A NATION WITHOUT GOD

“From this time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him” (John 6:66 – significant chapter and verse number; co-incidence or God-incidence?)

A NATION DIVIDED

As a nation, we have turned our back on the Lord God Almighty and forsaken Him: the dire consequences of our actions are upon us.

A clear and distressing separation is taking place in our nation. The divides of the past: class distinctions, haves and have nots, north and south, etc., are fading into insignificance when compared with the growing chasm that exists between left-wing and right-wing opinions.

Jesus said: “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand” (Matthew 12:25). Our country has all the hallmarks of a deeply divided nation on the brink of civil war.

THE CHURCH DIVIDED

Many “Christians” are no longer following the Word of God and have aligned themselves with causes that they have neither researched nor understood.

They continue to espouse their belief in God, but have lost sight of Jesus.

Others believe the church has replaced Israel in God’s favour and the Jews are, therefore, no longer significant in God’s redemptive plan for mankind.

To my mind, the whole of scripture relates to the significance of the descendants of Abraham and his offspring through Isaac (if not, how can the 144,000 Jews sealed by God in Revelation 7, and seen standing with Jesus on Mt Zion in Revelation 14, be explained?).

Are we standing with Jesus as the world turns against Him and His brethren, God’s chosen people Israel? Or are we taking the much easier position of siding with the world? The latter option is pragmatic, comfortable, and may well, in the short term, shield people from hatred and abuse.

I tell you the truth: Satan is desperately endeavouring to thwart God’s plans for mankind, because he believes that if he succeeds, he will prove God wrong and save himself from eternal damnation in the lake of burning sulphur (Revelation 20:10). If we take the easy option for short term gain, we too will be on course for eternal damnation.

FAITH

We are now being tested on whether the life of Jesus in us is the dominating influence in our being, or whether self-interest takes pride of place. Are we loyal and fully committed to honouring Jesus in all that we do and say?

In 2 Corinthians 11:16-33 Paul gives a comprehensive description of the abuse, persecution, pain and suffering that may ensue, for those who fully commit to following Jesus. Life for devoted Christians is already appallingly difficult in many parts of the world, and it is going to get much harder here.

It is prophesied that a time of great tribulation is coming. How will we react when facing the possibility of unmitigated suffering, even unto death? Jesus says we should never be afraid, but rather we should rest in perfect confidence in Him. I find that a huge challenge; panic is often my first reaction to a crisis. I reason that God must be asleep in the boat and that He cannot have recognised that we are about to be engulfed by the storm (Matthew 8:24,25).

Nevertheless, I know that Jesus expects His followers to be the steadfast and reliable ones in any calamity. It is essential to keep our focus on Jesus in every circumstance, and to remember that it is our place in eternity that is at stake. Sudden unexpected disasters always reveal on what or on whom we rely. Now more than ever, it is essential that we train our minds so that when catastrophe strikes, we immediately turn to Jesus for help.

CONCLUSION

A time of great tribulation draws near – the signs of division in the church, in our nation and in the world are very evident. We are on the brink of a massive upheaval. Even so, we are to look beyond the imminent chaos and turmoil to the glorious return of our saviour Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords.

What is a truly amazing (supernatural) is that, in Bible prophecy, God has told us exactly what to expect. The events we are witnessing are no surprise to Him!

In what little time we have, it is imperative that we worship God, study the Word and seek to be blameless in His sight. Pray for wisdom and discernment, and to be a tower of strength and encouragement to others.

Jesus will return: Victory is assured: Hallelujah!

Neil Mackereth

PS (16:12)