Judgment Is Coming!

2 Peter 2:1-9

God’s divine order of creation was altered, after man entertained sin, thus initiating inevitable judgment upon the earth. God hates sin, because it’s very intent is to perform the opposite of what He designed man to do. Man was created in God’s image, to do those things that please Him, yet sin caused men to desire not God’s will, but their own.

As the one who created and sustains all things, God has every right to execute judgment as He desires. Contrary to those who believe God will save all people, because He is so loving, and kind, and compassionate, God will pour out His wrath on all unrepentant sinners.

In time past, God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, delivered them into chains of darkness, and left them to await their final judgment. In the days of Noah, mankind had become so wicked, to the point God was extremely sorrowful for what the people had done to themselves. In the same way a parent expresses sorrow for a child who rebels, God was sorry that the people chose sin, rather than a relationship with Himself. God said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from off the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenth me that I have made them.” (Genesis 6:7). God the Father would have showed mercy on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, had He found ten righteous men there. Unfortunately, none except Lot was found righteous in the sight of the Lord.

Today, churches and religious institutions are littered with false teachers, prophets, and other evil agents, who secretly have brought in damnable heresies among the Saints. Unfortunately, many are being deceived by false doctrines, and are falling away from the faith, but judgment is coming to all who deny the truth of the Gospel, and turn men away from following Christ.

“Beware! God spared not the angels that sinned, and you will meet the same fate, if you don’t repent!” – Ell

Apostles chosen for ministry

Mark 3:7-19

Raising children, teaching students, or molding the minds of young people in any positive capacity can present the most enjoyable, yet challenging experiences. Parents set good examples for their children to follow, so that when their time comes to be responsible, they’ll be prepared to face adulthood with the necessary tools required to be prosperous in life. In the same sense, good teachers take pride in shaping the minds of their students, in order that they become equipped to face life’s challenges, and use the knowledge they acquire, to become successful. Unfortunately, parenting and teaching are two of the most unappreciated and undervalued virtues in this life. Good parents get labeled as strict and mean for preferring the safety and wellbeing of their children, over trying to be their best friend, and good teachers are criticized for pushing their students to rise above mediocrity, and do their best. The time will come when children will grow up, and students will graduate, and what was instilled in them will be presented with the inevitable challenges of life. A few knicks and bruises from stumbling in the real world, will send a reminder to those who felt they were pushed too hard by teachers, or sheltered by parents, and will humble them to a point where they’d wish they had embraced those teachings more back then.

Our text presents a similar situation where the disciples who were handpicked to study under Jesus’ wing, would soon be ordained to spread their own wings and share the Gospel under the power and authority of their teacher. These twelve men were witnesses of the sinless life Jesus lived, as well as partakers in His miraculous healing, deliverance, and restoration missions. I think it’s safe to assume that the disciple’s ordination came at the most appropriate time, when they were aware of most things involved in following after Christ, and immediately after Jesus felt the immense pressure of multitudes of hurting people pressing hard just to touch Him, so that they could be healed. Placing His power in those He taught and trained, would allow for Jesus to shy away from the spotlight a bit, as it was mentioned in verse twelve, “And he straightly charged them that they should not make him known. Stick a pin in that thought for a moment. Jesus, the only begotten Son of the omnipotent God of all creation, left Heaven, came to earth to die for the sins of men, yet refused to be made known among the earth. How many “preachers” do you know off the top of your head, whose names are known around the globe? I’d bet anyone three dollars and my new box of toothpaste that everyone reading this came up with about five names in less than a minute. Why do Christians want to be so popular on this earth, when we were commissioned to walk in humility? We see the faces of pastors and leaders on book covers, magazines, and always appearing on television shows. We are to walk in the light and knowledge of God’s Word, and not in the spotlight of wicked and selfish men. Now don’t judge my words prematurely, as I commend those who are on platforms, and are using it effectively for the kingdom of God, but to those who want to be relevant by the world’s standard, I shake my head at you, and pray you change before this world consumes you. Notice, that none of the disciples promoted themselves, but were elevated by Jesus, who obviously felt they were ready for such responsibility.

Ok, unpin that pin, and I’ll leave you with these two scriptures: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6).

Walk in love,

Ell

By their fruits you will know

Matthew 7:15-23

One of the biggest issues that has concerned mankind since the beginning of time until now, is trust. Living in a world full of sin and deceit, many find it hard to confide in people, because there’s always uncertainty whether or not they can be trusted. We research and check the backgrounds of doctors, lawyers, and even ebay providers to make sure they have a trustworthy history before sharing private information with them, or exchanging transactions.

In this text, Jesus gave in-depth analysis on how to truly know a person by recognizing them by the fruit they bear. His focus was geared toward making the church aware of how to spot a false prophet, and not fall in to their deception. Jesus said, “Beware”, or keep away from false prophets and teachers. Although they may walk the walk, and talk the talk, they’re just wolves in sheep’s clothing.

The biggest identifier of who they are, will be revealed in what they produce. The average fruit tree wears its fruit on its branches, for all to see and collect. Trees that are plush and full of leaves appear to have fruit ripe for the pickin’. But that’s not always the cause, because Jesus was once deceived by a fig tree that appeared to have fruit, but was only full of leaves. So he cursed it, and it withered away.

Men and women are taking great risks, teaching and preaching false doctrines, but the fruit of their labor will soon come to light. It would do us well to pay attention to the lives of those who claim to be called by God, and anointed to teach, preach, or prophesy. The sign of a true prophet is, what they proclaim happens. If it doesn’t happen, false prophet.

Most prophets in Scripture who were sent by God usually confirmed what was already in the hearts of the culprit, or to highlight end-time events. There are those who play the game of mesmerizing audiences by calling out personal information about an individual that they dug up before a service, so that the people would be amazed and moved to give large offerings to them in the end. This type of deception is frowned upon by God, and actually catches many saints off guard.

Preachers and teachers who fail to bring forth good fruit, will soon be cut down and cast into the fire. I’m sure I don’t need to explain that in detail. All the false prophets and teachers will one day stand before the throne of judgment and testify that the works they did, were done in the name of Jesus. But Christ will respond, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” These men are in pulpits, on stages, and even in our communities working acts of iniquity.

Guard yourselves against such persons and show others the real Jesus inside of you.

Seek peace,

Ell