NOTES ON PREPARING FOR THE DAY OF THE LORD: A THEOLOGICAL PRAXIS FOR MAKING ALL THINGS READY – IV: PRAXIS

SCRIPTURE. “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” – JESUS OF NAZARETH, MATTHEW 7:24-27, NKJV

QUOTATIONS

KANT. “Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, never merely as a means to an end, but always at the same time as an ‘end.’” ― Immanuel Kant, ‘Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals/On a Supposed Right to Lie Because of Philanthropic Concerns,’ 1785; edited

LEVKOFF. “They say in moments of great fear or desperation, a man will always make a ‘Choice’—either to flee or face his enemy, but choice requires thought, and in the moment when you know for certain that death is stalking you with strides you cannot outrun, there is no time for thought. You do not choose. Like Betto, or Malchus, or Valens, ‘you act,’ doing either one thing or the other.” ― Andrew Levkoff, ‘A Mixture of Madness,’ 2012; edited

THE CHRIST. “We must work the works of Him Who sent Me and be busy with His business while it is daylight; night is coming on, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the world’s Light.” – JOHN 9:4-5, AMPC

PRAXIS [πρᾶξις]: “The process by which a theory, lesson, or skill is enacted, embodied, or realized. ‘Praxis’ may also refer to the act of engaging, applying, exercising, realizing, or practicing ideas. Aristotle held that there were three basic activities of humans: ‘Theoria’ (thinking), ‘Poiesis’ (making), and ‘Praxis’ (doing).” DK: Today we will concentrate on DOING. – cf. EDITORS, ‘Wikipedia,’ September 25, 20021; edited

FIRST THOUGHTS

As most of you know who follow my Commentaries, I have been a sharp critic of the American Church at several levels, not the least of which for what I perceive as it current state of what I shall call, ‘Morbid Passivity,’ on matters of the most serious nature.

It is still difficult for me to fathom the degree to which the Christian community has buried its head in the theological sand, ‘Ignoring’ the Gathering Storm just outside its doors and windows. Lots of blathering about how much God loves us and will be with us to take care of us – no matter what we choose to do or not do.

Nor what we choose to believe, or not believe. The former being existentially dependent upon the former. – cf. Proverbs 23:7

AN ASSESSMENT. One of the more intelligent essays I have read about this, for lack of a better phrase, ‘Condition of Unreadiness,’ is by Christian attorney and writer for ‘Cornerstone,’ IAN HUYLETT. His piece is titled, appropriately enough: “The Problem of Christian Passivity,” published in ‘Staseos,’ December 22, 2019; edited.

Here is his gently writ but nonetheless blistering indictment of the American Church today.

“The best way to define what I mean by ‘Christian passivity’ is likely through an illustration. Imagine you are in a setting in which other Christians are present, and a secular person enters and begins to strenuously denounce Christianity. Suppose that, rather than attempting to make any defense of your faith, you allow the person to proceed unopposed, perhaps thinking that simply ‘being polite’ is the ideal Christian response. If so, you can be sure that the other Christians present will probably think nothing of this reticence. Your fellow believers will almost certainly not regard you as having done anything suspect or un-Christlike.”

The operant and odious phrase here is one I have used several times before in my own assessments of the dismal state of the Church: ‘Being Polite.’ And I have to ask myself, how is it that Jesus Christ, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, our Dread Champion somehow minced through the New Testament working overtime to ‘be polite’ at every turn?

Somehow, beloved, I missed ‘that Jesus.’

THE CHURCH RETICENT. There has been, over the last several generations, precisely what Mr. Huylett so adroitly pointed out: The false teaching that ‘Being polite’ is Christianity’s Prime Directive. Further, that Love comes only in one form: Quiet, tepid little whispers and oozing, buttery speech. – cf. Psalm 55:21; Romans 16:18

We have made such Church Polity the operational definition of HUMILITY. But nothing could be further from doctrinal truth. Here is the brilliant Greek lexicographer, SPIROS ZODHIATES’ careful rendering in his) of that crucial term and crucial matter of true Christian character. Aided and abetted by WILLIAM STRONG’S classic Lexicon. – cf. Zodhiates’ ‘Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible’ (1985); Strong’s ‘Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible’ (1890)

‘PRAUTÉS’ [πρᾳΰτης]: “Emphasizes the ‘Divine Origin’ of Meekness) which expresses ‘power with reserve and gentleness.’ Meekness, not in a man’s outward behavior only, nor in his relations to his fellowman or his mere natural disposition. Rather, it is an ‘inwrought grace of the soul’ and the expressions of it are first and chiefly toward God. According to Aristotle, it is the middle course in being angry, standing between two extremes, getting angry without reason and not getting angry at all. Therefore ‘prautés’ is getting angry at the right time, in the right measure, and for the right reason. ‘Prautés’ is not readily expressed in English since the term ‘meekness’ suggests weakness, but ‘prautés’ is a condition of mind and heart which demonstrates gentleness not in weakness but power. It is a virtue born in ‘strength of character.’”

THE POINT. Our blatantly false American standard for understanding the Character of God in terms of His ostensible politeness and humility has rendered the Church as being rife with what I disdainfully label, ‘Spiritual Eunuchs.’ Such individuals are unable to produce courageous offspring, rather only temple courtesans, capable of offering many smiles and fake affection more than the real stuff of sacrificial love willing to die for one’s neighbor.

MY THESIS. I propose that the American Church needs to be raising up a generation of ‘Warriors of the Cross,’ rather than beautifully coiffed Parlor Dilettantes, to put it as bluntly as I can. But don’t take my word for it; listen to a much wiser, more tested and authoritative voice about all this.

From the pen of J. JOHN in an exquisite historical piece titled, “The Courageous Faith of Dietrich Bonhoeffer,” Christian Today, July 13, 2021; edited. Listen carefully to the Voice of true Christian Reason and Courage.

“DIETRICH BONHOEFFER, executed for his long-standing opposition to Hitler, is one of the great Christian heroes of the twentieth century. Bonhoeffer was born in 1906 to an aristocratic German family. Evidently gifted, he chose to study Theology, graduating with a Doctorate at the age of 21.

In the first of what were to be many international links, he worked for two years with a German congregation in Barcelona. He then went to the United States to study for a year at a Liberal theological college that he found shallow and uninspiring. He was, however, impressed by the African-American churches he worshipped at, appreciating the congregations’ zeal, and sympathising with the social injustices they endured.

Bonhoeffer returned to Germany in 1931, lecturing and pastoring a church. Horrified by the rise of the Nazis ‘he spoke out publicly’ against Hitler from the moment he became Chancellor in 1933. His was not a popular view: Many German Christians, encouraged by Hitler’s manipulative use of Christian language, saw the Nazi leader as the Nation’s saviour …

I find at least FOUR STRIKING THINGS in the faith of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

First, his faith was displayed in ‘Doing.’ Bonhoeffer could have stayed an academic theologian quietly writing. Instead, he insisted that Christianity had to be lived out and to be a disciple of Christ was to ‘do’ something. Beliefs must have consequences: Whether it was to work for good or against evil. Bonhoeffer was no armchair Christian, and we shouldn’t be either.

Second, his faith was displayed in ‘Daring.’ One of the first German Christians to denounce Hitler, Bonhoeffer worked against Nazism for 12 years, knowing that at any moment he could be – as ultimately he was – arrested, imprisoned and killed. It’s particularly hard not to be impressed by how, having made the safety of New York in 1939, Bonhoeffer then took the boat back to Germany. We could do with a lot more daring today.

Third, his faith was displayed in ‘Defying.’ Faced with a threatening government and a church that remained silent, Bonhoeffer spoke out boldly against both. There are times when we, too, need to stand up and speak boldly.

Finally, and it’s uncomfortable, Bonhoeffer’s faith was displayed in ‘Dying.’ As he wrote in The Cost of Discipleship, ‘When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.’ And with typical consistency that is exactly what Bonhoeffer did. High above Westminster Abbey’s west door are statues of ten modern martyrs and there stands the figure of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He deserves that place.”

THE QUESTION. Was Dietrich Bonhoeffer a “Polite” Christian leader? To be fair, Mr. John points out that in prison following his arrest: “The accounts we have of him at this time describe him as a man of peace, full of grace and kindness, and occupied in pastoring and counselling those about him.”

So yes, a true gentleman by every civil and Biblical measure, to those ‘willing’ to receive instruction. But to the vicious enemies of Christ, the Nazis, well, we might conclude that he approached them just a tad differently, ‘for love’s sake’ – to keep as many Jews alive as possible!

PREPARATIONS

In the 2017 Edition, I proposed THREE PREPARATIONS that people need to engage for what is soon coming upon the Nation and World (Kelly, “Epilogue,” 2017, pp. 126-138). This time I am going to refine those original three categories, to locate them closer to sound doctrine than I did before.

What follows will be based upon 1 THESSALONIANS 5:23 (AMP):

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [that is, separate you from profane and vulgar things, make you pure and whole and undamaged—consecrated to Him—set apart for His purpose]; and may your ‘spirit and soul and body’ be kept complete and [be found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

ONE: SPIRITUAL PREP. Taken from the Greek term, ‘Pneuma’ [πνεῦμα], the term literally refers to “The breath of God” in us, from our Creator. It is what animates and empowers us, and is the First Need of every human being to satisfy and protect. When the Spirit in a person is strong, the person is strong; when the Spirit is weak (or quenched, grieved or in any way compromised), that individual is left to his own strength and devices to fight off temptations to ‘go off trail,’ as we say in Colorado, and sin.

In my original work, I put it plainly: ‘Get right with God’ (2017, p. 127). This involves a few careful disciplines.

SUBMISSION. First, it means one has completely – I say again – ‘completely’ given oneself over to the Lordship of Christ. And asking Him to remove any hindrance to your walk with Him. There is no magic prayer; just a sincere and heartfelt request for Christ to be your True King every day, and forever. – cf. Romans 10:9-10

EMPOWERMENT. Second, and this is vital, also requesting that God continually fills you to the full by His Holy Spirit, the true Source of power and endurance, and the One who daily guides and instructs you in matters that will help you make better and better decisions about what to do with your life, both daily and long term. – cf. Acts 1:8

DOCTRINE. Third, and this is vital as well: Begin to pray and aggressively read your Bible every day, as if your life depended on it – because it does, beloved. Again, there is no ‘rule’ for this, but the wickedness of the days would suggest at least an hour per day, early in the morning preferably. It’s also a good idea to have a quiet place, a pen and notepad and any study aids within reach, such as William MacDonald’s ‘Believer’s Bible Commentary’ (1995). All of this, of course, is at your fingertips online. – cf. 2 Timothy 2:15

TWO: MENTAL PREP. The Greek word for “Soul” is ‘Psuché’ [ψυχή], or that which refers to “The ‘self’ as the seat of all thought and affections; the rational and immortal substance in man, which distinguishes him from brutes; that part of man which enables him to think and reason.”

WORLDVIEW. This first includes growing your ability for intellectual discernment and grasp of the nature of the times. Such journals as Christianity Today, Patheos, The Bulwark, and The American Conservative. Such writers as Rod Dreher, Donald and Nancy French, Alistair Begg, Max Lucado, Russell Moore, Beth Moore, Albert Mohler, and Douglas Groothuis, just to name a few trusted voices in an ocean of compromised authors. The point here is to further develop the lost ability for critical thinking and moral reasoning. It is nearly absent from the entire framework of Christian Leadership in America today, including the vast majority of pastors who refuse to tell the whole truth of the American Crisis. – cf. 2 Timothy 2:15

DISCERNMENT. Though this derives from the first category of Spiritual Preparation above, its taproot governs your ability for making ‘crucial distinctions’ between Truth and Falsehood, Right and Wrong, Good and Evil. That Baseline Ability is fed (or hindered) by what things you read for the development of your Christian Worldview. We are no better than our ‘Teachers,’ beloved, so do choose them with a fierce ‘Love of Truth’ as your motive. We recall that this is the Age of Antichrist, where false ideologies, false teachers, false doctrines and the activity of the demonic will increase exponentially in this Era. The Development of Sound Mindedness, therefore, is crucial to survival and success in the days ahead. – 1 John 4:1

THREE: PHYSICAL PREP. In my earlier work, I divided this part into Financial and Physical Preparation, so I shall follow that here, with a bit more practical detail.

FINANCIAL. So let me cut to the chase straight away: In light of the certainty of the predictions of ‘Scarcity’ of both goods and services already apparent and more so in the days ahead (The Third Seal), the operant word for this part of our preparation is ‘Prudent Downsizing.’ Only a fool would be investing in huge new projects and expensive toys, which Americans absolutely love to do. Spartan may be too tough a term here, but it comes very close. Living within one’s means and budget; avoiding large credit purchases; balancing the checkbook as closely as possible; and remaining faithful to Christian giving, as the Spirit leads – all come to mind – all are in the Spirit of Prudent Downsizing. – Proverbs 21:5

PHYSICAL. Let me say at the outset that I am not a bona fide ‘Prepper,’ nor do I suggest you become one – unless you already are, in which case you are ready! Rather, to repeat what I reported in the earlier edition, I clearly sensed the Lord instruct: “Have enough to live off the Grid for 30 days” (2017, pp. 130-133). And that is what my wife and I are doing, should several unthinkable attacks on our national power networks take place. No longer, by the way, the stuff of political fiction novels anymore. Many of you know vastly more about what things need to be done to prepare for such a Power Crisis – Alternative heat and light supply; water and food; means of communication; self-defense capablity; adequate clothing, hygiene and medical kit; recreational materials (books, games, etc.). – Proverbs 27:12

These things do, beloved, ‘for Wisdom,’ that you might not be caught in the Coming Storms without Spiritual, Mental and Practical Provision made for them. It is the wise man indeed, who starts such measures with the Fear of the Lord guiding all that he does. – Proverbs 1:7

THE TEACHING

As has become our practice, then, let us begin once again with the familiar Drill Down of the KEY TERMS in the passage.

DOES. Clearly this is the focus of today’s teaching. Taken from the Greek term, ‘Poieó’ [ποιέω], rendered as: “To make, do; manufacture, construct; act in order to cause something to happen; to produce or form, by imp. direct a course of action toward some desired end; to labor, or work in order to create; to be the author of; it is the essence of ‘preparing or making ready;’ to carry out or perform one’s duty; therefore, to accomplish [by imp., the very will of God; 1 Samuel 15:22].”

ROCK. The Greek word for this crucial, metaphorical term is, ‘Petros’ [πέτρα], or “A large mass of rock; a rock-shelf; a great deposit of stony ground; a large stone; a massive, detached, stand-alone fragment.” All of which of course relates in symbolism to The Rock of Ages cited by Isaiah 26:4, from the Hebrew, ‘Tsur’ [צוּר]: “The everlasting, mighty ‘Rock of Refuge,’ unlimited in strength, who is active in defense of His people; a place of firmness and security.” DK: Significantly, with Jesus Christ being ‘The Chief Cornerstone’ [Akrogóniaios, ἀκρογωνιαῖος], on which the entire Church and true Christians stand.

SAND. From the Greek, ‘Ammos’ [ἄμμος], or: “Sandy, loose ground as heaped up on a beach; any mass or collection of fine particles of stone, particularly of fine particles of silicious stone, but not strictly reduced to powder or dust; hat finer matter called sand is no other than very small pebbles.” DK: All of which is to repeat what any builder can tell you: The very last place to build a house, or by extension, a life, is on the slipshod, shallow and ever shifting foundation of soft sand. It shall as surely fall down at the First Storm as would any life built upon a foundation of nothing more than the philosophies of men (Colossians 2:8). Or worse, the love of riches and pleasure, which provide the very first shallows of a fatally weakened life and character.

GREAT FALL. Here we have the possible ‘Consequence’ of one whose life is not built on the Rock of Christ. From the Greek word, ‘Ptósis’ [πτῶσις], translated as: “A downfall, a crash into utter ruin; (usage) that many may fall and bring upon themselves disaster, i. e. the loss of salvation, utter misery.” Here we have that Catastrophe of all catastrophes – ‘The loss of all,’ including one’s presumed salvation. Of special note: Verses 22-23 just above this entire passage are the Words of Christ that no one ever wants to hear: “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” All of which demands that we pay ever close attention to our walk and to our teachers. Selah.

MATTHEW HENRY. “Christ here shows that it will ‘not’ be enough to own Him for our Master, only in word and tongue. It is necessary to our happiness that we believe in Christ, that we repent of sin, that we live a holy life, that we love one another. This is His will [and command], even our Sanctification. Let us take heed of resting in outward privileges and doings, lest we deceive ourselves, and ‘perish eternally,’ as multitudes do, with a Lie in our right hand. Let everyone that names the name of Christ, ‘depart from all sin.’ There are others, whose religion rests in bare hearing, and it goes no further; their heads are filled with empty notions.” – ‘Exposition of the Old and New Testaments,’ 6 vols., 1708-1710; edited

Pastors, perhaps now you see the necessity to balance the ‘Grace’ of our Lord with His ‘Severity,’ that none would perish. And that you yourself would be saved from The Flame.

As Paul put it so adroitly:

“Pay close attention to yourself [concentrate on your personal development] and to your teaching; persevere in these things [hold to them], for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.” – 1 TIMOTHY 4:16, AMP

“Your teaching,” the ‘disaskalia’ [διδασκαλία] you offer as food to your flocks, brothers, constitutes the difference between Life and Death for your congregations. And for you. Selah.

THINGS TO COME

This section pretty much writes itself, if we use the SIX SEALS of Revelation, Chapter 6, to reasonably predict what we shall be facing in the months and years directly ahead. So here we go.

SEAL 1: CONQUEROR. Cleary the hallmark of the rise of the Antichrist will be increased Authoritarianism and loss of Constitutional Freedom. There will be substantial spikes in controls exercised by both the military and police functions of government, and considerable expansion of Federal power. The most important part of this phase of the Last Things Runup to the Second Coming will be the steady rise and proliferation of Lawless acts of rebellion, and intensifying violence. These, the primary hallmarks of the Spirit of Antichrist. – cf. Revelation 6:1-2; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; 1 John 4:1-6

SEAL 2: CONFLICT. As the rule of the Spirit and then the actual Person of Antichrist consolidate their grip on political power, the restrictions mentioned in the First Seal will increase and solidify. Since I argue that the Antichrist is an American, he now has control of the most devastating nuclear arsenal on the planet, and begins to flex his military muscle both abroad and at home. In the latter case, the movement toward Civil War intensifies as he further divides in order to conquer, as a means to effect even more control over the citizenry. Second, military adventurism in Western Europe (Russia), Asia (China) and the Middle East (the Muslim States surrounding Israel) invites even more conflict – which at certain points the Scriptures clearly indicate he will aggressively engage. – cf. Revelation 6: 3-4; Matthew 24:5-7

SEAL 3: SCARCITY. You will note that as the National and International theaters of conflict proliferate and deepen, the current Crisis over foods and services, and especially supply lines for those items, will be increasingly cut off. Hyperinflation will begin to run amok, with wages not keeping pace with it. Add to this the ingredient of Cyberwarfare strategies traceable to both Russia and China, as the crisis deepens. To the extent, if we believe the literality of the Third Seal, famine and starvation will more and more be evident not just overseas, but right here at home. This in turn will provide the Antichrist with the justification to ration food, water and services, leading to an eventual demand to ‘Take a mark,’ in order to continue to purchase things necessary for day-to-day survival. – cf. Revelation 6:5-6; Psalm 107:34

SEAL 4: DEATH. Now circumstances grow more dire, as the spread of Plague of some sort explodes across the earth. It remains to be seen if the Coronavirus has the staying power in its variants to fulfill this prophecy, but by my studied reckoning, it does, for Three Reasons. One: The Delta Variant and the new South African strain gain traction. Two: The 40% of the population that refuses full vaccination blocks the development of herd immunity. Three: Because this Judgment from God interacts with the Spirit of Delusion that leads the mass of humanity to continue their rebellion against common sense and moral duty to ‘protect one’s neighbor.’ I actually believe that a ‘Clockwork Orange’ Movement is birthed, as we see the beginnings of with the “snatch and grab” raids on commercial centers. Ultimately, warfare, plague and hunger reach the point where people will consider armed theft and even cannibalism as means of survival. Finally, wild beasts are also starving, and will increasingly forage in populated areas, attacking humans if necessary, in order to feed. – cf. Revelation 6:7-8; Exodus 9:14

SEAL 5: MARTYRDOM. The concept of a Scapegoat will finally emerge, as people and governments need someone to blame for all this mayhem, not unlike Nazi Germany 90 years ago. And who shall they blame? Christians, primarily, though minority groups in general will once again be viewed as prey by the now dictatorial power of the Antichrist. First by sequestering, then by imprisonment, and finally by execution. Though the killings will be nothing compared to the actual Great Tribulation slaughters by beheading multitudes who will not have taken the mark. Here we shall see family members and friends betraying one another on a record scale, if it will keep them alive by cooperation with the growing power of the Antichrist. Martyrdom, then, shall be the hallmark of this phase of Things to Come. – cf. Revelation 6:9-11; 12:11

SEAL 6: COSMIC SHIFT. And now ‘The Game Changer.’ As I have argued, the entire culmination of some 6,000 years of human history will at this epochal point come to a thunderous, screeching and soul shattering stop, as the very Laws of Physics will crumble, worldwide, as an Angry God announces His Day of Visitation. The sun goes midnight black. The moon turns to a blood-crimson red. Comets and asteroids begin to cascade by the thousands to the earth, wreaking havoc everywhere. Then even more terrifying, the very sky is somehow ripped open as a planet-wide earthquake shakes so violently that every mountain and island are moved from their proper places. Then in mind bent horror, the peoples try to run to a safe place in caves, mountain valleys or anyplace that looks solid in a now cacophonous earth, crying out an unprecedented, never before shout, saying to the mountains and rocks:

“Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” – cf. Revelation 6:12-17; Joel 2:31

THE PRE-WRATH RAPTURE. Based on all the Covenants struck by God with His people since the Time of Noah and Abraham, the true, Remnant Church will, possibly by only a split second before God’s Wrath falls, be ‘snatched away by force!’ And all, all ON THE SAME DAY, as the world moves from the Age of Grace into the dreaded Time of Jacob’s Troubles, or the Great Tribulation of seven years. – cf. Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:21

1 THESSALONIANS 4:16-17 (AMP). “For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel and with the [blast of the] trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain [on the earth] will simultaneously be caught up (raptured) together with them [the resurrected ones] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord!”

CAUGHT UP. From the Greek term indicating a great power, ‘Harpazó’ [ἁρπάζω], translated: “Literally, to seize upon with force in an open, publicly visible act of violence, in usurpation of the known laws of nature; to forcibly take to oneself [as with the Messiah and His own]; to catch away [from the Judgment of God].” It shall occur in a moment, ‘in the twinkling of an eye’ [‘atomos,’ ἄτομος; split second, ]when we shall all be instantaneously and forever transformed from mortal to immoral. This to add another stunning Mega-Event to the already chaotic and terrified planet, causing people to quite literally wish they were dead rather than confront all this Cosmic Trauma.

MATTHEW HENRY. “When the Sixth Seal was opened, there was a great earthquake. The foundations of churches and states would be terribly shaken. Such bold figurative descriptions of great changes abound in the prophecies of Scripture; for these events are Emblems, and declare the end of the world and the Day of Judgment. Dread and terror would seize on all sorts of men. Neither grandeur, riches, valour, nor strength, can support men at that time. They would be glad to be no more seen; yea, to have no longer any being. Though Christ be a Lamb, he can be angry, and the Wrath of the Lamb is exceedingly dreadful; for if the Redeemer himself, who appeases the Wrath of God, be our enemy, where shall we find a friend to plead for us? As men have their day of opportunity, and their Seasons of Grace, so God has ‘His Day of Righteous Wrath.’” – ‘Exposition of the Old and New Testaments,’ 6 vols., 1708-1710; edited

This is much to contemplate, beloved, and please do so by the Scriptures more than any Commentary. ‘The Proof’ of all this is to be found there, first and last.

LAST THOUGHTS

I have already run out of time and space here, and had much more to say. But I must draw all this to a brief close, with TWO LAST THOUGHTS.

THE WILKERSON VISION. Briefly, David Wilkerson had a dramatic, life changing Vision from God in 1973, published in 1974, that portended “FIVE CALAMITIES” to befall America in the Last Days: (1) Economic Confusion; (2) Drastic Weather; (3) Flood of Filth; (4) Youth Problem; and (5) Persecution Madness. I suggest you read his original work, for comparative purposes.

THE FARIAS VISION. His award-winning Blog, ‘The Flaming Herald,’ offers fitting, sober-minded Conclusion to our discussion, in an essay titled, “How to Be Ready for the Coming of the Lord,” July 26, 2015; edited.

“What the Lord sees in our lives is the position of our hearts – the longing, the yearning, and the burning desire for Him. The memorial in your life as a Christian is what you are doing inwardly in your heart toward God. That is called sanctifying the Lord in your heart (1 Pet. 3:15) …

Both Ananias and Sapphira, together with Simon the sorcerer, attempted to introduce into the glory of the early Church CORRUPT VALUES that would have defiled and greatly diminished her glory. However, it was stopped at the door and the glory was protected and allowed to increase. In like manner, the true Judgments of the Lord that produce holy fear and genuine repentance, along with prevailing prayer, must return to the Church, so there can be a thorough cleansing and the glory of the Lord can be restored.”

CODA. This leaves little more to say, except for this: CHURCH, it is you who remain in the Crosshairs of God’s Mighty Bow in this hour, yet you continue in your Sin of Accommodation and Compromised Betrayal of the King. His Warnings shall not continue much longer, I fear. Therefore, bare your soul to the One who first sent you, but sends you no more should you ignore His Final Pleadings.

As the brother to Jesus wrote of this in his own pleadings to his generation that reaches our ears today, THIS PROMISE:

“Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery].” – JAMES 4:8, AMPC

Far better these truthful wounds of a Friend unto Eternal Life, than a thousand lies of an Imposter unto The Flames. While there is still a little time, brothers; but very little.

Ever your servant, DK

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