Are We Being Warned May 02, 2020
Are we being warned by God today to change the way we, as a society live and do things with this virus concern. Are we being warned again about impending judgment and is calling the world to repent.
This can be hard thing to understand and discuss in our society today as we will be called by the world, many different and negative things. They want to destroy the family and Christians. Massive Earthquakes, Volcanoes not Erupting Worldwide, Christians are now looking to the rapture.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some people understand slowness, but is being patient with you. He does not want anyone to perish, but wants everyone to repent.
Last I heard, around 40% believe God is important in their lives, 40% do not believe in God and not important in their lives. Other 20%, who knows.
God never pours out His wrath without warning.
Ezekiel 3:17 "Son of Man," he said, "I've appointed you to be a watchman over the house of Israel. Therefore when you hear a message that comes from me, you are to warn them for me.
I really do not know the true answer, but let’s look at some facts we know from the Scriptures are true.
We know God is in control of all things. Nothing is done without God’s approval.
Ezekiel 18:32 For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies," says the Lord GOD. "Therefore turn and live!"
There are 2 main ways God Looks at mankind. God has a law for all individuals in the world, we call it the 10 commandments (Exodus 20: 3-17).
The 2nd is with the body of Jesus, the Church, Jesus gives detail instructions to us with the training of the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:2 thru 7:29. This is why the people were astonished at Jesus teaching.
First, we know Satan is the ruler of this world and can do whatever he wants to, up to a point.
2 Corinthians 4:4 In their case, the god of this world has blinded the minds of those who do not believe to keep them from seeing the light of the glorious gospel of the Messiah, who is the image of God.
Jesus confirm that Satan rules this world, saying to Jesus, all these nations I can give you,
Matthew 4:8-9 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. (9) And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me."
Jesus did not dispute what Satan said, Jesus has authority over Satan and told him to leave. He left. We know Satan has only the authority God has given him.
Satan Allowed to Test Job
Job 1:12 Then the LORD told Satan, "Very well then, everything he {Job} owns is under your control, only you may not extend your hand against him." So Satan left the LORD's presence.
Job 2:6 Then the LORD told Satan, "Very well then, he is under your control. Just preserve his life."
We know Satan can do whatever he wants to the individuals on the earth with God’s permission.
The other group, the Body of Christ, the Church.
We know, God protects the Church from Satan.
Luke 22:31-32 "Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has asked permission to sift all of you like wheat, (32) but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail. When you have come back, you must strengthen your brothers."
Satan cannot touch any believer without God’s permission.
1 Peter 5:8-9 Be clear-minded and alert. Your opponent, the devil, is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. (9) Resist him and be firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.
1 John 5:4-5 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. (5) Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
When we receive the Holy Spirit, we become the sons of God and have the protection. Only by God’s permission can we affected.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (13) No temptation has overtaken you that is unusual for human beings. But God is faithful, and he will not allow you to be tempted beyond your strength. Instead, along with the temptation he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to endure it.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 (3) But the Lord is faithful and will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.
These are just a few verses how God will protect us.
Now What about the individuals in the world. What make God unhappy with the world.
There are prophets from the Scriptures who identify the sins of the people and issue a call for them to repent. If they dismiss the prophets message, and refused to repent, then curses will come upon them, until they repent.
The God gave individuals a choice, Blessings for Obedience and Cursing for Disobedience. Deuteronomy 28:1-14 are the Blessings for Obedience, for all individuals just like the Beatitudes in Matthew are a blessings for the Believers today.
What are the Curses for Disobedience in Deuteronomy 28:15-68. Quite a number.
Let’s look at a few of them.
Pestilence for Disobedience
Deuteronomy 28:21-22 (21) The LORD will cause you to be ill with long-lasting diseases until you are wiped out from the land that you are entering to possess. (22) The LORD will afflict you with tuberculosis, fever, inflammation, high fever, drought, blight, and mildew. These will attack you until you are completely destroyed.
Diseases for Disobedience
Deuteronomy 28:27 "The LORD will afflict you with the boils of Egypt, with tumors, skin disease, and festering rashes, and none of them will be curable.
Deuteronomy 28:35 "The LORD will inflict you with incurable boils on your knees and legs, and from the sole of your foot to the top of your head.
Deuteronomy 28:61 Moreover, the LORD will inflict you with illnesses and plagues that were not written in this Book of the Law, until you are exterminated.
To me, this is scary, read this chapter in relationship of our Nation.
What does God think about child sacrifice.
Leviticus 18:21 "'Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.
They would literally heat a bronze image of Molech red hot, and placed the bodies of children in its arms
2 Kings 21:6 He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced divination, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, arousing {or provoke} his anger.
Hosea 4:1-2 "Hear this message from the LORD, people of Israel. Indeed, the LORD brings a charge against the people who live in the land--for there is no truth and no gracious love or knowledge of God in the land. (2) Swearing, lying, murder, theft, and adultery are rampant, and blood mingles with blood.
This is God’s indictment on the Nation of Israel, could even be said on the United States today.
I think of the statement from Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times and it was the worst of times.”
Order to kill all male babies by the Pharaoh.
Exodus 1:15-16 Later, the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah. (16) "When you help the Hebrew women give birth," he said, "watch them as they deliver. If it's a son, kill him; but if it's a daughter, let her live."
Exodus 1:22 So Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, "Every son who is born you shall cast into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive."
Exodus 4:22-23 You are to say to Pharaoh, 'This is what the LORD says: "Israel is my firstborn son. (23) And I say to you, 'Let my son go so he may serve me.' If you refuse to let him go, then I will kill your firstborn son."'"
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God gave justice to Egypt, all the first born
died on Passover night
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When Pharaoh ordered male babies drowned in the Nile; His male army drowned
in the Red Sea
Remember
Hebrews 10:30-31 For we know the one who said, "Vengeance belongs to me; I will pay them back," and again, "The Lord will judge his people." (31) It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God!
Leviticus 26:21 “And if even then you will not obey me and listen to me, I will send you seven times more plagues because of your sins.
God sent a plague upon Israel because of David’s sin and 70,000 people were killed:
1 Chronicles 21:14 So the LORD sent a plague on Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell dead.
What can we do. This is happening around the world right now.
2 Chronicles 7:13-14 "When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, (14) if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
God is in absolute control of the plagues.
Amos 4:10 "I sent plagues among you as I did with Egypt. I killed your choicest young men with the sword. I took your horses away from you. I filled your noses with the stench of your encampments, but you have not returned to me," declares the LORD.
Herod kills all the male children in Bethlehem area in his attempt to kill Jesus.
Matthew 2:16 Herod flew into a rage when he learned that he had been tricked by the wise men, so he ordered the execution of all the male children in Bethlehem and all its neighboring regions, who were two years old and younger, according to the time that he had determined from the wise men.
Time does run out, very sad verses
2 Chronicles 36:15-16 (15) The LORD God of their ancestors pleaded with them time and again through his messengers, because he had compassion on his people and on the place of his residence, (16) but they mocked God's messengers, despised his words, and scoffed at his prophets, until there was no remedy for the wrath of the LORD that arose to punish his people.
What about abortion clinics. According to abortionist, they committed over 350,000 abortions in one year. Almost 1000 per day, every day. What do they do with the remains, but take parts of the body and sell and/or burn the body with fire.
We know our body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit, so what do we do today, we kill the babies in their “Holy of Holies”: their mother’s womb.
Nothing really changes over the years. This verse comes to mind.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 For there is going to come a time when people won’t listen to the truth but will go around looking for teachers who will tell them just what they want to hear. (4) They will refuse to listen to the truth and will turn to myths.
So, the question is, what have this to do with the worldwide pandemic {184 nations} that is going on, this virus. Are these judgments against various nations on the earth. For example, the wildfires in Australia, the locust invasion in Africa right now, the epidemic of earthquakes along the Pacific "ring of fire," major hurricanes, tornados, wars, famines, religious persecution, false prophets and now the virus problem. {Matthew 24}
Matthew 24:6-7 You are going to hear of wars and rumors of wars. See to it that you are not alarmed. These things must take place, but the end hasn't come yet, (7) because nation will rise up in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
Jeremiah 7:9-10 Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear by false gods, burn incense to Baal, follow other gods that you don't know, (10) and then come to stand before me in this house that is called by my name and say, 'We're delivered' so we can continue to do all these things that are repugnant to God?
Jesus will cut it short before His Body is destroyed.
Matthew 24:21-27 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. (22) And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened. (23) "Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it. (24) For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. (25) See, I have told you beforehand. (26) "Therefore if they say to you, 'Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; or 'Look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it. (27) For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
Matthew 24:22 “In
fact, unless those days are shortened, all mankind will perish. But
they will be shortened
for the sake of God’s chosen people.
Have we been warned in the past, 9-11, and on other virus attacks.
Even God’s people may be touched by this virus. A person who gets a positive test result of the virus, will strike the righteous and unrighteous. The main thing is God is involved in the righteous lives.
But the fact that the virus is a worldwide pandemic shows God is striking the world with His anger and wrath. God wants the world to wake up and to repent and turn to Him.
Those things, like this virus, are warnings to all of us, they are wake-up calls to draw us close to God, and we should take them seriously.
If we have faith and trust in God, let’s not fear become a greater problem than the virus. We need to ask God to give us, His peace. When we have his peace, we have him, as He is our protector.
Finally, this is based on the hope and faith of God’s mercy. My mind goes back to:
2 Chronicles 7:14-15 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves {fasting}, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (15) Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place.
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