God gives us many lessons we need to learn, and many of those lessons can be learned by studying the lives of the people in Scripture. In fact, He tells us to learn from the past.
The New Testament is full of reminders from the Old Testament of how God dealt with Israel. We can be certain that Genesis is the true story of Creation, and in the Gospel of John, we are told who did the creating. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:1-3).
Was the Word Jesus? Yes. We just need to read a little more in this chapter to see that clearly. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
Jesus was the Creator, and by looking back to Genesis and forward to the New Testament, we can be sure of the truth. Paul even describes very graphically in Romans chapter 1 the consequences of rejecting God as the Creator. I suggest you read and study that chapter and pay attention.
Many prophecies are quoted in the Gospels to prove Jesus is the Messiah. These come from Isaiah, Zechariah, Ezekiel, and more. The Disciples were Jewish, so they were familiar with what we call the Old Testament. They would easily be able to understand the references to Jesus in various prophecies.
The New Testament contains many, many references to the Old Testament, so that tells us that we need to study both Old and New Testaments. The writer of Hebrews dedicates an entire chapter to some important people in the Old Testament. Chapter 11 is called the “Hall of Faith” and lists some very amazing people who served God, even when they made mistakes. It would be a very good idea to study each one listed and see how God used them in spite of their weaknesses.
The first one named in Chapter 11 is Abel. He offered a sacrifice that was acceptable to the Lord. Cain, on the other hand, offered an unacceptable offering. “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh” (Hebrews 11:4).
By looking back, we can learn that God wants our best. When we give our best to God, we have a clear conscience before the Lord. In whatever situation we find ourselves, we need to give Him our best. Look back at Abel and see that he honored God by obeying Him. Instead of giving God what is easy for us, give God what pleases Him. Instead of “sacrificing” an hour to Him on Sunday, give Him your life.
Next, we find out about Enoch who shows us the first picture of the rapture in Scripture. We learn from Enoch that it’s never too late to give our life to God. “And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: and all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him” (Genesis 5:21-24).
In Hebrews, we read that Enoch was “translated.” “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God” (Hebrews 11:5). He was taken by God prior to God’s judgment of destruction coming by the flood. All flesh was destroyed except for Noah and his family. By looking back to Enoch, we can understand that by faith, Enoch was taken by God prior to judgment. Faith is how we please God.
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).
Brothers and sisters, have faith. Unshakable faith that honors God in all things. If you haven’t put your faith in Christ, do that now, and don’t put it off. You don’t need a big flashy ceremony or a pastor to grill you in the tenants of their own denomination. Just faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Be like Enoch and walk with Him all the days you have left in this world. If you choose to accept His shed blood for salvation, then give Him a sacrifice that honors Him. Be like Abel and sacrifice what God desires, not what’s easy for you as Cain did.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1).
A living sacrifice? What could that mean? It means we set aside our own carnal lusts and desires and live for Christ. “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart” (Psalm 37:4).
Seek the Lord with all your heart, and you will find that your desires change. You’ll desire to know Him better and study Scripture. You’ll begin to apply Scripture to your life. You’ll follow the example of Abel who gave a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. You may even find yourself studying prophecy.
Yes, prophecy is a huge part of Scripture, and if God thinks it’s important to tell us what to look for, then it’s important that we pay attention. We do that by looking back into the Old Testament and studying. If you look back into the Old and New Testaments, you’ll find many, many prophecies that have been fulfilled, but many that are unfolding today.
This world is a very dark and evil place to live, but prophecy shines a light on world events and tells us that God isn’t surprised by the way things are going. Through faith in Jesus, Christians have the Blessed Hope of being taken Home prior to God’s final judgment on the unbelieving world. The Apostle Peter understood this. “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19).
Unless you study prophecy, you’ll be confused and maybe frightened by much of what you see happening in the world. Russia and Ukraine are at war, but it seems as if that war will help Russia move into the Middle East to support Iran against Israel. Study Ezekiel to understand that one.
On October 7, 2023, Israel was viciously attacked and fought back, but the world seems to be against them. Why? God called Abraham away from his pagan life of idol worship and promised that a great nation would come from him. God is true to His word, and the nation of Israel was indeed the result of God’s promise to Abraham. God also promised blessings on whoever blesses Abraham and, by default, Israel. “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). Because Israel is God’s chosen people, many people in this world are jealous and despise Israel. Just like a child who thinks a sibling gets more love from their parent. It’s important to pray for Israel.
We also learn that there are times when looking back was the wrong thing to do. When talking to His disciples about the end of the age, Jesus spoke of Lot. He told how Lot lived in Sodom when God’s judgment was upon that city. Sodom was a very evil city filled with sin. Much like today, nobody was very upset by the evil, and they just went about business as usual. They were “woke,” but judgment was upon them. God sent two angels to take Lot and his family away from the evil prior to judgment. When the angels arrived in Sodom, the men desired to have sexual relations with them, but Lot stood in their way.
Lot and his family had to leave in a hurry, but his sons-in-law laughed at him and chose to stay amidst the evil. “And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city” (Genesis 19:16).
Again, this is a picture of the rapture. The angels couldn’t bring the destruction until Lot and his family were out of danger. They urged the family to run fast and not look back. Lot’s wife did the unthinkable. “But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt” (Genesis 19:26). Why did she look back? Was she just curious, or did she want one last look at the home she loved? Whatever her reason, she disobeyed and paid the price. When we come to salvation through Christ, we need to move forward in our new life instead of looking back and desiring to return to old sins.
Another example of when not to look back is found in Nineveh. This was a very violent and wicked place, and God was going to destroy them but sent Jonah to witness to them. Jonah wasn’t a willing witness, but the people and leaders of Nineveh did repent and were spared the destruction they deserved. This puts me in mind of America and the judgment we faced in our last election. The evil found here is the same as found in Sodom and can be compared to the time before the Flood of Noah. American Christians prayed, and God had mercy. The Liberal agenda has been delayed.
What happened to Nineveh? Their judgment was delayed, but they looked back and returned to their wickedness. About 100 years after they repented, they were destroyed because they returned to their wicked ways. Christians must continue to pray and give God our best. We must teach our children and grandchildren to honor God. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Christians are called by the name of Christ. We must stand strong in our service to God. We must demand that public schools stop teaching Satan’s ways, and we must demand that our pastors teach God’s truth. We must not look back and return to the wicked ways that will bring destruction.
There are many lessons to be learned as we study Scripture. We learn that obedience to God makes a difference. It doesn’t always smooth the road we must follow, but the result of obedience is always a blessing.
If you haven’t yet placed your faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, do it now. You have nothing to lose but everything to gain. Eternity is a long time to live by your choices. If you have accepted Christ for salvation, then obey His command. Follow Him. Leave the sinful life of disobedience. Study to learn how all of the people mentioned in Scripture served God in spite of their weaknesses. Look back and learn, but “Remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:32). That’s good advice from Jesus. Obey and serve God with joy.
Should we look back? Yes, but not with a desire to return to the sins of the past which bring destruction. Look back with thanksgiving that God, in His mercy, has given grace and mercy when He rightfully could have given judgment and destruction instead. Look back, but don’t go back.
God bless you all
Nathele Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com
Recommended prophecy sites:
www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com
All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.
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“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).