Tag: whole earth

36. “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?”

 

 

 

Genesis 11:1 Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. And the LORD said, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another’s speech.” So the LORD dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth. And from there the LORD dispersed them over the face of all the earth.

 Acts 17:26    And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,

 Ecclesiastes 11:9    Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.

 Psalms 2:1-4    Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?  The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying,  “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.”  He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.

From the confusion of tongues the city received the name Babel, according to divine direction, though without any such intention on the part of those who first gave the name, as a standing memorial of the judgment of God which follows all the ungodly enterprises of the power of the world. (Keil/Delitzsch)

Observe the wisdom and mercy of God, in the methods taken for defeating this undertaking. And the mercy of God in not making the penalty equal to the offence; for he deals not with us according to our sins. The wisdom of God, in fixing upon a sure way to stop these proceedings. If they could not understand one another, they could not help one another; this would take them off from their building. God has various means, and effectual ones, to baffle and defeat the projects of proud men that set themselves against him, and particularly he divides them among themselves. Notwithstanding their union and obstinacy God was above them; for who ever hardened his heart against him, and prospered? Their language was confounded. They left off to build the city. The confusion of their tongues not only unfitted them for helping one another, but they saw the hand of the Lord gone out against them. It is wisdom to leave off that which we see God fights against. God is able to blast and bring to nought all the devices and designs of Babel-builders: there is no wisdom nor counsel against the Lord. The builders departed according to their families, and the tongue they spake, to the countries and places allotted to them. The children of men never did, nor ever will, come all together again, till the great day, when the Son of man shall sit upon the throne of his glory, and all nations shall be gathered before him. (Henry)

The imagination of man can take a person to places of personnel sin or to places of corporate sin (one mind, one purpose). Paul stated that we ought to take every thought that comes into our minds captive. He is saying that we ought to put it in a clear sealed box and then observe it through the lens of godliness, holiness, God-honoring, God-glorifying, and the Word of God, examine it, listen for the whispers of discernment given by the Holy Spirit, and then rightly choose to open the box and put effort into its contents or to discard it, never to think of it or dwell on it again.  You might not be able to stop unholy and sinful thoughts from popping up in your mind, but you surely can decide what is done with them.  How many have fallen headlong into sinful behavior by allowing an unholy sinful thought room in which to dwell in their mind? As we mature in our understanding of God’s Word, capturing thoughts and the use of proper discernment become easier and easier. The thought pops into your mind and you immediately say, “where did that come from?” and then just as fast as it is recognized it is cast out of your mind.  

Be mindful of what thoughts you allow to be resident in your head.

17.b. “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with cares of this life”

Luke 21:28  Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Luke 21:34  “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Matthew 24:20  Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.

At times I wonder if we are so close to the end times that I have thoughts each morning that this could be the day of the Rapture.  Love for God has grown cold.  Belief in Jesus Christ is dwindling. Rejoicing, hope, joy, peace, love, and desire for Godly truth has been replaced by fear, hate, loneliness, anger, selfishness, and distain for the Word of God.  It seems as though logic and reason has all but been removed.  Eyes are blinded tot he truth. Ears are deaf to the truth.  Lies and misinformation are believed and proclaimed as truth.  “when you see these things, know the end is near” 

These 10 points were given in Olive Trees Ministries by Jan Markell: 

1)  The Decline of America. There is really no end-time power in the Bible other than a Revived Roman Empire from which the Antichrist will headquarter. Thus, prophecy watchers have always known America must decline. This year we have watched capitalism come under attack and socialism and globalism be heralded. Some progressive but deluded political leaders are even hailing Marxism, including many on the Biden team.

2) The Rise of Lawlessness, Anarchy and Spirit of Antichrist. We see unbridled lawlessness in Matthew 24 and parts of Revelation, although the context of both is the Tribulation. So once again, we see Tribulation events casting a long shadow on the Church Age. Here in America, literally “all hell is breaking loose” and our Republic and rule of law are disintegrating right before our eyes! At the root of this is the spirit of the Antichrist.

3)  Peace Efforts in the Middle East. We can debate the practicality of these events and should America and Europe even intrude on Israel with peace efforts? Nonetheless, they are setting the stage for peace deals proposed by the Antichrist. And, the year is not over, so more peace efforts may take place before year-end. But, I am reminded of the haunting words in Jeremiah 6:14: “Saying peace, peace, when there is no peace.”

4) Increasing Attacks on Christians, Christianity, Churches, etc. Thanks to Covid-19, churches, and Christianity in general, became gross inconveniences in 2020. Churches were either shut down or marginalized starting in March. Christians in America were harassed and even arrested for wishing to just practice their faith and meet for worship. Believers in the Mideast and Africa were slaughtered by the thousands. Jesus said a day was coming when we would be hated for His Name’s sake (Matt. 10:22).

5)  Growing Apostasy and Wolves Among the Flock. Sound biblical preaching is fading with a rise in the love for experience, emotion, and unsound doctrine. There is even the love of the “doctrine of demons” (I Timothy 4:1). The New Apostolic Reformation continues to surge. A new, but very false teaching in both churches and seminaries, is the Marxist Critical Race Theory. At the same time, Bible prophecy has vanished from most pulpits, as well as support for Israel.

6)   Pre-Tribulation Birth Pangs. The worst of the birth pangs are in the Tribulation, but we see a foreshadowing of these horrors now in the Church Age. Natural disasters are unprecedented globally. The destruction is heart-wrenching to watch and the suffering is unspeakable. This will increase to such a level in the Tribulation that what is happening now is minuscule in comparison. But the stage is again being set. All of the earth is groaning.

7) The Continued and Rapid Decline of the Culture. Everywhere evil is being called good (Isaiah 5:20). Aberration is celebrated. Netflix seemed to honor pedophilia with its “Cuties” feature and film. California passed pro-pedophilia legislation, removing felony status for sex with minors. Today’s character of mankind is outlined in Romans 1 and II Timothy 3—and it’s all predicted for a final generation. The Washington D.C. swamp is murkier than ever before!

8) The Rise of Strong Delusion. So much delusion arose in 2020 it is incalculable. What thinking person wants all police abolished? Or thinks America is a racist nation? Or destroys the economy over a virus? Or its youth think the Holocaust is a myth? II Thessalonians 2 suggests such a delusion is sent because there is no love of the truth. This will then cause people to fall for the lies of the Antichrist.

9) A Covid-19(84) Surveillance State Worsened and Preparation for NWO. Government intrusion and “contact tracing” abounded in 2020. People even had to “register” for church so they could be traced. The goal lines for easing government restrictions, lock downs, quarantines, and even face masks, kept changing. Clearly, society is being prepped for the Antichrist here in 2020. Around the world, people are being turned into mind-numbed robots. Many are cowering in fear.

10)   The Longing for a Savior. With the world in a meltdown mode, millions are looking for just one superhuman man to bring back peace and prosperity. He is waiting in the wings! Most have rejected Jesus Christ. They will cheer for a short season for the Antichrist.

3.s. But my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.

Ezra 8:21  Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods. For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.” So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.

2 Chronicles 16:9    For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him

Psalms 33:18-19   Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,  that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.

1 Peter 3:12    For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.

Zephaniah 1:6    those who have turned back from following the LORD, who do not seek the LORD or inquire of him.”

Hebrews 10:38    but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”

Faith in action.  It takes a very close humble walk with God to have this kind of faith, where you are ashamed to ask for protection from the king, who is more than willing and able to supply the protection, because in your heart you know God is more protection, more powerful, more awesome, and no one can defeat what He has put into motion.  I am reminded once again of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego when they told the king that our God is able to protect us from your threat, but even if He does not we will not bow down and worship your image.  Ezra is saying about the same thing when he purposed not seek the king’s help and protect but chose faith in God.  He was ashamed to have even thought the thought of asking the King.

If we were true to ourselves and asked how many times do we seek help outside of seeking and trusting God, what would that number be?  Trusting in Jesus Christ for salvation is a little easier as there is no other savior who can save us.  However, when we come down to living out our daily lives and see we can get help outside of asking Jesus we easily turn toward a non-faith, non-Jesus, solution.  Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.  Our faith will only mature as we grow closer to Jesus.  Our closer walk with Jesus will only mature when we spend time in His word.  Time in His word will only mature when we intentionally/daily commit with our whole heart, mind, and soul to humble service, honoring, glorifying, worshiping, following, trusting, and obeying Him.  Our maturity will then happen line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, and there a little.  When we see Jesus Christ as our all in all for every moment of every day we will begin to grow and mature in our faith.

How Awesome is this place!

Genesis 28:10  Jacob left Beersheba and went toward Haran. And he came to a certain place and stayed there that night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! And behold, the Lord stood above it and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”

Genesis 32:1-2     Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.  And when Jacob saw them he said, “This is God’s camp!” So he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

2 Chronicles 16:9     For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars.”

Isaiah 41:10    fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

  John 1:51    And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

2 Timothy 4:16-17     At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them!  But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.

Hebrews 1:14    Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

“How awesome is this place!”  We don’t have to think very hard to understand what Jacob thought of his interaction with this dream.  He certainly had to be a foundation of belief in God and that God can speak to people through dreams.  He had to be receptive which means he had made a choice to want to hear from God.  He chose in his heart and mind and soul to be ready and want to be in the presence of God.  When he woke up he was afraid but he had presence of mind to know that this was special and from God.  “How awesome is this place!”

A heart, mind, and soul committed to God, seeking, God, desiring God, and wanting to honor, glorify, serve, follow and obey God will hear the whispers of God, see the confirm hand of God in the affairs of their life, and yes may even have dreams authored by God.  The promise of the Holy Spirit indwelling was given to all who repent and fully trust in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.  The Holy Spirit was promised by Christ and was given to lead, direct, rebuke, make known, give wisdom and understanding, confirm, convict our heart in righteous living through His word.

We need to be mindful of our life and how it is being lived out.  Is the word of God constantly present in our heart and mind?   Are we so busy and void of His word in our daily lives that we quench even the slightest spark of the Holy Spirit working in our life not to mention the fire expected.  Are we so complacent we fail to see the Awesome! works of God each day?  Are we so busy that we neglect to meditate on the events of each day in light of His word?  Are we in a place of comfort and ease that we fail to see need of God in our daily life?

God is Awesome!  Every minute with Him is Awesome!  Every purpose and plan of His is Awesome! Every bit of wisdom and understanding given to us is Awesome!  His steadfast love for us is Awesome! His redemption, salvation, and forgiveness of sin through Christ is Awesome! His quiet whispers of leading is Awesome!. His Word is Awesome!  His promise of eternity is Awesome! His power is Awesome!  His peace, joy, rest, strength and courage is Awesome!  God is Awesome!!!!!

Keep your ears, eyes, heart, and mind open to see the Awesome power of God every minute of every day.  Never be so busy that you miss seeing God at work in your everyday lives.

“Maybe the reason most of us feel like we can’t hear from God and see His awesome work is we’re too busy talking! It’s so tempting to ask God to say what we want Him to say instead of just focusing on what He’s already said and how it applies in our lives. The next time you want to hear God’s voice, start by cracking open God’s Word,” Perry

I saw a bumper sticker that read; If you want to hear from God, read His word.  If you want to hear speak audibly, read out loud.

They know

“But the LORD of hosts is exalted in justice, and the Holy God shows himself holy in righteousness.”

“the LORD of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.”

Psalms 83:18  that they may know that you alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth.

Psalms 9:16    The LORD has made himself known; he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands.  

1 Kings 18:37    Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.”

2 Kings 19:19    So now, O LORD our God, save us, please, from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, O LORD, are God alone.”

Jeremiah 16:21    “Therefore, behold, I will make them know, this once I will make them know my power and my might, and they shall know that my name is the LORD.”

Ezekiel 30:19     Thus I will execute judgments on Egypt. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”

Ezekiel 38:23    So I will show my greatness and my holiness and make myself known in the eyes of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.

Isaiah 42:8    I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.

Daniel 4:25     that you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and you shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.

“I am the Lord”, “I will make Myself known”, “I will show My greatness and holiness”, “I will execute judgment”, “I will make them know My power and might,” are all actions God has taken to turn the hearts of man from themselves to Him alone.  When God is our refuge, strength, and hope we rely on His holiness, greatness, power, might, grace, mercy and love.  The safest place of refuge is in Him alone.  The safest path to be on is the one on which He is leading you.  The strongest you will ever be is when you rely on His strength.  The most courageous actions you will ever take are those directed and guided by Him.  When we rely on, cling to, and trust in Him we find peace that passes all understanding, strength we did not have, hope beyond our circumstances, light in the darkness, and wisdom beyond our understanding.