The Earth and the Heavens Will Be Shaken

Explain the second half of the title of today's post – Happy Times – to the people of Noah's time and you would get no push back. For according to Luke 17:26-27, they were eating, drinking and marrying – normal life or so it seems. Although their world was filled with violence and wickedness so much so that Almighty God said He would destroy them, they lived a life of "no worries", no cares and no God! Similar with Sodom and Gomorrah – focused and engaged in sexual immorality and pleasure constantly. So … what's different in our society today?

Now for the first half of the title namely the dreaded phrase "gloom and doom". Oh my, do I get a lot of flack for even suggesting anything that's classified as gloom and doom in my writing or speaking. Last night I was watching a Jewish Rabbi hosting on his show a well-known Prophecy scholar. The host was quick to whisk away any discussion or talk denoting any gloom and doom. Of course, he has to keep the money coming in to support his ministry. (Can't say anything negative, only happy, positive things). How pathetic!

To be sure, the times ahead for Christians will be extremely difficult. I will not candy-coat this message for fear of offending you. My love waxes too strong for you to hide the truth in order to save your feelings. In fact, I hope you are so angry with me after reading this that you search the Scriptures yourself and go to your pastors and priests and ask them to tell you – Biblically – this is not true.

"Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand; 2- A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations." -Joel 2:1-2 (KJV)

The road ahead will be extremely harsh for believers all over the world and we can see evidence of this today. Followers of Christ will be met with all kinds of adversity and trouble, hate and yes, in some areas of the world – death!  So why all the "shhh" and "keep quiet" plus comments like this: "Don't say this or that if it's negative, you will offend them. Just speak of hope, that's all anyone needs". Horsehockey! Are you kidding me?

What kind of "Christian" will keep the truth found in God's holy word from others? Even if it's negative or gloom and doomish? It's absolute love in Christ that warns friends, family and acquaintances to take the necessary precautions for terrible, and fearful storms brewing now and coming in the days ahead . A what if… So tonight you know that a devastating, destructive and disastrous storm is coming. Would you not alert your friends and family to prepare? It's even some of this hard truth that could shake a nonbeliever into waking up and realizing they are not saved and will end up in eternal hell for their unconfessed and unrepentant sinful lifestyles.

I have some friends that constantly berate me for not continually preaching hope, hope and more hope. Yes, hope in Christ is our anchor and our strength but you can't sugarcoat the truth to propagate only peace and happy times. We must speak the truth and warn fellow brothers and sisters (and even those not of the faith) that there is much despair, destruction and evil coming upon mankind for their unrepentant hearts wrapped up in sinful lifestyles. And these times will not be like bullfrogs and butterflies, daises and bunnies in the springtime.

But lets see what God says about all this. The OT Prophet Jeremiah (God speaking through him) blasted the current religious leaders of his time for they spoke only about peace and safety and did not warn the people of God's judgment ensuing. They didn't warn the church goers of the consequence of their sin. They didn't speak to them the judgment and justice side of our Creator. The pastors and priests of Jeremiah's time were weak, sickly and shameful witnesses of God's love and truth. They wanted to please the people instead of pleasing God. Pastors, if this is you today, if this is the style of your preaching, you will pay a hefty, terrible price when you stand before the Lord and give an account of your diluted ministry and unprepared flock. Be advised and be warned!

"That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord: 10- Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: 11- Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us." -Isa 30:9-11 (KJV)

You pastors have become spiritually obese in your lazy, self-righteous preaching and teaching. You refrain from warning your flock of what's ahead. Instead of caring about them and protecting them you are leaving them to the perils of the road ahead. Paul says in 2 Tim 3:1-5, look out perilous times will come. Evil men will get worse in 2 Tim 3:13. What about the antichrist spirit that is in the world and even our midst today – 1 John 2:18? What about the spiritual warfare raging all about us? Are you, well-paid religious leaders, teaching your people how to fight the enemy of our souls with Godly weapons? Why not?  (How about teaching a series of this type of message at your main services when all the people are present instead of obscure Saturday?)

Many, many Christians are not prepared and their leaders will be judged strictly – James 3:1. In fact, the Lord says that His judgment will fall of the church first – "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" -1 Pet 4:17. And it is for there are people who don't want to hear all these things and preachers who fail to teach it!

It's time pastors and priests to speak the whole truth. Yes, our hope is in Christ and Him alone and He will be there for those that remain faithful in Him. But when all hell is breaking loose on this world will the "soft" Christians of today even turn to God? Or will fear grip their hearts?

It's time to face the facts that peace and happy times are not in the forecast for the days ahead. However, Biblical gloom and doom is and the better people are prepared (not scared) to get through it with Christ the better they will be. Now this is faith.

Running from harsh times is shameful and those that promote it spineless. Now is the time to prepare in Jesus Christ for the tough days ahead and folks, they will be tough! Just read about the first four Seals (horses) of Rev 6 and tell me this is about happy days and times. Christians will go through these first four judgments.

So for today, if you are not right with God, get right. Seek Him! Open you Bible and start immersing yourself in it. Get to know the Lord. Develop a personal relationship with Him. Do this today for we are never promised a tomorrow.

Tough words in this message today that many will scoff and mock at but do not be deceived the days ahead looked at through the lens of holy Scripture will be to say the least extremely difficult. You above anything else must be prepared in spirit, mind, soul and body.

Keep the faith.

Grace and peace!

"For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. 9- As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us." -2 Cor 7:8-9 (KJV)

-BPWatcher, Internet Preacher and Bible Prophecy Watchman

THE KING IS COMING!