The State of the Church

As we continue to study 2 Kings, we must also consider the true state of those who claim to represent God in today’s culture. Just how far from the true worship of God have they fallen? We should learn from the history that God has so graciously provided to us.

2 Kings 23:4-8  And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the doorkeepers, to bring forth out of the temple of Jehovah all the vessels which were made for Baal, and for the Asherah, and for all the host of heaven. And he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them to Bethel. 

What are they carrying out of the Temple? How could this have happened in the city of Jerusalem, in the country of Judah, in the Temple of the only true, living God? When and how did these demonic, idolatrous elements enter into the Temple?

And he( Josiah) put down the idol-worshiping priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places around Jerusalem. He also put down those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of the heavens. 

Who allowed these false, idol-worhiping priests into the Temple? What happened to the God-ordained priests? What was Hilkiah doing as the “high priest” over the Temple?

And he (Josiah) brought out the Asherah from the house of Jehovah outside Jerusalem, to the torrent Kidron, and burned it at the torrent Kidron, and stamped it to powder, and threw the powder of it on the graves of the sons of the people. 

It only gets worse!

And he broke down the houses of the sodomites, which were by the house of Jehovah, where the women wove coverings for the Asherah. 

Does this sound like what the liberal, false churches of our day are doing?

And he brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beer-sheba. And he broke down the high places of the gates which were in the entering in of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which were on a man's left hand at the gate of the city. 

Everywhere Josiah went there was idolatry of the most heinous kind. How did Judah become so sinful? How did they fall so far from God? Did it happen overnight when no one was watching?

No! It happened slowly and steadily. It actually began with Solomon, the “wisest” man to ever live! It was aided by ignoring God’s truth in such a profound manner that they lost all remembrance of it. They had to rediscover it in very Temple that was now the Temple of Baal.

Jude 1:3-4  Having made all haste to write to you about the common salvation, beloved, I had need to write to you to exhort you to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. 

For certain men crept in secretly, those having been of old previously written into this condemnation, ungodly ones perverting the grace of our God for unbridled lust, and denying the only Master, God, even our Lord Jesus Christ.

What have you let creep into your life, your worship, and your beliefs?

COVID-19 and Satan's Censureship

How do we approach a Holy God? How should we repent? How should we worship Him? Where do we begin?

2 Kings 23:1-3  And the king sent. And they gathered to him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem.  And the king went up into the house of Jehovah.

And all the men of Judah and all the people of Jerusalem with him, and the priests and the prophets, and all the people, from the small even to the great. And he read all the Words of the Book of the covenant which was found in the house of Jehovah in their ears. 

First, we begin by meditating on God’s Holy Word. We must humbly surrender to His Word, not just listen to it being read. Too many listen but fail to let it penetrate into their hearts or change their lives.

And the king stood by a pillar and made a covenant before Jehovah, to walk after Jehovah and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the Words of this covenant which was written in this Book. And all the people stood to the covenant.

You cannot listen with your self-righteousness blinding you to your sin. You must put all your traditions, man-made rules, and misunderstandings aside. You must become like a blank slate and let God write His laws on your heart. James, the half-brother of Jesus was inspired to give this godly advice.

James 1:19-26  Therefore, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. For the wrath of man does not work out the righteousness of God. Therefore putting aside all filthiness and overflowing of evil, receive in meekness the implanted Word, which is able to save your souls. 

But become doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man studying his natural face in a mirror.  For he studied himself and went his way, and immediately he forgot what he was like. 

But whoever looks into the perfect Law of liberty and continues in it, he is not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work. This one shall be blessed in his doing. 

If anyone thinks to be religious among you, yet does not bridle his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is vain.

COVID-19 and Satan's Censureship

What does God think of disobedience? How does He treat those who disobey Him? The Bible is full of the warnings of God, condemnations of God, and punishments of God.

2 Kings 22:12-20  And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king, saying, 

Go inquire of Jehovah for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the Words of this Book which is found.

For great is the wrath of Jehovah which is kindled against us, because our fathers have not listened to the Words of this Book, to do according to all which is written concerning us. 

What was Josiah asking them to do? He wanted to know if God’s righteous and just punish of the people of Judah was imminent. He assumed that these priests and scribes would inquire of God themselves. But, they had forsaken God for so long they did not have a clue on how they could inquire of God themselves.

And Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe. And she lived in Jerusalem in the second part. And they talked with her. 

The best they could do was to go to someone else. This was a wife of one of the tribe of Levi, those whom God has set apart for Himself to assist the High Priests in the service in the Temple. There was no prophet so they went to the prophetess. What did God confirm?

And she said to them, So says Jehovah, the God of Israel, Tell the man who sent you to me, So says Jehovah, Behold, I will bring evil on this place and on the people of it, all the Words of the Book which the king of Judah has read; because they have forsaken Me, and have burned incense to other gods, so that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands, therefore My wrath shall be kindled against this place, and it shall not be quenched.

Bad news! God’s patience or long-suffering had come to an end. Judah had forsaken Him. They had worshiped other gods. They had taken the incense from His Temple and used in their idolatry. They were not innocent and their ignorance was of their own doing. God would unleash His wrath and judgment upon them. Nothing would stop Him from executing His divine judgment.

But to the king of Judah who sent you to inquire of Jehovah, so you shall say to him, So says Jehovah, the God of Israel, The Words which you have heard,  because your heart was tender and you have humbled yourself before Jehovah, when you heard what I spoke against this place, and against its people (that they should become a waste and a curse, and have torn your clothes and wept before Me), I have heard you, says Jehovah. 

Josiah’s sincere and humble response was not ignored by God. God responded to this young king’s prayer with mercy. But, it did not remove His soon coming divine wrath.

Behold, even so I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace. And your eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring on this place. And they brought the king this word again. 

While this was certainly comforting to Josiah, it was also terrifying. The wrath of God would come, but not on his watch. God extended mercy to the entire nation due to Josiah humble and earnest repentance.

Never underestimate your humble and sincere prayers before God. Never think they will have no effect upon God’s judgment. God repeatedly tells us to pray with the faithful expectation of His answers to our prayers. But, it is His answer we seek, not an affirmation of our desires or plans.

James 5:16  Confess faults to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous one avails much.

COVID-19 and Satan's Censureship

'Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.'

The quote is most likely due to writer and philosopher George Santayana, and in its original form it read, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

Santayana was known for aphorisms, and for being a professor in philosophy at Harvard which he abandoned. Prior to that, Santayana attended Boston Latin School and Harvard College, where he studied under the philosophers William James and Josiah Royce.

Often the world has some understanding of Biblical truths. If you forget God’s truth, ignore God’s truth, deny God’s truth, then you will face God’s judgment. But, few will connect the dots and actually learn God’s truth.

2 Kings 22:8-13  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. And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king, saying, 

Go inquire of Jehovah for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the Words of this Book which is found.

For great is the wrath of Jehovah which is kindled against us, because our fathers have not listened to the Words of this Book, to do according to all which is written concerning us.

What did Josiah do? He tore his clothes in fear of what had been read to him. What did Hilkiah do? He sent Shaphan to the king. What book had he been using? What doctrine had he been teaching? What god had he been serving?

Was Josiah the only one truly taking God seriously? It had been so long since the Word of God had been ignored, that no one even bothered to notice it missing!

So, Satan came into the Temple with his false, idolatrous worship and took over. He did this with the aid of the descendants of Aaron, who were the only ones that could be High Priests.

What did God think of all of this?

COVID-19 and Satan's Censureship

How did all this begin? How did the world get so deceived? How did the ‘church’? Are God’s people vulnerable to being deceived by the world?

Yes and it begins at the beginning. But rather than go back to Genesis 1, let us look at just what extent the deceit had penetrated the chosen people of God who dwelt in Jerusalem, the city of God.

2 Kings 22:1-8  Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign. And he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah of Boscath.  And he did the right in the sight of Jehovah, and walked in all the way of David his father, and did not turn aside to the right or to the left. 

Josiah was only one of 8 of the 39 combined kings of Judah and Israel that did right in the sight of the Lord. In fact, he did not let himself be distracted by the world all around him and daily strove to keep his eyes, heart, and mind on Jehovah.

And it happened in the eighteenth year of Josiah, the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam the scribe, to the house of Jehovah, saying,  Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, so that he may count the silver which is brought into the house of Jehovah, which the doorkeepers have gathered from the people.  And let them deliver it into the hand of the workers who have the oversight of the house of Jehovah. And let them give it to the workers who are in the house of Jehovah, in order to repair the breaks of the house, to carpenters, and builders, and masons, and to buy timber and cut stone to repair the house. Only, the silver that is given into their hand shall not be reckoned with them, for they are dealing in faithfulness.

One of his most important tasks was to rebuild the Temple of God that had gone into ruin over the years and therefore, commissioned this restoration. Remember, the Temple was still in Jerusalem, which had been built by Solomon and formerly dedicated to the only true and living God. But, just how far had the people and their worship departed from God’s Word?

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.

Can you believe this? God’s chosen people and the line of Aaron, who were to be God’s high priests, had lost the very words of God! What had been substituted in place of the Book of the Law?

Why had the priests totally lost interest in it, totally forgotten it, and had gone on to some other form of worship. Any other form of worship is false and demonic. They lost it in the Temple!!!

How has the ‘church’ done the same today? When ‘churches’ led by pastors ignore the Old Testament, which is approximately 75% of the entire Bible, they in effect have also lost the basis of true worship and understanding. The ‘New’ Testament is not a replacement of the ‘Old’ Testament, but more like a commentary to understanding it in light or the revised or new covenant.

Has your ‘church’ lost the Book? Have you?

COVID-19 and Satan's Censureship

Do we actually now have the leaders we deserve? Is this God’s judgment on our country?

Isaiah 9:15-19  The elder and honorable, he is the head; and the prophet who teaches lies, he is the tail. 

For the leaders of this people led them astray; and their guided ones are swallowed up. 

For this the Lord shall not rejoice over their young men, nor shall He have mercy on their orphans and widows; for everyone is a hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks foolishness. In all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still. 

For wickedness burns like the fire; it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall roll upwards like the lifting up of smoke. 

Through the wrath of Jehovah of Hosts is the land scorched, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire; no man shall have pity on his brother. 

The leaders are corrupt, prideful, and look out only for themselves. But, the followers do not escape guilt and condemnation. ‘Follow the leader’ may seem to be a harmless children’s game, but it is a deadly, serious game for adults who lack biblical knowledge and discernment.

Luke 11:52-54  Woe to you, lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves, and you have hindered those who were entering in.  And as He said these things to them, the scribes and Pharisees began to be terribly angry, and to draw Him out concerning many things,  lying in ambush for Him, and seeking to catch something out of His mouth, so that they might accuse Him.

False prophets, false leaders, and false shepherds do not like being called out, criticized, or silenced. This has been true throughout all history and continues today. They can’t defend their actions, so they try to silence all opposition. They want complete, total submission to their authority, not God’s authority.

More next time.

COVID-19 and Satan's Censureship

What is happening to the United States? Where is the law and order upon which it has been founded? Where is the protection? How can any sane person state that we don’t need or want any police? Is the Constitution still the basis for our land?

What is God doing or allowing? This has happened before in history. God is giving the U. S. the judgment He has long warned us of coming.

Isaiah 3:1-3  For behold, the Lord, Jehovah of Hosts, takes away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread and the whole stay of water, the mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient, the captain of fifty, and the honorable man, and the adviser, and the skilled worker, and the expert charmer. 

God is removing all rational, biblical, godly leaders from leadership. He is giving us what type of leaders we desire.

Isaiah 3:4-5  And I will give young boys to be their rulers, and caprices shall rule over them. And the people shall be crushed, every man by another, and every man by his neighbor; the boy shall act proudly against the old man, and the low against the honorable. 

This sounds a lot like yesterday’s headlines. Who is rioting in the streets? Is is the 65 and older crowd? Is the wise or the foolish? Is is the godly or the godless?

Isaiah 3:6-9  When a man shall take hold of his brother of the house of his father, saying, You have clothing, you be our ruler, and let this ruin be under your hand; in that day he shall swear, saying, I will not be a healer; there is no bread nor a cloak in my house. You shall not make me a ruler of the people. 

For Jerusalem is ruined and Judah has fallen; because their tongue and their doings are against Jehovah, to provoke the eyes of His glory. The look of their faces witnesses against them; and they declare their sin like Sodom. They do not hide it! Woe to their soul! For they have rewarded evil to themselves. 

Evil is being rewarded, lawlessness is being lauded, and truth is being trampled upon. But God is not asleep nor unaware. He is allowing this and will judge, condemn, and punish all of them.

Nahum 1:2-3  God is jealous, and Jehovah revenges; Jehovah revenges and is a possessor of wrath. Jehovah takes vengeance against His foes, and He keeps wrath against His enemies.  Jehovah is slow to anger, and great in power. And He does not by any means acquit the guilty. Jehovah has His way in the tempest and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet.  

Isaiah 3:10-11  Say to the righteous that it is well; for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Woe to the wicked! For the evil doing of his hand will be done to him.

Justice from God will include punishment from God. But it may not be seen in our lifetime, but it will be experienced in eternity future for all evil doers.

Isaiah 3:12  As for my people, children are their taskmasters, and women rule over them. Oh my people, your rulers cause you to go astray and destroy the way of your paths.

When men give up their God-ordained roles as spiritual leaders, God gives the world over to women and children. The most vocal, loud, lewd voices today are often out of the mouths of women who desire to control everything and everybody. There is no ladylike behavior tolerated, exhibited, or exampled today. Tough, determined, self-made women dominate the airwaves.

God has given to us what we deserve.

COVID-19 and Satan's Censureship

Will God judge the righteous, the self-righteous, and the unrighteous? Will He withhold His blessings and pour out His curses on entire nations? Two whole chapters are devoted to these questions as they relate to God’s chosen people.

Leviticus 26:1-3  You shall make no idols to yourselves; and you shall not set up for yourselves graven images, or a memorial pillar. And you shall not set up any image of stone in your land in order to bow down to it. For I am Jehovah your God. You shall keep My sabbaths and revere My sanctuary. I am Jehovah. If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments and do them,…

The following 10 verses detail God’s blessings on His people for their obedience and allegiance to Him alone. However, He details 32 verses if His curses upon them for disobedience!

Leviticus 26:14-16  But if you will not listen to Me, and will not do all these commandments,  and if you shall despise My statutes, or if your soul hates My judgments, so that you will not do all My commandments, so that you break My covenant;  I will also do this to you:…

The curses will cause you to wonder at God’s judgment against His own chosen people. The curses include His foretelling the depths of their soon coming depravity. When you read them in your own Bible, see if you don’t see a frightening likeness to what is happening today.

A very similar summary can also be found in Deuteronomy 28. It also starts with the blessings for obedience for 14 verses.

Deuteronomy 28:1-2  And it will be, if you shall listen carefully to the voice of Jehovah your God, to observe and to do all His commandments which I command you today, Jehovah your God will set you on high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come on you and overtake you, if you will listen to the voice of Jehovah your God. 

But it is followed by 42 verses of curses and warnings.

Deuteronomy 28:15  And it shall be, if you will not listen to the voice of Jehovah your God, to observe and to do all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, all these curses shall come on you and overtake you.

Why such disparity in emphasis? Why 3 times more written on curses than blessings? I will give you one reason based on human behavior. We are quick to read, believe, and remember the blessings God promises and provides. But, we tend to pay scant attention to His oft-repeated warnings, judgments, and curses. Who wants to read about these things? Most think these curses don’t really apply to church going ‘Christians”.

What do you think? Are they just for another people, another time, another covenant? Has God’s righteous requirements of us and His holiness changed with the times?

COVID-19 and Satan's Censureship

So who created this virus which has put the entire world into fear and hiding? Was it China? Was it Bill Gates and Anthony Fauci? Was it Satan? What, if anything, can the Bible teach us today in regards to these very important questions?

Deuteronomy 28:1-2  And it will be, if you shall listen carefully to the voice of Jehovah your God, to observe and to do all His commandments which I command you today, Jehovah your God will set you on high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come on you and overtake you, if you will listen to the voice of Jehovah your God. 

Most churches today will gladly preach these verses and leave out the remainder of the chapter. After all, God is love and loves everyone! Or does He? Would He actually cause harm and disaster to fall upon His beloved?

Deuteronomy 28:15  And it shall be, if you will not listen to the voice of Jehovah your God, to observe and to do all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, all these curses shall come on you and overtake you. 

Have you ever heard anyone preach on this chapter, other than to point a finger at the sinful, stiff-necked people of Israel ? This is not a chapter for the self-righteous, biblical illiterate, my god would not do that crowd. They go to hear how good God is and sing about their self-proclaimed but seldom lived out love for Him. It may make them feel better about themselves, but what does God see in all of this?

Deuteronomy 28:21-22  Jehovah shall make the plague cling to you until He has consumed you from off the land where you go to possess it. 

Jehovah shall strike you with lung disease and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew. And they shall pursue you until you perish. 

Is this the God you know? Does this sound like the current virus of today? Lung disease, fevers, inflammation all are symptoms that would mark you out as have the Corona virus. You would be hospitalized and marked for life as one who carries this deadly, terrible disease!

But there is a worse disease; the disease of sin and disobedience to God. Does the U. S. have any greater claim to God’s blessings than Israel did some 3500+ years ago? The U. S. is filled with Bible Colleges, Seminaries, churches of all types, ministries, YouTube channels, TV programming, books, devotions, etc.

Are we more godly, more righteous, more deserving because of all of this? No! We are more deserving of God’s wrath and judgment, which may be one of the reasons for this terror-filled environment we currently find ourselves in.

What does this all mean? What is God revealing to us? What do we need to do?

I will be traveling all next week. When I return I will try to address these questions from God’s perspective as revealed in His Word.

COVID-19 and Satan's Censureship

What did Jesus warn us of the coming end of the age? What would be the signs? What will happen to those true believers who are alive at that time?

Matthew 24:3-8  As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"  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. "You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.  "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. "But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. 

Many false preachers, apostles, and even some who proclaim to be Jesus will be everywhere. Even today there are 13 men who claim to be the second coming of Jesus Christ. Sadly, many believe them.

24:9-14  "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. "At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.  "Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.  "Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. "But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. 

Haven’t we seen some of this in our cities and states over the past months? Turn in your neighbor if he isn’t practicing social distancing. That will be minor compared to when true Christians will be hated and betrayed. If our leaders can circumvent the constitution on simple medical grounds, what could cause them to round up Christians? The Roman Catholic Church did that throughout most of its history. Nazi Germany did that to both Jews and Christians who spoke out against this great atrocity.

"This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. 

People will do anything to save their lives, find safety from fear and terror, and to enable them to live their lives in relative, although shrinking freedom.

Will you endure to the end?

COVID-19 and Satan's Censureship

What about Jeremiah? What will be his fate in prison? What happened to the king and all of his evil advisors?

Jeremiah 39:1-7  Now when Jerusalem was captured in the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army came to Jerusalem and laid siege to it;  in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, in the ninth day of the month, the city wall was breached. 

Then all the officials of the king of Babylon came in and sat down at the Middle Gate: Nergal-sar-ezer, Samgar-nebu, Sar-sekim the Rab-saris, Nergal-sar-ezer the Rab-mag, and all the rest of the officials of the king of Babylon.  When Zedekiah the king of Judah and all the men of war saw them, they fled and went out of the city at night by way of the king's garden through the gate between the two walls; and he went out toward the Arabah. 

But the army of the Chaldeans pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho; and they seized him and brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, and he passed sentence on him. 

Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes at Riblah; the king of Babylon also slew all the nobles of Judah.  He then blinded Zedekiah's eyes and bound him in fetters of bronze to bring him to Babylon. 

The king of Babylon and his army fulfilled God’s prophecy and warning. All of the men who hated what Jeremiah told them now tried to flee from God’s judgment on them. How far did they get? Not very! The kings sons were all killed as were all of his evil advisors. But what about Jeremiah?

Jeremiah 39:11-14  Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon gave orders about Jeremiah through Nebuzaradan the captain of the bodyguard, saying,  "Take him and look after him, and do nothing harmful to him, but rather deal with him just as he tells you."  So Nebuzaradan the captain of the bodyguard sent word, along with Nebushazban the Rab-saris, and Nergal-sar-ezer the Rab-mag, and all the leading officers of the king of Babylon;  they even sent and took Jeremiah out of the court of the guardhouse and entrusted him to Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, to take him home. So he stayed among the people. 

Who gave the order? The king of Babylon knew Jeremiah’s name! He personally singled out one man to the captain of his bodyguard. God moved the heart of the king of Babylon to take care of Jeremiah.

Jer 39:15-18  Now the word of the LORD had come to Jeremiah while he was confined in the court of the guardhouse, saying,  "Go and speak to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, "Behold, I am about to bring My words on this city for disaster and not for prosperity; and they will take place before you on that day. 

"But I will deliver you on that day," declares the LORD, "and you will not be given into the hand of the men whom you dread. "For I will certainly rescue you, and you will not fall by the sword; but you will have your own life as booty, because you have trusted in Me," declares the LORD.'" 

God also remembered Ebed-melech for his help to Jeremiah. For many months Jeremiah had not experienced or seen God’s hand on his life, but Jeremiah was never outside of the sovereign will of Almighty God. But, Jeremiah still suffered for serving God in this judgment of Judah.

Is there any message for us as we face the fast approaching time of God’s final judgment. The Day of the Lord is coming, when it will come no one knows, but we can recognized the seasons. Are you watching?

COVID-19 and Satan's Centureship

So what fate awaits Jeremiah? Does he know? Much like with Job, Jeremiah is living one day at a time but his faith and obedience to God has not wavered.

Jeremiah 38:14-17  Then King Zedekiah sent and had Jeremiah the prophet brought to him at the third entrance that is in the house of the LORD; and the king said to Jeremiah, "I am going to ask you something; do not hide anything from me."  Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, "If I tell you, will you not certainly put me to death? Besides, if I give you advice, you will not listen to me." But King Zedekiah swore to Jeremiah in secret saying, "As the LORD lives, who made this life for us, surely I will not put you to death nor will I give you over to the hand of these men who are seeking your life." Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, "Thus says the LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, 'If you will indeed go out to the officers of the king of Babylon, then you will live, this city will not be burned with fire, and you and your household will survive. 

Zedekiah seems to be seeking advice from everyone and treating all advice as equally valid. Now he promises to protect Jeremiah from the very same wicked men who he once turned over Jeremiah to them. Jeremiah’s message from God has not changed, even in the presence of the king.

38:18-23  'But if you will not go out to the officers of the king of Babylon, then this city will be given over to the hand of the Chaldeans; and they will burn it with fire, and you yourself will not escape from their hand.'" Then King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, "I dread the Jews who have gone over to the Chaldeans, for they may give me over into their hand and they will abuse me."  But Jeremiah said, "They will not give you over. Please obey the LORD in what I am saying to you, that it may go well with you and you may live.  "But if you keep refusing to go out, this is the word which the LORD has shown me: 'Then behold, all of the women who have been left in the palace of the king of Judah are going to be brought out to the officers of the king of Babylon; and those women will say, "Your close friends Have misled and overpowered you; While your feet were sunk in the mire, They turned back."  'They will also bring out all your wives and your sons to the Chaldeans, and you yourself will not escape from their hand, but will be seized by the hand of the king of Babylon, and this city will be burned with fire.'" 

There is no other option that will lead to an outcome that seems more favorable to the king and all the people. They will not repent, they will not listen, they will not obey, and they will not humble themselves to the only true and living God who is bringing this disaster to them.

38:24-27  Then Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, "Let no man know about these words and you will not die.  Jer 38:25  "But if the officials hear that I have talked with you and come to you and say to you, 'Tell us now what you said to the king and what the king said to you; do not hide it from us and we will not put you to death,'  then you are to say to them, 'I was presenting my petition before the king, not to make me return to the house of Jonathan to die there.'"  Then all the officials came to Jeremiah and questioned him. So he reported to them in accordance with all these words which the king had commanded; and they ceased speaking with him, since the conversation had not been overheard. 

These wicked men wanted to know what Jeremiah told the king. Why? They had heard it all before. They didn’t like the king listening to Jeremiah rather than to them. But, who spoke the truth?

38:28  So Jeremiah stayed in the court of the guardhouse until the day that Jerusalem was captured.

God’s plans will not be thwarted, even as He brings disaster, death, and terror to His people and His city. The people will be killed or carried off to captivity. The city will be burned. The cruel, evil Babylonians will murder, rape, torture, burn, and pillage. All within the sovereign will of a holy God.

COVID-19 and Satan's Centsureship

Does silencing God’s messenger change either the message or God? No, but it has a dangerous effect on all who ignore the message. Many will listen to the good news, but few will tolerate the bad news. Where was God when Jeremiah was thrown into the cistern and left to die?

Jeremiah 38:7-13  But Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, a eunuch, while he was in the king's palace, heard that they had put Jeremiah into the cistern.

Notice who came to Jeremiah’s defense. Not any Israelite, but an Ethiopian eunuch. Of all in the city who knew Jeremiah and should have known God, only one was brave enough to speak up and out.

Now the king was sitting in the Gate of Benjamin; and Ebed-melech went out from the king's palace and spoke to the king, saying, "My lord the king, these men have acted wickedly in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet whom they have cast into the cistern; and he will die right where he is because of the famine, for there is no more bread in the city." 

He told the king these men had acted wickedly toward Jeremiah. He was taking a risk to go against the powerful and prominent wicked men in the city. It was the king who told them to do whatever they wanted to Jeremiah, as if he had no control or interest. He seemed to be more concerned about his future than God’s message or messenger.

Then the king commanded Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, "Take thirty men from here under your authority and bring up Jeremiah the prophet from the cistern before he dies." So Ebed-melech took the men under his authority and went into the king's palace to a place beneath the storeroom and took from there worn-out clothes and worn-out rags and let them down by ropes into the cistern to Jeremiah.  Then Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, "Now put these worn-out clothes and rags under your armpits under the ropes"; and Jeremiah did so. 

Now the king was agreeing to free Jeremiah after just agreeing to let him die in the cistern. This is a leader who tests the winds of the times before he makes any commitment. Unfortunately, just like today, society moves back and forth with no true foundation of beliefs, other than to oppose God.

So they pulled Jeremiah up with the ropes and lifted him out of the cistern, and Jeremiah stayed in the court of the guardhouse. 

Evil men wanted him dead so their message would not be challenge. This is the new truth for today in our world. They will find leaders who side with them and work hard to silence the only truth the world will ever hear.

But like Jeremiah, we are called to speak the truth even if no one will listen to us. Will you speak the truth to those who will not agree with you?

COVID-19 And Satan's Censureship

When you cannot win the argument, what is left to do? Shout down your opponent, prohibit your opponent from speaking, or silence them in any way that meets with your beliefs. You can see this most vividly on college campuses today.

They cannot tolerate any view but their own. They don’t believe in free speech other than when it applies only to their own views. All other views are hateful. Nothing has really changed in that regard in thousands of years. Let us continue to see this in the silencing of Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 38:1-6  Now Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashhur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur the son of Malchijah heard the words that Jeremiah was speaking to all the people, saying, "Thus says the LORD, 'He who stays in this city will die by the sword and by famine and by pestilence, but he who goes out to the Chaldeans will live and have his own life as booty and stay alive.'  "Thus says the LORD, 'This city will certainly be given into the hand of the army of the king of Babylon and he will capture it.'"

Jeremiah was commanded by God to deliver His messages to the chosen people of God. Not only did they not believe Jeremiah’s message, they did not want anyone else to hear or believe it either.

Then the officials said to the king, "Now let this man be put to death, inasmuch as he is discouraging the men of war who are left in this city and all the people, by speaking such words to them; for this man is not seeking the well-being of this people but rather their harm." 

Did you really hear what they were saying? Does this not sound like what we are hearing today? If you don’t support the beliefs of the culture or government, you are guilty of not seeking the well-being of society!!!

What does the cultural society need most? Is it more lies that lead to hell or the truth of God that brings salvation? You will soon have to answer that question for yourself as Satan begins to close his net over a deceived world.

So King Zedekiah said, "Behold, he is in your hands; for the king can do nothing against you." 

Will the President and governors turn true Christians over to their accusers and antagonists? Not sure, but will they defend their rights or freedom of religion and assembly? No they will not!

Then they took Jeremiah and cast him into the cistern of Malchijah the king's son, which was in the court of the guardhouse; and they let Jeremiah down with ropes. Now in the cistern there was no water but only mud, and Jeremiah sank into the mud. 

They thought they just got rid of their problem with Jeremiah. But, who do they really have a problem with and can they get rid of God? Next time.

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?