For The Invisible Things Of Him From The Creation Of The World Are Clearly Seen, Being Understood By The Things That Are Made - Part 2146

"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which stands for the children of Thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time Thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." (Daniel 12:1-4)

In the last post, I briefly touched on the end times, and how the Lord's people are perishing for lack of His knowledge, because we have not turned to Him for His ongoing wisdom and counsel. (Hosea 4:6) Again, give us this day our daily bread. Further, as apostle Paul said, it is to our shame that that the Light of the world -- this same Jesus whom ye have crucified and now is both Lord and Christ -- is not being preached throughout the land. Instead, as we are witnessing, many who believe are becoming increasingly comfortable in the pew, compromising the Word of God for sermons that tickle their ears, while enjoying the blessings of the Lord Jesus, without giving Him all the honour and glory and praise. It is this void in the land -- the lack of the Word of God being preached -- that will ultimately bring on a darkness and time of trouble, as we have never witnessed before.

Concerning these emerging times -- from II Peter 2:2. Let those with ears to hear, hear, and eyes to see, see.

"But there [will be] false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the Way of truth shall be evil spoken of." (II Peter 2:1-2)

Who is the Way of truth? Jesus -- for He shall save His people from their sins ... Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23) After the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. (Titus 3:4-7)

Continuing -- "And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbers not. " (II Peter 2:3)

Another point here -- if those who want to make merchandise of you never slumber, why do we who believe, and have obtained everlasting life through the mercy and grace of God our Saviour? Something to consider.

Again, continuing in II Peter 2: "For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; and spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; and delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) the Lord knows how to deliver the g/Godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities." (II Peter 2:4-10)

Herein, we read that Lot's righteous soul was vexed from day to day with their unlawful deeds.  (Old Testament side who had not received the promise as have we -- Hebrews 11) Yes, the Lord saved Lot and his family, and delivered them form the judgment that was to come. My question is -- where is the passion for those who believe to rescue the perishing and pull them from the fire -- as apostle Paul writes.

Note that the government referenced here -- the government that those who walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness -- is not the government(s) of this world that these are despising but the leadership and guidance of our Lord God and Saviour.  A similar understanding is portrayed in Romans 1 -- wherein the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, against those who hold the truth in unrighteousness -- and thus, openly despise His eternal power and Godhead, and are therefore, without excuse. (Romans 1:18-20)

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed [it] unto them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: because that, when they knew God, they glorified [Him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." (Romans 1:18-32)

Returning to II Peter 2:2: "Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; and shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practises; cursed children: which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbade the madness of the prophet." (II Peter 2:11-16)

"These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the Way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb -- "The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire." (II Peter 2:1-22)

To conclude, let me say that those who believe in the Lord Jesus by faith, and are willingly water baptized in His precious, holy Name are the children of promise. In so being, we should be as diligent and persistent in preaching the good news of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ in everything we do -- for it is in Him that we have everlasting life. It is for this reason that I am encouraging one and all to get into the Word and to trust faithfully in His goodness and grace -- for your day to day.

Why? For Jesus still is the King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. He is still on His throne, and He knows beyond measure those whose hearts and desires are found in Him. We need to become the wells filled with His living water wherein we will never thirst again. Likewise, it is time to return to our first love, wherein our hearts desired to know our Bridegroom even more. Because of His abundant love for His people, He has ensured that we have and are escaping the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Don't let the cares of this world drag you away from the Way of righteousness. His Name is JESUS for He shall save His people from their sins. Stand in the offering plate.