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The Knowledge of the Son of God |
Dear Brethren,
Each week there is the expectation that the
"Countdown" will encourage all of us as we come into the Sabbath.
In addition to prayer requests, news, announcements, and bits of
world news that fit into the mosaic of end-time prophecy, we wish to
help foster the brotherly concern for one another that is absolutely
required of us as Christians. We recognize that all too often,
genuine care for the brethren, within the Church of God, has not
been taught and practiced as much as it is in the gospel record.
"Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one
another... If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love
is perfected in us."(1John 4:11-12)
Perhaps God is giving the Body of Christ additional time to grow
up spiritually in an area in which we have come short. Sure,
we know doctrine, we know prophecy, we keep the Sabbath, etc.,
but there is much more. Paul tells us that we still have a lot
of growing to do. "Till we all come in the unity of the
faith, and ofthe knowledge of the Son of God,
unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the
fullness of Christ." (Ephesians 4:13)
In this selfish
world, we often witness the "every man for himself" attitude
that permeates society. We should certainly understand the
extent to which Jesus Christ demonstrated His love for us in
giving His life - but to what extent have we followed His
example in demonstrating our loving concern for each other?
"For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered
for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his
steps."(1Peter 2:21)
End-time prophecy speaks of famine, drought, wars, and
curses. We address some of these issues to show that the time
of our Lord is at hand. Acknowledging that time is short,
let's be motivated to real Christian action. We are told to
watch, and be ready: "Watch therefore: for you know not what
hour your Lord doth come. "(Matthew 24:42)
Terrorists attacks against the U.S., a new constitution for a
united Europe, a run-away economy - what will be the straw that
breaks the camel's back? While these things may be involved
in events leading up to the end, no single factor will bring the
world to an end. Why? Because, it will not be the failure of
one single system that will bring about the ultimate destruction
of the end time. If that were the case, people would be able to
say, "If only such and such... none of this would have happened,
and Jesus Christ would not have had to return." No, brethren,
there is going to be total failure of all
worldly systems at the same time! All men, including
the Israelitish nations, will realize the utter hopelessness
of this world's God-less ways.
"Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see
Him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the
earth shall wail because of Him." (Revelation 1:7)
"These bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they
say, Our bones are dried, andour hope is lost:..
And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your
graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves."
(Ezekiel 37:11,13)
Men will finally realize how futile all existence is without
Jesus Christ. There will be no second guessing the need for the
Kingdom of God because history will have recorded that the
result of mankind's best efforts - was always ruin, failure, and
destruction.
We need to realize that the root cause of the demise of our
society is the lack of Godly character. Communities of
supportive neighbors are quickly becoming a thing of the past.
The degeneration of the English-speaking peoples in areas such
as morality, education, and spiritual values has already started
the ball rolling downhill. This ever-growing trend will
eventually result in a people ripe for destruction. Then, as
Europe strengthens and becomes a great power - religiously,
militarily and economically - they will find that the weakened
Israelitish people have made themselves an easy prey. The
European Beast power will simply inflict the “coup de grace” or
deathblow - bringing to an end our mortally wounded Godless
society. The decline within America and the other Israelitish
countries is the real cause of the coming destruction of our
society.
"Thus says the Lord of hosts, Execute true judgment, and
show mercy and compassions every man to his brother: And oppress
not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor;
and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your
heart." (Zechariah 7:9-10)
Look at the obvious signs of
how our society is weakening from within: Anything and
everything passes for "spirituality" in the area of
religion. Astrology and witchcraft are acceptable and "God" is
not. Occultism and mysticism are applauded while the ten
commandments are looked down upon with contempt. One parent
homes are the norm, and same sex "unions" are politically
correct. "Fatherless" births are increasing. Entertainment
is mindless television, virtue-less movies and the playing of
video games destitute of redeeming values. The gambling
industry is growing, and the war against drugs is almost
forgotten. Greedy agricultural practices and the medical
profession’s overuse of antibiotics are setting us up for the
prophesied pestilence and disease epidemics of “Biblical”
proportions.
In Hosea 13:1-3, God prophesied of Ephraim, as a type of all
Israelitish nations, that these pervasive and ungodly
trends will finally result in a people that has made itself to
be without substance. "And now they sin more and more...
according to their own understanding... Therefore they shall be
as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passes away."
We need to recognize these, and other end-time signs, for
what they are - a warning to us, brethren, to be lively
Christians in a dying world.
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Sermon: |
"The Knowledge of the Son of God" |
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