WHY YOU SHOULD HEED GOD'S WARNINGS.
"Why You Should Heed God's Warnings" is based
on the book written by Zephaniah about 630 B.C.
Quotes are from the NIV Bible and our comments
are in brackets. The Christian community (those
who have turned from sin and trusted in Jesus
Christ) in general, falls far short of God's
standard and those responsible will experience
God's judgement.
God says - I will stretch out my hand against
those who call themselves Christians and their
ministers and cut off from them everything that
shows they are no different to non-believers.
(I want God correctness not political
correctness from them). Ministers swear by me
and by their own brand of denominational
religious correctness. They turn back from
following me and neither seek nor inquire of
me.
The wealth of the rich and complacent who think
"the Lord will do nothing" will be plundered.
"The great day of the Lord is near". A day of
wrath, distress, anguish, trouble, ruin,
darkness, gloom, clouds, blackness, trumpet and
battle cry against so called Christian
denominational strongholds.
It will be a time of distress because they have
sinned against the Lord and "neither their
silver nor their gold will be able to save
them. -- In the fire of His jealousy" God
"will make a sudden end of all who live on
the earth".
(Ch 1)
So Christians, wake up before the fierce anger
of the Lord comes upon you. "Seek the Lord all
you humble of the land, you who do what He
commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility;
perhaps you will be sheltered". God will
"pasture", care for and restore His genuine
people.
But those who have insulted, mocked and
threatened God's genuine people will be
plundered by them. Cities carefree and safe in
their ungodliness will be ruined. That's what
they will get for their pride. "The Lord will
be awesome to them". And "the nations on every
shore will (then) worship Him".
(Ch 2)
Woe to ungodly Christians. They won't obey,
accept correction, trust the Lord or draw near
to Him. Their leaders feed themselves not
their flocks. Their ministers are arrogant and
treacherous, they profane places of worship and
do violence to God's law.
Yet the Lord with them is
"righteous; He does no wrong.
Morning by morning He dispenses His
justice,
and every new day he does not fail,
yet the unrighteous know no shame".
To ungodly Christians he says,
"surely you will fear me
and accept correction".
Then you won't be cut off or punished. But
they were still eager to act corruptly in all
they did.
Therefore God says,
"the whole world will be consumed by the
fire of my jealous anger -- I will
purify the lips of the peoples, that all
of them may call on the name of the Lord
and serve Him shoulder to shoulder".
Then "my scattered people will bring me
offerings. On that day you will not be
put to shame for all the wrongs you have
done to me because I will remove -- those
who rejoice in their pride. Never again
will you be haughty on my holy hill. But
I will leave within you the meek and
humble, who trust in the name of the
Lord".
These will do no wrong; they will speak no
lies, nor will deceit be found in their mouths.
No one will make them afraid.
Sing and shout aloud. Be glad and rejoice with
all your heart. The Lord has taken away your
punishment and turned back your enemy. The
Lord is with you; never again will you fear any
harm.
Fear not, don't let your hands hang limp. The
Lord is with you. He is mighty to save. He
takes great delight in you, He will quiet you
with His love, He will rejoice over you with
singing.
God continues - The sorrows, burdens and
reproaches of institutional Christianity I will
remove from you. I will deal with all who
oppressed you. I will rescue the lame, gather
the scattered, and give them praise and honour
in every place you were put to shame.
I will gather you, -- bring you home and "give
your honour and praise among all the peoples of
the earth when I restore your fortunes before
your very eyes".
(Ch 3)
HERE ARE SOME MAIN POINTS FROM ZEPHANIAH:
1. There's no way God will indefinitely put
up with forms of "Christian" religion that
dishonour Him.
2. Therefore those "Christians" responsible
should "wake up," turn back to God and do things
HIS way - otherwise the fierce anger of the Lord
will destroy them.
3. And only "fair dinkum" Christians will be
left - "the meek and humble who trust in the name
of the Lord." It will be a time for gladness and
joy. They will know the Lord is with them. Then
God and his people will get the honour and praise
they deserve around the world.
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