It is written: Lk 19:27–THOSE ENEMIES OF MINE, WHO DID NOT WANT ME TO BE KING OVER THEM (or rule over them) BRING THEM HERE AND KILL THEM. Are you willing to allow Jesus Christ and His Word to rule over you and over what you do? That is the question you must ask yourself. Your answer to this may determine where you will spend eternity.
When the Great White Throne Judgment is held, it appears that all that perish into the lake of fire will first be able to have a glimpse of the glory and splendor of heaven.
They should see Jesus in all His splendor and glory. They should be able to see where they could have spent eternal life in joy and happiness, where there will be no more tears; but they chose the lake of fire, because they wanted the glory of this present world rather than the world to come.
You are not called to live a life of glory, majesty, and plenty on this earth, as some may teach. You are called to follow Jesus and live a life of obedience to Him. You are called to serve Him–ref Mt 4:10; and as He suffered, you are also called to suffer with Him–Ro 8:17.
In these modern times, some of us want to be entertained and possess lots of things and stuff that will make us enjoy life and be comfortable. Then when we die, we also want to go to heaven. So we compromise. We choose to go to churches that preach what our itching, worldly ears desire to hear. We serve God “our way” and also serve the world. We never come to the place where we deny ourself, live a life of sacrifice, and pick up our cross daily and truly do follow Jesus.
And why should we? After all, there is lots and lots of lukewarm, misleading preaching on the radio, on TV, on the Internet, and in the churches that tell us we can prosper and always be healthy. For how can we glorify God, if we are sick or live in poverty? Consider Gal 4:13–15; 2 Cor 12:7 and others.
Many are deceived by the prosperity teaching of this lukewarm generation.
Many are deceived by the preaching that you should never get sick.
Some even preach you should confess you are healed even when you are not.
Many are deceived by the preaching that if you don’t give or plant your seed–your money to their ministry, it is evidence you have no faith, and you are disobeying God.
There are some that would have you hold up your money in the air before you give it. There are those that would have you go before the crowd to give your money, so all can see.
But know this, in this latter day generation, there are so many unbiblical teachings and doctrines by the sleight of men, and there is so much craftiness by those that deceive–only those grounded in God’s Word with humble trust in God can usually discern such things–ref Eph 4:14; Mt 24:4.
This generation is a generation of religious deception, as confirmed in Mt 24; Mk 13; Lk 21; Rev 3:14–22 and more.
When God’s Word comes forth, this is what happens.
It goes through the filter of your heart. When some hear God’s Word, it is removed almost instantly, because the person has a wayside heart.
In others, it is filtered through a person’s own ideas, their personal desires, their fears, their feelings of rejection, and their past experiences.
What comes out, after it is filtered, is what a person believes God’s Word means and, ultimately, what a person will do.
Pure, clear water, went into the filter, but for most people, when it comes out, it is discolored.
After filtering, for most people, a different Gospel is what most believe.
A person that seeks Godly counsel in important matters and obeys it is usually a person that does not go astray easily.
A person that is somewhat secretive is a person that has usually already gone astray.
Satan was created by God–ref Col 1:16,17; he deceives the human race and tries to stop what God is doing.–ref Rev 12:9; 2 Th 2:4.
He has a kingdom in the unseen realm from which he operates–ref Eph 6:12; Eph 2:2.
Satan has the power to create circumstances to deceive people. He has power, seemingly beyond human comprehension, to put thoughts in people’s minds. He has the power to make people believe the thoughts are their own thoughts—because their wicked, self–centered heart agrees with the sinful, disobedient thoughts–ref Lk 22:3.
Satan has the power to heal–Rev 13:12.
He has the power to do many miracles–Rev 16:14, even making fire come down from heaven–Rev 13:13.
Satan has power to deceive both the angels of heaven and human beings. He believes he can overthrow God and become like God himself. He believes he can stop what God intends to do. He believes he can defeat God’s Word. He has great power given to him by God, and he can give that power to whom he will–ref Rev 13:2; Lk 4:6. He craves worship–ref Rev 13:4. He blasphemes God–Rev 13:5 and puts in people’s minds to do the same. He makes people believe he does not even exist and also that hell does not exist.
He understands men’s hearts, their nature and desires, far more than any human being could.
Consider, why do men curse the name of God and Jesus, but do not curse the name of Satan or the gods of any other religion? It is because of the thoughts that Satan puts in people’s minds. They blame God for many bad things that happen to them. A relative dies, and a person blames God. They lose a job or get hurt, and blame God.
The Antichrist (his son) will have power to deceive with miracles those that dwell on the earth–Rev 13:14.
Rev 13:6–AND HE (the beast) OPENED HIS MOUTH IN BLASPHEMY AGAINST GOD, TO BLASPHEME HIS NAME, AND HIS TABERNACLE, AND THEM THAT DWELL IN HEAVEN.
Rev 13:7,8–AND ALL THAT DWELL UPON THE EARTH SHALL WORSHIP HIM, WHOSE NAMES ARE NOT WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE OF THE LAMB SLAIN FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD. IF ANY MAN HAVE AN EAR, LET HIM HEAR.
Consider Satan’s power of deception. It is so great that the Bible declares—
Rev 12:9–SATAN…DECEIVETH THE WHOLE WORLD. Yet, the world, in its ignorance, doesn’t even have a clue to what is happening, unless God opens their mind and draws them to repentance and salvation. But, even then, the majority of so–called Christian ministers belong to Satan. For it is written: 2 Cor 11:13–15–FOR SUCH ARE FALSE APOSTLES, DECEITFUL WORKERS, TRANSFORMING THEMSELVES INTO THE APOSTLES OF CHRIST. AND NO MARVEL; FOR SATAN HIMSELF IS TRANSFORMED INTO AN ANGEL OF LIGHT. THEREFORE IT IS NO GREAT THING IF HIS MINISTERS ALSO BE TRANSFORMED AS THE MINISTERS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Lk 11:44–…SCRIBES AND PHARISEES, HYPOCRITES! FOR YE ARE AS GRAVES WHICH APPEAR NOT, AND THE MEN THAT WALK OVER THEM ARE NOT AWARE OF THEM.
When a person disobeys God’s Word, do they even consider they are doing exactly what Satan has prompted them to do? Of course not.
Do people that are unsaved even have a thought that they are following their father the devil? Of course not. And when Jesus told certain people they were, they tried to kill Him–ref Jn 8:43–59. The world is in deep, spiritual darkness, but it does not have any understanding of this fact. Indeed, life is a test.
The people of this world don’t even have a clue that they were created for the purpose of being tested, to see if they would follow God or not.
From the time that Eve and Adam disobeyed God, to the time that Cain killed Abel, unto this very day, human beings have had wars, disagreements, problems with neighbors, killings, stealing, anger, hate, bitterness, feelings of rejection, insecurity, pain, crying, sickness and death.
But when Jesus shall reign during the Millennium, there will be 1000 years of peace and love because Satan will be bound, so he can deceive the nations no longer. The world will love the Jew.
But, then, after the thousand years have expired, Satan will be loosed from his prison; and again, there will be rebellion against God and one final war.
Will following Jesus (or being led by God’s Spirit, or being led by God’s Word) interfere with the things you used to do? Yes.
Will following Jesus interfere with what you may want to do now? Yes.
Will following Jesus interfere with your plans, your desires, your possessions, your hopes? Yes, but the
eternal rewards of following Jesus and having your sins forgiven are beyond your greatest expectations–ref 1 Cor 2:9.
Following Jesus will interfere with about every aspect of your worldly–centered life.
For it is the will of God that you be led by the Spirit–ref Ro 8:14
and by God’s Word–ref Lk 4:4.
Therefore, you can no longer do the things that you want to do–ref Gal 5:17, because our flesh, our desires, are contrary to the Spirit and to God’s Word. They are in conflict with each other.
It is the will of God that you have the mind of Christ–ref 2 Cor 2:16, not the mind of this world–ref Ro 12:2; Col 3:2.
It is the will of God that you, BY REASON OF USE HAVE (your) SENSES EXERCISED TO DISCERN BOTH GOOD AND EVIL–ref Heb 5:14.
It is the will of God that you be conformed to the image of Christ–ref Ro 8:29.
It is the will of God that you reach perfection–ref Heb 6:1; you have need of the strong meat of God’s Word–ref Heb 5:14.
It is not the will of God that you go back and forth in your walk with Jesus, like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed–ref Eph 4:14; Ja 1:6.
It is not the will of God that you involve yourself in or follow after worldly things–ref 2 Tim 2:4.
It is God’s will that you walk by trusting in God, not in your own schemes and devices to fulfill various things you think you need–ref Ro 13:14.
But how few people seek first the Kingdom of God and trust in God to provide? Indeed—He will take care of the rest, if you do–ref Mt 6:33.
A person becomes convicted of their sin. They repent and believe in the Jesus Christ of the Bible. They follow this with water baptism.
However, Satan battles a person in their thoughts, regarding water baptism. God’s way of being baptized is by full immersion and is only after repentance and believing on Jesus. It is to be done in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Regretfully, too many ministers and priests have compromised God’s way. For it is written:
Mt 28:19–Jesus said: GO YE THEREFORE, AND TEACH ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST.
Ro 6:3,4–KNOW YE NOT, THAT SO MANY OF US AS WERE BAPTIZED INTO JESUS CHRIST WERE BAPTIZED INTO HIS DEATH? THEREFORE WE ARE BURIED WITH HIM BY BAPTISM (or buried with Him in the water).
Col 2:12–BURIED WITH HIM IN BAPTISM (or buried with Him in water).
Mk 16:16–HE THAT BELIEVETH AND IS BAPTIZED SHALL BE SAVED;
BUT HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT SHALL BE DAMNED. If a person does not believe, then there is no need of water baptism, for you cannot be baptized into one whom you do not believe. For it is also written:
Acts 2:38–REPENT, AND BE BAPTIZED EVERY ONE OF YOU. Believing in Jesus and repentance must precede water baptism.
Now the second battle begins. A struggle lies ahead. There is a war going on for the soul. Life is a test, and the outcome of that test determines where each person will spend eternity. There are only two possibilities. One is with Jesus, and the other is in a place called the lake of fire.
It is written, Rev 13:1–18 and
Eph 6:12–FOR WE WRESTLE (or struggle, or fight) NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD, BUT
AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES,
AGAINST POWERS,
AGAINST THE RULERS
OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD,
AGAINST SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES.
In other words, each of us has our own battle that goes on in our thoughts. This battle is between whether or not we will obey God and His Word—as various tests and situations confront us.
We may say that all the tests we will go through are from only two sources. One source is the devil. The various situations Satan creates are to:
cause us to believe in worldly answers,
follow the world,
and not understand and follow God’s Word.
The other source is God. God sets up circumstances, so we will have the opportunity to hear God’s Word and respond. If we do get saved, God allows us to go through many situations to test us to see if we will trust in Him or in the world. He allows many situations (all things working together for good–ref Ro 8:28) in order to correct us, to help us grow in faith, and sometimes to stop us from doing things or going places that are contrary to His Word. Perhaps we plan to spend time with an unbeliever who would be an ungodly influence. All of a sudden, we get sick. God is trying to stop us, because when we disobey God’s Word—Satan is waiting, as he then has permission by God’s Word to attack us.
Who can discern such things as these? Can a carnal Christian? No. So the carnal Christian should seek godly counsel to help him understand what the will of the Lord is through the Scriptures. But then Satan puts in the carnal Christian’s mind to be secretive and not seek godly advice. So the carnal Christian obeys the wrong thinking, and thus, begins a journey down the path of disobedience.
The battle is whether we will allow God to change us from within, or to what degree we will allow God to change us. The battle is whether we will allow God to give us the mind of Christ. The battle is whether we will allow God to convert us and transform us to be conformed to the image of Christ, so we begin to think like Christ, act like Christ and obey Christ in all things with a perfect heart and attitude. Few will conform to God’s Word, as we are called to do.
If you have time to read God’s Word 4 hours a day, why do you only read for one hour a day?
If you have time to read God’s Word 8 hours a day, why do you only read for 2 hours a day?
All revolves around God’s Word and to what degree our heart will believe each and every word in the Bible.
All revolves around God’s Word and to what degree we crave to hear, read, and study God’s Word.
As we read the Bible and face many types of circumstances, Satan is constantly putting thoughts in our mind that God really doesn’t mean exactly what He said. It began with Eve, whom Satan deceived. Then Adam was deceived. Both died. It continued with Cain, who killed his brother Abel. This same battle of deception rages in your mind and heart. You want this or that, but God says no. You want to go here or there, but God says no, so you rationalize it in your mind and do it anyway. God wants you to do something, but you don’t want to. God directs you to go somewhere, but you don’t want to. The “I” want or “I” desire can kill you spiritually.
Satan deceives you to do what he wants, not what God wants. And through all this, man is so deceived that he doesn’t even have a clue what is happening to him; nor does he have a clue that he will be in the lake of fire for eternity, where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth and crying out in agony for time without end.
But for those few that do indeed follow Jesus and allow God to change and transform them—eternity with God lies ahead, where there will be no more tears.
Consider the story of man.
A certain person was saved, but he wasn’t content with obeying all that God wanted him to do or give up, so he perished.
He wasn’t satisfied with selling rather than buying.
He wasn’t satisfied with giving up rather than getting.
He wasn’t satisfied with not fellowshipping with the unsaved, so he falsely put in his mind that the make–believe Christians were true Christians.
He wasn’t satisfied with letting God reign over all aspects of his life, like where he should go and what he should do.
He wasn’t satisfied with forsaking everything to follow Christ.
He wanted to buy, get stuff, enjoy life, and live more comfortably.
Even though he had promised to follow and obey Jesus, it appears he lied.
He wasn’t satisfied with trusting Jesus to provide all things, because his faith was as a wave—but he could not admit this.
Have you not read in Num 15:39–REMEMBER ALL THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD AND DO THEM AND THAT YE SEEK NOT AFTER YOUR OWN HEART AND YOUR OWN EYES AFTER WHICH YE USE TO GO A WHORING?
Consider the story of man.
Man comes to Jesus and forsakes everything. But is he satisfied? No.
Then he feels he has a need for some electronic device to help him.
So he takes on a small job to get the money.
He buys the electronic device. He is now happy.
But then the device breaks down. And then a new more expensive device appears on the market.
So he feels he has to get that device to help him.
So he takes on a bigger job to get the money.
He buys the device. Now he is happy.
But then he needs to buy more stuff to help him in his part time jobs that he is now doing, yet had originally forsaken when he repented.
So he begins to work a bit more, which causes him to need more things and stuff to help him in his work.
Slowly his life is becoming a life of following Jesus and also following this world.
He no longer knows how to stop the treadmill he is on, nor does he even recognize that he is on a treadmill created by the deceiver. On and on, it goes—in a direction away from the Lord.
At first, it looked like it was of the Lord; later on, it became apparent that it was born of a man’s personal desires and needs.
Man’s eyes are never, never satisfied. Indeed, Satan knows and understands the desires of man.
The man originally came to Jesus and forsook everything. But very, very slowly, Satan drew the man back to the world. And the man never understood, as his personal desires and so–called needs blocked out his understanding. He had many excuses to justify what he was doing.
To walk by faith and not by sight slowly disappeared from his understanding.
It is written: 1 Cor 14:20–BRETHREN, BE NOT CHILDREN IN UNDERSTANDING…BUT IN UNDERSTANDING BE MEN.
It is further written:
Lk 14:26–27–IF ANY MAN COME TO ME (or comes to Jesus or seeks to be saved),
AND HATE NOT…HIS OWN LIFE…HE CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE (or he cannot be saved),
AND WHOSOEVER DOTH NOT BEAR HIS CROSS (or whosoever does not bear the cross of Jesus),
AND COME AFTER ME, CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE (or cannot be saved).
Peter had wrong thoughts. He became deceived. Then seeing nothing wrong with these thoughts, he tempts his brethren. Jn 21:3–SIMON PETER SAITH UNTO THEM, I GO A FISHING. THEY SAY UNTO HIM, WE ALSO GO WITH THEE. THEY WENT FORTH, AND ENTERED INTO A SHIP IMMEDIATELY; AND THAT NIGHT THEY CAUGHT NOTHING.
Some of the apostles began to go back to part–time fishing after Jesus was risen from the dead. They saw nothing wrong with what they were doing. Then Jesus came. He reprimanded them and questioned if they really loved Him. He made it unmistakably clear that in going back to their worldly occupation once they had forsaken it, they were not following Him as they ought. They were bearing no godly fruit. They caught nothing.
Peter and the others received the correction. It appears they never again went back to fishing. Have you gone back to what God delivered you from? Are your personal desires and needs more important than your soul and your faith? Can you serve God and man? Can you serve God and money? Have you not read:
Lk 14:33–WHOSOEVER…OF YOU THAT FORSAKETH NOT ALL THAT HE HATH, HE CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE (and if you are not a disciple of Christ, how can you be saved?). The Bible teaches you must—you must forsake everything. You must repent—with a repentance that is not to be repented of. Regretfully, the idea of giving up things is not pleasing to most.
So most people compromise. They buy this or that, or they will not give up this or that. They follow Jesus and think to themselves, I am OK. But they are double–minded and lukewarm. They follow Jesus, but also follow the world and their personal desires. But God’s Word will judge you and them. That Word is—you must forsake everything and do not go back and try to reclaim those things which you forsook for the sake of Jesus.
Is the water of the Word in you polluted by your own desires and so–called needs? Do you read God’s Word hours a day, but it is not changing you toward forsaking all and walking only by faith?
It is written: Lk 9:23–25–AND HE SAID TO THEM ALL (note the word “all”),
IF ANY MAN WILL COME AFTER ME (or comes to Jesus, or seeks to be saved),
LET HIM DENY HIMSELF,
AND TAKE UP HIS CROSS DAILY,
AND FOLLOW ME. Did Jesus go about to accumulate horses or vehicles, things to entertain himself, all sorts of electronic devices for personal use to make his life more comfortable, enjoyable, and pleasurable?
Or did He teach to get rid of stuff? It is written: FOR…WHOSOEVER WILL LOSE HIS LIFE FOR MY SAKE, THE SAME SHALL SAVE IT.
Are you willing to lose your life for Christ? The truthful answer for most is NO—they are not willing, if it means they have to give up certain things, or food, or pleasures, or lifestyles or hobbies. V.25–FOR WHAT IS A MAN ADVANTAGED, IF HE GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD, AND LOSE HIMSELF, OR BE CAST AWAY (or go to hell)? But it happens, as it was spoken by God, to most. 2 Pe 2:22–BUT IT IS HAPPENED UNTO THEM ACCORDING TO THE TRUE PROVERB, THE DOG IS TURNED TO HIS OWN VOMIT AGAIN; AND THE SOW THAT WAS WASHED TO HER WALLOWING IN THE MIRE.
The repentant Christian that was washed turns back to his old ways of being disobedient to God’s Word. And he does this, because he thinks that he can do what he wants and yet be saved. Eve thought the same thing. Satan told her that she could eat of the tree and not die. And that is what Satan is telling you, and chances are you, like Eve and like Demas, will choose to believe these thoughts in your mind that contradict God’s Word.
Oh, friends, wake up! God’s Word gives you examples of people that did and did not obey Him, so you may know these things; yet, you still choose to disobey God. Compromise leads to the lake of fire, but Satan puts in the thoughts of those that compromise that they have no choice or that they are not compromising at all. Amazing! Their spiritually–minded pastor can see it, but they cannot.
Demas forsook all to follow Jesus. But, then, very slowly, it appears, Satan over a period of about 10 years began to work on Demas through his desires. After about 10 years, Demas forsook following Jesus and Paul, because he wanted stuff, things—that is, the pleasures of this life. For it is written: FOR DEMAS HATH FORSAKEN ME HAVING LOVED THIS PRESENT WORLD–2 Tim 4:10. Indeed, the worldly man, the carnal Christian, the person that thinks he will go to heaven—will really go to hell—because his eyes are never, never satisfied.
The Lord may take away all your goods, your job, your things, so you can learn to trust in Jesus and follow Jesus without distraction. But when it happens, will you be content? Will you rebel? So what does the deceived Christian do? As soon as he can—he will again go about to replace those things he lost, one item at a time. He will buy things, go places, and try to get more income to replace what he lost, so he can be more comfortable and enjoy life more and more. He wants Jesus. He doesn’t want to perish, but he also wants things and stuff and vehicles and the list gets longer as time progresses.
Pv 27:20–HELL AND DESTRUCTION ARE NEVER FULL; SO THE EYES OF MAN ARE NEVER SATISFIED. Show me a person that accumulates stuff and things that God took away from him, or he forsook when he got saved, and I will show you a person that is usually deceived and going away from God—not toward God. Like Eve or Demas, he thinks he can have what he wants and still go to heaven. He can’t understand God’s Word as he ought, for his personal desires are really darkness. He can’t hear the voices of the billions in hell telling him that he is deceived and “Don’t come here!”
For a true Christian, the things he should be obtaining are things that directly relate to the calling that Jesus has given him. He should not be laying up cars, houses, possessions, things, stuff, etc., etc., etc. So Satan puts in a person’s mind that the stuff he is accumulating is for God’s work, when it really is not. It is really for his personal desires and needs.
There may have been a man that surrendered his life to Jesus, sold all he had and followed Jesus. He was happy.
This man would ride in a someone else’s cart to go where he needed to go. He was satisfied.
But then he became unsatisfied, so he bought a pony and was happy.
But then he became unsatisfied, so he bought a horse and was happy.
But then the horse became lame, so he became unhappy.
So he bought two horses and was happy.
But then he had to earn extra money to support the extra horse. So he did, and he was happy.
But then be became unhappy, because he needed a stable for his two horses.
So he made more money and bought a stable. Now, he was happy again.
But then he had to repair his stable and pay property taxes, and get electric installed in his stable. He became unhappy.
So he worked more and paid all his bills and became happy.
And the man said to himself: I have much laid up for many years, I am happy–ref Lk 12:19.
But then God said unto the man: Lk 12:20,21–THOU FOOL, THIS NIGHT THY SOUL SHALL BE REQUIRED OF THEE: THEN WHOSE SHALL THOSE THINGS BE, WHICH THOU HAST PROVIDED? SO IS HE THAT LAYETH UP TREASURE FOR HIMSELF, AND IS NOT RICH TOWARD GOD.
Having nothing in this world, except trust in God and peace with God, is far better than having all the pleasures and things that life can offer.
So it is with men. The eyes of man are never, never satisfied—never. The only answer is follow Jesus and obey His Word; but this is not pleasing to man when he finds following Jesus is a life of sacrifice, a life of surrender, a life of giving up, a life of selling—not buying and laying up things.
Remember the rich young merchant? He wanted to follow Jesus. He obeyed God’s commandments from his youth—but he had lots of stuff. Jesus told him to get rid of all that he had and give to the poor; and then, and only then, would he be able to follow Jesus. God’s Word is clear. SELL, do not buy. Deny self. Forsake everything, then come and follow Jesus—trusting in Him and Him alone.
This kind of teaching is almost nonexistent in this latter day generation with lots of new things to buy and lots of enjoyable things to do.
Are you listening to this message right now, but still think you can follow after things and also follow Jesus? Hell has many that thought the same. Then they were surprised and terrified, when they died and did not go to heaven; but it was too late to repent.
The children in the wilderness were satisfied at first. Their clothes and shoes did not wear out. But then Satan began to put thoughts in their minds.
They began to complain. They were not satisfied with the way God was doing things.
They wanted to return to Egypt, even though they witnessed the mighty works of God and how Egypt and its army were destroyed. God became very angry with them.
They had a golden calf made and trusted in it, rather than in God. Their patience was tested, when Moses did not return to them quickly, as he was with God.
They were not satisfied with the food God provided.
They wanted water and became hostile toward Moses.
Do these things fit you?
Remember Demas? He was satisfied for perhaps 10 years. But then Satan got in his thoughts and turned his love for God into a love for this present world, because he was no longer satisfied. He forsook God and Paul, because he loved this present world. He has now been in hell for about 2000 years, and he is now crying and gnashing his teeth in pain. He’s not satisfied with being in hell either.
Many are not satisfied after they repent. Why? Because the world, and sin, and the things of this world offers pleasure, excitement, and fun. So what do many people do? They try to keep one foot in heaven and the other foot in this world; and most clergy see nothing wrong with this.
They may initially repent and forsake all—their job, their houses, their possessions; but, afterward, they begin, little by little, to take things back again. They were serving God full–time, but now they take a part–time job. They start to buy again things they had let go of. Part of them wants Jesus, but the other wants to accumulate more and more possessions—cars, computers, furniture or newer items.
Then, as their eyes and thoughts are on possessions and the Bible—darkness begins to set in so slowly that they cannot recognize it. They do not seek counsel from God–fearing men, who have their senses exercised to discern good and evil. They just want more stuff, more vacations, more pleasure, more things, and slowly they drift right back to where they were before they repented and got saved, as a pig returning to the mire. The eyes of man are never, never satisfied.
What person that has a thousand dollars will say he has enough?
What person that has a million dollars will say he has enough?
What person that has a billion dollars will tell you he has enough?
When a person looks to possessions and the better things of this life, he is not looking at Jesus.
Many there are that say they love Jesus, but they also love this life, this world, food, and friends. They want to rule over themselves, so they do not seek godly counsel. You cannot possess Jesus and this world, as they are opposed to each other.
What if the rich young merchant did sell all he had and then began to follow Jesus. He began to trust in Jesus for all things.
But, then, afterwards, he began to crave some of those things he no longer had. So the rich young merchant, which gave up everything, began to repent of his repentance. He began to buy some of those things that he sold. Jesus was no longer enough for him. He wasn’t satisfied. Spiritual darkness set in. He fell. This is what happens to many Christians.
That rich young merchant would now gladly give all he had to get out of hell, but it is too late.
Consider the children of Israel that were freed from the bondage of Egypt.
They were saved, for it is written:
1 Cor 10:1–6–…BRETHREN, I WOULD NOT THAT YE SHOULD BE IGNORANT, HOW THAT ALL OUR FATHERS…WERE ALL BAPTIZED UNTO MOSES IN THE CLOUD AND IN THE SEA; AND DID ALL EAT THE SAME SPIRITUAL MEAT; AND DID ALL DRINK THE SAME SPIRITUAL DRINK: FOR THEY DRANK OF THAT SPIRITUAL ROCK THAT FOLLOWED THEM: AND THAT ROCK WAS CHRIST. BUT WITH MANY OF THEM GOD WAS NOT WELL PLEASED:…NOW THESE THINGS WERE OUR EXAMPLES, TO THE INTENT WE SHOULD NOT LUST AFTER EVIL THINGS, AS THEY ALSO LUSTED. They lusted after the good things of Egypt, mainly food. For it is written:
Num 11:4–6–AND…THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL…WEPT AGAIN, AND SAID, WHO SHALL GIVE US FLESH TO EAT? WE REMEMBER THE FISH, WHICH WE DID EAT IN EGYPT FREELY; THE CUCUMBERS, AND THE MELONS, AND THE LEEKS, AND THE ONIONS, AND THE GARLICK: BUT NOW OUR SOUL IS DRIED AWAY: THERE IS NOTHING AT ALL, BESIDE THIS MANNA, BEFORE OUR EYES. These very words may be uttered by Christians today. The Lord was very angry with the people that looked back and despised what He had given them. Thus, WHILE THE FLESH WAS YET BETWEEN THEIR TEETH, ERE IT WAS CHEWED, THE WRATH OF THE LORD WAS KINDLED AGAINST THE PEOPLE, AND THE LORD SMOTE THE PEOPLE WITH A VERY GREAT PLAGUE–Num 11:33.
The journey of following Jesus is not what most people think it will be, even as the journey in the wilderness was not what the people of Israel thought it would be. In Egypt, Israel had good food and had been living in a green, fertile area called Goshen, the best land of Egypt. Now, they were in the wilderness and had nothing to trust in—but the LORD.
Can a Christian have a divided mind—part of his mind on the stuff and things of this world and part on Jesus? Yes, he can—and most do. Satan never tells them that hell is awaiting them, unless they repent.
Satan never told Demas he would be in hell.
Satan never told Adam and Eve they would be in hell.
Satan never told the children in the wilderness they would be in hell, but most are.
The Bible tells you that you may be in hell, if you are double–minded, or lukewarm, or a compromiser, or resist correction, or forsake God’s calling on your life, or stop serving Him as He called you to do, or if you turn back or shrink back. Indeed, He will have no pleasure in you–ref Heb 10:38. If your repentance is a repentance that includes compromise—you are in deep spiritual trouble, even though you may be blind to this fact.
Have you not read, have you not heard the following?
Mt 6:19–21–LAY NOT UP FOR YOURSELVES TREASURES UPON EARTH…Don’t do it, Jesus said. Do not go about to get things and stuff and possessions. How foolish man can be, as he tries to twist God’s Word, ignoring what God has called him to do, as he goes about to get more income, so he can buy more and to keep his possessions repaired; to get more income so he can live the way he wants, not the way God would have him do. Jesus said:
BUT LAY UP FOR YOURSELVES TREASURES IN HEAVEN.
Deut 11:18–THEREFORE SHALL YE LAY UP THESE MY WORDS IN YOUR HEART AND IN YOUR SOUL, AND BIND THEM FOR A SIGN UPON YOUR HAND, THAT THEY MAY BE AS FRONTLETS BETWEEN YOUR EYES. Put God’s Word between your covetous eyes.
Eve saw the fruit, that it was good—she ate.
Man sees stuff and possessions he wants, so he goes about to obtain this, and buy that, and he digs for himself a path to hell, and will miss the Rapture—but he has stuff and things to comfort himself now.
FOR WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, THERE WILL YOUR HEART BE ALSO. Are you laying up things, stuff, vehicles, computers, printers, televisions, instruments, all sorts of hand–held electronic devices—and the list goes on and on? The eyes of man are never satisfied. Oh, how few inherit eternal life; so many deceive themselves and think they will never perish! Do you own these things, or do these things own you?
Satan deceives the whole world and that probably includes you.
Do you have the mind of Christ, or the mind of a covetous man that wants only more of the better things of this life?
Are you really conformed to the image of Christ or the image of yourself?
Hear these words.
If you are not conformed to the image of Christ, when the Rapture comes, you will not be with Christ after the Rapture has happened. Only those that are like Christ, conformed to His ways, His image, His Word, will be taken in the Rapture.
Friend, you will be left behind, crying, “Open to me, open to me!”—but Jesus will say, “I do not know you.” This may happen to you, if you turn from (or forsake) your repentance.
From this moment on, you can never say you did not know this.
The old man buys. The new man sells.
The old man lays up stuff and possessions. The new man gets rid of them.
The eyes of the old man are never, never satisfied. The eyes of the new man are satisfied with Jesus, and Jesus alone.
The old man compromises God’s Word. The new man obeys His Word, without murmurings and complainings.
Paul forsook all for Jesus. He forsook possessions and his life of being somebody special. Paul counted all things but loss, for Jesus. Have you done the same?
Jesus forsook everything. Matthew forsook everything. John forsook everything. Peter forsook everything. Have you done the same?
Have you repented of sex outside of marriage?
Have you repented of drugs?
Have you repented of alternate lifestyles?
Have you repented of lying, cheating, stealing, and a hateful attitude?
And if a person forsakes their worldly job to serve God as it is written, or if God takes a worldly job away from a Christian—if they then return to that job, are they not saying, “I will not have God to reign over me?” “I will do what I want, and I will also go to heaven.” That is what most people seem to think.
There have been cases where God has directed a person to return to a certain job, but only for His purpose, not for a person’s self–centered desires.
Did Peter return to fishing? Yes. Did God get upset with him? Yes.
Did God relate what he did as a possible lack of love for Him? Yes.
Which do you love the most—Jesus or eating? Jesus or earning money? Jesus or accumulating things and a more comfortable lifestyle, better food and more pleasures? Jesus had not where to lay His head. Friend, let’s be honest. Do you really want to follow Jesus—the way He commands you to? If you cannot honestly answer yes, then you need to repent; for you are in danger of eternal damnation.
Jesus clearly relates disobedience to His commandments as positive evidence of a lack of love for Him–ref Jn 14:15, 23.
Disobedience to His Word is rebellion and stubbornness, and such people cannot inherit eternal life.
That is the way it is, and His Word cannot be broken or changed. God is not mocked.
You either follow Jesus, obey His Word, love Him with all your heart, love the brethren now and forsake everything as He commanded, or you can expect to suffer the most horrifying punishment for ever and ever. You are called to serve the living God, both now and forever, the way He says to do it—not your way.
This, friend, is the way it is.
When you repent, that repentance is not to be repented of.
There are people in probably most every ministry and church that are busybodies—going here and there, doing what seems important to them, but not what God called them to do. They waste much time serving self–interests and just doing things. But they don’t see it this way.
And if their preacher brings this to their attention, they may get angry and quickly make an excuse to justify every minute. They are often uncorrectable in those things where Satan has a stronghold.
Then God might bring some sort of a sickness on them or something else may happen to get their attention, so that they might repent—but they seldom do. They are too deceived, as evidenced by their self–justification.
When they go through problems that God may use to get their attention so they can be corrected—they don’t recognize that God is trying to correct them, but think it’s only something they have to go through. They seldom repent.
Is God’s work day 12 hours? Is God’s work week 6 days a week? Yet many Christians seldom put in an honest 8 hours a day, 5 days a week serving Him.
So what do many Christians do? They work some and talk some. They go here and there, and then work some more, and eat, and talk, and do this or that, and then work a bit more.
They actually do God’s ordained work just a few hours a day out of the eight they should do.
How easy it is to serve God and goof off at the same time.
Suggestion: Try allowing 8 hours for sleep. 8 hours for the Lord’s work. 8 hours for Bible study/prayer, meals, exercise and cleaning. Or, if you use some of God’s time for personal things, then work extra to make it up.
Most people should be about God’s business much more, and personal business much less; and personal business should not be conducted on God’s time without permission.
For to live is Christ–Phili 1:21. It is not self–interests, self–centeredness, self–glorification, self–gratification, and self–pleasures, and self–business.
How few people understand that when God calls a person, it is to serve Him—Him only shalt thou serve–ref Mt 4:10.
A repentant person is freed from their burden of sin to serve the living God.
The righteous serve God. The wicked serve Him not–ref Mal 3:18.
Some ministry volunteer workers conduct themselves in ways that if they worked a regular job this way, they would be fired instantly.
Some just sit around and talk excessively. Note the word “excessively.”
Some sit around and talk and talk, but it is about worldly things not Jesus.
Some just take off and go places for their personal business without permission.
They do not even notify someone where they are going or when they will return.
They use ministry work time for personal business.
Some use their ministry work time for Bible reading and when their actual work time is added up, it seldom is even close to 8 hours.
And yet such people feel no conviction of any wrong doing at all. This is what is scary.
When a servant of God feels no conviction from the Spirit of God, when they are doing wrong, that servant has already gone the wrong way.
Most people are too self–centered—not Christ–centered—and their daily activities, fruits, and conversation are worldly. They do not walk and think and do as Jesus did. They will not allow Jesus to reign over them or change them. They will not allow God’s Word to work in them to conform them to Christ and to change.
Many people are like Mt 7:22. They are positive they are saved. They do many good works in the name of Jesus, but then Jesus rejects them. What a shock these people may have, as they are told to depart from Jesus to go into eternal damnation.
There are some that even if God personally told them to change their eating habits, they would outright refuse, because their god is their belly. They do exactly as Satan does. They rebel against God and say they have done no wrong. They will not allow God to reign over some parts of their life. They love their food. They love their life. They love this present world. They love some things in this world, even though God commands them not to love this world or the things that are in this world–ref 1 Jn 2:15.
Those that need this message the most will probably hear it the least.
Those that need this message the least will probably receive it the most.
When it comes to excuses or self–justification—God’s Word has already made null and void every excuse that man can make. Every excuse that man can make to justify wrongdoing is nothing more than a witness to be used to condemn them.
True submission to all of God’s Word, with a pure and perfect heart and with no excuses or answering back is what Jesus did, and is what we are to do.
This is the way we are to be, if we are to be conformed to the image of Christ.
What roadblock has appeared in your life to prevent you from conforming to Jesus?
Note God’s Word, regarding making excuses, justifying oneself and answering back again:
Lk 14:18–AND THEY ALL WITH ONE CONSENT BEGAN TO MAKE EXCUSE.
So what was God’s reaction? Ref v.21–He was angry. He rejected the excuse–makers and sought to find others that would not make excuses.
Lk 16:15–YE ARE THEY WHICH JUSTIFY YOURSELVES BEFORE MEN; BUT GOD KNOWETH YOUR HEARTS: FOR THAT WHICH IS HIGHLY ESTEEMED AMONG MEN IS ABOMINATION IN THE SIGHT OF GOD.
Titus 2:9–EXHORT SERVANTS TO BE OBEDIENT UNTO THEIR OWN MASTERS,…AND NOT ANSWERING AGAIN.
Isa 5:22,23–WOE UNTO THEM…WHICH JUSTIFY THE WICKED FOR REWARD.
Obey the Scriptures.
Love God, as evidenced by your obedience to God’s Word.
Love the brethren, as evidenced by what you do.
Lay not up stuff and things in this life.
Love not this world or the things that are in this world.
Put off the old, worldly man.
Put on the new, Christ–centered man.
Put on the mind of Christ, not the mind of this world.
The things of this world that you have given up or lost count them as loss.
Do not do foolishly and resist God and try to get them back.
Be satisfied with having one possession—Jesus; for the time remaining is short, but eternity is forever.
Keep your eyes focused on Jesus, not the things and pleasures of this life.
Regarding what has been said:
Man wants instant gratification. Most do not think about the future. Regarding the future, some may say, “I don’t know, and I don’t care.”
Many Christians do not have a giving spirit.
They give grudgingly–2 Cor 9:7.
When it comes to money, they are covetous.
If they see a brother or sister or ministry have a need, they would never give their last two mites.
They compromise in their giving, despite the fact that God clearly reveals in His Word that without a giving spirit, a spirit of charity, they are doomed–ref 1 Cor 13:2.
God relates a spirit of charity to a spirit of love. A person that gives grudgingly is not like Christ, who gave even His very life. No covetous person shall inherit the Kingdom of God–1 Cor 6:10. When a person esteems himself higher than his brother in Christ, he is not like God. For it is written, Phili 2:3–LET EACH ESTEEM OTHER BETTER THAN THEMSELVES.
It is written, 1 Cor 13:2,3–AND THOUGH I HAVE THE GIFT OF PROPHECY, AND UNDERSTAND ALL MYSTERIES, AND ALL KNOWLEDGE; AND THOUGH I HAVE ALL FAITH, SO THAT I COULD REMOVE MOUNTAINS, AND HAVE NOT CHARITY (or a giving spirit, or love), I AM NOTHING. AND THOUGH I BESTOW ALL MY GOODS TO FEED THE POOR, AND THOUGH I GIVE MY BODY TO BE BURNED, AND HAVE NOT CHARITY (or a giving spirit, or love), IT PROFITETH ME NOTHING. Do you need to repent?
Others may say, “I want the good life now, and I’ll take my chances later.” WRONG. You may have no chance later. Did you know there is no repentance once the exact time of the Rapture becomes apparent?–ref Mt 25. And that time, I believe, is very close right now.
Only those that have been transformed and become like Jesus will be raptured and welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven. We must abide in Christ.
Only those that have denied themselves, forsaken all, and trusted in Jesus for all things, and not turned back—will be raptured and welcomed into the Kingdom of God.
Only those that are led by God’s Word and have not gone back to the ways and desires of the old man, the desires of the flesh—only those few will be welcomed into the Kingdom of God. This is hard teaching for those in the land of plenty.
If we suffer with Him, we shall also reign with Him.
Carnal man does not want to deny self, give up things, live a life of sacrifice, live a life of following Jesus. He wants to have his worldly pleasures and possessions now. He wants to eat, drink, and be merry, and then he wants to go to heaven. This, friend, is the Gospel of deception. It is the Gospel of wrong thinking, which is put in your mind by the devil; and your unpurified heart agrees with it.
Go ahead—continue to buy this and that, rather than forsaking all, and selling all.
Go ahead, don't deny yourself and follow Jesus His way.
Go ahead, continue to lay up stuff and things, and be stiff–necked regarding God’s Word.
Go ahead, continue to be secretive and not want correction from God’s Word or those God has put over you. But, don’t be so foolish as to lie to yourself that you will be raptured, as nearly all people do in this latter day generation.
Go ahead. Eat, drink, and be merry and live for today—for tomorrow hell will open its mouth to welcome you.
I believe every person in hell will agree with one of these next two statements.
It would have been better that I had never been born, than to be born and gain the whole world, and then lose my soul.
It would have been better that I had never been born, than to be born and compromise my walk with Jesus, and then lose my soul.
As has been said, let it be said again.
When you die or when the Rapture comes—if you are not conformed to the image of Christ, you will not be taken to be with Christ.
Please consider this carefully. If you resist doing God’s will now, if you are rebellious, stubborn, secretive, and not easily corrected; if you have many excuses; if you resist conforming to be like Christ now—you will not be taken in the Rapture to be with Christ. Who is really the Lord of your life? Is it You?
Friend, this is the end of the message, and it may be the end of your hope.