Scoffers

I wish we could just call them "doubting Thomases" but, unfortunately, they represent something far worse than that. These are people who are so influenced by satanic forces that they actively oppose God's Word.

Mind you, I do not mean to include those who are uncertain, nor those who are merely trying to figure out what it is they want to believe. I want you to know that there are many who aggressively fight against God. This group includes (but is not limited to) proponents of: witchcraft, naturalism, mysticism, evolution, and brain-damaged politicians who maintain that Christians "cling bitterly" to their religion.

We find warnings in the Bible about these individuals.

"First, I want to remind you that in the last days there will come scoffers who will do every wrong they can think of, and laugh at the truth. This will be their line of argument: 'So Jesus promised to come back, did He? Then where is He? He'll never come! Why, as far back as anyone can remember everything has remained exactly as it was since the first day of creation.' They deliberately forget this fact: that God did destroy the world with a mighty flood, long after He had made the heavens by the Word of His command, and had used the waters to form the earth and surround it. And God has commanded that the earth and the heavens be stored away for a great bonfire at the judgement day, when all ungodly men will perish. But don't forget this, dear friends, that a day or a thousand years from now is like tomorrow to the Lord. He isn't really being slow about His promised return, even though it sometimes seems that way. But He is waiting, for the good reason that He is unwilling that any should perish, and He is giving more time for sinners to repent." (2Pet3:3-9)tlb

Remember, God's time is His own. It is not up to us to decide when predicted events will happen, and it never has been so. Do you remember when Mount St. Helens blew up? There was an old man living up there, with more than a dozen cats. Many pointed out to him that the mountain was unsafe, due to the near-continuous shaking, and all the steam escaping from the ground. The old guy told one reporter, "Nobody knows this mountain like me." He stayed. The mountain blew up, and took him and his cats with it.

You see, it is easy to scoff, but you might not be right. Without God, you cannot be. Never doubt that which God has said will come to pass. He gave us His Word on it.

Peter did have a few more things to say on this subject.

"Dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen and for Him to come, try hard to live without sinning: and be at peace with everyone so that He will be pleased with you when He returns. And remember why He is waiting. He is giving us time to get His message of salvation out to others. Our wise and beloved brother Paul has talked about these things in many of his letters. Some of his comments are not easy to understand, and there are people who are deliberately stupid, and always demand some unusual interpretation - they have twisted his letters around to mean something quite different from what he meant, just as they do the other parts of the Scripture - and the result is disaster for them. I am warning you ahead of time, dear brothers, so that you can watch out and not be carried away by the mistakes of these wicked men, lest you yourselves become mixed up too. But grow in spiritual strength and become better acquainted with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be all glory and splendid honor, both now and forevermore. Good-bye." (2Pet3:14-18)tlb

Once again, we are reminded to spread the Word. It is why we are still here. Our Lord is not willing that anyone should lose the battle against evil, and his soul. While you are busy spreading the Good News, pray for everyone, even those who have doubts, and especially for the scoffers!

Remember this! Paul actively fought against Christianity! Jesus reached him, and turned him into an evangelist, probably the greatest of all time. How many more may there be?

Do right by God. He is counting on YOU!

Revelation churches - part 2

The next church mentioned in Revelation is the one in Smyrna. This city still exists today, but is now primarily Islamic.

"To the angel of the assembly in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life says these things: I know your oppression, and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Don't be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested; and you will have oppression for ten days. Be faithful to death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. He who overcomes won't be hurt by the second death."
(Rev 2:8-11)web

The "first and last" here is Jesus, of course.

He lets them know that He is aware of their lack of worldly riches, but He reminds them that their true riches are not of this world. He also warns them that they are to face imprisonment and torture at the hands of Satanists who pretend to be "the way to God." Jesus promises the crown of life for those who are willing to risk death for His sake. This risk is very real, even today. In many countries, around the world, you can be tortured, imprisoned and put to death for being Christian. This risk will only increase greatly after the start of the tribulation.

Believe me, God is very aware of those who pretend to be Christians in order to pervert His Word. The devil has many tools operating for him around the world. They are currently planning Satan's rise to power. Jesus warns us that we should not fear these foul puppets. They have no power, except in this world.

If you overcome evil in this world, and lose your life doing so,
you will not die the second death.

So, what is this "second death?"

It is the eternal death of the soul. Death of the body does not begin to compare. Even the most hideous death in this world will end sooner or later. Eternal damnation will not.

Many are asking if the passage above means that poverty is the only way to honor Christ's death for us. The answer is "of course not." We must simply not set such store for things in this world that we lose sight of what is really important. There is a quote whose source I no longer remember, that says, "Why trade that which you cannot afford to lose, for that which you are unable to keep?"

Few, who call themselves Christians today, are willing to actually place Jesus first in their lives. They will be rewarded. Be one of them, please...

The Crown of Life will look great on you!