"The merchants among the peoples will hiss at you; you will become a horror and no more forever." (Ezekiel 27:36, from today's Major Prophets reading)
Some of the ruins of the once mighty Phoenician City of Tyre, which is referred to in our text.
The Bible is the best "newspaper" you will ever read. Our text speaks of a proud, seemingly invincible city, yet in its rejection of the reign of God, well, the photo says everything.
The Empire of Japan, The Third Reich (The Third which had to replace the First and Second), the British Empire, Russian Empire, Ottoman Empire, the Roman, Grecian, Persian, Assyrian, Egyptian Empires--------- all gone. The United States of America is no different. One of the reasons Jesus raised up America was to facilitate the rise of the last State of Israel, by "last," I mean the Israel, with its capitol, Jerusalem, "the City of the Great King," to which Jesus, the King of the Universe, will come at His Second Appearing.
The United States of America may survive til the Second Appearing of Jesus. But I can tell you that no nation, not even Israel, saw it's "empire" last when it fell into rebellion, idolatry, and rejection of the Reign of, "The King of the Jews," and, "Lord of lords, and King of kings," Jesus. Now I know that most in American Christendom do not believe this about America, and the reason is simple: They do not take the Bible seriously. To them the Bible is devotional reading, preaching/teaching material, that's it.
A politician recently said of the current American election season, "This is a dark election." This is an absolutely perfect description. You and I, however, need not be discouraged to the point of defeat. Of course we do not want to see America descend into "darkness," even though the last 55 years have seen increasing signs of decay. Those whose hope, however, is Jesus Christ, "walk in the light as Jesus is in the light," because Jesus is, "The Light of the world."
If indeed, "This is a dark election," it is only because Jesus Christ has been rejected by the majority of Americans. Yet, I can encourage you today with the reality that the Followers of Jesus, The Church, has survived through the centuries in the face sometimes of what has seemed to be overwhelming odds. But you and I take comfort today in, "The Word of God," who says to us, "....I will build My Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail...." Let your loyalty, commitment be to Jesus, His Church, His Kingdom Reign. "The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot comprehend ('overtake, capture, seize tight hold of')," The Light, Jesus, and us in Jesus.
Father, in Jesus' Name, "My hope is built ON NOTHING LESS, than Jesus' Blood and Righteousness." Amen.
Some of the ruins of the once mighty Phoenician City of Tyre, which is referred to in our text.
The Bible is the best "newspaper" you will ever read. Our text speaks of a proud, seemingly invincible city, yet in its rejection of the reign of God, well, the photo says everything.
The Empire of Japan, The Third Reich (The Third which had to replace the First and Second), the British Empire, Russian Empire, Ottoman Empire, the Roman, Grecian, Persian, Assyrian, Egyptian Empires--------- all gone. The United States of America is no different. One of the reasons Jesus raised up America was to facilitate the rise of the last State of Israel, by "last," I mean the Israel, with its capitol, Jerusalem, "the City of the Great King," to which Jesus, the King of the Universe, will come at His Second Appearing.
The United States of America may survive til the Second Appearing of Jesus. But I can tell you that no nation, not even Israel, saw it's "empire" last when it fell into rebellion, idolatry, and rejection of the Reign of, "The King of the Jews," and, "Lord of lords, and King of kings," Jesus. Now I know that most in American Christendom do not believe this about America, and the reason is simple: They do not take the Bible seriously. To them the Bible is devotional reading, preaching/teaching material, that's it.
A politician recently said of the current American election season, "This is a dark election." This is an absolutely perfect description. You and I, however, need not be discouraged to the point of defeat. Of course we do not want to see America descend into "darkness," even though the last 55 years have seen increasing signs of decay. Those whose hope, however, is Jesus Christ, "walk in the light as Jesus is in the light," because Jesus is, "The Light of the world."
If indeed, "This is a dark election," it is only because Jesus Christ has been rejected by the majority of Americans. Yet, I can encourage you today with the reality that the Followers of Jesus, The Church, has survived through the centuries in the face sometimes of what has seemed to be overwhelming odds. But you and I take comfort today in, "The Word of God," who says to us, "....I will build My Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail...." Let your loyalty, commitment be to Jesus, His Church, His Kingdom Reign. "The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot comprehend ('overtake, capture, seize tight hold of')," The Light, Jesus, and us in Jesus.
Father, in Jesus' Name, "My hope is built ON NOTHING LESS, than Jesus' Blood and Righteousness." Amen.
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When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
