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The Prophecy Page II
Jesus Christ, The second person of the Godhead died a torturous death to bear the sins for all generations. He rose from the dead three days later to serve as a universal King. He also acts as a Defender against the accusations of satan for Christians. Revelation 12:10-11; Job 1:6-12; 2:1-7; Zechariah 3:1-4. Jesus Christ rules supreme at the right hand of God the Father. Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 10:12-13. For those Christians whom are called out of this world (And will be called out in the future) He has His Holy Spirit to train, comfort, develop, and guide them according to the pattern Jesus Christ already established. Jesus example was in sync with the will of God the Father. As for the Holy Spirit, He is the third person of the Godhead whom convicts people of sin. He purges them in the fires of His loving righteousness via trials and tribulations. Yet, there are some whom believe He is a "force" or "energy" (He keeps a low key position as not to upstage Jesus Christ): As they ministered to the Lord and fasted the Holy Ghost said, Separate Me Barnabus and Saul for the work whereto I have called them". And they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed to Se-leu-ci-a; and from there they sailed to Cyprus" Acts 13:2-4. To those whom believe otherwise, a thing, some force, or energy cannot speak. There are other passages that can be sited as well, but I will continue with the topic at hand. God the Father calls people. 1 Peter 2:9-10. Jesus Christ laid the example. 1 John 1:7. The Holy Spirit trains the elect in the ways and mind of Jesus Christ. John 14:26, 16:13. It is not easy, and the Bible states "All those who live righteous shall suffer persecution (harrasment)" 2 Timothy 2:12; Job 1:8-10. This can come in the form of evil people, sleep deprivation, bills and detrimental financial situations, law suits, machines, slanderous accusations, libelous insertations, drunkenous, drug addiction by loved ones, discord, envy, etc.. However, if you are suffering persecution as a Christian you are probably doing something right (satan hates those whom have chosen to keep God's Ten Commandments via Christ Spirit living in them). I'm speaking of those whom have placed their faith in Jesus Christ, and His scriptural teachings. James 2:10-11; Revelation 12:17; 14:12. Bear in mind that while persecution comes to the righteous; judgement from God goes against the persecutors. The ancient prophet Habakkuk struggled with the question why God allowed wickedness to go unpunished in his day. But God whom knows all things knew the end of the wicked. God's response was He would send an even wickeder nation to against them.
In the opening passages of the Book of Habakkuk starting from verse two it reads, "O' Lord how long shall I cry, and You will not hear ! even cry out to you of violence, and you will not save !" The truth of the matter was God sees everything "neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do". Hebrews 4:13. Still, the prophet was frustrated when he continued his plea, Why do you show me iniquity (Lawlessness, evil) and cause me to behold grievance ? Habakkuk was inspired by God to write what he wrote, and one of the things the Holy Spirit does is "show you things to come". John 16:13; 2 Peter 1:20-21. God would answer him with an unanticipated style. The prophet continues...."for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention". According to 2 Peter Lot, whom was Abraham's nephew experienced the same social turmoil before God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrha:And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an example to those that should live ungodly; And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgement to be punished..." 2 Peter 2:6-9. Habakkuk continues to berate the judicial system of his day. He notes how weak the judges were to implement justice. Today, contemporary liberal justices in New York City donot implement the Death Penalty against those who commit violent crimes much the same way.
" Therefore the law is slacked, and judgement does never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgement proceedeth". Habakkuk realized if Mosaic law were being performed many whom were being abused would receive justice, but society had become corrupt, and evil had run rampant. Now God responds, " Behold (See, look, watch) ye among the heathen (unbelivers), and regard (Take notice), and wonder (Think about it) marvelously (Explore what I tell you): for I will work a work in your days, which you will not believe though it be told you". God was saying Habakkuk would not believe Him, because what He was going to say to him was to hard to imagine. However, it was written down long ago:Leviticus 26. Babylon after conquering the dreaded Assyrians was the newest superpower on the block. "For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans that bitter and hasty nation (The Babylonians were wholly uncoth and unruly neighbors in the Mid-East, and now threatened the power balance with only Egypt as the next largest rival), which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess dwelling places that are not theirs (I am sending a powerful nation to invade yours)". The description of the ancient Chaldeans......."They are terrible and dreadful: their judgement and their dignity shall proceed of themselves (They had a fierce reputation, and now the Judaeans were going to experience it at the personal level)". "Their horses are swifter than the leopards, and more fierce than the evening wolves" Anyone whom has ever witnessed an African leopard strike it's prey understands this metaphor. They have seen one of the most graceful animals of the entire animal kingdom seize it's prey with incredible stealth, cunning patience, unimaginable speed, and a stunning thrust of action to rapaciously grasp it's food in a powerful display of ferocity. The leopard is known among zoologist as the fiercest of the cats. As for wolves normally they behave cowardly, and despite their reputations they usually avoid humans. However, when confronted with hunger they become much bolder, and they will travel over great distances to find food to satiate that hunger. The next part of the description comfirms that parallel....."and their horsemen shall come from far, they shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat". I believe most people realize the incredible eyesight of the eagle which spans over many miles. And once an eagle locks it's eyesight on a target, and it is determined to feed it will not deviate from capturing/killing it's next meal. The Chaldean invasion of Judah came not on one attempt, but at least three separate reinvasions, because they were determined to take it ! The passage continues....."THEY SHALL COME ALL FOR VIOLENCE.....They shall scoff at kings (They would fear no one), and the princes shall be a scorn unto them (Why ? Because they killed them all that's why !)they shall deride every strong hold (No defence that Judah was going to mount up would work. Neither would their alliance with Egypt) for they shall heap dust, and take it..........". Habakkuk 1:7-10.
Bear in mind at the height of the Cold War the United States had approximately 2.5 million men and women under arms. Until September 11 2001 that number was on the decline. America has openly declared seven nations a threat to her power, and four are Islamic. They are Iran, Libya, Syria, Iraq, Russia, China, and North Korea, and while Russia has recently become a junior partner in the NATO organization, according to the Bush administration she still poses a threat. America continues to dismantle much of her nuclear arsenal, but let her not forget former President Ronald Reagans advice: "Trust but verify". In the meantime, sophisticated nuclear missile technology, complex biological weopons facillities, plants used to process and manufacture chemicals to create mustard gas, nerve gas (along the VX series),and low level nuclear weopons are either blossoming up in Third World countries; or being proliferated from Third World to other Third World nations. America's military forces are so stretched out is is becoming clear how she would respond in an emergency situation. Would there be a shortage of forces to respond to a specific threat (N. Korea ? China ?). It's true that she bested Taliban forces in Afghanistan via airpower, but actual ground forces were mainly placed by European Community nations. Communism crumbled over much of the world's land scape, and we are still witnessing the transformation of this world's politico-military strategems. Whatever a nation's politics bear in mind unequal commercial relationships, friction over the use and control of natural resources, cross border land disputes/claims, distribution of wealth (National/International), land reformation policies, monetary ethnic favoritism practices, and trade wars are some of the things which lead towards military conquest. James 4:1-4. The world is currently transforming towards a phase in contemporary history where America will no longer be the sole superpower. There is an elite group in America attempting to integrate the American military, and her economy into a coming world government (Ask American tobacco farmers whom are wondering how come their technology is being exported overseas to work tobacco fields in foreign countries, and have tobacco sold back to Americans. Or ask the people of Iraq/Serbia if there is a coming world system which makes demands). At any point American power will either be eroded, or integrated into a coming world system of government. Sooner or later Bible prophecy reveals another power consisting of ten nations will emerge from the heart of Western Europe. This combination of leaders will be satanically inspired, and they will rise on the world scene to fill the military vacumn left by the United States. It will be the modern day version of the Roman Empire all over again. While there will be rebellions against her authority----She will attempt to purge this world of defiance, and will fall on those nations with a brutal and devastating impact which dared to defy her rule. Daniel 2:40-43; 7:19-25; Revelation 13:11-18, 17:7-13. God has promised protection for those who love Him, and He will remove His church to a safe place before this fury explodes on the world scene with ultimate violence. Psalm 91. 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18. Now, we need to remember 3 things concerning judgements: 1.) God will protect obedient people who love Him, and whom have placed their faith in Him from all natural catastrophies. Habakkuk 2:4;. 2.) God will protect His people from supernatural catastrophies. Genesis 6:5-8; 7:1-10; and 19:1-25. 3.) The original Roman Empire hated Christians, and slaughtered them without mercy. It will be repeated. Matthew 24:9; Mark 13:11-13; Daniel 7:25; Revelation 12:17, 6:9-11; Daniel 12:1. Will Jesus come soon ? You ever wondered why satan has Hollywood producing so many films starring hostile extraterrestrials: Independence Day, Mars Attacks, the various Star Trek films, Babylon 5, etc ? Go figure (Bear in mind satan must come first 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12). In regards to God's dealing with wickedness, scripture states......."We ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: which is a manifest token of the righteous judgement of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, that ye suffer : Seeing it is a righteous thing of God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you: and to you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels. In flaming fire taking vengeanse on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with an everlasting destruction "from the presence" of the Lord, and the glory of His power. 2 Thessalonians 1:4-9. Also, Psalm 97 and Habakkuk 3:3-10....reveals what occurs as the Lord approaches the earth. The above passages manifest what the children of Israel discovered: The mere presence of God can kill sinful human beings. It was only after Adam and Eve sinned that they could no longer be in God's presence. Exodus 19:20-25; Genesis 2:18-25, 3:8 (To relate the story of disobedience, shame, etc., is not my current intention).
There are at least four types of people I wish to discuss......There are those whom are true Christians. They are people whom were called by God in correlation to His gift of eternal salvation, and not according to their own righteousness. God calls people to perform a work through them. Deuteronomy 7:6-8; John 15:16-27; Mark 1:16-20; 1 Peter 2:9-10. They love God, and exhibit His fruit via daily prayer, acts of forgiveness, Bible study, love via concern for others, spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:13-18), church fellowshipping, praise of the One true God, singing psalms, using the gifts of the Spirit to faithfully enlarge the borders of God's holy kingdom (1 Corinthians 12:4-12, 28-31), and they always thank God for the things He has done in their lives. Ephesians 5:20. Next, there are back slidden Christians whom refuse to fully obey the Lord's Word. They are Christians, because Jesus Himself called them "servants". In soothe, all those whom live in Christ Jesus will have their sins forgiven them if they faithfully confess those sins, and turn away from them (It is important to understand temptation is not sin. Hebrews 4:15; James 1:2-4; 1 Corinthians 10:13). It is also true they should be trying to repent from their former lifestyles. To repent means to stop doing what you were previously doing wrong. Hebrews 13:4. While they are Christians they are also warned given in a parable by our Lord. Matthew 25:14-30. Faith without works is dead as the entire chapter of Matthew 25 demonstrates. Consistenly living in unrepentant unconfessed sin grieves the Spirit of God. This was the problem with the church at Ephesus (Reveletion 2:1-7) they were becoming Christians in name only. There was a similar problem at Laodicea, because they were becoming to comfortable with their wordly lifestyles. Third, there are those whom have had an opportunity to hear the message of the gospel, but either they have refused to take it seriously, or they are blinded by the devil. Matthew 13:13-16, 19; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6. I will redirect my attention back to this group soon enough.
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