Methuselah and God's Patience

And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died.

Genesis 5:27

It all went wrong.  God had given humanity the precious gift of free will, yet man chose to turn from God to follow the foolishness of his own heart.  This led to a circumvoluted desire to do as one wished.  The word records, "And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually (Genesis 6:5)."  It all went wrong, yet in the face of such chaos and sin we see two pictures of longsuffering grace.

Tradition holds that God warned Enoch of the impending flood even before Methusaleh was born. The increasing wickedness and the attempt to destroy God's promise to Adam would lead to the destruction by the flood.  Even more specific, many feel that God warned Enoch that shortly after the death of Methusaleh the deluge would begin.  Enoch named his son with a name to remind the ungodly that there was a limit to God's kindness.  The name of the man, Methuselah, is very interesting.  In Hebrew his name means, "the man of the dart (or weapon)".  His name also can be interpreted as "his death shall bring judgment".  The sign that judgment would fall would revolve around this prayer warrior's son.

Imagine growing up next to Methuselah.  Every sniffle would send you to your knees in prayer.  Maybe the whole village held prayer vigils whenever he caught the flu?  At any rate, this tradition shows us something about the heart of God.  God's judgment on wickedness was certain. However, the LORD is clearly more interested with repentance and redemption than with judgment.  Methusaleh lived longer than any man in recorded history.  God in His mercy and grace gave mankind 969 years of time to repent.

Noah's ark building project, which can clearly be studied in scripture, also shows this loving heart of GOD who wills that none perish but all repent.  Though "...The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence (Genesis 6:11)", God gave men a long time to turn from their wickedness.  It is certain that Lamech, Methusaleh's son, knew of the prophecy.  He named his son Noah, meaning "Comfort", saying, "This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed (Genesis 5:29)."  Also, the LORD gave men 120 years to turn while Noah prepared the ark.  Every hammer blow and fallen tree was a sign that things were about to end as mankind then knew it.  Sadly, only 9* people were saved, but GOD still gave time.  The tradition above holds that Methuselah died seven days prior to the flood.  (*8 in the ark and one through rapture--Nine)  

This same longsuffering grace is available today.  How much more wicked can the world get?  According to scripture, a lot worse.  Thank GOD that He has yet to pay us what we deserve.  Should He do so, it would not be good. It is clear, however, that spiritual Methuselah has the sniffles.  Get ready!  The storm clouds are forming.  The Great Ark Builder by His own blood, sweat, and tears is about to call His church home.  Get ready!  Jesus Christ is Soon2Come and judgment is about to fall.  We will look at where it starts the next time as we consider some foreboding news.  

Ruth's Revelation

"Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day."

Ruth 4:10

Without a doubt, the story of Ruth is one of the greatest love stories in scripture.  Who has not been encouraged to see bitter and heart-broken Naomi joyfully exulting in the wedding plans of Ruth and Boaz?  Yet, as always, there is more to this glorious true story of God's providence than meets the eye.  This is also a very prophetic book and one that may settle the rapture timing issue when understood.  Let's come and see!

The story opens with Naomi's husband and sons dying in a foreign land leaving her alone and homesick for the land of Judah.  Orpah seems to make a run for it back to her world (her name means "gazelle") and leaves her grieving mother-in-law.  Her other widowed daughter-in-law, Ruth (Friendship) chooses to leave her world and follow her mother-in-law back to Bethlehem.  This is the choice of all mankind.  We either choose to run our own course or follow God's plan which ultimately leads us to a baby in a manger at Bethlehem of Judea.  Naomi is a shadow of the Jewish nation from whom the Redeemer comes.  God worked through this people to bring Christ the Savior to humanity.

In the course of time this gentile girl is found working in the barley fields eking out a meager existence.  Her mother-in-law has her in the right place but another agent is needed to get her to her future husband.  Chapter 2:6-7 tells us of the agency of an unnamed servant of Boaz who shows kindness to Ruth while giving her permission to work the field.  This servant also informs the questioning Boaz about the beautiful young lady working the field so diligently.  For those who find Christ, He is found only by the agency of God the Holy Spirit who reveals the Savior and the need for his redemption.

The apex of the story is the stressful scene where the land of Naomi's family is to be redeemed.  Boaz has a relative that is closer, but the relative refuses to marry Ruth as this was a part of the redemption price.  He did not wish to marry nor have children from an unwanted gentile girl thus marring his name.  Boaz, however, is in love and no price is too great.  Soon a deed would be prepared with writing inside and out giving all of the details of the transaction including the bride price.  Boaz later marries Ruth from who eventually comes the royal line of David and ultimately Jesus Christ.  It is also interesting to note that the moment Ruth is redeemed, the Hebrew text puts an untranslated "aleph-tav" in front of her name for the rest of the text.  It does not appear until the redemption is complete and then she is ever marked.  "Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)."  By the way, this barley harvest revolves around the Feast of Pentecost--the churches birthday!  The LORD does nothing by accident!

This same scenario is portrayed in Revelation 4 and 5.  In Revelation 5, the LORD is given a scroll that has writing "within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals".  This is the title deed to the land Christ has purchased with His own blood.  Of course, a part of that deal would be the purchase of the bride who goes along with the world he has purchased.  It is at this point the bride, the church, begins to sing, "Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth (Revelation 5:9-10)." 

Now!  This event can't take place if the church is not standing beside the Groom who has brought her out of the world now can it? Of course that took place with the open door of heaven in Revelation 4:1 after Jesus addressed the church age.  Look up friends--we will soon be singing praises in His presence as He opens the deed!  After all--Jesus Christ is Soon2Come! 

A Message of Comfort

That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased!  The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers.

Isaiah 14:4-5

Nothing found in the Bible is there by accident.  Nothing is shared in a prophetic book by happenstance either. In the post, A Message to Embrace,  it was considered that the prophet Habakkuk had compared the appearance of the Antichrist, Satan's emissary, and Jesus Christ, the only Begotten of the Father filled with grace and truth.  His book started with a note of fear and confusion but ended with peace as the Prince of Peace returned triumphantly.  The book of Isaiah also holds a similar parallel.  In this book the King of Babylon is compared with the later appearance of the Suffering Savior of Mt. Calvary.  What a contrast, and what a message of comfort.

Isaiah points out that the devil longs to be like the Most High.  He builds high towers of human origin to great extent and gets vain men to worship him, but he never seems to understand that there is no one like the LORD Most High.  He is not original nor creative, so his best plans are only copies of what the LORD has already planned and purposed.  This oracle starts with the Babylonian King (remember, Mystery Babylon and its leader, the Antichrist, figures greatly into the end of days scenario) who is a shadow of the Antichrist.  As the message continues, we see the true source behind this world unification leader of power, politics, economy, and religion.  "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning (Isaiah 14:12a)!  His best attempt is but a Losing Venture.  To this, Isaiah adds a contrasting picture of the one who is the true conqueror.  What a beautiful picture.  

What a contrast!  The overall structure of the Book of Isaiah suggests that a comparison of the enemy of men's souls in Isaiah 14 and the Savior of men's souls, as pictured in Isaiah 52-53, was planned and directed by inspiration of the Holy Ghost.  The Antichrist will smite the nations (14:6) while the Lord was smitten for the nations (53:4).  Christ was seen as being oppressed and slain for the people (53:4-5 and 7-8) while the evil one will slay and oppress humanity (14:2, 4, 20).  The Beast from the earth will shake the earth in his blasphemous arrogance (14:16) while the Son from Heaven came in humility to draw the meek (53:2).  Wicked pride comes forth from the deceiver who will proclaim himself God's equal (14:13-14) while the equal of the Father, Christ the Son, came quietly to take our sin judgment on himself though undeserving of such penalty (53:7).  The wicked ruler who is first to come will be filled with evil glory while he is immediately feared by all (14:11 and 16), but Christ came the first time in such great humility that most ignored Him and despised Him as unimportant (53:2-3, 11).  

There is no future in being proud and arrogant and trying to exalt "self" above God.  The Antichrist will exalt himself as God's equal and seek to establish his throne as high as the heavens.  However, his end is not what he expected.  He is brought down to Hell as all who defy God will be!  He doesn't even get a dignified burial (14:18-20). Those kings who he will deceive him will taunt him and be amazed at his eventual weakness and sudden downfall (14:15-16).  Christ Jesus, on the other hand, will reign on the Throne after His death 2,000 years ago as He is the resurrected one who will come from Heaven(53:8-11). He will be temporarily buried with honor (53:9) but will reign in glory (53:10-12).  His reign will be eternal and of His kingdom there is no end!  The kings remaining alive on the earth at his coming will then see the difference between the glory of Christ and the folly of the Antichrist. They will shut their mouths in shame (52:14-15).  What a difference!

Now the question is, who will you bow to?  Will it be the proud and wicked one who claims deity for himself and acts as if he is a god?  Or will you follow the meek and humble savior who is GOD Almighty? The choice is yours, but make it quickly.  The Antichrist is waiting in the wings and will soon be going forth conquering and to conquer.  Jesus Christ is shortly to follow--He is Soon2Come!!

Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Isaiah 53:12

  

A Message to Embrace

O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention. Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.

Habakkuk 1:2-4

Isn't it easy to get emotionally distraught over all of the negative news around us.  It appears that demonic forces are working overtime universally.  At times, there is the temptation to get angry when one sees the seemingly overwhelming victories of those who are trying to push godless lifestyles on humanity.  In short, it just seems like evil is winning in the fight against good and evil and the LORD seems to be doing nothing about it.  This pretty much sums up the opening of this prophet's oracle.

It seems that Habakkuk did this on purpose as a part of the delivery of his message of hope.  Yes--message of hope!  He wants his reader who understands and sees the ensuing chaos to relate to what seems like circumstances of despair.  It doesn't let up none too quick either.  He immediately tells us about the enemy--the Babylonians.  If God is omnipotent then why is He allowing the enemy to run roughshod over His people?  God informs the questioning prophet that it is all a part of his ultimate plan which sends the prophet complaining again. 

Notice the emphasis the seer places on the Chaldeans.  They are overtaking the whole earth.  Their horses have the speed of a leopard and the ferocity of  wolves.  Their army flies in anticipation like vultures on a fresh kill.  Kings and nations are overturned and yield in the wake of their onslaught.  Like a mighty wind they advance and they take captives as numerous as the sand.  What a picture.  No wonder Habakkuk is questioning.  There is nothing but bedlam, confusion, catastrophe, and God is doing nothing!  Or is He?

This book actually is very prophetic about the Tribulation and the return of Christ.  Think just for a moment.  Who is in charge of the world just before Jesus returns?  The Antichrist--and he is in control of Babylon--mystery Babylon.  His power seems unmatched.  He successfully makes war on the Tribulation saints.  His glory, like that of the armies of the ancient Chaldean Kings, spreads around the world in minutes.  He takes over the earth and its people like sand on the sea.  Like a ravenous wolf or a bird of prey, he overcomes everyone.  Even the two witnesses fall to his intrigue.  Now that is scary!

So where is the message of hope?  

It comes with the desperation of the prophet's prayer!  "O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy."  Habakkuk 3:2  The devil, the Antichrist, the false prophet, and the 10 kings have had their day.  Now it is time for the return of Christ whose coming is incomparable!

With a speed greater than that of the armies of Mystery Babylon--Jesus comes in Habakkuk chapter 3.  He comes from Teman and Mt. Paran where the beleaguered remnants of the children of Israel are in hiding.  He swiftly destroys their persecutors.  Unlike the Antichrist whose power originates with the earth--Christ comes down with the Armies of Heaven in tow.  His light invades the demonic darkness that has been so prevalent for the last few years.  Flashes of power emanate from His hands. Pestilence is before Him and plagues upon the godless follow Him.  His great white horse charges into battle as no other steed in human history.   His garments are stained with blood and upon the thigh is a garment with the title, "KING OF KING AND LORD OF LORDS".  Mountains shudder and split at His rebuke and the hills hide from His glory.  His saints follow singing praises to the LORD of Salvation!  The sun hides its light and the moon flees from His presence.  Thou didst march through the land in indignation, thou didst thresh the heathen in anger. Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah.  Habakkuk 3:12-13  Hallelujah!!!  The KING has come!!!  Let all God's saints shout, "Glory!"

Habakkuk now beholds the "Amen" since it is Jesus who gets the last word!  "When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops."  Habakkuk 3:16  His fear of God is now greater than his fear of what the devil is doing!  He sees the King in all of His shekinah!

Seeing the fierceness of Christ who is Soon2Come, the prophet shares hope for those who are focused more on what the devil is doing than what Christ will do!  Embrace the words of the prophet whose name means embrace!  What began with confusion ends with serenity as the Prince of Peace reigns!

"Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

Habakkuk 3:17-19

Locusts!

And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all that night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts.  And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt: very grievous were they; before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such.

Exodus 10:13-14

The plagues on Egypt are one of the most well known events in the Bible.  It is for this reason, then, that so many are captivated with the plague of locusts that is occurring now.  What is even more amazing is its timing.  Like the plagues of old, these insects are on the march just weeks ahead of the Passover--the Celebration of the then upcoming deliverance of the nation of Israel from the clutches of their cruel taskmasters.  It was the enslavement of God's people that brought the plagues then, so is it the persecution of God's people now that is also an ominous sign portending the beginning of unfulfilled prophetic passages?  It is unwise to persecute the Lord's church!  Egypt's recent turmoil has of late been a topic of discussion here and elsewhere!  As proof, here is an article from January on the current situation in Syria and Egypt.  The Burdens of Egypt and Syria

So does the LORD still avenge His people today?  Consider events in recent history shortly after a serious rise in Christian persecution in Pakistan in 2010.  During a massive wave of the torture and killing of believers record flooding nearly brought the nation to its knees.   

Muslim Extremists Murder Christian Family in Pakistan « Persecution News

Life at the Bottom: The Horror of Christian Persecution in Pakistan -

BBC News - Pakistan city tense after 'blaspheming' Christians shot

Guest Voices: Religious persecution in Pakistan - On Faith at washingtonpost.com

Record flooding--

BBC News - Pakistan floods 'hit 14m people'
Is the Flooding in Pakistan a Climate Change Disaster?: Scientific American


The persecution continued and the floods came again in 2012!
BBC News - Pakistan floods 'kill more than 400' over past fortnight
Hundreds killed in Pakistan flooding - CNN.com

Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

1 Chronicles 16:22

Psalm 105:15

What has been a regular item lately in Egypt?  Christian persecution! Egyptian court sentences Christian family to 15 years for converting from Islam | Fox News

The persecution of Christians in Morsi’s Egypt is now serious. So, will Obama use his billion dollar subsidy in their defence? Don’t hold your breath | CatholicHerald.co.uk

Muslim Brotherhood and the killing and persecution of Christians in Egypt - Watertown Tea Party | Examiner.com

Obama Overlooks Christian Persecution

The locusts came once before when the Lord's people were hurt and His children were oppressed.  Most Christians will not defend themselves--but great is their Defender!  Is this a modern day warning reminiscent of the Passover?  The timing sure is right!


Please be careful Egypt.  Things will get worse before it gets better!  Yet, there will be a day in the Messiah's Kingdom when you will be brought home safely!  Such grace!  Messiah surely is Soon2Come!

“I will make the land of Egypt a desolate waste in the midst of desolated lands; and its own cities will become a desolate waste in the very midst of devastated cities for forty years; and I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations” –Ezekiel 29:12

Just to keep you up to date on Syria and Isaiah 17 too--Israel warns UN of Syria war spilling over its borders | JPost | Israel News

I Say Unto All--Watch!

Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Mark 13:35-37

An old hymn written in 1894 by James Kirk joyfully rings:

"I am watching for the coming of the glad millennial day,

When our blessèd Lord shall come and catch His waiting bride away.

Oh! my heart is filled with rapture as I labor, watch, and pray,

For our Lord is coming back to earth again."

What a joyous thought!  Jesus, the King returning in grand and glorious splendor arriving to reign for a magnificent 1000 years....If a loud screeching of tires sound could be applied to this post it would come in right about here.  Before that precious day arrives there is the matter of the increasing birth pains Jesus spoke about.  Mark warned of this time by recording, "And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows."  Mark 13:7-8

One thing is certain! The rate at which strange and unusual occurrences are happening is increasing.  Just consider this video by Fidockwave213:  SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS PROPHETIC EVENTS FEBRUARY 2013 - YouTube

March has the potential for great catastrophe!  First, consider the arrival of President Obama in Jerusalem on the 20th of March (If Netanyahu can form a government by then).  Any who has been watching the rise in natural disasters understands that there is a strong correlation between these disasters on a nation and that nation's record against Israel or in support of a two-state plan.  However, this date is even more significant.  Check any Gregorian Calendar to Hebrew Calendar on the web and you will see that this date, March 20th, is the date of the 9th of Nisan on the Hebrew Calendar.  The 9th of Nisan is always 5 days before the Passover and it is the day the JESUS ENTERED JERUSALEM in triumph but was later rejected.  He did leave a prophecy about this, "I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive."  John 5:43

Are we seeing a man who is a forerunner of another "Messiah" enter Jerusalem on the same day?  What's more is that the President is supposed to visit the temple mount without Israeli security from the Arab side of the area so that he may visit the Al Aqsa Mosque.  Watch for trouble from this--it is already brewing!!  

Hamas warns Obama: Don't visit Temple Mount - Washington Times

Hamas warns Obama against Temple Mount visit | The Times of Israel

Add to this the potential to poke God in the eye with a national declaration in favor of what He calls an abomination, and we have the makings of a rather turbulent March.  The US Supreme Court will begin hearing arguments on the 26th of this month on the issue of Proposition 8 and gay marriage.  Again, national rulings in favor of wickedness are another trigger for Divine wrath.  Marriage is a shadow of God's everlasting relationship to Israel and Christ's everlasting relationship with the church.  God has not changed His mind about what is or is not sin no matter how many reprobate "ministers" say He has.  Even the President has weighed in on this.  Watch!  

The president and the nation have evolved on same-sex marriage - CNN.com

The evolution of the nation's 'first gay president' - CNN.com
God's word does not "evolve"!!!  

Leahy joins Supreme Court brief on DOMA - News - Boston.com

President Obama’s support to overturn gay marriage ban rings true in San Francisco | Chris Roberts | Local | San Francisco Examiner

By the way, to the North of the US, the Canadian Supreme Court has just illegalized free speech.  If you tell someone that homosexuality is a sin just like adultery, pedophilia, or any other sin for that matter, you can be charged with a hate crime.  This came about when a former homosexual was delivered and began to pass out tracts to those practicing this sin.  He was arrested and charged with a hate crime.  Supreme Court muzzles free speech in Canada, rules against Catholic pro-family activist | LifeSiteNews.com

The window is quickly closing on the church to witness.  The night is coming when no man can work.  SO WORK!In the meantime, prayerfully watch as March may go out like a lion. Remember, Jesus is Soon2Come and what a triumphal entry that will be!!!

For I am the LORD, I change not...

Malachi 3:16a

Hell's Provision

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

Daniel 1:8

So you want to be a man or woman of God used mightily in these last days?  Maybe you want to be a servant used much like Daniel who was in the midst of a godless, pagan regime yet remained true to the LORD when many others failed.  It will take prayerful devotion and the Spirit sent ability to refuse the provisions of Hell.  It would be so easy to just coalesce, to become compliant, to just fit in.  However, God's servants cannot ever become what the god of this world wishes them to be.  They must, after having done all, stand.  "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand (Ephesians 6:13)."  

It is readily apparent that we are nearing the last great cataclysmic confrontation of God against those who are arrayed against Him.  One such sign deals with those who turn, "the grace of our God into lasciviousness (Jude 1:4)."   They have a form of godliness but deny the power of the Cross.  These are those who alter the Word of God to suit themselves and who twist the unalterable precepts of God as they have tasted of the Spirit of Antichrist's dainties.  The world system wants you to feed on what it thinks about God while ignoring God's commands and teachings.  Those who go after that teaching usually condone evil while accusing the just.

Whole groups today are stuffing themselves with Hell's provisions without ever considering the source.  There is the tasty cake that says abortion is a choice and many stand behind the right to murder as if it were a god-given right.  It is actually, it is a right given by the god of this world and not of the God of the Bible.  This dessert goes well with the topping of suicide on demand.  Yet God assures, "The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name (Isaiah 49:1)."

 Does your church support abortion rights? - Yahoo! Answers 

RIGHT TO DIE LAWS

There is the tasty morsel that changes the notion the homosexuality as an abomination and God's definition of marriage which the god of this age seems to lavish upon humanity.  "Surely the story of Sodom and Gomorrah is nothing more than ancient folklore", he says as he passes the dish. He adds, "Did God really say that marriage was only to be between a man and a woman?" So many today are doubting God's direction as the enemy provides them something forbidden to eat!  (For those feeling smug that they have not committed an abomination--gossip sows discord in a church and Proverbs 6 calls that an abomination as well.  Remember, we all desperately need Jesus at all, ALL times!!)
World Wide Directory of Gay and lesbian Affirming / Welcoming Churches

From evolution to abortion, divorce to pornography, homosexuality to pedophilia, many are changing their minds and eagerly following after the list of immorality offered by the spirit of Antichrist.  The list of fallen pastors who engage in this sort of wickedness grows, and iniquity often seems to be invading nearly every pew.  It seems so many are tasting all that the enemy has to offer.  Maybe this is why Jesus warned that because iniquity would abound the love of many would wax cold?

So what about you?  Do you want to be a man or woman of God who is used greatly?  If you want to be a servant of the Most High God, remember that He always has been, is, and always will be Holy!  It is this trait that the Cherubim in His presence laud continually.  They don't yell, "Love, love, love, is the LORD."  Their cry is not, "the LORD is tolerant, tolerant, tolerant!"  No!  Their cry, "Holy, Holy Holy!", shakes the doorposts of Heaven.  You see the first meat that the god of this world passes the compromised one is the idea of grace that does not change a man or woman and bring a desire for holiness.  He, the spirit behind the Antichrist, wants men and women who choose his delicacies while rejecting the power of the Cross to sanctify.

If you want to be a man or woman of God who is greatly used, then wholeheartedly submit to the One who can lead you from victory to victory.  Refuse the king of this world's provision and accept the unaltered Lordship of Christ!  As always, if you are caught in the web of sin (including any mentioned above)--there is always forgiveness.  The Apostle John reminds us with full assurance, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins..."  However, don't do as so many do and stop reading halfway through the verse.  It goes on to say, "and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."   He is still able to cleanse to the uttermost.  He is also Soon2Come!

He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

Proverbs 28:9