JUDGMENTS ARE IN THE LAND
Mingled with mercy
by Richard MyersJanuary 4, 2005
Jesus, a Jew, asks a Samaritan woman for a drink of water. John 4:7. The woman is shocked that a Jew would ask a favor of a Samaritan. Jesus out of love for her, a woman whose nation worshipped idols, seeks to find a way to her heart. How does He do this?
He first asks a favor then reveals that He knows her sins by asking her to "Go call thy husband." Jesus knew she did not have a husband. Like the American model in Thailand, she was not married to the man she was sleeping with. Jesus said to her "Thou hast had five husbands; and whom thou now hast is not thy husband." John 4:18.
By mentioning her sins, Jesus was not "passing judgment" on her. Our sins condemn us, Christ does not. He only pointed out the reality. So it is in these nations that have major religions that have perverted the truth. Shall we remain quiet? It is not the way of Jesus. It is not love to leave sincere individuals in a deception.
When earthquakes, pestilence, and war destroy cities and people ask "you knew this was going to happen and you did not warn us... what shall we then say? When will we explain to the world that judgment is in the land and will increase until God finally destroys the whole earth with fire?
Our Muslim friends need to know that God was not working through the Roman Church in the dark ages, nor is He today. Shall we remain quiet and not speak the truth in love? God wants us to explain what the Bible teaches. He wants people to know that He does not burn little children for eternity. He wants people to know that His religion does not oppress women. He wants the world to know that suicide bombings do not come from Him and that none are to be forced to worship Him.
Yes, He will destroy cities and He will destroy nations, but He does not do so in an arbitrary manner and He is long-suffering. The nations that have oppressive religions He is dealing with, but in this judgment there is mercy. Mercy to those who still have opportunity to turn to Him. In these lands are many who love God and serve Him to the degree they know how. They walk in all the light they have. Also, in these lands are families who serve God through His church.
Yes, God has a church. Most will rise up against this fact that there is only one, but the woman at the well did not. She said to Jesus "Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." There was contention as to whose religion was correct. Does not the same exist today? Most wars involve religion. How did Jesus deal with this? Will He let her believe a lie? No. He did not.
He told her "Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews." John 4:22. God is the Potter we are the clay. Shall we undo what He has done? He has a church today just as He had then. The Jewish nation cut themselves off from God when they stoned Steven three and a half years after they killed the Son of God. Daniel 9 foretold the death of Christ and the close of the covenant with Israel, the nation, at the appointed time.
Jesus was not equivocating with the Samaritan, but He spoke the truth to her in love. We do the same today. To those who suffer on account of sin, it is not God's desire that they die. He calls to us all to turn from our unrighteousness and flee to Him. This is not restricted to the nations in SE Asia, but all countries. They will, everyone of them, be destroyed by God because they all will reject His love. "The God of heaven" shall "set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever." Dan. 2:44. Individuals out of every nation will be saved in God's kingdom, but the wicked will be destroyed.
There is evil in the land, not just in Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and India, but in all nations. The United States blessed above all countries shall suffer more and more as she moves further away from the Protestant and Republican principles of her heritage. We pass judgment on no nation or people, they bring judgment upon themselves in rejecting the plain Word of God. Those who have been blessed much will suffer much when they spurn God's mercy.
"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." Rev. 14:6,7.
Yes, judgment is in the land and it will increase rapidly. Jesus is coming soon and there is no hiding place except in Christ. There is only one way to heaven. "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6.
The most fearful message in the Bible reveals what is soon to break upon the earth. Let him who hath an ear hear what God is saying to the people of this earth.
"And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Rev. 14:9-12.
A Bible Answer
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