"And you will find in the book of the records and know that this city (Jerusalem) is a rebellious city, harmful to kings and provinces, and that they have incited sedition within the city in former times, for which cause this city was destroyed....Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come." (Ezra 4:15 & Revelation 18:10b, from one of today's OT and NT readings)
This is a "battle of the cities." Yet, "In one hour,"-------------------- it will all be over, horror for some, anticipation and glory for others.
Let's take stock of the historic and present global reality. From Brother Andrew's Open Doors Prayer Force for March:
MEXICO: Pray for Christian women who are struggling to care for their families since being forced out of their homes for their faith.
INDIA: Samari was recently burned to death for her faith. Pray her son finds safety and family who can take care of him.
CENTRAL ASIA: Pray for believers caught in a raid where officers found Bibles, computers and storage devices full of evangelism and discipleship materials.
The "Central Asia" refers to a country which was in the former Soviet Union; nothing has changed. Yet some in Christendom pedal a "gospel" which shields people from such reality. What is happening to most of the Church around the world at this moment is not yet happening in the United States of America. Probably few American Christians have underlined, "Yes, all who desire to live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." Yet while historically and presently this is the reality, never forget for a moment the same reality, "In one hour...."
It will be 4 years ago next week that I entered North Korea, the absolute "worse" country I have ever visited. Yet in that land there are hundreds of thousands of people who worship, pray, serve, and love our Lord Jesus Christ equally as anyone of us. When so-called "bad things" happen, maybe we should read the Bible more closely. We just may discover that what most call "bad," is in reality the Truth of Romans 5, "Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces....perseverance...and... character...and...hope."
I receive equal instruction and revelation of, "the Kingdom of Heaven/God," as well as blessing, in the Old Testament as I do in the New. If a people can only be blessed by what they underline, I really feel sorry for them. Psalm 119:160 says, "The sum of Your Word is truth [the full meaning of all Your Precepts], and every one of Your righteous ordinances endures forever." Notice, "....every one of Your righteous ordinances," not just Psalm 23 and John 3. The whole of the, "God-Breathed," Word affirms the reality of today's texts. The Bible says that, "In the last days evil men will go from bad to worse." Those in our text who wanted to punish and destroy, "the City of the Great King," and those who attempt to destroy the Followers of Jesus are still among us. But before them awaits the, "in-one-hour," appointment with destiny. Under the Blood of Jesus, however, that, "one hour," will be our, "redemption draws night."
As the song writer suggested so long ago, our Lord Jesus Christ continually says to you and me, "Be faithful, weary pilgrim, the morning I can see. Just lift your cross and follow close to me."
Father, in Jesus' Name, in You, Your grace and mercy, I will. Amen.
************************
This is a "battle of the cities." Yet, "In one hour,"-------------------- it will all be over, horror for some, anticipation and glory for others.
Let's take stock of the historic and present global reality. From Brother Andrew's Open Doors Prayer Force for March:
MEXICO: Pray for Christian women who are struggling to care for their families since being forced out of their homes for their faith.
INDIA: Samari was recently burned to death for her faith. Pray her son finds safety and family who can take care of him.
CENTRAL ASIA: Pray for believers caught in a raid where officers found Bibles, computers and storage devices full of evangelism and discipleship materials.
The "Central Asia" refers to a country which was in the former Soviet Union; nothing has changed. Yet some in Christendom pedal a "gospel" which shields people from such reality. What is happening to most of the Church around the world at this moment is not yet happening in the United States of America. Probably few American Christians have underlined, "Yes, all who desire to live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." Yet while historically and presently this is the reality, never forget for a moment the same reality, "In one hour...."
It will be 4 years ago next week that I entered North Korea, the absolute "worse" country I have ever visited. Yet in that land there are hundreds of thousands of people who worship, pray, serve, and love our Lord Jesus Christ equally as anyone of us. When so-called "bad things" happen, maybe we should read the Bible more closely. We just may discover that what most call "bad," is in reality the Truth of Romans 5, "Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces....perseverance...and... character...and...hope."
I receive equal instruction and revelation of, "the Kingdom of Heaven/God," as well as blessing, in the Old Testament as I do in the New. If a people can only be blessed by what they underline, I really feel sorry for them. Psalm 119:160 says, "The sum of Your Word is truth [the full meaning of all Your Precepts], and every one of Your righteous ordinances endures forever." Notice, "....every one of Your righteous ordinances," not just Psalm 23 and John 3. The whole of the, "God-Breathed," Word affirms the reality of today's texts. The Bible says that, "In the last days evil men will go from bad to worse." Those in our text who wanted to punish and destroy, "the City of the Great King," and those who attempt to destroy the Followers of Jesus are still among us. But before them awaits the, "in-one-hour," appointment with destiny. Under the Blood of Jesus, however, that, "one hour," will be our, "redemption draws night."
As the song writer suggested so long ago, our Lord Jesus Christ continually says to you and me, "Be faithful, weary pilgrim, the morning I can see. Just lift your cross and follow close to me."
Father, in Jesus' Name, in You, Your grace and mercy, I will. Amen.
************************
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
