Being no part of the world and persecution.

 

Being not part of the world means we will be persecuted. Some is obvious and some like with Job is not obvious. Being no part of the world means the world will hate you. We have to remember those who choose God as their king instead of man will be opposing the world. In doing so the world will hate you.

(Hebrews 10:32-39) ³² However, keep remembering the former days in which, after you were enlightened, you endured a great struggle along with sufferings. ³³ At times you were publicly exposed both to reproaches and to tribulations, and at times you shared with those who were having such an experience. ³⁴ For you expressed sympathy for those in prison and you accepted joyfully the plundering of your belongings, knowing that you yourselves have a better and an enduring possession. ³⁵ Therefore, do not throw away your boldness, which will be richly rewarded. ³⁶ For you need endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the fulfillment of the promise. ³⁷ For yet “a very little while,” and “the one who is coming will arrive and will not delay.” ³⁸ “But my righteous one will live by reason of faith,” and “if he shrinks back, I have no pleasure in him.” ³⁹ Now we are not the sort who shrink back to destruction, but the sort who have faith for the preserving of our lives. . .

(Matthew 5:11, 12) ¹¹ “Happy are you when people reproach you and persecute you and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against you for my sake. ¹² Rejoice and be overjoyed, since your reward is great in the heavens, for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to you. . .

Nothing has changed as a matter of fact the end of this system is near so Satan and his people will increase in badness and also in their persecution of those who choose to follow our king Jesus instead of man. This is nothing new they have always persecuted those who chose to be not part of the world.

(2 Chronicles 36:16) But they kept ridiculing the messengers of the true God, and they despised his words and mocked his prophets, until the rage of Jehovah came up against his people, until they were beyond healing.

(Acts 7:52) Which one of the prophets did your forefathers not persecute? Yes, they killed those who announced in advance the coming of the righteous one, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become

Jehovah did not forget what they had done in his name. In his word he even declared that the world was not worthy of them. They remained faithful and God remembered what they had done and what they endured.

(Hebrews 11:37-40) ³⁷ They were stoned, they were tried, they were sawn in two, they were slaughtered by the sword, they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, while they were in need, in tribulation, mistreated; ³⁸ and the world was not worthy of them. They wandered about in deserts and mountains and caves and dens of the earth.

We have born witness to them and delivered the good news of the kingdom. When it is time to flee there blood is on their own hands. We will have no guilt because we have warned them and tried to show them there is a better future hope. Their actions towards us shows who’s side they have chosen. We need to shake the dust from our feet and spend time with those who receive the message in a favorable way. We all want to be loved but we have been warned about the love of the greater number cooling off so hatred would abound world wide. But we do know that our heavenly father and his son Jesus love us and even death cannot separate us from their love.

(John 15:17-22) ¹⁷ “These things I command you, that you love one another. ¹⁸ If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. ¹⁹ If you were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, for this reason the world hates you. ²⁰ Keep in mind the word I said to you: A slave is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have observed my word, they will also observe yours. ²¹ But they will do all these things against you on account of my name, because they do not know the One who sent me. ²² If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin. But now they have no excuse for their sin. . .

(Romans 8:35-39) ³⁵ Who will separate us from the love of the Christ? Will tribulation or distress or persecution or hunger or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ Just as it is written: “For your sake we are being put to death all day long; we have been accounted as sheep for slaughtering.” ³⁷ On the contrary, in all these things we are coming off completely victorious through the one who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor governments nor things now here nor things to come nor powers ³⁹ nor height nor depth nor any other creation will be able to separate us from God’s love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We know that all the signs are in place and that deliverance is near and our heavenly father is ready to give his son the command to set matters straight.

(Luke 21:26-28) ²⁶ People will become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ²⁷ And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. ²⁸ But as these things start to occur, stand up straight and lift up your heads, because your deliverance is getting near.”

We are in the final minutes of this system and the end will be sudden so we must stay alert and draw even closer to Jehovah now more then ever.

(Luke 21:34-36) ³⁴ “But pay attention to yourselves that your hearts never become weighed down with overeating and heavy drinking and anxieties of life, and suddenly that day be instantly upon you ³⁵ as a snare. For it will come upon all those dwelling on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶ Keep awake, then, all the time making supplication that you may succeed in escaping all these things that must occur and in standing before the Son of man.. . .

(1 Thessalonians 5:1-11) . . .. ² For you yourselves know very well that Jehovah’s day is coming exactly as a thief in the night. ³ Whenever it is that they are saying, “Peace and security!” then sudden destruction is to be instantly on them, just like birth pains on a pregnant woman, and they will by no means escape. ⁴ But you, brothers, you are not in darkness, so that the day should overtake you as it would thieves, ⁵ for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We belong neither to night nor to darkness. ⁶ So, then, let us not sleep on as the rest do, but let us stay awake and keep our senses. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. ⁸ But as for us who belong to the day, let us keep our senses and put on the breastplate of faith and love and the hope of salvation as a helmet ⁹ because God assigned us, not to wrath, but to the acquiring of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁰ He died for us, so that whether we stay awake or are asleep, we should live together with him. ¹¹ Therefore, keep encouraging one another and building one another up, just as you are in fact doing.

Our endurance will be rewarded if we do not give out.

(Romans 5:3-5) ³ Not only that, but let us rejoice while in tribulations, since we know that tribulation produces endurance; ⁴ endurance, in turn, an approved condition; the approved condition, in turn, hope, ⁵ and the hope does not lead to disappointment; because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy spirit, which was given to us.

(James 1:12-15) ¹² Happy is the man who keeps on enduring trial, because on becoming approved he will receive the crown of life, which Jehovah promised to those who continue loving Him. ¹³ When under trial, let no one say: “I am being tried by God.” For with evil things God cannot be tried, nor does he himself try anyone. ¹⁴ But each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire. ¹⁵ Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin; in turn sin, when it has been carried out, brings forth death. . .

Some of us will walk through the great tribulation into the new system, and some will be resurrected into the new system. We can let sin have master over us or Jehovah. The promises of sin  is death. God gives hope of life if we are a slave for him. Either way we will be a slave, which master we choose determines if we have a future hope or not.

(Romans 6:15-17) ¹⁵ What follows? Are we to commit a sin because we are not under law but under undeserved kindness? Certainly not! ¹⁶ Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey, either of sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness? ¹⁷ But thanks to God that although you were once the slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that pattern of teaching to which you were handed over.

(Romans 6:22, 23) . . .. ²³ For the wages sin pays is death, but the gift God gives is everlasting life by Christ Jesus our Lord. . .

(Matthew 25:46) These will depart into everlasting cutting-off, but the righteous ones into everlasting life

Being No Part of The World.

Because we cannot entirely be no part of the world we must do our best not to imitate the world or get caught up in worldly things. We need to learn to balance things.

(John 17:15-19) ¹⁵ “I do not request that you take them out of the world, but that you watch over them because of the wicked one. ¹⁶ They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world. ¹⁷ Sanctify them by means of the truth; your word is truth. ¹⁸ Just as you sent me into the world, I also sent them into the world. ¹⁹ And I am sanctifying myself in their behalf, so that they also may be sanctified by means of truth.

Following Jesus example will help us in being no part of the world. He set such a good example to followed that the bible tells us he conquered the world because no matter what persecution, or harm he experienced he never lost faith and never became a slave to sin. There is a lot of deception in the world , now more then ever the line between right is wrong has been severely blurred. We have to remember it is Jehovah God who determines what is right and what is wrong. We are seeing the final result of mans rebellion against God which started in the garden of Eden when Adam and Eve decided that man would decide what was right and what was wrong for themselves.

(John 16:32, 33) . . .. ³³ I have said these things to you so that by means of me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage! I have conquered the world.. . .

(1 John 4:4-6) ⁴ You originate with God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in union with you is greater than the one who is in union with the world. ⁵ They originate with the world; that is why they speak what originates with the world and the world listens to them. ⁶ We originate with God. Whoever comes to know God listens to us; whoever does not originate with God does not listen to us. By this we distinguish the inspired statement of truth from the inspired statement of error. . .

(Genesis 3:4-6) ⁴ At this the serpent said to the woman: “You certainly will not die. ⁵ For God knows that in the very day you eat from it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and bad.” ⁶ Consequently, the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was something desirable to the eyes, yes, the tree was pleasing to look at. So she began taking of its fruit and eating it. Afterward, she also gave some to her husband when he was with her, and he began eating it. . .

Jesus was humble and did not act superior to others. Even though he knew he was God’s only begotten son and would be seated on the throne in the heavenly kingdom he never acted superior. He even washed the apostles feet which was something servants usually did.

(Luke 22:24-27) ²⁴ However, there also arose a heated dispute among them over which one of them was considered to be the greatest. ²⁵ But he said to them: “The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those having authority over them are called Benefactors. ²⁶ You, though, are not to be that way. But let the one who is the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the one taking the lead as the one ministering. ²⁷ For which one is greater, the one dining or the one serving? Is it not the one dining? But I am among you as the one serving. . .

(John 13:2-10) . . .. ³ So Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he came from God and was going to God, ⁴ got up from the evening meal and laid aside his outer garments. And taking a towel, he wrapped it around his waist. ⁵ After that he put water into a basin and started to wash the feet of the disciples and to dry them off with the towel that was wrapped around him. ⁶ Then he came to Simon Peter. He said to him: “Lord, are you washing my feet?” ⁷ Jesus answered him: “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will understand after these things.” ⁸ Peter said to him: “You will certainly never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him: “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” ⁹ Simon Peter said to him: “Lord, wash not only my feet but also my hands and my head.” ¹⁰ Jesus said to him: “Whoever has bathed does not need to have more than his feet washed, but is completely clean. . .

Many look down on others because of their gender, race, origin and even their financial status. We are to never imitate that behavior.

(Philippians 2:3, 4) ³ Do nothing out of contentiousness or out of egotism, but with humility consider others superior to you, ⁴ as you look out not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others.

(Galatians 3:27-29) . . .. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor freeman, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in union with Christ Jesus. ²⁹ Moreover, if you belong to Christ, you are really Abraham’s offspring, heirs with reference to a promise. . .

We are to treat others as we would want to be treated, many will go through the gate that leads to destruction. We must do our best to keep on the path to the narrow gate. We give witness to God’s glory when we love those hating us and when we endure the wickedness directed towards us with humility. Anyone can love those who love them but knowing God and writing his world in our hearts will teach us to let love guide all we do. We are not to hate anyone. We can hate what they do but if we hate them we are judging them. We cannot read their hearts Jesus is the judge and our king he earned that position and there is no one better qualified other then God himself. It would be arrogant on our part if we believed we could read what is in another’s heart and judged them. We must learn to be merciful just as Jesus was. The apostles made many errors. He kindly corrected them , he never struck back at his enemies or harmed them.

(Luke 6:27-36) ²⁷ “But I say to you who are listening: Continue to love your enemies, to do good to those hating you, ²⁸ to bless those cursing you, to pray for those who are insulting you. ²⁹ To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also; and from him who takes away your outer garment, do not withhold the inner garment either. ³⁰ Give to everyone asking you, and from the one taking your things away, do not ask them back. ³¹ “Also, just as you want men to do to you, do the same way to them. ³² “If you love those loving you, of what credit is it to you? For even the sinners love those loving them. ³³ And if you do good to those doing good to you, of what credit is it to you? Even the sinners do the same. ³⁴ Also, if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, of what credit is it to you? Even sinners lend to sinners so that they may get back as much. ³⁵ On the contrary, continue to love your enemies and to do good and to lend without hoping for anything back; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind toward the unthankful and wicked. ³⁶ Continue being merciful, just as your Father is merciful. If we do not show mercy how can we expect to receive mercy from God?

(James 2:13) For the one who does not practice mercy will have his judgment without mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

We must learn to forgive others keeping in mind we are also imperfect.

(Matthew 6:15) whereas if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses

There is a contrast between the world and those who have been blessed with the spirit. The fruits they produce are very clear and those producing the fruit stand out because of the blurred lines between right from wrong most are oblivious that the are sinning against Jehovah but our behavior will separate us from others.

(2 Timothy 3:1-7) 3 But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. ² For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, ³ having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, ⁴ betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having an appearance of godliness but proving false to its power; and from these turn away. ⁶ From among these arise men who slyly work their way into households and captivate weak women loaded down with sins, led by various desires, ⁷ always learning and yet never able to come to an accurate knowledge of truth.

(Galatians 5:19-21) ¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are plainly seen, and they are sexual immorality, uncleanness, brazen conduct, ²⁰ idolatry, spiritism, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, dissensions, divisions, sects, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and things like these. I am forewarning you about these things, the same way I already warned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom.

(Galatians 5:22-26) ²² On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, ²³ mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Moreover, those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed to the stake the flesh together with its passions and desires. ²⁵ If we are living by spirit, let us also go on walking orderly by spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become egotistical, stirring up competition with one another, envying one another.

What About Politics? Should we get involved?

We need to follow Jesus example. He knew that human rule was in opposition to God but he did not act disrespectful towards it because he knew our heavenly father had reasons for letting human rule over man continue. He also knew that mans rule would never solve all the problems on the earth. Man neither has the insight nor power that God has to make sure the things he promises gets fulfilled. Jesus put his faith in the heavenly kingdom but respected human authority. When they tried to seize him and make him king withdrew to the mountains. Jesus made it very clear that his kingdom was no part of the world. Even those with good intentions will not be able to see the whole picture as God can and will make decisions that will not be best for everyone. If they do things to help others , they will eventually die and what they have done will be undone by another. God is eternal so his kingdom will be everlasting.

(John 6:14, 15) ¹⁴ When the people saw the sign he performed, they began to say: “This really is the Prophet who was to come into the world.” ¹⁵ Then Jesus, knowing that they were about to come and seize him to make him king, withdrew again to the mountain all alone. . .

(John 18:36) ³⁶ Jesus answered: “My Kingdom is no part of this world. If my Kingdom were part of this world, my attendants would have fought that I should not be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my Kingdom is not from this source.”

(Jeremiah 10:23) ²³ I well know, O Jehovah, that man’s way does not belong to him. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step. . .

God cannot be bought or corrupted as man can.

(Micah 7:3)  ³ Their hands are expert at doing what is bad; The prince is making demands, The judge asks for a reward, The prominent one makes known his desires, And they work it out together.

As mentioned earlier man ruling over ourselves is in opposition to God. We are deciding what is right and wrong and we are seeing the finality of mans rule and the results of it. Our history has shown we do not have what it takes to know what is best for mankind we continue to make things worse and worse. It is clear that mans rule often times directly opposes God. One great final act of rebellion will be when all the kings of the earth join together with the wild beast which I have posted on who the beast is will join together in opposition to our king Jesus Christ and his people. We know Satan influences man and can easily manipulate them to oppose God. We also know he has already been judged so his destruction is inevitable.

(Luke 23:10, 11) However, the chief priests and the scribes kept standing up and vehemently accusing him. ¹¹ Then Herod together with his soldiers treated him with contempt, and he mocked him by clothing him with a splendid garment and then sent him back to Pilate.

(Revelation 19:19) And I saw the wild beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the one seated on the horse and against his army.

(Ephesians 2:1, 2) 2 Furthermore, God made you alive, though you were dead in your trespasses and sins, ² in which you at one time walked according to the system of things of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience. . .

Satan had no hold on Jesus because he remained no part of the world. No one knows the father better then the only begotten son so he new that this system did not have what it would take to fulfill the future promises.

(John 12:31) Now there is a judging of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.

(John 14:30) I will not speak with you much more, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has no hold on me

(Luke 10:17-22) ¹⁷ Then the 70 returned with joy, saying: “Lord, even the demons are made subject to us by the use of your name.” ¹⁸ At that he said to them: “I see Satan already fallen like lightning from heaven. ¹⁹ Look! I have given you the authority to trample underfoot serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing at all will harm you. ²⁰ Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are made subject to you, but rejoice because your names have been written in the heavens.” ²¹ In that very hour he became overjoyed in the holy spirit and said: “I publicly praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have carefully hidden these things from wise and intellectual ones and have revealed them to young children. Yes, O Father, because this is the way you approved. ²² All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son is willing to reveal him.”

So by now you may be asking if they are in opposition to God why should we obey them and why does he tolerate them. We have to remember the original lie that man could decide what was right and what was wrong for themselves. If God interfered then there would still be doubt. Satan could still make that accusation and because things did not run their course the lie would not have been able to be proven to be the lie it is. Also by permitting human governments it does keep some sort of organization on the earth until Jehovah give Jesus the command to set matters straight. So opposing those authorities would be in opposition to God.

(Romans 13:1-4) 13 Let every person be in subjection to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except by God; the existing authorities stand placed in their relative positions by God. ² Therefore, whoever opposes the authority has taken a stand against the arrangement of God; those who have taken a stand against it will bring judgment against themselves. ³ For those rulers are an object of fear, not to the good deed, but to the bad. Do you want to be free of fear of the authority? Keep doing good, and you will have praise from it; ⁴ for it is God’s minister to you for your good. But if you are doing what is bad, be in fear, for it is not without purpose that it bears the sword. It is God’s minister, an avenger to express wrath against the one practicing what is bad.

It is common for many to speak bad things against those in authority but we are not to speak bad of anyone. We are to expose corruption but not to speak ill of other for example making accusations as to their reasons. We can expose evidence we find but we should not judge them or accuse them that would be for the courts or if the courts ignore it then they all will answer to Jehovah on his great day.

(Titus 3:1, 2) 3 Continue reminding them to be in subjection and to be obedient to governments and authorities, to be ready for every good work, ² to speak injuriously of no one, not to be quarrelsome, but to be reasonable, displaying all mildness toward all men.

There will come a time when we will have to obey God rather then men. God’s rule is over mans, very soon we will be given a choice to give obeisance to the beast or to obey God. God’s rule is always over mans if their laws go against God then he will have our backs. We have many examples of this occurring in the bible, Daniel is one of those times. We need to follow the examples of faithful ones in the bible , they did not get disrespectful or turn on the king but put faith in Jehovah.

(Acts 5:28-32) . . .” ²⁹ In answer Peter and the other apostles said: “We must obey God as ruler rather than men. ³⁰ The God of our forefathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed, hanging him on a stake. ³¹ God exalted this one as Chief Agent and Savior to his right hand, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. ³² And we are witnesses of these matters, and so is the holy spirit, which God has given to those obeying him as ruler.”

(Daniel 3:17, 18) If it must be, our God whom we serve is able to rescue us from the burning fiery furnace, O king, and to rescue us from your hand. ¹⁸ But even if he does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold that you have set up.

(Daniel 6:27) He rescues, saves, and performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth, for he rescued Daniel from the paw of the lions.”

So we need to stay alert but to do so in a way that would please Jehovah and our king Jesus. We do not need to be anxious we have God on our side. Many will walk through the great tribulation into the new system. Those who make it to the new earth will not remember the bad times. They will be replaced with good memories.

(Matthew 10:16) ¹⁶ “Look! I am sending you out as sheep among wolves; so prove yourselves cautious as serpents and yet innocent as doves. . .

(Matthew 10:19, 20) ¹⁹ However, when they hand you over, do not become anxious about how or what you are to speak, for what you are to speak will be given you in that hour; ²⁰ for the ones speaking are not just you, but it is the spirit of your Father that speaks by you. . .

(Revelation 7:13-17) ¹³ In response one of the elders said to me: “These who are dressed in the white robes, who are they and where did they come from?” ¹⁴ So right away I said to him: “My lord, you are the one who knows.” And he said to me: “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. ¹⁵ That is why they are before the throne of God, and they are rendering him sacred service day and night in his temple; and the One seated on the throne will spread his tent over them. ¹⁶ They will hunger no more nor thirst anymore, neither will the sun beat down on them nor any scorching heat, ¹⁷ because the Lamb, who is in the midst of the throne, will shepherd them and will guide them to springs of waters of life. And God will wipe out every tear from their eyes.”

(2 Peter 3:11-13) ¹¹ Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, consider what sort of people you ought to be in holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion, ¹² as you await and keep close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah, through which the heavens will be destroyed in flames and the elements will melt in the intense heat! ¹³ But there are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell. . .

(Isaiah 65:17) ¹⁷ For look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be called to mind, Nor will they come up into the heart.

(Psalm 37:29) ²⁹ The righteous will possess the earth, And they will live forever on it. . .

Why we should not speak ill of our leaders or those in positions of authority, or rebel against them.

 

It is becoming clearer and clearer who opposes God and who is obedient to God. There are religious leaders and rulers who claim to be on God’s side but their actions show whose side they are really on. They oppose people in positions of authority. They try to impose their will on others instead of holding fast to what Jehovah says and doing things in a way that would be pleasing to him. They are becoming more and more oppressive and violent. They use false reasonings to justify what they do. The have become so delusional that they believe they are offering people freedom but they are only leading them to be more enslaved. True freedom only comes from God. They do these things because the do not really know God. The part I find most astounding is people go along with the things they say and are being led to enslavement and do not even realize it. They are protesting and promoting things that God finds detestable and anything detestable a leader promotes they willingly go along with it. So how should we respond to all of this?

It is difficult and we have to find balance between exposing corruption and speaking ill of our leaders. There is a fine line and we must be very careful. We do not want to judge others but to warn them of what God requires even those in positions of authority.

(Ezekiel 3:18-21) ¹⁸ When I say to someone wicked, ‘You will positively die,’ and you do not actually warn him and speak in order to warn the wicked one from his wicked way to preserve him alive, he being wicked, in his error he will die, but his blood I shall ask back from your own hand. ¹⁹ But as for you, in case you have warned someone wicked and he does not actually turn back from his wickedness and from his wicked way, he himself for his error will die; but as for you, you will have delivered your own soul. ²⁰ And when someone righteous turns back from his righteousness and actually does injustice and I must put a stumbling block before him, he himself will die because you did not warn him. For his sin he will die, and his righteous acts that he did will not be remembered, but his blood I shall ask back from your own hand. ²¹ And as for you, in case you have warned someone righteous that the righteous one should not sin, and he himself does not actually sin, he will without fail keep on living because he had been warned, and you yourself will have delivered your own soul.. . .

(Ephesians 5:10-12) ¹⁰ Keep on making sure of what is acceptable to the Lord; ¹¹ and quit sharing with [them] in the unfruitful works that belong to the darkness, but, rather, even be reproving [them], ¹² for the things that take place in secret by them it is shameful even to relate. . .

Ephesians 4:17-19) ¹⁷ This, therefore, I say and bear witness to in [the] Lord, that YOU no longer go on walking just as the nations also walk in the unprofitableness of their minds, ¹⁸ while they are in darkness mentally, and alienated from the life that belongs to God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the insensibility of their hearts. ¹⁹ Having come to be past all moral sense, they gave themselves over to loose conduct to work uncleanness of every sort with greediness. . .

They put their faith in the world and the things in it and their hearts are guided not by God but by greed and sinful desires. Many will be led to their destruction by them so we must make sure we do not get caught up in all that is happening right now and stay focused on the path.

(2 Peter 2:13-19) . . .They consider luxurious living in the daytime a pleasure. They are spots and blemishes, indulging with unrestrained delight in their deceptive teachings while feasting together with YOU. ¹⁴ They have eyes full of adultery and unable to desist from sin, and they entice unsteady souls. They have a heart trained in covetousness. They are accursed children. ¹⁵ Abandoning the straight path, they have been misled. They have followed the path of Ba′laam, [the son] of Be′or, who loved the reward of wrongdoing, ¹⁶ but got a reproof for his own violation of what was right. A voiceless beast of burden, making utterance with the voice of a man, hindered the prophet’s mad course. ¹⁷ These are fountains without water, and mists driven by a violent storm, and for them the blackness of darkness has been reserved. ¹⁸ For they utter swelling expressions of no profit, and by the desires of the flesh and by loose habits they entice those who are just escaping from people who conduct themselves in error. ¹⁹ While they are promising them freedom, they themselves are existing as slaves of corruption. For whoever is overcome by another is enslaved by this one. .

These things lead to divisions and contentions. They claim to love God but put their faith in worldly things.

(James 4:1-3) 4 From what source are there wars and from what source are there fights among YOU? Are they not from this source, namely, from YOUR cravings for sensual pleasure that carry on a conflict in YOUR members? ² YOU desire, and yet YOU do not have. YOU go on murdering and coveting, and yet YOU are not able to obtain. YOU go on fighting and waging war. YOU do not have because of YOUR not asking. ³ YOU do ask, and yet YOU do not receive, because YOU are asking for a wrong purpose, that YOU may expend [it] upon YOUR cravings for sensual pleasure. . .

Though they claim to have true faith they worship images or material things showing they do not have faith. They teach things contrary to what Jesus taught which is why we really need to learn our bibles Satan himself tried to use scriptures out of context when he tried to tempt Jesus. When Jesus answered Satan he always quoted God’s word showing he had an accurate knowledge so could not be deceived by Satan. Because of this many have become puffed up with pride and have become mentally diseased. If you watch the news you can see the fruits of this which is described in 1 Timothy.

(Acts 17:29-31) ²⁹ “Seeing, therefore, that we are the progeny of God, we ought not to imagine that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, like something sculptured by the art and contrivance of man. ³⁰ True, God has overlooked the times of such ignorance, yet now he is telling mankind that they should all everywhere repent. ³¹ Because he has set a day in which he purposes to judge the inhabited earth in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and he has furnished a guarantee to all men in that he has resurrected him from the dead. . .

(1 Timothy 4:1-5) 4 However, the inspired utterance says definitely that in later periods of time some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to misleading inspired utterances and teachings of demons, ² by the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, marked in their conscience as with a branding iron; ³ forbidding to marry, commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be partaken of with thanksgiving by those who have faith and accurately know the truth. ⁴ The reason for this is that every creation of God is fine, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, ⁵ for it is sanctified through God’s word and prayer over [it]. . .

Christ is our king and it is him we must obey. He set an example for us to follow. Disobedience to authority is common now even speaking bad of leaders is very common. We do not want to fall into that trap. Even in the congregation we do not want to get involved in power struggles. We also must keep in mind no matter who plants the seed it is our heavenly father that decides whether the seed grows or not. So no matter who planted the spiritual seed it is God who makes it grow.

(1 Corinthians 3:1-4) 3 And so, brothers, I was not able to speak to YOU as to spiritual men, but as to fleshly men, as to babes in Christ. ² I fed YOU milk, not something to eat, for YOU were not yet strong enough. In fact, neither are YOU strong enough now, ³ for YOU are yet fleshly. For whereas there are jealousy and strife among YOU, are YOU not fleshly and are YOU not walking as men do? ⁴ For when one says: “I belong to Paul,” but another says: “I to A·pol′los,” are YOU not simply men?

⁵ What, then, is A·pol′los? Yes, what is Paul? Ministers through whom YOU became believers, even as the Lord granted each one. ⁶ I planted, A·pol′los watered, but God kept making [it] grow; ⁷ so that neither is he that plants anything nor is he that waters, but God who makes [it] grow. ⁸ Now he that plants and he that waters are one, but each [person] will receive his own reward according to his own labor. ⁹ For we are God’s fellow workers. YOU people are God’s field under cultivation, God’s building. . .

(Colossians 2:13-19) ¹³ Furthermore, though YOU were dead in YOUR trespasses and in the uncircumcised state of YOUR flesh, [God] made YOU alive together with him. He kindly forgave us all our trespasses ¹⁴ and blotted out the handwritten document against us, which consisted of decrees and which was in opposition to us; and He has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the torture stake. ¹⁵ Stripping the governments and the authorities bare, he exhibited them in open public as conquered, leading them in a triumphal procession by means of it. ¹⁶ Therefore let no man judge YOU in eating and drinking or in respect of a festival or of an observance of the new moon or of a sabbath; ¹⁷ for those things are a shadow of the things to come, but the reality belongs to the Christ. ¹⁸ Let no man deprive YOU of the prize who takes delight in a [mock] humility and a form of worship of the angels, “taking his stand on” the things he has seen, puffed up without proper cause by his fleshly frame of mind, ¹⁹ whereas he is not holding fast to the head, to the one from whom all the body, being supplied and harmoniously joined together by means of its joints and ligaments, goes on growing with the growth that God gives.

We have to know God’s word very well so we will not be mislead and fall into their line of thinking.

(1 Timothy 6:2-5) . . .Keep on teaching these things and giving these exhortations. ³ If any man teaches other doctrine and does not assent to healthful words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, nor to the teaching that accords with godly devotion, ⁴ he is puffed up [with pride], not understanding anything, but being mentally diseased over questionings and debates about words. From these things spring envy, strife, abusive speeches, wicked suspicions, ⁵ violent disputes about trifles on the part of men corrupted in mind and despoiled of the truth.

They do not seek what is good for all but only in their own self interest. Just as the pharisees did they put on this false image of righteousness but you can see their fruits in their behavior and their actions. They have no excuse for their behavior because God made his word available for all. His very creation gives testimony to his existence. It is clear the time frame we are in and we can clearly see this system is near it’s end and God’s wrath is very near for those who do not worship him in truth.

(Romans 1:18-23) ¹⁸ For God’s wrath is being revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who are suppressing the truth in an unrighteous way, ¹⁹ because what may be known about God is manifest among them, for God made it manifest to them. ²⁰ For his invisible [qualities] are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship, so that they are inexcusable; ²¹ because, although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God nor did they thank him, but they became empty-headed in their reasonings and their unintelligent heart became darkened. ²² Although asserting they were wise, they became foolish ²³ and turned the glory of the incorruptible God into something like the image of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed creatures and creeping things. . .

It is very difficult to remain humble and caring in a world so full of hate and sin but we have to continue to take the lead in setting the example and not cave in to the pressures of the world. It is not easy, but we know the road is narrow and few will make it. We only have a little longer and all those choosing to disobey God will no longer be here. We must continue to show love towards others and to take interested in others. Help others when we can setting the example of how we aught to be.

(Philippians 2:1-4) 2 If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any sharing of spirit, if any tender affections and compassions, ² make my joy full in that YOU are of the same mind and have the same love, being joined together in soul, holding the one thought in mind, ³ doing nothing out of contentiousness or out of egotism, but with lowliness of mind considering that the others are superior to YOU, ⁴ keeping an eye, not in personal interest upon just YOUR own matters, but also in personal interest upon those of the others.

Their behavior towards our leaders is an example of how twisted their minds have become. We are not to speak ill of them or work against them but it seems to have become many peoples life work to do just that. They are so full of hatred that they no longer have the interest of those they rule over at heart but only to fulfill the desires of their own hearts. We need to do our best to not get caught up in all this craziness and keep in mind why it is occuring.

(Ephesians 4:17-19) ¹⁷ This, therefore, I say and bear witness to in [the] Lord, that YOU no longer go on walking just as the nations also walk in the unprofitableness of their minds, ¹⁸ while they are in darkness mentally, and alienated from the life that belongs to God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the insensibility of their hearts. ¹⁹ Having come to be past all moral sense, they gave themselves over to loose conduct to work uncleanness of every sort with greediness. 

(Exodus 22:28) ²⁸ “You must not call down evil upon God nor curse a chieftain among your people. 

(Ecclesiastes 10:20) Even in your bedroom do not call down evil upon the king himself, and in the interior rooms where you lie down do not call down evil upon anyone rich; for a flying creature of the heavens will convey the sound and something owning wings will tell the matter.

The apostle Paul set an example. Even though what they were doing to him was wrong he still respected them and knew God would deal with it. So he continued to respect those in positions of authority.

(Acts 23:5) And Paul said: “Brothers, I did not know he was high priest. For it is written, ‘You must not speak injuriously of a ruler of your people.’”

(1 Peter 2:13-17) ¹³ For the Lord’s sake subject yourselves to every human creation: whether to a king as being superior ¹⁴ or to governors as being sent by him to inflict punishment on evildoers but to praise doers of good. ¹⁵ For so the will of God is, that by doing good YOU may muzzle the ignorant talk of the unreasonable men. ¹⁶ Be as free people, and yet holding YOUR freedom, not as a blind for badness, but as slaves of God. ¹⁷ Honor [men] of all sorts, have love for the whole association of brothers, be in fear of God, have honor for the king.

When we oppose authority we are opposing God, those who oppose authority will be judged for it.

(Romans 13:1-4) 13 Let every soul be in subjection to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except by God; the existing authorities stand placed in their relative positions by God. ² Therefore he who opposes the authority has taken a stand against the arrangement of God; those who have taken a stand against it will receive judgment to themselves. ³ For those ruling are an object of fear, not to the good deed, but to the bad. Do you, then, want to have no fear of the authority? Keep doing good, and you will have praise from it; ⁴ for it is God’s minister to you for your good. But if you are doing what is bad, be in fear: for it is not without purpose that it bears the sword; for it is God’s minister, an avenger to express wrath upon the one practicing what is bad.

We need to remain humble so we do not get over confident and get easily led astray and become involved in all that is happening right now. We need to follow Jesus example more now then ever before. This will keep us united in faith and in mind.

(Philippians 2:1-4) 2 If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any sharing of spirit, if any tender affections and compassions, ² make my joy full in that YOU are of the same mind and have the same love, being joined together in soul, holding the one thought in mind, ³ doing nothing out of contentiousness or out of egotism, but with lowliness of mind considering that the others are superior to YOU, ⁴ keeping an eye, not in personal interest upon just YOUR own matters, but also in personal interest upon those of the others.

Very soon each will be held accountable they will collect the fruits of their works so we need to make sure we do God works that bring glory to God.

(1 Corinthians 3:10-15) ¹⁰ According to the undeserved kindness of God that was given to me, as a wise director of works I laid a foundation, but someone else is building on it. But let each one keep watching how he is building on it. ¹¹ For no man can lay any other foundation than what is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² Now if anyone builds on the foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood materials, hay, stubble, ¹³ each one’s work will become manifest, for the day will show it up, because it will be revealed by means of fire; and the fire itself will prove what sort of work each one’s is. ¹⁴ If anyone’s work that he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward; ¹⁵ if anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved; yet, if so, [it will be] as through fire.

We know that we are in a time when the truth will be rejected and opposed. We also know this indicates that things are coming to a completion and the new system is very very near. All those who are wise in their own eyes are going to find out very soon what the fruits of relying on their own wisdom instead of God’s will be.

(1 Corinthians 1:18-25) ¹⁸ For the speech about the torture stake is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is God’s power. ¹⁹ For it is written: “I will make the wisdom of the wise [men] perish, and the intelligence of the intellectual [men] I will shove aside.” ²⁰ Where is the wise man? Where the scribe? Where the debater of this system of things? Did not God make the wisdom of the world foolish? ²¹ For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom did not get to know God, God saw good through the foolishness of what is preached to save those believing. ²² For both the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks look for wisdom; ²³ but we preach Christ impaled, to the Jews a cause for stumbling but to the nations foolishness; ²⁴ however, to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ Because a foolish thing of God is wiser than men, and a weak thing of God is stronger than men. . 

God knows the secret things in their hearts and nothing is hidden from him and he is a just God and will deal with matters very soon and judge each for what is in their hearts. So we need to put his word in our hearts to protect us more now then ever before.

(Romans 2:12-16) ¹² For instance, all those who sinned without law will also perish without law; but all those who sinned under law will be judged by law. ¹³ For the hearers of law are not the ones righteous before God, but the doers of law will be declared righteous. ¹⁴ For whenever people of the nations that do not have law do by nature the things of the law, these people, although not having law, are a law to themselves. ¹⁵ They are the very ones who demonstrate the matter of the law to be written in their hearts, while their conscience is bearing witness with them and, between their own thoughts, they are being accused or even excused. ¹⁶ This will be in the day when God through Christ Jesus judges the secret things of mankind, according to the good news I declare. . .

When this occurs there will come a time where we will be given a choice to obey God or man. This is when God’s authority is over any humans and it is he who we must obey. We will be given a choice very similar to what Daniel and his companions were given.

(Daniel 3:16-18) ¹⁶ Sha′drach, Me′shach and A·bed′ne·go answered, and they were saying to the king: “O Neb·u·chad·nez′zar, we are under no necessity in this regard to say back a word to you. ¹⁷ If it is to be, our God whom we are serving is able to rescue us. Out of the burning fiery furnace and out of your hand, O king, he will rescue [us]. ¹⁸ But if not, let it become known to you, O king, that your gods are not the ones we are serving, and the image of gold that you have set up we will not worship.. . .

(Acts 5:27-29) ²⁷ So they brought them and stood them in the San′he·drin hall. And the high priest questioned them ²⁸ and said: “We positively ordered YOU not to keep teaching upon the basis of this name, and yet, look! YOU have filled Jerusalem with YOUR teaching, and YOU are determined to bring the blood of this man upon us.” ²⁹ In answer Peter and the [other] apostles said: “We must obey God as ruler rather than men. . .

If we bow down to the beast we will receive the figurative mark of the beast. If you research you will find the beast is a human organization that will try to replace God and will expect everyone to be loyal to it and to reject God.

(Revelation 14:9-12) ⁹ And another angel, a third, followed them, saying in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the wild beast and its image, and receives a mark on his forehead or upon his hand, ¹⁰ he will also drink of the wine of the anger of God that is poured out undiluted into the cup of his wrath, and he shall be tormented with fire and sulphur in the sight of the holy angels and in the sight of the Lamb. ¹¹ And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever, and day and night they have no rest, those who worship the wild beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name. ¹² Here is where it means endurance for the holy ones, those who observe the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”

We also know when this occurs it means judgment has started.

(Matthew 24:15-22) ¹⁵ “Therefore, when YOU catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes desolation, as spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in a holy place, (let the reader use discernment,) ¹⁶ then let those in Ju·de′a begin fleeing to the mountains. ¹⁷ Let the man on the housetop not come down to take the goods out of his house; ¹⁸ and let the man in the field not return to the house to pick up his outer garment. ¹⁹ Woe to the pregnant women and those suckling a baby in those days! ²⁰ Keep praying that YOUR flight may not occur in wintertime, nor on the sabbath day; ²¹ for then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again. ²² In fact, unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved; but on account of the chosen ones those days will be cut short.

When the time comes all those who did not do God’s will but followed what they believed was right in their own eyes will see the calamity it has brought on them but it will be too late.

(Romans 2:5-11) ⁵ But according to your hardness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath and of the revealing of God’s righteous judgment. ⁶ And he will render to each one according to his works: ⁷ everlasting life to those who are seeking glory and honor and incorruptibleness by endurance in work that is good; ⁸ however, for those who are contentious and who disobey the truth but obey unrighteousness there will be wrath and anger, ⁹ tribulation and distress, upon the soul of every man who works what is injurious, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; ¹⁰ but glory and honor and peace for everyone who works what is good, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. ¹¹ For there is no partiality with God. . .

We must make sure we do not let our hearts become hardened like others.

(1 Peter 1:22, 23) ²² Now that YOU have purified YOUR souls by [YOUR] obedience to the truth with unhypocritical brotherly affection as the result, love one another intensely from the heart. ²³ For YOU have been given a new birth, not by corruptible, but by incorruptible [reproductive] seed, through the word of [the] living and enduring God. . .

(Romans 12:17-21) ¹⁷ Return evil for evil to no one. Provide fine things in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If possible, as far as it depends upon YOU, be peaceable with all men. ¹⁹ Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but yield place to the wrath; for it is written: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says Jehovah.” ²⁰ But, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing this you will heap fiery coals upon his head.” ²¹ Do not let yourself be conquered by the evil, but keep conquering the evil with the good. . .

When judgement starts they will experience tribulation as they have caused it. They will call to God but he will not hear their prayers.

(2 Thessalonians 1:6, 7) ⁶ This takes into account that it is righteous on God’s part to repay tribulation to those who make tribulation for YOU, ⁷ but, to YOU who suffer tribulation, relief along with us at the revelation . . .

(Micah 3:4) At that time they will call to Jehovah for aid, but he will not answer them. And he will conceal his face from them in that time, according as they committed badness in their dealings.

Those who showed no mercy and ignored the suffering of the downtrodden and who gave no mercy will not be given mercy. Their tribulation will be in accordance to their deeds.

(Isaiah 3:11) ¹¹ Woe to the wicked one!—Calamity; for the treatment [rendered] by his own hands will be rendered to him. . .

(James 2:13) ¹³ For the one that does not practice mercy will have [his] judgment without mercy. Mercy exults triumphantly over judgment.

(Revelation 22:10-12) ¹⁰ He also tells me: “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, for the appointed time is near. ¹¹ He that is doing unrighteousness, let him do unrighteousness still; and let the filthy one be made filthy still; but let the righteous one do righteousness still, and let the holy one be made holy still. ¹² “‘Look! I am coming quickly, and the reward I give is with me, to render to each one as his work is. . .

We only have to endure a little while longer. It is about to get a lot harder so now more then even we need to follow our king Jesus and to listen to him and our heavenly father even closer. We already know the good news of the heavenly kingdom has reached most of the earth so we are very very near the new system.

(Matthew 24:9-14) . . .. ¹⁰ Then, also, many will be stumbled and will betray one another and will hate one another. ¹¹ And many false prophets will arise and mislead many; ¹² and because of the increasing of lawlessness the love of the greater number will cool off. ¹³ But he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved. ¹⁴ And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come. . .

The new system will be well worth what we endure and our memories of this system will be replaced by good ones.

(Revelation 21:1-4) 21 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea is no more. ² I saw also the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God and prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³ With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them. ⁴ And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”

(Isaiah 65:17-19) ¹⁷ “For here I am creating new heavens and a new earth; and the former things will not be called to mind, neither will they come up into the heart. ¹⁸ But exult, YOU people, and be joyful forever in what I am creating. For here I am creating Jerusalem a cause for joyfulness and her people a cause for exultation. ¹⁹ And I will be joyful in Jerusalem and exult in my people; and no more will there be heard in her the sound of weeping or the sound of a plaintive cry. . .

Prayers will be answered before we even get to finish them.

(Isaiah 65:22-24) ²² They will not build and someone else have occupancy; they will not plant and someone else do the eating. For like the days of a tree will the days of my people be; and the work of their own hands my chosen ones will use to the full. ²³ They will not toil for nothing, nor will they bring to birth for disturbance; because they are the offspring made up of the blessed ones of Jehovah, and their descendants with them. ²⁴ And it will actually occur that before they call out I myself shall answer; while they are yet speaking, I myself shall hear.