Believers are yet to be seen as trouble shooters like Paul the Apostle (Acts 24:5) and this is an express indication that we are not yet ready for revival. And truly many do not desire it and it is certain that they cannot experience it. Why do we have so much confusion and pollutions all around even in the church? It is simply because the Holy Spirit has been relegated to the back seat. Anytime and anywhere there is heat, the viper will come out. Just don't set the fire if you don't want to see the viper. The handiwork of viper, a venomous beast as seen in the case of Paul at Malta quickly comes to mind (Acts 28:3-6). Though the literal fire brought out the viper that they expected to kill Paul, but when they saw the true fire that comes from God operating in him, and what it can do, the same people who expected evil to befall him called him a god as they had a change of mind. Jesus had aforetime prophesied what will happen to the disciples and the latter day saints (Matthew 10:17-24). If they did the same to Jesus, obviously His followers should not expect anything less (Matthew 10:23a, 25b-26). Though He commanded them to flee, yet, they are safe and secured with the master, hence, no need for fear, hiding or denying Jesus (Matthew 10:32-33, 39). And though storm may rage, there may be troubles and perplexity while serving just like Paul, the Apostle encountered, the sure encouragement was "for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me" (Acts 27:25, 34) attesting to the words of Jesus that the hair of the heads of the disciples are numbered (Matthew 10:30-31). Jesus also after he had just finished preaching and performing miracles went to pray (Matthew 14:14-23), but the wind went contrary (Matthew 14:24) and the boat was in the middle of the sea. But nothing could stop the master, so, He began to walk on the sea. The devil meant harm because it did not cease boisterous even when He bided Peter too to walk on the water. He almost sank when he looked away from Jesus to the waving sea (Matthew14:28-31), but the wind later ceased when they got into the boat and seeing the miracle, the people acknowledged that He is the son of God (Matthew 14:32-33).
Micaiah, the prophet was persuaded to speak encouraging words like other prophets who said good things, but all of them without exception told lies (2 Chronicles 18:10-12, 14). However, Micaiah did not follow other prophets to tell lies but he frankly declared to the king the mind of God, though hated (2 Chronicles 18:6-7), but, a vessel of God's judgment to erring king (2Chronicles 18:13, 15-21). So cunning Ahab disgusied himself and went to the battle ignoring the counsel of God through Michaiah, he was eventually killed by a straying bow (2 chronicles 18:33). There is a shift in several places all over the world, and though many are rebelling against the light (the true light-Jesus)and doing what they please, yet, God in heaven will not be silent (Job 24:13-14, 21, Isaiah 5:15-16). Job acknowledged that the fear of the Lord is to depart from evil and wickedness, and that coming to this conclusion ensures true living. But whenever man disobey the words of God, he opens himself up for terrible destruction oftentimes with no remedy expect he repents and amend his ways (Jeremiah 42:13-16, Ezekiel 11:19-21). God's judgment is unleashed when divine expectations are unmet (Luke 13:6-9). Whenever innocent blood is shed, God does not overlook or pardon evil perpetrators because the shed blood cries out to God for justice (2Kings 24:4). Then God executes judgment among His people in anger (Ezekiel 5:15) and in fury and with furious rebukes because of the crimes of blood in the land (Ezekiel 7:23-27). The most unfortunate thing is that when God releases His wrath, it affects the righteous too who fail to stand up for the nation to breach the gap (Ezekiel 21:3-4, 9:4), and it is always disastrous as destruction and desolation results.
To avert the wrath of God, there is just one sensible thing to do. Like Job, a man recokened righteous by God, yet, he would not be presumptious but asked for God's dealing and intervention putting himself under serious constraints, begging for God's mercy (Job 6:24, 9:14-15). Knowing that repetition is for emphasis, Isaiah 2:11 was repeated in Isaiah 2:17 and this infers that no highminded will survive it. For He God will be a swift witness against the agents of darkness (Malachai 3:5). In Deuteronomy 32:10-12, Moses recounted what God did for Israel how He sheltered them when there was no strange god in them, but later He needed to hide himself from them because they have followed stranged gods and demons (Deuteronomy 32:15-17, 32:20b). How can they do what displeases God and still seek His favour? That is not possible for God cannot be sided with evil. Then comes the wrath and judgment of God on His people, His predetermined counsel against their evil (Deuteronomy 32:24, 32:39-43). At another time, Judah sinned (1King 14:22-24), so God instigated the king of Egypt against Judah to spoil her. The treasures of the Lord's house (gold and silver) were removed but Rehoboam replaced the gold shield with bronze (1King 14:25-27). But how can we equate the quality of gold with bronze; besides, he would not leave them permanently there in the temple, all these treasures has to be carried in when needed and out after use (2 Chronicles 12:9-12, 1King 14:28), though they were not completely destroyed, yet, they suffered for their evil.
But if anyone professes to have Jesus, there must be a shift, a divine lifting from death and all that it produces to abundant life in Christ Jesus who alone is the source and giver of life (1 John 5:12). The revelation and manifestation of Jesus is to take away sins (Matthew1:21, 1 John 3:5). Hence, anyone who claims to have encountered God does not live for himself but for God (2 Corinthians 6:15). Living in reverent fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and this Solomon advocated for, Job also alluded to it that it is the wisest thing to do (Proverbs 16:16, Job 28:28). It behooves everyone therefore to esteem God's fear above any otber thing (Amos 5:15, 23-24). Another issue needing a paradigm shift relates to our abiding in Christ. In the gospel according to John chapter 15 verses 2b, 4-5,Jesus himself declared that He will take away any branch in Him that does not bear fruit. However, it takes someone who constantly abides and is attached to the vine to bear fruit. He alone can grow, multiply and have great achievements just as it happens in the natural. No branch can stay alive for long by itself or multiply without its attachment to the stem from where it receives nourishment that comes from the root. Even the children of Israel did not promise to blindly follow Joshua, they gave him a condition which must be fulfilled before they can follow and obey him. And the condition is-if the Lord God Yeshua is with him (Joshua 1:16-17, Hosea 11:10-11,Colossians 2:5b). Apparently, there is problem of identity crises now as supposed believers do not reflect Christ whom they proclaim to know and worship, and no amount of explanation will suffice. And basically there is no way anyone can resemble Him whom he does not relate with, or have any close link or contact with, so the real problem is that many do not know him so they cannot abide in Him.
Micaiah, the prophet was persuaded to speak encouraging words like other prophets who said good things, but all of them without exception told lies (2 Chronicles 18:10-12, 14). However, Micaiah did not follow other prophets to tell lies but he frankly declared to the king the mind of God, though hated (2 Chronicles 18:6-7), but, a vessel of God's judgment to erring king (2Chronicles 18:13, 15-21). So cunning Ahab disgusied himself and went to the battle ignoring the counsel of God through Michaiah, he was eventually killed by a straying bow (2 chronicles 18:33). There is a shift in several places all over the world, and though many are rebelling against the light (the true light-Jesus)and doing what they please, yet, God in heaven will not be silent (Job 24:13-14, 21, Isaiah 5:15-16). Job acknowledged that the fear of the Lord is to depart from evil and wickedness, and that coming to this conclusion ensures true living. But whenever man disobey the words of God, he opens himself up for terrible destruction oftentimes with no remedy expect he repents and amend his ways (Jeremiah 42:13-16, Ezekiel 11:19-21). God's judgment is unleashed when divine expectations are unmet (Luke 13:6-9). Whenever innocent blood is shed, God does not overlook or pardon evil perpetrators because the shed blood cries out to God for justice (2Kings 24:4). Then God executes judgment among His people in anger (Ezekiel 5:15) and in fury and with furious rebukes because of the crimes of blood in the land (Ezekiel 7:23-27). The most unfortunate thing is that when God releases His wrath, it affects the righteous too who fail to stand up for the nation to breach the gap (Ezekiel 21:3-4, 9:4), and it is always disastrous as destruction and desolation results.
To avert the wrath of God, there is just one sensible thing to do. Like Job, a man recokened righteous by God, yet, he would not be presumptious but asked for God's dealing and intervention putting himself under serious constraints, begging for God's mercy (Job 6:24, 9:14-15). Knowing that repetition is for emphasis, Isaiah 2:11 was repeated in Isaiah 2:17 and this infers that no highminded will survive it. For He God will be a swift witness against the agents of darkness (Malachai 3:5). In Deuteronomy 32:10-12, Moses recounted what God did for Israel how He sheltered them when there was no strange god in them, but later He needed to hide himself from them because they have followed stranged gods and demons (Deuteronomy 32:15-17, 32:20b). How can they do what displeases God and still seek His favour? That is not possible for God cannot be sided with evil. Then comes the wrath and judgment of God on His people, His predetermined counsel against their evil (Deuteronomy 32:24, 32:39-43). At another time, Judah sinned (1King 14:22-24), so God instigated the king of Egypt against Judah to spoil her. The treasures of the Lord's house (gold and silver) were removed but Rehoboam replaced the gold shield with bronze (1King 14:25-27). But how can we equate the quality of gold with bronze; besides, he would not leave them permanently there in the temple, all these treasures has to be carried in when needed and out after use (2 Chronicles 12:9-12, 1King 14:28), though they were not completely destroyed, yet, they suffered for their evil.
But if anyone professes to have Jesus, there must be a shift, a divine lifting from death and all that it produces to abundant life in Christ Jesus who alone is the source and giver of life (1 John 5:12). The revelation and manifestation of Jesus is to take away sins (Matthew1:21, 1 John 3:5). Hence, anyone who claims to have encountered God does not live for himself but for God (2 Corinthians 6:15). Living in reverent fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and this Solomon advocated for, Job also alluded to it that it is the wisest thing to do (Proverbs 16:16, Job 28:28). It behooves everyone therefore to esteem God's fear above any otber thing (Amos 5:15, 23-24). Another issue needing a paradigm shift relates to our abiding in Christ. In the gospel according to John chapter 15 verses 2b, 4-5,Jesus himself declared that He will take away any branch in Him that does not bear fruit. However, it takes someone who constantly abides and is attached to the vine to bear fruit. He alone can grow, multiply and have great achievements just as it happens in the natural. No branch can stay alive for long by itself or multiply without its attachment to the stem from where it receives nourishment that comes from the root. Even the children of Israel did not promise to blindly follow Joshua, they gave him a condition which must be fulfilled before they can follow and obey him. And the condition is-if the Lord God Yeshua is with him (Joshua 1:16-17, Hosea 11:10-11,Colossians 2:5b). Apparently, there is problem of identity crises now as supposed believers do not reflect Christ whom they proclaim to know and worship, and no amount of explanation will suffice. And basically there is no way anyone can resemble Him whom he does not relate with, or have any close link or contact with, so the real problem is that many do not know him so they cannot abide in Him.
