Stronger Buildings But Need A Stronger Spirit
Israel is somewhat between a rock and a hard place when it comes to their geographic, political, and religious environment! They are surrounded by atheists, terrorists, and ungodly influences of all types. They definitely have pride and a stout heart to stand for the Living God in the face of overwhelming circumstances. Now, if only they would acknowledge what Christ Jesus did for them on the Cross! Meanwhile, Russia is to their North and Egypt to their South and there is really nothing that they can do if an all out assault came against them! Presently, they rely on the power of the United States and other allies to keep us all out of World War Three. BUT, when the Rapture comes and the anti-Christ is in power, his armies will come against Israel! The Battle of Armageddon will take place and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is soon! Christ Jesus made it plain what it is really important; “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”
When a rocket hits a home or neighborhood in Israel, they rebuild with stronger material that is better able to withstand the blasts. However, rebuilding with materials from the kingdom of this world is not going to make them any more secure when they are left on this earth during the Great Tribulation! Israel, like all of us, needs to rebuild life on the Rock. That Rock is Jesus Christ, and we rebuild our life according to what He has done for us on the Cross. Treasure from the Kingdom of God flows to us from the Cross of Christ Jesus so that we can build on a solid foundation. “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”
These are some necessary building materials; the remission of sin to make dormant all inclinations of atheistic, terroristic, and lustful desires. We become set apart from the kingdom of this world, like Israel is amidst a hostile political, social, and religious landscape! Except, we have the Lord Jesus Christ abiding in us! Through the abiding of Christ in us, we have the Spirit of Christ, the Holy Ghost, to enable us to be comforted, encouraged, experience peace and joy amidst an ever increasing global hostility towards those who follow the way of the Cross of Christ. In Christ Jesus, we have fellowship with the Spirit of God within our spirit and soul, reassuring us that we are Children of the Living God. We know that we will be resurrected to a glorified body and will be Raptured from the horrific persecution of the Great Tribulation. We will forever live with Christ in the New Jerusalem! Everything we have from the Cross of Jesus Christ establishes a strong foundation built on the Rock! Not only will we endure suffering and persecution by the help of the Holy Spirit, but we have the assurance of Rapture, and an eternal Home in the New Jerusalem! My Hope is built on nothing less than Jesus Christ and His Righteousness!
The Living God has something more coming! The coming again of Christ Jesus. When Christ comes again, He will put an end to the Battle of Armageddon. Satan, the anti-Christ, all his demons, and ALL the powers of darkness will be put in their place. Peace will reign for a very, very, very, long time! Ultimately, God’s Kingdom is forever and forever.
Believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord!
No one is perfect, which is to say that we are all flawed by sin. God honors that humble attitude. We all know someone whose life has been changed because of what Christ did on the Cross to remit sin. I am one. God honors that belief. Confessing that we are flawed with sin, and believing in the work of Jesus Christ on the Cross will reconcile us to God. That simple! Believe in the heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord.
Scripture Text
“The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel. And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart, the bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars. Therefore the Lord shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and join his enemies together; The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still”
Isaiah 9:8-12 King James Version
“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31 King James Version (KJV)
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.” Matthew 7:24-27