The Eclipse

These are dangerous times we’re living in. Not because we’ll be harmed by today’s total eclipse (August 21, 2017), but because of the risk we take when we let anything obscure the Light of the world from our view.

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:1-21

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Colossians 3:2-10

Let me just say this. Anyone who encourages us to blend in with this evil, fallen world is NOT OUR FRIEND. And there’s something else important to know if we go along with them. We’re NOT THEIR FRIEND, either! If we are believers, then we’re supposed to be a good influence on those around us. How will they see the light if we hide ours under a bushel? Jesus said we are His friends if we do as He says. (Yes, He really said that! We are to love one another, and that does not mean casting stumbling blocks before others that cause them to sin, joining in their sin or encouraging them to sin.) We’re not here to please ourselves, but the One who saved us from the eternal punishment we deserve. Jesus paid a very high price to make us His own! (2Cor. 6:14-18, John 10:14-18, Rev. 5:9)

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another. “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.” John 15:12-21

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.” Luke 6:46-49

By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. John 15:8-10

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you. Titus 2:11-15

For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 1 Peter 2:15-16

Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10-19

How could anyone who knows God think that the pleasures of this short, temporary life are more valuable and desirable than those in the world to come–the one that lasts forever? On judgment day, there will not be ANYONE who is thankful for having had a friend who didn’t care enough to steer them the right way when they made a wrong turn. The broad path is easy but it leads to destruction. The narrow path is harder to find and difficult, but it leads to eternal life. Those who belong to Jesus must choose the narrow path. Whoever loves the world and its ways more than Jesus is not worthy of Him or His kingdom. Whoever says they know Him and yet loves the world (or anything or anyone) more than Him is deceived.

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with holy fear throughout the time of your exile [temporary residence on earth], knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 1 Peter 1:13-19

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Matthew 6:19-24

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Matthew 7:13-14

“So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” Matthew 10:32-42

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17

You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. James 4:4-10

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:9-20

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. 1 Corinthians 15:33-34

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:7-10

Imagine if we lived in darkness most of the time and the big event were the sun actually coming out where we could see it. How depressing, but that’s what people are doing who live in spiritual darkness! Don’t go along with the children of the devil! You can recognize them by their fruits. Even if they claim to love God, they still do everything their own way instead of His. How does that show we love God if we invent our own version of Him? Many lost people do think of themselves as believers. They want the salvation part, but not on God’s terms. They only believe the parts of the Bible that they like. They are NOT born again, or they would be empowered by the Holy Spirit to desire and do God’s will instead of their own. Here’s a clue: People who claim to believe, but who call other believers (their “brothers and sisters" in the Lord) “haters” because they don’t revel in sin are the real haters. The Bible calls them murderers!

Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. 1 John 3:4-15

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 1 Peter 4:1-5

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Philippians 2:12-16

Don’t be fooled by them. They will answer for themselves and we will answer for ourselves. Those who have been enjoying sinning against God and “getting away with it” will “get theirs” one day (Psalm 37, Psalm 73, Rev. 20:11-15), but our goal is to help them see the light, in time (2Pet. 3:9)–not to become one of them and share in their punishment because they didn’t care to acknowledge God and turn from their sins to the salvation He offered through His Son. (Rom. 1, John 3:16-18) If someone lies to us and says that God only cares if we make a confession with our mouths that we believe in Jesus, and after that we can live like heathens, fully expecting to hear Him call us a “good and faithful servant” when we see Him face to face–we have no excuse, because the Bible is readily available for us to learn the truth (and if we truly believed in our heart, we would have the Spirit within us as our Helper and Teacher). (Rom. 10:8-10, John 14) There’s good news, though! It’s never too late to change our ways until we’ve left this earth. (Just don’t play games with God–He’s the only One who knows when that will be for each of us. Heb. 3:13) His grace and mercy will cover ANY sin that we confess to Him and turn from, asking His forgiveness. Delight in HIM and He will give you the desire of your heart (Psa. 37:4)–the amazing part is that HE is your desire when you delight in Him. ❦

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:15-27

But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:19-26

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. 1 John 1:5-2:6

Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:1-18

Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence, and will be found no more; and the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters, will be heard in you no more, and a craftsman of any craft will be found in you no more, and the sound of the mill will be heard in you no more, and the light of a lamp will shine in you no more, and the voice of bridegroom and bride will be heard in you no more, for your merchants were the great ones of the earth, and all nations were deceived by your sorcery. And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all who have been slain on earth.” Revelation 18:21-24

And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.” “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. Revelation 22:10-15

Parables About Readiness

Today, I noticed some similarities between the Parable of the Ten Virgins (in Matthew) and the Parable of the Foolish Builder (in Luke). Neither had prepared ahead for what would be needed. The foolish virgins had not thought about how the bridegroom could be delayed and so they should have brought along more oil for their lamps like the wise virgins did, just in case. The foolish builder miscalculated the cost to complete his project. Neither were prepared like the wise virgins were.

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. 

(Continuing on in Matthew 25, for context):

14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ Matthew 25:1-30

Let’s also go back to the last part of Matthew 24 for context, as we’ll find it matches what Jesus is saying in other parables:

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 24:36-51

Next, Luke 14:25-35:

Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

The context of each parable is very interesting as well. As we know, context is everything! What else does Jesus discuss at the same time? In Matthew, He starts in Matthew 24 by discussing the importance of being ready, continuing with a similar parable in Matthew 25. He then tells another parable about what we are supposed to be doing while waiting for Him to return–how He has given us each gifts to invest in the growth and “profit” of His kingdom. The one who didn’t use what he was given, but kept it hidden away was like someone who hides their light under a bushel. Jesus is NOT happy with them. ALL of us (His servants) are given gifts for His glory. The more we use them for building His kingdom, the more gifts He will give us for use in our work in His vineyard (and we are permitted to make requests for provision and wisdom if we do so wisely and with confidence that He hears and answers our prayers - James 1:5-8, 4:1-4), the happier He will be with our service, the greater His harvest will be and the greater our reward will be in eternity (although I think that since our treasure is where our heart is, we will be fully satisfied to be in Jesus’ presence forevermore). (1Corinthians 12:4-11, Mark 4:21-25, Galatians 6:9-10, Deuteronomy 16:16-17, Mark 12:41-44, 1Thessalonians 4:17)

In Luke, He talks about very challenging subjects like renouncing all we have to be His disciple, loving Him more than anyone or anything, and being the salt of the earth (which preserves food–we can also think of it as truth–Jesus is the Bread of Life and the way and the truth; and enhances the taste of food, which again, is life–without it we can’t survive, and without spiritual bread, we can’t be born again to eternal life). (Mark 9:49-50, Leviticus 2:13, Hebrews 13:15-16, Romans 12:1-2, John 6:63)

Jesus ends in Luke with “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Where else do we see that? Well, for one instance, He uses this language in the Parable of the Weeds and the surrounding discussion. He makes it clear that only the children of God (the grain planted by the field owner) will inherit the kingdom, not everyone (the tares sown by the enemy). He also discusses how NOTHING is more valuable than the kingdom. This should be our attitude as well!

Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. “Have you understood all these things?” They said to him, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” Matthew 13:36-52

Another time Jesus used the phrase about “ears to hear” was in the Parable of the Sower:

Again he began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea, and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. And he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that “they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.” And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? The sower sows the word. And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy. And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” 

And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything. Mark 4:1-34

In some of the parables, Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a field and harvest, just as the Feasts of the Lord center around the farming cycle. Each crop had its own offering of firstfruits. Jesus fulfilled the firstfruits of barley when He rose from the dead. (1Corinthians 15:20-23) We are a kind of firstfruits because we, even Gentile believers, are included among those to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit who arrived at Pentecost, making up the body of Christ during this age. (Romans 8:23, 2Thessalonians 2:13-15, Acts 10:45, James 1:18, Ephesians 4:15-16, Hebrews 3:6) We are also saved first because of the rejection of Jesus by the Jews, whereas they will receive mercy because of the mercy shown to us. (Romans 11:25-32, Matthew 21:28-32) Those Jews who have not become members of the body of Christ made up of both Jew and Gentile during this age have been blinded/hardened of heart, but that will change when the fullness of the Gentiles comes in.

We must interpret Scripture in light of this information, letting the Bible interpret itself, in order to understand properly. Don’t just get your information from YouTube or simply “take sides” with your favorite Bible teacher. Likewise, in the parables, Jesus presents the same message in different ways so that we can be sure that we have “gotten it.” If we listen to the devil instead of Him, then we do not “have an ear to hear.” His sheep know His voice and follow HIM, not a stranger and not someone who claims to know Him but contradicts Him. (John 10:1-29, 2Corinthians 11:1-4, Matthew 7:15-20, 2Timothy 3:6-12, 2Peter 2:1-3, Jude 1)

There is a slightly different context related to us in Luke’s account of the Parable of the Sower:

And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable, “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, he said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’ Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience. No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.” Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.” But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.” Luke 8:4-21

Jesus teaches that His family consists of those who hear the word of God and DO IT (which matches all of the other teachings that it is of no use at all to only HEAR the word and go on as before hearing it). (James 2:14-26) There is no use to having a lamp that is not GIVING LIGHT. (Philippians 2:14-16) (Again, doesn’t that remind you of the foolish virgins with NO OIL to keep their lamps LIT?) And being associated with someone who believes will not save anyone, just as the wise virgins could not provide oil for the foolish virgins. Our bodies and families are both gifts from God to enjoy in this temporary lifetime. What (or who) we choose to cling to most tightly will affect eternity. If we are fearful of suffering for Jesus’ sake, not trusting His perfect will for us, that will be to our future shame. If we love someone more than Him (including ourselves), such that we desire to please them more than Jesus–compromising on the truth, being drawn away from serving Jesus with our whole heart, etc., we will be mortified when we stand before Him and fully realize that He gave ALL for us. (Romans 8:16-18, Luke 14:26, John 10:17-18, Ephesians 5:22-33, 1John 2:26-29)

Jesus speaks to those with “an ear to hear” in the letters to the churches in Revelation 2, 3 as well. These contain both very serious warnings and very great promises. He loves us and wants us to receive what we believe we have been promised by overcoming this world as He did. (Hebrews 10:36-39, James 1:12, John 16:33, Hebrews 6:10-18, 1 Corinthians 2:9-10) It brings Him great joy to bestow rewards upon us that reflect how our lives honored Him above all.

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’ 

“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’ 

“And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’ 

“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. “‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality. Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works, and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works. But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden. Only hold fast what you have until I come. The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ Revelation 2:1-29

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ 

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. “‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ 

“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” Revelation 3:1-22

The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:7-8

Jesus warned the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane that they would fall away from Him that very night. He also asked them to keep watch with Him while He prayed, but they kept falling asleep. Doesn’t that sound like the Parable of the Ten Virgins? (They were ALL waiting for the bridegroom, Jesus, and they ALL fell asleep.) Jesus said the mind is willing, but the flesh is weak. We know that it’s imperative that we keep our faith strong in order to overcome the flesh. (Ephesians 6:10-20) Does it ever amaze you how wise our wonderful Lord is–how He has given us the answers to ALL of our questions before we even ask them? It does me!

And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same. Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.” While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” Matthew 26:30-48

Jesus told many parables dealing with readiness. Will we heed His warnings to keep our lamps burning and stay awake? Will we be ready when He returns? Will we be overcomers? (Luke 18:7-8)

"And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying. For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit. Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them. Whether he comes in the second watch, or even in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into. You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect." Peter said, "Lord, are You addressing this parable to us, or to everyone else as well?" And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. "Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But if that slave says in his heart, 'My master will be a long time in coming,' and begins to beat the slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk; the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers. And that slave who knew his master's will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes, but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more. Luke 12:29-48

He said whoever listens to Him will also listen to those He sends. Let’s be wise and “have an ear to hear.” Let’s follow the Shepherd’s voice if we claim to belong to His flock, not taking advice or following the example of those who are lost. (Matthew 15:13-19, 2Corinthians 2:14-17, Hebrews 12:28-13:9, 3John 1:11)

“The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.” Luke 10:16

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25

The Way is Hard

Question: If it's so EASY to get into heaven that all we have to do is claim to believe in Jesus, then why did He say that the way is EASY that leads to destruction and HARD that leads to eternal life? It almost seems like there's more to this, doesn't it? What is hard about saying some words, whether you mean them in your heart or not?

"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.  For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." Matthew 7:13-14

Jesus goes on to tell us to beware of false prophets. What do they do? Usually one of two things (IF they teach about Jesus as Savior): They either tell us that we need to work for salvation because what Jesus did wasn't enough, or they say that all we need to do is say we believe and then we can go on reveling in our sin as we did before we were "saved." (James 3:10-18)

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.  You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?  So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.  A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Thus you will recognize them by their fruits." Matthew 7:15-20

Imagine that. God anticipated what false prophets would say, and so He went on to explain that no, just SAYING you believe is NOT enough. He expects you to SHOW that you REALLY believe by respecting Him enough to obey Him. (The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. Psalm 111:10) He clarifies that "workers of lawlessness" are NOT going to be welcomed into the kingdom of heaven. Some may say they have done wonderful things for God, but they have really been doing those things for themselves in order to get rich and famous. They don't actually KNOW and OBEY God themselves. They are NOT wise at all.

"Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’  And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’" Matthew 7:21-23

Did Jesus just say that? Really? He DOESN'T just want lip service, but for people to actually DO what He says if they claim He is their LORD? Yes, He did. He said it again just in case anyone missed it the first time around:

"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.  And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.  And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it." Matthew 7:24-27

So it's clear by Jesus' own words that He IS the narrow door through which ALL must enter into heaven (or they can't enter AT ALL), but that AFTER He has purchased us with His blood, then He is our Lord and we are to behave as such, doing as He said in the Bible. He asks (in the book of Luke) why anyone would call Him "Lord" if they do not obey Him. Good question! We have some examples of "bad fruit" above and also in the book of Mark below. People who have been born again spiritually into God's kingdom, as His children, do not bear these bad fruits. They are not instantly perfect and they will slip from time to time, but they will be grieved by how their sins displease God, causing them to repent and receive forgiveness and cleansing from Him.

So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep." John 10:7

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

“For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit,  for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush.  The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.  “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?  Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like:  he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.  But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.” Luke 6:43-49

And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him.  For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,  coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.  All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” Mark 7:20-23

He summarized His commandments into two, because by keeping them, all of the others will be kept. (Romans 13:8-10) This does not mean that the others are not important, but again, that we are not able to keep these two without fulfilling the rest (just as our laws are (used to be?) based on the Ten Commandments, yet there are WAY more than ten, because more practical details are specified as to how to live by them). And so we come full circle to the question of how to enter the kingdom--Jesus tells the scribe who agreed with Him when He made the following statement that he was "not far from the kingdom."

And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?”  Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’  The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”  And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him.  And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”  And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions. Mark 12:28-34

Let's not try to fool God with lip service as though He doesn't see the things we actually DO, SAY and even knows what we THINK. That is not what someone who has a healthy respect for God would do, unless they have NO IDEA what He is even like. Let's study the Bible to find out what pleases God and then do it with the help of His Holy Spirit within us, out of love and gratitude for what He's already done for us. Amen!

Our guide to bad fruits (not saved) and good fruits (born by those walking in the Holy Spirit):

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,  envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.  Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:19-26

Let's recap. Jesus provides us with a sparkling white robe of His righteousness when we are born again. He is the ONLY one who could ever do this for us. However, it IS possible for us to use our free will to soil it or even throw it off. We need to ABIDE in Him and the word of God. (John 15) It is His desire that we should bear fruit (behave as though we are His and do good works He prepared for us to)--this brings Him (not us) honor and glory, and that's what we're here for.

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.  Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.  Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.  Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.  The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ Revelation 3:1-6

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. James 1:27

(“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”) Revelation 16:15

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 

The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. Titus 3:8


In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16


"As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty." Matthew 13:23

The following is absolutely TRUE:

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 

But wait, there's more a little farther down if we keep reading:

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. Romans 8:9

In today's culture, people have become more and more comfortable with less and less clothing on. Let's remember what God said about the matter and keep our robe of righteousness ON and CLEAN (by abiding in Jesus and His love, by coming to Him for forgiveness and cleansing whenever we have given in to our old sinful nature.)

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.  If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.  If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.  He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.  And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.  Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,  but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:  whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. 1 John 1:5-2:6

He wrote this to BELIEVERS who were deceiving themselves about their spiritual condition:

“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.  “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!  So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.  For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.  I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.  Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.  Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.  The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” Revelation 3:14-22

Robots

I always say that if God wanted robots, He would have made them--but He didn't. He gave us free will--which we LOVE when we are getting our way and HATE when others are getting their way that negatively affects us. But another thought about robots is this: How could a robot possibly be made in His image? Is God a cold, calculating machine? NO! He is a consuming fire. He doesn’t say He wants ALL to be saved and then “program” only some for salvation. The fact that not all ARE saved doesn’t contradict His desire that they all be saved. (1Timothy 2:4, 2Peter 3:9, 2Corinthians 5:18-21, 1John 2:2) No one has “overpowered” Him by rejecting His plan. They have simply chosen to use a gift He gave them (free will) to harm themselves. His decision not to force us to do His will does not make Him any "less sovereign,” but rather, it shows how serious He is about having a TRUE love relationship with us that He would allow us to cause Him unimaginable pain and anguish as we use our free will to rebel against Him, our Maker, without whom there would be NOTHING.

We all need the spiritual Bread of Life (John 6:33-35, 40, 63, 15:3, Ephesians 5:25-27), but God doesn’t force feed us. He OFFERS it and if we prefer to starve ourselves, then that is our choice. I have heard some say that’s like making some “savable” if not all Jesus died for are actually saved, but all have the opportunity to be saved. Some say having to accept it amounts to “works.” No, the Bread is ready to consume–all of Jesus’ work is FINISHED–we don’t “make” the Bread. If someone refuses to EAT the Bread, then that doesn’t make it any less finished and ready to consume, any less offered for the salvation of ALL men. If we offer bread to a homeless person and they refuse to accept it because they prefer cash to buy alcohol with, does that mean we didn’t want to save them from their hunger and we didn’t offer them a way to be saved? Is offering them a loaf of bread the same as offering them materials to use in making their own? (No.) Does it make them “stronger” than us if they reject our offer? No--just foolish, the same way that people are who hear the Good News about Jesus but choose to go their own way rather than following Him. ALL are invited, but they must respond, and there is ONE way to do that (clothe yourselves in Jesus’ righteousness, and keep that clothing ON - Romans 6, Revelation 7:14, 16:15, 19:6-8, 1Corinthians 6:9-20).

And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.”’ But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests. “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:1-14

God lets us choose whether to believe in Him, accept His Son's sacrifice to pay for our sins, to honor Him in all we do, or not. If we were robots, then we wouldn’t need all of the exhortations throughout the Bible to believe and be saved, and to seek to please Him first in all we do, think and say. (Some of them are: Mark 1:15, 16:16, Luke 8:9-15, 13:24, John 1:12, John 3:14-21, 36, John 4:39-42. John 5:24, 45-47, John 6:27-29, 35, 40-47, John 7:37-39, John 9:35-41, John 10:37-38, John 11:25-27, John 12:35-50, John 13:19-20, John 14:1, 11, 20:29-30, Acts 10:43, Acts 13:38-39, Acts 16:31, Acts 19:4, Romans 3:21-26, Romans 4:3-8, Romans 9:33, Romans 10:4, 9-17, 1Corinthians 1:21, 2Corinthians 5:20-21, Philippians 3:14-20, Colossians 3, Hebrews 11:6, James 4:7-10, 2:22-23, 1Peter 2:6-8, 1John 3:23, 5:1, 10-13; Titus 3:8, Matthew 6:31-34, 1Corinthians 15:33-34, 2Corinthians 5:14-15, 2Timothy 2:3-7, Ephesians 4-5, 1John 1:5-2:6) Failure or refusal to heed God’s commands results in all kinds of suffering, big and small, on the part of mankind and also on God’s part.

We were born with a sinful nature, through no fault of our own, but we are still without excuse to remain in the sins we inevitably commit, because He sent His only begotten Son to pay the penalty for ALL of our sins. (Romans 5, John 8:24) All we have to do to accept this FREE gift is humble ourselves by admitting we are sinners in need of a Savior, and that He is Lord and we are not. (Romans 10:8-10) So in other words, we STOP rebelling against Him, and CEASE trying to save ourselves, after which we discontinue doing the evil works we formerly did when we were in darkness since we now live in the light of the truth. (John 14:6, 8:2, 12:35, Ephesians 5:8-17, 1John 1:5-10) Is He our Lord or not? Doesn’t that imply He has power over us and we do as He says? We can't DO ANYTHING to save ourselves, but He will not force us to believe OR obey Him. Eventually, everyone WILL see and believe and be forced to bow down and confess He is Lord, but that will not happen until the offer of salvation has ended. (Isaiah 45:22-23, Romans 14:11, Philippians 2:9-11)

Does God leave it up to chance who comes to Him and who doesn’t? Definitely not! There is no such thing as chance to God, because that involves not knowing something and there is NOTHING He doesn’t know, from beginning to end. Nothing happens without His either causing or allowing it. At one time only Jews were beneficiaries of salvation, but now we have received a precious, incredibly valuable gift we could NEVER DO ANYTHING to earn or deserve--but those who reject Him cannot blame Him (2Thessalonians 2:10, contrast John 8:21-25 with John 14), and the rest of us must treat everyone as potentially having their names are in the Book of Life. Jesus died for the sins of ALL and commissioned us to tell the Good News to everyone. (Matthew 28:16-20) Blessed are those with “an ear to hear.” (Matthew 13:1-43, Mark 4:1-33, Luke 8:4-18, 14:34-35, John 10:27, Acts 28:28, Revelation 2-3) God doesn’t harden someone’s heart and cause someone to “stop hearing” Him for no reason. He eventually leaves them to go their own way because they insist upon it. (Romans 8:18-32)

How amazing is it that God would prefer to suffer because of His creation rather than having an end result that is not genuine? (John 4:23, Matthew 15:7-11, Isaiah 40:6, 1Chronicles 28:9, Matthew 22:36-37) Talk about pain and anguish not "only" on the cross, but in all that led up to it, plus every time we make a choice using our free will to go against His will and His way, grieving Him. He is perfect in every way, including wisdom, power and love. He is all good, and His nature is not too much or too little of any virtue. We can trust Him. Putting our trust in anyone or anything but Him is utter folly. If we disobey out of ignorance, that's sad. If we do it out of rebellion, that's evil. (Luke 12:47-48, James 4:17)

The children of God were not meant to live in ignorance, accepting the wicked ways of the world and loving those ways. (2John 2:15-17, James 4:4, 1John 4:5-6, 2Timothy 3:12-17) We were meant to be set apart, gradually conformed to the image of Jesus by the inner working of the Holy Spirit. When we yield to Him, He makes us fit for honorable service to God. (Romans 8:29-30, 12:1-2, 2Corinthians 5:17, 2Corinthians 4:10-11, 2Corinthians 6:14-18, 2Timothy 2:19-26, 1Peter 1:13-19) When we resist Him, then discipline may be necessary to accomplish God’s purposes and plans for us. (Hebrews 12:5-8, Revelation 3:19) If we reject that discipline, we hurt ourselves (and quite probably those around us). Now would be a good time to really examine ourselves to be sure that we understand God's will and confirm that we are abiding IN Christ. (2Corinthians 13:5, 2 Peter 1:5-12)

Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. (John 15, Matthew 7:15-27, Hebrews 6:7-9) The branches that bear no fruit [of the Spirit*] will be cut off and burned, and those are not my words, but God's. Does He mean burned in hell or does He mean burned in the furnace of affliction, trial by fire, refined like gold? (Isaiah 48:10, Daniel 12:10, Revelation 3:18-19, Romans 8:16-18, 1Peter 1:6-7**) Does either one sound pleasant? If you don't believe in Jesus, then you can be sure that the fire is eternal. (Revelation 20:11-15, Matthew 9:42-48, Matthew 18:6-9, Matthew 25:41-46, John 3:18, 2Thessalonians 1:8-10, Romans 1:21-32) If you do believe, then behave like you are the child of God that you claim to be. (1John 3:6-10, Galatians 6:7-10) Wake up and be ready for Jesus’ return!

*For starters on what pleases God, see Galatians 5:16-26, 2Peter 1:5-12, Romans 12 (all), Colossians 1:9-10, Hebrews 13:15-17, Matthew 5:13-16 ("salt" must include God's truth or it has lost its saltiness just as a lamp under a bushel doesn't give light to the darkness), Matthew 7 (do not "choose" between Matthew 7:1 and Matthew 7:5, 18:15-17), Luke 6:20-49 (do not ignore Luke 17:3 in favor of Luke 6:37), Romans 6, 1Corinthians 6, 2Corinthians 9:6-12, Luke 17:1-10, Ephesians 2:10, 1Timothy 6:17-19, Titus 2 (all), Titus 3:8-11, James (whole book), 1Peter 3:1-17, 1Peter 2:11-24. (Or just read the whole New Testament.)

Notice how much of the Bible we would have to disregard if we want to support a position that God doesn't expect obedience from His children. No, He has told us repeatedly that IF we are His (and the Bible is written to believers) that we will show our love for Him by obeying Him. See John 14-15, 1John (whole book). Faith comes by hearing the word. (Romans 10:17) We come to faith through God's grace this way and we abide IN Jesus by remaining IN the word and obeying, which is what is meant by abiding in His love. (John 15:3 and entire chapter, pay attention to John 15:9-10.) This is not "works" to save ourselves or legalism, but respect and love for our Savior. This is showing that we mean what we say--that we're not hypocrites trying to fool God. (Galatians 6:7-10, 2Timothy 2:19-26, James 2:14, Hebrews 11:17-31, James 2:19-26, 2Corinthians 5:9-10)

**There is a difference between trials, tribulations, persecutions, etc. and God's wrath. The first is for the good of believers for their refinement and purification (to the extent NECESSARY in each case according to God's perfect evaluation–God will not allow anyone to be tried beyond their endurance - 1Peter 5:6-10, 1Corinthians 10:9-15 - relying on His strength is the key to overcoming - 2Corinthians 12:9-10, Philippians 4:13). The second (God’s wrath) is for destruction of the ungodly, of the children of the devil (like in Egypt when the Israelites were spared the killing of the firstborn and Jesus is our Passover Lamb - John 1:29). We do not suffer GOD'S wrath. (1Thessalonians 5:9)

Everyone will be salted with fire. (Mark 9:42-50, Hebrews 10:23-39) Did you know that in Old Testament times, salt was offered on the altar with each sacrifice? (Leviticus 2:13, Ezekiel 43:24) We now offer living, spiritual sacrifices and they must STILL include salt. (Romans 12:1, 1Peter 2:1-5, Matthew 5:13-16) We must pursue peace and holiness to see the Lord. (All of Hebrews 12, Matthew 5:1-12) God hasn’t changed (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8)–He still hates sin, but now that the time has come, we have a way to be forgiven and to overcome–ALL His doing. (Galatians 4:4-5) All we have to do is use His gift of free will to cooperate with Him instead of using it to fight against Him as we did before we were saved. The only thing anyone has to boast about is what God has done for them. (Romans 3:27, 1Corinthians 1:27-31, Galatians 6:14, Ephesians 2:8-10)

There is coming a time when there will be such great signs and wonders that EVERYONE whose name is not written in the Book of Life will be deceived into worshiping a false god (“beast”) and taking a mark in order to buy and sell (i.e. survive). (Revelation 13, 2Thessalonians 2:9-12, Matthew 24:24) Those people who do so will be thrown in the Lake of Fire at the end of the age. (Revelation 14:9-13) This coming time period is called "the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth." (Revelation 3:10, Revelation 17:12-14) Out of seven churches in Revelation 2-3, Jesus told ONE that He would keep them from the hour of trial, because they had ALREADY endured, not denying Him despite persecution for His sake. Notice in Revelation 17:14 that Jesus will be returning WITH those who are called, faithful and chosen to destroy the beast. (Revelation 19, Revelation 20:1-6)

Now I know that people like to point out the distinction between the church and Israel. It is true that two great mysteries of the ages are that God would save the Gentiles AND indwell believers with His Holy Spirit. (Colossians 1:27, Ephesians 3:6, 4:3-6, Romans 8:9, 1Peter 1:10-12, 1Peter 2:10, Revelation 10:5-7) We are members of His body (Romans 12:5, 1Corinthians 12:12, 27, Ephesians 5:23, Colossians 1:18) However, Gentiles (people not born Jews, “wild olive tree branches”) are GRAFTED IN to Israel’s “cultivated olive tree.” (Romans 9-11) The original tree doesn’t become the kind of the branches that were grafted into it, does it? The result is ONE cultivated olive tree, or ONE new man. (Ephesians 2:11-22) We are adopted as God’s children, not to replace His other children, but to become part of the same family. (Romans 8:12-23, 9:4-5, Galatians 4:3-9, Ephesians 1:3-14) The kingdom in this age was given to people who would produce its fruit after Israel refused to shine her light as God intended and worse yet, rejected Jesus as Messiah. We are blessed due to their disobedience and because of the grace shown to us, they will also be blessed after the fullness of the Gentiles comes in. (John 10:16, Acts 28:28, Matthew 21:43, John 12:34-50, Romans 10:16-21, Isaiah 53, Isaiah 65, Isaiah 49:4-6, Romans 15:18-21, 1Peter 2:7-10, Romans 11:11-32)

Great promises were made to the overcomers in the other six churches in the letters of Revelation 2-3--who were NOT told they would be spared the “hour of trial,” but which calls for great endurance. (Revelation 13:9-10, 14:9-13, Daniel 7:25-27, 11:32-35, Revelation 15:2) God tells His children to "Come out of Babylon!" and to "escape to Zion." (Zechariah 2:7, Jeremiah 50:28-32, Jeremiah 51:45, Revelation 18:4, Jeremiah 51:35, Revelation 17:6, Revelation 6:9-11, Jeremiah 51:41, Revelation 18:9-20, Jeremiah 51:48-49, Revelation 18:6, 24) Notice how God has made sure we can understand that this is not only historical because of the reference in Revelation 18, which was written that we may know what is going to happen. (Matthew 24:25, Amos 3:7, Revelation 1:1-3) We can clearly see that there are many prophecies as yet unfulfilled. For example, Revelation 20 refers to Jesus reigning over an earthly kingdom for 1,000 years of peace. This is the same time period mentioned by the Old Testament prophets in Isaiah 11, Isaiah 65, Zechariah 8, Zechariah 14, to name a few passages.

Jesus has overcome the world and death. (John 16:33, Romans 6:9) However, only those who are IN Him (do not claim Romans 8:1 apart from Romans 8:9, John 15:8-14, 1John 2:28-29) will receive glorified bodies prior to the millennium (the first resurrection, Revelation 20), and by His power, everyone CAN overcome. We don’t need to rely on our own strength to hold on to Him, but that doesn’t mean that He won’t LET us go if we prefer our own way even after tasting how good He is. (John 10:28-30, Hebrews 6:4-12) If we love God (as He is, from His own words in the Bible) and our brothers and sisters in the Lord, we have nothing to fear. (1John 4:16-21, 2Timothy 4:7-8) Jesus will return and reign until all of His enemies are at His feet, including the last to be completely vanquished, death. (1Corinthians 15:12-28) Since there is still some death during the millennial reign, we can see that there is a gap between the first resurrection and the end when Jesus hands over the Kingdom to His Father and the “eternal day” begins (2Peter 3:18, Revelation 22:5)--just as there is a gap between Jesus’ victory and ascension to heaven and His return to reign. (Revelation 11:15-19)

We spiritually transfer our “residence” from earthly Babylon to heavenly Zion when we are born of God, and we do not continue "residing" in Babylon or “move back” there. (Philippians 3:17-21, Colossians 1:13-14, Hebrews 11:13-16, Hebrews 12:22-24, Psalm 87 - notice the reference to Rahab who hid the spies at Jericho? Her actions ("works") evidenced her fear of the one, true God. She believed first and then obeyed. If she had merely said she would hide them, but then betrayed them, it would NOT have been counted to her as righteousness. This is true of ALL of the giants of the faith in the Bible). Also Col. 1:9-23 - continue in the faith steadfastly, NOT shifting from the hope of the gospel - does anyone actually think God wants us to prove we are putting all of our hope in Him by behaving like unbelievers? How would that be light and salt? Is it wise to run from him? The father did not run after the prodigal son in the parable Jesus told. Does God contradict Himself or change His mind? Also see Romans 8:14-17, John 1:12-13, Galatians 3:26-27, Philippians 2:12-16, 1John 3:1-3, 2Timothy 4:18, Hebrews 3:1-6 - again, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and hope; Revelation 14:1-5 - these [overcomers] follow Jesus, the Good Shepherd, wherever He goes and have His name written on them. John 10:2-16, 1Thessalonians 4:17, Revelation 3:12, 12:11, 17:14, 19:7-16; firstfruits - Revelation 14:4, Romans 8:23, James 1:18)

There is NO other way to be saved apart from Jesus (John 14:6, 10:9), and AFTER we have received the precious GIFT of faith and salvation, we don't go running back to wallow in the mire, having been cleansed with the precious blood of Jesus, our Savior, the SON OF GOD. (2Peter 2:17-22, 2Peter 1:9-11) He didn’t say believe and then go back to what we were doing before we believed and wait for His return. (Luke 9:57-62) He said to FOLLOW Him and to stay awake and watch so that we can be ready. (Matthew 24:42, 25:13, 26:41, Mark 13:33-35, Luke 12:37-38, 21:36, Romans 13:11, 1Corinthians 15:34, 1Thessalonians 5:6, Revelation 3:2-3, 16:15) If we truly believe, then let’s encourage one another to DO what the Bible says.

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you. 1 Peter 1:13-25

Also if we truly believe, then let’s not play games with other people’s souls by telling them lies because that’s what they like to hear. People these days protect themselves from the truth to preserve the views they embrace. They lobby for laws to label beliefs they don’t embrace as “hate speech” and they run to “safe areas” where they will not be “hurt” by anyone’s speech that disagrees with their views. They call names and spout “facts” with no basis, relying on the wisdom of men. (Matthew 5:10-12, Luke 6:26, 1Corinthians 1:18-31, 1Corinthians 3:18-23) If they claim to be believers, they twist the Bible to say what they want it to say (2Timothy 3:1-7, 4:3-4, 2Peter 3:14-18, Romans 1:18, Romans 2:1-11, Philippians 2:14-16, Titus 3:8-11) and accuse anyone who disagrees with their revised version of being archaic. They think God has changed with the times the way that the culture has–the way they would LIKE Him to. (Ephesians 5:8-20, 1Peter 4:7-8, 2Timothy 2:22-26, 1Peter 4:1-5) Their feeble, tired arguments about the Old Testament foreshadows of the new covenant (Colossians 2:17) and the way they even ignore clear passages in the New Testament condemning their evil practices and those they approve of reveal how little of the Scriptures they understand, and apparently, how little they value God’s word. They deliberately lump true Christians in with fanatics whose actions do not line up with the Bible in order to discredit everyone who doesn’t compromise the truth. (1Peter 2:15-16, Titus 2:7-8)

How do we react? Do we continue speaking the truth in love and stand up for Jesus and our brothers and sisters in the Lord who do the same? (2Timothy 1:8, 2Timothy 1:16-17, 1Peter 4:16-19) No, many of us distance ourselves from anyone who is under attack and we remain silent in order not to draw attention to ourselves. It’s much easier. No one likes to be thought of as a “villain.” People think we’re “nice” if we go along with the flow. Let me just say this: NO ONE who ends up in hell because they relied on a version of God they invented in their own heads who doesn’t exist will be grateful for that kind of “love” shown to them in this short lifetime as they are sentenced to eternal punishment. They will accuse us of not warning them not to rely on a “god” who is their own invention and cannot save them. We need to look at the big, eternal picture and make sure there is no blood on our hands. “I wish I had not missed out on so much ‘fun’ because of making Jesus my highest priority in life,” said NO ONE, EVER after they went home to be with Jesus. We need to think of how we’ll feel when we stand before Him and explain why we were not willing to suffer for His sake–that we didn’t love people’s souls the way He did (and still does) and expected (expects) us to do. (Mark 8:38, Luke 9:26, Romans 1:16, 1John 2:28, Revelation 11:18)

Jesus is the ONLY way (Galatians 1:4, John 10:17-18, 1John 2:23), and those who truly believe will show fruits of the Spirit (His Spirit, who dwells IN us - the Holy Spirit does NOT contradict the Bible, EVER, so He will not teach us to approve of sins that God hates! He empowers us to OVERCOME, just as Jesus instructed the churches to do in Revelation 2-3). This is not to say we are lost if we slip, or that we work to retain salvation. It means that if we have been bought with the precious blood of Jesus, then we will live so as to please Him now and forever–out of gratitude, respect and love. (1Corinthians 6:18-20, Acts 20:28, 1Peter 1:17-19, Revelation 5:9, 1John 4:18)

We need to examine our motives for every single thing we do or refrain from doing. ALL is to be for the glory of our mighty God. (Colossians 3:23-25) We who belong to Jesus follow Him, not the world or false teachers who claim to be spiritual (anything goes) or religious (legalism, rote, ritual). (John 8:30-47, John 10:24-30, John 15:18-23, Galatians 2:11-14, Galatians 5 - note both legalism and self-indulgence are condemned, Colossians 2:16-23 - see the last part about how outward appearances of godliness do not stop us from indulging our flesh–the point isn’t that it’s okay to indulge the flesh, but that God wants TRUE faith lived out, not just going through the motions to “look” religious or spiritual, 2Timothy 3:1-7, 2Peter 3:1-3, Romans 13:11-14) Fear is NOT an acceptable reason for a Christian to do anything (or fail to do as we should). We are to fear ONLY God and nothing and no one else. (Matthew 10:24-28, Luke 12:5, Acts 5:29, Galatians 1:10) Let's choose to give ALL of our allegiance and devotion to the King of kings. It's easier said than done, but with God’s help we CAN overcome.

Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love of the brethren, a tender heart and a humble mind. Do not return evil for evil or reviling for reviling; but on the contrary bless, for to this you have been called, that you may obtain a blessing. For "He that would love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile; let him turn away from evil and do right; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those that do evil." Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is right? But even if you do suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence; and keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are abused, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing right, if that should be God's will, than for doing wrong. 1 Peter 3:8-17

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