Today more than ever, we all need something to lean on and cling to that will bring us real hope. With all the increased satanic activities, it’s sad that so many are turning to the things of this earth in hopes of finding new meaning for their lives. Though there may be short-lived “inspirations” and somewhat satisfying pleasures, eternity will be a nightmare for the majority. (ESV – all emphasis mine)
Lucifer, Satan, the devil, has been the world’s largest antagonist that ever existed. The Lord God Jehovah could have created all heavenly beings and all earthly humans that would be required to totally submit to whatever He wished. He could have prohibited free will or free choice, but then that would not have been a God of pure love.
When God created Lucifer, he was possibly the most beautiful archangel ever. Ezekiel 28:17; “Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I exposed you before kings to feast their eyes on you.” Ezekiel 28:14; “You were an anointed guardian cherub. I placed you; you were on the Holy Mountain of God; in the midst of the stones of fire you walked.”
Then Isaiah 14:12-14; “How you are fallen from Heaven, O Day Star, Son of Dawn. How you are cut down to the ground; you who laid the nations low. You said in your heart, I will ascend to Heaven; above the stars of God; I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the Mount of Assembly in the far reaches of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”
Is it any wonder that the Father hates destructive self-pride? We are warned throughout the scriptures against pride that will bring us down and take us out of the will of God. Satan is going full-speed today to instill that attitude on as many souls as he possibly can. He knows his time is drawing to a close. His end is certain, even if he somehow believes he can “cheat the system.”
At the end of the 7-year tribulation period, Satan will be cast into a bottomless pit for 1,000 years. Then, he will be released for a short time in order to mount one more rebellion against Jesus. That will also be put down almost immediately. Revelation 20:10; “and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet were (Revelation 19:20), and they shall be tormented day and night forever.”
What is critical today is for people to turn their eyes upon Jesus. While more will reject the Savior than accept Him (Matthew 7:13-14), all true believers will have an amazing eternity. The hardest part for some is to receive and accept the gift that Jesus gave us at Calvary. We don’t add anything to it, nor do we take anything away from His gift. It’s like any gift which must be “opened” in order to benefit the recipient.
First and foremost, all must know that John 14:6 is the one verse that spells out just who Jesus is and why we must call on Him for our Salvation. “Jesus said to him [Thomas], I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father, except through Me.”
This is why we need Jesus in our lives, as He is our one and only eternal Savior. Steve Green found this to be true, and in 1984 released a song that is absolutely full of meaning. It’s “People Need the Lord.” Please consider the words.
1.) Every day they pass me by, I can see it in their eyes; empty people filled with care, headed who knows where.
On they go through private pain living fear to fear; laughter hides their silent cries, only Jesus hears.
(ref) People need the Lord. People need the Lord. At the end of broken dreams, He’s the open door. People need the Lord. People need the Lord. When will we realize, people need the Lord?
2.) We are called to take His light to a world where wrong seems right. What could be too great a cost for sharing life with one who’s lost?
Through His Love, our hearts can feel all the grief they bear. They must hear the words of life, only we can share. (ref)
In Luke 20:28, Jesus said, “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” What things? Just try to keep up with today’s real news, and you will see them all. It’s already begun, and each passing day, we’re nearer and nearer.
For the world, this is all just folly, as given in 1 Corinthians 1:18. But just as Paul said, that to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.
Jesus is fully aware of everything we are going through. Remember, He was personally tempted by Satan in the wilderness after fasting for 40 days. Though He did not submit to Satan’s temptations, He understands when we do. He knows we are weak and will sin (Romans 3:23). That is why He has a pathway to forgiveness for His followers, as found in 1 John 1:8-10.
How many times can we be forgiven? By His own example to Peter in Matthew 18:21-22, not seven times, but seventy times seven. This is not to say that after 490 times we’re doomed. Jesus just used this example to tell us He will forgive us as often as we call out to Him for forgiveness. He does expect us to do our part in avoiding sin but is there to provide grace and mercy to us when we do.
One thing we do need to understand; we are forgiven, but that does not relieve us of any discipline that may be involved. Hebrews 12:5-11 tells us we are still subject to the Father’s discipline. When we are disciplined, it’s because the Father loves us and is treating us as a loving parent, not to cause us grief.
The ABCs to receive our gift are given in Romans 10:9-13. Admit we’ve all sinned and cannot save ourselves. Believe Jesus is the only way we can be forgiven and saved. Call out to Him, and He will save us.
Remember, God doesn’t grade on a curve system. Straight and narrow is to accept Jesus as our Savior and have a Home in Heaven. The broad path is to reject Jesus and have eternal torment in Hell. There are no other options.
No matter what your past has been, Jesus is there to receive your confession and to give you eternal life. Time is getting shorter by the hour, and right now would be an excellent time to call on Him. Tomorrow could just be too late, as the Rapture can take place any second now. After that, there will be more misery on this earth than anyone can imagine. God gave us the freedom of choice – choose Jesus and eternal life.
Shalom! Maranatha!