Talk of JESUS .com

Tag: egypt

  • A Word to the Cunning – 3

    God’s plans change hearts

    We have been examining the wisdom of Proverbs and advice to the cunning. An evil man or woman has two choices: continue in cunning evil or turn to the wisdom of the Lord. One such repentant man was Simon the magician. Several men and women never turn back to the Lord. The fool believes that God will not have advice for our own good and an evil person remains adamant in their evil.

    Proverbs 3:

    Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding. – Pro 3:5

    6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
        and he will make straight your paths.
    7 Be not wise in your own eyes;
        fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
    8 It will be healing to your flesh
        and refreshment to your bones.

    • What makes a difference in the heart of a cunning man or woman set on a path of evil?
    • Is craftiness and cunning limited to plans of evil?

    In Egypt a powerful man once rejected by his family and sold as a slave confronted these same brothers when unwittingly they had no more cunning plans to supplant his favor in their family and with God. Joseph revealed the intentions of God to his brothers.

    The other sons of Israel (Jacob) had used cunning deceit in perpetuating the lie of Joseph’s death. Now after knowing both Joseph’s identity and power, the devise another cunning lie to save themselves from the potential retaliation of Joseph after Jacob’s death.

    Genesis 50:

    16 So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: 17 ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.”

    What to we see here?

    Both fear of Joseph on their part and contrition; not only fulfillment of a dream Joseph had told them in Canaan, but true acceptance of their youngest brother as their leader. Repentance, finally.

    And Joseph, servant of the Lord, reveals the same heart of the Lord that gave him such cunning dreams of greatness in his early years.

    19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God?

    Gen 50:20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

    21 So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

    A Cunning Turn from Self to the Lord

    Ahab and Jezebel and Jehoshaphat all meant evil against Elijah. They used every bit of cunning to do evil against the Lord. Unlike Joseph’s brothers, they never did repent.

    The Lord has used many cunning sinners as great evangelists of the Word once they repented. Saul of Tarsus, who cunningly persecuted followers of Jesus stood at the feet of the stoning of Stephen. He repented and turned to the Lord, preaching Christ crucified and risen to his fellow jews and championing the Way to the Gentiles.

    Acts 8:

    9 But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. 10 They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” 11 And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic.

    wolfWe’ve seen the great teachers built up in the slight-of-hand powerful ministry for God. (We don’t really hear much about Jesus other than how He will make us great and powerful and rich and healed.. and all for just sending in your donation or giving a large blessing to the magic of his ministry here in this bright megachurch.

    An egotistical preacher  meets a Spirit-filled Apostle

    12 But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.

    What’s different here? A once-renowned magician-preacher repented and turned back to the Lord Christ in humility. When a leader is no longer ashamed to have a cross in his church, he can become a follower dependent on the Lord Jesus Christ.

    Is that you?

    How cunning are you, dear friend? What is the Lord’s intention for you? Do you suppose your cunning you intended for evil could now be turned by the Lord for good?

    It’s not such a tough choice.

    It would take a fool, not one so wise as you, to choose hell for eternity over the blessings of God in Christ Jesus forever.

    Proverbs 3:

    33 The Lord‘s curse is on the house of the wicked,
        but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
    34 Toward the scorners he is scornful,
        but to the humble he gives favor.
    35 The wise will inherit honor,
        but fools get disgrace.

     

  • The Time Is Near For Our Church – Smyrna

    The Time Is Near For Our Church – Smyrna

    The Revelation of Jesus Christ

    John to the seven churches

    Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth.

    “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, … to Smyrna…

    “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. 19 Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.

    20 As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

    Christ, our risen Lord and Savior holds in His right hand the angels of the churches. Christ, our returning Lord and Savior stands in the presence of His golden churches – the believers to be taken-up along with those who have gone before us.

    Yet each letter to the churches is specific to a group of believers: praise for faithfulness and call to continued faith. For not all who say, “Lord, lord,” will be taken-up. Not all who say, “Lord, lord,” will stand as a light of witness as a lampstand on His right. For some will be separated to the King’s left and He will say of those who did not glimmer with the light of Jesus, “I never knew you.”

    And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. – Matthew 25:46 KJV

    Therefore: The warnings for the seven churches are addressed to the saints of every generation until the last.

    You with ears to hear, let the scripture of Revelation speak to your eternal soul.

    the_seven_churches_of_revelation

    200 Christians Burned inside church in Turkey - 1915

    To the Church in Smyrna

    8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.

    9 “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer.

    Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation.

    Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’

     “DO NOT FEAR what you are about to suffer…”

    Does the Revelation of Jesus Christ through the Apostle John encourage you?

    The encouragement for the Church at Smyrna was for upcoming, soon-to-be fulfilled prophesy in the first century. However if any 21st c. Christian dare believe such persecution of Christians for our faith in Christ Jesus has ceased, think again.

    A glance at the map of Turkey above, the headline of Urumiah from the 20th c. and the burning church in Egypt just weeks ago ought to convince Christians that persecution and suffering of Christians in contested areas of the world is actually on the increase.

    4 weeks ago - Egypt
    4 weeks ago – Egypt

    The encouragement of Revelation is actually for a FINAL BATTLE between Christ and the enemies of the Cross, led by the Devil, that great deceiver of the world (including the world news that filters to our non-consideration).

    Jesus Christ reveals:

    You may be tested. You will have tribulation.

    Be faithful unto death.

    Suppose you are a Christian in Turkey, Egypt, Syria, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia or one of many other countries that persecute Christians where old men and young thugs stand boldly against the love and forgiveness of Christ Jesus.

    Would you be encouraged?

    The Saints of the Church of Smyrna were encouraged not in life; but in death!

    The Church is encouraged to withstand every persecution for the Name and Cross of Jesus Christ.  In fact, Jesus’ promise is for the crown of Life – that is, eternal life.

    Our encouragement is that regardless of analysis of the Battle now, the outcome is assured. In the Last Battle, JESUS WINS. (See end of story.)

    +

    The facts of Islam and Jihad go well beyond tolerance.  9/11/2001 was just an opening salvo of just one more battle in a patient war by the enemy Satan.

    Our memory of history is both short and tainted.

    Discern for yourself some of what you will not hear from the world:

    Timeline 

    Historical facts say that Islam, including Muhammad, launched their own Crusades against Christianity long before the European Crusades.

    The word “crusade” (derived from the Latin word for “cross“) in an Islamic context means a holy war or jihad. (Same war; different leader.)

    • 630 Two years before Muhammad’s death of a fever, he launches the Tabuk Crusades, in which he led 30,000 jihadists against the Byzantine Christians.
    • 635 Muslim Crusaders besiege and conquer of Damascus. (3 years before capturing Jerusalem)
    • 673-678 Arabs besiege Constantinople, capital of Byzantine Empire
    • 680 Massacre of Hussein (Muhammad’s grandson), his family, and his supporters in Karbala, Iraq.
    • 691 Dome of the Rock is completed in Jerusalem, only six decades after Muhammad’s death.
    • Much more on link above.

    Persecution of the 19th & 20th c. (partial)

    Voice of the Martyrs – a current look at Turkey & other “restricted” nations (Click on any country for detail. Here is current detail for Turkey.)

    Turkey has experienced an ongoing political struggle between secular proponents, urban moderates and rural Islamist forces vying for government control. The country has been officially secular since 1924, but 97 percent of the population is Muslim. Questions about the role of religion in society dominate public discourse. The current president is a proponent of political Islam, and there are few signs that Turkey will soon embrace true religious freedom.

    Category: Hostile Nation
    Religion: Muslim 96.6%, Christian 0.2%
    Ideology: Islam
    Head of State: President Abdullah Gul

    Despite government claims and a constitutional guarantee of religious freedom, Christians do not enjoy freedom of religion in many areas. Politicians, police, Islamic secularists and the growing Islamist movement are hostile to Christianity, and foreign missionaries are seen as a threat. Local officials often refuse to issue licenses to new churches. Turkish culture has a deep prejudice against Christians, and many adhere to the maxim that to be Turkish is to be Muslim. Conversion is not technically illegal, but converts have been charged with “insulting Turkishness.” Recently, persecution has increased. Christians frequently experience discrimination, slander, personal attacks and attacks against churches. VOM supports the growing persecuted church and Christian radio programming.

    +

    God will judge.  Christ IS victorious.

    Christians throughout the world must remain awake on the wall.

    What begins with subtlety is masked as tolerance and covered with ignorance.

    The result is false security, false government, false faith, and fallen nations. 

    We are fallen sinners redeemed in the Blood of Christ Jesus, Who was and IS, and will return in victory.

    While we remain on watch, let us pray for these many persecuted Christians throughout the world.

    11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’

     +

    NEXT: Pergamum

  • GOD Allows Violence

    GOD Allows Violence

     O Lord, how long shall I cry,

    And You will not hear?
    Even cry out to You, “Violence!”
    And You will not save. Habakkuk 1:2

    If God did NOT allow violence, the blood of Christ’s Cross could not have been sacrificed for our sins.

    This is a time that Muslims spend in study and prayer. Some will spend the whole night in prayer or in reciting the Qur’an.

    Lailat al Qadr is a good time to ask for forgiveness.

    Whoever establishes the prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards (not to show off) then all his past sins will be forgiven.  Hadith, Bukhari Vol 1, Book 2:34

    IF this is a time for prayer and fasting in Islam, why must God use Mosques as morgues?

    God allows violence.  Every nation is a nation of sinners.  My nation, the United States is also a nation of sinners. Every man is a sinner.  Every woman is a sinner.

    Sin against God Almighty will be judged.  Sin of false prophets will be judged.  Sin of godless religious and national leaders will be judged. Sin of godless men will be judged.

    No night or month or years of prayer can attain the forgiveness of sin.

    Only the blood of Christ shed on the Cross is sufficient before God our Father to grant the mercy we do NOT deserve – the wonderful grace of our Father God’s love.

    Does that mean we should not pray?  Of course not.  Prayer to God our Father is answered in His time.  Do not pray to idols or angels or men who are dead.  We pray by the grace of the Blood of Christ Jesus.  Our Father loves us and listens to our prayers.

    “Therefore pray for the people of Egypt.  We pray for you in the Name of Christ Jesus, who shed His Blood on the Cross also for you.