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WICKED FOR THE DAY OF EVIL (#1)
by Pastor Jeromy John Visser
(Introduction:)
The title of this evening's sermon will be Wicked For the Day of Evil and it's my intention with this specific lesson to probe deeper into how it is that evil came to be with us and who exactly sends it upon us. We will be looking into several passages from the Bible all proving that it's Yahweh who sends wickedness and iniquity upon his people and only does so when they fall away from His perfect Law or start to serve other gods before Him.
There's a very important verse found in Micah 4:5 and it reads; "For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of Yahweh our God forever and ever." This aspect becomes more apparent in a 'real' Christian walk as the remnant are the most persecuted of all Christians, if not the only group who experience true "Christian suffering" due to their unwavering belief in Jesus as God and the infallibility of the scriptures.
Tonight, I hope to examine why Yahweh says He is "gracious to whom I will gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy (Exodus 33:19)" and more importantly, why "Many are called, but few are chosen (Matthew 22:14)." This is an important study because not once did our Savior teach us to go door to door making a general nuisance of ourselves while trying to 'sell' Jesus to those who He hasn't given "eyes to see and ears to hear (Matthew 13:15)."
In order to drive home my point, we should read one of the numerous anti-homosexual New Testament passages found in Paul's epistle to the Romans; "The invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things (Romans 1:20-23)."
We should notice from these verses that there is no excuse for not 'seeing' Yahweh in the very world around us because He is clearly seen in His creation, this includes the fact that Jesus is God or part of the perfect Godhead. There are many snakes that love turning Christians against Jesus by teaching contrary to his equality with Yahweh or saying that He wasn't "God with us (Matthew 1:23)" or "God manifest in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16)." Beware of this type of so-called teaching, it falls directly under the Biblical definition of 'antichrist' and also causes well-meaning Christians to serve false gods other than the Creator Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:16-18)." Also notice that foolishness accompanies 'educated thought' because while "professing themselves to be wise, they became fools" meaning that their eyes are blinded by Yahweh so Satan is then allowed to play upon their intellect -- most times convincing the unfortunate host that he doesn't exist. The God of Israel is perfect, let's never forget this.
Let's read some more; "Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet (Romans 1:24-27)."
Only a God of love would give such unruly children what they want by giving them the very filth that they desire. This type of 'tough love' was exhibited in the teachings of Jesus like when He said; "Woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation (Luke 6:4)" or "When thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward (Matthew 6:5)." Saying that they 'have their reward' and 'have received their consolation' means that their fleshly desires, whether it be riches or pleasures, will be all they will ever get. Sadly for them, being forsaken by Yahweh is no real reward at all and it's amazing how the homosexuals will still assert the false claim that the New Testament isn't anti-queer. In these passages, we can learn that there is a 'natural use' for men and women and that lustful homosexuals work that which is 'unseemly' or "indecent (Strong's #G808)" in the eyes of Yahweh. It's because of this hatred of God and His perfect Law that Yahweh forsakes them.
Now, let's finish the chapter; "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them (Romans 1:28-32)."
Here we can see that Yahweh Himself gives them the 'reprobate mind' to do those things 'non-convenient' or not "becoming (Strong's #G2520)." In short, they are simply considered "vessels of dishonor" that can only be used to bring about Yahweh's perfect will on earth, even if the so-called 'reprobate' isn't aware of it. Paul also provides us with some distinguishing traits of those given 'the spirit of slumber,' they are straight-out haters of God and the very covenant that He made with Israel among a few. The Bible tells us that there are many false prophets among us (2 Peter 2:1) and in order to be a false prophet one must be working within the movement so let's be aware of the many devices of the Judas-inspired enemy. Let's also do all that we can to serve our Jealous God by adapting our lives around His perfect commandments or Law, even when our human understanding doesn't comprehend why it's commanded.
Let's stay in Romans but hop over to the 9th chapter and pick it up on verse 13; "As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy (Romans 9:13-16)."
It's amazing that so many Christians feel like an omnipotent God doesn't possess the ability to hate when it's written in our very scriptures. 'It is written' in Malachi 1:2-3; "I have loved you, saith Yahweh. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith Yahweh: yet I loved Jacob, And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness." Notice here that Paul says there is no 'unrighteousness' with God as it is never our place to question His motives, instead we should be only thankful and humble that He has chosen us at all. In keeping with this evening's topic, Paul even quotes Exodus 33:19 which reads; "And he said [to Moses], I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of Yahweh before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy." This is more Biblical proof that it is God that does the choosing and while He may use His people to spread the Gospel, only the gift of the Holy Spirit can give them actual 'eyes to see' or the ability to discern what is plainly written in our beloved scriptures.
Let's continue; "For the Scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? (Romans 9:17-21)."
If you were here for my sermon Thou Shalt Make Thee No Molten gods, I taught that Yahweh Himself hardened Pharaoh's heart and here is where we discover the reason for Him doing so -- 'He might show His power in Pharaoh, and that His name might be declared throughout all the earth.' Paul than continues to compare Israel to 'pots' formed by 'the potter' which is a very fitting analogy because 'the ruddy Adam' was formed from the red soil in the Garden of Eden. Nonetheless, we learn that Yahweh makes some of these 'vessels' or people for honor and others for dishonor to "show His power" and bring about His will. No man can question Yahweh as to why they were created to be a certain way and no amount of arguing will make a person see a truth that is not intended for them -- it's like forcing someone to read somebody else's mail, they won't understand what is written.
Fortunately, Paul teaches Christians what they must do to be 'vessels of honor' over in 2 Timothy 2:15-20 so let's read that now; "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work."
In order to be a 'vessel of honor' and 'fit for use' by Yahweh we must study the Word of God and rightly divide that Truth. We must also shun or refuse false doctrine here called "profane vain babblings" such as any 'new doctrines' that might rear their ugly heads along our Christian walk. It also says that those who say that "the resurrection is past already" or that Jesus will never return again are to be resisted and surprisingly there are still sects of 'Pharisee Christians' that like to teach against 'the second coming' of Jesus. It should already be apparent that Yahweh "knows them that are his" and through spiritual discernment it becomes second-nature for Christians to spot those who are His as well. Fellowship is important, but let's all be sure that we purge ourselves from these false doctrines and trust in the Ever-Living Word before approaching the Father in any request. We should always set time aside to listen for His voice in nature, in the Bible, inside us or by any of the many ways that Yahweh chooses to speak to His elect.
Jesus taught that "thy word is truth" in Matthew 17:17 and almost every piece of "the whole amour of God (Ephesians 6:13-17)" is the Word of Yahweh so we must always use our swords (Hebrews 4:12) against the enemy and their false doctrines. The serpentile enemy loves to sugarcoat their many lies with a wee-bit of truth and without the Word we have no chance against them. This was taught in the actions of Jesus when He was 'tempted' by Satan in the wilderness, He corrected Lucifer numerous times by saying "It is written" showing the importance of knowing twisted scripture when we see it. Study is a commandment.
Let's now move on to Romans 11:1; "I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the Scripture saith of Elijah? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal (Romans 11:1-4)."
Paul tells us all in the Word of God that he is an Israelite descended from the tribe of Benjamin which is an important fact within itself. He then continues to explain that Yahweh hasn't 'cast away' His chosen race but has even chosen Himself seven thousand people, or the elect remnant. Baal was the false god of Jezebel and in a futurist sense would also be the 'government god' or church because he was also the god of Jezebel's husband King Ahab. My how things don't change! Even in today's sad state of affafirs with churchianity twisting doctrine right and left there is a remnant of believers as Paul soon explains.
Continuing on; "Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded. (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompense unto them: Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back always (Romans 11:5-10)."
Like typical, even the remnant is saved according to grace in compliance with Ephesians 2:8-9; "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Paul continues to teach the Romans that "God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear" just like promised and 'as it is written.' This concept of 'slumber' dates all the way back to Deuteronomy 29:4 where Moses says to certain men of Israel; "Yet Yahweh hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day"
Turn with me now to Isaiah 29:6-10; "Thou shalt be visited of Yahweh of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire. And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her munition, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night vision. It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion. Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. For Yahweh hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered."
Most Christians should be familiar with this account in Isaiah, it's from this same chapter that we read; "Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men (Isaiah 29:13)." Jesus would later teach on this same verse when dealing with the 'hypocrites' or 'pretend Christians' of His day in Matthew 15:7-8; "Hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."
We should all be able to notice here that our Savior teaches that there are men at large, ones with a slumbered spirit no less, who are teaching for 'doctrine' their own commandments or "the precepts of men." In short, there are many people who consider themselves to be 'followers of the Way' but are in fact no more Christian than Lucifer himself. One merely need to look around at the type of baloney that is spewed out from behind the modern-day pulpit in this day and age to see this is true because a majority of what 'government churches' teach cannot be substantiated within the pages of the Bible. Such false concepts like "the prosperity doctrine, judeo-Christianity or the pre-tribulation rapture" are all dreamed up by men who have removed their heart far from Yahweh and to put it more bluntly -- they can only offer "lip service" to Jesus because they're blinded in reality.
(Intention:)
My intention is to bring you the second part of this sermon that examines the actual verses that prove Yahweh plainly sends evil itself upon His people when they are unruly to His Law. So far, we've covered three major aspects all taken from the book of Romans leading up to this very aspect -- the reprobate mind, the dishonorable vessel and the slumbered spirit.
Considering the title of this evening's lesson it would only be fair to quote one final verse before adjourning; "Yahweh hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil (Proverbs 16:4)." For most Christians, the concept of an omnipotent or "all things" God is the key to understanding the very oracles of the Ever-Living Yahweh. There are many false prophets at large who love to attack this harmony by asserting the lie that Jesus isn't God or Satan doesn't exist but somehow there's another "higher power" at work within our own minds that should be harkened to. Beware of snakes who push anything 'new' whether it be a new age, new doctrines or new Bibles.
It's my sincere prayer that Jesus Christ will use this sermon to reach His chosen people and call them out of Babylon, these are both dangerous and exciting times. We should always strive to be wiser than our enemy and serve only King Jesus because He is the source of all blessings and power on earth. May they awake if slumbered and be given eyes to see. Amen.
[ Date:
Wednesday, May 11th,
2005 ]
Last Page Update:
February 07, 2006
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