 While we all contribute to some extent to where we are in life, there are those
things that are imposed on us without our consent. None of us asked to be born who we are, where we are and what we are.
In all of these areas in which we had no control the LORD Jesus Christ has covered us with His righteousness, sacrifice
and salvation. And the second half of our predicament is equally addressed and solved by
the Gospel of Christ. We are given a freewill to determine our direction in life. And where we educate our sensibilities
decides our level of discipline and understanding.
With the many stories in the
Bible that Jesus has given us to provide our mutual safety and happiness, there are some that strum the vibrant strings of
the human soul more than others. Among them includes the story of the Gentile woman who was viewed by the religious men
of Judaism as not being worth the time of day. This is among the most profound lessons on salvation. So, let’s acquaint
ourselves with this theme of inequity that to this day permeates our society and see it as preparatory for the coming events
on the world stage. While we cannot plainly state when our nation of America will complete its full alignment with the prophecies
ushering its ruin, only to be followed by the "seven plagues" and the 2nd Advent of Jesus Christ, we can see the
Saviour’s identifying marks, as He foretold in Matt.24; Mk.13; and Lu.21: “So likewise ye, when ye see these
things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.” Lu.21:31.
In this great story of Christ’s unbiased love and mercy, we see how He went far out of His way to bless “the
dogs” as the Jews called them and travel a great distance to deliver two tormented souls from Satan’s hold,
and thus teach us an amazing lesson of heavenly virtue.
Mk.7:24-30, “And from thence he [Jesus] arose,
and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be
hid. For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet: The woman
was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. But
Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it
unto the dogs [dogs to the Jews were portrayed as less in value than cows, goats and sheep]. And she answered and said unto
him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs. And he said unto her, For this saying go
thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter. And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her
daughter laid upon the bed.”
In this great lesson Jesus knew her response
before giving the test, not only for her faith but to teach His disciples a crucial lesson on faith and salvation. To us
living today, Jesus is sharing the lesson of how the homeless, uneducated, or of some nameless nationality, who are viewed
as having little value, but who exercise faith in Jesus Christ based on what they've heard of His power and love, these
are assured of GOD’S salvation. They allowed GOD’S jurisdiction to provide for their deliverance from the authority
of Satan and his demon angels. This jurisdiction deals with Satan’s dominion as “the prince of this world”
vs. Christ’s re-established dominion over him as “the last Adam” for the salvation of His children. As
Satan usurped Adam’s dominion, Christ has restored it. And we by faith look forward to its fulfillment.
So in the midst of this continued abuse from the ungodliness of our world leaders who “exercise lordship” (Lu.22:25,26)
against the common man’s best interest, those having faith in Christ publicly declare: “I had rather be a doorkeeper
in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.” Ps.84:10. This message of both Christ’s deliverance
and sin’s threat against His deliverance the world needs to hear. And until the world hears and takes to heart this
message of “Christ and him crucified” the sins of murder, theft, lying, dishonoring of parents, adultery and
coveteousness will keep increasing as we have seen the swelling of sin’s decadence over the past 50 years!
As a result of men in government increasing the free exercise of sin the protection of
GOD is being withdrawn and Satan is allowed more jurisdiction to deceive and destroy. Evidence of this is seen as we see
the decisions of men in government increasingly disingenuous while disguising their selfish favoritism under the façade
of freedom (Ps.5:9) and even necessity for survival (Jn.11:50). The call for humility on the part of our leaders is absent
(Isa.30:10). They will never acknowledge that the many hardships in society today is simply due to their inept judgment
to stay the tide of sin (Isa.57:1). The evil spirit of insatiable greed lies at its core (I Tim.6:10). Although many may
be sincere in the values they hold this does not transform a lie into truth or a harmful outcome into one of blessing (Isa.59:9).
Only Jesus Christ has the right to turn “the curse into a blessing.” Deut.23:5.
The Apostle James addressed the evil character of this sin of man's cruel indifference to the common needs of our fellow
man: “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if
there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the
poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of
evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the
kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw
you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? If ye fulfil the royal
law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons,
ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.” Ja.2:1-9.
These edifying words were summed up by Peter: “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons.” Acts
10:34. The fallen nature of man is enticed into this most common sin of lust for gain as Solomon said: “A feast is
made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.” Eccl.10:19. It has always been the controlled
starvation for money that has spawned every war and depression, every crime and injustice. While the petty thief goes to
prison the global thieves walk as free men. These are not the products of happenstance but rather the deliberate and luciferian
tactics employed by the elitists to carryout an agenda that historically has always sacrificed innocent life on their altar
of ambition. Jesus warned these men of their fate unless they repent of their sins: “For what shall it profit a man,
if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore
shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed,
when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Mk.8:36-38.
“The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be.” Eccl.1:9. The history of the various nations' fall
to ruin has shown a principle common to them all. As a nation and its people become increasingly threatened having life’s
provisions withheld, the spirit of desperation takes hold and leads to heartless values that abandon the Christian virtues
of justice [the equity deserving to every man, woman, and child], mercy [the mercy of GOD to forgive us our sins to be passed
on to those who have sinned against us] and love [desiring the salvation of the most cruel and heartless soul that they may
see the salvation that awaits their recognition]. This is verified in a number of ways. But the most pronounced example
was seen in a university study that showed that the average American when denied three meals and is uncertain when the next
meal is will become homicidal. A willingness to murder takes hold in the mind, just after three missed meals! So you can
imagine what lengths a society will go when life’s provisions are held at bay preventing their sustenance.
This is where the Christian must have the victory. Matthew 24 is clear: Events will emerge
causing persecution to come that will deny the faithful commandment-keeping Christian the ability to buy an apple at a grocery
store, or to provide any life-support for family and friends. This “revival” of “The Papal Inquisition”
will be ushered in by today’s apostate churches, Catholic and Protestant alike. The Bible says that these are they
“that know not God, and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (II Thess.1:8). Why? Let the Word of GOD
give the answer: "every man did that which was right in his own eyes." Deut.12:8; Jud.17:6; 21:25; Prov.21:2. And
yet their promoted doctrines, which are combative to "Christ and him crucified" have the leverage to control the
spiritual direction and expectations of the world's churches.
This future
scenario may seem impossible by today’s general peace among the population but strange events are to shape society
into this extreme of desperation for a mere moment of continued survival. This is where the study of Revelation 13 becomes
paramount, for this chapter is the encapsulated history of the Christian church, and the ancient sins to which men will
never repent.
Concerning our having to face hunger and privation, those of us
who have fasted for several days know the blessing that comes when the body taps into the stored reserves of nutrition,
and the wonderful surge that results: a clarity of thought, heart and emotion that brings strength and calmness. It is identical
in nature to the “second wind” that runners experience when fatigue reaches its peak. And while that wave of
strength will wear away and the pangs of hunger take hold again, the second wave of tapping the body’s reserves kicks
in. This is what Jesus endured during His forty day fast: the rollercoaster of highs and lows in His facing the appetite.
The purpose of this test, led of the Holy Ghost, was for Jesus to conquer His appetite and subdue the pangs of hunger to
the will of the Father. And as the Saviour waited on His Father to determine when His appetite was subdued, so the saints
will have to wait and endure a portion of Christ’s sufferings. And as “angels came and ministered unto him”
(Matt.4:11) bringing the LORD food and water to strengthen Him so angels will bring food to the saints during their time
of hunger and privation, as it is written: “He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth
the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and
shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall
be given him; his waters shall be sure. Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is
very far off.” “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee;
yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed
against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish. Thou
shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing,
and as a thing of nought. For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee…When
the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the
God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will
make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.” Isa.33:15-17; 41:10-13,17-18.
These are the words the saints will hold onto until they are fulfilled as promised by GOD.
But the expectations of those who renounce Christ, denying Him and His Sacred Law, the Ten Commandments, their expectations
will lead them to a bitter end as it is written, “The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation
of the wicked shall perish.” Prov.10:28. And we as Christians are called to share the warning but also the ultimate
deliverance and the simple means by which it is provided, to the Glory of GOD. Amen.
|
