There is A War Going On, Reality

You are on one side or the other.

 

It is a beautiful spring morning. Summer beginning. Kiddos are out from school. A lazy morning. You go downtown. You smell Mr. Bear's Bakery cooking the day's treats. There is a war going on. You see kids playing in the play area. Swinging and laughing. There is a war going on. People coming and going, to and fro. There is a war going on. You should look up.

The Word declares this.

"Jesus left the temple and was going away when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”" Matthew 24:1-2

There is a war going on. A little later we read this. Again, this is Jesus talking.

"But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left." Matthew 24:36-39

Those kids you saw swinging and laughing? One swing will come back empty. People going to and fro? Some will simply disappear. Mr. Bear's Bakeshop? May catch fire and burn to the ground. Planes may fall from the sky. Why? Mr. Bear is a child of God. The Pilot is a child of God. There is no one left to mind the store, or fly the plane. There is a war going on.

This beautiful early Summer morning is the last day as humans know it, ever. There is a war going on, and you ARE on one side or the other.

Today we start a new series that is almost never discussed in today's churches. Even some of those mega-churches have stopped teaching about the war. They do not talk about it. They do not tell you about the enemy. They do not tell you that hell is a very real place. They do not tell you that you may very well be on your way there. You see. The person in the story I started to tell you is not a child of God. He is witnessing the end of the age. Or the "Day of the Lord." He is standing here watching it take place because he is on the wrong side. He did not even know.

This is a failure of some of our "churches." People today love to hear what they love to hear and some mainstream pastors have started to simply tell people what they want to hear. This is even predicted in the Bible.

"For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." 2 Timothy 4:3-5

"Name it and Claim it." "The Prosperity Gospel." "There is no hell." "There is no devil." "Any god you choose is ok." "Jesus is only one way. There are many." These are lies straight out of the very pits of hell. These are lies being whispered by the devil himself. These lies will result in the utter annihilation of many "good" people. The total and utter destruction of some people who truly believe that they are doing the right things. There is a war going on.

Why is it so easy for the enemy to win many of these battles in the war? Many times, people cannot see it until it is too late.

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12

If you are not told about the war, chances are you will not recognize a battle until you witness the destruction. The aftermath. Then you wonder, "What happened?" However, then is too late.

Why? Why have so many churches fallen away from the Truth? Why do so many simply fail to teach about the war, hell, and even the devil? The answer is both sad and simple. No devil means no evil. No hell means no consequences for your acts. No war? No end time destruction. Just joy and jubilee. Live as you will. Live laugh love, all will be ok.

The sad truth is, this is what the devil WANTS you to do. Do not worry about all this other stuff. Do not worry about some teacher that lived thousands of years ago, or if you do, then just take the good news He told you, and do not worry about anything else. Sin? Says who? Is it not a sin to judge others? Just love people, no matter what. Live and let die, huh, I mean to live and let live.

We are going to spend a great deal of time next time on the enemy himself. He is real, make no mistake about it. But there is a war going on. Turn to Revelation 12:7-9

"Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him." Revelation 12:7-9

Wait? A war in heaven? Isn't heaven suppose to be a place of peace and love and harmony? If a war breaks out in heaven, what chance do we have here on earth? But as we will learn more in-depth next time, the war comes to earth. The enemy turns this paradise into a world of sin, hate, and death. He arranged it so that you do not have to do anything to sign up, if you will, for his side. All you have to do is be born, fail to accept Jesus, and you are all his. Like it or not. Believe it or not.

This is why it is so important for you to learn about the truth. Why it is so important for you to understand the reality of the fact there IS a war going on. Paul is warning Timothy of this. Turn to Ephesians 6:10-20

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak." Ephesians 6:10-20

Remember, just as in the days of Noah, just a normal average everyday day, people going about their business. eating and drinking, working and living, hoping and dreaming, planning and executing, then it began to rain. Jesus also compared the end time to that of Sodom and Gomorrah.

"Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed." Luke 17:28-30

There is a war going on. One day will be "The Day of the Lord" and all that you know will be gone. Which side are you on. Are you sure? When the swing comes back empty, and planes fall out of the sky, it will be too late. There is a war going on. The Enemy is real. and Hell is a very real place waiting to consume all sent there for an eternity. Are you sure you are on the winning side?

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He raised from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!

Book of Isaiah, Chapter 2

 Chapter 2

The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

2 It shall come to pass in the latter days

    that the mountain of the house of the Lord

shall be established as the highest of the mountains,

    and shall be lifted up above the hills;

and all the nations shall flow to it,

3     and many peoples shall come, and say:

“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,

    to the house of the God of Jacob,

that he may teach us his ways

    and that we may walk in his paths.”

For out of Zion shall go forth the law,

    and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

4 He shall judge between the nations,

    and shall decide disputes for many peoples;

and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,

    and their spears into pruning hooks;

nation shall not lift up sword against nation,

    neither shall they learn war anymore.

5 O house of Jacob,

    come, let us walk

    in the light of the Lord.

The Day of the Lord

6 For you have rejected your people,

    the house of Jacob,

because they are full of things from the east

    and of fortune-tellers like the Philistines,

    and they strike hands with the children of foreigners.

7 Their land is filled with silver and gold,

    and there is no end to their treasures;

their land is filled with horses,

    and there is no end to their chariots.

8 Their land is filled with idols;

    they bow down to the work of their hands,

    to what their own fingers have made.

9 So man is humbled,

    and each one is brought low—

    do not forgive them!

10 Enter into the rock

    and hide in the dust

from before the terror of the Lord,

    and from the splendor of his majesty.

11 The haughty looks of man shall be brought low,

    and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled,

and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.

12 For the Lord of hosts has a day

    against all that is proud and lofty,

    against all that is lifted up—and it shall be brought low;

13 against all the cedars of Lebanon,

    lofty and lifted up;

    and against all the oaks of Bashan;

14 against all the lofty mountains,

    and against all the uplifted hills;

15 against every high tower,

    and against every fortified wall;

16 against all the ships of Tarshish,

    and against all the beautiful craft.

17 And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled,

    and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low,

    and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.

18 And the idols shall utterly pass away.

19 And people shall enter the caves of the rocks

    and the holes of the ground,

from before the terror of the Lord,

    and from the splendor of his majesty,

    when he rises to terrify the earth.

20 In that day mankind will cast away

    their idols of silver and their idols of gold,

which they made for themselves to worship,

    to the moles and to the bats,

21 to enter the caverns of the rocks

    and the clefts of the cliffs,

from before the terror of the Lord,

    and from the splendor of his majesty,

    when he rises to terrify the earth.

22 Stop regarding man

    in whose nostrils is breath,

    for of what account is he?

Jesus in the Old Testament, Zephaniah

Jesus in Zephaniah

Jesus made this Statment.

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life, and it is they that bear witness about me,"

Zephaniah was active during the time of Josiah, a time of temporary Revival. Not only did he see the judgment that was soon to fall upon Israel for her Apostasy. {A total desertion of or departure from one's Religion, Principles, Party, Cause, etc.}Then, he looked down the ages to the judgment of the whole world. And beyond that, he also envisioned the time of Universal Blessing to follow. He was very big on ''The day of the Lord.''

"The word of the Lord that came to Zephaniah the son of Cushi, son of Gedaliah, son of Amariah, son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah." Zephaniah 1:1

We see that He starts out telling Zephaniah, that He {God} was going to wipe out Judah. Then in 1:7 we read this famous Phrase for the first time.

"Be silent before the Lord God! For the day of the Lord is near; the Lord has prepared a sacrifice and consecrated his guests."

Then in 1:14-16

"The great day of the Lord is near, near and hastening fast; the sound of the day of the Lord is bitter; the mighty man cries aloud there. A day of wrath is that day, a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and devastation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of trumpet blast and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the lofty battlements."

We know that "The Day of the Lord" IS still to come for the World. Jesus is He that will come following the sounds of Trumpets.

Revelations 8:6

"Now the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them."

Then in Revelations 11:15 tells us of the Seventh and Last Trumpet to Blow.

"Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” "

Of course, we know what happens following that. Armageddon.

As we read in Zephaniah 2, God is going to judge all those who are enemies of Judah.

"“I have heard the taunts of Moab and the revilings of the Ammonites, how they have taunted my people and made boasts against their territory. Therefore, as I live,” declares the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, “Moab shall become like Sodom, and the Ammonites like Gomorrah, a land possessed by nettles and salt pits, and a waste forever." Zephaniah 2:8-9

Then In Chapter 3:18, we read this.

“Therefore wait for me,” declares the Lord, “for the day when I rise up to seize the prey. For my decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, to pour out upon them my indignation, all my burning anger; for in the fire of my jealousy all the earth shall be consumed."

First, remember, as a Child of God, you ARE His People. There is no Jew or Greek, Bound or Free, Male or Female. We are all one. Jesus said this to make it plainly clear.

"Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." Luke 11:23

"The Day of The Lord" is coming. Paul writes this would be the way things would be at near the end times. As you read this, take a second. look around. Tell me you do not see these things being lived today.

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

For this reason, God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.

And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them." Romans 1:18-32

Just like in the days of Zephaniah, the enemies of God, are mocking, abusing, and simply hating on, God's Chosen People. That would be you and me. The World wants to call us simpletons and foolish. But we know what God thinks about the Wisdom of the World.

Just like in the time of Zephaniah, we are being warned to repent from our sins and be the Children of God that we are, and do not worry about our enemies. "The Day of the Lord" The day of Jesus, is coming. Are you ready?

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will heal you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a Sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus and His Sacrifice for me. I believe that He raised from the Dead. I repent my Sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is just that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen.{2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus is Lord!