THE FUTILITY OF LEADERS

In the span of the 20th century there have been close to 45 million Christians killed for the mere reason of being believers in Jesus Christ. Compare that to the 25 million that have been killed for the same reason during the span of the 19 centuries beginning at the day of Pentecost. That averages to approximately 13,157 per century (131 per year) up to the end of the 19th century, (1899). Amazing; and in 100 short years, 45 million killed, that's 450,000 average per year. Then to speak of hypocrisy, here in America there are "Christians" praying for self, health, wealth and prosperity at the same time that many Christians are suffering brutal torture, imprisonment, and death for believing in Jesus Christ.

As it is written in Matthew 24:9, “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.”

           There are those that say Jesus was referring to the days immediately after His ascension, when the gospel would begin to be spread. True, but He also was referring to the last days, how things would be as His return would draw closer and closer. At the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately and asked; “tell us, when these things will be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming and of the end of the world [age]”?

“Take care that you are not tricked. For people will come in my name, saying, I am the Christ; and a number will be turned from the true way through them. And news will come to you of wars and talk of wars: do not be troubled, for these things have to be; but it is still not the end. For nation will be moved against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and men will be without food, and the earth will be shaking in different places; But all these things are the first of the troubles. . .  numbers of people will be turned from the right way, and will give one another up and have hate for one another.  And a number of false prophets [teachers/pastors] will come, causing error. And because wrong doing be increased, the love of most people will become cold.” (Matthew 24:7-8, 10-12).

So here we are today, the beginning of the fall season of 2013 and are we any closer to a “world peace”? Man’s attempts are futile when finding ways to reconcile and live in peace. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death,” (Proverbs 14:12). The world is bombarded constantly with philosophy that is nothing but vacuous gibberish in the form of senseless psycho/babble from celebrities – entertainers, quotes from historical figures and advertising slogans:

“Trust your instincts” – Oprah;

 “Do what you feel in your heart to be right” – Eleanor Roosevelt

            Man in America has distanced himself from the Lord God more and more just in the last few decades believing the lie that man is capable of all things himself. He has forgotten and or has refused to accept the words from Scripture that say that man’s heart “. . . is a twisted thing, not to be searched out by man: who is able to have knowledge of it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). It is seen in all, even among those in whom the people of America are supposed to have their trust in, their leaders. They lie, and not just say falsehoods but say them in self-deception and those ignorant of the truth take it all, “hook line and sinker” as the saying goes.

            If man would lay aside his pride and put all his “. . . hope in God, not looking to your reason for support. In all your ways give ear to him, and he will make straight your footsteps. Put no high value on your wisdom: let the fear of the Lord be before you, and keep yourself from evil,” (Proverbs 3: 5, 6). Man’s attempt to work out all things his own way is futile because God’s way is not our way and as the Lord declares, “. . . as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9), but if America were to place its trust in the Lord God, He declares “. . . that as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and does not go back again, but gives water to the earth, and makes it fertile, giving seed to the planter, and bread for food; So will my word be which goes out of my mouth: it will not come back to me with nothing done, but it will give effect to my purpose, and do that for which I have sent it. For you will go out with joy, and be guided in peace:” (Isaiah 55:9-12). Unfortunately man would rather believe the lie than the truth and for that reason God’s wrath will fall on man, and we my, acquaintances, are coming closer to the day of the wrath of God.

            Are you ready? Jesus said, “. . . watch ye at every season, making supplication, that ye may prevail to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” (Luke 21:36). Now is time for salvation, when you die and have not recognized Jesus as Lord, it will be much too late.