And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. [4] 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

** Demonically inspired Eastern religionists and occultists call the situational turn of events 'karma', while God’s Word frames this as the results of wrongdoing; in this sense, we might say the Bible is warning that what goes around does, in fact, come around  <J100>

Numbers 32:23 NIV

[23] “But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the Lord; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.

** There is a modern-day trend in the west to return to paganism (Apr 2024)

• Most people understand our existence is not only made up of physical and spiritual realms

• Since most have rejected God, they look to something to fill the void

• But they should remember God's warning to Nineveh in Old Testament days, a city within the Assyrian nation that was steeped in paganism

• Jonah (eventually) provided God's warning to the Ninevites which prompted them to repent and turn back to God

• Instead of destroying the nation immediately, God allowed the Assyrians to exist another 100 years until they were conquered by the Babylonians  <F693>

• It would not be until the 1800s that archaeologists would excavate portions of the ancient city Nineveh that had been “hidden,” as Nahum predicted long ago (Nah 3:11)  <G72>

• History repeats and we can learn from it -- if we're paying attention!

Jonah 3:6,10 NIV

[6] When Jonah's warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. [10] When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.

Nahum 3:11 NIV

[11] You too will become drunk; you will go into hiding and seek refuge from the enemy.

** There was a price to pay for Israelites closing their eyes to sin and not punishing the person sacrificing children to Molek

• Closing one’s eyes to pretend there is an absence of sin is called the 'sin of omission'

• Participating in the sin is termed 'sin of commission'  <F693>

Leviticus 20:4-5 NIV

[4] If the members of the community close their eyes when that man sacrifices one of his children to Molek and if they fail to put him to death, [5] I myself will set my face against him and his family and will cut them off from their people together with all who follow him in prostituting themselves to Molek.

** When we believe we have the power or authority to remove God from His throne and place ourselves on the throne, that is the point when God removes His restraining hand and we are given over to our own depraved minds to reap the results  <D40>

Romans 1:21-25 NIV

[21] For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. [22] Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools [23] and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. [24] Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. [25] They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator---who is forever praised. Amen.

** Those who say they’ve been a good person and believe in Jesus but never asked Him for forgiveness and to be their eternal Savior will not be saved.

No human is sin-free, no matter how pious they try to appear. The good news -- when, not if, we sin, God will forgive us if we call out and ask His forgiveness.  <H91>

Romans 6:23 NIV

[23] For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 John 1:8-10 NIV

[8] If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. [10] If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

** The Catholic version of purgatory is a nice idea but there is no Scripture that supports it

• According to Luther, it was the Church's way of stringing people along and getting payment or indulgences from those concerned about their friends or relatives who died

• Justified saints don’t require further purification in purgatory for they are already holy and blameless before the Lord (Eph 1:3-14, 2:8-9)  <B26>

• According to Scripture, eternity is based on the decisions and actions every individual HAD done in their earthly lifetime -- past tense, not based on decisions still coming

Revelation 20:13 NIV

[13] The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done.

• Christ was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed

• Jesus suffered for our sins so that we could be delivered from suffering

• To say that we must also suffer for our sins is to say that Jesus’ suffering was insufficient and we must atone for our sins by cleansing in Purgatory

• Purgatory denies the sufficiency of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus (1 John 2:2)

• The idea that those who are saved by grace through faith have to suffer for their sins after death is contrary to everything the Bible says about salvation  <G72>

1 John 2:2 NIV

[2] He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

• Jesus specifically defines eternal punishment and eternal life (Matt 25:45-46)

Matthew 25:45-46 NIV

[45] “He will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' [46] “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

** Jesus spoke definitively about the ramifications of rejecting Him and the ministry of the Holy Spirit

• Jesus solemnly warned the religious leaders against rejecting Him and the work God was performing through Him

• The Holy Spirit’s ministry is to testify to Jesus

• Their rejection of Jesus – especially considering what they had seen of Jesus and His work – showed that they were completely rejecting the Holy Spirit’s ministry

• The fact that one desires Jesus at all shows they are not guilty of the unforgiven sin, yet continued rejection of Jesus makes a person more hardened against Him and puts them on the path of a full and final rejection of Jesus  <E59>

• The sin is unforgivable because the person who commits it has so hardened himself that he willfully rejects what he knows to be true  <R1795>

Matthew 12:30-32 NIV

“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. [31] And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. [32] Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

** Samson engaged in sin, staying the night with a prostitute and falling in love with a Philistine

• This eventually led Samson to divulge how others could steal God's power from him

• Delilah nagged at Samson until he told her about his secret

Judges 16:16-19 NIV

[16] With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was sick to death of it. [17] So he told her everything. “No razor has ever been used on my head,” he said, “because I have been a Nazirite dedicated to God from my mother’s womb. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as any other man.” [18] When Delilah saw that he had told her everything, she sent word to the rulers of the Philistines , “Come back once more; he has told me everything.” So the rulers of the Philistines returned with the silver in their hands. [19] After putting him to sleep on her lap, she called for someone to shave off the seven braids of his hair, and so began to subdue him. And his strength left him.

That’s what sin is like:

• It promises life but it brings death

• It promises fulfillment but it brings a greater emptiness

• Satan had found Samson’s weakness and he was ready to exploit it

• There is no question that the devil will tempt us; he will bring appealing temptations our way

• However, there must be an interest on our part for those temptations to work

• Satan uses different kinds of bait for different kinds of fish, so to speak

• Here’s what we need to remember -- it is not a sin when we face temptation, for it is only a sin when we give in to that temptation  <L120>

James 1:14-15 NIV

[14] but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. [15] Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

** Adam and Eve lived to see the consequences of sin in their own family as Cain killed his brother Abel

• What a heartbreaking experience for the couple to have one dearly loved son killed by another  

• Sin corrupted the human race and we all live with the tragic consequences of Adam's fall  <R1795>

Genesis 4:6-8 NIV

[6] Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? [7] If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it. ” [8] Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let's go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

** The rampant evil we see all around the world today is evidence of a world without God

• This world is not shy about rejecting Christ and His truth

• As a consequence, evil is openly practiced

• We see the consequences of unrepentant sin in our own lives and those around us

• Those who repent and place their trust in God can avoid being harmed by evil

1 John 2:16 NIV

[16] For everything in the world---the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life---comes not from the Father but from the world.

John 16:33 NIV

[33] “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

1 John 5:18-19 NIV

[18] We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. [19] We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

Psalm 91:3-8 NIV

[3] Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. [4] He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. [5] You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, [6] nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. [7] A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. [8] You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.

** As Ayn Rand once said, “You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality.”; God's light will eventually shine on delusional thinking and He will follow through on delivering its consequences

Romans 1:32 NIV

[32] Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

Romans 1:18 NIV

[18] The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,

** God certainly does not want war or any engagement in evil, but allows it as a consequence of sin

• Many have rejected God so 'this is the bed man made, now lie in it'

• War is one of the consequences of nations choosing to go their own sinful way

• The good news is that God provides a 'way out' for individuals and nations if they so choose

• Even though Christ endured our sin-filled evil to the point of dying on a cross, He provides an escape from this evil via a trusting relationship with Him

• We may suffer the consequences of evil now but this will not last forever if we align ourselves with Christ

Romans 6:23 NIV

[23] For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:17-18 NIV

[17] Now if we are children, then we are heirs---heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. [18] I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

** The act of sacrificing in Old Testament days was not sufficient, therefore Christ substituted Himself as a one time sacrifice to cover all sin for all time

Hebrews 9:12 NIV

[12] He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.

Hebrews 9:27-28 NIV

Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, [28] so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

• The one-time sacrifice of Jesus Christ fully covered sins thus satisfying God's wrath forever

• This act of love also ensured redemption even to those who placed saving faith in God before Christ on the cross  <M130>

Romans 3:25-26 NIV

[25] God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood---to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished--- [26] he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Hebrews 9:15 NIV

[15] For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance---now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

** God's judgment against evil should be recognized as an act of mercy in line with the grace of God  <F60>

Reasons include:

1. When God brings judgment on evil-doers, He is putting them out of their misery

• Similar to putting down an animal that is destined to die; it is merciful to put it out of its misery because their fate is already sealed

2. Removing evil protects His people from exposure to its consequences

Jude 1:7 NIV

[7] In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.

Ezekiel 16:48-50 NIV

[48] As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, your sister Sodom and her daughters never did what you and your daughters have done. [49] “ 'Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. [50] They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen.

2 Peter 2:7,9 NIV

[7] and if [God] rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless [9] if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.

** God allows confusion among the masses to ultimately accomplish His will, for His glory, and for their good

• God is the author of peace; He is not the author but the 'sender' of confusion

• Confusion leads to strong delusion and Satanic deception

• Sometimes confusion helps God's people in difficult situations

• On the other hand, it can be God's punishment for unbelief and sinful acts  <F60>

• Governments, who are often influenced by Satan, will attempt to confuse the masses with disinformation when they realize many 'are onto them'

• Disinformation = deliberately misleading or promoting biased information; manipulated narrative or facts; propaganda  <D491>

• Satan's desire to deceive will increase as the world approaches the end times

• The desired result is a chaotic existence and a resultant adherence to their nefarious agendas

• Jesus warned believers not to be deceived by Satan's lies (Matt 24:23-26)

• Rather: believe in the God of the Bible, His plan and His coming!

2 Thessalonians 2:10b-12 NIV

[10] They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. [11] For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie [12] and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

Genesis 11:5-7 NIV

[5] But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. [6] The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. [7] Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.”

Exodus 14:23-24 NIV

[23] The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. [24] During the last watch of the night the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion.

Exodus 23:27 NIV

[27] “I will send my terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run.

Deuteronomy 28:20 NIV

[20] The Lord will send on you curses, confusion and rebuke in everything you put your hand to, until you are destroyed and come to sudden ruin because of the evil you have done in forsaking him.

Joshua 10:10a NIV

[10] The Lord threw them into confusion before Israel, so Joshua and the Israelites defeated them completely at Gibeon.

Judges 7:22a NIV

[22] When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the Lord caused the men throughout the camp to turn on each other with their swords.

1 Samuel 14:20 NIV

[20] Then Saul and all his men assembled and went to the battle. They found the Philistines in total confusion, striking each other with their swords.

2 Chronicles 20:22-23 NIV

[22] As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. [23] The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

** Satan is in the business of complicating the simple truth, playing to the high-minded empty philosophy humans prefer to believe, but there is a price to pay for those who go along with his lies  <M132>

• Satan continues in his aim to spite God

• He couldn’t go after God Himself, so he went after Adam and Eve just as he goes after those who follow God today  <D505>

• Satan’s approach to Eve is a classic model of the reasoning that leads us into sin; God’s command established a standard, and Satan attacked this standard in three ways:

1. Satan questioned the existence of the standard: “Did God really say?”
2. Satan cast doubt on God’s motives for establishing the standard: “God knows that when you eat…”
3. Satan denied the consequences of violating the standard: “You will not surely die”  <R1795>

• God only asked one thing of the couple in the garden: to OBEY HIS COMMAND

• Since they refused to obey, God had to invoke consequence

• God continues to invoke consequences on a sinful disobedient people

Genesis 3:1,4-5 NIV

[1] Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'? ” [4] “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. [5] “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

** Jesus’ “days of Lot” prophecy (Luke 17:28) spoke to the way things are in America today just before the Rapture. It is the Lord’s prophecy of coming destruction on a specific locale, like Sodom and Gomorrah in those ancient times.

His “days of Noah” (Luke 17:26) prophecy was about the way things are quickly developing worldwide—as witnessed by Mashal’s call for global jihad. Violence, indeed, is filling the whole earth!  <J100>

Luke 17:26-29 NIV

[26] “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. [27] People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. [28] “It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. [29] But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.

** It will be better on Judgement Day for those living in pagan places like Tyre and Sidon, than those who hear the gospel and reject it  <D40>

Matthew 11:21-22 NIV

[21] “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. [22] But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.

** The Israelites ultimately placed their trust in the man of Moses, not God  <G71>

Exodus 32:1 NIV

[1] When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don't know what has happened to him.”

Numbers 13:27-28,31 NIV

[27] They gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. [28] But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there. [31] But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are.”

• God remains with the Israelites today but they do not recognize Him and trust in their own abilities

• This pattern was repeated over and over throughout the centuries as Israel continued to place matters in their own hands

1 Samuel 8:5-8 NIV

[5] They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.” [6] But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. [7] And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. [8] As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you.

Isaiah 28:14-15 NIV

[14] Therefore hear the word of the Lord, you scoffers who rule this people in Jerusalem. [15] You boast, “We have entered into a covenant with death, with the realm of the dead we have made an agreement. When an overwhelming scourge sweeps by, it cannot touch us, for we have made a lie our refuge and falsehood our hiding place. ”

• Israel will continue to ignore God as they move into the end times, exactly as Scripture indicates

• God will pour out sudden destruction on Israel because they not only continue to rely on their own agenda but are willing to divide the land given to them by God through Abraham

• Peace and security will not be possible until the Lord intervenes

Isaiah 28:18,21-22 NIV

[18] Your covenant with death will be annulled; your agreement with the realm of the dead will not stand. When the overwhelming scourge sweeps by, you will be beaten down by it. [21] The Lord will rise up as he did at Mount Perazim, he will rouse himself as in the Valley of Gibeon---to do his work, his strange work, and perform his task, his alien task. [22] Now stop your mocking, or your chains will become heavier; the Lord, the Lord Almighty, has told me of the destruction decreed against the whole land.

Joel 3:1-2 NIV

[1] In those days and at that time,

 when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, [2] I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will put them on trial for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel, because they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land.

** Those living in a western country live in a post-Christian society where the generally-accepted moral Biblical foundations that were once known in previous generations are no longer known, followed nor expected  (Sep 2023)

• A good analogy: picture a courtroom where, in past generations, the jury would be made up of Christians who would render a verdict on issues presented by the Defense and Prosecution

• Today, non-Christians make up the jury while the lawyers argue for the Christian  <D40>

2 Timothy 3:16 NIV

[16] All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness

Isaiah 55:8 NIV

[8] “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.

1 Corinthians 1:25 NIV

[25] For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

2 Timothy 4:2-4 NIV

[2] Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage---with great patience and careful instruction. [3] For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. [4] They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

** It is a conscious decision when someone exchanges the truth for a lie; God will hold them accountable for their decision  <H87>

• So many outright refuse God even when they know He exists because they want to continue living in sin despite the consequences

• The problem of unbelief is not due to a lack of information, but a problem of rejecting God in the heart even though knowing the truth

• Our society has increasingly moved from being indifferent to God, to having an outright hatred of Him and all things related  <B23>

Romans 1:25 NIV

[25] They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator---who is forever praised. Amen.

** Christ loves this world and its people — after all, He came to die for us — yet even Christ has a point where He says, “It’s time to move on”; we make the final decision whether we completely accept His message or we die in our sin  <D40>

Luke 9:5 NIV

[5] If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”

Acts 13:51-52 NIV

[51] So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. [52] And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

** Everyone (Christian and non-believer alike) will stand before God at the end of our days to give an account of what we made of our lives; we won't be standing in groups of family, church or friends, but as individuals with no one to focus on but ourselves  <D40>

Romans 14:12 NIV

[12] So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.

** Christ, the rejected stone, will return in the end times to crush Satan's empire made of clay and iron according to Daniel's interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream  <T203>

Acts 4:10b-11 NIV

[10] It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. [11] Jesus is “ 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.'

Isaiah 8:14 NIV

[14] He will be a holy place; for both Israel and Judah he will be a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare.

Isaiah 28:16 NIV

[16] So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.

1 Peter 2:6 NIV

[6] For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”

** True to His character of mercy and justice, God continually warns His people about upcoming danger  <G70>

We read in Scripture when God warned:

• Adam about what would happen if he ate from the tree (Gen 2:17)

• Noah about building an ark because of an upcoming flood (Gen 6:13-14)

• Abraham regarding Sodom and Gomorrah about to be destroyed (Genesis 18:16-17,20-21)

• Lot about destruction of Sodom before dragging Lot and family out (Gen 19:12-13)

• Rahab about Jericho falling into Israelite hands; as it turned out, only those in her house were spared (Josh 2:8-9,12-13)

• Israelites before the Passover so the Angel of Death would pass over their dwelling place  (Exod 12:1,7,10,12-13)

• Nineveh to repent otherwise they would experience destruction in 40 days (Jonah 3:1-5)

• Israelites via His prophets (Amos 3:7)

• Christ followers about what will happen to Jesus on the cross and then outlined His return in the end times (Matt 24:33-35)

God continues to warn His followers today:

• The book of Revelation is one book, along with other passages throughout the Old Testament, that outlines what will happen at the end of days (Rev 4+)

Genesis 2:17 NIV

[17] but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

Genesis 6:13-14 NIV

[13] So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. [14] So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out.

Genesis 18:16-17,20-21 NIV

[16] When the men got up to leave, they looked down toward Sodom, and Abraham walked along with them to see them on their way. [17] Then the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? [20] Then the Lord said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous [21] that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know.”

Genesis 19:12-13 NIV

[12] The two men said to Lot, “Do you have anyone else here---sons-in-law, sons or daughters, or anyone else in the city who belongs to you? Get them out of here, [13] because we are going to destroy this place. The outcry to the Lord against its people is so great that he has sent us to destroy it.”

Joshua 2:8-9,12-13 NIV

[8] Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof [9] and said to them, “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. [12] “Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign [13] that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them---and that you will save us from death.”

Exodus 12:1,7,10,12-13 NIV

[1] The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, [7] Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs. [10] Do not leave any of it till morning; if some is left till morning, you must burn it. [12] “On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. [13] The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.

Jonah 3:1-5 NIV

[1] Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: [2] “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” [3] Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. [4] Jonah began by going a day's journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” [5] The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.

Amos 3:7 NIV

[7] Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.

Matthew 24:33-35 NIV [Jesus speaking]

[33] Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. [34] Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. [35] Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

** In the book 'Meet Yourself in the Psalms' the author talks about a town in America’s era of early development where a horse bolted and ran away with a wagon that had a little boy in it. A young man who saw the child in danger, risked his life to catch the horse and stop the wagon.

The child whom he rescued grew up to become a lawless man, and one day he stood before the bar of justice to be sentenced for a serious crime. The outlaw recognized the judge as the same man, who many years prior, had saved his life in the wagon. So, he pleaded for mercy from the judge based on that experience.

But the words from the bench silenced his plea, “Young man, then I was your Savior but today I am your judge, and I must sentence you to be hanged.”  <W215>

Revelation chapter 14 warns that one day Jesus will return to say to those who have been rebellious sinners – spiritual outlaws: “During a long, long period of grace, I was the Savior and I would have forgiven you. I beckoned you to receive my pardon over and again. But today, I am your Judge. Depart from me, you are cursed and sentenced to everlasting fire.”  <C400>

God's judgment is not arbitrary based on feelings but is factual based on what He says in Scripture  <B17>

Revelation 14:14 NIV

[14] I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.

Romans 2:16 NIV

[16] This will take place on the day when God judges people's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

2 Timothy 4:1a NIV

[1] In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom

** Paul's letter to the Corinthians emphasizes the destructive nature of sexual immorality. It stresses the importance of honoring the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit and living in line with God’s standards.

Contrary to common thinking there isn’t any “safe sex” outside of God’s standards for sexual purity. Sex is for one man and one woman who are committed to each other for life in the bond of marriage.

Anything outside of these parameters involves a risk, a game of Russian Roulette with one’s health, not to mention the way fornication and adultery precipitate emotional and psychological damage, relationship issues, unplanned pregnancies that often lead to abortion, social and legal consequences, and of course, spiritual implications. Sexual immorality is no small matter.  <C400>

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 NIV

[18] Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. [19] Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; [20] you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

** We can’t put sin in [what we would consider a secret] compartment and think that’s the end of it. Sin stinks. Its stench will permeate everything and mess up every aspect of our lives. That is why it needs to be dealt with.  <L120>

Proverbs 28:13 NIV

[13] Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

Psalm 32:3-4 NIV

[3] When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. [4] For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.

** The Spirit of God removed Himself from the Temple in Jerusalem already in Old Testament times starting in Ezek 8 when the people stopped worshiping the true and living God; since then the Temple has been given over to Satan  <T203>

Ezekiel 8:6,17-18 NIV

[6] And he said to me, “Son of man, do you see what they are doing---the utterly detestable things the Israelites are doing here, things that will drive me far from my sanctuary? But you will see things that are even more detestable.” [17] He said to me, “Have you seen this, son of man? Is it a trivial matter for the people of Judah to do the detestable things they are doing here? Must they also fill the land with violence and continually arouse my anger? Look at them putting the branch to their nose! [18] Therefore I will deal with them in anger; I will not look on them with pity or spare them. Although they shout in my ears, I will not listen to them.”

Daniel 1:2 NIV

[2] And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god.

** God's “blinding” of His beloved Israelites was not an arbitrary action. As hard as they tried, Israel rarely was able to stay on a Godly path very long. And when their Messiah arrived, God gave them plenty of miracles and ample opportunity to receive the truth. But most of Israel's leadership refused to believe Jesus was the Messiah. So God allowed them to be conquered and dispersed worldwide.  <P168>

John 12:37-40 NIV

[37] Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. [38] This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: “Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” [39] For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere: [40] “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn---and I would heal them.”

John 12:42-43 NIV

[42] Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; [43] for they loved human praise more than praise from God.

** The books of Exodus, Jeremiah and Ezekiel in the Old Testament have statements associated with the pouring out of God’s anger and fury

• Jeremiah and Ezekiel mention God pouring out His judgment by using the metaphor of a cup filled with his anger and rage

• In modern times, these expressions hold significant theological and moral implications; they are reminders that God’s holy and righteous nature cannot be violated with impunity

• These metaphorical terms are prompts, notices, and aide-memoirs to individuals and societies to uphold moral values  <C400>

Exodus 7:4-5 NIV

[4] he will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and with mighty acts of judgment I will bring out my divisions, my people the Israelites. [5] And the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out of it.”

Jeremiah 25:15-17 NIV

[15] This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, said to me: “Take from my hand this cup filled with the wine of my wrath and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it. [16] When they drink it, they will stagger and go mad because of the sword I will send among them.” [17] So I took the cup from the Lord's hand and made all the nations to whom he sent me drink it:

Ezekiel 23:31-32 NIV

[31] You have gone the way of your sister; so I will put her cup into your hand. [32] “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “You will drink your sister's cup, a cup large and deep; it will bring scorn and derision, for it holds so much.

** The Lord reminded His people how Sodom fell and how they exhibited the same moral decadence as Israel; affluent societies make for the devil’s playground  <H86>

Factors that influence societies away from God:

• Arrogance and pride

• Affluence (abundance food, leisure time, etc)

• Greed and lack of charity (especially toward widows, orphans, poor and needy)

• Acts of sodomy

Sodom was judged because of their sexual sin, not because of a lack of hospitality toward the sodomites as some advocates of alternative lifestyles try to promote  

Ezekiel 16:48-50 NIV

[48] As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, your sister Sodom and her daughters never did what you and your daughters have done. [49] “ 'Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. [50] They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen.

Jude 1:7 NIV

[7] In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.

** Why wouldn’t God get angry? He sees the chaos, strife, and confusion that our society now intentionally sows into the hearts and minds of its little ones. Why shouldn’t He respond with anger? When He sees cruel bullying of people who do not conform to the new and ugly norms, why wouldn’t this stir Him to wrath? When you hear about child abuse, doesn’t it outrage you? Why shouldn’t God feel the same way?

People often ask why God allows evil to continue in our world. But when they blame God for allowing evil, they are really blaming God for allowing human choice. They expect choice for themselves, then become angry with God when others make bad choices.  <L124>

Jeremiah 44:2-6 NIV

[2] “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: You saw the great disaster I brought on Jerusalem and on all the towns of Judah. Today they lie deserted and in ruins [3] because of the evil they have done. They aroused my anger by burning incense to and worshiping other gods that neither they nor you nor your ancestors ever knew. [4] Again and again I sent my servants the prophets, who said, 'Do not do this detestable thing that I hate!' [5] But they did not listen or pay attention; they did not turn from their wickedness or stop burning incense to other gods. [6] Therefore, my fierce anger was poured out; it raged against the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem and made them the desolate ruins they are today.

** Sin is the CAUSE of God's anger; earthquakes the EFFECT of His anger!

• Of all the judgments which the righteous God inflicts on sinners here in this world, the most dreadful and destructive is an earthquake

• Earthquakes are the works of the Lord, and He alone brings this destruction upon the earth

• That God is Himself the Author of earthquakes and sin the moral cause of earthquakes cannot be denied by any who believe the Scriptures

• Therefore, reason and Scripture sufficiently assure us that earthquakes are God's works of judgment, the proper effect and punishment of sin  <W2195>

Psalm 46:8 NIV

[8] Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth.

Job 9:5-6 NIV

[5] He moves mountains without their knowing it and overturns them in his anger. [6] He shakes the earth from its place and makes its pillars tremble.

Psalm 104:32 NIV

[32] he who looks at the earth, and it trembles, who touches the mountains, and they smoke.

Psalm 18:7 NIV

[7] The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook; they trembled because he was angry.

Nahum 1:5-6 NIV

[5] The mountains quake before him and the hills melt away. The earth trembles at his presence, the world and all who live in it. [6] Who can withstand his indignation? Who can endure his fierce anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; the rocks are shattered before him.

Isaiah 13:11,13 NIV

[11] I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless. [13] Therefore I will make the heavens tremble; and the earth will shake from its place at the wrath of the Lord Almighty, in the day of his burning anger.

Isaiah 24:1,19 NIV

[1] See, the Lord is going to lay waste the earth and devastate it; he will ruin its face and scatter its inhabitants--- [19] The earth is broken up, the earth is split asunder, the earth is violently shaken.

** Pharaoh and Egypt had brought God's judgments on themselves [going against the Israelites for] 400 years of slavery and mass murder. Since the wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23), and Pharaoh and Egypt had horribly sinned against God, it would have been just if God had completely annihilated Egypt.

Therefore, God hardening Pharaoh’s heart was not unjust, and His bringing additional plagues against Egypt was not unjust. The plagues, as terrible as they were, actually demonstrate God’s mercy in not completely destroying Egypt, which would have been a perfectly just penalty.

From a human perspective, it seems wrong for God to harden a person and then punish the person He has hardened. Biblically speaking, however, we have all sinned against God (Rom 3:23), and the just penalty for that sin is death (Rom 6:23). Therefore, God’s hardening and punishing a person is not unjust; it is actually merciful in comparison to what the person deserves.  <G72>

Exodus 7:3-4 NIV

[3] But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in Egypt, [4] he will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and with mighty acts of judgment I will bring out my divisions, my people the Israelites.

Romans 9:17-18 NIV

[17] For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” [18] Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.

** Peace is not the absence of conflict as the world and too many pastors like to define, but peace is the presence of God in the midst of  conflict  <M149>

• The level of peace we experience depends on our commitment to Christ

• Peace will exist between man & God when man accepts and follows Him

• Conflict between man & God will continue when man continues to reject Him

John 14:27 NIV

[27] Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Matthew 10:34-38 NIV

[34] “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. [35] For I have come to turn “ 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law--- [36] a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.' [37] “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. [38] Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

• What may seem like irony and difficult to understand: Christ’s sword (difficulty) can ultimately bring peace

• Christian believers are to follow Christ’s teaching regardless if it causes angst or division in others, for the world needs to take notice of God’s truth that leads to peace

• This is what it means to love our neighbor

• Teach others that they can find true peace in God even during the most difficult times

“Some of you would have told David to pray for Goliath and not cause a scene; it’s time to stand up to tyrants!”

“We either stop murdering our children and parading our sins like Sodom, or God’s judgment will stop it.”   <D40>

Isaiah 41:10-11 NIV

[10] So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. [11] “All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish.

** Sodom and Gomorrah continues to serve as a warning to all nations and individuals that if they do not believe in the One True God and practice His ways, striving for righteousness, they will suffer both temporal and eternal wrath of God  <H86>

• To quote Thucydides, "History will be of value in time to come"

• Human nature is the same throughout the generations, with the same ideas and agendas reappearing in different contexts

• In essence, we are people that are the same as the ancient Greeks and Romans with appetites that drive us  <H996>

• How crucial it is to teach future generations how God has worked with past generations!

Genesis 18:20 NIV

[20] Then the Lord said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous

Genesis 19:24-25 NIV

[24] Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah---from the Lord out of the heavens. [25] Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, destroying all those living in the cities---and also the vegetation in the land.

• God declared judgment on today’s generation as He did previous generations who were rebellious; it’s a ‘done deal’ and is coming  <H87>

• God is not slow in fulfilling this judgment but is long-suffering so that all should come to repentance

2 Peter 3:7-9 NIV

[7] By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. [8] But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. [9] The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

** Jesus Christ opens the seals to deliver God's wrath on the earth, not man's or Satan's wrath  <M131>

Revelation 6:1a NIV

[1] I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals.

** The Lord engaged in the back-and-forth dialog because Abraham revealed his heart to save others  <H86>

• Abraham knew Lot’s family has 10 members

• We know God would spare punishment for one righteous person (Jer 5:1)

• God will not indiscriminately mix punishment on the righteous and unrighteous

• God can separate His punishment on those deserving it, as He did via hailstones that rained down and specifically killed non-Jews in Joshua’s battle while leaving every Jew alive (Josh 10:8-11)

• In the meantime, we are to grow alongside evil (as wheat and tares) patiently waiting for the end of the world as we know it and His impending judgment (Matt 13:30)

• As God did with Lot’s family, He will remove the righteous via the Rapture before invoking His wrath via the Tribulation judging the earth  

Genesis 18:30-32 NIV

[30] Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak. What if only thirty can be found there?” He answered, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.” [31] Abraham said, “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, what if only twenty can be found there?” He said, “For the sake of twenty, I will not destroy it.” [32] Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?” He answered, “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.”

Jeremiah 5:1 NIV

[1] “Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem,

 look around and consider, search through her squares. If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city.

Joshua 10:8-11 NIV

[8] The Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you.” [9] After an all-night march from Gilgal, Joshua took them by surprise. [10] The Lord threw them into confusion before Israel, so Joshua and the Israelites defeated them completely at Gibeon. Israel pursued them along the road going up to Beth Horon and cut them down all the way to Azekah and Makkedah. [11] As they fled before Israel on the road down from Beth Horon to Azekah, the Lord hurled large hailstones down on them, and more of them died from the hail than were killed by the swords of the Israelites.

Matthew 13:30 NIV

[30] Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.' ”

** God rewarded or blessed His people when they purged evil from among them and obeyed Him; Christians can trust that God’s ways are higher than theirs

Deuteronomy 13:17b-18 NIV

[17] ... Then the Lord will turn from his fierce anger, will show you mercy, and will have compassion on you. He will increase your numbers, as he promised on oath to your ancestors--- [18] because you obey the Lord your God by keeping all his commands that I am giving you today and doing what is right in his eyes.

1 Corinthians 1:25 NIV

[25] For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

** Those who did not take their relationship with Christ seriously on earth will be chastised for this decision when Christ returns at the Rapture

• Those who seriously commit to Christ will gain rewards and rule over nations in the Millennium

• Laodicean believers will lose rewards and be disciplined at the Bema Seat

• Even those who are saved and can live with Christ for eternity, will experience initial disappointment for their spiritual apathy

• It will be devastating to receive Jesus' tongue-lashing and be designated a hypocrite  <H86>

Matthew 24:48-51 NIV

[48] But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,' [49] and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. [50] The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. [51] He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

2 John 1:8-9 NIV

[8] Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. [9] Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

Revelation 22:12 NIV

[12] “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.

Revelation 2:26-27 NIV

[26] To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations--- [27] that one 'will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery' ---just as I have received authority from my Father.

** Sin is the seed, the source, the essence of unhappiness. "There is no peace to the wicked" nor is there any happiness for the sinner in his sins. The carnal mind may find something like pleasure in carnal things but real, solid, lasting joy, cannot be found, never has been found by the sinner, until converted to God. Carnal pleasure is empty, fleeting, and unsatisfactory in its very nature!  <S183>

Isaiah 26:3 NIV

[3] You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

John 14:27 NIV

[27] Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

** God’s judgment may not come immediately, but it WILL come

Daniel 4:29-31 NIV

[29] Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, [30] he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” [31] Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you.

** There are various forms of God’s wrath listed in Scripture, some of which are in play today

• Seven year Tribulation (Dan 8:19)

• Judgment after death (Heb 9:27)

• Reaping what is sown (Gal 6:7)

• Divine abandonment, such as giving nations over to determined immoral choices (Rom 1)  <W213>

• Some reject God our Creator to the point of being given over to a depraved or reprobate mind as a result  <S2000>

Romans 1:18,24 NIV

[18] The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, [24] Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.

Daniel 8:19 NIV

[19] He said: “I am going to tell you what will happen later in the time of wrath, because the vision concerns the appointed time of the end.

Hebrews 9:27 NIV

[27] Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment

Galatians 6:7 NIV

[7] Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

** Those who are a slave to sin and not at peace with God constantly look for happiness but do not find it

Romans 7:23 NIV

[23] but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.

** “Look all around you.  People just living their lives.  For what purpose?  Our materialism has given us a false purpose to acquire material but eventually that all fades away.”  <M132>

• Spiritually we are devoid of any substance

• Western society is generally living off the greatness of previous generations

• We can rag all we want on our politicians but those elected simply represent the people who put them there  <E58>

• The common attitude today is to ‘get as much as we can from what’s left’ while we go nowhere fast

2 Peter 2:18-19 NIV

[18] For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. [19] They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity---for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.”

** Satan absolutely hates everyone besides himself and will destroy even those who ‘pledge allegiance to him’ so place your allegiance in the One who loves and provides life!  <H87>

John 10:10 NIV

[10] The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

** Notice the ‘cowardly’ are listed as those who will be eternally punished, those who take advantage of the defenseless (such as beating up the young and old); this warning is in line with the Jesus’ words regarding those who cause children to stumble  <S187>

Revelation 21:8 NIV

[8] But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars---they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

Luke 17:1-2 NIV

[1] Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. [2] It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.

** Jesus mentioned exactly how awful it will be for those who cause children who believe in Him to stumble; no doubt Jesus highlights the sin of abusing young people because they are easy targets and impressionable

Luke 17:1-2 NIV

[1] Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. [2] It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.

Mark 9:42 NIV

[42] “If anyone causes one of these little ones---those who believe in me---to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.

Matthew 18:6 NIV

[6] “If anyone causes one of these little ones---those who believe in me---to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

** God will not be mocked and justice will be served; as believers in Christ, we can rest secure that God will bring justice to bear on the ungodly in His perfect time  <M132>

Habakkuk 1:5 NIV

[5] “Look at the nations and watch---and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.

Malachi 3:5 NIV

[5] “So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me,” says the Lord Almighty.

** God continues to disperse of His judgments when people refuse to repent of their sin; knowing what man has wrought on himself, the angels see God’s judgments in the Tribulation as ‘true and just’  <G77>

Revelation 16:5-7 NIV

[5] Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say: “You are just in these judgments, O Holy One, you who are and who were; [6] for they have shed the blood of your holy people and your prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve.” [7] And I heard the altar respond: “Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments.”

** Punishment will be more severe for those who have been around the Gospel, heard the Gospel, knew the Gospel and then decided to reject it  <M130>

2 Peter 2:20-21 NIV

[20] If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. [21] It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.

Hebrews 3:12,16-19 NIV

[12] See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. [16] Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? [17] And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies perished in the wilderness? [18] And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? [19] So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.

** The Flood is a necessary event in the Bible’s outline of human history — remove it and Scripture loses all context

• God’s promise to Noah to ‘never again destroy the planet by water’ was fulfilled at the Cross where the power of sin was destroyed, rather than the destruction of sinners

 • Jesus referred to the ‘days of Noah’ when He was describing the last days of the Church Age; God promised to deal with the ungodly in the last days of human history as we know it

• Peter used the salvation of Noah as a typological example of the Rapture  <K112>

Genesis 8:21 NIV

[21] The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.

Luke 17:26-27 NIV

[26] “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. [27] People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.

2 Peter 3:3-7 NIV

[3] Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. [4] They will say, “Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” [5] But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. [6] By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. [7] By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

** King David did what was right. He sought God while the child was alive, but when the baby died David cleaned himself up and went “…into the house of the LORD and worshipped…”. Again, here’s a lesson to be learned. Pray fervently while we can, but when God’s answer isn’t what we prayed for, it’s important to make ourselves presentable and worship the Lord. Never blame or accuse God.  <G73>

2 Samuel 12:15-17,19-20 NIV

[15] After Nathan had gone home, the Lord struck the child that Uriah's wife had borne to David, and he became ill. [16] David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and spent the nights lying in sackcloth on the ground. [17] The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food with them. [19] David noticed that his attendants were whispering among themselves, and he realized the child was dead. “Is the child dead?” he asked. “Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.” [20] Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate.

** There are temporal earthly and eternal costs to sexual deviance — the temporal cost typically cannot be avoided, but the eternal consequence of sin can be avoided

• Do not depend on worthless idols or anything that has control over you aside from God

• Paul specifically mentioned sexual immorality, but his broader concern was for controlling ‘passionate lust’ or an overpowering desire of any kind

• We are not to be mastered by our desires, but are to let God be master of us

• Keep a tight reign on any desires whose grip might keep us from serving Him and others  <R1795>

• There is hope for anyone who calls on Christ in repentance can be saved

Isaiah 57:8,13 NIV

[8] Behind your doors and your doorposts you have put your pagan symbols. Forsaking me, you uncovered your bed, you climbed into it and opened it wide; you made a pact with those whose beds you love, and you looked with lust on their naked bodies. [13] When you cry out for help, let your collection of idols save you! The wind will carry all of them off, a mere breath will blow them away. But whoever takes refuge in me will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain.”

1 Peter 2:11 NIV

[11] Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 NIV

[3] It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; [4] that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, [5] not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God

** The Lord will put an end to all worldwide transgression — both sin and sinners — in the coming Tribulation  <H86>

Isaiah 24:19-20 NIV

[19] The earth is broken up, the earth is split asunder, the earth is violently shaken. [20] The earth reels like a drunkard, it sways like a hut in the wind; so heavy upon it is the guilt of its rebellion that it falls---never to rise again.

Isaiah 13:9 NIV

[9] See, the day of the Lord is coming---a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger---to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it.

** There are two types of Jews — those who believe in the Messiah and those going down the road of apostasy, similar to the differences in Gentiles; in other words, anyone who rebels against the Covenant will suffer consequences  <H87>

Daniel 11:31-33 NIV

[31] “His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. [32] With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him. [33] “Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered.

** There is a time for everything, that can even be said for sin — there is a season where sin seems advantageous and gives a sense of euphoria, but then comes a time of repercussion and consequence for that sin  <L120>

Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV

[1] There is a time for everything,

 and a season for every activity under the heavens

Ecclesiastes 3:17 NIV

[17] I said to myself, “God will bring into judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time to judge every deed.”

** When people reject the one true God, they are foolish and make up their own religion

• False religion cannot save anyone

• Those entertaining false religion simply do not comprehend the complete righteousness of God

• People tend to make God less holy than He is, while thinking they are more righteousness than they are

• Christ makes it possible so we do not need to earn salvation through works, as most false religions support

• Those in false religions reject the only way anyone can approach God — by believing in His Son Jesus Christ  <M130>

1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV

[18] For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Romans 1:21-23 NIV

[21] For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. [22] Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools [23] and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

** As long as society attempts to fix our messes by forging ahead without God, we will fail; we need to see God’s perspective in all areas of life and live by His design only  <E58>

2 Samuel 22:22-23 NIV

[22] For I have kept the ways of the Lord; I am not guilty of turning from my God. [23] All his laws are before me; I have not turned away from his decrees.

Job 37:5 NIV

[5] God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.

** As we observe the world unraveling in these last days of deception, it may appear as though Satan’s earthly accomplices are getting away with unchecked evil. We may wonder, is anyone else watching? Doesn’t anyone else see what is happening?

While it may seem like we are the only ones who notice these barefaced criminals, God’s Word reminds us that He sees them too. God is calmly waiting and watching for the right time. Just when these Luciferians think they are in the clear, He will swoop in and destroy them.

Right now, Jesus, God’s eternal Son and our Savior, is sitting at God’s right hand, waiting to come back, and put all things under His subjection. But one day, when the time is right, He will return.  <H85>

Proverbs 15:3 NIV

[3] The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

Jeremiah 16:17 NIV

[17] My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes.

Job 34:21-22 NIV

[21] “His eyes are on the ways of mortals; he sees their every step. [22] There is no deep shadow, no utter darkness, where evildoers can hide.

Proverbs 5:21-22 NIV

[21] For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths. [22] The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast.

** Christians make a huge mistake these days in their efforts to make Christianity appealing by catering to the whims of man and adapting the message to his desires. People want the “ends” (meaning peace and prosperity) but not the “means” that will bring that about. They want peace without the Prince of Peace and they want the Millennium without having to repent. They claim that they want a world in which righteousness dwells, but they want righteousness redefined.

Doing the work of the Lord is to bring about a kingdom in which true righteousness dwells, and this can only come about through God bringing disasters unlike anything seen before to this earth (Zeph 1:14-18). When someone believes that wars can cease without God breaking the bow and cutting the spear in two by punishing the wicked, they have essentially dethroned God and taken His place.  <S187>

Zephaniah 1:14-18 NIV

[14] The great day of the Lord is near---near and coming quickly. The cry on the day of the Lord is bitter; the Mighty Warrior shouts his battle cry. [15] That day will be a day of wrath---a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness--- [16] a day of trumpet and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the corner towers. [17] “I will bring such distress on all people that they will grope about like those who are blind, because they have sinned against the Lord. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their entrails like dung. [18] Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the Lord's wrath.” In the fire of his jealousy the whole earth will be consumed, for he will make a sudden end of all who live on the earth.

** Satan exists throughout the entire Bible — from Genesis to Revelation — whose main goal is to defeat God; Satan knows he can’t do a full-on frontal attack on God so, knowing God loves us, tries to get to God through His creation by harming us preferably via sin with an ultimate outcome of separation from God  <H87>

Genesis 3:4-5 NIV

[4] “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. [5] “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Revelation 20:2 NIV

[2] He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.

** We can try to reason around it but Jesus made it plain that we are ALL guilty of sin, ALL worthy of death, and we ALL need to repent in order to be saved

• It was common belief at the time of Jesus, that those who were cut off in the prime of life had been guilty of some great sin

• Jesus rejecting this common view was saying these Galileans were no more guilty than all others in Jerusalem

• Unless we repent and have a change of heart and mind, we will perish  <R1795>

Luke 13:2-5 NIV

[2] Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? [3] I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. [4] Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them---do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? [5] I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

** Not all sin has the same consequence on this side of the grave but God is clear about the ultimate consequence for sin in the afterlife

• Indeed, the consequences of sin vary here in this life, such as the repercussions of murdering or telling a white lie, but ALL sin is treated the SAME in our eternal life

• The Bible doesn’t support the Catholic interpretation that sin has varying degrees of punishment in the afterlife (mortal vs venial sin)

• We want to convey to non-believers the eternal wages for sin is death

• Everyone will be held accountable for every sin committed in this life; thankfully, anyone can be cleansed from ALL sin by accepting Christ’s offer of salvation!

“To be clear, mortal sin is an intentional violation of the Ten Commandments (in thought, word or deed), committed in full knowledge of the gravity of the matter, and it results in the loss of salvation. Salvation may be regained through repentance and God’s forgiveness. Venial sin may be a violation of the Ten Commandments or a sin of a lesser nature, but it is committed unintentionally and/or without full consent. Although damaging to one’s relationship with God, venial sin does not result in loss of eternal life. Biblically, the concepts of mortal and venial sin present several problems: first of all, these concepts present an unbiblical picture of how God views sin. The Bible states that God will be just and fair in His punishment of sin and that on the day of judgment some sin will merit greater punishment than others (Matthew 11:22, 24; Luke 10:12, 14). But the fact is that all sin will be punished by God. The Bible teaches that all of us sin (Romans 3:23) and that the just compensation for sin is eternal death (Romans 6:23).“  <G72>

Romans 3:23 NIV

[23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Romans 6:23 NIV

[23] For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

** Perhaps the most striking aspect of the story of the woman caught in adultery is how skillfully it illustrates the harmony of justice and mercy in Christ’s salvation. God pronounces judgment on sin but provides a way to escape condemnation (Rom 3:23; 8:1). Jesus does not encourage the sin, but He loves the sinner. The Lord silences the critics of this world while healing hearts that are burdened with guilt and shame. God never treats sin casually but calls sinners to turn away from their old, corrupt way of life (Eph 4:17–24).

The incident of the woman caught in adultery shines light into each of our own hearts and exposes the widespread existence of sin. After Jesus prompted the accusers to consider their own lives, all of them dropped their stones and walked away, knowing they, too, deserved the same punishment.  <G72>

John 8:6 NIV

[6] They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.

Romans 3:23 NIV

[23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 8:1 NIV

[1] Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

Ephesians 4:17-24 NIV

[17] So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. [18] They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. [19] Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. [20] That, however, is not the way of life you learned [21] when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. [22] You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; [23] to be made new in the attitude of your minds; [24] and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

** Lazarus was in a ‘temporary holding place’ of torment, for one day he would be raised to face God at the final judgment  <S188>

Luke 16:22-23 NIV

[22] “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. [23] In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.

** Jesus enables the believer in Christ to become righteous through His death on the cross; this discredits any notion of purgatory

• At the point of death, every person is either united with Jesus or not  

• The false concept of purgatory is appealing to the masses because it gives a ‘last chance’ for people to gain salvation when they die while still being able to live in sin before death

• Jesus finished the work of salvation by dying and resurrecting

• According to Scripture, we come to faith in Christ and are immediately saved from eternal punishment — nothing else is needed!

• Since humans cannot add to Christ’s offer of salvation, the concept of purgatory is not theologically sound  <S188>

2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV

[21] God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Hebrews 9:15 NIV

[15] For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance---now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

** God never instructed Abram to go down to Egypt but Abram took matters into his own hands

• God’s promise was conditional — to protect Abram if he remained in the land

• We must stay where God has placed us in order to receive His protection

• God honors obedience when we follow His will

• We not only put ourselves at risk but those around us when we are disobedient  <H86>

Genesis 12:10 NIV

[10] Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe.

** God created people for a purposeful relationship with Him and has given every opportunity for everyone to accept Him

• Everyone’s decision must be made by the end of their lifetime

• Everyone is created for eternity, only some with be with Him and others without Him

• Every sin is recorded and exposed

• True to the teachings of Scripture, there is an eternal punishment for those who are not believers, similar to the eternal punishment reserved for Satan and his demons

• There is no opportunity to work off sin through purgatory or reincarnation; only options are Heaven or Hell

• God talks about punishment (retribution) for sins, not correction; in anticipation, everyone should be willing to change his ways and aim for a righteous life in Christ

Hebrews 9:27 NIV

[27] Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment

Matthew 25:46 NIV

[46] “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

** The corrupt institutions in our current society — everything including judicial, financial, media, education, sports, etc — are simply reflections of sin-filled individuals that make up that society

• Our society is comprised of individuals who don’t want to accept and deal with their sin

• People don’t want to look in the mirror to recognize sin and have an aversion to God and His truth

• Institutions tend to parrot back society’s ‘popular truth’ unchallenged

• A greedy financial sector will jump on board to help people feel better about themselves especially if they gain a profit by doing so

• Bottom line: it’s easier to believe a lie than the truth, and once people believe a lie it’s near impossible to retreat

• Most people prefer to live in ignorance than challenge themselves to find truth

• As Christians, we need to find the moral fight or courage to change the system — be an influence ON culture, not just go along with the flow and be a mirror of culture  <W217> <W218>

1 Peter 1:13-15 NIV

[13] Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. [14] As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. [15] But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;

Isaiah 1:4 NIV

[4] Woe to the sinful nation, a people whose guilt is great, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the Lord; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him.

Romans 12:2 NIV

[2] Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is---his good, pleasing and perfect will.

** God's justice is against sin which should stress the seriousness of sin; when we realize the seriousness of sin and the penalty is death, we are amazed at His mercy!

Revelation 15:3 NIV

[3] ...“Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations.

** How can we tell the difference between a natural disaster and judgment of God?  <J102>

a) Timing of event - which is typically immediately after an action that displeases God; example Hurricane Katrina that hit after the US tried to break up the land of Israel

b) Magnitude of event - a disaster that comes out of nowhere and has devastating results; people often ask how a storm can form that fast!

c) Prophetic voices declaring event ahead of time, similar to Haggai who chastised the people for repairing their own homes before God’s temple

Haggai 1:3-7 NIV

[3] Then the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: [4] “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin? ” [5] Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. [6] You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.” [7] This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways.

** The purpose in God sending locusts was to bring His people back to Him; when they did return, God took pity on them and restored their land  <J102>

Joel 1:4 NIV

[4] What the locust swarm has left the great locusts have eaten; what the great locusts have left the young locusts have eaten; what the young locusts have left other locusts have eaten.

Joel 2:17-18,25 NIV

[17] Let the priests, who minister before the Lord, weep between the portico and the altar. Let them say, “Spare your people, Lord. Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, 'Where is their God? ' ” [18] Then the Lord was jealous for his land and took pity on his people. [25] “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten---the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm---my great army that I sent among you.

** God controls the outcomes of those plotting to destroy humanity. What the Bible long ago said would happen in the last days is happening before our eyes.

During these perilous times when deadly delusions increase in popularity and Biblical truth seems nowhere to be found, it’s vital that we keep our hope focused on Jesus’ imminent appearing.  <B26>

Isaiah 46:8-11 NIV

[8] “Remember this, keep it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels. [9] Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. [10] I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.' [11] From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do.

• Christ will return to end all of this madness in the world today and believers in Christ — those who have wholeheartedly accepted Christ’s offer of salvation — will be changed and reside with Him!

Philippians 3:20-21 NIV

[20] But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, [21] who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

1 Corinthians 15:50-52 NIV

[50] I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. [51] Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed--- [52] in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 NIV

[13] Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. [14] For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

Colossians 3:1-4 NIV

[1] Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. [3] For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. [4] When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

** The account of the flood is difficult to read when not taking into consideration how the human species at the time was entirely corrupted via the Nephilim — seed of fallen angels mixed with the human race, except Noah’s family that abstained and whose DNA was not altered

Genesis 6:4-8 NIV

[4] The Nephilim were on the earth in those days---and also afterward---when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown. [5] The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. [6] The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. [7] So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created---and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground---for I regret that I have made them. ” [8] But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

** Do you think a judge who lets off a man who was guilty of murdering and raping someone’s family member and says, “well, it’s ok, boys will be boys” is just in his verdict?  No, the judge would be accused of being unjust.

Likewise, a loving and just God would not let someone escape consequences for evil they perpetrated  <H86>

Romans 6:23 NIV

[23] For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Hebrews 10:29-30,38 NIV

[29] How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? [30] For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” [38] And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.”

** Babylon will fall, as prophesied in the Old and New Testaments

• God remembers sin and must deal with those who oppose Him, who are "building up wrath" over time

• Conversely, God protects those who love Him

Revelation 18:9,11,17 NIV

[9] “When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. [11] “The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore--- [17] In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!’ “Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off.

Isaiah 13:1,6-9 NIV

[1] A prophecy against Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz saw: [6] Wail, for the day of the Lord is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty. [7] Because of this, all hands will go limp, every heart will melt with fear. [8] Terror will seize them, pain and anguish will grip them; they will writhe like a woman in labor. They will look aghast at each other, their faces aflame. [9] See, the day of the Lord is coming---a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger---to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it.

Romans 2:5-6 NIV

[5] But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath , when his righteous judgment will be revealed. [6] God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”

** The Great White Throne is not the time when God determines whether people are saved or not, but to determine the severity of their punishment based on how they lived their life  <H86>

Revelation 20:11 NIV

[11] Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them.

** God knew the heart and actions of those in Pergamum; His two-edged sword that judges and reveals was brought against them

The two edged sword

• Divides sheep and goats

• Examines thoughts and intentions of the heart

• Topples kingdoms

• Judges by the Word of God

• Will require all be held accountable for their life

Revelation 2:12 NIV

“To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.

Hebrews 4:12-13 NIV

[12] For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. [13] Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

** Those who don't recognize their sin and ask for God’s mercy will receive His justice; this is FAIR because we all deserve consequence for our sin

• God’s justice is against sin and the ultimate price of sin is death;,the death penalty is first observed in Old Testament animal sacrifices

• We trust that God is going to do what is right and judges perfectly because it is His nature

• God's plan is unfolding and it will happen exactly as it is revealed in Scripture, as outlined in Revelation

• God does not contradict when He brings justice against sin and gives mercy to the few followers

• When we realize the seriousness of sin, we are amazed at His mercy!  <C31>

Exodus 32:25-29 NIV

[25] Moses saw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control and so become a laughingstock to their enemies. [26] So he stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “Whoever is for the Lord, come to me.” And all the Levites rallied to him. [27] Then he said to them, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: 'Each man strap a sword to his side. Go back and forth through the camp from one end to the other, each killing his brother and friend and neighbor.' ” [28] The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people died. [29] Then Moses said, “You have been set apart to the Lord today, for you were against your own sons and brothers, and he has blessed you this day.”

** God gives time for sinners to repent and punishes those who don't repent

Revelation 2:21-22 NIV

I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. [22] So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways.

There are:

• Physical consequences for sexual immorality

• Spiritual consequences when God gives them over to their sin/bondage

• Judgments based on one’s belief in God; does this judgment have ‘levels’ where one can get closer to God in heaven than others?

** God considers our inner being — thoughts, motives, attitudes, desires, priorities — when He judges us; we must be careful and not deceive ourselves thinking we are 'in the clear' because He only judges our actions!

Revelation 2:23b NIV

[23] Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds

** The Old Testament records a time of repentance, God's forgiveness and resultant consequence for sin

Exodus 32:30-34 NIV

[30] The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. But now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” [31] So Moses went back to the Lord and said, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. [32] But now, please forgive their sin---but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.” [33] The Lord replied to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book. [34] Now go, lead the people to the place I spoke of, and my angel will go before you. However, when the time comes for me to punish, I will punish them for their sin.”

Exodus 34:5-9 NIV

[5] Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the Lord. [6] And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, [7] maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.” [8] Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped. [9] “Lord,” he said, “if I have found favor in your eyes, then let the Lord go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us as your inheritance.”

** The punishment God pronounced on Moses was to remain, instructing him not to "speak to me anymore about this matter"

• Moses one act of disobedience was severely punished to remind us that no one is immune to divine discipline

• No one can sin safely

• God did grant Moses’ request (in a way) by allowing him to look at the Promised Land from the heights of Mount Pisgah

• Moses did not go over the Jordan but saw the good land to which he successfully led God’s people  <R1795>

Numbers 20:7-12 NIV

[7] The Lord said to Moses, [8] “Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.” [9] So Moses took the staff from the Lord's presence, just as he commanded him. [10] He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” [11] Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. [12] But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”

Deuteronomy 3:23-27 NIV

[23] At that time I pleaded with the Lord: [24] “Sovereign Lord, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do? [25] Let me go over and see the good land beyond the Jordan---that fine hill country and Lebanon. ” [26] But because of you the Lord was angry with me and would not listen to me. “That is enough,” the Lord said. “Do not speak to me anymore about this matter. [27] Go up to the top of Pisgah and look west and north and south and east. Look at the land with your own eyes, since you are not going to cross this Jordan.

** There is a reason Paul uses the word ‘slave’ when referring to sin — people who are bound to sin cannot free themselves from it except through the power of the Holy Spirit, at which point our allegiance changes to being slaves to righteousness

Romans 6:18 NIV

[18] You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

We see cult-like enslavement to evil around us today where no logic, statistics, reason, moral obligation, science, inconvenience, etc can convince people to change their allegiance; people cannot give up their sin regardless of the cost!  <M132> (Nov 2022)

** Jesus entered His own temple and drove out those who were desecrating it; He didn’t call out the pagans in their temple but those who claimed to be following God

Mark 11:15-17 NIV

[15] On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, [16] and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. [17] And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations' ? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.' ”

** Christ (the rock) will crush this final attempt of man’s kingdom on earth

Daniel 2:45 NIV

[45] This is the meaning of the vision of the rock cut out of a mountain, but not by human hands---a rock that broke the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold to pieces. “The great God has shown the king what will take place in the future. The dream is true and its interpretation is trustworthy.”

** The Tribulation and the punishment of Hell may seem cruel and unreasonable in our way of thinking, but always remember:

• We always experience consequence for the choices we make

• The most important choice we make will produce or result in either eternal pleasure or eternal suffering

• God loves us beyond measure and longs that we choose relationship with Him

• Christ left His majesty to come to earth to eventually suffer and die as punishment for OUR sin; the ultimate sacrifice for us while we were still sinners

• All God asks in return for His sacrifice is that we accept His offer of salvation and, as a result, follow His commands via a relationship with Him

• Christ gives us every opportunity to choose whom we will serve — either God or Satan

• Unbelievers will be given a last chance to choose God through the Tribulation period

Hebrews 11:24-25 NIV

[24] By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. [25] He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

John 15:13-14 NIV

[13] Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. [14] You are my friends if you do what I command.

Romans 5:6-8 NIV

[6] You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. [7] Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. [8] But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

** Once upon a time, there came to my house one of a black and stern aspect. He smote the door; I tried to bolt it to hold it fast. He smote again and again, till at last he entered, and with a rough voice he summoned me before him; and he said, "I have a message from God for you! You are condemned on account of your sins!"

I looked at him with astonishment; I asked him his name. He said, "My name is the Law." And I fell at his feet as one that was dead.

As I lay there, he smote me. He smote me till every rib seemed as if it must break. My heart was melted like wax within me. I seemed to be stretched upon a rack--to be pinched with hot irons--to be beaten with whips of burning wire! An extreme misery dwelt and reigned in my heart.

I dared not lift up my eyes, but I thought within myself, "There may be hope, there may be mercy for me. Perhaps the God whom I have offended may accept my tears and my promises of amendment, and I may live." But when that thought crossed my mind, heavier were the blows and more poignant my sufferings than before, till hope entirely failed me, and I had nothing wherein to trust.

Darkness black and dense gathered round me. I heard a voice as it were, of rushing to and fro, and of wailing and gnashing of teeth. I said within my soul, "I am cast out from God's sight, I am utterly abhorred of God! He has trampled me in the mire of the streets in His anger."

And there came one by, of sorrowful but of loving aspect, and He stooped over me, and He said, "Awake you who sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light." I arose in astonishment, and He took me, and He led me to a place where stood a cross, and He seemed to vanish from my sight.

But He appeared again, hanging there. I looked upon Him as He bled upon that tree. His eyes darted a glance of love unutterable into my spirit, and in a moment, looking at Him:

• The bruises that my soul had suffered were healed

• The gaping wounds were cured

• The broken bones rejoiced

• The rags that had covered me were all removed • My spirit was as white as the spotless snow

• I had melody within my spirit

for I was saved, washed, cleansed, forgiven--through Him who hung upon the tree!

Oh, how astonished was I, that I should be pardoned! It was not the pardon that I wondered at so much; the wonder was that it should come to ME! I wondered that He should be able to pardon such sins as mine; such crimes, so numerous and so black!  <S185>

Romans 3:21-26 NIV

[21] But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. [22] This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. [25] God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood---to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished--- [26] he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

** The question isn’t “why would a loving God send someone to Hell?” but “why would someone choose Hell instead of accepting God’s free gift that saves him from such a place?”

** Those who place their faith in Christ will experience tribulations in this life, but we will not have to endure THE Tribulation at His second coming  <G71>

John 15:18-21 NIV

[18] “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. [19] If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. [20] Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. [21] They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.

** Be honest about your sin; repent and let God cleanse you from sin so guilt will not slow you down, preventing you from following God's purposes  <C31>

DROWNING IN THE FLOOD OF GUILT

• Psalm 51 and 32 (companion chapters) are probably about David's confession after committing adultery

• David is weighed down in guilt for about one year because he tried to hide his actions  (ch 32)

• The destructive effects of guilt are timeless, the same then as they can be now

• Trying to keep sin secret is all consuming; day and night it can occupy our thoughts as we imagine what can happen if discovered

• Relationships can deteriorate because we become defensive and we take it out on them as we live a guilt-ridden existence

• Eventually our physical health can decline and we suffer from the pressure of guilt

Psalm 32:3-4 NIV

[3] When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. [4] For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.

ESCAPING THE FLOOD

• Guilt is the tool God uses to bring us back

• Get everything in the open; offer a clean open confession

Psalm 32:5 NIV

[5] Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.

• God will cleanse us of the sin; if God caused the guilt, trust Him to remove it

• God patiently seeks us but His patience can end

• Our lives are but mist and we don't know what the future holds; don't miss the opportunity to repent

• Trust God to completely to assuage (remove) the guilt; He does not prioritize what sin He will forgive but offers forgiveness (when asked) across the board

• Our worst failures are no match for God

Psalm 32:6 NIV

[6] Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them.

• Forgiveness releases us to be truly happy on the inside (we are blessed)

• There is great freedom when there is no sin or deceit to hide, for then we can run the race marked out for us

Hebrews 12:1 NIV

[1] Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us

Isaiah 43:25 NIV

[25] “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.

Micah 7:18-19 NIV

[18] Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. [19] You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

** Noah's world and our world today are similar (Aug 2025)

• Jesus mentioned that our last days would be ‘as in the days of Noah’

• The days of Noah were corrupt; no one was listening about the coming wrath

• People had corrupted all of God’s order as He intended for human life on earth

• Mankind, after the Fall in Eden, embarked on a violence-ridden rebellion that included embracing genetic corruption through sexual union with fallen angels

• The rebellion of humanity was so great that there was total rejection of Heaven’s order of life  

• There will always be, when this point of corruption is reached, reaction by God, who will exert His omniscient, all-powerful control

• Sometimes God’s control is executed instantly, like when Sodom and Gomorrah were decimated following the removal of Lot and his daughters to safety

• At other times, such omnipotent controlling reaction is applied in an incremental way, such as when the Lord gave Nineveh forty days to repent

• But when God’s order of things reaches an incorrigible level, He exerts His righteous judgment and wrath  <J100>

• God was grieved about the condition of man to the point of destroying them; God was not surprised but sad about the violence

• God was patient and long suffering, waiting 120 years for people to repent

• Don't mistake God's patience today as a broken promise about His return  <C31>

Genesis 6:11-13 NIV

Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. [12] God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. [13] So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth.

• Noah's world was destroyed by water while ours will be destroyed by fire in the Day of the Lord

2 Peter 3:9-12 NIV

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. [10] But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. [11] Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives [12] as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.

** Falling away from Christ leaves an increased emptiness; void of righteousness

2 Peter 2:20-21 NIV

[20] If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. [21] It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.

** There are times God instructs us to stop praying for people who refuse to heed warning about their sinful behavior and give up pagan practices  <H87>

Jeremiah 7:16 NIV

[16] “So do not pray for this people nor offer any plea or petition for them; do not plead with me, for I will not listen to you.

Jeremiah 11:14 NIV

[14] “Do not pray for this people or offer any plea or petition for them, because I will not listen when they call to me in the time of their distress.

Matthew 7:6 NIV

[6] “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

Matthew 10:14-15 NIV

[14] If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. [15] Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

** Poor decisions often produce poor results; it is imperative we look ahead at the long-term scenario and not base decisions only on current circumstances

• Look at Lot, who selfishly chose luxurious living to improve his standing

• He chose this even though he knew the men of Sodom were evil

• Lot lived in a godless environment and was tormented day after day; though weak, he still belonged to God

• The bad environment began to work on Lot together with those around him such as family, so why did he stay?

Genesis 13:11-13 NIV

[11] So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: [12] Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. [13] Now the people of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord.

2 Peter 2:6-9 NIV

[6] if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; [7] and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless [8] (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)--- [9] if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.

The decision to stay almost cost Lot his life

• An angel announced to Abram what would happen to Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 18)

• Abram bargained down to 10 righteous people, for there were not even 10 in Sodom and Gomorrah

• Lot and his 2 daughters escaped; his wife was killed because she longed to stay

God knows how to rescue the godly from trials!

• God will work with us to make us better

• We can only make good decisions when walking with God on a daily basis

• Also, make sure we don't camp out next to temptation — don't place your tent next to Sodom

• God helping us doesn't change the fact that good and bad decisions have consequences

• The lesson is for us to look ahead at the long-term scenario and not base decisions only on current circumstances  <C31>

** Others tend to get hurt when we are 'out for ourselves'; Christ encourages us not to live for ourselves but to live in humility

Living in humility elevates others and brings us together, while living in pride tears us apart and creates division in the church

• Do not practice false humility that downplays our own abilities

• The younger are to respect elders, as sheep follow and listen to their shepherd

• Everyone has their place/responsibilities in the community of Christ

• God-given authority should be respected and leaders should lead with servant hearts, as Christ came to serve  <C31>

1 Peter 5:5-7 NIV

[5] In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” [6] Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. [7] Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

** God created man and animal to live in perfect harmony in the Garden but the moment sin entered the picture, animals were killed and used for purposes like food, clothing, sacrifice, etc  <G70>

Genesis 2:19 NIV

[19] Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.

Genesis 3:17-19,21 NIV

[17] To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat from it,' “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. [18] It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. [19] By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.” [21] The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.

** Throughout the many hundreds of generations that have existed, there have been at least five occasions when mankind became so wicked that God had to personally intervene. The first time it happened, there was a global judgment that nearly wiped out all of mankind. The last time will again be global in nature. For all intents and purposes, we can call these cursed generations.

Antediluvian Generation: Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the Lord said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.

Genesis 6:5-8 NIV

[5] The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. [6] The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. [7] So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created---and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground---for I regret that I have made them. ” [8] But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

Tower of Babel: But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. And the Lord said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.

Genesis 11:5-9 NIV

[5] But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. [6] The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. [7] Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.” [8] So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. [9] That is why it was called Babel---because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.

Sodom & Gomorrah: The sun had risen upon the earth when Lot entered Zoar. Then the Lord rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the Lord out of the heavens. So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground.

Genesis 19:23-25 NIV

[23] By the time Lot reached Zoar, the sun had risen over the land. [24] Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah---from the Lord out of the heavens. [25] Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, destroying all those living in the cities---and also the vegetation in the land.

Messiah's Generation: Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here.

Matthew 12:38-42 NIV

[38] Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.” [39] He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. [40] For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. [41] The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here. [42] The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.

Last Generation: But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.  <G70>

2 Timothy 3:1-7 NIV

[1] But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. [2] People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, [3] without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, [4] treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God--- [5] having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. [6] They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, [7] always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.

** Enemy false teachers are like 'Venus Fly Traps' who come into the church unassumingly and snatch people away from God, often using confusion as their tool; they are not what they appear to be so people have their defenses down  <C31>

It is crucial we know and use God’s truth in Scripture as our plumb-line so we can identify false teaching

2 Peter 2:1 NIV

[1] But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them---bringing swift destruction on themselves.

Amos 7:7-8 NIV

[7] This is what he showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in his hand. [8] And the Lord asked me, “What do you see, Amos? ” “A plumb line, ” I replied. Then the Lord said, “Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer.

Where do false teachers come from?

• Peter said false teachers come from within the church so they are not an obvious identified outsider

What do the false messages look like?

• False teachers use the same vocabulary but with a different interpretation

• They exploit others with false words, like plastic that can be molded into any shape

• Error is cloaked with the wrapping of truth; people don't always see the error and swallow it

Why do they teach false doctrine?

• False teachers are working to fill their own purposes and desires

• The congregation is often easy prey because they buy into tripe messages such as "doing whatever makes you happy" even if it is contrary to God's word

• Their words define a personal drive for greed and are interested in exploiting others for personal gain

2 Peter 2:3 NIV

[3] In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

What are the results of their actions?

• False teachers may get away with their cunning for awhile but God will judge them in the end; they will stand before God and be held accountable

• Like the Ebola virus, their message can be contagious and deadly because many are led away from God's truth

• As a result, our Christian witness is damaged to the rest of the world

2 Peter 2:2 NIV

[2] Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.

What should our response be to this threat?

• Study Scripture and internalize every passage, otherwise we become easy prey for false teachers

• Out faith must be our own; we must know WHAT we believe and WHY we believe!

• Do we believe because we understand or because it’s tradition, or because it is God’s word in Scripture?

** Wisdom apart from God is earthly and foolish; following earthly wisdom produces:

• Jealousy and selfish ambition — doing whatever it takes to get ahead of others

• Arrogance — thinking or justifying why you are better than another; with Godly wisdom we don't need to be arrogant

• Dishonesty — world has its own definition of truth even though God defines truth for us; abiding by God’s truth supports godly wisdom

• Worldliness — following values of the world, which are not from God but supporting life in the here and now

• Demonic wisdom — following wisdom that goes against God's word  

James 3:14-16 NIV

[14] But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. [15] Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. [16] For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

** Our spiritual life is evident by what we say and how we control our tongue; death and life are in the hands of the tongue

James 3:6 NIV

[6] The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

** Bad theology leads others to live in sin on a perpetual basis

• It’s erroneous to believe it’s “loving” to help another perpetuate a lie and continue living in sin; Jesus calling Pharisees “white-washed tombs” was not exactly what we would call a loving remark, yet Christ needed to call out their hypocrisy and their need to change their thinking

• Remember the illustration of God being a coin with two sides: God is MERCY on one side (thankfully or we would have no hope at all) and God is JUDGE on the other side (who judges us for unrepentant sin) — and the entire coin is made out of LOVE

• Bottom line: God deals with sin and those who reject Him and they will be judged and suffer His wrath

• Is it loving to let another live in sin and they eventually be judged for doing so?

John 3:36 NIV

[36] Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them.

Our Mission:

• As followers of Christ we are to show others an alternative to their errant thinking — Christ and His Word; not only have  generations over thousands of years trusted the Bible as their guide but His Word continues to be proven true 100% of the time!

• Christians values and beliefs are rooted in Christ who operates beyond issues and we should never veer from Him regardless whether others are offended or not

Let’s lead others to a better life choice with Christ and the body He gave them instead of condoning their life in sin!

** Why should we control our tongue?

• It has capability of ruining our spiritual life

• Satan gains victory if we don't control our tongue

• God will judge our words

• Teachers will be held accountable especially because they can lead others astray

• Words will come back to haunt us  <C31>

James 3:9-10 NIV

[9] With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness. [10] Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.

** God’s judgment can involve simply ‘not restraining the evil’ that already exists in society, thus letting evil run its course unabated  <D40>

Romans 1:24-25 NIV

[24] Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. [25] They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator---who is forever praised. Amen.

** People who buy into a grace-only theology often claim “mercy triumphs over justice”, but mercy does not cancel justice; God’s law has not been cancelled because Hell is full of those who practice evil  <D40>

Matthew 7:21-23 NIV

[21] “Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' [23] Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

1 Peter 1:14-17 NIV

[14] As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. [15] But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; [16] for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” [17] Since you call on a Father who judges each person's work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.

Jude 1:4-5,7 NIV

[4] For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. [5] Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord at one time delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. [7] In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.

** Our skin is the largest organ in our body; it protects us from disease and contains other organs such as heart, lungs, etc; this is analogous to God’s shield that protects His children <C31>

Psalm 5:12 NIV

[12] Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

** God does not always prevent His people from experiencing hardship: there are times God wants us to suffer consequence for sin yet be overcome with joy when we remain faithful to Him

Psalm 5:8,11 NIV

[8] Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies---make your way straight before me. [11] But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

** Observing the lawlessness of our society, we understand that God’s justice and holiness demand that evil be punished – not just here and now but in the eternal state as well; upon His glorious return, our Lord Jesus Christ will mete out judgment for those who have refused His gracious offer of salvation and instead lived as rebels on earth  <G7993>

2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 NIV

[8] He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. [9] They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might

Hebrews 10:29-31 NIV

[29] How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? [30] For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” [31] It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Jude 1:7 NIV

[7] In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.

** Peter conveys an urgent need to turn to God before the end times

• We will face condemnation in the final judgment

• The Great White judgment (Rev 20:11-15) = those who do not turn to Christ according to God's offer will appear before God; everything ever done will be judged

• Bema Seat judgment (2 Cor 5:10) = includes followers of Christ who appear before Christ to be judged by all things done, whether good or bad; awarded for faithful service

• The point is, there will be an accounting either way and God wants us to repent so we can have a real life of eternity

1 Peter 4:6 NIV

[6] For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

** Sin is…

• first pleasing

• then easy,

• then delightful

• then frequent

• then habitual

• then confirmed!

Then the man is impenitent

• then he is obstinate

• then he resolves never to repent

• and then he is damned!  <T200>

Romans 8:6 NIV

[6] The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

Romans 8:13 NIV

[13] For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

Galatians 6:8 NIV

[8] Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Romans 6:23 NIV

[23] For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Matthew 25:46 NIV

[46] “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life. ”

** Enjoy your youth and cast aside all anxiety about the future, but remember actions in life will hold consequences  <B20>

Ecclesiastes 11:9-10 NIV

[9] You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. [10] So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless.

** Death awaits everyone regardless of where they stand with God; the dead are cut off from all feelings and interests in life in the after world  <B20>

Ecclesiastes 9:1-6 NIV

[1] So I reflected on all this and concluded that the righteous and the wise and what they do are in God's hands, but no one knows whether love or hate awaits them. [2] All share a common destiny---the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad, the clean and the unclean, those who offer sacrifices and those who do not.

 As it is with the good, so with the sinful; as it is with those who take oaths, so with those who are afraid to take them. [3] This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all. The hearts of people, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live, and afterward they join the dead. [4] Anyone who is among the living has hope---even a live dog is better off than a dead lion! [5] For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, and even their name is forgotten. [6] Their love, their hate and their jealousy have long since vanished; never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 12:7 NIV

[7] and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

** The wicked often entrap themselves in their own sin while those who walk in wisdom remain safe

Proverbs 29:6 NIV

[6] Evildoers are snared by their own sin, but the righteous shout for joy and are glad.

Proverbs 28:26 NIV

[26] Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.

** To those who believe we serve a New Testament God who only cares about grace and the God of the Old Testament is not around anymore: understand that God still deals with sin and those who reject Him will suffer His wrath  <R173>

John 3:36 NIV

[36] Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them.

Hebrews 13:8 NIV

[8] Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Malachi 3:16-18 NIV

[16] Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name. [17] “On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. [18] And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.

** You cannot appease, envy or support the wicked for then the innocent suffer

Proverbs 18:5 NIV

[5] It is not good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice.

Proverbs 23:17 NIV

[17] Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.

Proverbs 25:26 NIV

[26] Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked.

** A cheap veneer of silver over a common clay pot hiding its normalcy and fragility is like the deception spoken by evil people  <M130>

Proverbs 26:23-26 NIV

[23] Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart. [24] Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit. [25] Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts. [26] Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

Proverbs 28:10 NIV

[10] Whoever leads the upright along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.

** A day is coming when those who do evil will be put on trial; Malachi is specific about who God will bring to justice

Malachi 3:5 NIV

[5] “So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me,” says the Lord Almighty.

** God confirmed that the arrogant and evildoer will experience all-consuming devastating wrath during the final days while, in stark contrast, those who revere God’s name will be healed of whatever harmed them and “frolic like well-fed calves”

Malachi 4:1-2 NIV

[1] “Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire, ” says the Lord Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them. [2] But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.

** Those trampled by evildoers will have the ‘last laugh’ when God comes to enact final judgment, for the evildoers will then be trampled by their victims

Malachi 4:3 NIV

[3] Then you will trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty.

** There are numerous ways to observe the wrath of God  <M130>:

a) Eternal wrath — where God destines people to Hell forever

b) Eschatological wrath — God releasing wrath on the world during the end times (Rev 6-19)

c) Sowing & Reaping wrath — consequential wrath built into behavioral choice; you reap what you sow

d) Cataclysmic wrath — wrath expressed through natural disaster with devastating physical results

e) Wrath of abandonment — people willingly abandoning truth or reality for a lie; they suppress God’s law to live comfortably in unrighteousness, so God gives them over to their lies

Romans 1:24-26,28 NIV [abandonment of truth]

[24] Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. [25] They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator---who is forever praised. Amen. [26] Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. [28] Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.

** God is not unjust for sending a powerful delusion, for people already made their choice, their hearts were hardened and they were delighting in their wickedness; God never forces Himself on anyone and therefore gives them over to their delusion  <F60>

2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 NIV

[11] For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie [12] and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

Romans 1:18-21,28 NIV

[18] The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, [19] since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. [20] For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities---his eternal power and divine nature---have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. [21] For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. [28] Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.

** God removed His blessings when the people neglected Him which, in turn, motivated them to change their ways and build the Lord’s house to honor Him

Haggai 1:9-11 NIV

[9] “You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the Lord Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house. [10] Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. [11] I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the olive oil and everything else the ground produces, on people and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands. ”

Haggai 1:14 NIV

[14] So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of the whole remnant of the people. They came and began to work on the house of the Lord Almighty, their God

** You can search the Scriptures for years and never find that God promised a smooth and easy life once we give our life to Him. When Adam sinned, Paradise was lost and life in this world has been a struggle ever since. Of course, God told Adam what would happen if he ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. He chose to eat the fruit and death became a reality.

From Adam on, life has been a struggle. Disease, rebellion to God, and death, have plagued humanity for thousands of years since Adam’s disobedience. He knew the consequences of his actions, but ate the forbidden fruit anyway. We choose to sin, too, knowing full well the consequences.

Romans 6:23 NIV

[23] For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Much of the unhappiness and disease in our life is caused by our own choices. Is diabetes an issue in your life? Have you followed a healthy diet, or do you live on junk food? That’s a bad choice. Do you have lung disease? Do you smoke? Smoking isn’t a wise choice. Do you have a socially transmitted disease? Do you disobey God’s rule about sexual activity only being within a one man/one woman marriage? If so, then you’ve made your own choice. God will forgive the sin if you repent and turn away from it, but the consequences He may not heal.  <G73>

Romans 1:20-23 NIV

[20] For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities---his eternal power and divine nature---have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. [21] For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. [22] Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools [23] and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

Romans 5:12 NIV

[12] Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned---

** Woe to those who are complacent, thinking that God is not involved in our lives or will respond based on how we conduct ourselves

Zephaniah 1:12-13 NIV

[12] At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those who are complacent, who are like wine left on its dregs, who think, 'The Lord will do nothing, either good or bad.' [13] Their wealth will be plundered, their houses demolished. Though they build houses, they will not live in them; though they plant vineyards, they will not drink the wine.”

** The success or prosperity of sinners is brief, for Divine justice will ultimately prevail; sinners will die and God will deal with their inequities, while the righteous will live forever!  <M130>

Proverbs 23:18 NIV

[18] There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

Psalm 37:28-29 NIV

[28] For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed ; the offspring of the wicked will perish. [29] The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.

Proverbs 28:21 NIV

[21] To show partiality is not good---yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.

Proverbs 31:30 NIV

[30] Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

** When proud sinners are brought down, others should learn not to lift themselves up; the fall of the great city of Nineveh should be a lesson to anyone who increases wealth by fraud and oppression, for they are preparing enemies for themselves  <H83>

Nahum 3:1,4-6 NIV

[1] Woe to the city of blood, full of lies, full of plunder, never without victims! [4] all because of the wanton lust of a prostitute, alluring, the mistress of sorceries, who enslaved nations by her prostitution and peoples by her witchcraft. [5] “I am against you,” declares the Lord Almighty. “I will lift your skirts over your face. I will show the nations your nakedness and the kingdoms your shame. [6] I will pelt you with filth, I will treat you with contempt and make you a spectacle.

** Reader, if you behold nothing but pleasure in the commission of sin, you will experience nothing but the most dreadful pain in the conclusion of sin.

• The candle of man's life is blown out, by the wind of his lusts!

• The golden cup of sin, is filled with the most poisonous ingredients!

• Sin resembles poison in the stomach; or a sword to the heart, both of which tend to death!

• It is at that vile enemy, SIN, which God shoots all His arrows!

Like a cunning angler, sin shows the bait, but conceals the hook. If you, O man, are found nibbling at the bait, you may justly expect the hook!  <S180>

Romans 6:23 NIV

[23] For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

** Solomon outlined the resultant dangers of craving alcohol

Proverbs 23:29-35 NIV

[29] Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? [30] Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine. [31] Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! [32] In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. [33] Your eyes will see strange sights, and your mind will imagine confusing things. [34] You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. [35] “They hit me,” you will say, “but I'm not hurt! They beat me, but I don't feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?”

** A prudent child of God welcomes discipline for it strengthens and corrects his path

Psalm 141:5 NIV

[5] Let a righteous man strike me---that is a kindness; let him rebuke me---that is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it, for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.

** Woe to those who preach the name of Christ for their own profit and those who support wicked schemes

Micah 3:11 NIV

[11] Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money. Yet they look for the Lord's support and say, “Is not the Lord among us? No disaster will come upon us.”

Micah 3:12 NIV

[12] Therefore because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, the temple hill a mound overgrown with thickets.

** Evildoers eventually recognize their defeat and that the words of warning should have been heeded

Psalm 141:6-7 NIV

[6] Their rulers will be thrown down from the cliffs, and the wicked will learn that my words were well spoken. [7] They will say, “As one plows and breaks up the earth, so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of the grave.”

** God will remove everything held dear that is acquired when participating in wickedness

Micah 3:12 NIV

[12] Therefore because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, the temple hill a mound overgrown with thickets.

** People at the temple were selfishly involved in money exchange and worldly business

• Jesus would not tolerate sin and this disregard for His Father’s house

• No one dare resist Jesus' holy anger; everyone knew what they were doing was wrong

• This was a pattern of God: cleaning the house (refiners fire) before rebuilding with what is godly  <C31>

Jesus exhibited “righteous anger” which is never selfish but always in defense of another — including defense of God; we see this when Christ did not cast judgment against those who put Him on the cross, but instead forgave them  <M130>

John 2:14-16 NIV

[14] In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. [15] So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. [16] To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!”

** Oh, London, London! God speaks to you by His judgments! Because you would not hear the voice of His Word — He has made you to feel the stroke of His rod! Oh, great city! how has the plague broken in upon you, because of your abominations! "They provoked the Lord to anger by their wicked deeds — so a plague broke out among them!" Psalm 106:29. Oh! how is the wrath of God kindled against you, that such multitudes of thousands have died within your borders by this severe plague — God's sword!

London! how are your streets thinned, your widows increased, and your cemeteries filled, your inhabitants fled, your trade decayed! Oh! therefore lay to heart all these things, and turn from your wicked ways, that the cry of your prayers may outcry the cry of your sins! Be like the city of Nineveh, who believed Jonah's message from God, and humbled themselves, and fasted and cried mightily unto the Lord. Oh, Did Nineveh repent and turn from their wicked ways--and shall not London?

Perhaps you think that all is now well, and that God is pleased with you, because the plague is abating. I say, blessed be God for this! But "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. Whatever a man sows — that he shall reap!" Galatians 6:7. To whomever God bestows great mercies, if they abound in great wickedness, He will inflict great punishments upon them! Alas! beloved, the plague abates — but your sins increase! There is no turning from sin — nor turning to God! There is no reformation and amendment of life among you! If this is so — then God is not done afflicting you!

If you remain as:

• Profane as before

• Superstitious as before

• Carnal as before

• Lukewarm as before

• Hard-hearted as before

• Proud and vain as before

• Worldly as before

I say, if it is thus with you, God is not yet done with London--but has other judgments to pour out upon you, though He now causes the plague to cease.

(William Dyer, "Christ's Voice to London". Preached in London during the time of the 'Great Plague' of 1665-1666. The 'Great Plague' was a massive outbreak of disease, which killed an estimated 100,000 people, 20% of London's population.)  <D42>

Micah 6:9 NIV

[9] Listen! The Lord is calling to the city---and to fear your name is wisdom---“Heed the rod and the One who appointed it.

Galatians 6:7-8 NIV

[7] Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. [8] Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

** There are, in this book of Revelation, not only glimpses of Heaven and of the happiness of the redeemed but dreadful views of the punishments of Hell.

Revelation 16:9-11 NIV

[9] They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him. [10] The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in agony [11] and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.

Revelation 21:8 NIV

[8] But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars---they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

It must be a painful thought to the people of God, that so many of their fellow-creatures are everlastingly banished from the presence of the Lord, and that so many others are following on in the broad road that leads to eternal destruction! Perhaps among both the former and the latter, are some dear to us by the ties of kindred or friendship. Truly, this is a most painful thought to us in this present world, but it will not be so in Heaven. For we shall have such a sense of the justice of God in the punishment of the wicked, that we shall acquiesce in their sentence of condemnation, and say, "Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments.”

Oh, my soul, what can I render to my Savior who has delivered my soul from the nethermost Hell? Surely, but for His blood shed for me, I could never have had an entrance into His everlasting kingdom! Let me, then, first learn a lesson of deep humility, of ceasing from vain-glory, and thoughts of my own worthiness. Let me say, "O to grace how great a debtor!"

Then let me learn a lesson of submission to the righteous will of God in His dealings with mankind. What I do not know now, I shall know hereafter; and then shall I be constrained to say, "Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments."  <S191>

Revelation 16:5-7 NIV

[5] Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say: “You are just in these judgments, O Holy One, you who are and who were; [6] for they have shed the blood of your holy people and your prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve.” [7] And I heard the altar respond: “Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments.”

** God gave a stern warning through His prophet that He will destroy those who plot evil

Micah 2:1-3 NIV

[1] Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds! At morning's light they carry it out because it is in their power to do it. [2] They covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them. They defraud people of their homes, they rob them of their inheritance. [3] Therefore, the Lord says: “I am planning disaster against this people, from which you cannot save yourselves. You will no longer walk proudly, for it will be a time of calamity.

** Running from God takes us on a downward path; Jonah was always to go 'down' — down to Joppa, down below deck of ship, down to sleep; like ice that builds up on airplane wings and prevents the plane from lifting, so our sin can build up to negatively affect our relationship with God and the direction of our life  <C31>

Jonah 1:3,5 KJV

[3] But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. [5] Then the mariners were afraid... But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.

** Interesting, that Jonah wanted to escape the presence of the Lord and got what he wanted — but then became terrified; God responded to Jonah’s prayer by adjusting his heart, not his circumstances  <C31>

Jonah 2:3-4 NIV

[3] You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me. [4] I said, 'I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.'

** God demonstrated great POWER, not only generating a storm but dramatically arranging for a fish to swallow Jonah to accomplish His will; Gods circumvented natural laws to enable this to happen  <C31>

Many references to "great" were included in this text and in every instance this greatness points our attention to God

• The storm (1:4)

• Fear (1:10, 16)

• City (1:2, 3:3)

• God’s solution of a fish (1:17)

Jonah 1:17 NIV

[17] Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Jonah 1:4 NIV

[4] Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up.

Jonah 1:10,16 NIV

[10] This terrified them and they asked, “What have you done?” (They knew he was running away from the Lord, because he had already told them so.) [16] At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him.

Jonah 1:2 KJV

[2] Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.

Jonah 3:3 KJV

[3] So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days' journey.

Jonah 1:17 KJV

[17] Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

** Disobedience indicates that we know better than God and it often takes us where we never thought we would go; not obeying Him is costly, for disobedience never provides what we think it promises

Jonah, the only prophet recorded in Scripture who did not follow God’s command, did not want the Ninevites to be forgiven and also believed he could find a better life where God would leave him alone among the Gentiles; Jonah made a premeditated decision because he probably sold his home to pay for the trip  <C31>

Jonah 1:3 NIV

[3] But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish . He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.

** Our disobedience not only robs us of God's best for our life but often negatively affects other people; while Jonah slept, the sailors on deck above were getting rid of costly cargo and almost lost their lives

Jonah 1:4-5,7 NIV

[4] Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. [5] All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. [7] Then the sailors said to each other, “Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity.” They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah.

Amazingly, God can also use our disobedience to benefit others:

• The sailors lives were changed after the sacrifice of Jonah

• The sailors worshipped God and the power He had after the danger passed; they may have come to faith through the experience

• Life with Christ cannot be the same as before; it can put us on a course with the power of God behind us  <C31>

Jonah 1:16 NIV

[16] At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him.

 ** God is CAPABLE and can provide everything we need; Jonah was in extreme distress being described as in Hell — it couldn't get any worse — because, technically, he should be dead and he knew it but Jonah cried out and God answered

This doesn't mean there aren't consequences when we sin but God still saves and provides what we need at just the right time; the fact that we can call on God is amazing, let alone that He cares for us even when we are disobedient  <C31>

Jonah 2:2,10 NIV

[2] He said: “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry. [10] And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

Romans 5:8 NIV

[8] But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

** God takes note of the discontentment of our hearts as well as the murmuring of our lips. Not only is DISCONTENTMENT a grievous sin against God, but it unfits the Christian for the discharge of holy duties, preventing the exercise of those graces which are necessary in order thereunto.

• It silences the lips of supplication, for how can a murmurer pray?

• It destroys the spirit of submission, for complaining is a fretting against the Lord.

• It quenches faith, hope and love.

• Discontent is the very essence of ingratitude, and therefore it stifles the voice of thanksgiving.

• There cannot be any rest of soul, until we quietly resign our persons and portions to God's good pleasure.

• Discontent corrodes the strings of the heart, and therefore it arrests all growth in grace.

Discontentment is usually over temporal matters, and this is a sad intimation that material things are sought after more eagerly than are spiritual things. It argues a lack of confidence in the care of our heavenly Father to provide for us the things which are needed.  <P161>

Hebrews 13:5 NIV

[5] Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Numbers 14:27 NIV

[27] “How long will this wicked community grumble against me? I have heard the complaints of these grumbling Israelites.

Philippians 2:14 NIV

[14] Do everything without grumbling or arguing

** The enemies of God cannot hide or escape; we may not have our mind on God but He has His mind on us and there is no place we can go from Him!

Amos 9:1-4 NIV

[1] I saw the Lord standing by the altar, and he said: “Strike the tops of the pillars so that the thresholds shake. Bring them down on the heads of all the people; those who are left I will kill with the sword. Not one will get away, none will escape. [2] Though they dig down to the depths below, from there my hand will take them. Though they climb up to the heavens above, from there I will bring them down. [3] Though they hide themselves on the top of Carmel, there I will hunt them down and seize them. Though they hide from my eyes at the bottom of the sea, there I will command the serpent to bite them. [4] Though they are driven into exile by their enemies, there I will command the sword to slay them. “I will keep my eye on them for harm and not for good. ”

Psalm 139:7-10 NIV

[7] Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? [8] If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. [9] If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, [10] even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

** God sets a plumb line for us and we will gain great reward or suffer consequences depending on our obedience to it

Amos 7:7-8 NIV

[7] This is what he showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in his hand. [8] And the Lord asked me, “What do you see, Amos? ” “A plumb line, ” I replied. Then the Lord said, “Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer.

** It was always understood in God’s threatenings against the Jewish people that they could turn to Him in true repentance, in which the threats may be averted; there are repeated promises of the restoration of Israel, made on the promise of repentance and reformation

But Israel has never repented and, therefore, has never been restored; she is abandoned as a broken vessel and there is none to assist her to rise again  <C34>

Amos 5:2,6 NIV

[2] “Fallen is Virgin Israel, never to rise again, deserted in her own land, with no one to lift her up. ” [6] Seek the Lord and live, or he will sweep through the tribes of Joseph like a fire; it will devour them, and Bethel will have no one to quench it.

** God turned His attention to Judah and Israel from her neighbors

It is interesting to note that God used the same judgment formula applied to God’s people as to the previous Gentile nations; this shows that Judah and Israel sinned against God and its own citizens, similar to its neighbors  <E59>

Amos 2:4-5 NIV

[4] This is what the Lord says: “For three sins of Judah, even for four, I will not relent. Because they have rejected the law of the Lord and have not kept his decrees, because they have been led astray by false gods, the gods their ancestors followed, [5] I will send fire on Judah that will consume the fortresses of Jerusalem. ”

Amos 2:6-8 NIV

[6] This is what the Lord says: “For three sins of Israel, even for four, I will not relent. They sell the innocent for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals. [7] They trample on the heads of the poor as on the dust of the ground and deny justice to the oppressed. Father and son use the same girl and so profane my holy name. [8] They lie down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge. In the house of their god they drink wine taken as fines.

** God’s chastisement will not escape His chosen nation for God disciplines those He loves

Amos 3:1-2 NIV

[1] Hear this word, people of Israel, the word the Lord has spoken against you---against the whole family I brought up out of Egypt: [2] “You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your sins. ”

Hebrews 12:6 NIV

[6] because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

** God is aware of all sin and will punish accordingly, just as God promised judgment on Moab because their cruelty to Edom and burning of the king’s bones

Amos 2:1-3 NIV

[1] This is what the Lord says:

 “For three sins of Moab, even for four, I will not relent. Because he burned to ashes the bones of Edom's king, [2] I will send fire on Moab that will consume the fortresses of Kerioth. Moab will go down in great tumult amid war cries and the blast of the trumpet. [3] I will destroy her ruler and kill all her officials with him,” says the Lord.

** Our God is a God of discipline and grace; both part of who God is, for His ultimate desire is that everyone turn to Him for forgiveness

God provided:

• A storm to stop Jonah (discipline), and

• A whale that saved him (grace)  <C31>

Jonah 3:10 NIV

[10] When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.

** God will discipline His people for ignoring Him and His prophetic Word, despite whether they think they can expertly protect themselves

Amos 2:12-16 NIV

[12] “But you made the Nazirites drink wine and commanded the prophets not to prophesy. [13] “Now then, I will crush you as a cart crushes when loaded with grain. [14] The swift will not escape, the strong will not muster their strength, and the warrior will not save his life. [15] The archer will not stand his ground, the fleet-footed soldier will not get away, and the horseman will not save his life. [16] Even the bravest warriors will flee naked on that day,” declares the Lord.

** Those who currently think they have the upper hand proudly ‘lift their heads’, but God will have His way and destroy them eventually

Psalm 140:9-11 NIV

[9] Those who surround me proudly rear their heads; may the mischief of their lips engulf them. [10] May burning coals fall on them; may they be thrown into the fire, into miry pits, never to rise. [11] May slanderers not be established in the land; may disaster hunt down the violent.

** Amos described how horrific the end times Tribulation will be when God’s wrath is unleashed

Amos 5:18-19 NIV

[18] Woe to you who long for the day of the Lord! Why do you long for the day of the Lord? That day will be darkness, not light. [19] It will be as though a man fled from a lion only to meet a bear, as though he entered his house and rested his hand on the wall only to have a snake bite him.

** People will become like the mute, blind, deaf and lifeless idols they create

Psalm 135:15-18 NIV

[15] The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by human hands. [16] They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. [17] They have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths. [18] Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.

** All who worship images shall be confounded; no solid lasting comfort is to be expected anywhere but in God  <H83>

Hosea 13:4-5 NIV

[4] “But I have been the Lord your God ever since you came out of Egypt. You shall acknowledge no God but me, no Savior except me. [5] I cared for you in the wilderness, in the land of burning heat.

** God asks His people where the kings and rulers are that they wanted?  They are not around to protect them!

Hosea 13:10-11 NIV

[10] Where is your king, that he may save you? Where are your rulers in all your towns, of whom you said, 'Give me a king and princes'? [11] So in my anger I gave you a king, and in my wrath I took him away.

Hosea 13:14-15 NIV

[14] “I will deliver this people from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. Where, O death, are your plagues? Where, O grave, is your destruction? “I will have no compassion, [15] even though he thrives among his brothers. An east wind from the Lord will come, blowing in from the desert; his spring will fail and his well dry up. His storehouse will be plundered of all its treasures.

Hosea 14:3 NIV

[3] Assyria cannot save us; we will not mount warhorses. We will never again say 'Our gods' to what our own hands have made, for in you the fatherless find compassion.”

** God sometimes removes Himself and His blessings as a form of punishment, with the aim of bringing the lost back to Him

Hosea 9:1-3 NIV

[1] Do not rejoice, Israel; do not be jubilant like the other nations. For you have been unfaithful to your God; you love the wages of a prostitute at every threshing floor. [2] Threshing floors and winepresses will not feed the people; the new wine will fail them. [3] They will not remain in the Lord's land; Ephraim will return to Egypt and eat unclean food in Assyria.

Psalm 84:11 NIV

[11] For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

** God promises to forgive us our sins when we ask for forgiveness but we will still suffer the consequences of our sin; God is still omniscient and aware of every sin we commit, yet He promises to forget our sin — not hold them against us — when we come to Him with a repentant heart

Hosea 8:13 NIV

[13] Though they offer sacrifices as gifts to me, and though they eat the meat, the Lord is not pleased with them. Now he will remember their wickedness and punish their sins: They will return to Egypt.

Isaiah 43:25 NIV

[25] “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.

Hosea 7:1-2 NIV

[1] whenever I would heal Israel,

 the sins of Ephraim are exposed and the crimes of Samaria revealed. They practice deceit, thieves break into houses, bandits rob in the streets; [2] but they do not realize that I remember all their evil deeds. Their sins engulf them; they are always before me.

Hebrews 8:12 NIV

[12] For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. ”

Hebrews 10:17 NIV

[17] Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”

** God proclaimed His judgment of a coming Assyrian war on the northern kingdom of Israel, that never had a good king

Whereas they thought themselves to be in favor of God and to be His people, the Prophet calls them bastards and children born in adultery; the Prophet was to show Israel their sin of idolatry

Hosea 1:6 NIV

[6] Gomer conceived again and gave birth to a daughter. Then the Lord said to Hosea, “Call her Lo-Ruhamah (which means “not loved”), for I will no longer show love to Israel, that I should at all forgive them.

** Sin turns away the mercy of God, even toward Israel, His own professing people  <H83>

Hosea 1:6b-7 NIV

[6] …I will no longer show love to Israel, that I should at all forgive them. [7] Yet I will show love to Judah; and I will save them---not by bow, sword or battle, or by horses and horsemen, but I, the Lord their God, will save them.”

** There are a few references in the Old Testament referring to a place like hell; first century Jews probably got their concept of hell from passages in Daniel 12 and Ezekiel 32

Daniel 12:2 NIV

[2] Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.

Ezekiel 32:30-32 NIV

...[30] “All the princes of the north and all the Sidonians are there; they went down with the slain in disgrace despite the terror caused by their power. They lie uncircumcised with those killed by the sword and bear their shame with those who go down to the pit. [31] “Pharaoh---he and all his army---will see them and he will be consoled for all his hordes that were killed by the sword, declares the Sovereign Lord. [32] Although I had him spread terror in the land of the living, Pharaoh and all his hordes will be laid among the uncircumcised, with those killed by the sword, declares the Sovereign Lord.”

** Non-believers will be judged at the Great White Throne of Judgment, whereas Christians will receive/lose rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ; you don’t want to stand before God without Jesus beside you to plead on your behalf  <P163>

 1 Peter 4:18 NIV

[18] And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

> Day of Judgment — on an appointed day, the unredeemed will need to give their defense

Revelation 20:11-15 NIV

[11] Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. [12] And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. [13] The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. [14] Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. [15] Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

Matthew 10:15 NIV

[15] Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

2 Peter 2:9 NIV

[9] if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.

Hebrews 9:27 NIV

[27] Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment

> Who will judge? — everyone will stand before the throne, occupied by God

Revelation 20:12 NIV

[12] And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.

Romans 2:16 NIV

[16] This will take place on the day when God judges people's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

Ecclesiastes 12:14 NIV

[14] For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

> How will God judge man? — God will judge based on His Word and based on a person’s decision to simply accept Christ as Savior

Acts 17:30-31 NIV

[30] In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. [31] For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”

Psalm 96:13 NIV

[13] Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness.

John 12:47-48 NIV [Jesus said]

[47] “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. [48] There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.

Daniel 7:10 NIV

[10] A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.

** Evildoers will pay the price for their schemes and actions against God’s people; the Psalmist also understood the fate of the wicked

Daniel 6:24 NIV

[24] At the king's command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions' den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

Psalm 73:2-4,8,12,16-20 NIV

[2] But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. [3] For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. [4] They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. [8] They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression. [12] This is what the wicked are like---always free of care, they go on amassing wealth. [16] When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply [17] till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. [18] Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. [19] How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! [20] They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.

** The arrogance of the Babylonians (drinking from Jewish goblets previously dedicated to their temple) was not tolerated by God, who wrote a message of warning on the wall for all to see

Daniel 5:3-5 NIV

[3] So they brought in the gold goblets that had been taken from the temple of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines drank from them. [4] As they drank the wine, they praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone. [5] Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. The king watched the hand as it wrote.

Daniel 5:22-24 NIV

[22] “But you, Belshazzar, his son, have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this. [23] Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways. [24] Therefore he sent the hand that wrote the inscription.

** Babylon thought it was secure as indicated by their partying, while their enemies (Medes and Persians) were diverting their water from the Euphrates without them knowing

This is a similar image of western society being asleep as their culture is under attack, only to wake up one day and ask “what happened?”

Daniel 5:1 NIV

[1] King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for a thousand of his nobles and drank wine with them

** We would not have a ‘leg to stand on’ if left to our record of conduct; thank God He forgives our sin and offers us a way to redemption when we ask this if Him

Psalm 130:3 NIV

[3] If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?

Psalm 130:4,7-8 NIV

[4] But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. [7] Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. [8] He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.

** The Psalmist calls on God to uphold the righteous and curse the evildoers

Psalm 125:4-5 NIV

[4] Lord, do good to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart. [5] But those who turn to crooked ways the Lord will banish with the evildoers. Peace be on Israel.

Genesis 12:2-3 NIV

[2] “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. [3] I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. ”

** We are held accountable for our own sin, not the sin of our ancestors as social justice woke false leaders (even in the church) want us to believe

Ezekiel 18:18 NIV

[18] But his father will die for his own sin, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother and did what was wrong among his people.

** God will bring about His justice to all anti-Christian forces/nations who oppose Him; they will not have a choice in facing reality

Ezekiel 38:4 NIV

[4] I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army---your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them brandishing their swords.

** God describes the arrogance of Israel's enemies and the results of them thinking they can go against the Lord

Ezekiel 38:9-12,16 NIV

[9] You and all your troops and the many nations with you will go up, advancing like a storm; you will be like a cloud covering the land. [10] “ ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On that day thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil scheme. [11] You will say, “I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people---all of them living without walls and without gates and bars. [12] I will plunder and loot and turn my hand against the resettled ruins and the people gathered from the nations, rich in livestock and goods, living at the center of the land. ” [16] You will advance against my people Israel like a cloud that covers the land. In days to come, Gog, I will bring you against my land, so that the nations may know me when I am proved holy through you before their eyes.

Ezekiel 38:18-23 NIV

[18] This is what will happen in that day: When Gog attacks the land of Israel, my hot anger will be aroused, declares the Sovereign Lord. [19] In my zeal and fiery wrath I declare that at that time there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. [20] The fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the beasts of the field, every creature that moves along the ground, and all the people on the face of the earth will tremble at my presence. The mountains will be overturned, the cliffs will crumble and every wall will fall to the ground. [21] I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Sovereign Lord. Every man’s sword will be against his brother. [22] I will execute judgment on him with plague and bloodshed; I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him. [23] And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord. ’

Psalm 2:1-4 NIV

[1] Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? [2] The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, [3] “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.” [4] The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.

** Edom (ancient country in current SW Jordan) was the God-hating, God-opposing power, ever distinguished for its bitter hatred against Israel, so the ruin of Edom ended up being the triumph of Israel in the power of God  <C34>

The lesson is clear for us today: all who have God against them, have the word of God against them; those that have a constant hatred toward God and His people, as the carnal mind has, can expect to be made desolate forever  <H83>

Ezekiel 35:5-6 NIV

[5] “ 'Because you harbored an ancient hostility and delivered the Israelites over to the sword at the time of their calamity, the time their punishment reached its climax, [6] therefore as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I will give you over to bloodshed and it will pursue you. Since you did not hate bloodshed, bloodshed will pursue you.

** Ultimately Israel will not be prey for any surrounding nation once the Lord finishes judging them

Ezekiel 35:10-11,15 NIV

[10] “ 'Because you have said, “These two nations and countries will be ours and we will take possession of them,” even though I the Lord was there, [11] therefore as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I will treat you in accordance with the anger and jealousy you showed in your hatred of them and I will make myself known among them when I judge you. [15] Because you rejoiced when the inheritance of Israel became desolate, that is how I will treat you. You will be desolate, Mount Seir, you and all of Edom. Then they will know that I am the Lord.' ”

Ezekiel 34:28 NIV

[28] They will no longer be plundered by the nations, nor will wild animals devour them. They will live in safety, and no one will make them afraid.

** The consequences of selfish inattentive shepherding is the scattering and destruction of the flock

Ezekiel 34:2,4-5 NIV

[2] “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? [4] You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. [5] So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals.

** Ezekiel’s prophecy makes reference to the afterlife in the regions of the dead

Ezekiel 32:21 NIV

[21] From within the realm of the dead the mighty leaders will say of Egypt and her allies, 'They have come down and they lie with the uncircumcised, with those killed by the sword.'

** There are few references in the Old Testament referring to a place like hell; first century Jews probably got their concept of hell — such as “pit” and “earth below” — from the Daniel and Ezek 32 passages

Ezekiel 32:24 NIV

[24] “Elam is there, with all her hordes around her grave. All of them are slain, fallen by the sword. All who had spread terror in the land of the living went down uncircumcised to the earth below. They bear their shame with those who go down to the pit.

Ezekiel 32:30-32 NIV

...[30] “All the princes of the north and all the Sidonians are there; they went down with the slain in disgrace despite the terror caused by their power. They lie uncircumcised with those killed by the sword and bear their shame with those who go down to the pit. [31] “Pharaoh---he and all his army---will see them and he will be consoled for all his hordes that were killed by the sword, declares the Sovereign Lord. [32] Although I had him spread terror in the land of the living, Pharaoh and all his hordes will be laid among the uncircumcised, with those killed by the sword, declares the Sovereign Lord.”

Daniel 12:2 NIV

[2] Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.

** All things are possible with God, for He can “dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish”

Ezekiel reasoned that just as a strong tree like Assyria fell (609BC) so can Egypt fall (568BC)  <M130>

Ezekiel 17:22-24 NIV

[22] “ 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. [23] On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches. [24] All the trees of the forest will know that I the Lord bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. “ 'I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it. ' ”

Ezekiel 31:3,8-9 NIV

[3] Consider Assyria, once a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches overshadowing the forest; it towered on high, its top above the thick foliage. [8] The cedars in the garden of God could not rival it, nor could the junipers equal its boughs, nor could the plane trees compare with its branches---no tree in the garden of God could match its beauty. [9] I made it beautiful with abundant branches, the envy of all the trees of Eden in the garden of God.

Ezekiel 31:10-12 NIV

[10] “ 'Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because the great cedar towered over the thick foliage, and because it was proud of its height, [11] I gave it into the hands of the ruler of the nations, for him to deal with according to its wickedness. I cast it aside, [12] and the most ruthless of foreign nations cut it down and left it. Its boughs fell on the mountains and in all the valleys; its branches lay broken in all the ravines of the land. All the nations of the earth came out from under its shade and left it.

** The time appointed for the punishment of the wicked may seem to come slowly, but it will surely come  <H83>

Ezekiel 24:14 NIV

[14] “ 'I the Lord have spoken. The time has come for me to act. I will not hold back; I will not have pity, nor will I relent. You will be judged according to your conduct and your actions, declares the Sovereign Lord. ' ”

Zephaniah 1:14-18 NIV

[14] The great day of the Lord is near---near and coming quickly. The cry on the day of the Lord is bitter; the Mighty Warrior shouts his battle cry. [15] That day will be a day of wrath---a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness--- [16] a day of trumpet and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the corner towers. [17] “I will bring such distress on all people that they will grope about like those who are blind, because they have sinned against the Lord. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their entrails like dung. [18] Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the Lord's wrath.” In the fire of his jealousy the whole earth will be consumed, for he will make a sudden end of all who live on the earth.

** The parable of the pot on the fire represented Jerusalem besieged by Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians

The Jews tried to separate from their transgressions but it was too late for them — as scum separates to the top of the boiling pot yet remains in the pot and even after it is discarded over a rock; the Israelites would be reminded of their transgressions

Ezekiel 24:6-8 NIV

[6] “ 'For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “ 'Woe to the city of bloodshed, to the pot now encrusted, whose deposit will not go away! Take the meat out piece by piece in whatever order it comes. [7] “ 'For the blood she shed is in her midst: She poured it on the bare rock; she did not pour it on the ground, where the dust would cover it. [8] To stir up wrath and take revenge I put her blood on the bare rock, so that it would not be covered.

** God detailed how the Israelites had taken advantage of others, accepting bribes and unjust gain; God will deal with them on their Judgment Day and put an end to their vile practices

Ezekiel 22:12-15 NIV

[12] In you are people who accept bribes to shed blood; you take interest and make a profit from the poor. You extort unjust gain from your neighbors. And you have forgotten me, declares the Sovereign Lord. [13] “ 'I will surely strike my hands together at the unjust gain you have made and at the blood you have shed in your midst. [14] Will your courage endure or your hands be strong in the day I deal with you? I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it. [15] I will disperse you among the nations and scatter you through the countries; and I will put an end to your uncleanness.

Ezekiel 22:29 NIV

[29] The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the foreigner, denying them justice.

** People have opportunity to understand why calamity is upon them, for they will be reminded of their guilt

Ezekiel 21:7 NIV

[7] And when they ask you, 'Why are you groaning? ' you shall say, 'Because of the news that is coming. Every heart will melt with fear and every hand go limp; every spirit will become faint and every leg will be wet with urine.' It is coming! It will surely take place, declares the Sovereign Lord.”

Ezekiel 21:24 NIV

[24] “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: 'Because you people have brought to mind your guilt by your open rebellion, revealing your sins in all that you do---because you have done this, you will be taken captive.

** God got Israel’s attention; He woke them to recognize their sin and its consequences

Ezekiel 21:14-15 NIV

[14] “So then, son of man, prophesy and strike your hands together. Let the sword strike twice, even three times. It is a sword for slaughter---a sword for great slaughter, closing in on them from every side. [15] So that hearts may melt with fear and the fallen be many, I have stationed the sword for slaughter at all their gates. Look! It is forged to strike like lightning, it is grasped for slaughter.

** God knows that most Israelites and unbelieving Gentiles will need to go through the Tribulation to come to a point of repentance

Ezekiel 20:39,42-43 NIV

[39] “ 'As for you, people of Israel, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Go and serve your idols, every one of you! But afterward you will surely listen to me and no longer profane my holy name with your gifts and idols. [42] Then you will know that I am the Lord, when I bring you into the land of Israel, the land I had sworn with uplifted hand to give to your ancestors. [43] There you will remember your conduct and all the actions by which you have defiled yourselves, and you will loathe yourselves for all the evil you have done.

** God used a shepherd figure to illustrate how He will inspect those who pass under His rod, separating sheep from the goats

At this time, God will bring them into the bond of the New Covenant by giving them His Spirit with life; this is Israel’s final salvation  <M130>

Ezekiel 20:37-38 NIV

[37] I will take note of you as you pass under my rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant. [38] I will purge you of those who revolt and rebel against me. Although I will bring them out of the land where they are living, yet they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord.

Ezekiel 36:24-26 NIV

[24] “ 'For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. [25] I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. [26] I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

Ezekiel 39:29 NIV

[29] I will no longer hide my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit on the people of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord. ”

Romans 11:26-32 NIV

[26] and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: “The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. [27] And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” [28] As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, [29] for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable. [30] Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, [31] so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God's mercy to you. [32] For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.

** People who abide by God’s law are deemed as righteous and will live, regardless of the positive or negative actions of their forefathers; no one will perish for the sin of another

All souls are in the hands of the Great Creator who will deal with them in justice or mercy; we all have sinned and our fate falls into the hands of our Creator based on our response to Him <B20>

Ezekiel 18:18-20 NIV

[18] But his father will die for his own sin, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother and did what was wrong among his people. [19] “Yet you ask, 'Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?' Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live. [20] The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.

** The Israelites suffered consequences for their disobedience

Ezekiel 20:22-26 NIV

[22] But I withheld my hand, and for the sake of my name I did what would keep it from being profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out. [23] Also with uplifted hand I swore to them in the wilderness that I would disperse them among the nations and scatter them through the countries, [24] because they had not obeyed my laws but had rejected my decrees and desecrated my Sabbaths, and their eyes lusted after their parents' idols. [25] So I gave them other statutes that were not good and laws through which they could not live; [26] I defiled them through their gifts---the sacrifice of every firstborn---that I might fill them with horror so they would know that I am the Lord. '

God ultimately took pity on the rebellious Israelites and did not completely destroy them; He gave them opportunity to repent and change their ways

Ezekiel 20:17 NIV

[17] Yet I looked on them with pity and did not destroy them or put an end to them in the wilderness.

Ezekiel 20:22 NIV

[22] But I withheld my hand, and for the sake of my name I did what would keep it from being profaned in the eyes of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out.

What is my attitude toward those who rebel against God today? Do I pray they would change their ways before ultimate judgment is administered on them or do I inwardly want to see them suffer for their arrogance, as David admitted in Psalm 139 but then asked God to correct his heart in that regard?

Psalm 139:19-24 NIV

[19] If only you, God, would slay the wicked! Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty! [20] They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. [21] Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord, and abhor those who are in rebellion against you? [22] I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies. [23] Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. [24] See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

** We learn about God from what He conveyed to Moses

• God showed Moses His goodness

• God’s compassion and love must be seen  against the background of His obligation to punish sin

• The One who does not leave the guilty unpunished is, first of all, the God who displays overwhelming compassion and grace

• Sin affects not just the sinner but their descendants

• Patterns (such as abuse) established by parents is often repeated in the children

• In this way, the sins of the fathers do bring punishment on their children, for the children tend to commit the same sins  <R1795>

Exodus 34:5-7 NIV

[5] Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the Lord. [6] And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, [7] maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”

** God takes pledges and oaths with His children seriously; negative consequences await when they are broken

Ezekiel 17:18 NIV

[18] He despised the oath by breaking the covenant. Because he had given his hand in pledge and yet did all these things, he shall not escape.

Ezekiel 17:19-21 NIV

[19] “ 'Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: As surely as I live, I will repay him for despising my oath and breaking my covenant. [20] I will spread my net for him, and he will be caught in my snare. I will bring him to Babylon and execute judgment on him there because he was unfaithful to me. [21] All his choice troops will fall by the sword, and the survivors will be scattered to the winds. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken.

** God does nothing without just cause

Ezekiel 14:23 NIV

[23] You will be consoled when you see their conduct and their actions, for you will know that I have done nothing in it without cause, declares the Sovereign Lord. ”

** If a person continues to reject God, then God will remove Himself from them and remove other believers from them

Ezekiel 14:7-8 NIV

[7] “ 'When any of the Israelites or any foreigner residing in Israel separate themselves from me and set up idols in their hearts and put a wicked stumbling block before their faces and then go to a prophet to inquire of me, I the Lord will answer them myself. [8] I will set my face against them and make them an example and a byword. I will remove them from my people. Then you will know that I am the Lord.

** God will destroy false prophets along with their message, thus proving their false message of peace was not from Him

Ezekiel 13:13-16 NIV

[13] “ 'Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: In my wrath I will unleash a violent wind, and in my anger hailstones and torrents of rain will fall with destructive fury. [14] I will tear down the wall you have covered with whitewash and will level it to the ground so that its foundation will be laid bare. When it falls, you will be destroyed in it; and you will know that I am the Lord. [15] So I will pour out my wrath against the wall and against those who covered it with whitewash. I will say to you, “The wall is gone and so are those who whitewashed it, [16] those prophets of Israel who prophesied to Jerusalem and saw visions of peace for her when there was no peace, declares the Sovereign Lord. ” '

** “When we are right with God, we look forward to the Day of the Lord; when we are not right with God, we dread the Day of the Lord”  <H87>

Let’s examine ourselves to make sure we are right with God; repentance is a cleansing of the heart we are to continually perform so we can be ready for the Day of the Lord  

Joel 2:12-13 NIV

[12] “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” [13] Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.

** Ezekiel compares the princes in the kingdom of Judah to a lioness who were cruel and oppressive to their own subjects; the righteousness of God is acknowledged when those who have terrified and enslaved others are themselves terrified and enslaved  <H83>

Ezekiel 19:2-3 NIV

[2] and say: “ 'What a lioness was your mother among the lions! She lay down among them and reared her cubs. [3] She brought up one of her cubs, and he became a strong lion. He learned to tear the prey and he became a man-eater.

Ezekiel 19:8-9 NIV

[8] Then the nations came against him, those from regions round about. They spread their net for him, and he was trapped in their pit. [9] With hooks they pulled him into a cage and brought him to the king of Babylon. They put him in prison, so his roar was heard no longer on the mountains of Israel.

** It does not take a rifle-bullet to destroy a life. Men have died from little scratch-wounds.

Some shepherds once saw an eagle soar out from a crag. It flew majestically far up into the sky, but by and by became unsteady in its motions, and began to waver in its flight. At length one wing drooped and then the other, and the poor bird struggled vainly for a moment, and then fell swiftly to the ground.

The shepherds sought the fallen bird, and found that a poisonous little serpent had fastened itself upon it while it rested on the crag. The eagle did not know that the serpent was there. But the reptile gnawed in through the feathers, and while the proud monarch was sweeping through the air, the serpent's fangs were thrust into its flesh, and the eagle came reeling down into the dust!

This illustrates the story of many a human life. For a time they seem quite promising; then suddenly they struggle and fall. Some secret sin has long been eating its way to the heart, and at last the proud life lies soiled and dishonored in the dust!

We need to be ever on our watch against these treacherous and insidious perils — these little, secret sins, which, unperceived, work death in the soul!  <M136>

Numbers 32:23 NIV

[23] “But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the Lord; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.

Psalm 90:8 NIV

[8] You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.

** Ezekiel was devastated, thinking the Lord was going to annihilate the entire remnant of Israel; God revealed that people will suffer what they brought on themselves through sin

Ezekiel 9:8-10 NIV

[8] While they were killing and I was left alone, I fell facedown, crying out, “Alas, Sovereign Lord! Are you going to destroy the entire remnant of Israel in this outpouring of your wrath on Jerusalem? ” [9] He answered me, “The sin of the people of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great; the land is full of bloodshed and the city is full of injustice. They say, 'The Lord has forsaken the land; the Lord does not see.' [10] So I will not look on them with pity or spare them, but I will bring down on their own heads what they have done. ”

** God detests when His people pay homage to other gods; it is not a trivial matter but requires the discipline of God

Ezekiel 8:16-17 NIV

[16] He then brought me into the inner court of the house of the Lord, and there at the entrance to the temple, between the portico and the altar, were about twenty-five men. With their backs toward the temple of the Lord and their faces toward the east, they were bowing down to the sun in the east. [17] He said to me, “Have you seen this, son of man? Is it a trivial matter for the people of Judah to do the detestable things they are doing here? Must they also fill the land with violence and continually arouse my anger? Look at them putting the branch to their nose!

Ezekiel 8:18 NIV

[18] Therefore I will deal with them in anger; I will not look on them with pity or spare them. Although they shout in my ears, I will not listen to them.”

** Christians get used to God who is forgiving and loving and patient — but there is a ‘red line’ and ‘point of no return’ if they continue in their obstinance — and some of the hardest words to read is that God “will not look on you with pity”

Ezekiel 7:9 NIV

[9] I will not look on you with pity; I will not spare you. I will repay you for your conduct and for the detestable practices among you. “ 'Then you will know that it is I the Lord who strikes you.

** Trouble will be especially difficult for the impenitent, for they harden their hearts and stir up evil; but there are those who will change their ways as a result of these troubles, recognizing God’s offer of salvation and desiring sanctification — and we too will be judged by our response

Ezekiel 7:10-11 NIV

[10] “ 'See, the day! See, it comes! Doom has burst forth, the rod has budded, arrogance has blossomed! [11] Violence has arisen, a rod to punish the wicked. None of the people will be left, none of that crowd---none of their wealth, nothing of value.

Ezekiel 7:16,18 NIV

[16] The fugitives who escape will flee to the mountains. Like doves of the valleys, they will all moan, each for their own sins. [18] They will put on sackcloth and be clothed with terror. Every face will be covered with shame, and every head will be shaved.

Ezekiel 7:27 NIV

[27] The king will mourn, the prince will be clothed with despair, and the hands of the people of the land will tremble. I will deal with them according to their conduct, and by their own standards I will judge them. “ 'Then they will know that I am the Lord. ' ”

** It grieves God when His children turn their attention away from Him, lusting after idols

Ezekiel 6:9b NIV

[9] …How I have been grieved by their adulterous hearts, which have turned away from me, and by their eyes, which have lusted after their idols. They will loathe themselves for the evil they have done and for all their detestable practices.

** It is just for God to make that a desolation, which we make an idol; the day is at hand when God will destroy the idols from professed Christian churches as they were from among the Jews  <H83>

Ezekiel 6:11,13-14 NIV

[11] “ 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Strike your hands together and stamp your feet and cry out “Alas!” because of all the wicked and detestable practices of the people of Israel, for they will fall by the sword, famine and plague. [13] And they will know that I am the Lord, when their people lie slain among their idols around their altars, on every high hill and on all the mountaintops, under every spreading tree and every leafy oak---places where they offered fragrant incense to all their idols. [14] And I will stretch out my hand against them and make the land a desolate waste from the desert to Diblah---wherever they live. Then they will know that I am the Lord. ' ”

** God notices sin and destroys any effort man makes toward it, turning what was once desirable by man into something detestable

Ezekiel 7:20 NIV

[20] They took pride in their beautiful jewelry and used it to make their detestable idols. They made it into vile images; therefore I will make it a thing unclean for them.

** The only sin God cannot forgive is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (rejecting Him) because He is the ONLY way to be saved; all other sin God can forgive when the sinner is repentant  <S188>

Mark 3:29 NIV

[29] but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”

** Remember the two types of God’s wrath man can and will experience:

1. Consequential - where we reap what we sow; states saving the lives of the unborn, for instance, will reap blessings from God while others suffer the curses of God

2. Cataclysmic - where God’s wrath upon nations and the world in totality will occur to fulfill His plan; a country’s national position on Israel, for instance, will experience God’s wrath

** Jesus came to earth to save us from 'something' and He didn’t sacrifice His life on the cross to make our lives easier or help us get through our daily difficulties

• God’s help is a by-product of having a committed relationship with Him, not the reason for the relationship

Luke 18:18 NIV

[18] A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

John 3:16 NIV

[16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

• No, Christ came to save us from eternal judgment

• Jesus warned the Pharisees about Hell, so we also need to heed His warning and not just put our focus on what we prefer to hear, such as Heaven  <S188>

Matthew 23:15 NIV

[15] “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.

** God allows man and Satan’s wrath to unfold on His people when the stage is being set for the Tribulation, but God will spare believers from His end times wrath; therefore the Rapture of the church must happen before the horrific Tribulation  <M131>

1 Thessalonians 4:16 NIV

[16] For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 NIV

[9] For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Revelation 3:10 NIV

[10] Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

Philippians 3:20 NIV

[20] But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 15:52 NIV

[52] in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed

** Skeptics and the act of their skepticism is not a new endeavor. Noah dealt with it in his day. Lot dealt with it in his day. Just think back to Christ’s birth and how the Wise Men showed up in Herod’s court asking, “Where is He who is born King of the Jews?” A surprised King Herod turned to his own ‘wise men’ or experts of his day to ask them about this, and they responded by misquoting the prophet Micah. In fact, they downplay the passage to diminish the significance of this event so as to make it more politically palatable for their king (Micah 5:2 with Matt 2:5-6).

Why did they do this? Why didn’t these Pharisees walk the five or so miles with the Parthian Wise Men to Bethlehem to investigate the matter for themselves? Why did they quit believing in the promise of the coming Messiah?  UNBELIEF.

They quit believing and thus their skepticism resulted in pride. This is why they would not stoop themselves to go with these foreign wise men to investigate the matter for themselves. Nevertheless, religious zealotry and human pride aside, the root cause for skepticism is often the passage of time between the giving of a prophecy, and the fulfillment of it. Time often has a funny way of whittling away our beliefs, our joy, and our hope. While time is not, in and of itself, evil, how Satan manipulates our understanding of it, is.

Satan knows his time is coming to an end, and he is attempting to demoralize and confuse the body of Christ in the present, so we cannot effectively bring the Gospel to a lost and dying world. He does this by a dizzying array of strategies and tactics, but the two mentioned in this brief-skepticism (hardening of hearts) and overwhelming the system, has proven to be very successful.

Jesus stated that the days before His return would be like the days of Noah and Lot (Luke 17:26-30). Each of those generations mocked God and mocked the coming judgment, and they paid dearly for it. The question we have to ask ourselves is, is our generation any different? If we look around the world today, do we see people openly mocking Christ and Christians? Are we seeing the complete censoring of Christian thought in the marketplace of ideas? Are we seeing the rising persecution of Christians around the world?  YES.

However, we are not to lose heart. The fact that we are seeing this major prophetic sign, should be good news to the watching believer. We are seeing this day approaching (Heb 10:25). We are seeing the season just as we would see the changes in the weather (1 Thess 5:1-4). Jesus stated that when all these things (mocking and skepticism included) begin to occur, we are to look up and lift up our heads, because our redemption draws near (Luke 21:28).

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking every day is like the day before. None of us know what tomorrow holds, and we should spend whatever time we have remaining, not only occupying until He comes but eagerly longing for His return. Jesus is the only One who can fix this world’s problems. He is the only One who can vanquish evil. He is the only One who can fix us. Let us not be ensnared by the trappings of this world, because that will only serve to dash and thrash our hopes and energies and cause us to become distracted. Let us, however, be fixed on Christ and the world He will bring, thy kingdom come.  <G70>

2 Peter 3:3-7 NIV

[3] Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. [4] They will say, “Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” [5] But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. [6] By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. [7] By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

Psalm 44:13,15-16,22 NIV

[13] You have made us a reproach to our neighbors, the scorn and derision of those around us. [15] I live in disgrace all day long, and my face is covered with shame [16] at the taunts of those who reproach and revile me, because of the enemy, who is bent on revenge. [22] Yet for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.

** The audacity of mortal men, who are weaker than angels, proclaiming themselves either greater than God (by denying He exists), or greater than God’s servants (of whom, they beat, kill, and imprison for sharing the Good News). Think about the wrath they are storing up for themselves. Think about the demonic forces (who are more powerful than we) and how they tremble at the thought of God’s wrath. This should be cause for great concern for those denying the coming of our Lord and the truth about where we are on God’s prophetic timeline.  <G70>

Ephesians 5:5-6 NIV

[5] For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person---such a person is an idolater---has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. [6] Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient.

John 3:36 NIV

[36] Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them.

** Jeremiah reminds the reader why his people are suffering — because “we have sinned”

Lamentations 5:15-16 NIV

[15] Joy is gone from our hearts; our dancing has turned to mourning. [16] The crown has fallen from our head. Woe to us, for we have sinned!

** There are 4 types of God’s wrath:

1. Direct wrath - what God did to Sodom & Gomorrah

2. Eschatological wrath - in the Day of our Lord in the end times

3. Eternal wrath - some will face in Hell

4. Abandonment wrath - when God turns people over to their sin  <H89>

Romans 1:18-20 NIV

[18] The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, [19] since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. [20] For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities---his eternal power and divine nature---have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

Colossians 3:5-6 NIV

[5] Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. [6] Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.

** The fall of Jerusalem should teach us that a nation is a moral whole, capable of doing evil and receiving retribution, not a mere aggregation of individuals  <C38>

** God willingly destroyed His creation because Israel continued in evil

Lamentations 2:6 NIV

[6] He has laid waste his dwelling like a garden; he has destroyed his place of meeting. The Lord has made Zion forget her appointed festivals and her Sabbaths; in his fierce anger he has spurned both king and priest.

Lamentations 2:8-9 NIV

[8] The Lord determined to tear down the wall around Daughter Zion. He stretched out a measuring line and did not withhold his hand from destroying. He made ramparts and walls lament; together they wasted away. [9] Her gates have sunk into the ground; their bars he has broken and destroyed. Her king and her princes are exiled among the nations, the law is no more, and her prophets no longer find visions from the Lord.

** Those who choose to live in sin are cast from God’s presence

Jeremiah 52:2-3a NIV

[2] [Zedekiah] did evil in the eyes of the Lord, just as Jehoiakim had done. [3] It was because of the Lord's anger that all this happened to Jerusalem and Judah, and in the end he thrust them from his presence.

** God provided specific instructions how the Israelites were to behave and what they were to do when entering the Promised Land; consequences were outlined if they didn’t obey, including eviction from the land and scattering them among the nations

Deuteronomy 28:58,64 NIV

[58] If you do not carefully follow all the words of this law, which are written in this book, and do not revere this glorious and awesome name---the Lord your God--- [64] Then the Lord will scatter you among all nations, from one end of the earth to the other. There you will worship other gods---gods of wood and stone, which neither you nor your ancestors have known.

After Solomon’s death, the land of Israel was divided in two: Israel (north) and Judah (south)

• Israel was ejected by the Assyrians 722 BC

• Judah was ejected by the Babylonians 586 BC and destroyed Jerusalem at that time

The Jews were allowed to come back to their land 70 years later, and they still refused to repent, so God allowed the

• Destruction of Israel by Romans in 70 AD; the Jews were scattered across the globe to every nation and were persecuted wherever they went, as prophesied  <J103>

Deuteronomy 28:65-66 NIV

[65] Among those nations you will find no repose, no resting place for the sole of your foot. There the Lord will give you an anxious mind, eyes weary with longing, and a despairing heart. [66] You will live in constant suspense, filled with dread both night and day, never sure of your life.

** The author of Lamentations understands God bringing grief because of Jerusalem’s many sins

Lamentations 1:5 NIV

[5] Her foes have become her masters; her enemies are at ease. The Lord has brought her grief because of her many sins. Her children have gone into exile, captive before the foe.

Lamentations 1:8 NIV

[8] Jerusalem has sinned greatly and so has become unclean. All who honored her despise her, for they have all seen her naked; she herself groans and turns away.

** God will repay evil in full

Jeremiah 51:56 NIV

[56] A destroyer will come against Babylon; her warriors will be captured, and their bows will be broken. For the Lord is a God of retribution; he will repay in full.

** Babylon laid siege on Jerusalem for 2 years and eventually broke through the wall; Zedekiah’s flight was in vain because there is no escaping the judgment of God for the sinner  <H83>

Jeremiah 52:4-9 NIV

[4] So in the ninth year of Zedekiah's reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his whole army. They encamped outside the city and built siege works all around it. [5] The city was kept under siege until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah. [6] By the ninth day of the fourth month the famine in the city had become so severe that there was no food for the people to eat. [7] Then the city wall was broken through, and the whole army fled. They left the city at night through the gate between the two walls near the king's garden, though the Babylonians were surrounding the city. They fled toward the Arabah, [8] but the Babylonian army pursued King Zedekiah and overtook him in the plains of Jericho. All his soldiers were separated from him and scattered, [9] and he was captured. He was taken to the king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he pronounced sentence on him.

** God continues to discipline His people “in due measure” and “not let [us] go entirely unpunished”, ensuring that we reap the consequences of what we sow

Jeremiah 46:27-28 NIV

[27] “Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant; do not be dismayed, Israel. I will surely save you out of a distant place, your descendants from the land of their exile. Jacob will again have peace and security, and no one will make him afraid. [28] Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant, for I am with you,” declares the Lord. “Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only in due measure; I will not let you go entirely unpunished.”

** How seriously do we regard sin? To what extent are we trying to eradicate sin from our lives? Do we realize its consequences?

Hebrews 12:4 NIV

In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

Hebrews 12:16-17 NIV

See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. [17] Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.

** Sin tarnishes the beauty of the most exalted powers and the most excellent gifts; beholding the consequences of sin in the church of old, let us seriously consider to what the same causes may justly bring down the church now — may God come to us, bless us with awakening, converting, renewing, confirming grace  <H83>

Lamentations 4:12-13,16 NIV

[12] The kings of the earth did not believe, nor did any of the peoples of the world, that enemies and foes could enter the gates of Jerusalem. [13] But it happened because of the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests, who shed within her the blood of the righteous. [16] The Lord himself has scattered them; he no longer watches over them. The priests are shown no honor, the elders no favor.

2 Corinthians 4:4-7 NIV

[4] The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. [5] For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. [6] For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ. [7] But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

** The Lord instigates war between nations to accomplish His will

Jeremiah 49:14 NIV

[14] I have heard a message from the Lord; an envoy was sent to the nations to say, “Assemble yourselves to attack it! Rise up for battle!”

** The destruction of Babylon will eventually motivate the Jews to seek God after having been lost and punished by their enemies

Jeremiah 50:4-5 NIV

[4] “In those days, at that time,” declares the Lord, “the people of Israel and the people of Judah together will go in tears to seek the Lord their God. [5] They will ask the way to Zion and turn their faces toward it. They will come and bind themselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant that will not be forgotten.

Jeremiah 50:6-7 NIV

[6] “My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray and caused them to roam on the mountains. They wandered over mountain and hill and forgot their own resting place. [7] Whoever found them devoured them; their enemies said, 'We are not guilty, for they sinned against the Lord, their verdant pasture, the Lord, the hope of their ancestors.'

Jeremiah 50:17 NIV

[17] “Israel is a scattered flock that lions have chased away. The first to devour them was the king of Assyria; the last to crush their bones was Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.”

** God has not fulfilled the prophecy of punishing Babylon which involves many nations (vs 2); that will happen in the last days when God destroys the Whore of Babylon in one hour

Jeremiah 50:17-18 NIV

[17] “Israel is a scattered flock that lions have chased away. The first to devour them was the king of Assyria; the last to crush their bones was Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.” [18] Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “I will punish the king of Babylon and his land as I punished the king of Assyria.

Revelation 18:9-11,18-20 NIV

[9] “When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. [10] Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry: “ 'Woe! Woe to you, great city, you mighty city of Babylon! In one hour your doom has come!' [11] “The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore--- [18] When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, 'Was there ever a city like this great city ?' [19] They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: “ 'Woe! Woe to you, great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin!' [20] “Rejoice over her, you heavens! Rejoice, you people of God! Rejoice, apostles and prophets! For God has judged her with the judgment she imposed on you.”

** God has not dealt with Babylon like He did with Sodom & Gomorrah in the literal sense; Jer 51:7 description of Babylon is similar to description in Rev 17-18  <H87>

Jeremiah 50:39-40 NIV

[39] “So desert creatures and hyenas will live there, and there the owl will dwell. It will never again be inhabited or lived in from generation to generation. [40] As I overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah along with their neighboring towns,” declares the Lord, “so no one will live there; no people will dwell in it.

Jeremiah 51:5-8 NIV

[5] For Israel and Judah have not been forsaken by their God, the Lord Almighty, though their land is full of guilt before the Holy One of Israel. [6] “Flee from Babylon! Run for your lives! Do not be destroyed because of her sins. It is time for the Lord's vengeance; he will repay her what she deserves. [7] Babylon was a gold cup in the Lord's hand; she made the whole earth drunk. The nations drank her wine; therefore they have now gone mad. [8] Babylon will suddenly fall and be broken. Wail over her! Get balm for her pain; perhaps she can be healed.

** As no heart can sufficiently conceive, so no tongue can adequately express the state of wretchedness and ruin into which sin has cast guilty, miserable man.

In separating him from God, sin has severed him from the only source and fountain of all happiness and all holiness. Sin has ruined him, body and soul:

• it has filled the body with sickness and disease

• it has defaced and destroyed the image of God in which man was created

• shattered all of man's mental faculties

• broken his judgment

• polluted his imagination, and

• alienated his affections

In summary, sin has made man love evil and hate God!  <P165>

Jeremiah 44:4 NIV

[4] Again and again I sent my servants the prophets, who said, 'Do not do this detestable thing that I hate!'

** God has a ‘red line’ or ‘boiling point’ that invokes His wrath when His people continue in unabated sin; punishment ensues because people need to be reminded of God’s sovereignty!

Jeremiah 44:22-23 NIV

[22] When the Lord could no longer endure your wicked actions and the detestable things you did, your land became a curse and a desolate waste without inhabitants, as it is today. [23] Because you have burned incense and have sinned against the Lord and have not obeyed him or followed his law or his decrees or his stipulations, this disaster has come upon you, as you now see.”

Jeremiah 44:27-28 NIV

[27] For I am watching over them for harm, not for good; the Jews in Egypt will perish by sword and famine until they are all destroyed. [28] Those who escape the sword and return to the land of Judah from Egypt will be very few. Then the whole remnant of Judah who came to live in Egypt will know whose word will stand---mine or theirs.

** The wounds God inflicts on His enemies cannot be healed by medicines, anymore than armies can protect themselves when God is against them

Jeremiah 46:4-5 NIV

[4] Harness the horses, mount the steeds! Take your positions with helmets on! Polish your spears, put on your armor! [5] What do I see? They are terrified, they are retreating, their warriors are defeated. They flee in haste without looking back, and there is terror on every side,” declares the Lord.

Jeremiah 46:9-10 NIV

[9] Charge, you horses! Drive furiously, you charioteers! March on, you warriors---men of Cush and Put who carry shields, men of Lydia who draw the bow. [10] But that day belongs to the Lord, the Lord Almighty---a day of vengeance , for vengeance on his foes. The sword will devour till it is satisfied, till it has quenched its thirst with blood. For the Lord, the Lord Almighty, will offer sacrifice in the land of the north by the River Euphrates.

Jeremiah 46:11,15 NIV

[11] “Go up to Gilead and get balm, Virgin Daughter Egypt. But you try many medicines in vain; there is no healing for you. [15] Why will your warriors be laid low? They cannot stand, for the Lord will push them down.

** The lesson of the Biblical account in Jeremiah chapter 44 is clear: we are to recognize for ourselves and warn others of the seriousness of sin, and how we are to daily repent of the sin in our lives and look to God to help lead us away from it; if you love God, do not sin, because it not only provokes God but destroys your soul  <H83>

Jeremiah 44:10-11 NIV

[10] To this day they have not humbled themselves or shown reverence, nor have they followed my law and the decrees I set before you and your ancestors. [11] “Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I am determined to bring disaster on you and to destroy all Judah.

** The Lord punished King Jehoiakim for refusing to heed God’s warning, just as God will punish anyone today who chooses to ignore His word

Jeremiah 36:29-31 NIV

[29] Also tell Jehoiakim king of Judah, 'This is what the Lord says: You burned that scroll and said, “Why did you write on it that the king of Babylon would certainly come and destroy this land and wipe from it both man and beast?” [30] Therefore this is what the Lord says about Jehoiakim king of Judah: He will have no one to sit on the throne of David; his body will be thrown out and exposed to the heat by day and the frost by night. [31] I will punish him and his children and his attendants for their wickedness; I will bring on them and those living in Jerusalem and the people of Judah every disaster I pronounced against them, because they have not listened. ' ”

** Even though they initially inquired through prayer, the remnant Jews really didn’t want to follow God’s counsel because His answer was not what they desired; they were again warned of God’s wrath if they went against His guidance

Jeremiah 42:19-22 NIV

[19] “Remnant of Judah, the Lord has told you, 'Do not go to Egypt.' Be sure of this: I warn you today [20] that you made a fatal mistake when you sent me to the Lord your God and said, 'Pray to the Lord our God for us; tell us everything he says and we will do it.' [21] I have told you today, but you still have not obeyed the Lord your God in all he sent me to tell you. [22] So now, be sure of this: You will die by the sword, famine and plague in the place where you want to go to settle.”

** Here the Psalmist prays to be kept from committing presumptuous sins. He knows the danger there is in such sins, and so pleads to be held back from them--that is, from willful, conscious, high-handed sins.

Mark the teaching, too, that these presumptuous sins spring out of the minute hidden faults. From hidden, obscure, undiscovered faults--come presumptuous sins.

• A slight moral weakness — grows into an evil tendency

• and the evil tendency indulged — develops into a loathsome vice

• and the loathsome vice — ripens into a presumptuous sin!

We need to guard against carelessness concerning 'little sins'. The hidden fault lurking in the nature, may grow into a presumptuous sin!

• Sow a thought — and you will reap an act;

• sow an act — and you will reap a habit;

• sow a habit — and you will reap a character;

• sow a character — and you will reap a destiny!

There are some people who are always courting danger. Sin seems to have a fascination for them. One of the petitions of the Lord's Prayer is, "Lead us not into temptation."

To expose ourselves needlessly to temptation, is presumption, yet there are many who do this. They play with fire, and wonder why they are burned! They dally with 'little sins', and end in shameful degradation at the last! They pay the penalty in moral and spiritual ruin. <M136>

Psalm 19:12-13 NIV

[12] But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. [13] Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.

** God opposes the arrogant

Jeremiah 50:31-32 NIV

[31] “See, I am against you, you arrogant one,” declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty, “for your day has come, the time for you to be punished. [32] The arrogant one will stumble and fall and no one will help her up; I will kindle a fire in her towns that will consume all who are around her.”

** Since the Israelites did not follow His command to free the Hebrew slaves, God ‘set them free’ to fall by the sword and die at the hand of their enemies

Jeremiah 34:17-18 NIV

[17] “Therefore this is what the Lord says: You have not obeyed me; you have not proclaimed freedom to your own people. So I now proclaim 'freedom' for you, declares the Lord---'freedom' to fall by the sword, plague and famine. I will make you abhorrent to all the kingdoms of the earth. [18] Those who have violated my covenant and have not fulfilled the terms of the covenant they made before me, I will treat like the calf they cut in two and then walked between its pieces.

** God still determines the rise and fall of nations; some are simply given over to uneducated and debased thinking

Job 12:23 NIV

[23] He makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations, and disperses them.

** God’s response to Hananiah’s false prophecy was to place Israel and other nations in bondage of Babylon — the very nation Hananiah said would be defeated — and to terminate Hananiah’s life

Jeremiah 28:12-14 NIV

[12] After the prophet Hananiah had broken the yoke off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: [13] “Go and tell Hananiah, 'This is what the Lord says: You have broken a wooden yoke, but in its place you will get a yoke of iron. [14] This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I will put an iron yoke on the necks of all these nations to make them serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and they will serve him. I will even give him control over the wild animals. ' ”

Jeremiah 28:15-17 NIV

[15] Then the prophet Jeremiah said to Hananiah the prophet, “Listen, Hananiah! The Lord has not sent you, yet you have persuaded this nation to trust in lies. [16] Therefore this is what the Lord says: 'I am about to remove you from the face of the earth. This very year you are going to die, because you have preached rebellion against the Lord.' ” [17] In the seventh month of that same year, Hananiah the prophet died.

** God’s response to false prophets and reminder for witnesses

Jeremiah 29:21-23 NIV

[21] This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says about Ahab son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, who are prophesying lies to you in my name: “I will deliver them into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will put them to death before your very eyes. [22] Because of them, all the exiles from Judah who are in Babylon will use this curse: 'May the Lord treat you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon burned in the fire.' [23] For they have done outrageous things in Israel; they have committed adultery with their neighbors' wives, and in my name they have uttered lies---which I did not authorize. I know it and am a witness to it,” declares the Lord.

Jeremiah 29:31-32 NIV

[31] “Send this message to all the exiles: 'This is what the Lord says about Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you, even though I did not send him, and has persuaded you to trust in lies, [32] this is what the Lord says: I will surely punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his descendants. He will have no one left among this people, nor will he see the good things I will do for my people, declares the Lord, because he has preached rebellion against me.' ”

** The message is clear to the kings: follow God to have a successful reign or deny God to your ruin

Jeremiah 22:4-5 NIV

[4] For if you are careful to carry out these commands, then kings who sit on David's throne will come through the gates of this palace, riding in chariots and on horses, accompanied by their officials and their people. [5] But if you do not obey these commands, declares the Lord, I swear by myself that this palace will become a ruin.' ”

Jeremiah 22:6-9 NIV

[6] For this is what the Lord says about the palace of the king of Judah: “Though you are like Gilead to me, like the summit of Lebanon, I will surely make you like a wasteland, like towns not inhabited. [7] I will send destroyers against you, each man with his weapons, and they will cut up your fine cedar beams and throw them into the fire. [8] “People from many nations will pass by this city and will ask one another, 'Why has the Lord done such a thing to this great city?' [9] And the answer will be: 'Because they have forsaken the covenant of the Lord their God and have worshiped and served other gods. ' ”

** Ruin comes to everyone who denies God, even kings who are seen as successful in the eyes of the world!  

Jeremiah 22:29-30 NIV

[29] O land, land, land, hear the word of the Lord! [30] This is what the Lord says: “Record this man as if childless, a man who will not prosper in his lifetime, for none of his offspring will prosper, none will sit on the throne of David or rule anymore in Judah.”

** God will bring down the proud and sinful; they will have no secure place to live

Jeremiah 49:16 NIV

[16] The terror you inspire and the pride of your heart have deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks, who occupy the heights of the hill. Though you build your nest as high as the eagle's, from there I will bring you down,” declares the Lord.

Jeremiah 49:18 NIV

[18] As Sodom and Gomorrah were overthrown, along with their neighboring towns,” says the Lord, “so no one will live there; no people will dwell in it.

Jeremiah 49:31 NIV

[31] “Arise and attack a nation at ease, which lives in confidence,” declares the Lord, “a nation that has neither gates nor bars; its people live far from danger.

** We cannot hide from God, any more than the Israelites could avoid His watchful eye

Jeremiah 16:17 NIV

[17] My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes.

** God is clear why He was punishing His people: the Israelites forsook God by following their evil hearts and not obeying His law

Jeremiah 16:10-13 NIV

[10] “When you tell these people all this and they ask you, 'Why has the Lord decreed such a great disaster against us? What wrong have we done? What sin have we committed against the Lord our God?' [11] then say to them, 'It is because your ancestors forsook me,' declares the Lord, 'and followed other gods and served and worshiped them. They forsook me and did not keep my law. [12] But you have behaved more wickedly than your ancestors. See how all of you are following the stubbornness of your evil hearts instead of obeying me. [13] So I will throw you out of this land into a land neither you nor your ancestors have known, and there you will serve other gods day and night, for I will show you no favor.'

Jeremiah 17:27 NIV

[27] But if you do not obey me to keep the Sabbath day holy by not carrying any load as you come through the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle an unquenchable fire in the gates of Jerusalem that will consume her fortresses.' ”

** There is a price to pay for listening to the messages of false prophets

Jeremiah 27:14-15 NIV

[14] Do not listen to the words of the prophets who say to you, 'You will not serve the king of Babylon,' for they are prophesying lies to you. [15] 'I have not sent them,' declares the Lord. 'They are prophesying lies in my name. Therefore, I will banish you and you will perish, both you and the prophets who prophesy to you.' ”

** God, in response to Jeremiah’s beating, sent Pashhur into exile losing everything

Jeremiah 20:5-6 NIV

[5] I will deliver all the wealth of this city into the hands of their enemies---all its products, all its valuables and all the treasures of the kings of Judah. They will take it away as plunder and carry it off to Babylon. [6] And you, Pashhur, and all who live in your house will go into exile to Babylon. There you will die and be buried, you and all your friends to whom you have prophesied lies.' ”

Jeremiah 21:1-7 NIV

[1] The word came to Jeremiah from the Lord when King Zedekiah sent to him Pashhur son of Malkijah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah. They said: [2] “Inquire now of the Lord for us because Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is attacking us. Perhaps the Lord will perform wonders for us as in times past so that he will withdraw from us.” [3] But Jeremiah answered them, “Tell Zedekiah, [4] 'This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I am about to turn against you the weapons of war that are in your hands, which you are using to fight the king of Babylon and the Babylonians who are outside the wall besieging you. And I will gather them inside this city. [5] I myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and a mighty arm in furious anger and in great wrath. [6] I will strike down those who live in this city---both man and beast---and they will die of a terrible plague. [7] After that, declares the Lord, I will give Zedekiah king of Judah, his officials and the people in this city who survive the plague, sword and famine, into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and to their enemies who want to kill them. He will put them to the sword; he will show them no mercy or pity or compassion.'

** The Lord warns His people over and over and over again of impending doom because of their chosen sin; detestable sin that did not even enter the Lord’s mind

Jeremiah 19:3-6 NIV

[3] and say, 'Hear the word of the Lord, you kings of Judah and people of Jerusalem. This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Listen! I am going to bring a disaster on this place that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle. [4] For they have forsaken me and made this a place of foreign gods ; they have burned incense in it to gods that neither they nor their ancestors nor the kings of Judah ever knew, and they have filled this place with the blood of the innocent. [5] They have built the high places of Baal to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal---something I did not command or mention, nor did it enter my mind. [6] So beware, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when people will no longer call this place Topheth or the Valley of Ben Hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter.

** The Lord uses pottery to demonstrate what He will do to the nation of Israel because of their disobedience and enmity toward God

Jeremiah 19:1,10-11 NIV

[1] This is what the Lord says: “Go and buy a clay jar from a potter. Take along some of the elders of the people and of the priests [10] “Then break the jar while those who go with you are watching, [11] and say to them, 'This is what the Lord Almighty says: I will smash this nation and this city just as this potter's jar is smashed and cannot be repaired. They will bury the dead in Topheth until there is no more room.

Jeremiah 19:15 NIV

[15] “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: 'Listen! I am going to bring on this city and all the villages around it every disaster I pronounced against them, because they were stiff-necked and would not listen to my words.' ”

** God relayed a prophecy that Nebuchadnezzar would destroy the Egyptians; God made one wicked nation a scourge on another  <H83>

Jeremiah 43:8-10 NIV

[8] In Tahpanhes the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: [9] “While the Jews are watching, take some large stones with you and bury them in clay in the brick pavement at the entrance to Pharaoh's palace in Tahpanhes. [10] Then say to them, 'This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I will send for my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and I will set his throne over these stones I have buried here; he will spread his royal canopy above them.

** The devastation God unleashed on unrepentant people at the time of Jeremiah and will unleash in the future, is all-encompassing and complete

Jeremiah 15:8-9 NIV

[8] I will make their widows more numerous than the sand of the sea. At midday I will bring a destroyer against the mothers of their young men; suddenly I will bring down on them anguish and terror. [9] The mother of seven will grow faint and breathe her last. Her sun will set while it is still day; she will be disgraced and humiliated. I will put the survivors to the sword before their enemies,” declares the Lord.

** God can change His mind regarding a nation’s status depending on their level of obedience

Jeremiah 18:7-10 NIV

[7] If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, [8] and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. [9] And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, [10] and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it.

** The Israelites were in tears, but it was rather a cry of their troubles and sin than a prayer; the prophet Jeremiah prayed for them because they realized they would rather lose their creature-comforts than experience the departure of God  <H83>

Jeremiah 14:1-3 NIV

[1] This is the word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought: [2] “Judah mourns, her cities languish; they wail for the land, and a cry goes up from Jerusalem. [3] The nobles send their servants for water; they go to the cisterns but find no water. They return with their jars unfilled; dismayed and despairing, they cover their heads.

Jeremiah 14:7-8 NIV

[7] Although our sins testify against us, do something, Lord, for the sake of your name. For we have often rebelled; we have sinned against you. [8] You who are the hope of Israel, its Savior in times of distress, why are you like a stranger in the land, like a traveler who stays only a night?

** The Lord will punish, without distinction, all the ungodly and unrighteous Jews and Gentiles; they can avoid this vengeance from God by quitting their idolatries and superstitious practices like the Gentile nations  <C34>

Jeremiah 10:10-11 NIV

[10] But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God, the eternal King. When he is angry, the earth trembles; the nations cannot endure his wrath. [11] “Tell them this: 'These gods, who did not make the heavens and the earth, will perish from the earth and from under the heavens.' ”

** The house of Israel was told it was uncircumcised in the heart at the level with the heathen, and now the Israelites would be reprimanded for the same sin  <C32>

 Jeremiah 10:1-2 KJV

[1] Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: [2] Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

** The Jerusalem Principle applies when a nation reaches a point of no return and the Lord determines that its destruction will not be postponed. This happened to the city of Jerusalem and the Southern Kingdom of Judah about 2700 years ago during the time of the Hebrew prophet Jeremiah. Three times Jeremiah was told to stop praying for the people of Judah.

Jeremiah 7:16 NIV

[16] “So do not pray for this people nor offer any plea or petition for them; do not plead with me, for I will not listen to you.

Jeremiah 11:14 NIV

[14] “Do not pray for this people or offer any plea or petition for them, because I will not listen when they call to me in the time of their distress.

Jeremiah 14:11-12 NIV

[11] Then the Lord said to me, “Do not pray for the well-being of this people. [12] Although they fast, I will not listen to their cry; though they offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Instead, I will destroy them with the sword, famine and plague.”

After Jeremiah received his instructions to quit praying for the people of Judah, he forewarned them of their impending judgment. The people were captured and transported into Babylonian captivity where they remained for seventy years. Their homeland sat desolated during that period.  <S198>

** The Jews worshipped the wife of Baal or Molech that involved prostitution <M130>; they did this to their own detriment

Jeremiah 7:16-19 NIV

[16] “So do not pray for this people nor offer any plea or petition for them; do not plead with me, for I will not listen to you. [17] Do you not see what they are doing in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? [18] The children gather wood, the fathers light the fire, and the women knead the dough and make cakes to offer to the Queen of Heaven. They pour out drink offerings to other gods to arouse my anger. [19] But am I the one they are provoking? declares the Lord. Are they not rather harming themselves, to their own shame?

** The reason God punished His people, and continues to do so, is clear: people turned their heart from God to evil

Jeremiah 4:18,22 NIV

[18] “Your own conduct and actions have brought this on you. This is your punishment. How bitter it is! How it pierces to the heart!” [22] “My people are fools; they do not know me. They are senseless children; they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil; they know not how to do good.”

** God sees nations that are oppressive and violent and will punish them accordingly

Jeremiah 6:6-7 NIV

[6] This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Cut down the trees and build siege ramps against Jerusalem. This city must be punished; it is filled with oppression. [7] As a well pours out its water, so she pours out her wickedness. Violence and destruction resound in her; her sickness and wounds are ever before me.

** God is clear how He feels about extra-marital relations; this sin deserves His punishment

Jeremiah 5:7-9 NIV

[7] “Why should I forgive you? Your children have forsaken me and sworn by gods that are not gods. I supplied all their needs, yet they committed adultery and thronged to the houses of prostitutes. [8] They are well-fed, lusty stallions, each neighing for another man's wife. [9] Should I not punish them for this?” declares the Lord. “Should I not avenge myself on such a nation as this?

** God’s people had hardened their hearts so much that God’s discipline did not have an effect on them

Jeremiah 5:3-5 NIV

[3] Lord, do not your eyes look for truth? You struck them, but they felt no pain; you crushed them, but they refused correction. They made their faces harder than stone and refused to repent. [4] I thought, “These are only the poor; they are foolish, for they do not know the way of the Lord, the requirements of their God. [5] So I will go to the leaders and speak to them; surely they know the way of the Lord, the requirements of their God.” But with one accord they too had broken off the yoke and torn off the bonds.

** When we hang out with the wrong people at the wrong place, then it is only a matter of time until we do the wrong thing  <L120>

Conformity to worldly morality has three stages

1. Walking - in the counsel of the wicked
2. Standing - in the way of sinners is acting as wicked as they do
3. Sitting - in the seat of mockers is adopting their hardened immoral attitudes  <R1795>

Psalm 1:1-2 NIV

[1] Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, [2] but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.

** Do we understand the seriousness of sin and how it hurts God when we abandon Him?  Can we hear the pain in God’s voice when He questions Israel regarding her sin?

Jeremiah 2:31-32 NIV

[31] “You of this generation, consider the word of the Lord: “Have I been a desert to Israel or a land of great darkness? Why do my people say, 'We are free to roam; we will come to you no more'? [32] Does a young woman forget her jewelry, a bride her wedding ornaments? Yet my people have forgotten me, days without number.

** God’s response to Israel rejecting Him was to bring charges against her

Jeremiah 2:9 NIV

[9] “Therefore I bring charges against you again,” declares the Lord. “And I will bring charges against your children's children.

Jeremiah 2:11,13 NIV

[11] Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But my people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols. [13] “My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.

** God specifically mentions those who participate with false/evil spirits and ignore God’s calling; they are destined for the sword

Isaiah 65:11-12 NIV

[11] “But as for you who forsake the Lord and forget my holy mountain, who spread a table for Fortune and fill bowls of mixed wine for Destiny, [12] I will destine you for the sword, and all of you will fall in the slaughter; for I called but you did not answer, I spoke but you did not listen. You did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.”

** God emphasized to the Israelites how His children were to stay away from everything impure because He is holy and did not want to find anything indecent  

Deuteronomy 23:9,12-13 NIV

[9] When you are encamped against your enemies, keep away from everything impure. [12] Designate a place outside the camp where you can go to relieve yourself. [13] As part of your equipment have something to dig with, and when you relieve yourself, dig a hole and cover up your excrement.

Deuteronomy 23:14 NIV

[14] For the Lord your God moves about in your camp to protect you and to deliver your enemies to you. Your camp must be holy, so that he will not see among you anything indecent and turn away from you.

** God’s mercy was offered to Israel, but Israel rejected it; their rebellion, idolatry and pride must continue to cause their punishment  <S192>

Isaiah 65:2-7 NIV

[2] All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations--- [3] a people who continually provoke me to my very face, offering sacrifices in gardens and burning incense on altars of brick; [4] who sit among the graves and spend their nights keeping secret vigil; who eat the flesh of pigs, and whose pots hold broth of impure meat; [5] who say, 'Keep away; don't come near me, for I am too sacred for you!' Such people are smoke in my nostrils, a fire that keeps burning all day. [6] “See, it stands written before me: I will not keep silent but will pay back in full; I will pay it back into their laps--- [7] both your sins and the sins of your ancestors,” says the Lord. “Because they burned sacrifices on the mountains and defied me on the hills, I will measure into their laps the full payment for their former deeds.”

** When we align with Christ we are expected to suffer at the hands of those who do not believe — all for our ultimate good to become more Christlike, the will of God and God’s glory

• Our faith is tested by our suffering while God turns our anxious prayers into comfort

• Maintain a joy-filled perspective in all circumstances and look beyond the temporary suffering to the positive result that ultimately awaits

1 Peter 4:1-2 NIV

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. [2] As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.

1 Peter 4:3-5 NIV

For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do---living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. [4] They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. [5] But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

Romans 8:18 NIV

[18] I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

** Sin separates us from God and He hides His face when we sin; we dare not ask God for anything when arrogantly continuing to live in sin

Isaiah 59:2-3,7 NIV

[2] But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. [3] For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken falsely, and your tongue mutters wicked things. [7] Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. They pursue evil schemes; acts of violence mark their ways.

** We now see God as Father instead of Husband; only when we consider God from various relations with us can we measure the depth of our sin or motives we have for returning to Him  <B20>

Jeremiah 3:19 NIV

[19] “I myself said, “ 'How gladly would I treat you like my children and give you a pleasant land, the most beautiful inheritance of any nation.' I thought you would call me 'Father' and not turn away from following me.

** When people turn their backs on God, then rebellion, treachery, revolt, and lies abound while those who follow God become their prey; truth and justice is nowhere to be found

Isaiah 59:12-15 NIV

[12] For our offenses are many in your sight, and our sins testify against us. Our offenses are ever with us, and we acknowledge our iniquities: [13] rebellion and treachery against the Lord, turning our backs on our God, inciting revolt and oppression, uttering lies our hearts have conceived. [14] So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter. [15] Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey. The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice.

** Though God chastised Israel for a time He will, in the end, show them compassion; the nation  refusing to believe in Him will be perish

Isaiah 60:10-12 NIV

[10] “Foreigners will rebuild your walls, and their kings will serve you. Though in anger I struck you, in favor I will show you compassion. [11] Your gates will always stand open, they will never be shut, day or night, so that people may bring you the wealth of the nations---their kings led in triumphal procession. [12] For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly ruined.

Isaiah 60:18 NIV

[18] No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise.

Isaiah 60:14 NIV

[14] The children of your oppressors will come bowing before you; all who despise you will bow down at your feet and will call you the City of the Lord, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

** Spiritual conviction reaches to all sins:

• to sins of heart as well as sins of life;

• to the sin of our nature as well as the sins of practice;

• to the sin which is born in us as well as the sin which is done by us.

Where the Spirit of the Lord comes to work effectually in any soul — He holds the looking-glass of God’s Word before the sinner's eyes, and then opens [the sinner’s] eyes to look into the looking-glass, to see all that deformity and filthiness which is in his heart and nature!

How blind was Paul to his sinfulness, until the Spirit of the Lord revealed it to him by the Word! The Spirit alone, can make the sinner see all the deformity and filthiness which is within! It is He alone, who pulls off all the sinner's rags, and makes him see his naked and wretched condition! It is He alone, who shows us:

• the blindness of the mind,

• the stubbornness of the will,

• the disorderedness of the affections,

• the searedness of the conscience,

• the plague of our hearts,

• the sin of our natures,

• the desperateness of our state!

The convictions of the Spirit are like a deep wound which goes to the vital organs and seems to endanger the life of the patient and is only healed by the great skill of the heavenly Physician. And when it is healed, there are the tokens of it remaining in the soul which can never be worn out!

Spiritual conviction is an essential part of sound conversion. True conversion begins in convictions — and true convictions end in conversion. Until the sinner is convinced of sin, he can never be converted from sin.

• Christ's coming was as a Savior to die for sinners.

• The Spirit's coming is to convince us of sin, that we may close with Christ as our Savior.

• So long as sin is unseen, Christ will be unsought.

"Those who are whole need not the physician, but those who are sick."

Slight convictions, when they are but skin-deep, are the cause of much hypocrisy. Slight convictions have filled the church with hypocrites! Nay, this is not only the spring of hypocrisy but it is also the spring of apostasy!

What was the cause that the seed was said to wither away? It was because it had no depth of soil. Just so, where convictions of sin are slight, there the seed of the Word withers for lack of depth! But where there is thorough conviction, there is a depth of soil in the heart and there the seed of the Word grows!  <M133>

John 16:8 NIV

[8] When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment

** Where the Holy Spirit is, there will always be deep conviction of sin and true repentance for it. It is His special office to convict of sin.

• Holy Spirit shows the exceeding holiness of God

• He teaches the exceeding corruption and infirmity of our nature

• He strips us of our blind self-righteousness

• He opens our eyes to our awful guilt, folly and danger

• He fills the heart with sorrow, contrition, and abhorrence for sin — as the abominable thing which God hates

He who knows nothing of all this, and saunters carelessly through life, thoughtless about sin, and indifferent and unconcerned about his soul is a dead man before God! He has not the Holy Spirit.

The presence of the Holy Spirit in a man's heart can only be known by the fruits and effects He produces. Mysterious and invisible to mortal eye as His operations are, they always lead to certain visible and tangible results.

Just as you know there is life in a tree by its sap, buds, leaves and fruits — so you may know the Spirit to be in a man's heart by the influence He exercises over his thoughts, affections, opinions, habits, and life. I lay this down broadly and unhesitatingly; I see it clearly marked out in our Lord Jesus Christ's words in Luke 6.  <R170>

John 16:8 NIV

[8] When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment

Luke 6:43-45 NIV

[43] “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. [44] Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. [45] A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

** How justly will God, the righteous Judge, repay the imprecations into the bosoms of these blasphemers!

They sin in sport--but God hears in earnest, and will punish in zeal. They call on God profanely in their words; and God hears, and will answer them in wrath!

They swear, and forget--but God has sworn that He will remember. That which they think adds vigor to their words--shall indeed add anguish to their grief, and fierceness to their torments!  <M134>

Exodus 20:7 NIV

[7] “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

Revelation 16:17 NIV

[17] The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, “It is done!”

** On account of her persistent backsliding, God had "sent away” Israel, Judah's sister, and had given her a certificate of divorce. But He had not repudiated Judah, and her children were wrong to suppose themselves altogether cast off.

They had, in fact, by their transgressions (especially their idolatries) wilfully divorced themselves or separated themselves from God; but no sentence had gone forth from him to bar reconciliation and return.  The separation, such as it was, between God and his people was caused by their sins and not by any act of His.  <B20>

Isaiah 50:1 NIV

[1] This is what the Lord says: “Where is your mother's certificate of divorce with which I sent her away? Or to which of my creditors did I sell you? Because of your sins you were sold; because of your transgressions your mother was sent away.

Isaiah 3:8 NIV

[8] Jerusalem staggers, Judah is falling; their words and deeds are against the Lord, defying his glorious presence.

Isaiah 49:14 NIV

[14] But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.”

** God deeply loves His people even though anger drove Him away for a brief moment; God’s promises remain secure with a foundation of unfailing love toward His children — everything material will fall apart around us but His covenant remains secure  <B20>

Isaiah 54:7-8 NIV

[7] “For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back. [8] In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord your Redeemer.

Isaiah 54:9-10 NIV

[9] “To me this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth. So now I have sworn not to be angry with you, never to rebuke you again. [10] Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Matthew 24:35 NIV

[35] Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Isaiah 51:6 NIV

[6] Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail.

Isaiah 55:3,7,12 NIV

[3] Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. [7] Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. [12] You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

Isaiah 59:21 NIV

[21] “As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants---from this time on and forever,” says the Lord.

Isaiah 61:8 NIV

[8] “For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them.

Isaiah 63:7 NIV

[7] I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us---yes, the many good things he has done for Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses.

Ezekiel 16:42 NIV

[42] Then my wrath against you will subside and my jealous anger will turn away from you; I will be calm and no longer angry.

** Woe to those who call themselves followers of God but do not live by His truth or in justice

Isaiah 48:1-2,9 NIV

[1] “Listen to this, you descendants of Jacob,

 you who are called by the name of Israel and come from the line of Judah, you who take oaths in the name of the Lord and invoke the God of Israel---but not in truth or righteousness--- [2] you who call yourselves citizens of the holy city and claim to rely on the God of Israel---the Lord Almighty is his name: [9] For my own name's sake I delay my wrath; for the sake of my praise I hold it back from you, so as not to destroy you completely.

** God declares what is truth and right, often through prophecy; our world (including the church) increasingly abandons this truth and suffers the consequences

Isaiah 45:19 NIV

[19] I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob's descendants, 'Seek me in vain.' I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right.

** God continues to cause general calamity as a judgment against sin

• This is different from God’s discipline with His children (believers) but God’s response to sin in our fallen world

• There is NOTHING that happens outside of God’s eternal decree including the use of evil/disaster to accomplish His will  <P162>

Isaiah 45:6-7 NIV

[6] so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting people may know there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is no other. [7] I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things.

Amos 3:6-7 NIV

[6] When a trumpet sounds in a city, do not the people tremble? When disaster comes to a city, has not the Lord caused it? [7] Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.

Isaiah 46:9-10 NIV

[9] Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. [10] I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.'

Job 2:9-10 NIV

[9] His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” [10] He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

** God’s idea of justice centers around righteousness; the world’s practice of corrupt justice (centered on lies) will be exposed in contrast

Isaiah 28:17-19 NIV

[17] I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line; hail will sweep away your refuge, the lie, and water will overflow your hiding place. [18] Your covenant with death will be annulled; your agreement with the realm of the dead will not stand. When the overwhelming scourge sweeps by, you will be beaten down by it. [19] As often as it comes it will carry you away; morning after morning, by day and by night, it will sweep through.” The understanding of this message will bring sheer terror.

Isaiah 5:5 NIV

[5] Now I will tell you what I am going to do to my vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it will be destroyed; I will break down its wall, and it will be trampled.

** The Bible clearly states that, as the end times draw closer, things will go from bad to worse. In fact, things will get so bad that Christ Himself has to return to make things right. Humans can’t do it, no matter how well-intentioned.

My hope is not in D.C.

My hope is in Christ.

As should yours be.

My freedoms may dwindle.

However, my freedom is in Christ.

Let’s get our priorities realigned and realize political alliances are not with the Democrats or the Republicans. We are Monarchists with an allegiance to Christ the King. He will come back and fix all this; do not plant roots in this life for our home is a heavenly one. Our reality is an eternal reality.

Therefore, don’t let this world ruin your thinking or your attitude. Don’t worry that the world is increasingly shutting us out of the public arena. Jesus tells us that even though we have little strength, the door will remain open (Rev. 3:8-10). Satan knows he can’t steal our salvation, but he loves to crush our hope and spirit. He loves to cause us to be depressed, angry, or anxious. Don’t let him. Ephesians 6 gives us the tools to fight the fiery darts of the enemy. The days may turn sour in the here and now, but just remember we have far better days ahead.  <G70> (Feb 2021)

Philippians 3:17-21 NIV

[17] Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. [18] For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. [19] Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. [20] But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, [21] who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV

[16] Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. [17] For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. [18] So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

** God’s warning encompasses the widest possible audience, including all of creation and mankind

Isaiah 34:1-2 NIV

[1] Come near, you nations, and listen; pay attention, you peoples! Let the earth hear, and all that is in it, the world, and all that comes out of it! [2] The Lord is angry with all nations; his wrath is on all their armies. He will totally destroy them, he will give them over to slaughter.

** The parable of the farmer underlined the lessons of judgment; as the farmer does different tasks, each in the right season and proportion, so God adopts His measures to His purposes — now mercy, then judgment, punishing sooner than later  <M130>

God’s purpose was not to destroy His people, any more than the farmer’s object in his threshing and plowing is to destroy his crop

Isaiah 28:23-26,29 NIV

[23] Listen and hear my voice; pay attention and hear what I say. [24] When a farmer plows for planting, does he plow continually? Does he keep on breaking up and working the soil? [25] When he has leveled the surface, does he not sow caraway and scatter cumin? Does he not plant wheat in its place, barley in its plot, and spelt in its field? [26] His God instructs him and teaches him the right way. [29] All this also comes from the Lord Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent.

** The Lord completely controls the fate of nations, humbling the proud and crushing those who arrogantly take pride in their sin  

Isaiah 23:11-13 NIV

[11] The Lord has stretched out his hand over the sea and made its kingdoms tremble. He has given an order concerning Phoenicia that her fortresses be destroyed. [12] He said, “No more of your reveling, Virgin Daughter Sidon, now crushed! “Up, cross over to Cyprus; even there you will find no rest.” [13] Look at the land of the Babylonians, this people that is now of no account! The Assyrians have made it a place for desert creatures; they raised up their siege towers, they stripped its fortresses bare and turned it into a ruin.

** Isaiah is clear that Damascus will be ruined because they turned their back on God

Isaiah 17:10-11 NIV

[10] You have forgotten God your Savior; you have not remembered the Rock, your fortress. Therefore, though you set out the finest plants and plant imported vines, [11] though on the day you set them out, you make them grow, and on the morning when you plant them, you bring them to bud, yet the harvest will be as nothing in the day of disease and incurable pain.

Isaiah 17:7-8 NIV

[7] In that day people will look to their Maker and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel. [8] They will not look to the altars, the work of their hands, and they will have no regard for the Asherah poles and the incense altars their fingers have made.

** The unrepentant Israelites displayed a marked lack of vision with the oblivion that awaited them, and the prophet Isaiah sarcastically asked the Israelites “what troubles you now?”; instead of them repenting, they partied

Isaiah 22:11-13 NIV

[11] You built a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the Old Pool, but you did not look to the One who made it, or have regard for the One who planned it long ago. [12] The Lord, the Lord Almighty, called you on that day to weep and to wail, to tear out your hair and put on sackcloth. [13] But see, there is joy and revelry, slaughtering of cattle and killing of sheep, eating of meat and drinking of wine! “Let us eat and drink,” you say, “for tomorrow we die!”

Isaiah 22:1-2a NIV

[1] A prophecy against the Valley of Vision: What troubles you now, that you have all gone up on the roofs, [2] you town so full of commotion, you city of tumult and revelry?

1 Corinthians 15:30-32 NIV

[30] And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? [31] I face death every day---yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. [32] If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”

** The Lord promised to punish Israel and dash their prideful boasting of military might and position

Isaiah 22:17-19 NIV

[17] “Beware, the Lord is about to take firm hold of you and hurl you away, you mighty man. [18] He will roll you up tightly like a ball and throw you into a large country. There you will die and there the chariots you were so proud of will become a disgrace to your master's house. [19] I will depose you from your office, and you will be ousted from your position.

** SIN is the origin of death. "By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men, for all have sinned."

Sin locks earth's offspring in its foul embrace, and so consigns them to the arms of death.

Sin changed fair Eden into a wilderness of thorns, and blackened angels into fiends of Hell!

Never give truce to such a foe. Cry for the Spirit's help to drive it from each corner of your heart.

Unless you slay it, it will be your ruin.

Nail it to the Savior's cross!

It will fight hard, and struggle long; but cease not the encounter. Take courage. Play the man. The believer can do all things through Christ who strengthens him. Grace will expand, while, thus abhorring sin, you steel your heart in earnest opposition.  <L121>

** God will have the soul truly sensible of the bitterness of sin, before it shall taste the sweetness of mercy. The plough of conviction must go deep, and make deep furrows in the heart, before God will sow the precious seed of grace there so that it may have depth of earth to grow in.

This is the unchangeable method of God in bestowing grace — to begin with conviction of sin.

• First to show man his sin then his Savior;

• first his danger then his Redeemer;

• first his wound then his cure;

• first his own vileness then Christ's righteousness.

The sinner must see the worthlessness and vileness of his own righteousness, before he can be saved by Christ's righteousness. The Israelites are first stung with the fiery serpents and then the brazen serpent is set up to heal them.

We must see the leprosy of our righteousness and be brought to cry out, "Unclean, unclean!" We must mourn for Him whom we have pierced and then He sets open for us "a fountain to cleanse us from all sin and impurity." Zechariah 12:10, 13:1.

Be convinced of the evil of sin — the filthy and heinous nature of it.  Sin is the greatest evil in the world:

• it wrongs God;

• it wounds Christ;

• it grieves the Holy Spirit;

• it damns a precious soul.

All other evils cannot be compared with this. Though to DO sin is the worst work, yet to SEE sin is the best sight! Sin discovered in its vileness makes Christ to be desired in His fullness!

Alas! it is Christ's infinite righteousness which must atone for our sins — for it is an infinite God whom we have sinned against!

• If ever your sin is pardoned — it is Christ's infinite mercy which must pardon it!

• If ever you are reconciled to God — it is Christ's infinite merit which must do it!

• If ever your heart is changed — it is Christ's infinite power which must effect it!

• If ever your soul escapes Hell and is saved at last — it is Christ's infinite grace which must save it!  <M133>

Luke 5:32 NIV

[32] I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Luke 19:10 NIV

[10] For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Zechariah 12:10 NIV

[10] “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

Zechariah 13:1 NIV

[1] “On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.

** The human family is divided into a great variety of social and artificial distinctions. But, in the sight of God there are but TWO classes, into which the multifarious elements of universal humanity can be resolved. There are only the righteous and the wicked. Concerning one of these classes, God proclaims that it shall be well with them; while to the other He pronounces a solemn woe.

What makes the condition of a wicked man to be so fearful, is the solemn fact that God is AGAINST him! And what makes that of the righteous to be so blessed is that God is FOR him!

All the divine attributes are arrayed against the impenitent sinner but when he becomes a saint, they all join to take his part. Such being the case, having the eternal Jehovah in all his boundless perfections on his side, it cannot be otherwise than well with him.  <M129>

Isaiah 3:10 NIV

[10] Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds.

** God is preparing to justly deal with His enemies via war and He wants us to not only be aware but to prepare

Isaiah 13:2-3 NIV

[2] Raise a banner on a bare hilltop, shout to them; beckon to them to enter the gates of the nobles. [3] I have commanded those I prepared for battle; I have summoned my warriors to carry out my wrath---those who rejoice in my triumph.

Isaiah 13:4-5 NIV

[4] Listen, a noise on the mountains, like that of a great multitude! Listen, an uproar among the kingdoms, like nations massing together! The Lord Almighty is mustering an army for war. [5] They come from faraway lands, from the ends of the heavens---the Lord and the weapons of his wrath---to destroy the whole country.

** God warns those who take advantage of the widows and fatherless through the making of unjust laws, for the day of reckoning is coming to make them pay for their actions  

Isaiah 10:1-2 NIV

[1] Woe to those who make unjust laws,

 to those who issue oppressive decrees, [2] to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless.

Isaiah 10:3-4 NIV

[3] What will you do on the day of reckoning, when disaster comes from afar? To whom will you run for help? Where will you leave your riches? [4] Nothing will remain but to cringe among the captives or fall among the slain. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.

** There are consequences for our actions, including neglecting and taking advantage of the poor; the Lord will punish as needed

Isaiah 3:11 NIV

[11] Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done.

Isaiah 3:14-15 NIV

[14] The Lord enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his people: “It is you who have ruined my vineyard; the plunder from the poor is in your houses. [15] What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding the faces of the poor?” declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty.

Isaiah 3:25 NIV

[25] Your men will fall by the sword, your warriors in battle.

** Foreshadowings: Isaiah 53 describes the coming Messiah and the suffering He would endure in order to pay for our sins. In His sovereignty, God orchestrated every detail of the crucifixion to fulfill every prophecy of this chapter, as well as all other messianic prophecies of the Old Testament. The imagery of chapter 53 is poignant and prophetic and contains a complete picture of the Gospel. Jesus was despised and rejected (v. 3; Luke 13:34; John 1:10-11), stricken by God (v.4; Matthew 27:46), and pierced for our transgressions (v. 5; John 19:34; 1 Peter 2:24). By His suffering, He paid the punishment we deserved and became for us the ultimate and perfect sacrifice (v. 5; Hebrews 10:10). Although He was sinless, God laid on Him our sin, and we became God’s righteousness in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Practical Application: The book of Isaiah presents our Savior to us in undeniable detail. He is the only way to heaven, the only means of obtaining the grace of God, the only Way, the only Truth, and the only Life (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). Knowing the price Christ paid for us, how can we neglect or reject “so great a salvation”? (Hebrews 2:3). We have only a few, short years on earth to come to Christ and embrace the salvation only He offers. There is no second chance after death, and eternity in hell is a very long time.  <G72>

** It has frequently occurred that young converts in the ardor of their first love, and while much unacquainted as yet, with what is called the 'religious world', have looked upon the church as a 'sacred enclosure', within which dwelt a kind of heavenly inhabitants, who could think or speak of little else than the glory which awaited them. In the church these novices expected to find...

• the sweetest and holiest fellowship,

• an almost unearthly spirituality, and

• an uninterrupted strain of pious conversation.

But alas! What a woeful disappointment did the reality produce! In the 'sacred enclosure' they found worldly-minded professors — almost as intent upon seen and temporal things, as those they had left out in the world!

In the 'vestibule of heaven', they beheld professors ...

• covered with the 'earthly dust',

• disordered with worldly concerns,

• and given up to worldly amusements!

In the church members, they saw little but worldly conduct, and heard little else but worldly conversation!  A cold chill fell upon their hearts, which checked the ardor of their pious affections; and even they, lately so fervent, soon sunk and settled down into the lukewarmness of those among whom they had come to dwell.  <J101>

** Punishment awaits those who perpetuate lies and deceit; lies and false accusations are likened to the pain and injury inflicted in battle by arrows and the pain of being burned  <M130>

Psalm 120:3-4 NIV

[3] What will he do to you, and what more besides, you deceitful tongue? [4] He will punish you with a warrior's sharp arrows, with burning coals of the broom bush.

** Our integrity and virtue are the result of the divine upholding. We would fall, and blunder and spoil all if left to ourselves. The Lord should be praised every day, if we are preserved from gross sin. When others sin, they show us what we would do but for preserving grace. <S185>

Psalm 119:117 NIV

[117] Uphold me, and I will be delivered; I will always have regard for your decrees.

Psalm 94:18 NIV

[18] When I said, “My foot is slipping, ” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.

Isaiah 41:10 NIV

[10] So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Psalm 119:154,156 NIV

[154] Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to your promise. [156] Your compassion, Lord, is great; preserve my life according to your laws.

** When we preach the Gospel we must speak of punishment coming for those who do not believe; there is a price to pay for Christians not sharing the full Gospel and there is a price to pay for non-Christians who do not accept God’s salvation

1 Corinthians 9:16 NIV

[16] For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

Romans 1:16 NIV

[16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

** If we complained less and praised more we would be happier, and God would be more glorified.

Let us daily praise God for common mercies. They are common as we frequently call them, and yet so priceless, that when deprived of them--we imagine that we are ready to perish! Let us bless God for:

• Eyes with which we behold the sun

• Health and strength to walk abroad

• Bread we eat

• Clothing we wear

• Public and religious liberty

• Friends and family associations, and

• Countless other comforts and blessings

Let us praise Him, in fact, for everything which we receive from His bounteous hand; for we deserve little, and yet are most plenteously endowed.

But beloved, the sweetest and the loudest note in our songs of praise should be of redeeming love! God's redeeming acts towards His chosen people, are forever the favorite themes of their praise. If we know what redemption means, let us not withhold our sonnets of thanksgiving.

We have been redeemed from the power of our corruptions, and uplifted from the depth of sin in which we were naturally plunged. We have been led to the cross of Christ, and our shackles of guilt have been broken off. We are no longer slaves of sin but children of the living God. We shall shortly be presented before the eternal throne without spot or wrinkle or any such thing!

Awake, awake, O inheritors of eternal glory, and cry out with David, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me — bless His holy name!"  <S185>

Psalm 107:8 NIV

[8] Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind

** Those who practice rebellion suffer consequences, including becoming foolish

Psalm 107:17-18 NIV

[17] Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities. [18] They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death.

** The Word of God states that sexual violators will not inherit the kingdom of God, despite the media and popular culture’s blessing

• Sexual promiscuity has been around since the beginning of time

• Contrary to the opposing arguments, there is no genetic excuse for sinful behavior and people have a choice whether they want to give in to temptation

• God's law is unchangeable opposing this sin

• God will bring about judgment as He did with Sodom and in the days of Noah

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 NIV

[9] Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men [10] nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

THE LAW OF GOD exposes those practicing immorality...

1 Timothy 1:9 NIV

[9] We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers

Deuteronomy 22:5 NIV

[5] A woman must not wear men's clothing, nor a man wear women's clothing, for the Lord your God detests anyone who does this.

Leviticus 18:22-25 NIV

[22] “ 'Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable. [23] “ 'Do not have sexual relations with an animal and defile yourself with it. A woman must not present herself to an animal to have sexual relations with it; that is a perversion. [24] “ 'Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, because this is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you became defiled. [25] Even the land was defiled; so I punished it for its sin, and the land vomited out its inhabitants.

Isaiah 56:3 NIV

[3] Let no foreigner who is bound to the Lord say, “The Lord will surely exclude me from his people.” And let no eunuch complain, “I am only a dry tree.”

Isaiah 3:9 NIV

[9] The look on their faces testifies against them; they parade their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! They have brought disaster upon themselves.

Romans 1:32 NIV

[32] Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

THERE IS HOPE for those caught in sin...

• If Christians are to show love, we must confront them and let them know they are opposing God's design and judgment awaits if they don’t change their behavior

• Violators can become 'former violators' when they repent and start a new life

• Redeemed violators become sanctified (changed, separated) by the Spirit of God

• God's forgiveness and grace allows them to be able to start again!

1 Corinthians 6:11 NIV

[11] And that is what some of you WERE. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Psalm 107:10-13 NIV

[10] Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness, prisoners suffering in iron chains, [11] because they rebelled against God's commands and despised the plans of the Most High. [12] So he subjected them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help. [13] Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.

** God continued to save His people despite their sin and disbelief, for His glory and to make His mighty power known

Psalm 106:6-8 NIV

[6] We have sinned, even as our ancestors did; we have done wrong and acted wickedly. [7] When our ancestors were in Egypt, they gave no thought to your miracles; they did not remember your many kindnesses, and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea. [8] Yet he saved them for his name's sake, to make his mighty power known.

Psalm 106:9-13 NIV

[9] He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up; he led them through the depths as through a desert. [10] He saved them from the hand of the foe; from the hand of the enemy he redeemed them. [11] The waters covered their adversaries; not one of them survived. [12] Then they believed his promises and sang his praise. [13] But they soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his plan to unfold.

** God was ready to consume the Israelites from turning against Him but ultimately held off because Moses stood in the gap and He remembered His covenant with His people

Psalm 106:14-15 NIV

[14] In the desert they gave in to their craving; in the wilderness they put God to the test. [15] So he gave them what they asked for, but sent a wasting disease among them.

Psalm 106:19-23 NIV

[19] At Horeb they made a calf and worshiped an idol cast from metal. [20] They exchanged their glorious God for an image of a bull, which eats grass. [21] They forgot the God who saved them, who had done great things in Egypt, [22] miracles in the land of Ham and awesome deeds by the Red Sea. [23] So he said he would destroy them---had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him to keep his wrath from destroying them.

Psalm 106:43-46 NIV

[43] Many times he delivered them, but they were bent on rebellion and they wasted away in their sin. [44] Yet he took note of their distress when he heard their cry; [45] for their sake he remembered his covenant and out of his great love he relented. [46] He caused all who held them captive to show them mercy.

** Certainly the misery of man was very great, that man should need such redemption as this. Oh. what a breach had sin made between God and us, that the Son of God must come from Heaven to earth to suffer all this.

Mischievous sin has undone us. Sin has robbed everyone of six jewels, every one of which is of more worth than Heaven and earth. Would you know what jewels they are, which sin has robbed us of? I will tell you, and then you will agree that we were in a very miserable case indeed.

1. Sin robs us of the image of God. Was not this a precious jewel? I say, sin robbed us of the image of God, and drew the devil's picture in us.

  Malice is the devil's eye,

  oppression is the devil's hand,

  blasphemy is the devil's tongue,

  hypocrisy is the devil's cloven foot.

2. Sin robs us of our divine sonship, and makes us...

  slaves to the devil,

  slaves to sin,

  slaves to the world,

  slaves to ourselves.

This is another jewel we have lost.

3. Sin robs us of our friendship with God, and makes us...

  enemies to God,

  enemies to Christ,

  enemies to our own souls,

  enemies to all that is holy.

4. Sin robs us of our communion and fellowship with God, and makes us strangers and aliens to God.

5. Sin robs us of our rights and privileges of Heaven and heavenly things, and makes us children of wrath and heirs of Hell.

6. Sin robs us of our honor and glory, and makes us vile and miserable; as you may see in Isaiah 1:6, "There is no soundness in us, but only wounds, and bruises, and putrefying sores."

Now sirs, put all this together, and then see whether or not we are miserable, and whether we needed a Savior to come and deliver us from this misery into which our souls were plunged.  <D42>

Romans 5:6 NIV

[6] You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

** He who mismanages his house will see all he has blown away, and he will have nothing left in the end  <M130>

Proverbs 11:29 NIV

[29] Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise.

** How solemn is the thought, that an invisible Being is ever at our side and watching us, recording with rapid pen each deed and word, every desire that rises, though it is to burst like a soap-bubble, and every thought that passes, though on an eagle's wing.

We cannot shake off the presence of God! When doors are shut, and curtains drawn, and all is still, and darkest night fills our chamber, and we are left alone with our thoughts — it might keep them pure and holy to say, as if we saw two shining eyes looking on us out of the darkness, "You, O God, see me!"

May God help you to feel yourselves at all times in His immediate presence

• How promptly then would every evil thought be banished

• What unholy deeds would be crushed in the desire, nipped in the bud, strangled in the birth

• What crimes would remain uncommitted

• How feeble would the strongest temptations prove

What a purity, nobility, loftiness, holiness, heavenliness would be imparted to your whole bearing and conduct!  <G75>

Proverbs 15:3 NIV

[3] The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

Proverbs 5:21 NIV

[21] For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths.

Jeremiah 16:17 NIV

[17] My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes.

Jeremiah 23:23-24 NIV

[23] “Am I only a God nearby, ” declares the Lord, “and not a God far away? [24] Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord.

** The smallest piece of bread demonstrates how the prostitute reduces the life of a man to insignificance, including the loss of his wealth, freedom, family, purity, dignity, and even his soul  <M130>

Proverbs 6:26-29 NIV

[26] For a prostitute can be had for a loaf of bread, but another man's wife preys on your very life. [27] Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? [28] Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched? [29] So is he who sleeps with another man's wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.

** God has power over the wicked as He has power over His creation

Job 38:12-15 NIV

[12] “Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place, [13] that it might take the earth by the edges and shake the wicked out of it? [14] The earth takes shape like clay under a seal; its features stand out like those of a garment. [15] The wicked are denied their light, and their upraised arm is broken.

** God will triumph over David’s enemies because of His Divine power to crush kings, judge nations and slay the wicked  

Psalm 110:3-7 NIV

[3] Your troops will be willing on your day of battle. Arrayed in holy splendor, your young men will come to you like dew from the morning's womb. [4] The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. ” [5] The Lord is at your right hand ; he will crush kings on the day of his wrath. [6] He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead and crushing the rulers of the whole earth. [7] He will drink from a brook along the way, and so he will lift his head high.

** This is what it looks like when God abandons us to our evil

2 Chronicles 15:3-6 NIV

[3] For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach and without the law. [4] But in their distress they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him, and he was found by them. [5] In those days it was not safe to travel about, for all the inhabitants of the lands were in great turmoil. [6] One nation was being crushed by another and one city by another, because God was troubling them with every kind of distress.

** The godless have no hope because they cannot go to God

Job 27:8-10 NIV

[8] For what hope have the godless when they are cut off, when God takes away their life? [9] Does God listen to their cry when distress comes upon them? [10] Will they find delight in the Almighty? Will they call on God at all times?

** If you should lose but a limb or a child it would not be so much. But, poor man, it is your eternal soul!

If you were to lie in Hell but for a day, but for a year, nay, ten thousand years, it would be nothing — but oh, it is forever! Oh this scathing forever crushes the heart.  <B27>

Matthew 25:41,46 NIV

[41] “Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. [46] “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life. ”

Revelation 14:11 NIV

[11] And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.”

** Who may abide the day of His coming? Who shall stand when He appears?

• Oh, beloved! this is not the day of man's wrath!

• Men have had their day of reigning and raging, and despising God--but that day is over and gone, and now God's day has come!

• This is the day of His wrath and woe to wicked, and woe to the whore of Babylon, for the hour of her judgment has come!

Revelation 6:17 NIV

[17] For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?”

• This will be a day of great ASTONISHMENT to the wicked and ungodly

Deuteronomy 28:28 NIV

[28] The Lord will afflict you with madness, blindness and confusion of mind.

• This will be a day of great TERROR to those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus! Therefore, says the apostle,

2 Corinthians 5:11 NIV

[11] Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.

• This day of God's wrath will be a day of great DISTRESS to the wicked

Proverbs 1:26-27 NIV

[26] I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you--- [27] when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you.

• This day of God's wrath will be a day of great CONTEMPT to the ungodly

Isaiah 23:9 NIV

[9] The Lord Almighty planned it, to bring down her pride in all her splendor and to humble all who are renowned on the earth.

• This day of God's wrath will be a day of great DESTRUCTION  <D42>

Job 21:30 NIV

[30] that the wicked are spared from the day of calamity, that they are delivered from the day of wrath?

** Job knew that God punishes the wicked eventually but he would rather see the wicked suffer now than they suffer later

Job 21:19-21 NIV

[19] It is said, 'God stores up the punishment of the wicked for their children.' Let him repay the wicked, so that they themselves will experience it! [20] Let their own eyes see their destruction; let them drink the cup of the wrath of the Almighty. [21] For what do they care about the families they leave behind when their allotted months come to an end?

** Sin so bewitches the soul, that it makes the soul call...

• evil good, and good evil;

• bitter sweet, and sweet bitter;

• light darkness, and darkness light.

Ah, souls! When you shall lie upon a dying bed, and stand before a judgment-seat--sin shall be unmasked, and its dress and robes shall then be taken off! Then it shall appear more vile, filthy, and terrible than Hell itself!

Then that which formerly appeared...

• most sweet, will appear most bitter,

• most beautiful, will appear most ugly,

• most delightful, will then appear most dreadful to the soul!  <B24>

Jeremiah 2:19 NIV

[19] Your wickedness will punish you; your backsliding will rebuke you. Consider then and realize how evil and bitter it is for you when you forsake the Lord your God and have no awe of me,” declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty.

** Solomon instructed his son to listen to his elders and beware of the greedy — those who want to take advantage of others — for they are ruthless and only end up destroying themselves

• Sadly, Solomon ended up not taking any of his own advice

• As we find out in the book of Ecclesiastes, he paid a heavy price for his folly and sin against God

• We learn that the ONLY thing that matters is to ‘fear God and keep His commandments’

Proverbs 1:8,10,15-16,18-19 NIV

[8] Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. [10] My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them. [15] my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; [16] for their feet rush into evil, they are swift to shed blood. [18] These men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only themselves! [19] Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it.

Proverbs 19:20,27 NIV

[20] Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. [27] Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

Proverbs 20:12 NIV

[12] Ears that hear and eyes that see---the Lord has made them both.

Proverbs 20:20 NIV

[20] If someone curses their father or mother, their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.

Proverbs 20:29 NIV

[29] The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.

Proverbs 22:17-19 NIV

[17] Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, [18] for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. [19] So that your trust may be in the Lord, I teach you today, even you.

Proverbs 22:28 NIV

[28] Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors.

Proverbs 23:10-11 NIV

[10] Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless, [11] for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you.

Proverbs 23:22 NIV

[22] Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.

Proverbs 23:6-8 NIV

[6] Do not eat the food of a begrudging host, do not crave his delicacies; [7] for he is the kind of person who is always thinking about the cost. “Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you. [8] You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments.

Proverbs 30:17 NIV

[17] “The eye that mocks a father, that scorns an aged mother, will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley, will be eaten by the vultures.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 NIV

[13] Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. [14] For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

** In the cross of Christ, God's hatred to sin is manifested in the most striking light — and the evil of sin is exposed in the most dreadful colors! Now it appears, that such is the divine hatred against all sin, that God can by no means forgive sin, without punishment; and that all the infinite benevolence of His nature towards His creatures cannot prevail upon Him to pardon the least sin — without an adequate atonement.

What can more strongly expose the evil of sin than the cross of Christ? Sin is such an intolerably malignant and abominable thing, that even a God of infinite mercy and grace cannot let the least instance of it pass unpunished!

It was not a small thing which could arm God's justice against the Son of His love. Though He was perfectly innocent in Himself, yet when He was made sin for us, God spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up unto death--the shameful, tormenting, and accursed death of the cross!  <D43>