He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Mt. 12:30
March 8, 2023
O, the Silence
There was four hundred years where man had his time to do what he wanted in the world, even declaring himself lord and master if he wanted to because God’s voice was silent in the earth. The people had already heard the good and the bad of what man could expect because God’s prophets had foretold the world’s future and its end. The people who had been told unequivocally who God was decided to make themselves and others inanimate items their god. Because God chosen people, Israel and the Jewish nation, decided to leave God and follow their own minds, they found themselves under the rule of the Romans and their idol gods. They were in bondage and captivity to the Roman government because of disobedience to their God. The religious leaders, Pharisees and Sadducees, continued the religious rituals, but it was a form and a fashion, a shadow of what was once a legitimate faith in God. The miraculous power of God was no longer being displayed through God’s prophets like it was in Elijah, proving God’s presence, sovereignty and favor. Quiet faith remained in some that still hoped that the scriptures were true. Prophet Malachi had pronounced these days would come.
For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. Mal 4:1-2
Our Trust in God
Can we, a proclaimed godly people, a nation that calls itself a people who put their trust in God, believe that we, Americans, could ever get to such a place? Allow me to be your prophet for a quick minute. We are already there! We are at a point in this nation where the highest religious and legislative officeholders of the nation in 2016-20 decided that a man was their representative and their “god.” These people were willing to stake their reputation and lives on their “truth.” Many of them had worked over the past 40 years to bring about their idea of a dominating rule for “Christ.” Their god was going to take rule of the land by any means necessary!
The dilemma was that “their god” was not Jehovah God. Like during the 400 years of silence, God will allow man to have his way, for a season. God wanted the Jewish people to see for themselves that they could not make it without Him. Rather than diligently seek for the God they had lost, what the people did was pretend they still had God with them and went on to make up rules along the way that reinforced their rule and power. The Jewish Sanhedrin Court made laws and rulings that were binding on the entire Jewish nation and the Jewish people suffered under their rule. When Jesus came, He expressed what He thought of their rule.
Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. Mt. 23:1-8
Rabbi !, Rabbi !
Jesus had already told us that what the leaders wanted was to be set up high as someone important and to be called by titles that gave them high esteem. So, they sought positions of importance, and they did the bidding of the overseers of the land in order to maintain their seat of authority. That just about describes the leaders of our day. If you peruse the news, you will see that is what we are dealing with today, not sincere leaders, but power seekers. They are people who lack the love of God, care for the land, or the people, but who are seeking what they can get for themselves. Many people are following them as if they were real or sincere. If Jesus, the very God of whom they should be serving, has denounced them; what should the people do? God showed us over 2,000 years ago what this day would look like. It is our own fault if we did not read the letters He left for us.
What Jesus was telling us is that many leaders have become liars, and pleasure seekers, thinking only of themselves while failing at the job of being servants to the King. Don’t be confused by what is of God and what is of the enemy. Now that these liars have been exposed, they have to find some place to hide. As the Pharisees and Sadducees ran to John’s baptism to seek cover and were called out by John, the liars today need to be called out as well. Don’t give the devil cover or he will return to do even more evil.
Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. Mt. 3:5-9
Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples…. But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Mt. 23:1, 13-15
The Master Cometh!
When the Master came, these leaders had a responsibility to answer to Him but were found serving themselves instead of serving the people. What were they to do? First and most important is that Jesus called out these false leaders in front of their followers so that the followers could know the truth and flee for safety. Secondly, these leaders still had time to repent and do what was right. Even though Nicodemus came under cover of night, nevertheless, he was willing to seek out how he needed to change. The other Jewish leaders instead sought out how could they find cover and come out ahead. They chose to proverbially throw Jesus under the bus and promote themselves instead. They chose to destroy the Truth and save themselves.
This is important! Today many religious and political Pharisees and Sadducees are caught in deception, and they are trying to hide their deception by killing the truth and making their lie of alternate facts the truth instead. There is a great battle today between God’s truth and the devil’s lie. It may be that you have a truthful minister, but today is the day to be sure by knowing Jesus for yourself. Jesus came over 2,000 years ago to deliver those that would hear the truth, and if truth seekers today choose to follow the lie, that is their choice. Two plus two still equals four. The Word of God is still true. People can believe the truth or choose to believe the lie. The lie comes from Satan, the father of lies; and those that follow the lie will share his fate in the end.
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Rev 21:8
The Sifting
There is no scenario where God allows the lie to stand. Ask the Pharisees and Sadducees how it worked out for them. Their success was only temporary. The Romans destroyed their religious temple, their positions, and their peace as they went into captivity. The old system was over and Jesus established His dominion that still prevails till this day.
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Mt. 16:18
And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Lk 22:31-32
Truth crushed to the earth shall rise again. Our society today has seen too much evidence to believe the lies they are being told. Every single person can look up a witness of the truth with little effort. Though the devil, himself, stand up in the pulpit and tell his lie; people should check the scriptures and denounce the lie and the liar.
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. Gal 1:8-9
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. 2Co 11:13-15
Jesus warned His disciples: “But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them (Joh 16:4)”. These are the troubling days where the enemy is standing boldly and challenging the true church but Jesus has already given us warning. If your church is not reinforcing the truth to you at this desperate time, you are in the wrong church.
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. Mt. 24:4-5
This is the day that truth must be upheld at all cost because only the truth will set us free from the lies of the devil. We see the enemy challenging the Word of God at every level and God is looking for His truth-tellers, believers, and witnesses to stand up for the Kingdom of God.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 2Ti 4:3-5
On This Rock!
The devil and his cohorts cannot overcome God and His children because the power of God is greater than evil. However, the children of God must be strong and stand on the solid rock of the Word! We must be good stewards of the Word of God and know the truth. With knowledge of the Word, we can prevail like Daniel in the lion’s den and the Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace during our time of crisis and give proof that God still lives and Jesus still reigns as Lord. Jesus will prevail whether you and I stand up or not, but then His glory would be to our shame if we do not stand up for truth in our time of trouble. If an angel in heaven (Lucifer) stands up to denounce God, who will you believe? “In the beginning God. . . (Gen 1:1).” “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last (Rev 22:13)”. The Word of God shall stand forever and forever. We just need to stand on the Word and we will be kept by its power. This is the time to prove that your love of the Lord is more than a cliché. We were built for this! Let’s put our faith to work!
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised…Heb 10:23
Truth and Life Ministries of Christ with Apostle Joyce Reba Payne 