There is an American epidemic of overconfidence. “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1Corinthians 10:12 KJV). A study of eight developed countries found that American students were dead last in math skills but number one in confidence in math skills. Atheist Bill Maher wrote, “We are number one in thinking we’re number one” (from “What This Comedian Said Will Shock You”). He continues, “Kids now have too much self-esteem, and it’s turning them into angry, screaming grievance collectors. All of that childhood tolerance is resulting in grown-up tyrants. It’s no wonder that by the time they get to college, just having to listen to an opinion they don’t agree with is considered an act of ‘violence.’” Those with true confidence see themselves and everything else from God’s point of view. LORD, grant to us the confidence that comes with standing with You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Solemn Warning
Reprobation: Who Talks Like That Anymore?
”God is love’ is as deep as the discussion can go for many of the Professed Church. Was it always this way? Listen to Charles G. Finney, a well known American evangelist (1851) address the concept of reprobation, God rejecting some, but not all of humanity:
“Do you ask how I know that the reason why God does not make you willing is, that he sees that it would be unwise in him to do so? I answer, that it is an irresistible inference, from these two facts, that he is infinitely benevolent, and that he does not actually make you willing. I do not believe that God would neglect anything that he saw to be wise and benevolent, in the great matter of man’s salvation. Who can believe that he could give his only-begotten and well-beloved Son to die for sinners, and then neglect any wise and benevolent means for their salvation? No, sinner, if you are a reprobate, it is because God foresaw that you would do just as you are doing; that you would be so wicked as to defeat all the efforts that he could wisely, make for your salvation. What a variety of means he has used with you. At one time he has thrown you into the furnace of affliction; and when this has not softened you, he has turned round and loaded you with favours. He has sent you his word, he has striven by his Spirit, he has allured you by the cross; he has tried to melt you by the groanings of Calvary; and tried to drive you back from the way to death, by rolling in your ears the thunders of damnation. At one time clouds and darkness have been round about you; the heavens have thundered over your head; divine vengeance has hung out, all around your horizon, the portentous clouds of coming wrath. At another time mercy has smiled upon you from above like the noon-day sun, breaking through an ocean of storms. He urges every motive; he lays heaven, earth and hell, under perpetual contributions for considerations to move your stony heart. But you deafen your ears, and close your eyes, and harden your heart, and say, ‘Cause the holy one of Israel to cease from before us [Isaiah 30:11].’ And what is the inference from all this? How must all this end? ‘Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the Lord has rejected them [Jeremiah 6:30].'”
LORD, it is a fearful thing to fall into Your hands, if we should depart this earth with an impenitent heart. But, with penitent hearts, we pray You will continue the good work You began in us to the end. We ask that our entreaties for those around us would be full of the understanding that time is short, and You are calling for immediate surrender. Cause Your Spirit to awaken those around us. May You receive the harvest for which You are worthy! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and amen.
Waters Became Wormwood (Revelation 8:11)
Fresh water contamination of a third of earth’s rivers and water sources takes place from a burning heavenly body falling to earth with the Third Trumpet Judgment. This could be a meteor breaking up upon entry into the earth’s atmosphere, precisely aimed by Jehovah at the drinking water supply. “And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter” (Revelation 8:10-11 KJV). Since 96.54% of earth’s total water is from its oceans, seas, and bays, 68.7% of its freshwater is from its polar ice caps, glaciers, and snow, 30.1% of its freshwater is from groundwater, 0.26% of its freshwater from lakes, and only 0.006% of its freshwater from rivers, then making bitter a third of water from rivers and freshwater sources becomes devastating to an already parched planet, where one in four people already do not have access to safe drinking water. Humans can survive only a matter of days without water. Wormwood is an emblem of poisonous bitterness promised by the Almighty, “the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink” (Jeremiah 9:15). This He prophesied to do to His people Israel to punish and cure them of treacherously departing from the Living God. In this Third Trumpet Judgment, humanity also experiences the bitterness of wormwood; and, those that survive will be encouraged to repent. LORD, we pray even now for all those who will experience the bitterness of thirst that cannot be assuaged by man or government. Give them repentance unto the acknowledging of the truth as it is in Jesus. Especially be merciful to Israel. Reclaim from the enemy all those prisoners held captive by the lie that there is salvation in someone other than Messiah Jesus. We pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.
Hail and Fire Mingled With Blood (Revelation 8:7)
Hail, fire, and blood is the First Trumpet Judgment. “The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up” (Revelation 8:7 KJV). LORD, You are the Almighty among the gods doing wonders in the earth (Exodus 15:11). How can You practically fix the planet, if You only figuratively deal with the judgments of the Book of Revelation in generalities? “Hail and fire” (Revelation 8:7) were used by Moses to deliver the Children of Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 9:23-24). “Fire ran along the ground” (9:23), evidently from the friction of the hail creating ignition on the ground and burning the combustibles. Blood most likely results from the torrential fire, smoke, and hail, but this is miraculous, so God can do whatever He likes. When only a “third,” but not all of the trees are burnt, God is making a statement, ‘Repent now, for I could have already burnt everything,’ along with all “green grass,” the environmental devastation is far beyond any meager debate about the cataclysm of greenhouse gases or global warming. Anyone who advocates for the environment needs to cultivate the best of relations with the God who can say, “I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5). Resistance is futile. LORD, You are God over all. May we seek our peace with You, while we can. In Jesus’ name and for His sake, we pray. Amen.
Casting Out Demons
Sin caused the first suffering and death in humanity (Genesis 2:27), though the glory of God — not sin — may be the reason why God allows some to suffer, as demonstrated by the blind man healed by Jesus (John 9:2-3). Physical affliction can also be the result of demonic oppression, which will require demons to be cast out, such as the apparently epileptic boy healed by Jesus (Mark 9:14-29). “Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose” (Mark 9:25-27 KJV). Whether the weighty theological terminology of ‘demon possession’ or ‘demon oppression’ is used, matters not. When by “prayer and fasting” (9:29) the influence of an evil spirit is cast out of an individual — verbally, so even the devil can hear the command — it must be replaced by the filling of God’s Spirit of Love, or face the danger of becoming only worse than before. “Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation” (Matthew 12:45). LORD, may we wisely learn to cast out demons to build Your kingdom, and may Your Spirit be put in their place, for love “shall cover the multitude of sins” (1Peter 4:8). Return quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen and amen.
The Final Call (Revelation 3:20)
If the Church of Laodicea can be compared to the final stage of Church History, then lukewarmness is its trademark. “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue [vomit] thee out of My mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16 KJV). In spite of Laodicea’s lukewarmness, Christ gives her an invitation, the final call to repentance before He unfolds tribulation upon the earth. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me” (3:20). We have been comfortable in the world, rationalizing Christ can benefit from our riches, but blinded by self-interest, we have not seen the glories of the Invisible Christ in the Unseen Realm. O LORD, awaken Your people! May we acknowledge Your displeasure because of the slowness of our heart in believing You. Be merciful to us and cause us to make an impression on those left behind. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen and amen.
That Woman Jezebel (Revelation 2:18)
Thyatira embodies collaboration with the enemy, since Jezebel cooperated in teaching the Church to worship false gods dressed as idols. If the Church of Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) represents the center and bulk of Church History, then only one, universal church could be intended, which would correspond to “Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots” (Revelation 17:5 KJV), who sits upon “Seven Hills” (17:9 NIV). Christ condemns our ecumenism, if it allows us to embrace spiritual adultery, whose sacerdotal practices pay homage to idols. “Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols” (Revelation 2:20 KJV). Since Jezebel now controls Thyatira, it is more appropriate to “come out from among them” (2Corinthians 6:17) and be separate from Thyatira’s adulterous practices. LORD, for those still practicing Jezebel’s ways, open their eyes and show them they are sleeping with the real enemy of their soul! Turn them from such shameful conduct. In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen.
Left Thy First Love (Revelation 2:4)
If the Church of Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7) was representative of the apostolic beginning of the early church, then the honeymoon was over. Jesus wrote to them, “Thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent” (Revelation 2:4-5 KJV). Tough love. Repent and return to Me. Otherwise, Spiritual Annihilation. Whoa! Sounds a bit harsh! God comforts the obedient heart, but purposely agitates us when we find greater comfort in our traditions than Him. LORD, we know that You are not a respecter of persons, if You would speak this way to Ephesus. Surely, they are better than us? Take away our hard heartedness and give us an heart of flesh. Take the spiritual scales from our eyes that we may see Jesus as He is. Teach us to defend You and not our traditions. In Jesus’ name, amen.
We Need A Miracle 