(There is a special message at the end of this article for those who do not have Jesus in their life and are looking for peace and a way to better understand the present-day insanity and confusion.)
I have long believed and frequently said that while the Old Testament was written to the Jewish people, it is important to understand that the Lord had the entirety of the scriptures (including the New Testament) written, knowing that all His creation would still be reading it even up to the present time. Therefore, all the scriptures have application and give direction to every individual who would ever live.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16).
I think this NLT translation of the same verse says it well also: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”
God’s Word is timeless and, like Him, from Everlasting to Everlasting.
Isaiah 1:18: “Come now, and let us reason together,’ says the LORD. ‘Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
This oft-quoted verse, on its face, has to do with salvation; however, it also carries with it the understanding that man was created with an intellect and that this intellect has a role to perform in all willing people; that is, to enable us to understand His word and the application of it in our lives and in our minds as well as our hearts. This process begins with Salvation in Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
While intellect is not spiritual in itself, it can certainly play an important part in understanding spiritual matters. If it were not so, God would not have included this concept in a verse related to Salvation.
Additionally, it is this author’s opinion that evidence of scripture having multiple applications is becoming clearer as the time of the end nears. I am again reminded of Daniel 12:4;
“But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” [Emphasis added by me]
The below verse from the book of Hosea in the Old Testament was written prior to the destruction of the Northern Kingdom (then called Israel). This is the first half of the verse, and as with the entirety of God’s Word, it has application to God’s people today.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee” (Hosea 4:6a).
During the OT period 753-715, Hosea prophesied to the Northern Kingdom using the example of an unfaithful wife. It also clearly indicated the Lord’s continuing to express His love for them.
Willful ignorance and purposeful rejection of the wisdom and knowledge of God and His Word eventually brought about the Lord’s response to that rejection.
The northern kingdom of Israel was invaded and broken apart by the Assyrians in 722 during Hosea’s ministry. The people went into captivity. God had warned them repeatedly and was ignored. The consequences of willful rejection became a very harsh reality.
136 years later, after numerous warnings from God, the southern kingdom (Judah) would fall for the same reasons. Failure to respond to the Lord’s warnings always has catastrophic consequences.
America has been receiving strong warnings very loudly since 11 September 2001. Outside of a few weeks of increased church attendance, most (not all) people have “rejected and ignored” as well.
There is another danger that I believe must be recognized intellectually as well as Spiritually. In drifting from or ignoring the Word of God, there develops complacency. It slithers in like a snake.
Many Christians have discontinued gathering with other believers. There are myriads of reasons for this. Some of them are legitimate; most of them are not.
In Canada, the obstacles being thrown in front of believers by Satan’s little helpers can make it extremely hard to attend church. I know some of them and the obstacles they face. My heartfelt encouragement is to suggest gathering together in small home churches if possible. The value of being with brothers and sisters cannot be overstated. Home churches are one way to circumvent the opposition, and it is quite common in many places where persecution has been ops-normal for quite a while.
Even if, at first, no one wants to lead the worship, just reading the word of God to each other is like pure gold. I pray that some of you will give this a try. God will bless you for it, and remember: “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20).
Then, there are the not-so-legitimate reasons. These prevail in most places in the US where church attendance is very low. There are currently few real obstacles to gathering in churches and worshiping together as a body in this country.
Most obstacles here are believer-generated.
- Too busy
- It’s my only day off.
- I’m too tired by the time Sunday rolls around.
- The churches are full of hypocrites. If this is your reason, I would suggest that you should go anyway; there is always room for one more.
- I couldn’t find a good church (while this may be somewhat legitimate due to the high levels of apostasy), there are a couple of suggestions I would make.
1) You could try attending the “best” bad choice you can find and pray for awakening in the church while you are in the midst of them (not easy, but maybe the Lord wants you to try).
2) You could “attend” the streaming services of your local churches online and then choose one, then attend in person. It is far better, I think, to try than to “give up.”
- “But, I go to church! Really, do you think God has not noticed that you only attend on Easter and Christmas? All the rest of the year, you are MIA.
Let us briefly confirm what is meant by the term “God’s people” by “reasoning together” and how important this intimate relationship is viewed by the Lord.
- The Hebrews are/were referred to as God’s wife (Jeremiah 31:31-32), and this is the relationship He had the prophet portray in the book of Hosea also.
- The Church is called the Bride of Christ, and this is confirmed in the book of Revelation (Chapter 19:7-9).
Both the Hebrews and the Church are referred to as “people who are called by My Name.”
Jesus Christ is God. He said so Himself: “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30), as well as numerous other places. Thus, we know also that we, “Christians,” are also called by God’s Name.
This is stated clearly in the Old Testament book of Amos (Ch9-v11-12);
“On that day I will raise up the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, And repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, And rebuild it as in days of old; That they may possess the remnant of Edom, And all the Gentiles who are called by My Name,’ Says the Lord who does this thing” (Amos 9:11-12).
And it is reiterated in the New Testament book of Acts (Ch15-v15-18):
“And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written: After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up; So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My Name, Says the Lord who does all these things.’ Known to God from eternity are all His works” (Acts 15:15-18).
*VERY IMPORTANT!! I DO NOT ascribe to replacement theology. The Church DOES NOT REPLACE the Jews and the promises God made specifically to THEM!
So please consider this: If God could *go back on His Word to the Jews (Jeremiah 31:31-37), could He not just as easily go back on His Word to the Church? *IMPOSSIBLE! It will never happen.
ALSO IMPORTANT: God will, at His appointed time, make the two (Jew and Gentile) one by the power of God through the Cross. God has His long-range plans all made. Infinitely long-range.
“For He is our peace, Who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the Cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father” (Ephesians 2:14-18). [Emphasis added by me]
Now to the crux of this article: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
The Word of God clearly informs people that God is from everlasting to everlasting, that He does not change.
At this stage of history, does anyone who claims to be a follower of Christ really believe that He will view willful ignorance, complacency, or rejection of His Word any differently than He ever has?
Please ask yourself: Has His nature changed?
Please ask yourself: Has His Word changed?
Which part of the parable of the ten virgins applies to you? (read Matthew 25: 9-13)
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Matthew 25:10 “And while they went to buy, the Bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.” —They are sensible of their past folly; they have taken good advice: they are in the act of getting what alone they lacked: a very little more, and they also are ready. But the Bridegroom comes; the ready are admitted; “the door is shut,” and they are undone. How graphic and appalling this picture of one almost saved—but lost!
The above commentary may be accessed by going to this link: https://biblehub.com/commentaries/matthew/25-10.htm
Within this page are several other commentaries. All seem to agree with the above.
Are you ready? Or are you not?
I beseech you, brothers and sisters, to examine yourselves and evaluate yourselves.
When I was 16, I went to an Episcopalian church and was “confirmed,” and I thought that was “good enough.” I did not repent, however. I did not grasp that part of God’s requirement. I was not saved! A terrifying thought! I thank God that in His great mercy, He allowed me to live long enough to know the Truth, to repent and believe. I urge you to evaluate yourself as well. It is eternally critical!
“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? —unless indeed you are disqualified” (2 Corinthians 13:5).
Please consider this. When the door is closed to the Age of Grace, by the Rapture, will you go Home? If so, how will you fare in the Bema Seat judgment? How will your works, after being saved, look?
“If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames” (1 Corinthians 3:15).
In examining yourself as a born-again Christian, could you perhaps have fallen asleep (spiritually) and need to wake up? If so, you need to wake up now!
Perhaps you are saved but feel empty and fearful: not currently undergoing Sanctification because your indifference has been impeding the work of the Spirit in doing so.
I believe the time of the Age of Grace is winding down rapidly. I bring up these questions because the Spirit prompts me to; and now is the time to ask them of yourself.
- Are the commentators right about the consequences when the door is shut?
- Is there a chance that your repentance was not really genuine?
- Is there any sign of fruit in your life?
If you are a spiritually born-again believer and find that you are not bearing any fruit because you have indeed fallen asleep, it is not too late to evaluate. As long as you have breath in your body, you can still repent and renew!
If you find that you are not really spiritually born again into the saving Grace of Jesus Christ, please read what is written below and come to the foot of the Cross. You will not be rejected!
For anyone who may read this article and has not trusted in Jesus Christ and therefore have no hope or peace in your life:
You can have hope. You can have the peace that Jesus has promised to all who have made Him their Lord and Savior.
It requires that you come before God on His terms.
And, what are His terms according to His Word?
- Genuine repentance (turning to God instead of continuing to reject or ignore Him).
- Confession of sins (that you are a sinner and acknowledge that to God).
- That you understand that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
- To acknowledge to God that you are unable to pay that debt.
- Belief that Jesus Christ paid your death sentence for you on the cross.
- To believe that Jesus is the Way, the only Way, that God has established by which humans may be saved from the consequences of their sin and rebellion.
God has made it absolutely clear that there is no one who comes before Him, under His terms, that will be refused.
- No one: no race, no color, no country of origin, regardless of any previous belief system: no one.
- No matter what your past sins have been, God can and WILL forgive you because He says He will.
- Salvation is available to everyone without any exceptions.
If you put all your trust for salvation in Jesus, and Him only, you can follow that prayer up by simply saying, “Thank you, Father God, for hearing my prayer and saving me,” because we can trust Him to keep His Word. He always has. He always will.
John 5:24: “Truly, Truly, I say to you that he who hears My words and believes the One who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned. He has crossed from death to life.
There are no answers, and there is no hope in the world by governments, organizations, politics, or politicians. There are only lies and deception. But you can have the Truth and the peace you seek.
The answers are in the Word of God. The Bible. If you ask God with all your heart, He will hear you.
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).
Pro Salvator Vigilans
To contact me: canoeman96@gmail.com