Watchman, Sound the Warning
So you, O son of man, I have set you as a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear the word at My mouth, and warn them from Me.
When I say to the wicked, O wicked man, you shall surely die; if you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity (sin); but his blood will I require at your hand. [Ezek 33:7, 8]
The Lord goes on to say in His Word that if the watchman warns the wicked, but he chooses not to listen or turn from his sins, he will die in his sin, but the watchman will have delivered his soul.
Yet, what is the heart of the Creator? What is His desire?
Say to them, As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn, turn from your evil ways; for why will you die, O house of Israel? [vs 11] (emphasis mine)
The Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever. In this particular situation, the Lord was speaking to Israel through His prophet Ezekiel. Nevertheless, the Lord is consistent and steadfast. The Creator does not delight in the death of sinners; He would prefer they change their heart (mind), and turn away from their iniquities.
Speaking through the apostle Peter, Jesus made it clear what the will of God Almighty is. People, even today, think that the Lord tarries (is too slow) in His returning, but in reality, He is patient. Something that most of us lack and must practice often - patience. Not an easy call!
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise (to return), as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering (patient), not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. [2Pet 3:9]
No matter what one has done, including witchcraft or sorcery (occult), Jesus willingly shed His precious blood to pave the way to be forgiven of sins, and reconciled back to the [heavenly] Father.
Christ is the ONLY way back. Yeshua (Jesus) is ready and willing to forgive if one repents and changes their mind, forsaking their sin. If you confess Jesus is Lord, and believe He was resurrected from the dead, you will be saved. [Rom 10:9-11]
The only sin that is unforgiveable is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.
Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. [Mat 12:31]
This last section of the series is a watchman's warning about witchcraft and the necessity to cleave to God through Yeshua (Jesus), and overcome the enemy and his legions.
However, the strong undercurrent is the hope that the sinner changes his/her mind and heart, repents, and submits wholly to the Saviour and Redeemer, Jesus.
Spiritual
Warfare and Witchcraft
Back in early October, when it was mentioned that the Lord had impressed upon me to alert people with a stern warning regarding ‘witchcraft/sorcery’, I made mention of something else that may need to be done, along with spiritual warfare, IF one was personally instructed by Yeshua/Jesus, through the Holy Spirit [and/or the written Word].
Late
September, early October, many, but not all, covens or individuals globally begin
early on with rituals, sacrifices, spells, etc. in preparation for one of their
highest regarded religious celebrations, Halloween/Samhain. To others, it is more
of a tradition, a ritualistic ceremony, and still to others, it is a
non-religious festival. Other pagan holidays celebrated these days may also
invoke earlier preparation by occult practitioners than in bygone days.
Undoubtedly,
no one needs me to announce that times have drastically changed. We are in a
time like no other that we know of. Violence, murder, chaos, corruption,
deception, rejection of God and Jesus, and an exaltation of evil – certainly none
of that is new, as history records crusades, genocides, and other horrific acts
of sin and wickedness.
What does
differ is the volume (global, nearly every country) and intensity (almost
daily, the majority of scenarios extreme). Throw in the increased
number of mankind (billions), the acceptance of things once
considered abnormal and perverse, the celebrating of evil as good, and good as
evil (a gross flip).
What is new
is the introduction and the acceleration of AI [Artificial Intelligence]
and various technologies (including digital [holograms, 3D printing
[even of food such as meat], teleporting] et al), all moving forward at
an immeasurable and exponential growth rate (soon to be beyond mankind’s
control, if it is not already), and we find ourselves in unknown,
foreboding times.
Those who
know their Creator do understand the times we are in, and cleave to Him
steadfastly, for the Bible has made it clear, and the Holy Spirit warns and
guides us of our desperate need for God. Jesus/Yeshua was succinct in
describing these days, yet thorough enough for us to recognize that time when
we see it, if we discern and not go into denial.
We must not shut our eyes to the reality of the time out of fear and unbelief. We do not have to like it, but we do have to accept that which is written, for the logos Word of God will ‘not’ be changed. Yet, when we ‘trust’ our God, we will not walk in perpetual, unhealthy fear, nor will we fall into the quicksand of unbelief or apostasy.
Open
communication and honesty with the Lord are crucial, as it is (or should be)
in any close and genuine relationship. Obedience is not a heavy weight. It
flows freely from the heart saturated in humility and full of love for God
through the Messiah.
If one has
been familiar with my writings over the years [decades], they know that
writing about witchcraft, sorcery, the occult is not something that has
consumed me. However, on the other hand, it is not something I avoid simply
because it is not a popular topic.
The enemy
is not exalted, but he is not ignored either. Our Creator does not avoid the
matter, but alerts us to an enemy,
his legions of demons, and spiritual warfare – a harsh reality. God provides
all we need to be equipped for battle, such as armour and weapons (see
Ephesians 6, 1 Peter 5:8, 9, John 10:10 for examples).
Yeshua (Jesus)
exposed darkness and the evil hidden within it. He did not sidestep it. He warned
us that we would have trouble in this world, but He comforts us with the
reminder that He has overcome the world. [Jn 16:33] We are advised that our
weapons are not of the flesh (not carnal), and therefore spiritual.
Certain
prophets and apostles spoke of the adversary, but also about a Messiah, sent by
Almighty God. The book of Revelation clears up more of the mystery of the
adversary and how it will end, but keep in mind that God was quick to warn
mankind right from the beginning, in the Garden of Eden [Genesis].
There are
multitudes of pastors and teachers in the church who mostly avoid the topic, as
if it were wrong to discuss spiritual warfare, the devil and demons, and
witchcraft/sorcery. But God would not have us ignorant or in denial in days as
dark and evil as these days now.
He made us
aware of these things through His written Word by the prophets and the
apostles, as well as through miraculous things that Jesus/Yeshua accomplished
when He walked amongst us, such as deliverance from demons.
I am
convinced that the purpose or reason that I was so led to end the series on
warfare and the increase of witchcraft/sorcery/occult these days is due to the
closeness of the appearance of the Lawless one (the Antichrist of all
antichrists) and the beast system that God allows Satan to temporarily
bring in.
None of us
want to hear about the evil that will flood the world for a season as the
devil’s wrath comes to fruition. However, God warned us about His judgment. We
know it begins in His own house (the church, the house of God). There will be those who confuse the devil's wrath with God's.
Here is a hint. Satan cannot roll the skies up like a scroll, or remove mountains and islands. [Rev 6:14] Neither can the devil cause the stars to fall like figs from a tree. [Rev v 13] Even the purpose of the great tribulation is so people finally realize their need for God. Hopefully, they run TO Jesus/Yeshua, and not FROM.
This should
prove the love of Christ Jesus (not that He has to prove anything). The
reasoning is not for sensationalism or fearmongering, but for a positive purpose,
which is to prepare people for that which is already evident before our eyes
(escalating and accelerating evil), but also to confirm the closeness of the
Lawless one. I do believe he is waiting for the ‘green light’.
Ultimately,
that ‘go’ can only come from God, and in the way that it is written in the holy
Bible. When the restrainer is removed, then, the appearance of the wicked one
that the prophets of old, and John the Revelator clearly foretold of, shall be
made manifest.
Revelation
tells us how it all ends, and Christ (Messiah) is the Victor. If only
the great tribulation, and the 1,000-year reign, and the short time that the
devil is loosed afterwards was over. How we yearn to be with our Creator,
Saviour, Redeemer, the living God, into eternity.
Ah, but for
now, we practice patience (there is that frustratingly challenging
word again). And we can gladly give thanks now and always and forever. We
can praise Him for the final, glorious and victorious outcome. Selah
Know
that the Lord is God: it is He that has made us, and not we ourselves; we are
His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with
thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise:
Be
thankful unto Him, and bless His [holy] name. For the Lord is good; His mercy
is everlasting; and His truth endures to all generations. [Ps 100:3-5]
In the
Heat and the Heart of the Battle
It had been mentioned in the previous article about prayer and fasting. Christians globally are praying for loved ones who are caught in the snares of the enemy. Others still are praying for themselves, needing God’s help to deliver them from some addiction or besetting sin.
Multitudes
are suffering division within the family, heaviness, addictions, infidelities,
suicidal tendencies, mental illnesses, financial ruin, and a plethora of devastating
circumstances, and they do not understand why.
Then we
have those who are compromising; those who are leading a great number of people
astray with false doctrines, New Age practices, witchcraft, and other forms of
idolatry, and open acceptance of abominations – compromising with the world,
the flesh and Satan, making church a mockery.
It is the
first time in my 17 years of posting articles online on this particular website
[blog] that one series monopolized the entire year, but that is how this played
out – completely unplanned, wholly unexpected. Be that as it may, it seems an
appropriate happenstance orchestrated by the Lord (in a concatenation of
articles all relating to the ‘Season of Consequences’ [2023]), to
end the series on spiritual warfare in these ‘end times’ (last days).
There are some
who prophesy that all the evil plans that the devil and his barbaric armies have
and are plotting and plundering, both in the physical and the spiritual realms,
will never know the climax of victory, or the successful campaign of torturous
persecution and slaughter.
But what
does the Bible say? Satan/Lucifer does have power (or no one would pay him
any mind), and he has been tragically successful in countless campaigns
since the beginning of mankind’s creation, allowed by God, of course. Again,
read about his rampages and deceptions throughout the holy Bible.
Abortions,
genocides, poverty, torture, disease, and every abomination that has ever taken
place has been allowed by God, but it is a combination of sins, provoked and
assisted by Satan; the devil’s work. Since our creation, we ask ‘why’.
It is
conjecture [speculation] on my part, but I have often wondered if all
the evil that has taken place on earth since the fall of mankind in Eden is
allowed so that another rebellion never again takes place, as all of creation
in the heavenlies and in earth witnessed the destruction, horror and brutalities
of evil.
El Shaddai,
the living God, weeps with us, and His holy angels gather our tears in sacred
vials. The precious prayers of the saints will be mingled with incense and
offered upon a golden altar before God’s throne. [Rev 8:3]
No matter
how hard we try, we will find that we cannot be all we are meant to be on our
own, or in our own strength, nor can we ‘will’ it. That is okay.
That is how God intended it. He wants us dependent upon Him. He is not just our
Creator, but to those who love Him, He is our heavenly Father.
The Messiah
Yeshua (our Jesus) accomplished everything necessary when He willingly
became a living sacrifice, and poured out His precious blood upon a rugged
cross, died, was buried and resurrected again, on the third day after His
death. Because of Him, and Him only, and through Jesus only, there is a way
back to God – to our magnificent heavenly Father.
That
reality is our victory; it is the peace that passes all understanding; it is
the joy unquenchable (even in the midst of fiery furnaces [excruciating
trials/tribulations]). Christ/Messiah is our everything!
God alone
changes us. Even the godliest person we can think of has been corrupted and
tainted by this world and the devil. It is good that this life is temporal
because we face a lifetime of battles, wrestling[s] (struggles), trials,
disappointments, sorrows, pain and tears.
That is not
a defeatist attitude because we do
have victory in Christ, but we will also still have failures. We are imperfect
creatures and will still fall short at times, in thought, word or deed, even when
unintentional, but we do not give up. We keep a genuine, repentant heart and
rise again.
Humbly grab hold of the strong hand of God. Pray for brethren [true body of Christ] because we are one in the Spirit, and in His love. It is why we need one another, but more importantly, why ALL of us need the LORD! We cannot even hope to make it through without Christ Yeshua.
It is a process we all go through. Not one of us
has all the answers, all the explanations, all the love, all the patience, all
the knowledge, all the wisdom – only God does.
There is so
much that we, as humankind, do not understand about God, the ‘how’s and
the ‘why’s’ that frustrate us in the lack of understanding or knowledge.
To me, it is akin to an ant trying to understand the ‘how’s and why’s’
of our doings – or not doing. Wisdom of the ant is limited, as is ours. We are
the created, not the Creator.
To say a Christian never fails, or has victory 100% of the time, in everything, all the time, is inaccurate. Quite the high standard for this sinful flesh – quite the pressure! To suggest that a child of God can go through life without depression, pain, sorrow, financial troubles, health issues, or any significant loss is not a realistic or true statement.
Twisted
truth is still a crooked lie; it turns one in a direction away from the core
truth. We live in a fallen, corrupted,
sinful world. It is a true saying that bad things happen to good people. Bad
things can happen to anyone.
Name me one
person who ever walked this earth that did not taste of or experience tears,
pain, sickness, and any number of bitter, unexpected sorrows. Yeshua/Jesus, the
patriarchs, the prophets, the apostles, and Christians before our time all
suffered when on earth, but their victory is now as they rest in Messiah.
They are all
awaiting the first resurrection except Jesus, who was resurrected by the power
of the Spirit of God (the firstfruits – first to be resurrected from
the dead).
But now
is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. [1Cor 15:20]
Jesus/Yeshua
even warned us that in this world we would have tribulation. But He does not
want that fact to defeat us because He continues by telling us to be strong, to
be of good cheer because He has overcome the world. [Jn 16:33] (So, hang on
and stick close to the Lord – abide in Him. He has us in the palm of His
competent hand.)
Not
everything that happens to us is good; some things are tragic and horrific.
Yet, eternity is forever – something that is hard for us who live in a
‘temporal’ world to get our head around (to fully understand), but we hold fast
to hope.
For we
know that all things work together for good, to those who love God and are the
called, according to His purpose. [Rom 8:28]
So, I end
this entry by mentioning that in the previous article a scripture was posted
that was meant as a ‘hint’ if my next post seemed delayed. I shared about how multitudes
have been interceding in prayer for various people – family, friends,
co-workers, pastors, ministries, countries, hostages, and the list and reasons
are endless.
The
scripture posted [Mk 9:29]:
And when He was come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, Why could we not cast him out? And He said to them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
I urged
readers that if they were praying to seek the Lord about fasting, and to do so,
if so led. There are things that I myself have been praying earnestly about,
and fasting was indeed mingled in with it. I had clear instruction from the
Lord, as He impressed it upon my spirit, and through His Word.
Three days
of fluids only, then a break (a weekend). In that time, I managed to get
an article was written, where I included scripture about the soldier who
refrains from entangling himself in the business of the world (affairs of
life), so that he may please the one who called him to be a soldier. [2Tim
2:4] –(paraphrased)
Another
three days followed after the break, with the day spent fasting, but one meal
refreshed me at day end. Then, a visit was extended from two days to five (grandson).
So, my apologies for delay, but in these days and in this time, we should
expect the unexpected, trusting God is ordering our steps and guiding us
through life.
Never have
I felt so close to God, and yet, I hunger to go deeper and deeper, closer and
closer still. I am confident that all His children who love Him first are at
the same place in their heart.
All of us beloved, are in God's competent hands; under His watchful eye, whether we are aware of that or not, whether we believe or not.
Finally, be
strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. [Eph 6:10]
Shalom in
Christ, beloved saints.
To be continued...
In the
presence of His glory
Bonita dovesofthevalleys4@gmail.com