COVID-19 and Satan's Censureship

How does Satan stop the truth from interfering with his evil plans and deceptions? After studying some of his schemes and tactics, we now can see them being clearly implemented.

The YouTube video of Dr. Erickson after 5.4 million views was taken off. Why? Because it violated their community standards. The CEO stated that any content that contradicted any statements, findings, or projections from the WHO would not be allowed on YouTube. So, what are we to learn from this? Has this ever happened before? This sounds like the Nazi propaganda machine at work.

What has God revealed to us on this very subject?

Jeremiah 37:1-21  Now Zedekiah the son of Josiah whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had made king in the land of Judah, reigned as king in place of Coniah the son of Jehoiakim. But neither he nor his servants nor the people of the land listened to the words of the LORD which He spoke through Jeremiah the prophet. Yet King Zedekiah sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, to Jeremiah the prophet, saying, "Please pray to the LORD our God on our behalf." 

Jeremiah was commanded to only speak God’s truth. Even though they did not listen, when in trouble who did the king send for?

Now Jeremiah was still coming in and going out among the people, for they had not yet put him in the prison. Meanwhile, Pharaoh's army had set out from Egypt; and when the Chaldeans who had been besieging Jerusalem heard the report about them, they lifted the siege from Jerusalem. Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, saying, "Thus says the LORD God of Israel, 'Thus you are to say to the king of Judah, who sent you to Me to inquire of Me: "Behold, Pharaoh's army which has come out for your assistance is going to return to its own land of Egypt. "The Chaldeans will also return and fight against this city, and they will capture it and burn it with fire."'

The truth is seldom pleasing to the ear. In fact, it infuriates those in power who want the people to believe in them, obey them, and seek information only from them.

"Thus says the LORD, 'Do not deceive yourselves, saying, "The Chaldeans will surely go away from us," for they will not go.  'For even if you had defeated the entire army of Chaldeans who were fighting against you, and there were only wounded men left among them, each man in his tent, they would rise up and burn this city with fire.'" 

God’s plans would not be thwarted. He mocks them by saying even if only wounded men were left, they would still capture the city.

Now it happened when the army of the Chaldeans had lifted the siege from Jerusalem because of Pharaoh's army,  that Jeremiah went out from Jerusalem to go to the land of Benjamin in order to take possession of some property there among the people. While he was at the Gate of Benjamin, a captain of the guard whose name was Irijah, the son of Shelemiah the son of Hananiah was there; and he arrested Jeremiah the prophet, saying, "You are going over to the Chaldeans!" But Jeremiah said, "A lie! I am not going over to the Chaldeans"; yet he would not listen to him.

How do you silence oppostion? First, you put them in jail so their voice, actually God’s Words, would not be heard.

So Irijah arrested Jeremiah and brought him to the officials.  Then the officials were angry at Jeremiah and beat him, and they put him in jail in the house of Jonathan the scribe, which they had made into the prison. For Jeremiah had come into the dungeon, that is, the vaulted cell; and Jeremiah stayed there many days. 

It is not enough to just jail Jeremiah, they beat him as well. They were trying to make their point, if you don’t agree with us there is a severe penalty for you to pay.

Now King Zedekiah sent and took him out; and in his palace the king secretly asked him and said, "Is there a word from the LORD?" And Jeremiah said, "There is!" Then he said, "You will be given into the hand of the king of Babylon!" Moreover Jeremiah said to King Zedekiah, "In what way have I sinned against you, or against your servants, or against this people, that you have put me in prison? "Where then are your prophets who prophesied to you, saying, 'The king of Babylon will not come against you or against this land'?

The king, while not worshiping God, still sought a word from God. How is this rational?

 "But now, please listen, O my lord the king; please let my petition come before you and do not make me return to the house of Jonathan the scribe, that I may not die there." 

The king was keeping all options open, but it would not alter God’s impending judgment.

Then King Zedekiah gave commandment, and they committed Jeremiah to the court of the guardhouse and gave him a loaf of bread daily from the bakers' street, until all the bread in the city was gone. So Jeremiah remained in the court of the guardhouse. 

The rest of the story next time. It doesn’t end here.

COVID-19 and Satan's Great Deception

While we are called to know and understand God’s Word, sometimes it takes the world to bring this into clearer focus. Most people have a hard time thinking that the government or the media/news would ever deceive or mislead them. If Satan has deceived the whole world, which I believe, then he certainly will use any of the major elements of our society to deceive us.

Just recently two YouTube presentations/interviews were sent to me which I would like you to watch. After watching them you should be asking yourself, what did I just learn and what does it truly mean.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfLVxx_lBLU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjjybyJ59Lw

While neither of these interviews expresses a desire to present them in purely biblical perspectives, we can still learn from them.

Matthew 10:16  "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. 

We are definitely in the midst of wolves, ravenous wolves.

2 Corinthians 13:5-6  Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test? But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test.

The Bible is full of warnings about being deceived by others as well as being self-deceived. Examine your knowledge of the world and where you get this knowledge. Examine your foundational beliefs and try to determine where your beliefs are grounded. Are they grounded in Scripture or in the subtle doctrines of men and traditions, both of which Jesus condemned?

Mark 7:6-9  And He said to them, "Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME.  'BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.' 

"Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men." He was also saying to them, "You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition. 

COVID-19 and Satan's Great Deception

New York seems to be the hardest hit cities for this virus. Yet, the ‘news’ just summarized some very interesting facts. Jacob Javits center is no longer needed, Samaritan’s Purse Field Hospital was barely used, and the great hospital ship is leaving as well. It seems that none were really needed, yet were deemed necessary.

Also, a study of the patients in New York revealed that 94% of the fatalities from the virus were on the average 63 years old and suffered from one or more chronic diseases. This is exactly the same condition for the deaths from the annual flu. Patients were obese, diabetic, and in poor general health prior to getting the virus.

Could their overall poor physical health contribute to their vulnerability? Why is this so surprising? Why did government go to such extremes to heighten the fear of being able to have enough hospital beds? As mentioned before fear drives out rational thinking and is the opposite of faith.

Is Satan the mastermind of this virus and all of the attendant fear and anxiety? Let us try and discover what Satan can do and what he cannot do. Some of this will be a review of his deceitful tactics.

Genesis 3:1-5  Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Indeed, has God The woman said to the serpent, "From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.'" The serpent said to the woman, "You surely will not die!  "For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.

Here we once again see that Satan says, don’t trust God but trust your own experiences and understanding. Can’t you decide for yourself what is good and what is bad? Job’s story is more troubling than that of Genesis.

Job 1:6-12  Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. The LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?" Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it."The LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil."  Then Satan answered the LORD, "Does Job fear God for nothing? "Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.  "But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face." Then the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him." So Satan departed from the presence of the LORD. 

What is Satan doing in Heaven and in God’s presence? Why is God allowing him to test Job? God clearly states that Job is His servant, yet He allows Satan to destroy all that Job held dear, including his family.

1 Chronicles 21:1  Then Satan stood up against Israel and moved David to number Israel. 

David was a man after God’s own heart, yet God allowed Satan to tempt him and he yielded to the temptation. David paid dearly for this act of disobedience.

Luke 22:31-24  "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."  But he said to Him, "Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!" And He said, "I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me." 

Here we read that Jesus warned Peter that Satan had demanded to sift him like wheat. How can Satan demand anything from God? It is quite apparent from these passages that while Satan has great power and influence in this world, he cannot act entirely on his own. He operates totally under the sovereignty of God. But Satan will, if he hasn’t already, deceive the whole world.

This could be just a display of his power to his followers. Sort of a practice run for when he will reveal the Antichrist. It also could be God’s judgment on an unrepentant and disobedient world.

COVID-19 and Satan's Great Deception

Just read a few more interesting statistics and facts in regard to this worldwide virus. According to Medicare, they will pay the hospital $13,000 for admitting any patient with the virus and provide $39,000 if these patients need respirators or ventilators. This sounds like an incentive to identify any questionable condition as COVID-19. In fact, many have been found to already been doing this, ‘just to be safe’!

Adding to the confusion and suspicion is the fact that all colds are Corona’s and the testing does not differentiate among Corona’s. So the Dr. is the final determinate of condition, not the test.

This still doesn’t help us understand the Biblical truth behind all of this, but it does add to the concern and questions. Perhaps we should read what Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, was told to write down and proclaim. This may be another passage that you have never heard a sermon on.

Jeremiah 14:1-12  That which came as the word of the LORD to Jeremiah in regard to the drought: "Judah mourns And her gates languish; They sit on the ground in mourning, And the cry of Jerusalem has ascended. "Their nobles have sent their servants for water; They have come to the cisterns and found no water. They have returned with their vessels empty; They have been put to shame and humiliated, And they cover their heads. "Because the ground is cracked, For there has been no rain on the land; The farmers have been put to shame, They have covered their heads. "For even the doe in the field has given birth only to abandon her young, Because there is no grass."The wild donkeys stand on the bare heights; They pant for air like jackals, Their eyes fail For there is no vegetation. 

Theses conditions sound extremely serious and life threatening. There is little to no food and little chance of planting and harvesting in time to keep people from starving. Yet, God will not send rain or food. Why?

"Although our iniquities testify against us, O LORD, act for Your name's sake! Truly our apostasies have been many, We have sinned against You. "O Hope of Israel, Its Savior in time of distress, Why are You like a stranger in the land Or like a traveler who has pitched his tent for the night? "Why are You like a man dismayed, Like a mighty man who cannot save? Yet You are in our midst, O LORD, And we are called by Your name; Do not forsake us!" 

Here Jeremiah is crying out to the God to remind Him that no one can save them but Him. These are His chosen people in His promised land, and yet He will not have mercy or show mercy to them. They have forsaken Him for generations. This is not any knee-jerk reaction to a recent problem. This is generational idolatry and spiritual adultery.

Thus says the LORD to this people, "Even so they have loved to wander; they have not kept their feet in check. Therefore the LORD does not accept them; now He will remember their iniquity and call their sins to account." 

God also says He will remove our sins as far as the East is from the West, yet here He states He will remember their sins. He will hold them fully accountable for all of their sins against Him.

So the LORD said to me, "Do not pray for the welfare of this people. "When they fast, I am not going to listen to their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I am not going to accept them.

This seems extremely cruel and heartless to the social justice, ecumenical, liberal church of today. God will not only not listen to their pleas and prayers, but tells Jeremiah that He will not listen to his prayers on their behalf. In fact, He commands Jeremiah to not pray for them.

This seems in direct opposition to James 5:16 “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”

Rather I am going to make an end of them by the sword, famine and pestilence." 

We have seen that God will punish sinful nations and peoples. We have seen that He will use whatever means He desires. He is long-suffering, but He will judge the wicked, on this earth and in Heaven. He will also use wicked men to carry out His divine decrees and judgments.

COVID-19 and Satan's Great Deception

We should also remember that God uses plagues and pestilence to judge His people and to warn them of His soon coming final judgment. So is this just a virus from a fallen world, part of Satan’s plan to bring about the beast, false prophet, and antichrist, or God’s judgment on the world for their sin and disbelief? I will let you consider this answer for yourselves, but first some not often mentioned facts.

The WHO summarizes on their website that in the 2017-2018 flu season 1 billion people had the flu. The CDC for the same year reports that in the U.S. only, 45 million cases of the flu, 35 million Dr. visits, 490,000 hospitalizations, and 62,000 deaths. The CDC further reports that YTD this flu season there have been 23,000 deaths, of course, this number changes daily.

Did you know that all colds are a Corona virus? The current testing cannot differentiate a Corona cold or flu from COVID-19. Of course, none of these facts, although quite easy to find, our part of our mainstream media, government, or medical updates.

God repeatedly warned the nation of Israel that if they followed other gods, He would send disaster and death to them. We will study just one passage today.

Deuteronomy 28:15-20  "But it shall come about, if you do not obey the LORD your God, to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes with which I charge you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: "Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the country.  "Cursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.  "Cursed shall be the offspring of your body and the produce of your ground, the increase of your herd and the young of your flock. "Cursed shall you be when you come in, and cursed shall you be when you go out. "The LORD will send upon you curses, confusion, and rebuke, in all you undertake to do, until you are destroyed and until you perish quickly, on account of the evil of your deeds, because you have forsaken Me. 

This is God’s warning thru Moses to the people of Israel before they entered the Promise Land. God will send curses down upon them in every area and walk of life. There will be no where to hide or escape. Remember, these are His chosen people, yet He will not spare them when they disobey and follow other gods.

28:21-25  "The LORD will make the pestilence cling to you until He has consumed you from the land where you are entering to possess it.  "The LORD will smite you with consumption and with fever and with inflammation and with fiery heat and with the sword and with blight and with mildew, and they will pursue you until you perish. "The heaven which is over your head shall be bronze, and the earth which is under you, iron.  "The LORD will make the rain of your land powder and dust; from heaven it shall come down on you until you are destroyed. "The LORD shall cause you to be defeated before your enemies; you will go out one way against them, but you will flee seven ways before them, and you will be an example of terror to all the kingdoms of the earth.  "Your carcasses will be food to all birds of the sky and to the beasts of the earth, and there will be no one to frighten them away. 

God will causes famines and wars to befall them. He will send fevers and inflammation. Sounds like the flu or worse.

Just like with Elijah and Ahab, God will withhold the rain as well. I am sure most of you have never heard sermons on these passages, as they don’t fit with the false teachings of a God of love. As if love is God’s only real controlling attribute.

28:27-33  "The LORD will smite you with the boils of Egypt and with tumors and with the scab and with the itch, from which you cannot be healed. "The LORD will smite you with madness and with blindness and with bewilderment of heart; and you will grope at noon, as the blind man gropes in darkness, and you will not prosper in your ways; but you shall only be oppressed and robbed continually, with none to save you. "You shall betroth a wife, but another man will violate her; you shall build a house, but you will not live in it; you shall plant a vineyard, but you will not use its fruit.  "Your ox shall be slaughtered before your eyes, but you will not eat of it; your donkey shall be torn away from you, and will not be restored to you; your sheep shall be given to your enemies, and you will have none to save you.  "Your sons and your daughters shall be given to another people, while your eyes look on and yearn for them continually; but there will be nothing you can do. "A people whom you do not know shall eat up the produce of your ground and all your labors, and you will never be anything but oppressed and crushed continually. "You shall be driven mad by the sight of what you see. "The LORD will strike you on the knees and legs with sore boils, from which you cannot be healed, from the sole of your foot to the crown of your head. 

This sounds like what Satan sent upon Job after destroying his family, holdings, and all of his servants. Boils from head to toe.

28:45-48  "So all these curses shall come on you and pursue you and overtake you until you are destroyed, because you would not obey the LORD your God by keeping His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you.  "They shall become a sign and a wonder on you and your descendants forever.  "Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and a glad heart, for the abundance of all things;  therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the LORD will send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in the lack of all things; and He will put an iron yoke on your neck until He has destroyed you.  

God had repeated warned Israel, yet they turned their back on Him and did exactly what He had forbidden them to do. Have we not exactly done the same? Has the U.S. been faithful and obedient to God"? No! Have we sacrificed our own children? Yes!

28:64-67  "If you are not careful to observe all the words of this law which are written in this book, to fear this honored and awesome name, the LORD your God,  "Among those nations you shall find no rest, and there will be no resting place for the sole of your foot; but there the LORD will give you a trembling heart, failing of eyes, and despair of soul.  "So your life shall hang in doubt before you; and you will be in dread night and day, and shall have no assurance of your life.  "In the morning you shall say, 'Would that it were evening!' And at evening you shall say, 'Would that it were morning!' because of the dread of your heart which you dread, and for the sight of your eyes which you will see. 

Trembling hearts, despair, dread, and great fear of what is happening and what is coming. Does this not sound like what people are experiencing today?

COVID-19 and Satan's Great Deception

Let us not be taken by surprise or respond in fear. Fear drives out rational thinking and replaces faith. In truth, fear is the opposite of faith.

What are we to do? What has God called, prepared, and planned for you to do today?

Ezekiel 33:1-9  And the Word of Jehovah came to me, saying, Son of man, speak to the sons of your people, and say to them: When I bring the sword on it, on a land, and take one man from the people of the land, of their borders, and set him for their watchman; if, when he sees the sword come on the land, he blows the trumpet and warns the people, then whoever hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, if the sword does come and take him away, his blood shall be on his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet and did not take warning. His blood shall be on himself.

But he who takes warning shall deliver his soul. But if the watchman sees the sword coming, and does not blow the trumpet and the people are not warned; if the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity. But I will require his blood at the watchman's hand. 

And you, son of man, I have set you a watchman to the house of Israel. Therefore you shall hear the Word from My mouth, and warn them from Me. 

When I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die; if you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked one shall die in his iniquity; but I will require his blood at your hand.

But, if you warn the wicked of his way, to turn from it; if he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity, but you have delivered your soul.

Clearly, Ezekiel has been chosen by God to be the watchman over Israel. Two things stand out.

The first is that the watchman needs to warn others even if they won’t listen. As with the example in Israel, they did not want to hear from God, did not take the warnings as truth, and ignored Ezekiel, even as they preferred to listen to those who told them what they liked to hear, not what they need to hear.

The second is that a failure to warn meant judgment on the watchman! That is silence is not an option. Too often when we are in the company of unbelievers, this can also be true of believers, we remain silent as the spew out their doctrines and beliefs. Maybe we don’t want to appear judgmental or insensitive, but they are bold in their false assertions and God has called us to proclaim His truth.

Mark 8:38  Therefore whoever shall be ashamed of Me and of My Words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man shall also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels. 

If you are afraid of offending anyone, then consider this, in those examples the only one truly offended is God. How comfortable are you in offending God?

COVID-19 and Satan's Great Deception

Warnings from God are ignored by most, even within the ‘Church’ system of religion. While we know that Satan is the great liar and deceiver, we must also understand what God will do to enable the world to continue in it’s deceit.

John 12:36-40  While you have the Light, believe in the Light so that you may become sons of Light. Jesus spoke these things and departed and was hidden from them. But though He had done so many miracles before them, yet they did not believe on Him, so that the saying of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke, "Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" 

Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again,  "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, so that they should not see with their eyes nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them." 

This should be chilling to any who reads it. God will or has blinded the eyes of the world and hardened their hearts so they would not be saved. They will remain deceived and condemned. Just as God hardened Pharaoh’s heart as He rained down the plagues, judgment, and wrath over Egypt. Are there any other examples?

Romans 1:18-19  For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because the thing which may be known of God is clearly revealed within them, for God revealed it to them. 

Men live ungodly, unrighteous, unholy lives in direct defiance of God. Do they really know they are directly opposing God?

Romans 1:20-21  For the unseen things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being realized by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, for them to be without excuse.  Because, knowing God, they did not glorify Him as God, neither were thankful. But they became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 

God clearly tells us that they are without excuse and guilty. They profess to being wise, which they proclaim in every way imaginable on TV, the ‘News”, the Internet, and in public.

Romans 1:28-32  And even as they did not think fit to have God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do the things not right, being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; being full of envy, murder, quarrels, deceit, evil habits, becoming whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, insolent, proud, braggarts, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, perfidious, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful;  who, knowing the righteous order of God, that those practicing such things are worthy of death, not only do them, but have pleasure in those practicing them. 

How else could you find any explanation for the rapid decline in morality? They can no longer even think rightly. They can’t reason, they can only try to silent all opposition.

No wonder this virus from Satan has so many in fear and submission. They will not listen to any opposition to the public information that is saturating our minds continually. We have given up so much of our ‘legal’ freedoms it is frightening to think of what is next from our elected officials who now act unilaterally without regard to our individual rights.

Have you experienced any backlash from sharing your beliefs lately?

COVID-19 and the Great Delusion

We must first remind ourselves of Satan’s power of deception.

Revelation 12:9  And the great dragon was cast out, the old serpent called Devil, and Satan, who deceives the whole world. He was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 

Since God has already warned us of this deception, we should not be surprised at its unveiling. Satan’s desire it to have the whole world worship him instead of God. But, what would that look like?

First of all, a One World Government or Order would mean the loss of the sovereignty of every nation as they all bow to one person. In the US that would mean the suspension or dissolving of the constitution. We would no longer enjoy the blessings, protection, or rights of citizenship.

Could that be possible? What rights have we already quickly and silently given up in the last two months? The rights to assembly, the rights to freedom to worship, and the rights to elect officials have slowly eroded.

We have to practice isolation. All primaries have been suspended. All churches have been prohibited from have services of any kind. What other rights are also being changed?

Could this be just a warm-up by Satan to prove how quickly he can cause such fear over safety and security that we freely exchange our rights for our personal safety?

It doesn’t take much imagination to envision what COVID-20 could do to our freedoms. The world would be ready to enforce worldwide solutions to this pandemic. Economies would collapse, wars would erupt, and people would become desperate and lawless.

Matthew 24:5-7  For many will come in My name, saying, I am Christ, and will deceive many.  And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled, for all these things must occur; but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines and pestilences and earthquakes in different places.

We have been warned and need to be ready. The deadliest disease known to mankind is the sin pandemic. Are you prepared? Are your loved ones prepared?

Too many “Christians” are deceived in regards to their salvation and eternal life.

2 Timothy 4:1-3  Therefore I solemnly witness before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is going to judge the living and the dead according to His appearance and His kingdom,  preach the Word, be instant in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. For a time will be when they will not endure sound doctrine, but they will heap up teachers to themselves according to their own lusts, tickling the ear. 

Most will not listen to you, but you must speak the truth in love to those who are perishing.

COVID-19 and the Great Delusion

Certainly this is a worldwide plague! We have daily if not hourly updates on what is happening everywhere. But who is responsible for this? Is it Satan and his servants or is it God rendering judgment? Can Satan independently bring such illnesses over all the world? The answer is no. God may use or allow Satan to bring judgment to the world, but Satan is not allowed totally independent control of God’s world.

1 Chronicles 21:1-4  And Satan stood up against Israel and provoked David to take a census of Israel. And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go number Israel from Beer-sheba to Dan. And bring the number of them to me so that I may know.  And Joab answered, May Jehovah add to His people a hundred times, but my lord the king, are they not all my lord's servants? Why then does my lord require this thing? Why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel? But the king's word prevailed against Joab. And Joab departed and went up and down all Israel, and came again to Jerusalem. 

Even Joab knew that God has prohibited Israel from counting the fighting men. How did God respond?

1 Chronicles 21:6-17  But Levi and Benjamin he did not count among them; for the king's word was evil to Joab. And it was evil in the eyes of God as to this thing. And He struck Israel. And David said to God, I have sinned greatly because I have done this thing. But now, I beseech You, remove the iniquity of Your servant for I have done very foolishly. 

And Jehovah spoke to Gad, David's seer, saying, Go and speak to David, saying, So says Jehovah: I offer you three things. Choose one of them so that I may do it to you. And Gad came to David and said to him, So says Jehovah, Choose for yourself: either three years of famine, or three months to be swept away before your foes, while the sword of your enemies overtake you, or else three days of the sword of Jehovah, even the plague in the land, and the angel of Jehovah destroying throughout all the border of Israel. And now say what word I shall bring again to Him who sent me. 

And David said to Gad, I am in great distress. Let me fall now into the hand of Jehovah, for His mercies are very great. But do not let me fall into the hand of man. And Jehovah sent a plague on Israel. And there fell seventy thousand men of Israel.  And God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it. And as he was destroying, Jehovah looked. And He repented of the evil and said to the angel who destroyed, Enough! Stay your hand now!

And the angel of Jehovah stood by the threshing-floor of Ornan the Jebusite. And David lifted up his eyes and saw the angel of Jehovah standing between the earth and the heavens, and his sword drawn in his hand, stretched out over Jerusalem. And David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell on their faces. 

And David said to God, Did not I command to number the people? I am the one who has sinned and done evil indeed. But these sheep, what have they done? I pray You, let Your hand be on me, O Jehovah my God, and on my father's house, but not on Your people, that they should be plagued. 

Clearly, Satan tempted David and just like he tempted Eve, David did not consult with God but was deceived. David was a man after God’s own heart. God had delivered him from Saul’s relentless attempts to kill him. David had been victorious over his enemies. David wrote many of the Psalms of his praises and requests. Yet, he disobeyed God and 70,000 men died.

Next time we will read about the reasons God would bring judgment to bear on His people through plagues and illnesses.

COVID-19 and Satan's Great Deception

Sorry for the long delay, but I had a bad fall from a ladder and could not even walk for the first week. I am finally able to get around a little but am still in pain.

I know that we just finished the schemes of Satan, but I never even thought that they would be so prominently displayed just after we finished. What do I mean?

First, as with all who teach and preach the Bible, we must always keep everything in context, both historically, theologically, and scripturally. This is also true for news and events in history. So let me do this for those of you who only know the details of this pandemic from the news sources.

First, how prevalent is the annual influenza around the world. On the average, the flu kills over 300,000 people in the world every year.

Secondly, in the US, it kills 30,000 and hospitalizes over 450,000 every flu season.

Thirdly, since it can become a serious respiratory disease, it is most harmful and dangerous to those who are over 65 years old and suffering from at least 2 chronic diseases.

Fourthly, the standard treatments of these chronic illnesses compromises the immune systems leading to a far greater vulnerability to these attacks.

Fifthly, the news is personalizing every case of this virus and making it into the most unique disease in public TV history. Tom Hanks has been mentioned on the news numerous times, yet he only had mild symptoms. Why?

Finally, how is it the world is in a state of panic over this worldwide deaths numbering less than 20,000? Why are the governments declaring massive curtailments of freedoms? Why are they promoting such fear and anxiety? Why are people so willing to comply? What is the purpose of destroying jobs, small companies, and the savings of billions? A massive worldwide problem requires a massive worldwide solution. Could the solution be a massive one world government?

More next time on the one world religion of the Antichrist.

The Holiness of God and the Holy Worship of God

What is mean to be holy? The basic meaning is to be set apart, to be different in a way that glorifies God. It can also be considered in the sense of being un-defiled, clean, pure. There are two primary word used for holy.

H6944 Hebrew

qôdesh ko'-desh

From H6942; a sacred place or thing; rarely abstractly sanctity: - consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed (thing), holiness, (X most) holy (X day, portion, thing), saint, sanctuary.

In the Greek

hagion

[H2282]; sacred (physically pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially consecrated): - (most) holy (one, thing), saint.

God is the supreme example of being Holy. There is none like Him nor ever will be. He is absolutely pure, perfect, without blemish, and utterly righteous. It is His unique divine nature and being that provides us with this understanding. The challenge God gives to all true believers is to be holy as He alone is holy.

Leviticus 19:1-2  And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying,  Speak to all the congregation of the sons of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I, Jehovah your God, am holy. 

Leviticus 20:26  And you shall be holy to Me. For I, Jehovah, am holy, and have severed you from the nations, so that you should be Mine. 

1 Peter 1:13-16  Therefore girding up the loins of your mind, being sober, perfectly hope for the grace being brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ, as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance, but according to the Holy One who has called you, you also become holy in all conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." 

Holiness is not a subject often preached or practiced in most churches today. We have much to learn and unlearn.

The Schemes of Satan-28

We have come to the last of the teachings on the schemes of Satan. Now since he is the master deceiver and father of lies, no one should take him for granted. He is constantly changing and challenging. This study will be on his diverting worship from God to himself. We can see this very clearly in his temptation of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 4:8-11  Again, the Devil took Him up into a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me. Then Jesus said to him, Go, Satan! For it is written, "You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve." Then the Devil left him. And behold, angels came and ministered to Him. 

Not only was he so bold as to think he could tempt Jesus to worship him, but he diverted the nation of Israel less than 60 days from their deliverance from Egypt.

Exodus 32:1-6  And the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, and the people gathered themselves to Aaron. And they said to him, Up! Make us gods who shall go before us. For this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.  And Aaron said to them, Break off the olden earrings which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them to me.  And all the people broke off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron.  And he took them from their hand, and fashioned it with an engraving tool. And he made it a molten calf. And they said, These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. And when Aaron saw, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made proclamation and said, Tomorrow is a feast to Jehovah. And they rose up early on the next day and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play. 

Satan even got Moses brother Aaron to participate in this pseudo worship of Jehovah. Satan can divert many by having them become totally ignorant of the Law of God. By diverting attention to himself, most people will quickly forget God.

2 Kings22:8-11  And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the Book of the Law in the house of Jehovah. And Hilkiah gave the Book to Shaphan, and he read it. And Shaphan the scribe came to the king and brought the king word again, and said, Your servants have gathered the silver that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of the workers, who have the oversight of the house of Jehovah.  And Shaphan the scribe showed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest has delivered me a Book. And Shaphan read it before the king. And it happened when the king had heard the Words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes.

This is an incredible story of unbelievable ignorance. The Book of the Law, God’s commandments and statutes, had not only been lost for decades, but hadn’t even been missed. Most probably didn’t even know it existed. But, where was it? In the Temple! Josiah was only 18 years old when it was discovered.

Numbers 25:1-5  And Israel lived in Shittim, and the people began to fornicate with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people to the sacrifices of their gods. And the people ate and bowed down to their gods. And Israel joined himself to Baal-peor. And the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel.  And Jehovah said to Moses, Take all the heads of the people and hang them up before Jehovah against the sun, so that the fierce anger of Jehovah may be turned away from Israel. And Moses said to the judges of Israel, Every one of you kill his men who were joined to Baal-peor.

Once worship is diverted, people fall back into detestable idolatry. God has warned everyone for thousands of years not to worship other gods or idols. Yet, they continue to do it, as if there was no consequences from such gross disobedience. The final example of this diversion is when people all around the world will worship the Antichrist.

1 John 2:18  Little children, it is the last time. And just as you have heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have risen up, from which we know that it is the last hour. 

While there are many who oppose Christ, there is one final antichrist. This is Satan’s most celebrated diversion and deception.

Many think this type of diversion would never deceive them, but most of them are wrong. Eternally wrong and eternally condemned.

Our next study series will focus on the holiness of God and the holy worship of God.

The Schemes of Satan-27

Satan, instead of bringing glory to God, seeks to bring glory to himself. It this manner he dishonors the God that created him. He dishonors God whenever he is able to deceive the world into worshiping him in whatever religion or belief system he has created explicitly for that purpose.

How do we follow Satan in dishonoring God?

Hebrews 10:26-31  For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES. Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 

How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY." And again, "THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE." It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

We trample on the Son of God by not obeying, ignoring, denying, and defying Him.

Exodus 20:7  "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain. 

When we take His name upon ourselves and then live as pagans and unbelievers, we have taken His name in vain.

Matthew 26:27-28  And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.

Taking His death, His shedding of His blood, and His dying on the cross for granted is another form or dishonoring Him.

1 Corinthians 1:18  For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 

Many today ridicule His death on the cross as untrue, unlikely, unreasonable, and unnecessary. They have a falsely elevated view of themselves, an infinitely insufficient and incomplete view of God, and an ignorance of just how detestable their sin is before a Holy God.

Matthew 12:31-32  "Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. "Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come. 

Finally, anyone at anytime who attributes the works of God to Satan is blaspheming the Holy Spirit. Also, the reverse is also true. It you accuse God of the evil deeds of Satan, you also are guilty of blaspheming the Holy Spirit.

The Schemes of Satan-26

People are easily distracted, often with dangerous outcomes. It is now against the law to drive and text as texting takes priority from driving and attention away from your responsibilities to those around you. Distraction by the world’s attractions also is very dangerous. There are no innocent distractions in God’s plan for true believers.

1 John 2:15-17  Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

What distracts you? Here are just a few alarming statistics.

Sports is everywhere and for every age and sex. It is promoted at grade schools and churches. It is even called a Sports Ministry. It is a $74.5 Billion a year industry.

Pets have now gained status as having rights. Owners have responsibilities to their pets. Pets have legal rights. People spend $75.4 Billion per year on their pets. Dogs are at the top of the list. In Jesus’ day, dogs were not pets, they were scavengers.

Entertainment is a very diverse subject. We will just review the main elements: Films, TV, Music, and Publishing. This industry is over $2 Trillion a year.

Video games are a segment of entertainment. But due to the intense sexual and demonic nature of most, we will highlight them separately.

While people spend nearly $140 Billion a year in the US, that is not the real cost of these games. Core gamers are those who are the lifeblood of the industry and average 22 hours a week in their form of entertainment. But, it is not a victimless, non-violent pursuit. A few statistics that may shock you.

The true issue might not be the hours spent playing video games but how the play interferes in someone’s life. Gaming can have a negative impact on those engaged in the activity

• Poor school/work performance

• Relationship difficulties

• Social isolation

• Sleep deprivation

• Hopelessness

• Depression

• Suicidal thoughts

• Poor health (dehydration, lack of nutrition)

• Obesity

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) from prolonged sitting

This is not the complete list of Satan’s distractions but it proves the point.

How many wasted hours do these pursuits drain from your life?

How much closer to God are you due to these distractions?

How little do you even think about them as ploys of Satan to draw you away from God?

The Schemes of Satan-25

One of Satan’s more clever deceptions is his hiding in plain sight. He is the master of a thousand faces and professions. He takes advantage of his plan to make fun of himself as a red, long tailed, horned demon. He appears as almost laughable in today’s culture. But, there is nothing about him to laugh about. He could preach a marvelous, captivating sermon in any church in the world today and be applauded.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15  For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds. 

As an angel of light, few in today’s spiritual, religious world would be able to discern that it was in reality Satan or one of his servants in their presence? They are everywhere!

1 John 2:18  Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour. 

Matthew 24:4-5  And Jesus answered and said to them, "See to it that no one misleads you.  "For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will mislead many. 

We have been warned, many will come as antichrists or saying they are the Christ. As mentioned in earlier blogs, there are currently 13 men around the world who claim they are the Christ. Many are believing in them, as these followers are biblically illiterate and therefore, lacking in discernment they willing follow them.

But where is he going and what will be their punishment for following the wrong leader?

The Schemes of Satan-24

So many teachers and preachers today teach that the law is abolished by grace. They teach the lies of Satan as the traditions of men, but they say they teach the doctrines and commandments of God. Who or what are we to believe?

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4  Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.

The man of lawlessness is called the son of destruction. He opposes God at every chance he gets and leads the whole world astray. Even the term should identify that he is not of God.

Matthew 23:27-28  "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. "So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. 

In Matthew, Jesus delivered 7 woes to the religious leaders in Judah. He called them sons of hell and condemned them to hell.

Matthew 23:33  "You serpents, you brood of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of hell? 

So what is lawlessness?

1 John 3:4  Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. 

Sin equals lawlessness. Even in the court system, everyone knows that disobeying the laws gets you into all kinds of trouble, from misdemeanors to felonies, from fines to jail time, and all the way to capital punishment. We also know that ignorance of the law doesn’t remove us from the penalty of breaking the law. God’s laws and God’s punishments for all who disobey His laws are perfectly, justly, and eternally enforced.

1 John 2:3-5  By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: Commandments and the Law are synonymous terms for this explanation.

Grace does not mean abandoning the Law; it frees us from the death penalty of the Law. That is a monumental difference and a divine blessing for all who truly believe.

The Schemes of Satan-23

Satan is the master of lawlessness. In fact, the man of lawlessness is the antichrist. Of course, many antichrists have already come and gone and will continue to do so until the prophesied antichrist will finally appear.

Disobedience is one of Satan’s more subtle schemes which has penetrated most religious institutions known as churches. Teaching that grace is all you need and that the Law has been abolished, leads to lawlessness. Has Jesus really abolished the Law?

Matthew 7:21-23  "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.  "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'  "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.' 

John 14:15  "If you love Me (Jesus), you will keep My commandments. 

It is quite apparent that Jesus is not abolishing the Law. What did He say about the Law?

Matthew 5:17-18  "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 

Jesus perfectly obeyed the Law. He was the single example of the perfection of the Law. He fulfilled all of God’s righteous requirements contained within the Law. No the Law was not abolished with grace.

More on lawlessness versus grace next time.

THe Schemes of Satan-22

Satan is not above murder and the silencing of those who steadfastly proclaim the gospel. You may notice that ISIS publicly beheads ‘Christians” not Hindus, Buddhists, or atheists. Satan is only interested in destroying God’s people who confess Jesus as Lord.

1 Peter 5:8  Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 

Satan hasn’t softened his approach, mended his ways, or given up. His first attempt at destroying all opposition was evidenced at Bethlehem.

Matthew 2:16  Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi.

We can trace his murderous schemes back to the Garden, but we see here his real desire is to not let Jesus fulfill prophecies or be resurrected after suffering on the cross. Satan uses mankind to perform his dirty work. Here he used Herod, later he will use Judas, the Pharisees, and Pilate.

Luke 22:3-6  And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve. And he went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him to them. They were glad and agreed to give him money. So he consented, and began seeking a good opportunity to betray Him to them apart from the crowd. 

Satan took it upon himself to personally tempt Jesus and now he enters into Judas to make sure all the details of his plan are put into place.

Matthew 26:47-49  While He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came up accompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs, who came from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him."  Immediately Judas went to Jesus and said, "Hail, Rabbi!" and kissed Him.

Judas performed his role by kissing Jesus on the cheek. What hypocrisy.! He had done everything Satan had instructed him to do. What happened to Judas after he had finished Satan’s bidding?

Matthew 27:3-5  Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." But they said, "What is that to us? See to that yourself!" And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself.  Satan has no more use of Judas and so he discarded him like yesterday’s garbage. He basically did the same to Herod.

When you can no longer advance his evil agenda and schemes, he abandons you to the pit, where one day he will join you for eternity. He lets you die for him. While Jesus died for you.

The Schemes of Satan-21

Satan is a discourager and an accuser of all who believe. While Satan cannot take away eternal life, he can ruin your testimony, family, and your desire to serve the Lord. When you take your eyes off of Jesus, Satan moves in. Satan has a very low opinion of everyone’s faith. His network of demons, evil spirits, and fallen angels all feed him the information on you to accurately accuse you before the Father in Heaven.

Zecariah 3:1-5  Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.  The LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! Indeed, the LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?" Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and standing before the angel. 

Satan was poised to show God just how sinful Joshua really was, but God was showing Satan how He viewed Joshua.

He spoke and said to those who were standing before him, saying, "Remove the filthy garments from him." Again he said to him, "See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes."  Then I said, "Let them put a clean turban on his head." So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments, while the angel of the LORD was standing by. 

Revelation 12:9-10  And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. 

It is very hard to understand, even impossible, why Satan is permitted into Heaven to accuse believers in front of God. But, Satan doesn’t wait till we are in Heaven to accuse us and discourage us. He can continue to bring people in our lives that remind us of our old life, our past sins, our past addictions, etc. that make us falsely believe that we can never escape our past. That our new life in Christ is just a myth but not a reality. But, he is wrong. Don’t let Satan steal your joy in the Lord.

Psalm 71:23  My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to You; And my soul, which You have redeemed. 

Psalm 95:1  O come, let us sing for joy to the LORD, Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. 

Psalm 105:43  And He brought forth His people with joy, His chosen ones with a joyful shout. 

Galatians 5:22-25  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 

Jude 1:24-25  Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

The Schemes of Satan-20

After deceit, Satan often uses delay or no hurry or worry. You may have heard this said that you always can think about this at some future better time. God never has told us that, in fact, He has warned us in many ways just how fragile our life on this earth is in reality.

James 4:13-14  Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit."  Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.

Many make all kinds of plan with little thought about God and what He has commanded us to do. A vapor or wisp of smoke vanishes very quickly and cannot be recaptured. This is life.

Luke 12:16-21  And He (Jesus) told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man was very productive. "And he began reasoning to himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?' 

"Then he said, 'This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.  'And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry."' 

"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?' 

"So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." 

What is Jesus teaching us? He is not condemning the rich. He is not against planning for the future. He is condemning this rich man for forsaking Him and planning everything around himself. What he could do for himself with all this money is the world’s answer for everything. But, you can’t take it with you and without God, you are a fool destined to Hell.

2 Peter 3:7-12  But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 

But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.  The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. 

Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! 

In Spanish they say, siempre manana, or there is always tomorrow. But, is this true? It is not true in reality of the Day of the Lord, when He returns in judgment. It is also not true for humans. Everyone will die sometime, often a time they have not anticipated.

Evolutionists confidently say that the world is very old and it has always existed. It will also continue to go on for a very long time. God says that is not true. Sinners misunderstand God’s patience and long-suffering. His time is not our time. We are confined to our time-based existence while God is totally outside of time. People proclaim nothing has changed and never will. God says He will destroy this earth by fire. Who do you believe?

Jesus will return like a thief in the night or at a time you will least expect Him. Most aren’t even looking for His return. They are lost.

Hebrews 9:27  And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, We get just one lifetime and then judgment. The lifetime we get from God is given one day at a time. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone.

The cemeteries are full of people who had other plans for the day of their death. Let today be the day of your salvation.