Nwsltr-060610-Living in the Shadows of Judgment
“Looking to the Day of his appearing, we live in the shadows of Judgment, just as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and others did in their day.”
By the Watchman
Dana G Smith
Keywords: shadows judgment, Israel, prophets, Apostles, Rome, faith, christians, end of days, last days, perilous, Jesus Christ, Lord of Lords, King of Kings, God.
2 Timothy 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
When reading the words of the Apostles we find much in their lives and what they faced. As we read it, or as I read it, I can literally look into the daily situations they came up against. For all they went through, they did not face the Judgment of a nation, per se, as we will see in these last days. Even the Prophets declared, rose up early, and warned Israel of coming judgment. The Prophets faced the judgment along with the rest of the people, howbeit, we find they like Jeremiah were allowed to stay in their native land or go to Babylon. Ezekiel, however, was led captive to Babylon, as was Daniel. But for all their experiences, the early church did not face this, but faced persecution. Theirs became one of the biggest persecutions of the church. It was the persecution while living in the Roman Empire at the hands of the Caesar’s who declared laws against the ‘Christian’ believers.
I find great ‘live ability’ in these writings of scripture by the hand of the Apostles, through the inspiration of the Spirit of God. We can peer into the daily life and see what they faced. It helps us to understand these were real people facing real situations. They believed in the same Lord, walked by faith as we must, and faced tribulation as the Lord warned we would all face in this life. The second book of Timothy is seen as being written by Paul after he was arrested the second time [some say at Troas because of 4:13] and taken to Rome. This was the persecution instigated by Nero in A.D. 64. The serious manner is illustrated in these verses for Paul is now ready to be offered and he saw his time of departure [death and to be with Lord] soon. In his cell I can see him praying, fasting, and possibly reading what he had of the Torah and the Prophets. He wanted to see Timothy again and warned him against ‘Alexander the coppersmith’ who did much evil to Paul.
2 Timothy 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
9 ¶Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:
10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.
13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
16 ¶At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
Paul when first arrested was able to live in a quarters and had many people come and go to see him. Now in this persecution, Nero intended to destroy this upstart faith and all who promoted it.
Paul, the apostle, who before was called Saul, after his great travail and unspeakable labors in promoting the Gospel of Christ, suffered also in this first persecution under Nero. Abdias, declareth that under his execution Nero sent two of his esquires, Ferega and Parthemius, to bring him word of his death. They, coming to Paul instructing the people, desired him to pray for them, that they might believe; who told them that shortly after they should believe and be baptized at His sepulcher. This done, the soldiers came and led him out of the city to the place of execution, where he, after his prayers made, gave his neck to the sword.[source-http://www.biblestudytools.com/history/foxs-book-of-martyrs/paul.html]
Of course, Nero failed, but many like Paul died during this. John was also persecuted during this time and Fox’s book of Marytrs says of John that they “tried to boil him in oil”, but he would not die.
John-The “beloved disciple,” was brother to James the Great. The churches of Smyrna, Pergamos, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea, and Thyatira, were founded by him. From Ephesus he was ordered to be sent to Rome, where it is affirmed he was cast into a cauldron of boiling oil. He escaped by miracle, without injury. Domitian afterwards banished him to the Isle of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. Nerva, the successor of Domitian, recalled him. He was the only apostle who escaped a violent death. [source-http://www.biblestudytools.com/history/foxs-book-of-martyrs/john.html]
Falling short of killing John, they banished him to Patmos, where the LORD intended him to write of the things he was shown regarding the ‘apocalypse’ or ‘revealing of Jesus Christ’. Both the Prophets of old and the Apostles had to trust in this God whom we serve. We had like faith, even though, they were Jewish and many of us Gentiles. Thanks to God, we through Faith in Jesus Christ have likeminded faith and have received of the Promises of Abraham. We know today through the Revelation of the New Testament of the Passover Lamb, the sacrifice, and the grafting in of the Gentiles.
In these verses in Romans, Paul lays out the Gentiles who believe and the Jewish nation, Israel who were ‘disobedient and gainsaying people’. The gentiles form a nation who did not seek God, but came to know him, through Jesus Christ. It is this that God is using to ‘provoke’ the Israel of today to believe. Paul details this in Romans 11. It is here, though, in these lines of scripture that we can trust the veracity of scripture and the fact that God is not a man that he could ever lie. What he says is truth. Therefore, “whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”, is one truth that all men and women, jew or gentile can trust.
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 ¶For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.
21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
Of Israel’s experiences, trials, and troubles, we need to take a lesson. The church today is in denial of this fact. The church is today a weak, rich, poor, ilk of a people that represents God. The fact today, I believe is that society and the church alike are in a state of denial. One that doesn’t see judgment coming, nor especially the church who acknowledges that judgment will begin in the house of God. We are warned bluntly that God will not make excuse for sin. He has provided his Son to bring you into his presence, yes, but we are told to purge ourselves from iniquity. We confess sin, forsake sin, and walk in newness of Life in Christ. We do not become bond servants of sin, lust, or the desires of the flesh and mind. We are bond servants of Christ and he is in us, therefore, we are new creations in Christ and these lusts have no power over us.
1 Peter 4:17 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?
2 Timothy 2:19 ¶Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
But we see in today’s church and in society that inquity abounds, rebellion is rampant, and the fact is that “society and the church have an open, naked, indifference” to the things of God, his holiness, and his laws. Judgment fell upon Israel for this mindset, it will fall upon the church. In both cases, Israel and the church today, God will repay according to your works. He is no respector of persons! Paul outlines to the Romans these points in verse 6, saying that God, “will render to every man according to his deeds.” Finally, adding that “there is no respect of persons with God” in verse 11.
Romans 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Romans 2:1 ¶Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
Just as the Prophets lived in the shadows of God’s warnings to Israel and their eventual ‘furnace of affliction’.
Isaiah 48:10 Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.
So too, the Apostles lived in the shadow of Rome’s influence and the eventual persecution that would take them out of the land of the living and into the presence of God. These Apostles worked and lived to prepare the believers for the time when the original Apostles would be gone. In their place would come false teachers and others who would not spare the flock bringing in heresy. Add to this would be persecution of a nature that forced many believers into the underground catacombs beneath Rome. All through history we see the foundations of faith lead and stamped with the blood of martyrs. All through history we find nations and peoples who like the nations today, who ‘disregard’ and have ‘naked indifference’ to the things of God, including his warnings.
My friends you and I as believers and followers of our LORD are living in the shadows of judgment. This is a unique time, for we will see this end of the age usher in the presence of the millennium and our Messiah Jesus Christ, Yeshua. But before that comes, there will be a time when this God will be sure the ‘nations’ KNOW that I AM the LORD! This time is spoken of as a “Snare” by our LORD and called a “time of Jacobs trouble” in scripture.
Isaiah 45:5 ¶I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.
Everyday that we mark off the calendar is one closer to this judgment which will envelope the world. America, the church, and all others will be affected by this. But make no mistake here, there is a difference between them that know God and them that do not. It is here that the dichotomy shifts. God will take care of them that are his! Jesus prays in John 17 and verse 15 to the Father that he “should not take them out of the world, but that he should keep them from the evil.” This evil, is actually, ‘the evil’, refering to the devil, satan. He is the evil one, and our God will keep us from him. He will wage war against us, but we will overcome!
John 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
Our reward is ours, as we overcome, we shall inherit all things, and it is given to us as a truth, which is, “I will be his God, and he shall be my son [or daughter]”
Revelation 21:6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Let him, therefore, scripture says: “if he is unjust, let him be unjust still, if he is filthy, let him be filthy still, if he is righteous, let him be righteous still, if he is holy, let him be holy still.” For the reward of all is given to each man, a reward for being “unjust and filthy” but, a reward for being “righteous and holy.”
Revelation 22:10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
In view of this, my friends, let me add this: “your faith will give you victory over the world”, according to John. John also says in Revelation summarizing this ‘victory’ as being three part: i.e. first, overcoming by the blood of the Lamb [born again of the Spirit], by the word of your testimony [what Jesus did for you and in you, and who he is], and you love not your lives unto the death!
Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Truly, we are living in the shadows of history. These shadows today reveal the judgment to come. Judgment is standing on the ramparts of the earth, put there by the LORD and his light is casting out the warnings to all people. Beloved we are not in darkness that this day should come upon us unaware. The world and the people who do not know God are in darkness and cannot see this judgment. You and I do, therefore stand in the LORD. We understand many others have gone before us. The prophets of old, standing in the shadows of judgment on Israel. The Apostles and the early church standing in the shadows of persecution by Rome and the Caesars. Then the centuries of faithful Christians who were led as ‘lambs to the slaughter’ for their faith. They too, were in the shadows of these last days of which we live. We are the testimony to these days and the faithfulness of our God and our Lord. We are in the very time before the ‘revealing of our LORD’ in the sky!
Revelation 19:11 ¶And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
Originally posted 2010-06-05 11:05:38. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
