Most of the world has been “self-isolating” and “social distancing” for the last few months. Hopefully, Christians used that time to study God’s word and draw closer to Him, rather than being inundated by the mainstream news and its reports on this flu which has caused so much panic.

“Cabin fever” has been wearing away at our nerves. Some business owners are finally able to re-open their doors, and many people are able to return to earning a living. Nerves will be on edge, and there’s a good chance that anger will cause many problems. As Christians, we need to keep ourselves true to our Lord. We need to walk in His ways and be sure we represent Him well. Our walk with the Lord is a fulltime journey, and we need to be sure that we don’t falter.

“ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways” (Psalm 119:1-3).

In other Bible translations, the phrase “keep his testimonies” is translated “obey His laws” or “observe His rules.” His rules are for our own protection; and by obeying Him, we stay healthier and happier. Walking in His ways means we don’t deviate from His law and his rules. We don’t lie, cheat, or steal. It also means we love others as ourselves.

Jesus is always our example. Jesus showed love as He healed people, forgave people, and shared the Gospel. His life reflected the love of God but He always came against those in authority who twisted God’s law. Jesus was God incarnate, but Christians have the Holy Spirit sealed within us. Since He lives in us, we should hear His guiding voice easily. Stress comes when we’re tempted to go against God by those in authority or by our own self-interest. If we love Him, we need to follow His example.

“If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

Vines Expository Dictionary says this about “love” as it’s used in this verse: “Christian love has God for its primary object, and expresses itself first of all in implicit obedience to His commandments. Self-will, that is self-pleasing, is a negation of love to God.” If we love our Lord Jesus, we keep His commandments (His doctrines) and walk in His ways. The reverse of that is, if we don’t keep His commandments, then we must not love Him. When we keep the commandments of our Lord Jesus without deviation, we are blessed with a clear conscience and a better life.

After being confined to our homes for so long, it might be tempting to “go wild.” We need to watch our own actions closely to be sure that we aren’t influenced by people who’ll cause us to stumble in our walk. We’re going into the world, and we need to be an example to the world instead of allowing the world to influence us.

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15).

The answer to those questions is “none.” There’s a difference between associating with the unrighteous people of the world for business purposes and fellowshipping with them as friends. Fellowshipping with others means we visit with each other, seek advice in times of trouble, and share common beliefs. We need to work, and many people we come into contact with aren’t Christians. If we’re walking closely with Jesus, others will see Him living in us, and that opens doors for witnessing. We need to share our faith with the lost, but if we fellowship with them or join in their sinful ways, we deny our Lord.

A Christian is only righteous because of our faith in Jesus… it’s His righteousness that makes us righteous. If we choose to live in opposition to His ways, then we’re opposed to Him. So how do we remain uncompromisingly true to the doctrine of Christ and still live in this fallen world? To remain faithful to Him, we must study His word and apply it to our life. Instead of measuring your choices against what the world accepts, measure your life against Scripture.

It’s not always easy to resist the temptation to join others in sin, but it is a choice we make. We have freedom in Christ, but that freedom isn’t a license to sin.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world” (1 Peter 5:8-9). 

Satan never rests, and he wants you to stumble in your Christian walk. To him, the battle for the souls of humanity is continuous, and it’s his intention to stumble us at every turn. If you don’t resist his ploys, then non-believers will see your sin and mock Jesus. They will use your failures as proof that Christians are hypocrites. We are only human and we fail, but our failures bring us to our knees asking for forgiveness. Although Satan is always there trying to turn us onto the wrong path, Jesus is always willing to forgive our sin and lead us in the paths of righteousness.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

When we ask for forgiveness, we need to mean it and turn away from the sin that cripples us. It’s easier to walk with the Lord if we aren’t crippled by sin.

When we study Scripture, we find there’s no middle ground for us. Either we’re in fellowship with Him, or with Satan. God says to have no fellowship with unrighteousness, period. Christians need to be the light that shines in this dark world and preach the truth to those who are condemned by their sin. We preach either with words or with the way we conduct our life. Until a non-believer comes to know Jesus, we aren’t to fellowship with them.

“Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:6-8).

Every Christian was once an unrepentant and unforgiven sinner. Once we realized that we were dying in our sin and turned to Jesus, we were forgiven. Praise God for that forgiveness. Now His light illuminates our path, and we need to walk in His ways. The light of the Lord Jesus shines through us into this fallen world. If we reflect His light in all that we do, then others will be able to follow too.

We face many things today that cause turmoil and upset. If we aren’t vigilant, we may wander from His path of righteousness. This latest virus has been used by Satan to test all of us. As we draw closer to the Rapture, things will get worse. Difficult choices must be made. Do you want to have a tracking chip placed in you? Or is that too much like the mark of the beast described in Revelation? This is a choice we may face very soon. The Rapture will precede that evil mark, but it’s just one more sign of how close we are to the Rapture.

Jesus never said our walk with Him would be easy, but He overcame the world. “These things I have spoken unto you that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

The tribulation referred to in this verse is suffering, sorrow, and trouble. If you walk close to Jesus, you may be mocked and persecuted by worldly people. If you choose not to take a chip into your body, you may lose a job. There are many challenges to our faith that we face each day, and we have to choose wisely. The only way to choose wisely is to walk close to Christ.

Today, most Christians have already allowed their fellowship with each other to be compromised. The fellowship we find in worship has been thwarted… don’t shake hands, don’t be close to each other, wear masks. This isn’t what Scripture dictates. It says to call for the elders when we’re sick so they can lay hands upon us and pray. Jesus went against the “social distancing” rule when He touched and healed lepers and had dinner with sinners. The first Christians didn’t allow anything, even being thrown to lions or imprisoned, to compromise their walk with the Lord. We live in times that try men’s souls and too many Christians choose to let the world dictate our standards instead of God.

“Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you…” (John 15:20a).

If indeed we are His disciples, then He is speaking to each of us. We will be challenged and persecuted when we walk in His ways, but that shouldn’t compromise our walk.

The majority of Christians understand very little about what our Lord meant by His statement, “…Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34b).

Ear-tickling pastors don’t preach about this. Instead they hone their sermons to be politically correct to be sure not to violate their tax-exempt status.

We must crucify our own selfish interests and submit our life to Christ. When we take up our cross, we must be prepared to be rejected as Jesus was, persecuted, maltreated, denied the fundamentals of God- given rights. We may even have to die for our Lord. The first century Christians faced much persecution and torture, but would not compromise their faith. The government tried to force them to deny Christ; but rather than stop the advancement of Christianity, it only fueled the fire.

Do we have that same fire? Are we willing to walk in His ways rather than follow the ways of the world?

When Peter and other apostles were arrested for sharing the Gospel, he had an answer. “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). 

The doctrine of Christ is binding on all born-again believers. We may have to choose between friendships and walking with Christ; and there will be times when family will reject us because of our faith. We may even be jailed for our faith. None of that should hinder our walk with our Lord. When we obey God rather than men, we will walk closer to Him.

As we gradually are allowed to step out into the world, be sure that your walk with Jesus is not compromised by joining in the ways of the world. Remember to obey God rather than men.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Ron and Nathele Graham’s previous commentaries archived at https://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html

All original scripture is “theopneustos”— God breathed.

If you’d like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

We are living in prophetic times. There is “something in the air,” and many people feel the change that’s coming. Biblical prophecy is being fulfilled very quickly, and that’s exactly what Scripture says will happen. It will be slow for a long time, but then the events will happen faster and with more intensity. There are many who deny it or just don’t believe that we are nearing the end.

We always think that monumental events are meant for another time and another place. That thought can encourage a denial of Biblical truth and a feeling that everything is just as it always was. That feeling is, in fact, fulfillment of prophecy. Peter said that there would be scoffers in the latter days who think things are just “business as usual.”

“This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: that ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation” (2 Peter 3:1-4).

The truth is, things are very different than any other time in history. Those who scoff just aren’t aware of the signs of the times.

There are scoffers who haven’t seen the significance of Israel being re-established as a nation in the land given to them by God. Yes, there are scoffers who would have us believe that the Jewish people who have gathered there aren’t truly Jewish. People go out of their way to live in denial and scoff at prophecy. Many events that have taken place since then prove the scoffers wrong. The prophet Isaiah makes it clear that there would be a second gathering of Israel. The first was after the Babylonian captivity, but the second would be at the end of the age.

“And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the Islands of the sea. And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth” (Isaiah 11:11-12).

Ezekiel spoke of this event when he prophesied about the dry bones coming together and gaining life (Ezekiel chapter 37). The Jewish people are gathering again as a nation, and the Holy Spirit is beginning to be recognized; they are spiritually coming to life. Many of them are looking for their Messiah, but sadly, they are looking for the wrong one; but that’s another commentary. They will not be uprooted from their land again.

“And I will bring the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God” (Amos 9:14-15).

God said this so it must be the truth. So, if you are one of the scoffers, do some research into prophecy. You’ll find that the various end-time prophecies are unfolding today. The more we believe Scripture, the more amazing it is that God chose to record what will happen so we can know where we are in history. Oh, and by the way, the Jewish people are still God’s chosen people and have not been replaced by Christians. They will face horrendous times, but will finally turn to Jesus and recognize Him as their true Messiah. Christians already recognize Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. He is the Messiah.

The Old Testament prophets were given many prophecies regarding the time in which we live, and if you scoff at them, then maybe you’ll believe some New Testament facts. Jesus tells us to be aware of the days in which we live. We cannot know exactly when the Rapture will happen, but if we are to be totally ignorant of its approach, Jesus wouldn’t have told us what signs to look for. Even the disciples were curious and asked Jesus about the end of time. At the time, these men questioned Jesus about the end, they had no idea about the Rapture. That would be revealed later, but they knew that there would be an end of the age. The signs which Jesus gave were pretty generic, but they would grow stronger as the end nears. He warned about false prophets deceiving people during the end.

“And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them” (Luke 21:8). 

These false prophets have been around for centuries. In John’s first letter, he mentioned them.

“And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world” (1 John 4:3). 

The deception will grow stronger as we approach the end. The antichrist spirit has deceived many and will continue to deceive many more before the end. Instead of listening to the liberal mainstream news for answers (they are filled with the spirit of antichrist), turn to Scripture. You’ll learn much more, and His word is reliable and unchanging.

After the Rapture, deception will grow stronger until that man of sin (who we quite often refer to as the Antichrist) will deceive the entire world population. He will elevate himself above all things and demand to be worshipped as god. He will require everyone to take a mark, and we are seeing the precursor to that today. Take comfort in the fact that this evil man won’t be revealed until Jesus calls Christians Home in the Rapture. Take heed, though. John said that that spirit was in the world during his day, and we can be sure it is continuing today and growing stronger as we approach the end.

The signs which Jesus pointed to are recorded in Matthew, Mark, and Luke; and each account needs to be studied carefully so we can be able to witness to others and warn the lost that they need to follow Jesus now. Remember, these accounts are speaking of a time that will come to a head after the Rapture. These signs begin mildly but grow in intensity as the end of days draws closer. Have you ever taken a road trip with the intention of ending up in a small city? Usually the road signs tell you the distance to a larger city beyond your destination. As the signs point to the large city getting close, you know that your destination is even closer. Jesus gave the signs to look for as the end of time approaches; and as we see these signs growing stronger, we know the Rapture is even closer.

“Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven” (Luke 21:10-11).

These things have always happened, but not with quite the intensity of today. Almost every nation is at odds with other nations, and civil strife within nations is intensifying. The most prophetic fighting is aimed at Israel, another sign of the times. That was prophesied by Zechariah.

“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round abut, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it” (Zechariah 12:2-3).

There is no earthly reason for the anger towards Israel. There is a spiritual reason, though. Satan is still trying to win against God Almighty. God won the war at the cross, but Satan is still full of pride and thinks he’ll win. Peace treaties will never bring peace in this spiritual battle. Peace will come when Jesus Christ reigns.

Jesus told of many more signs to look for, and He wants us to be aware of what’s coming.

“But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things” (Mark 13:23).

Scoffers might believe that we aren’t to study prophecy or that God doesn’t want us to know about the future, but they’re wrong. Scripture is filled with prophecy. By not studying it, you have to throw out most of Scripture! Why would God fill Scripture with prophecy then not want us to study it? He even tells us to pay attention… “take heed.” Every word in the Bible is God breathed. Prophecy is God’s way of warning us of what’s coming. If we are forewarned with God’s truth, we can examine our lives and our motives. Do you love Jesus? If so, are you living a life that pleases Him?

The Rapture is a very real event that will happen prior to the beginning of the Tribulation. Christians won’t face God’s wrath and will be called Home prior to that final seven-year period of time. If you happen to be a “pew warmer” who only sits in a pew on Sunday morning out of habit, or a “Christian in name only” who never truly accepted Christ for salvation, then you need to make some changes. The truth is, mouthing words doesn’t bring redemption, nor does religious ceremony. If you didn’t mean those words you said when you asked Jesus to forgive you, then you haven’t truly accepted Him. God knows of every secret sin you’re hiding, and every sin can be forgiven, but you must truly repent and ask Him to forgive you.

The signs of the times are intensifying. The end is drawing near…very, very near. God doesn’t want you to choose to spend eternity in Hell. He paid the price of your redemption, but you need to accept His gift.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16-17).

He loves everyone, but unless you truly accept His free gift of salvation for yourself, you will be left to face horrendous judgments. Don’t scoff. Don’t delay. Don’t be deceived. Study Scripture and see that time is running out. There’s nothing more important than turning to Jesus today and asking Him to forgive your sin.

The signs are intensifying. The end is near.

“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28).

Stop scoffing and start believing.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Ron and Nathele Graham’s previous commentaries archived at https://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html

All original scripture is “theopneustos”— God breathed.

If you’d like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.