2022-12-30
Good Morning Dear Ones,
The Bible gives us past and present history. It also predicts events in the future. We all know that the “good guys” [meaning those faithfully obedient people] gain eternal life. So yes, we know the ending of what will happen. However, we can’t know who God elects for eternal life while we are still alive. Nor do we have the right (which belongs to Christ alone –DN 7: 13-14) to judge the fate of another person [MT 7: 1-2]. This condition leaves it to us to find out not only what happens in our lives, but to speculate on what happened to those who have either been glorified or condemned. The Lord has given us just enough to encourage us to make choices that please God and take us through that narrow gate that leads to a rocky road to eternal life [MT 7: 13-14]. God knows we will have to make some really challenging choices along the way, but He has created us to be able to make them.
The book of Revelation, the last one of the NT, shows us that there is both a righteous Trinity and an unholy trinity (the latter may be unfamiliar if you haven’t studied Revelation). We all know there is the Father, the Son [Jesus Christ] and the Holy Spirit. Less familiar is the unholy trinity, which is Satan [the devil], the anti-Christ, and the false prophet. Their interactions on earth, as we know it, bring about the events of the end times. A thorough understanding of what is prophesied for the future will be unpacked at another time. However, it must be understood that the unholy trinity provides opposition to the Lord’s will and sadly, many people will be entrapped by their evil. We surely don’t want this to happen to us. Faithfully obeying the Lord’s directives will keep us from such an awful fate.
I can’t help but be interested in how the devil became so evil as he is. God reveals what happened in heaven, before the familiar story of the fall of mankind in GN 3: 1-6 (the original sin). God had a favored angel in charge of worship in heaven. His name was Lucifer, and he walked among gems with a voice that sounded like harps. Lucifer became so egotistical that he said, in IS 14: 13-15, “I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” Lucifer was charismatic and had the idea he could set himself above the Lord. The Lord knew he had to make a tough decision-- that of hurling Lucifer and his followers (who were “1/3rd of the heavenly host [angels]) down to the depths of the pit.” It was then, that Lucifer became an angry accuser, Satan. Even before the final decision, Lucifer had been buying and selling increasing his wealth and becoming proud [EZK 28: 6]. A more detailed story of these heavenly events is told in Ezekiel 28: 11-19 using the name, the “king of Tyre,” for Satan. We learn that Satan is a murderer and accuser, in JN 8: 44. In this same chapter, Jesus tells Satan’s human followers their origin [JN 8: 31-46]. Thus, the unholy trinity was established in their evildoing [REV 12: 10].
We’ve already learned that “nothing can separate us from the love of God” [RO 8: 38-39]. Further consideration of this notion leads me to think that we can greatly disappoint our Deity by allowing ourselves to be entrapped by evil. That is why He wants us to study His word and to pray to Him first before taking other action dictated by our circumstances [2 TIM 3: 16-17; PHIL 4: 6]. Our Lord wants us to remember the principle of 1 COR 10: 13 and to know He gives us the tools to choose in a way that pleases Him and blesses us.
PRAYER: Dearest Father, we come today to You in prayer with reverence and awe. As we spend our lives depending on You and following Your guidance, we see Your supremacy and the love You have for us. We express our love, loyalty, and devotion in return. We are imperfect and in need of You in our lives. JN 15: 5 [Christ speaking], “I am the Vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in You, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” The truths You teach us are eternal; they were true in the past, are in the present, and will be in the future. We dedicate ourselves to being Your obedient and faithful followers. You arm us for the battle against the evil one’s efforts to assimilate us and lead us to spiritual death. Our eyes and ears are open, being alert and putting Your truths into practice. We thank and praise You every day, so that You will know the attitudes of our hearts. In the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ, we offer this prayer. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: The key question: “For whom do we live” will be examined, along with the peace and joy that comes with an understanding of which choice we should make. There is no set age in one’s earthly life at which such a question can or should be tackled. Each person is different. Some remain throughout their earthly lives as Atheists; some continually question [Agnostics]; some people mature spiritually late in life, and others accept the need to follow the Lord’s direction right away. Some people don’t come to faith in the Lord until the last day of their earthly existence. What matters to God is the choices we make and why. God never promised us our lives would be easy. I find it compelling that during the process of working through our troubles is often the time of our greatest spiritual growth. Many times, people are called upon not just to struggle through their own trouble, but even for the sake of their beliefs as well. Recently, the Holy Spirit led me to write about the crowns [heavenly rewards] we can earn. It is our loving God, Who decides which of those crowns an individual will receive. Some people can receive all of them! If my own life’s experience is understood, I must claim PS 40: 1-3. “I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a Rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in Him.” Praise and thanks be to our God!
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn, JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2022. All Rights Reserved.
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