The struggle is real. Two opposing forces are battling for the hearts and minds of America. Who will lead the nation as the most powerful person, not just in this country, but in the world? Who would sit among the nine justices as either interpreters of the constitution or as litigators according to whatever standards serves the purposes of their political persuasion? That choice was recently decided through another embattled process that ended in a narrow majority vote.
In the end, both sides win. But one, only for a season.
There are a growing number of Americans who seek to govern
according to the standards that can look like a free-for-all of personal
ideals. No rules for marriage or childbirth; no financial responsibility
because everything will be “free”: Education, health care, housing. A society
of live-and-let-live that certainly sounds like a utopian existence.
In this world, there will be no borders because America
should have a heart and soul for anyone wishing asylum for every manner of
lawlessness alongside those who genuinely seek a better life for their families
and themselves. A world where only the strong survive.
In this world, no thought toward a certain field of
education that will lead to a desired career is needed. The government would be
more than happy to make that decision for everyone, along with the number of
hours that will be worked and the amount of “wages” to be paid. “Don’t worry.
Be happy. We’ve got this,” says the big brother with the long arm. And the
control. Of everything.
In this world, your excessive tax dollars will not be wasted on the
elderly, the infirm, those with birth defects, or even the unborn child, i.e.
another mouth to be fed by the government because the parents won’t be able to
feed him. Those tax dollars will be enjoyed by the powerful forces who are so
much better at making decisions for the less intelligent, less motivated tax
payers who will soon become even less motivated day by day. Then they will also
become more dependent on the government whose laws are meant for everyone
except themselves. Those same government leaders will also be the ones enjoying
the fruits of each American’s labor much more than the crumbs the laborers will
get to enjoy. And if you want something that someone else has worked for, just
follow the government’s example and take it. Because it’s the land of “only the
strong survive”.
There will be no religious guidelines to clutter the minds
of the individuals. Because the general belief is everyone can be his/her own
god. All-knowing and wise in their own eyes. And the law allows for the
punishment of anyone who chooses to believe in a one true God. Close those
pesky churches, take away their rights to a parking lot, a bakery, a beauty
salon, or a gym. Starve them out. That will teach them.
For those who are becoming increasingly impatient, just hang
on because your earthly Utopia is coming. And it’s coming soon. In the blink of
an eye, you’ll notice that a vast number of people have vanished. Some who are
mid-way through surgery, be it a heart bypass or a root canal, will be left
wondering where the surgeon has disappeared to and why is no one monitoring the
machines and oxygen levels. There will be a skeleton crew in these vital
positions wondering the same thing. Where did the pilot of the 757 go? It’s an
odd time for a coffee break that seems to never end. Isn’t it about time to
land this thing?
Not to fear because a leader of all worldly leaders has been
in place for such a time as this. He will have all the answers to your
questions. He will provide every need. His voice will be the one in the midst
of the chaos calming the world through a technology that will undoubtedly reach
each and every terror-stricken heart. God calls him “the anti-christ”. For these three-and-a-half years it will be a time of unity and peace. This may be
the world you presently think you want. No more churches or people trying to drag you there. No more hypocrites saying one thing and doing another. No one
trying to encourage you with Bible verses and prayers spoken in your behalf. No
one meddling in your personal life. But it’s probably a world you will not want
to be in when it becomes a place where the Holy Spirit no longer dwells.
Then reality will set in. Once this smiling and reassuring
“person” allows his true heart to shine, the terror will erase every comforted
thought he personally delivered that short three-and-a-half years prior in the
wake of the mass disappearance of unnumbered family and friends. “It was just
the aliens, you know. Everything will be fine. Just follow my lead. I’ll take
care of you. You can trust me.” The same lips that uttered that nonsense are
now snarling to the point of dripping venom as his predestined reign of terror
begins. It will also last three-and-a-half years.
Need food? Just take this little mark. No need to worry
about losing it. It’s permanent. It’s your ticket to food, medicine, fuel. All
of those things without which no one can survive. What? You mean you realized
those Bible thumpers were right after all? It wasn’t the aliens, but the Savior
of the world who fulfilled his promise of coming for His bride, the Christians,
at a time only His Father God knew. “’No mark for you,’ you say? “No problem.
We’ll just take your head.” Because, you see, this will be the price of
refusing the mark of the beast the Bible warned about. To refuse the mark of
the beast is to choose Heaven, but it will mean sudden death by decapitation. For
those who do take this mark, they are also signing onto an eternity in a place
where the fire never goes out and the worm never dies. It’s called Hell. It’s
real, and it’s forever.
Choosing this world is very simple. You simply do nothing.
It takes complete faith and a
repentant heart to surrender your all to the Jesus who is just who God says He
is. God’s Son. One hundred percent God, one hundred percent man. His death on
the cross paid for the sins of the world. A one-time event to cover every sin
in every heart. He loves you that much! The amazing thing is that it’s a free
gift to anyone who will call upon the name of the Lord to be saved:
“for if you confess with your mouth Jesus as
Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be
saved; for with the heart man believes resulting in righteousness, and with the
mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” For these is no
distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding
in riches for all who call upon Him; for “Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9-13
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whosoever believed in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16 KJV
Speaking of the world already chosen by generations through
that child-like faith, it begins the moment “Jesus steps up on a cloud to call
His children” which is also the beginning of the first three-and-a-half-year
period mentioned above. The dead in Christ will rise first to meet Him in the
air. Living, born-again Christians will follow immediately behind them to a
place of eternal peace and joy. (I Thessalonians 4:16) Our heavenly home prepared by Jesus Christ
Himself. In His own words, He said:
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe
in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many dwelling places: if
it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And
if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself;
that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:1-3 NASB
This “place”, this other world, is a place with no sickness,
no death, no murderers or thieves. A world where believers will be reunited
with other loved ones who did choose to believe and to receive God’s
gift of eternal life. A world that needs no sun to light the day or moon to
light the night, because God’s glory is the eternal flame. A land of milk and
honey, of streets paved with gold so pure that it will be translucent in
appearance. The Garden of Eden God created, but this one will last for
eternity. No sin will ever pollute this world.
A place with no tears:
“And He shall wipe away every tear from their
eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any
mourning, or crying or pain: the first things have passed away.” And He who
sits on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write:
for these words are faithful and true.” And He said to me, “It is done. I am
the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts
from the spring of water of life without cost. He who overcomes shall inherit these
things; and I will be his God, and he will be My son.” Revelation 21:4-7 KJV
There are some who will not be in this world:
“But
the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and
whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their
part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second
death.” Revelation 21:9 KJV
What is your heart’s true cry? A world of temporal freedom
that will lead to eternal imprisonment in a place where no one even has a name.
One pastor refers to it a “wasteland of humanity”. And don’t forget about the
eternal fire.
Or would you prefer to live in perfect peace and walk among
giants of faith spoken of in Hebrews and loved ones who likely were praying for
you with their last breath? With Jesus Himself. I can only imagine. A place
where we will, indeed, have jobs and responsibilities. One of Satan’s biggest
lies is that heaven is a boring place where its residents just float around on
clouds eternally.
“The
Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is
long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all
should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the
night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the
elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are
therein shall be burned up.” II Peter 3:9-10.
This could be your moment. Your invitation to accept God’s free gift of eternal life in Heaven with Him. You can do this right now, right where you are. The following is from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association:
RT YOUR NEW LIFE WITH CHRIST
You can have real,
lasting peace today through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Start your
four-step journey now!
Step 1 – God loves you
and has a plan for you!
The Bible says, “God so loved the world that He gave His one and
only Son, [Jesus Christ], that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but
have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it
abundantly”—a complete life full of purpose (John 10:10).
But here’s the problem:
Step 2 – Man is sinful
and separated from God.
We have all done, thought or said bad things, which the Bible
calls “sin.” The Bible says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of
God” (Romans 3:23).
The result of sin is death, spiritual separation from God
(Romans 6:23).
The good news?
Step 3 – God sent His Son
to die for your sins!
Jesus died in our place so we could have a relationship with God
and be with Him forever.
“God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were
yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
But it didn’t end with His death on the cross. He rose again and
still lives!
“Christ died for our sins. … He was buried. … He was raised on
the third day, according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
Jesus is the only way to God. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the
truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me” (John 14:6).
Step 4 – Would you like
to receive God’s forgiveness?
We can’t earn salvation; we are saved by God’s grace when we
have faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. All you have to do is believe you are a
sinner, that Christ died for your sins, and ask His forgiveness. Then turn from
your sins—that’s called repentance. Jesus Christ knows you and loves you. What
matters to Him is the attitude of your heart, your honesty. We suggest praying
the following prayer to accept Christ as your Savior:
“Dear God,
I know I’m a sinner,
and I ask for your forgiveness.
I believe Jesus Christ
is Your Son. I believe that He died
for my sin and that
you raised Him to life.
I want to trust Him as
my Savior and follow Him as Lord,
from this day forward.
Guide my life and help me to do your will.
I pray this
in the name of Jesus. Amen.”
https://lp.billygraham.org/find-peace-with-god/
Time is running out for those
who need to decide. Jesus could come for His children today. Which world will
you choose?
© Nancy K. Sullivan
October 29, 2020
