SIN AND GODLESSNESS
IS INCREASING IN OUR NATION
It appears that sin, lawlessness, evil and corruption is increasing rapidly these days, especially in America. Even our government is promoting godless behavior by passing laws favoring abortion, homosexuality and same sex marriage. At the same time they ignore immoral and illegal behavior within its own ranks of congress and government offices.
Psalm 94:20 – Shall the throne of iniquity, which devises evil by law, Have fellowship with You?
Psalm 119:126 – It is time for You to act, O Lord, For they have regarded Your law as
void.
Why is this happening? They are following after their leader, Satan.
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 – and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
The question remains, how can this immorality and godless corruption be stopped? What restrains sin, lawlessness, evil and corruption? The answer is the Holy Spirit equipped saints of God by His Word and the authority of the name of Jesus.
2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 – And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.
(Note: the “is already work”, means it is going on now and has been since this passage was written almost two thousand years ago. Jesus again gives us the answer that the responsibility to hold back this evil is ours, the true believers and followers of Christ; those of us who supposedly follow God’s Word and obey His commands.
Matthew 16:18-19 – and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind (prohibit) on earth will be bound (prohibited) in heaven, and whatever you loose (permit) on earth will be loosed (permitted) in heaven.”
Matthew 18:18-20 – Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind (prohibit) on earth will be bound (prohibited) in heaven, and whatever you loose (permit) on earth will be loosed (permitted) in heaven. Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
The responsibility for this task is in our lap; if we fail to obey His words then the wicked continue to prosper in their objectives. We Christians have been given the means and the authority to deal with evil.
Luke 10:19 – Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 – For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
So what happens if we don’t act on what He gave us? Well it appears that sin is increasing because the church is failing in its mission to bring the gospel that changes lives into all the world. Yes, the church has failed! Why? … COMPROMISE with the world. Jesus warned us of these coming days at the end of the age:
Matthew 24:9-12 – Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.
Look specifically at verses 10 and 11 as a cause. Here we see that persecution occurs for righteousness sake, (Matthew 5:11-12). As a result, many will take offense at the persecution and attacks for standing for righteousness. Such compromised Christians will betray their profession of faith and their fellow Christians who continue to hold to the truth of righteousness, morality and godliness. Did you notice what Jesus said that causes love to grow cold? LAWLESSNESS, ….of simply selfishness, lust and carnality.
The end time state of the church is further aggravated by false preachers (prophets) and teachers as specified in verse 11. What makes a false preacher or teacher? …their message or doctrine being false. These false doctrines cause Christians to put their faith in things that are not true; doctrines that have no real spiritual validity or authority to work. Such followers hold to and observe false ideas or doctrines and false traditions, all of which are of man or devils; and these are mentioned in scripture: (Ephesians 4:14 and 1 Timothy 4:1). Such “so-called” Christians are deceived just as Jesus warned repeatedly:
Matthew 24:4-5 and 11 – And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 11 - Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.
(Note: when you hear people say “I am anointed”, they are the ones Jesus is referring to because the word anointed means Messiah; and Messiah in New Testament Greek is translated “Christ”. So to say “I am anointed” is the same as saying “I am Christ”. This should open many eyes as we see much of this today.)
As a result, we see that much of the end-time church is in disarray and going apostate; denying truth and accepting lies, even if they are only “little” lies. Thus the church is going contrary to Jesus’ words:
John 4:23-24 – But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
John 8:31-32 – Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
So now we have a powerless church, a compromised church that is going apostate due to its conformity to the world rather than conformity to Christ.
Romans 12:1-2 – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Fact: the more time a Christian spends in fellowship with the world, (through TV, movies, partying, entertainment and self-indulgence), the more that Christian will conform to the image of the world. The more a Christian spends time in fellowship with the Lord, (through prayer and Bible study), the more that Christian will conform to the image of Christ.
Romans 8:29 – For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Galatians 4:19 – My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,
Ephesians 4:24 – that you put on the new man (the image of Christ likeness) which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Much of the church of today has lost what the early church had; the power to have a positive effect on others and the world. Consider the influence of the early church:
Acts 17:5-8 – But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.
What happened to us? As mentioned before, COMPROMISE with the world and adopting its ways rather than the ways of righteousness. Jesus called us to be the “salt of the earth”, and “the light of the world”.
Matthew 5:13-16 – “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
What effect is the church having on the world today? The religion of Islam and the False Prophet is taking over the world and growing more rapidly than the church. Churches in Europe have died and are now being used as Islamic mosques. Have you realized that the seven churches to which the Book of Revelation was written to no longer exist? Each of those churches were located in what is now the nation of Turkey, which is now a Muslim nation under the dictates and control of Islam.
(Note: The God of Islam is NOT the God of the Jews and Christians. The God of Islam is a god of hate, violence and the sword with no mercy, grace or forgiveness. Our God is a God of Love, mercy grace and forgiveness.)
What effect is the church having on America? …where sin is more rampant than ever. What effect is the church having in our government? … where corruption is more rampant than ever and laws are passed contrary to God’s laws and commands, (as quoted from Psalms at the beginning).
What effect is the church having on our schools? … where prayer and the Bible are now outlawed? Our universities, that originally were bastions of Christian beliefs and foundations like Princeton, Yale and Harvard, are now the seat of godless dictates, doctrine and agendas.
What effect is the church having on the entertainment industry; the media; the news industry; the music industry: all of which promote godlessness and immorality? What effect is the church having on other nations of the world? … we once sent out missionaries to other nations; but now other nations are sending their missionaries here.
How much effect is the church having in the world? ….NOT MUCH any more! Today we see a prophecy of the apostle Paul being fulfilled:
2 Timothy 3:1-5 - 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!
Where do you find a “form of godliness”? ….in church, nowhere else. This passage continues with reference to false preachers and teachers, just as Jesus warned.
2 Timothy 3:6-7 – 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.
What we have in the church today seems to imply the difference between the five wise and five foolish virgins that Jesus used in a parable to illustrate what would be the state of the church before he returns, Matthew 25:1-10.
Matthew 25:8 – And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.
The five wise virgins were prepared to endure the extended time of waiting for Him to come but the foolish ones were not diligent and prepared, they let their light go out. This is important! …THEIR LIGHT WENT OUT! As a result they didn’t make it into the wedding celebration. Jesus gave this parable is a warning to the church about being prepared to endure during the end times and prepared for His return:
Matthew 25:13 – Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
Have you evaluated your spiritual level or condition recently; are you living righteously, godly, honorable, obedient and walking with the Lord; or have you compromised with the world and accepted false doctrines and practice traditions and ways of the world. How about your church?
Much of the church and too many Christians are not being alert to what is going on in the world or in the spirit realm these days. Today it is just as Jesus warned in the parable of the sower:
Matthew 13:22 – Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
Much of the church today and too many Christians are not being “fruitful”. The fruit referred to here is not man’s “works” but the Fruit of the Spirit:
John 15:1-5 – I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
This fruit is the righteous and godly character and nature of God that is birthed in our inner being by the regeneration of Jesus Christ by His Spirit in us. Is character and nature is described by the apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatians.
Galatians 5:22-24 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Obedient and faithful Christians have died to the flesh, the carnal appetites of the old nature instead of seeking to satisfy the lusts of the flesh through compromise with the world and self indulgence.
Jesus gave us a warning to be alert and aware of what is going on so we are not caught by surprise or off guard regarding conditions preceding His return.
Luke 21:34-36 – But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Jesus wants us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world showing forth the way to Him for the world to see and by being prepared for His coming. Watch out and heed His warnings, to be alert, aware, prepared; and to pray, intercede, seek His wisdom and guidance and be able to hear Him and obey His commands so that you can be counted worthy to escape and endure (Matthew 24:13) what is going to occur in these days that precede His return.
According to God’s prophets, these coming days are going to be evil, a time of great darkness.
Amos 5:18-20 – Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord! For what good is the day of the Lord to you? It will be darkness, and not light. It will be as though a man fled from a lion, And a bear met him! Or as though he went into the house, Leaned his hand on the wall, And a serpent bit him! Is not the day of the Lord darkness, and not light? Is it not very dark, with no brightness in it?
The darkness refers to calamity, evil, things going very badly and there is no place to hide from what is occurring as the problems of the evil day are everywhere.
Ephesians 6:10-12 – fiinally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Do not fear the reproach, the persecution or the name calling and threats of the wicked that will surely come against the truly righteous in these last days. Nor are we to fear or cower from the opposition and attacks of the unrighteous.
Matthew 5:10-14 – Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Here again is our Lord’s admonishment:) “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world.
Isaiah 41:10-13 – Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ “Behold, all those who were incensed against you Shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing, And those who strive with you shall perish. You shall seek them and not find them— Those who contended with you. Those who war against you Shall be as nothing, As a nonexistent thing. For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’
Ephesians 6:10 – Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Church! ….Christians! …it’s time to put off the world and the works of darkness and put on the Lord Jesus Christ; His character and nature, and be prepared for His soon return. It is high time to BE THE LIGHT as that day approaches.
Romans 13:11-14 – And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
Brethren, let’s get sin, immorality, unrighteousness and corruption out of the church and our own lives first, then maybe we can be the salt of the earth and a light to the world and deal with the increasing sin that is so prevalent. Or, at least so you may be able to stand in these evil days – stand and withstand against all the evil tide.
The Holy Spirit is your help to do so.
Isaiah 59:19 – So shall they fear (reverence) The name of the Lord from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.
JESUS AND HIS WORD IS THAT STANDARD!
IS INCREASING IN OUR NATION
It appears that sin, lawlessness, evil and corruption is increasing rapidly these days, especially in America. Even our government is promoting godless behavior by passing laws favoring abortion, homosexuality and same sex marriage. At the same time they ignore immoral and illegal behavior within its own ranks of congress and government offices.
Psalm 94:20 – Shall the throne of iniquity, which devises evil by law, Have fellowship with You?
Psalm 119:126 – It is time for You to act, O Lord, For they have regarded Your law as
void.
Why is this happening? They are following after their leader, Satan.
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 – and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
The question remains, how can this immorality and godless corruption be stopped? What restrains sin, lawlessness, evil and corruption? The answer is the Holy Spirit equipped saints of God by His Word and the authority of the name of Jesus.
2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 – And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.
(Note: the “is already work”, means it is going on now and has been since this passage was written almost two thousand years ago. Jesus again gives us the answer that the responsibility to hold back this evil is ours, the true believers and followers of Christ; those of us who supposedly follow God’s Word and obey His commands.
Matthew 16:18-19 – and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind (prohibit) on earth will be bound (prohibited) in heaven, and whatever you loose (permit) on earth will be loosed (permitted) in heaven.”
Matthew 18:18-20 – Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind (prohibit) on earth will be bound (prohibited) in heaven, and whatever you loose (permit) on earth will be loosed (permitted) in heaven. Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
The responsibility for this task is in our lap; if we fail to obey His words then the wicked continue to prosper in their objectives. We Christians have been given the means and the authority to deal with evil.
Luke 10:19 – Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 – For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
So what happens if we don’t act on what He gave us? Well it appears that sin is increasing because the church is failing in its mission to bring the gospel that changes lives into all the world. Yes, the church has failed! Why? … COMPROMISE with the world. Jesus warned us of these coming days at the end of the age:
Matthew 24:9-12 – Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.
Look specifically at verses 10 and 11 as a cause. Here we see that persecution occurs for righteousness sake, (Matthew 5:11-12). As a result, many will take offense at the persecution and attacks for standing for righteousness. Such compromised Christians will betray their profession of faith and their fellow Christians who continue to hold to the truth of righteousness, morality and godliness. Did you notice what Jesus said that causes love to grow cold? LAWLESSNESS, ….of simply selfishness, lust and carnality.
The end time state of the church is further aggravated by false preachers (prophets) and teachers as specified in verse 11. What makes a false preacher or teacher? …their message or doctrine being false. These false doctrines cause Christians to put their faith in things that are not true; doctrines that have no real spiritual validity or authority to work. Such followers hold to and observe false ideas or doctrines and false traditions, all of which are of man or devils; and these are mentioned in scripture: (Ephesians 4:14 and 1 Timothy 4:1). Such “so-called” Christians are deceived just as Jesus warned repeatedly:
Matthew 24:4-5 and 11 – And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 11 - Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.
(Note: when you hear people say “I am anointed”, they are the ones Jesus is referring to because the word anointed means Messiah; and Messiah in New Testament Greek is translated “Christ”. So to say “I am anointed” is the same as saying “I am Christ”. This should open many eyes as we see much of this today.)
As a result, we see that much of the end-time church is in disarray and going apostate; denying truth and accepting lies, even if they are only “little” lies. Thus the church is going contrary to Jesus’ words:
John 4:23-24 – But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
John 8:31-32 – Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
So now we have a powerless church, a compromised church that is going apostate due to its conformity to the world rather than conformity to Christ.
Romans 12:1-2 – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Fact: the more time a Christian spends in fellowship with the world, (through TV, movies, partying, entertainment and self-indulgence), the more that Christian will conform to the image of the world. The more a Christian spends time in fellowship with the Lord, (through prayer and Bible study), the more that Christian will conform to the image of Christ.
Romans 8:29 – For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Galatians 4:19 – My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,
Ephesians 4:24 – that you put on the new man (the image of Christ likeness) which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Much of the church of today has lost what the early church had; the power to have a positive effect on others and the world. Consider the influence of the early church:
Acts 17:5-8 – But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.
What happened to us? As mentioned before, COMPROMISE with the world and adopting its ways rather than the ways of righteousness. Jesus called us to be the “salt of the earth”, and “the light of the world”.
Matthew 5:13-16 – “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
What effect is the church having on the world today? The religion of Islam and the False Prophet is taking over the world and growing more rapidly than the church. Churches in Europe have died and are now being used as Islamic mosques. Have you realized that the seven churches to which the Book of Revelation was written to no longer exist? Each of those churches were located in what is now the nation of Turkey, which is now a Muslim nation under the dictates and control of Islam.
(Note: The God of Islam is NOT the God of the Jews and Christians. The God of Islam is a god of hate, violence and the sword with no mercy, grace or forgiveness. Our God is a God of Love, mercy grace and forgiveness.)
What effect is the church having on America? …where sin is more rampant than ever. What effect is the church having in our government? … where corruption is more rampant than ever and laws are passed contrary to God’s laws and commands, (as quoted from Psalms at the beginning).
What effect is the church having on our schools? … where prayer and the Bible are now outlawed? Our universities, that originally were bastions of Christian beliefs and foundations like Princeton, Yale and Harvard, are now the seat of godless dictates, doctrine and agendas.
What effect is the church having on the entertainment industry; the media; the news industry; the music industry: all of which promote godlessness and immorality? What effect is the church having on other nations of the world? … we once sent out missionaries to other nations; but now other nations are sending their missionaries here.
How much effect is the church having in the world? ….NOT MUCH any more! Today we see a prophecy of the apostle Paul being fulfilled:
2 Timothy 3:1-5 - 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!
Where do you find a “form of godliness”? ….in church, nowhere else. This passage continues with reference to false preachers and teachers, just as Jesus warned.
2 Timothy 3:6-7 – 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.
What we have in the church today seems to imply the difference between the five wise and five foolish virgins that Jesus used in a parable to illustrate what would be the state of the church before he returns, Matthew 25:1-10.
Matthew 25:8 – And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.
The five wise virgins were prepared to endure the extended time of waiting for Him to come but the foolish ones were not diligent and prepared, they let their light go out. This is important! …THEIR LIGHT WENT OUT! As a result they didn’t make it into the wedding celebration. Jesus gave this parable is a warning to the church about being prepared to endure during the end times and prepared for His return:
Matthew 25:13 – Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
Have you evaluated your spiritual level or condition recently; are you living righteously, godly, honorable, obedient and walking with the Lord; or have you compromised with the world and accepted false doctrines and practice traditions and ways of the world. How about your church?
Much of the church and too many Christians are not being alert to what is going on in the world or in the spirit realm these days. Today it is just as Jesus warned in the parable of the sower:
Matthew 13:22 – Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
Much of the church today and too many Christians are not being “fruitful”. The fruit referred to here is not man’s “works” but the Fruit of the Spirit:
John 15:1-5 – I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
This fruit is the righteous and godly character and nature of God that is birthed in our inner being by the regeneration of Jesus Christ by His Spirit in us. Is character and nature is described by the apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatians.
Galatians 5:22-24 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Obedient and faithful Christians have died to the flesh, the carnal appetites of the old nature instead of seeking to satisfy the lusts of the flesh through compromise with the world and self indulgence.
Jesus gave us a warning to be alert and aware of what is going on so we are not caught by surprise or off guard regarding conditions preceding His return.
Luke 21:34-36 – But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Jesus wants us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world showing forth the way to Him for the world to see and by being prepared for His coming. Watch out and heed His warnings, to be alert, aware, prepared; and to pray, intercede, seek His wisdom and guidance and be able to hear Him and obey His commands so that you can be counted worthy to escape and endure (Matthew 24:13) what is going to occur in these days that precede His return.
According to God’s prophets, these coming days are going to be evil, a time of great darkness.
Amos 5:18-20 – Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord! For what good is the day of the Lord to you? It will be darkness, and not light. It will be as though a man fled from a lion, And a bear met him! Or as though he went into the house, Leaned his hand on the wall, And a serpent bit him! Is not the day of the Lord darkness, and not light? Is it not very dark, with no brightness in it?
The darkness refers to calamity, evil, things going very badly and there is no place to hide from what is occurring as the problems of the evil day are everywhere.
Ephesians 6:10-12 – fiinally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Do not fear the reproach, the persecution or the name calling and threats of the wicked that will surely come against the truly righteous in these last days. Nor are we to fear or cower from the opposition and attacks of the unrighteous.
Matthew 5:10-14 – Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Here again is our Lord’s admonishment:) “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world.
Isaiah 41:10-13 – Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ “Behold, all those who were incensed against you Shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing, And those who strive with you shall perish. You shall seek them and not find them— Those who contended with you. Those who war against you Shall be as nothing, As a nonexistent thing. For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’
Ephesians 6:10 – Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Church! ….Christians! …it’s time to put off the world and the works of darkness and put on the Lord Jesus Christ; His character and nature, and be prepared for His soon return. It is high time to BE THE LIGHT as that day approaches.
Romans 13:11-14 – And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
Brethren, let’s get sin, immorality, unrighteousness and corruption out of the church and our own lives first, then maybe we can be the salt of the earth and a light to the world and deal with the increasing sin that is so prevalent. Or, at least so you may be able to stand in these evil days – stand and withstand against all the evil tide.
The Holy Spirit is your help to do so.
Isaiah 59:19 – So shall they fear (reverence) The name of the Lord from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.
JESUS AND HIS WORD IS THAT STANDARD!
