Effie Darlene Barba

Life with all its uncertainties marches on before us, until it is no more.  Perhaps we do not think much about it.  Yet, all around us there are wars.  Spiritual wars and those created by humans.  Wars within our borders and outside.  You might say, not here in the USA.  But are there not?  When the FBI shows up with guns drawn on a father and his 11 children because he sang Christian songs at an abortion center or blocks of cities burn in the name of protest.  Am I to respond with anger or fear?  Jesus Christ as my Savior.  Therefore, knowing Jesus could return today, why does my life look the same as everyone else at times?  Why should I get angry when a car cuts me off?  Should I not be a little more patient with the grandkids? 

More importantly, who do I know or pass each day that does not know Jesus?  Did I reach out to them with love today?  Regardless of their response, what should mine be.

Knowing Jesus Transforms Me

Jesus after his resurrection spoke to Peter.  He told Peter that he too would be crucified.  Jesus told the apostles He would return.   At that Peter first asked about the others.  Would they be present when Christ returns?  But Jesus responded with, “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.  (John 21:22 KJV) Previously Jesus spoke, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you ^[a]will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.  What things had He spoken?  He had just completed telling them that He was the Vine and they the branches.  His joy and love would perfect them in Him.  Without Him, I can do nothing.  But with Him I see the world through eyes of love, not hate and fear. 

Peter then with the power of the Spirit, no longer ran in fear and dismay.  Instead, he wrote instructions on how we are to live Knowing Jesus could return today.  Despite being beaten, jailed and persecuted, Peter marched on proclaiming the name of Jesus in word and humble servanthood.  Bold to speak the word.  Meek in our response to persecution. 

1 Peter 2:

1 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, ² as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious

Point #1: Desire the milk of the word—It is the nourishment our hearts need.  Also it is our only offensive weapon.  We are to stand firm on its truth.  Preaching and proclaiming it as God’s unerring word of Truth.

Why Knowing Jesus brings life and Hope?

⁴ Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, ⁵ you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ⁶ Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture,

“Behold, I lay in Zion
A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,
And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”

⁷ Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who ^[b]are disobedient,

“The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone,”

⁸ and

“A stone of stumbling
And a rock of offense.”

They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.

⁹ But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; ¹⁰ who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

        Point #2    Knowing Jesus—is He precious to you?  More precious than any treasure?

How are we to Act Then when trials come?

¹¹ Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, ¹² having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

¹³ Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, ¹⁴ or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. ¹⁵ For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— ¹⁶ as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. ¹⁷ Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

¹⁸ Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. ¹⁹ For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. ²⁰ For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.

Knowing Jesus, we follow His example

²¹ For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

²² “Who committed no sin,
Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;

²³ who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; ²⁴ who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. ²⁵ For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

So, are we to remain silent? 

No, Knowing Jesus, we speak boldly of His being the only hope of Salvation.  Without Him, we are nothing.  But in Him, we have everything.  Knowing Jesus, the most unloving thing we can do is to keep silent and allow others to die in their sin and ignorance.  But we are to do so without malice and without anger.  We must speak boldly shining light into darkness and trust God to complete His work in us and through us to the world.

  ¹² For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.   (Hebrews 4 NKJV)

Therefore, Knowing Jesus Could Return today, I must begin each day in His word and then go forth boldly to speak truth into the darkness, never worrying about the consequences to myself.  God will provide me with the strength, the hope and the joy needed to praise Him through whatever may come my way. 

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

PREVIOUS

Where Do We Find Hope Peace and Joy in A World of Chaos?

DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Photo licensed through Goodsalt.com

If we listen to the news, we are certain to feel the weight of all that is going on in the world.  Whether it is the media seeking ratings by hyperbolic speech or whether the world is plunging forward toward World War III, we cannot help but notice the chaos.  Fear enters our hearts as we realize that we must at this point be hearing the warning signs that God is pleading with us to turn around and seek Him.  Because only in Him can we find hope peace and joy in a nation of chaos.  Yet, hope peace and joy are not what we see in the world around us today.  In the world there is chaos, fear, famine, and winter is coming.    

Many countries and people facing a cold winter with no fuel to heat their homes.  Some in Europe are asked to reduce their bathing and baking.  Companies are forced to reduce their employees and their hours of work.  Meanwhile, I noted today that the shelves in Walmart were many of them stripped bare.  Meat not available on many shelves.  And we wonder.  Is it too late?  Or has God forsaken us all!  Absolutely Not!  God throughout the ages has pursued each of us with His relentless love.  But He will not force anyone.  Is there time for one last revival before He declares the end of this the church age?

A Review of History—Hope Peace and Joy amid Worldwide Chaos

 If we look through history, God sent His prophets warning Israel from 931 BC until 722 BC before their captivity.  This was in spite of so many refused to listen.  Instead, they followed after sin.   And for Judah, He persisted in pursuing them with miracles, admonitions, warnings, famines, and every attempt to get their attention from 931 BC until 586 BC.  Nineveh one of the most evil gentile cities, he proclaimed their destruction would come.  Yet, they repented and followed Him.  Therefore, they lived another 150 years until the latter generations rejected Him before He sent their destruction. 

God never forgot His people, keeping promise to them.  From the time Adam sinned, God promised a Savior.  When all had turned their back on God, one family was preserved to carry forward God’s plan of redemption.  That was Noah.  Not because He was perfect; but He believed God.  That faith was counted to him for righteousness.  God chose Abraham to carry forward the promise of a Savior.  Then throughout the ages, God remained faithful, protecting the remnant of believers, while also reaching out to the whole world.  And now, can we see the warnings all around us?

A World of Chaos of Our Own Making

 Romans 1:^16 (NKJV) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. ¹⁷ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness

¹⁸ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, ¹⁹ because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, ²¹ because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²² Professing to be wise, they became fools, ²³ and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like ^[h]corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

We watched throughout the ages; humanity chose to worship all forms of idols instead of God.  With great patience and enduring love, He has presented Himself to the world relentlessly.   But alas often to little avail.  Yet, in His wisdom, He knew that one cannot love were by choice.  Each of us are given that choice to believe Him, bow down to Him as Lord, or not.  When we do, we are given love, hope, peace, and joy abounding for eternity.  So, why do so many say no?

How Do We Know A Society Is Falling Under Judgement?

Well, as we noted above, they seek after many other gods.  Money, pleasure, selfish desires, the earth, the sun, the moon, idols made by hand, and the list goes on.  As the word says, “God gave them up to” means He stepped back and allowed them to pursue the desires they requested to without interfering.  So let us continue in Romans 1 to follow this plan. 

²⁴ Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, ²⁵ who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

²⁶ For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. ²⁷ Likewise also the ^[j]men, leaving the natural use of the ^[k]woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

²⁸ And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; ²⁹ being filled with all unrighteousness, ^[sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, ³⁰ backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, ^31 ]undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, ^]unforgiving, unmerciful; ³² who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Resulting in What? Hope Peace and Joy? No!

Thus, the thrust toward humanistic philosophies believing humanity can rise to a better society on their own has now step by step led us to division, confusion, and despair.  As Ben Harnwell refers to them, our psychopathic overlords still push for a globalization agenda that is pushing us farther and farther into ultimate destruction.  Famine, wars, pandemics, and the complete destruction of enterprise.  “you will own nothing and be happy” is their motto.  For their plan to work there needs to be a smaller population—hence famines, pandemics, chemical castration of the children, abortions, fentanyl deaths, and creation of a violent criminal society all work together to eliminate whom they deem “unworthy”.  Meanwhile they are protected, fly about in their jets, and scam money from every side.  Ah, well I digress.  So, what now?

For all who know Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we see everything playing out just as God foretold both in Old Testament Prophecy, New Testament Prophecy, and Revelations.  God is still on His throne in Heaven.  We may feel like Exiles in Foreign Habitancies; however, we have hope peace and Joy in Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 10 (NKJV)

⁹ Therefore, brethren, having boldness^[f] to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, ²¹ and having a High Priest over the house of God, ²² let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, ²⁵ not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10 (NKJV)

Jesus speaking of the end Times:  Matthew 24 (NKJV)

³ Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

⁴ And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. ⁵ For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. ⁶ And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for ^[a]all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. ⁷ For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, ^[b]pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. ⁸ All these are the beginning of sorrows.

⁹ “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. ¹⁰ And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. ¹¹ Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. ¹² And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. ¹³ But he who endures to the end shall be saved. ¹⁴ And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS: We Have Hope peace and joy in Christ Jesus our Lord

As I watch the world around me, I mourn for all those who are lost.  I long for His return; but, if He tarry it is His awaiting one more soul to accept Him.  Things may get a lot worse.  Yet, I have seen a rising up around the world of those who are standing up for God, Family, and Virtue.  Will it be enough for one more revival?  We shall see.  Meanwhile, I live with hope, peace, and joy in Him.  Jesus Christ, my Lord, and Savior holds me in the palm of His hand.  Whatever may come, I rest all my hope in Him.  He has loved me with an unrelenting love. And I know I can trust Him whatever comes my way. 

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

PREVIOUS

Where is Our Hope When the World Seems So Dark?

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 (NKJV)

When the World Seems So Dark

In the Dark of the Night
My heart filled with fright
Our one hope of light
Is Jesus


In a World filled with Lies
With Evil’s disguise
Truth is our prize
In Jesus


When you feel all alone
When Sadness has grown
Bow to the Throne
Of Jesus

For He is the light, the truth, and the way
The One who has died to save you today
Not only died, but rose from the grave
He has the power, the power to save

He is our  Hope when all hope is gone
From the darkest of night, He brings a new dawn
Look to Jesus, our Savior, the King of all Kings
	                                        All honor and Glory, for His joy He brings

So let us all rise His Praise to impart
For His Love we know will never depart
When the world seems so dark, we can’t see our way
His is the light to guide us each day

PREVIOUS

Where is our Hope and Joy? It is in Jesus Christ Our Lord.

The Lord Roars!  Let Righteousness Pour Down Like a Mighty River.  Then?

DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Photo licensed through Goodsalt.com

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 (NKJV)

When the World Seems So Dark

In the Dark of the Night
My heart filled with fright
Our one hope of light
Is Jesus


In a World filled with Lies
With Evil’s disguise
Truth is our prize
In Jesus


When you feel all alone
When Sadness has grown
Bow to the Throne
Of Jesus

For He is the light, the truth, and the way
The One who has died to save you today
Not only died, but rose from the grave
He has the power, the power to save

He is our  Hope when all hope is gone
From the darkest of night, He brings a new dawn
Look to Jesus, our Savior, the King of all Kings
	                                        All honor and Glory, for His joy He brings

So let us all rise His Praise to impart
For His Love we know will never depart
When the world seems so dark, we can’t see our way
His is the light to guide us each day

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

PREVIOUS

Where is our Hope and Joy? It is in Jesus Christ Our Lord.

The Lord Roars!  Let Righteousness Pour Down Like a Mighty River.  Then?

DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Photo licensed through Goodsalt.com

         In a world surrounded by pain, sorrow, confusion, chaos, and evil where is our hope and joy?  It is in Jesus Christ Our Lord through the power of the Holy Spirit!  We can trust and rest in “thus saith the Lord Your God’.  This was the message of all the prophets as they pleaded with the people of God.  Everything will be to His Glory, and He will accomplish all that He has planned.  Amos was speaking to the nation of Israel, but his prophecies in the last chapter was directed to our future as well.  So let us look at Amos and realize the hope and joy we are promised as well. For Amos did speak of the promises to all people.  But let us first also review chapters 7 and 8.  That along with a verse from Daniel will help us to understand what we are currently facing.   

Why We Grieve and Pray:  Amos 7

Vision of the Locusts

7 Thus the Lord God showed me: Behold, He formed locust swarms at the ^[a]beginning of the late crop; indeed it was the late crop after the king’s mowings. ² And so it was, when they had finished eating the grass of the land, that I said:

“O Lord God, forgive, I pray!
Oh,^[b] that Jacob may stand,
For he is small!”
³ So the Lord relented concerning this.
“It shall not be,” said the Lord.

Vision of the Fire

⁴ Thus the Lord God showed me: Behold, the Lord God called ^[c]for conflict by fire, and it consumed the great deep and devoured the ^[d]territory. ⁵ Then I said:

“O Lord God, cease, I pray!
Oh, that Jacob may stand,
For he is small!”
⁶ So the Lord relented concerning this.
“This also shall not be,” said the Lord God.

Note that both visions were of intense suffering that would come to all the people. When Amos prayed, we are told that the Lord relented.  Does that altar His Sovereignty?  No! It does demonstrate His desire for us to care about the suffering of all those around us and His desire for us to intervene with prayer.  We are called to pray for our nation and grieve for their lack of worship.  This is like when Abraham prayed for Sodom and Gomorrah, or Moses intervened for the people.  Our prayers are powerful; but as we shall see this does not change God’s overarching plan.

God Explains Himself

Vision of the Plumb Line

⁷ Thus He showed me: Behold, the Lord stood on a wall made with a plumb line, with a plumb line in His hand. ⁸ And the Lord said to me, “Amos, what do you see?”

And I said, “A plumb line.”

Then the Lord said:

“Behold, I am setting a plumb line
In the midst of My people Israel;
I will not pass by them anymore.
⁹ The ^[e]high places of Isaac shall be desolate,
And the ^[f]sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste.
I will rise with the sword against the house of Jeroboam.”

Amos 7:7-9 (NKJV)

In this vision, God explains that the people are so far from meeting the standard of righteousness.  The plumb line was to measure the straightness of a wall, but they were far from being straight in their lives.  They strayed so far from true worship of God, there was no way to hold tight.  God was the one who gave them these moments of prosperity and yet, they did not listen.  He had sent messengers and these messengers were ignored. 

And then, the priests of the area tell Amos to leave and be silenced.

Before Hope and Joy Can Reign- Cleansing must come

8 Thus the Lord God showed me: Behold, a basket of summer fruit. ² And He said, “Amos, what do you see?”

So I said, “A basket of summer fruit.”

Then the Lord said to me:

“The end has come upon My people Israel;
I will not pass by them anymore.
³ And the songs of the temple
Shall be wailing in that day,”
Says the Lord God—
“Many dead bodies everywhere,
They shall be thrown out in silence.” 

Hear this, you who ^[a]swallow up the needy,
And make the poor of the land fail, Amos 8:1-4

With great patience, God had cried out to His people, but to no avail.  They believed He owed them everything because of who they are.  Is that not what we see surrounding us every day?  Or consider this!  Is that not what we think as well?  We question God with every trial that comes, never considering how much He has given and how little we have thought of Him. 

So, God declares it is over for the northern tribe of Israel.  He will destroy them that He might save the remnant and send Jesus through them 

Where Grief Turns to Hope and Joy

Daniel Prayed to intercede for His people.  He knew it was time they should be returning to Jerusalem after the long exile. 

20 While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to the Lord my God for his holy hill— 21 while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. 22 He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding. 23 As soon as you began to pray, a word went out, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the word and understand the vision: 24 “Seventy ‘sevens’[c] are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish[d] transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place.[e] 25 “Know and understand this: From the time the word goes out to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One,[f] the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble. 26 After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing.[g] The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. 27 He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’[h] In the middle of the ‘seven’[i] he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple[j] he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him Daniel 9 (NIV)

Where We Stand Today–Our Reason for Hope and Joy

We are the gap that lies between the 69 weeks and the 70^th week.  At the exact end of 69 weeks, Jesus entered Jerusalem to die.  He ushered us into the current age of the church.   The final week is set up for the final cleansing of the Jewish nation.  After the first horseman of the apocalypse present themselves, 144,000 Jews accept Jesus Christ as Savior. These messianic Jews are sealed to be witnesses (missionaries) to both Jew and Gentiles during the tribulation.  So, at the end of this comes the events of Amos 9, as Jesus comes to cleanse the earth of all the evil.  No one will be able to Hide from His righteous judgement. 

 AMOS 9:  Judgment Comes

9 I saw the Lord standing by the altar, and He said:

“Strike the ^[a]doorposts, that the thresholds may shake,
And break them on the heads of them all.
I will slay the last of them with the sword.
He who flees from them shall not get away,
And he who escapes from them shall not be delivered.

² “Though they dig into ^[b]hell,
From there My hand shall take them;
Though they climb up to heaven,
From there I will bring them down;
³ And though they hide themselves on top of Carmel,
From there I will search and take them;
Though they hide from My sight at the bottom of the sea,
From there I will command the serpent, and it shall bite them;
⁴ Though they go into captivity before their enemies,
From there I will command the sword,
And it shall slay them.
I will set My eyes on them for harm and not for good.”

⁵ The Lord God of hosts,
He who touches the earth and it melts,
And all who dwell there mourn;
All of it shall swell like ^[c]the River,
And subside like the River of Egypt.
⁶ He who builds His layers^[d] in the sky,
And has founded His strata in the earth;
Who calls for the waters of the sea,
And pours them out on the face of the earth—
The Lord is His name.  Amos 9 (NKJV)

This is the fulfillment of the 70th week 

⁸“Behold, the eyes of the Lord God are on the sinful kingdom,
And I will destroy it from the face of the earth;
Yet I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob,”
Says the Lord.

⁹ “For surely I will command,
And will ^[g]sift the house of Israel among all nations,
As grain is sifted in a sieve;
Yet not the smallest ^[h]grain shall fall to the ground.
¹⁰ All the sinners of My people shall die by the sword,
Who say, ‘The calamity shall not overtake nor confront us.’

Hope and Joy Reign

Then begins the millennial reign of Christ where all has been established.  God promised Abraham that he would

¹¹ “On that day I will raise up
The ^[i]tabernacle of David, which has fallen down,
And ^[j]repair its damages;
I will raise up its ruins,
And rebuild it as in the days of old;
¹² That they may possess the remnant of Edom,^[k]
And all the Gentiles who are called by My name,”
Says the Lord who does this thing.

¹³ “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord,
“When the plowman shall overtake the reaper,
And the treader of grapes him who sows seed;
The mountains shall drip with sweet wine,
And all the hills shall flow with it.
¹⁴ I will bring back the captives of My people Israel;
They shall build the waste cities and inhabit them; Plant vineyards and drink wine from them;
They shall also make gardens and eat fruit from them.
¹⁵ I will plant them in their land,
And no longer shall they be pulled up
From the land I have given them,”
Says the Lord your God.

In this God fulfills His promise of Hope and Joy to Abraham

12 Now the Lord had said to Abram:

“Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.
² I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
³ I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 12 (NKJV)

Therefore, where is our hope and joy?  God has accomplished each part of the promise and we are a part of this.  This is just a moment in time.  We are like Daniel, an exile in a world that is not our home.  So, let us live as Children of the High God full of hope and joy through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed ⁹ and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy….“The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in Him the Gentiles will hope.”  ¹³ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15: 8,12-13 (NIV)

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

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The Lord Roars!  Let Righteousness Pour Down Like a Mighty River.  Then?

DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New English Translation (NET)

NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Photo licensed through Goodsalt.com

Amos was a shepherd from Tekoa a city about 10 miles south of Jerusalem, 6 miles southeast of Bethlehem.   The valleys between covered with olive trees and pastures.  Yet, it was from there that Amos was called to go as a prophet to the Northern Tribes of Israel, despite being from the regions habited by the Southern tribes of Judah.  The “Lord roars from Zion and utters His voice from Jerusalem.  The pastures of the shepherds mourn.  And the top of Mount Carmel withers.”  Watch this closely.  Shepherds, lowliest of the people mourn, while the elites party on.  Mount Carmel shone forth God’s glory through Elijah.  Baal prophets proven heretics there; but now this mount will wither away.  Truth and Glory cast aside by the people. Their pretense of worship in vain.  They did not love or serve God.  Therefore, justice and righteousness must pour down like a mighty river. 

What else can God do with such a people as these?  Despite all the miracles, all the prophets sent, and patience provided by God through mercy after mercy given; the people rejected Him by every action they did.  Oh, some spoke the words.  But they did not love God, worship God, nor care about His commandments.  They made up rules of their own.  The elites lived lavish lives, professing God blessed them because they were His chosen.  Meanwhile, they were cruel task masters over the poor and needy.  There was no chance they would tell any others about God’s saving grace.  Their pride consumed them.  Worship is something they did on their own terms without any concern as to “Thus sayeth the Lord.”  Sounds familiar does it not?  After all look at Martha’s Vineyard this week?  Or churches who care more about numbers than truth.  No compromise too great!

The Lord Roars- Then and Now

        So, let us look in Amos 2 and note many of the similarities and just how disgusting this was toward God.

⁶ Thus says the Lord:

“For three transgressions of Israel,
    and for four, I will not revoke the punishment,
because they sell the righteous for silver,
    and the needy for a pair of sandals—

 How quickly have our politicians, our leaders, and even those in our churches cast aside righteousness.  So, easily we allowed them to take God out of our schools, our entertainment, our government, our theme parks, and even our stores.  Were we not sold out for silver?  And the poor entrapped into their poverty, so some could march to power. 

⁷ those who trample the head of the poor into the dust of the earth
    and turn aside the way of the afflicted. (ESV)

Anyone who looks at the humanitarian crisis at our Southern border see this happening.  The poor people, believing themselves to have a chance for a better life come to the border.  Promised a dream they are being exploited, raped, sold into slavery to the cartels, and children trafficked as sex slaves.  This is not a humane effort in any way shape or form. 

A man and his father go to the same girl;
in this way they show disrespect for my moral purity.(NET)

Sexual perversion runs rampant throughout our country as well. 

⁸ They stretch out on clothing seized as collateral.
(and) do so right beside every altar!
They drink wine bought with the fines they have levied.
(Furthermore) they do so right in the temple of their God!  (NET).

        Sin ran rampant within the walls of God’s temple.  They had no shame whatsoever pretending to be “righteous” with no conscience as to what they are doing. 

After All He Did—The Lord Roars

⁹ For Israel’s sake I destroyed the Amorites.^[ai]
They were as tall as cedars^[aj]
and as strong as oaks,
but I destroyed the fruit on their branches^[ak]
and their roots in the ground.^[al]
10 I brought you up from the land of Egypt;
I led you through the wilderness for forty years
so you could take the Amorites’ land as your own. (NET)

Have we not been blessed as a nation?  What an amazing constitution we were given by our founding fathers!  That took the providential hand of God to have done that.  They were not perfect men, but they prayed, and God answered.  Think of all the years we have been blessed as a nation through some very rough times and yet through many revivals bringing us back to God. 

¹¹ And I raised up some of your sons for prophets,
    and some of your young men for Nazirites.
    Is it not indeed so, O people of Israel?”
declares the Lord.

¹² “But you made the Nazirites drink wine,
    and commanded the prophets,
    saying, ‘You shall not prophesy.’ (NET)

How corrupted have become our churches?  Many do not even allow the cross on their steeple nor their pulpits. 

And for All This:  The Lord Roars

¹³ “Behold, I will press you down in your place,
    as a cart full of sheaves presses down.
¹⁴ Flight shall perish from the swift,
    and the strong shall not retain his strength,
    nor shall the mighty save his life;
¹⁵ he who handles the bow shall not stand,
    and he who is swift of foot shall not save himself,
    nor shall he who rides the horse save his life;
¹⁶ and he who is stout of heart among the mighty
    shall flee away naked in that day,”
declares the Lord.  (NET)

Judgement will come and it will come swiftly.  This is certain. 

The Lord God has sworn by his holiness
    that, behold, the days are coming upon you,
when they shall take you away with hooks,
    even the last of you with fishhooks.  Amos 4:2 (ESV)

“I overthrew some of you,
    as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah,
    and you were as a brand^[b] plucked out of the burning;
yet you did not return to me,”
declares the Lord.

¹² “Therefore thus I will do to you, O Israel;
    because I will do this to you,
    prepare to meet your God, O Israel!”

¹³ For behold, he who forms the mountains and creates the wind,
    and declares to man what is his thought,
who makes the morning darkness,
    and treads on the heights of the earth—
    the Lord, the God of hosts, is his name!

Have you Forgotten ?

Who formed the world and holds it together in the palm of His Hand!  He is who you choose to spit in His face.  Oh, awaken and remember the Great I AM. He is calling you into His presence. Will you go?

He who made the Pleiades and Orion,
    and turns deep darkness into the morning
    and darkens the day into night,
who calls for the waters of the sea
    and pours them out on the surface of the earth,
the Lord is his name;
⁹ who makes destruction flash forth against the strong,
    so that destruction comes upon the fortress. (Amos 5:8-9)

What about your phony, self-righteous worship?  The Lord Roars:

“I hate, I despise your feasts,
    and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
²² Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings,
    I will not accept them;
and the peace offerings of your fattened animals,
    I will not look upon them.
²³ Take away from me the noise of your songs;
    to the melody of your harps I will not listen.
²⁴ But let justice roll down like waters,
    and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.  (Amos 5:21-24)

On September 12,

a new executive order was signed by President Joe Biden.  This is paragraph 3 of that executive order.

“For biotechnology and biomanufacturing to help us achieve our societal goals, the United States needs to invest in foundational scientific capabilities.  We need to develop genetic engineering technologies and techniques to be able to write circuitry for cells and predictably program biology in the same way in which we write software and program computers; unlock the power of biological data, including through computing tools and artificial intelligence; and advance the science of scale‑up production while reducing the obstacles for commercialization so that innovative technologies and products can reach markets faster.”[1]

When humans rise up to be gods, we know the Lord Roars!  Therefore, whatever may come, Let Righteousness Pour Down Like a Mighty River.  

Instead, let us Seek the Lord

Even now, with all that is going on.  Let each of us seek good, seek God that the remnant will be saved. 

Seek good, and not evil,
    that you may live;
and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you,
    as you have said.
¹⁵ Hate evil, and love good,
    and establish justice in the gate;
it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts,
    will be gracious to the remnant  

Afterall, near Amos’s home 762 years later, Jesus was born inside the Migdal Eger (the tower of the flock) as prophesized by Micah.

And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.”
Micah 4:8 

It was the shepherds first told of His birth.  Afterall, they knew exactly where to look—the manger where the sacrificial lambs were born and wrapped in swaddling clothing.  The shepherds knew and believed what the priests refused to accept—Jesus Christ came to be the sacrificial lamb for all of us. 

The lion of Judah roars, while the lamb dies to pay the penalty for our sins. 

What a wondrous King we have. 

5 And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. ² Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” ³ And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.

⁴ So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open ^[a]and read the scroll, or to look at it. ⁵ But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and ^[b]to loose its seven seals.”

⁶ And I looked, ^[c]and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. ⁷ Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.

Worthy Is the Lamb

⁸ Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. ⁹ And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
¹⁰ And have made ^[d]us kings^[e] and priests to our God;
And ^[f]we shall reign on the earth.”

¹¹ Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, ¹² saying with a loud voice:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

¹³ And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:

“Blessing and honor and glory and power
Be to Him who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and ^[g]ever!”  Revelation 5 (NKJV)

Concluding Thoughts:

God weeps as He looks down on humanity. He so desires they would choose Him to be wrapped with Joy and Love. But the Lord Roars for justice. He knows without justice and righteousness, there is no peace. Also, without choice there is no love. He will not force anyone to come to Him. Patiently, He reveals Himself in the heavens and even in the gifts of love we feel in our hearts. As C.S.Lewis once pointed out, there are the fleeting moments of such exquisite joy that we know there must be something else more beautiful than we can imagine.

There most definitely is something more. I, too have felt it, long for its fullness, and would walk through fire for just one touch of His magnificent Grace. How I wish I could tell you fully of His loving kindness. Or tell you of how He has held me in the night while singing a soft gently lullaby over my trembling soul. He is real. I often said this following song by Kim Walker Smith represents the life song of my heart.

---

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

PREVIOUS

Every Heart Must Prepare to Meet the Lord God Almighty! Why? How?

DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New English Translation (NET)

NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Photo licensed through Goodsalt.com

[1] https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2022/09/12/executive-order-on-advancing-biotechnology-and-biomanufacturing-innovation-for-a-sustainable-safe-and-secure-american-bioeconomy/