SHINE IN DARKNESS!
SHINE IN DARKNESS!
The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord…. Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. Genesis 6:5-8; 11-3
Lawlessness brings about wickedness and we are told that in the last days there will be such an “increase in wickedness that the love of most will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12). But then in verse 14 we are told that “this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. These two things will be evident in the last days.
In the days of Noah wickedness was great because of lawlessness. It was so great that our Lord was deeply troubled that He has made man. The Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.” How sad is that? But are we getting close to as “it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man” (Matthew 24:37). Wickedness will increase and people will just be living life like God is not considering what is going on. But God is watching and He will act.
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30) is addressed to believers— those who are following Jesus! How much more is God grieved over the wickedness that is taking place on our planet? We can believe that the coming of Jesus is getting much closer by the signs of the times… Will His coming be in our lifetime? It surely is possible by what we see going on. Be watchful!
How do we live in times like these? Well we are to be like John the Baptist and tell people “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15). We are to be faithful to the commission Jesus gave us— “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20). Regardless of the times we live in we are to faithful to what He has called us to. Are you? Do not let the times impact you. Instead, you be impacting in the times He has place you! May it be so!
Yes, Dear Father, may this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. So be it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkxoTmKpDcU