December 22
Zech 2:1-3:10 | PS 141:1-10 | Prov 30:18-20 | Rev 13:1-13:18
Your spouse, your child, your mother, your friend, etc. raised their hand or walked to the front of the church during an altar call, yet nothing in their lives seems to have changed. Or perhaps, after a very brief period of excitement they are back to their old worldly ways. The question arises, did they ever really make a commitment, did they ever really repent and accept Jesus' offer of salvation, or was this a moment of being emotional. There are those who state, of course my mother is saved, though she won't read her bible, and she does this or that, she was a great mother, and she went to church every week, sometimes during the middle of the week. There will be a time in the future, during the tribulation, after the church has been raptured, when all those left behind will be distinguished by their worship of the Antichrist, when they receive a mark which is visible and external which will be an outward identification indicating that the individual has rejected Christ and His offer of forgiveness. No middle ground. No stance of neutrality. Either you worship the Antichrist, and with that mark, the ability to buy and sell, or you reject it and starve. A choice which can no longer be hidden or faked.
We read in Revelation 13:16-18, " He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666." This concept was not foreign to those living in those times, as slaves, which may have represented 20-30% of the Roman Empire, and soldiers were also often branded externally to reveal where they belonged. Though we might get caught up with the invisible chip to facilitate the coming cashless society, this will be the means in which to make it happen. The brand or mark will be visible for all to see. It can’t be erased. It is a choice which can’t be done over. And, most do realize that this RFID chip technology is now available and being used in small segments of our society, so everything is ready for this next phase of earth’s history and God’s story.
Most think they can feign neutrality, and many externally seem to succeed with this. But, God is not fooled. He knows those who are His, and those who are not. This is really all that counts. Heaven and hell are in His hands and it is His right to determine one's fate. On the other hand, it is often much more difficult for us, as we, the people to know this for certain with many individuals. For this reason, we must never stop discussing Jesus Christ, and His offer of salvation, the Good News, the Gospel message. It never gets old, and we never know if this time the seed that we plant may actually take root inside the individual. This season, when we often assemble with family, reminisce less, and be about our Father's business more.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: