THE TIME IS AT HAND
Is there anyone who executes proper judgment? Is there anyone who seeks the truth? Although many say they seek the Lord (that's why they're reading this book, for example) are you really? Do you lie, cheat and steal? Do you say you are a Christian and then turn your back on the truth? Do you love the truth? Just as we have forsaken Him and served other gods… the gods of lust, greed, wickedness, pornography (the list goes on and on), as a result we are serving strangers in a land that is not ours.
Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear: 'Should you not fear me?' declares the Lord. 'Should you not tremble in my presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross. The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail; they may roar, but they cannot cross it. But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts; they have turned aside and gone away. They do not say to themselves, 'Let us fear the Lord our God, who gives autumn and spring rains in season, who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.' Your wrongdoings have kept these away; your sins have deprived you of good.
Among my people are wicked men who lie in wait like men who snare birds and like those who set traps to catch men. Like cages full of birds, their houses are full of deceit; they have become rich and powerful and have grown fat and sleek. Their evil deeds have no limit; they do not plead the case of the fatherless to win it, they do not defend the rights of the poor. 'Should I not punish them for this?' declares the Lord. 'Should I not avenge myself on such a nation as this?' (Jer. 5:21-29 NIV)
We have had the light of the gospel, the light of Jesus but yet many of us have chosen darkness. We have chosen to walk in the ways (and lies) of Satan. We need to repent and serve the true God! However, I am concerned that "the saying of Isaiah" will be fulfilled in us also.
'…who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?'
For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere: 'He has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn - and I would heal them.' (John 12:38-40 NIV)
Be aware that even though you might hear and believe, that you don't choose the praise of men over the praise of God. For a time of judgment is here. The time is now. Repent and believe the truth of the gospel. The entire gospel, not just your favorite parts. Believe "The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." (John 12:25) Believe "Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me." (John 12:26) And obey. Obedience is a must, not an option. Stand up for what you believe…if it's the truth. Stand firm and stand strong. For the enemy would like to come against the remnant and destroy us. But He can't. If God is for us who can be against us. No one. Not the government. Not your boss. Not your employer. Not anyone. If God is for us, He is with us. Be strong. Now is the time to be full of the armor of God.
I have set His trumpet to my mouth. I have spoken what I believe to be the words of the Lord regarding sin and unrighteousness is this nation…the United States of America and the Church. If we repent we shall be spared, but I am afraid we will be like the people Isaiah spoke about…having eyes to see but not seeing, having ears to hear but not hearing. We have planted wickedness; we have reaped evil; we have eaten the fruit of deception. We have depended on our own strength and on our many warriors. (Hosea 10:13) Instead, let's sow for ourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up our unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers righteousness on us. (Hosea 10:12) Let us stop thinking we have become rich when we are actually poor…devastatingly poor... and many of us don't even realize it! Even after reading this book, many of us don't think we are doing anything wrong. These need to repent most of all…for their sake and the sake of our nation!
Now, for those of you who are repentant, know that He is pleased with you. He is pleased with your willingness toward Him. Take up your cross and follow Him. He will be with you. He will lead and guide you (as He always has). Forsake your sin; forsake your land; give up all to follow Him. He will give us a new land with Him as King and Sovereign. [I am not talking about overthrowing our country or moving to another one. What I am talking about is as Christians we are pilgrims and our true home (land if you will) is eternal in the heavens with God the Father and Jesus His Son.]
Some of you have dabbled in the foreign land of this world…sin and its temptations. This is the land you are to forsake. Once you have forsaken this, God will receive you to Himself as a son and/or daughter in all purity.
'Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.’ 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. (2 Cor. 6:17-7:1 NIV)
O Church, O Nation Under God: Return to the Lord. Return to Him with all your hearts, souls, minds and body for He loves you very much. For you have fallen by your iniquity. Your sins have been your downfall. Take with you words and turn to the Lord. Ask Him to take away all your iniquity and sin. He will cleanse and forgive you. But you must first repent. So repent and do not delay. For the time is at hand.
Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them. (Hosea 14:9 NIV)
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Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.