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Giving a Defense of Our Hope to a Fearful and Unbelieving World



Disease. Famine. War. These perennial blights on the world are increasing in frequency and intensity with every passing day. Even so, nothing compares to the chaos and carnage to come. The Lord Jesus speaks to the dire conditions at the apex of God's judgment: 



For there will then be great tribulation, such as was not from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor may be. And if those days were not shortened, no flesh would have been saved; but because of the chosen will those days be shortened (Matt. 24:21–22, LSV).



Even without the knowledge or understanding of the Day of the Lord, unbelievers are nevertheless prepping and bracing for further disaster. It is the "end of the world" as they know it. And judging by the extreme cognitive dissonance, escapism, and psychological distress, many are not feeling fine!


And instead of seeking shelter underneath the shadow of God Almighty, the Alpha and Omega, the Lord Jesus Christ, unbelieving Israel, who is partially-hardened and equipped with 21st-century technology and military acumen, will seek refuge under false pretenses. Just as they have done in the past, they will forge alliances with greater Gentile powers in the very near future to save their own skin from the Tribulation judgments of disease, famine, and war.


Perhaps no other Old Testament prophet speaks more about Israel's pattern of dangerous deal-making than Isaiah. Throughout his book there are a number of passages that highlight Israel's propensity for courting the enemy of their enemy rather than running to the Rock who gave them birth (Deut. 32:18). 


For example:


Isa. 2:6-8, "For You have left Your people, the house of Jacob. For they have been filled from the east, || And [are] sorcerers like the Philistines, || And strike hands with the children of strangers. And its land is full of silver and gold, || And there is no end to its treasures, || And its land is full of horses, || And there is no end to its chariots, || And its land is full of idols, || It bows itself to the work of its hands, || To that which its fingers have made."


Isa. 8:12-15: "You do not say, A confederacy, || To all to whom this people says, A confederacy, || And its fear you do not fear, || Nor declare fearful. YHWH of Hosts—Him you sanctify, || And He [is] your Fear, and He your Dread, || And He has been for a sanctuary, || And for a stone of stumbling, and for a rock of falling, || To the two houses of Israel, || For a trap and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many among them have stumbled and fallen, || And been broken, and snared, and captured.”


Isa. 21:2-3: "A hard vision has been declared to me, || The treacherous dealer is dealing treacherously, || And the destroyer is destroying. Go up, O Elam, besiege, O Media, || I have caused all its sighing to cease. Therefore my loins have been filled [with] great pain, || Pangs have seized me as pangs of a travailing woman."


Isa. 27:4-5: "In that day respond to her, “A desirable vineyard, I, YHWH, am its keeper, || I water it every moment, || Lest any lay a charge against it, || Night and day I keep it! Fury is not in Me; Who gives Me a brier—a thorn in battle? I step into it, || I burn it at once. Or—he takes hold on My strength, || [That] he makes peace with Me, || [And] he makes peace with Me.


Isa. 28:14-15, 18: "Therefore, hear a word of YHWH, you men of scorning, || Ruling this people that [is] in Jerusalem. Because you have said: “We have made a covenant with death, || And we have made a provision with Sheol, || An overflowing scourge, when it passes over, || Does not meet us, || Though we have made a lie our refuge, || And have been hidden in falsehood . . . And your covenant with death has been annulled, || And your provision with Sheol does not stand, || An overflowing scourge, when it passes over, || Then you have been to it for a treading-place.


Isa. 30:1-3: "Woe [to] apostate sons, || A declaration of YHWH! To do counsel, and not from Me, || And to spread out a covering, and not of My Spirit, || So as to add sin to sin. Who are walking to go down to Egypt, || And have not asked My mouth, || To be strong in the strength of Pharaoh, || And to trust in the shadow of Egypt. And the strength of Pharaoh || Has been to you for shame, || And the trust in the shadow of Egypt confusion."


Isa. 31:1-3: "Woe [to] those going down to Egypt for help, || And [who] lean on horses, || And trust on chariots, because [they are] many, || And on horsemen, because [they are] very strong, || And have not looked on the Holy One of Israel, || And have not sought YHWH. And He [is] also wise, and brings in evil, || And He has not turned aside His words, || And He has risen against a house of evildoers, || And against the help of workers of iniquity. And the Egyptians [are men], and not God, || And their horses [are] flesh, and not spirit, || And YHWH stretches out His hand, || And the helper has stumbled, || And the helped one has fallen, || And together all of them are consumed."


When compared to related passages of Scripture (Dan. 9:27; Hos. 12:1; 1 Thess. 5:3), this sampling from Isaiah testifies and confirms that Israel will once again forsake the Lord and forge an alliance with other nations to protect themselves from death and destruction. However, this habitual pattern of callous covenant-making will backfire in a big way when the Lord comes to judge.


And as soon as Israel strikes the last bad deal, the Lord Jesus Christ will open the first seal!


As we continue watching for Jesus' return to rescue His bride before God's final judgment commences (Isa. 26:20-21), we will also persevere through our study of Peter's first epistle. Note the number of references to the book of Isaiah—especially the highlighted portions below:


  • 1 Pet 1:24–25 (see Isa 40:6–8) 
  • 1 Pet 2:6 (see Isa 28:16)
  • 1 Pet 2:8 (see Isa 8:14) 
  • 1 Pet 2:22 (see Isa 53:9)
  • 1 Pet 2:24 (see Isa 53:5)
  • 1 Pet 2:25 (see Isa 53:6)
  • 1 Pet 3:14–15 (see Isa 8:12–13)

In this week's section of 1 Peter (3:13–22), we will find many relevant applications for today. Not only is there personal application in regard to the threats, accusations, and dangers that we face as believers day-to-day, but also in relation to Israel, we hear a word of warning for a wayward nation who is in the process of making a deal with death. Like King Ahaz in Isaiah's day, the leaders of Israel are fearful and unbelieving, refusing to respond to God's signs (Isa. 7:14; Rev. 12:1–2) and therefore asking for trouble...Jacob's trouble!







Post A Comment

35 comments:

  1. Could it be that the unbelieving world will see that war, massive poverty by inflation and famine, diseases and death are coming upon them? And that the antichrist will promise to avoid these disasters and that's why the unbelieving people accepts him as their 'saviour'? Of course he won't keep this promise, the unbelieving world will be fooled by him and judgmental disasters will hit the unbelieving world during the Tribulation period.

    I am writing to any unbeliever now, don't be fooled by this false messiah and accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord today!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I agree, Moin. I believe the "crisis fatigue" of the past 2 years has rubbed on the skin of everyone like a fine sandpaper, to the point that everyone is just looking for some "relief" to make it all stop. This wearing down will cause people to turn a blind eye to any concerns they might have about a person - they just want a "leader" who promises to bring a stop to it all. Many will be led like sheep to the slaughter because they are unaware and undiscerning after all of God's warnings to get on the boat befire the door is shut. God in his patient endurance and mercy has been using the "fires" of the past 2 years to both refine and burn up. Satan is using fear and frenzy to control people- God has turned that on it's head and brought MANY into the kingdom who would NEVER been open to Jesus if life had just gone on as usual. Everyone has to CHOOSE Jesus as their Lord and savior. I believe the past 2 years have had these constant points of choosing to show God and others where you stand. In the OT, it was always "CHOOSE this day who you will serve". Today, it is much like a March Madness bracket - it will all come down to 1 final choice and only 1 victor. Team Jesus!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In response to your comment, “God has turned that on its head and brought MANY into the kingdom who would NEVER been open to Jesus if life had just gone on as usual”.

      Do you not realize that it was His plan all along to do so? Nothing that has happened, is happening or will happen is a surprise to God where He must make a last minute decision. He has known from the beginning how it all turns out and He has allowed us broken mortals to be a part of it if we so choose. You make it sound as though God had to come up with a quick plan to foil Satan. NOTHING could be further from the truth. I say again, God has known everything that would take place from before He created anything and He did it anyway. A mystery we may never solve but one we are privileged to be a part of.

      Delete
  3. Heres a hypothetical question which has nothing to do with the subject here. Sorry for that but this has been on my mind for awhile.

    Here goes: What if Adam, instead of partaking in eating the forbidden fruit-whatever it was. The original sin probably had nothing to do with a fruit tree and is symbolic of something but back to the question.

    What if Adam told the serpent to get lost after Eve ate and didnt partake himself? God afterall didnt tell Eve not to do it but Adam specifically.

    That would mean that death would not have entered into the world and mankind as well as the animals would have reproduced with no loss of life.

    Under those circumstances how long would it take for the world population to exceed what it is now, pushing 8 billion humans, not including animals?

    Certainly God must have had a plan for that possibly involving controlled conception or perhaps he just would have made the earth bigger to accomodate everyone?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. Off topic is probably why the one answer was removed. Anyhow, what if questions are always difficult to answer because the what if didn't occur. God already knew what would transpire so the scenario you painted wasn't an issue.

      Delete
  4. Interfax: https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/818727.html "Many Russian units withdrawing troops to Russia, Belarus to restore their combat capability, replenish ammunition – Defense Ministry".

    ReplyDelete
  5. Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/israel-turkey-gas-pipeline-an-option-russia-wary-europe-sources-2022-03-29/ "Israel-Turkey gas pipeline an option for Russia-wary Europe -sources".

    Could this be a part of the Covenant with the many which the antichrist from Europe will confirm? I think that the reason for the ongoing peace efforts between Russia and Ukraine by mediator Erdogan has to do with this covenant.

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  6. the center of the conflict that causes Antichrist to come to power is in the territory of that one horn of the four horns that replaced Alexander the Great, the Seleucid territory - Western Iran, Iraq, Southern Turkey, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan - out of that territory, that's the Seleucid kingdom. That's the horn, that later, in Daniel 11, will conquer and prevail over the Ptolemy’s. The little horn must come out of the territory of the Seleucid King.

    Therefore, since the little horn grows up, uprooting three of the ten, the confederacy of the ten, must at least extend to, if not be centered in the area of the Middle east. When one rises up in that area, being the territory of the Seleucid horn of the Grecian Kingdom, when one rises up in that area, in a local war, not a world war, and uproots three of these horns that comprise the confederacy, that must be enveloped by at least the Seleucid kingdom, then, we are at the door of the end.

    Know this, Antichrist will not be revealed (to the Jews) until the Church that restrains him is taken out of the way, and as we will see, (if you are looking in the right area) he is close enough to be able to identify the kingdom into which he will move, and uproot three, and assert his power in that kingdom, and they will give it to him.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I still believe that the confederacy of 10 nations will be in Europe with Turkey included.

      Delete
  7. @ www.leohohmann.com ...on the digital ID ! wow and the World Summit gathering...

    ReplyDelete
  8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tPQt2_LxrM "Something Big Is Brewing These Next Few Weeks!!!"

    A regional war is brewing in the Middle East, see also https://eschatologytoday.blogspot.com/2022/03/global-sitrep-b6-22-israel-at-war.html "Global SITREP B6-22: Israel At War". A regional war in the Middle East, combined with the ongoing war in Ukraine, means much more economic and societal mayhem due to much more skyrocketing oil, natgas and food prices, and IS and Al Qaeda conducting worldwide attacks during this war.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. makes me think of,.. the end coming in like a flood (fast n furious)bang, Bang, BANG!

      Delete
  9. Heres the deal as our current moron president would say. The war in Ukraine is over. The bio-weapon labs have been destroyed, Putins forces are in control despite what the American media is saying. Since the dissolution of the USSR, Ukraine has been a playground for evil western activities including money laundering and human/child trafficking.

    Ever since the cold war ended the West has been encroaching upon the boundaries with Russia and breaking promises. They have every right to defend themselves.



    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. biden is playing his part well,..damning himself to hell every step of the way

      Delete
    2. This is nonsense, completely off topic, bears no relation to reality and should be removed as a post on this thread.

      I have great respect for Gary and the team at Unsealed but posts like this do you no credit whatsoever.

      Delete
    3. I agree, Graeme. This kind of thing has come to constitute a large segment of “Evangelical Christianity”. It’s far more “cultural” and political than Scriptural. I can’t imagine the Lord being pleased, at such a late hour, and with so much salvational work to be done.

      DW

      Delete
    4. you might want to look at www.atpministry.com new world order part 4 post that just showed up on Rob Palaszewski's site

      Delete
    5. I agree with you too, Graeme.

      The place we as members of the body of Christ need to be looking is in our hearts to search out what darkness lies there. We need to be looking for the conviction of the Holy Spirit and His tender voice of correction, leadership and teaching that guides us in all truth and righteousness. We need to be on our knees, quiet and still, in prayer, as well as in constant prayer, like a conversation, throughout our day with the LORD. We need to be devoted to study of His Word.

      29 No foul language should come from
      your mouth, but only what is good for
      building up someone in need, so that
      it gives grace to those who hear.

      (Ephesians 4:29 CSB)


      Most of all we need to reflect Christ in all we are and all we do. Christ in deed not in name. Christ in action not intention.

      We at all times MUST PUT GOD FIRST while loving our neighbour(s) as we love ourselves. Pray for our enemies and those who persecute you,

      45 so that you may be sons
      of your Father who is in
      heaven. For he makes his
      sun rise on the evil and
      on the good, and sends rain
      on the just and on the
      unjust.

      (Matthew 5:45 ESV)

      May the LORD Himself offer reproof and correction to our wayward tendencies. His will be done -- for if we each call ourselves children of God then to God be the glory and from Him come all correction and reproof to His glory and our eternal salvation.

      PR

      Delete
  10. Here is a good analysis on Russian-Ukrainin war.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9guX9_KY7Ts

    ReplyDelete
  11. Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/russias-gazprom-says-gas-exports-europe-via-ukraine-continue-2022-04-02/ "Russia's Gazprom says gas exports to Europe via Ukraine continue".


    I think that Russia won't halt natgas shipments to Europe until a regional war has erupted between Israel and her enemies in the Middle East. And that that halting Russian natgas shipments to Europe will be in order to put Europe under pressure as a warning not to help Israel in her war with her enemy states like Syria, Iran.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Graeme, I assume you are referring to Van helsing's post? It is hard not to call out evil and that is what I see he is doing. We are still called to be both salt and light until the Lord calls us home. I agree we need to be about our Father's business which is to spread the good news but we can also stand up for righeousness and pray for good government so we can live in peace. The Biden regime is evil and to not stand against this evil would be foolish in my opinion. What exactly do you think restrains evil in our world? It is the body of Christ filled with the Holy Spirit that stands for righteousness and opposes darkness. I do agree our hope will not be found in this world or a political leader but good government has allowed those living in America to spread the good news via missionaries around the world and to also defend the nation of Israel. This happened in large part because of God blessing America and his church that resides here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There is also a way we are to talk and that is not the way to do it. It is not reflective of the Way or the Word. That kind of talk has no place in this space IMHO and is offensive.

      Delete
  13. Point taken Pastor Rich. I agree. It needs done without being dentigrating or foul. We need to be good ambassadors while taking a stand for righteousness. We can't fight unrighteousness with unrighteousness. Just as Jesus rebuked the pharisees when they accused him of healing as a work of satan. Jesus made the point, would satan do a work that is against himself? We should not do a work against who and what we represent as believers.

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  14. I believe putting people down and saying someone is going to hell is not the Christan way to talk! For the most part I love the comments on here but we need to pray for the administration more than anything we do. As long as they have breadth they have a chance to come to Christ! Unless of course it's the antichrist himself but that won't be until we are outta here....

    ReplyDelete
  15. Jesus flipped a few tables over in His time. And He was perfect. So you will all just have to forgive me for thinking that it's acceptable to call a spade a spade once in awhile.

    More problematic than using the word "moron" would be making the mistake of believing, at this late hour, that any one of us can change what has been ordained to happen. Just do your best until you can't.

    And don't think for one second that any mere politician is capable of changing this. Biden may very well be a moron, but he was called to be where he is, and still needs our prayers. (Anyone that demonic REALLY needs prayer. lol)

    Van Helsing, it may well come to pass that your conviction and fiery rhetoric will be most appreciated when we return with Jesus at the Second Coming! An army needs sergeants! Maybe until then, you and I can work on "restraining" our own human proclivities. And, truth be told, I think we'll all be shocked when we're on that other side, and when we see ourselves as He sees us, that we ever put so much faith in "great" men of any party or faction.

    Jeremy

    ReplyDelete
  16. https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/18395/eu-global-power-strategy

    Note that military intervention would become possible during the term of EU President, and AC candidate, Emmanuel Macron.

    Note also, that this reviving Roman Empire is unparalleled by anything currently happening in the Middle East. (Apart from a self-glorified Erdogan, a hapless Assad, a heavy-handed Ayatollah, and a Saudi royal family past its prime.)

    Jeremy

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm not sure how corrupt Zelensky's government is, but I know for sure that the Ukrainian administration in the decades before Zelensky came to power were way more corrupt. Zelensky and his party were elected by the people to overthrow the corruption of which they were so sick of. The governments prior to Zelensky's were staunchly pro-Russian, and its leaders then were just puppets of Putin, siphoning hundreds of billions of dollars from the Ukrainian people into the pockets of Putin & various Russian oligarchs. Please see the documentary below linked:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ughFLQDcI_Q

    And before you slam Biden or say he is demonised, I would offer this verse from Exodus 22:28 "You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people." David in fact showed much respect to King Saul when the King had gone mad and was trying to kill David. David acknowledged Saul as God's annointed and would not say anything bad about Saul, nor kill him even when he had several chances.

    Being salt and light of the world does not mean slandering your country's leaders, and spreading conspiracy theories. Rather we are called to (Hebrews 13:17) "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account".

    Romans 13:1-14 "For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment"... For he is the servant of God... Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. ...".

    ReplyDelete
  18. JJ, how do you undertand what George Washington did in the Revolutionary war? How would you have reacted to what Hitler did to the Jews in WWII? Is there not a time to stand against tyrannical government? What about Daniel not bowing down to the ruler of his day? Did Washington face the wrath of God by opposing King George? It seems we obey our rulers only until they force us to choose between them and our alegence to Jesus. As it turned out the Jews of Germany misplaced their trust in Hitler. They were blinded by "normalcy bias".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ultimately, it all comes down to God. It always will especially in light of who we are in Christ and the events that pave the way to the kingdom to come. We the church already know how the kingdom age will go and how/when it will end.

      Heirs to the kingdom we are kings. Witnesses to the message of the One and the Way we are priests. Recipients of His revelation we are prophets. We are the called, the elect, the very definition of the order of Melchizedek with Jesus as our High Priest, King of Righteousness.

      Scripture, the Holy Spirit and the fellowship of the Saints be our guide.

      Let that soak in for a bit.

      Delete
  19. George Washington was a Freemason fyi. And Russia is the "tyrannical government" of today, that is killing thousands of civilians in Ukraine, including many Ukrainian Jews.

    Did Biden force you to bow down and worship him? Did he make u choose between him and Jesus? As for Daniel, he was actually a hostage of the Babylonian king that had invaded Israel, and was forced to serve him. And Daniel did serve him, and also showed much respect to the Babylonian king in fact! He even interpreted his dreams for him, and the king actually put Daniel and his friends in charge of various important duties in his palace. God can turn all things for good to those who love Him. The king later even executed those who had plotted against Daniel.

    I would caution u against misplacing your trust in Putin. That would be truly blind.

    ReplyDelete
  20. George Washington was a Freemason fyi. And Russia is the "tyrannical government" of today, that is killing thousands of civilians in Ukraine, including many Ukrainian Jews.

    Did Biden force you to bow down and worship him? Did he make u choose between him and Jesus? As for Daniel, he was actually a hostage of the Babylonian king that had invaded Israel, and was forced to serve him. And Daniel did serve him, and also showed much respect to the Babylonian king in fact! He even interpreted his dreams for him, and the king actually put Daniel and his friends in charge of various important duties in his palace. God can turn all things for good to those who love Him. The king later even executed those who had plotted against Daniel.

    I would caution u against misplacing your trust in Putin. That would be truly blind.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Now The End Begins: https://www.nowtheendbegins.com/neo-nazi-azov-battalion-has-emerged-as-main-fighting-force-in-ukraine-against-putin-russia/ "The Radical Far Right Neo-Nazi Group Azov Battalion Has Emerged As The Main Defender Of Ukraine, But What Does That Mean For The Future?".

    ReplyDelete
  22. Watchman On The Wall 88 at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtrFthBDrwY "This Brings Us One Step Closer To The Antichrist!!!":

    "Brother Chad discusses The breaking news out of Israel regarding its Government falling again… And why this brings us closer to the arrival of the future antichrist."

    ReplyDelete
  23. Look see,..www.atpministry.com (New World Order part 5 post) apr.10,2022

    ReplyDelete


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