Daily Sermons #5
Last Generation Social Breakdown
John Thiel, The Last
Do you believe we are living in the last generation? There is more material for us to appreciate and fill us with more intense appreciation of the last generation description given by Jesus. In this study we will look at the last generation in its social representation of social breakdown today. We reflect again upon the words of Jesus and glean the aspects.
Matthew 24:33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, [even] at the doors. 34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Among all these things that are mentioned, when you shall see all these things, what things are we seeing that He is referring to that indicates that we are in this last generation in reference to social?
Matthew 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Are people easily offended today? Because they are offended they payback what they are offended about. They have a go. You can see it in the Middle East. When Israel does something the Arabs pay back. That is the way human beings behave.
Matthew 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
In this generation iniquity abounds and the love of many grows cold. We want to see some enlargements of this.
Matthew 24:37 But as the days of Noe
Otieno Were o, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two [women shall be] grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
These are the things of the last generation that are directly in relation to social factors.
Daniel 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, [even] to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
These are the factors which we want to closely examine.
Iniquity and hatred.
Eating and drinking.
Marrying and giving in marriage.
Preoccupation of running to and fro and of knowledge.
Iniquity and Hatred
Has not iniquity and hatred always existed? Of course so is that a sign of the last generation? What about nature? All these things have always been in nature, pestilence earthquakes but what happens at the end? They get worse.
2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
The generation before was pretty bad and that wasn’t quite as bad and the one before that and so on. When you come to the last generation, you have an increase of people becoming seducers and worse and worse and continuing to increase their deceptive skills. This is the measure as it is given in those first three verses.
2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
What is the peril?
2 Timothy 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
There has been wickedness in the past. There have always been people who have been incontinent and truce breakers but as we come to the end it is of a magnitude that creates peril for society and the generation just before Jesus comes. Today we are looking at a society and think, can it get any worse? Things are really bad.
Without Natural Affection
Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
They hold the truth in unrighteousness.
Romans 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 26 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: 27 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. 28 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;
The atheist doesn’t like to retain God in his knowledge even if proved wrong.
Romans 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
I hear people commenting, how is it that people can’t see what we can see? How is it that people who are professing to be Christian can’t see all these things? Here is the reason, it is all written. It doesn’t make any sense but it is happening all around you. How real are these texts in reference to the last days in perilous times without natural affection? There was a time where these people always existed – see verse 27. How is it today? Is it done in secret? It used to be done in secret. In my generation gay people weren’t termed gay, they were homosexual full stop but as time went on they are regarded as having rights. Now how far has it gone? They are passing laws to say marriage of men with men and women with women is acceptable.
In the government there are people governing us of this calibre. There is a woman in the senate living with a woman who has just had a baby. This is the last generation. It is as bad as Sodom and Gomorrah and they think it’s alright. Social decadence that is of a hue to the Christian that is horrifying. Its peril because fellow Christians will judge you for the way I’m talking. In the Seventh Day Adventist church there is a society under the umbrella of Adventists for gays and its quite alright, that is the peril. Being filled with unrighteousness, mis-using their bodies. The use of a woman is completely diabolically perverted. This is what is under the heading without natural affection.
Because there are people who will be expressing what I’m expressing who get into trouble. I’m not condemning them, I’m just describing them. If I was really verbal and expressed how corrupt they are in no uncertain terms, to be a preacher of fire and brimstone, I’ll get into trouble. There are laws against doing that. I’m just quoting scripture. This is the last generation, believe it on that level alone. It’s hopelessly gone. Despisers of those that are good. They will despise you for upholding the pure things of God. Even within the church within the Adventist circles:
Matthew 24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 46 Blessed [is] that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
Here is a faithful servant and the despisers of those that are good are who?
Matthew 24:48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; 49 And shall begin to smite
Phillip Kotze fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
What is this man doing? He is a fellow servant. Because the faithful servant is doing good and proclaiming the pure message, he is despising him for doing good. When I went to school and I wanted to do good, my peers said mummy’s boy and teacher’s pet. That is despising those that are good. We come to the reality of that today. If you were in court and you wanted to stand for truth and righteousness, you will be despised and you will not get justice.
Isaiah 59:4 None calleth for justice, nor [any] pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.
Iniquity abounds, it is rampant.
Isaiah 59:7 Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts [are] thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction [are] in their paths. 8 The way of peace they know not; and [there is] no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.
Are they looking for peace especially in this generation? Are they finding it? They think they can make peace by going to war but that is the madness. Peace keepers shooting others. If you really let your mind absorb what is written and what is meant about getting justice, it turns your brain. I’ve learnt over the years to stay under the radar. You don’t want to be a protestor today. The wise and prudent will be silent in that day. All we can do is encourage one another. You can’t raise your voice because if you do, you are gone. Your power for influence is gone. The way you should witness is by a quiet manner because if you would go to court you would lose. Justice is falling in the street.
Isaiah 59:14 And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. 15 Yea, truth faileth; and he [that] departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw [it], and it displeased him that [there was] no judgment.
What is the immediate next event described in this line-up?
Isaiah 59:16 And he saw that [there was] no man, and wondered that [there was] no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him. 17 For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance
Fidelis Rafael clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak. 18 According to [their] deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompense to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompense. 20 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.
What are we reading? This is the last generation because immediately upon these realities the redeemer will come. We are reading the very last generation in scripture. That’s why we have to take this seriously and walk very carefully so we don’t cause unnecessary persecution upon ourselves. God will come with vengeance.
Economic
In the economic situation today people know there is going to be trouble in the financial market and they are heaping up gold as they say that is the way you will survive the credit crunch. These are the ideas people have to survive under the perilous times we live.
James 5:1 Go to now, [ye] rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon
Eunice Gankpe .
How did the mega rich get so rich today?
James 5:3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. 4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. 5 Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. 6 Ye have condemned [and] killed the just; [and] he doth not resist you.
If you were to look into the depths behind the scenes of so called modern propriety you will see this is exactly what they have done. The First and Second World War’s are an example. They are secretly working to making themselves wealthy on war and bloodshed and making the poor poorer. It’s only by the grace of God that we who are poor and afflicted are still fairing sumptuously to a large degree, only by Gods mercy. We have seen iniquity and hatred. People want their rights to do as they please, disobedient to parents, broken marriages.
Eating and Drinking
Eating and drinking as in the days of Noah. Is that wrong? Don’t we eat and drink? What is the problem? According to Luke we read there are severe perplexities. Men’s hearts failing them for fear and as they are, would that be a time to celebrate? Should that be a time for partying? It shouldn’t be. With all things coming on the planet in this last generation, what is the mind occupation during these negative prospects?
Joel 2:10 The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: 11 And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp [is] very great: for [he is] strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD [is] great and very terrible; and who can abide it?
As this is happening and heaping up on them, what are they doing? Eating and drinking. This is what God calls for in such a serious time as this.
Isaiah 22:12 And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth: 13 And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.
Their hearts were failing them for fear so come on let’s have a good time. When people are depressed what do they do? Let’s have a party and cheer each other up, we’re going to die anyway so let’s have a good time. God says if it’s so bad, why don’t you turn to me and turn your laughter to mourning and your joy to heaviness so that you may repent and change your ways? But no, we are going to die, they are making the choice. Instead of following the true fast that God has called upon us to do, health reform, they eat anything. What do they eat? How diabolical is it today that people are eating and drinking as in the days of Noah?
Isaiah 66:15 For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. 16 For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many. 17 They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one [tree] in the midst, eating swine’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD. 18 For I [know] their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.
What was His glory; His character that is displayed in the judgment in the day of His wrath which is their self-destruction.
What are the heathen nations eating? The Chinese eat what? Mice and the French eat snails. They eat these abominations. Dogs, kangaroos etc. Let us eat and drink anything. Did you taste that? It was a lovely crustacean. Abomination! Is that correct? Is that what is happening? Western society is bringing in the heathen practices of other nations and they are prepared to touch and taste them and handle them which before was yuck. This is the last generation in regards to eating and drinking.
Marrying and Giving in Marriage
Is that wrong? Is there something wrong with getting married? I’ve grown up in such a generation described by Jesus. Those who are not married follow this carefully and don’t make the same mistake I made.
They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the Flood came, and destroyed them all.” The people of this generation are marrying and giving in marriage with the same reckless disregard of God’s requirements as was manifested in the days of Noah. There is in the Christian world an astonishing, alarming indifference to the teaching of God’s word in regard to the marriage of Christians with unbelievers. Many who profess to love and fear God choose to follow the bent of their own minds rather than take counsel of Infinite Wisdom. In a matter which vitally concerns the happiness and well-being of both parties for this world and the next, reason, judgment, and the fear of God are set aside, and blind impulse, stubborn determination, is allowed to control. {5T 365.3}
What is that? If you fall in love, it’s quite alright. That is blind impulse.
Men and women who are otherwise sensible and conscientious close their ears to counsel; they are deaf to the appeals and entreaties of friends and kindred and of the servants of God. The expression of a caution or warning is regarded as impertinent meddling, and the friend who is faithful enough to utter a remonstrance is treated as an enemy. {5T 365.3}
Remember disobedience to parents is brought into this area. If mum and dad say, no I don’t agree with this marriage, too bad. I love this person we are really so blended together in beautiful love and the parents say, sorry this is not a good partner for you, but I love her/him. Sorry you are not right, stop it. I know I’m right. My mother cried buckets of tears when I found my girlfriend and married her. My mother in law said she is not for you and I paid no attention.
All this is as Satan would have it. He weaves his spell about the soul, and it becomes bewitched, infatuated. Reason lets fall the reins of self-control upon the neck of lust, unsanctified passion bears sway, until, too late, the victim awakens to a life of misery and bondage. This is not a picture drawn by the imagination, but a recital of facts. God’s sanction is not given to unions which He has expressly forbidden. For years I have been receiving letters from different persons who have formed unhappy marriages, and the revolting histories opened before me are enough to make the heart ache. It is no easy thing to decide what advice can be given to these unfortunate ones, or how their hard lot can be lightened; but their sad experience should be a warning to others. {5T 365.3}
What’s the reason? Incontinence, bed wetting. I can’t control my bladder or emotions as that is what we are called to do as Christians. Control the flesh and learn to become continent. But that is not on, we want to enjoy ourselves and we believe I am a Christian and I love my darling as she is looking at me all starry eyed as I talk about the Lord. So what? She is not matched because the life is not in harmony with the starry eyes but that is what controls.
In this age of the world, as the scenes of earth’s history are soon to close and we are about to enter upon the time of trouble such as never was, the fewer the marriages contracted, the better for all, both men and women. Above all, when Satan is working with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish, let Christians beware of connecting themselves with unbelievers. {5T 366.1}
You can find unbelievers within the church and think you are marrying a believer.
God has spoken. All who fear Him will submit to His wise injunctions. Our feelings, impulses, and affections must flow heavenward, not earthward, not in the low, base channel of sensual thought and indulgence. It is time now that every soul should stand as in the sight of the heart-searching God. {5T 366.1}
This is a subject which has to do with preparing for heaven. People are under this mentality that when it feels good, do it. I’ve had to deal with several occasions of this nature. Some listen and some did not. What is the effect in today’s society of not listening to the counsel of the Lord and marrying and giving in marriage? What is the effect? The marriage continues and then Matthew 19:7-9 takes place. Because of the hardness of their heats they are given a letter of divorcement, families breaking up. She was the wife of my youth, I loved her dearly now what am I doing? What has happened?
Malachi 2:14 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet [is] she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. 15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. 16 For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for [one] covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.
This is what happens with marriage and in today’s society, how much treachery has been given in marrying and giving in marriage? 50% of marriages twenty years ago divorced and remarried. The ministers of the Seventh Day Adventist church 51%. That’s a statistical fact twenty years ago. Just as it was in the days of Noah. Such is the story of this generation much worse than any time before. As they are occupied with their marriages and intermarriages, they are so occupied they don’t realise they are in the last generation and the thief is coming.
Jeremiah 23:10 For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force [is] not right. 11 For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the LORD. 12 Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery [ways] in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, [even] the year of their visitation, saith the LORD. 14 I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah. 17 They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.
There has just been a divorce and remarriage and then at the remarriage time they say, the Lord will bless your marriage.
Jeremiah 23:18 For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard [it]? 19 Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked. 20 The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.
What was the consequence of inordinate affection of men and men and women and women? The own result of their own sin will come upon them, what is that? AIDS. This is the last generation looking at social wickedness.
Knowledge
Ecclesiastes 1:18 For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
The more knowledge you get the greater your perplexities, I learnt it when I was doing my nurses training. Of all the knowledge I got of the diseases and sciences I would have become paranoid if it wouldn’t have been for the Lord. Many today with the knowledge they have, have gone cuckoo as they can’t handle all that knowledge. As knowledge increases, sorrow increases.
Here is the American power the beast with the horn. What will it do?
Revelation 13:13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by [the means of] those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
This is the lamb like beast with the little horn. What does it say? He does miracles. Is the technical advancement seen by modern man as a miracle? Drugs are a modern miracle. Pop a drug and symptoms get washed away. Knowledge has branched out through America to the whole world so they have split the atom and brought fire down out of heaven. Is this not the last generation? The atomic bomb was generated after the Second World War, this is the last generation. Not only the atomic bomb, but the electrical currents they are throwing into the ionosphere. . Knowledge has increased.
Revelation 18:3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
Who makes themselves rich today? With all the delicacies available on the market of Windows and Apple, the Silicon Valley has immediate wealth with all the delicacies they have developed. Are we in the last generation? Knowledge shall increase. Are we better off really? Some people argue we are but they are imagining things. The prophet is looking down to our time and is pointing out the advanced technology and he doesn’t understand what is going on. Remember it said running to and fro in the last days?
Isaiah 60:8 Who [are] these [that] fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?
His description is in reference to this time. The Bible doesn’t leave you in any doubt where you stand today.
Naham 2:3 The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men [are] in scarlet: the chariots [shall be] with flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken. 4 The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the lightnings.
Cars jostle against each other in the streets. The advance of knowledge with its associated benefits will ultimately come crashing down as it can’t continue escalating. It all looks good for a while. We are living sumptuously. We are doing very well, we are blessed, then all of a sudden, what has happened?
University
Those who are seeking to gain knowledge outside of Christ, examine how your mind is taken away from your preparation. When you go to university, how much time to you have to spend to pass your exams? How much time do you have to spend with the Lord? Do you ever spend that much time with the Lord? We have to examine very carefully where we centre our efforts. Yes we have to get a good job but don’t think for one moment you can make good money necessarily by going to university.
My daughter proved it. I said don’t worry about university, just build up yourself and you will be able to get as much income without going to university than if you went and she proved it. She was 30 years of age and she earned double as much as me by building her way up in the business world. You can learn plenty of scientific knowledge without going to university and it won’t so readily take you away from God. I have to be honest with you, it is a reality. But if you are a smart person who doesn’t need to study much to pass exams, not a problem but some have to study and study and do all this is hard work and it is not worth it. I know some who go to university and they pass with flying colours without hours of study. I’m not writing off university and saying it’s totally wrong, but what is your priority? Knowledge shall increase and it will increase sorrow. You learn a lot of things you don’t need to know. All this will come crashing down on this generation.
Isaiah 47:10 For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I [am], and none else beside me.
I nearly fell into that pit when I had to discover some of my knowledge was going to pervert me. What does good education create? Pride, look what I know. I walked like that in my nursing years. I was the great Mr. Thiel. Everyone honoured me. I was feeling really great and I was really blessed and the Lord had to bring me down.
Isaiah 47:11 Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, [which] thou shalt not know.
All of a sudden what has happened? Where did that come from? Why am I so in despair? You don’t know where it comes from, God knows. You want to open your heart to the word. Believe God’s word, it is true. Those who have experienced it before can testify and only by the skin of their teeth can they be saved out of it. If the righteous will be scarcely saved, how will it be with the wicked? Phew, just made it. All these last day events have crowded in upon us and we want to believe Gods word. You have no guarantee if you pursue this path that these things will not happen. I wanted to believe God’s word and I thought I did pretty well but I discovered I didn’t believe everything and I had to suffer the consequences.
Psalms 49:11 Their inward thought [is, that] their houses [shall continue] for ever, [and] their dwelling places to all generations; they call [their] lands after their own names.
Their inward thought is, we’re great look at us, my house will be forever and they build beautiful mansions and they call their land after their own names. Isn’t the world full of that today?
James 5:1-3 Go to now you rich men, howl for all your wealth.
It’s all going to come upon you in hopeless doom.
The believers of this last generation with its many technical gadgets are very strongly alerted.
Isaiah 33:14 The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
Who? Running to the rocks and being safe and being able to dwell with everything burning around us, who?
Isaiah 33:15 He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;
33:16 He shall dwell on high: his place of defence [shall be] the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters [shall be] sure.
33:17 Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.
Here is Gods counsel to this generation. While all this corruption is teaming around you, be careful. If you want to live with devouring fire, what must we be doing? We must walk righteously and speak uprightly and we must despise the gain of oppression – deceits. Men will get worse and worse and we don’t have any part of that. In this corrupt generation, what is our protection?
Psalms 101:1 I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing. 2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. 3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; [it] shall not cleave to me.
We have so many things that we can occupy our eyes with and the counsel is shut our eyes from seeing evil and our ears from hearing of blood. With all these corruptions around us, focus on the beauty of Christ so we will see the king in His beauty. As we pursue that in this generation of emotional stresses generated by hatred, we will be spared such horrible emotional and social stresses. Depression is rampant where ever you look today. It is an amazing thing to find someone who is not stressed and on drugs of some kind or another.
In a time of such revelry and opulence in which we live today, in the time of domestic disturbances and households breaking apart, in the time of mind absorbing occupation with all its educational processes, is this picture painted well from the Bible? How better can we get it? We don’t need to go anywhere else? What are the words of Jesus? Here are His words to the last generation. These words are now much weightier when you consider what these things of the last generation are.
Luke 21:31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
What were they? Emotional stresses of hatred and evil of these corrupt practices, revelry the mind occupation with knowledge, know the kingdom of God is at hand.
Luke 21:32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
This generation needs to look no further. Even if I didn’t know about the parable of the fig tree, I know this is the last generation by the display of the events here considered.
Luke 21:33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. 34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and [so] that day come upon you unawares.
We get dizzy with all these mind occupations. I get dizzy many times with too much to think about. Because of all the increase of knowledge the cares and distresses get worse. We have to keep up to keep the finances going to pay for all those things so that ministers wives have to work as their wages aren’t good enough to keep up with the supposed financial need.
Luke 21:35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
We must escape those things, we mustn’t drown under them. Do you want to stand before the Son of man? Thank Jesus for showing us and act on it. Just use the technology and this world but don’t abuse it. Being of such a mind as having things and yet as though you have them not. When you are married be as though you are not married. That’s a hard one. Possessing as possessing not, weeping as though you wept not, and so on. That’s where we must be today. Thank God that we have this information but it’s useless if we don’t practice it.
Amen.
Daily Sermons #5
Last Generation Social Breakdown
John Thiel, The Last
Do you believe we are living in the last generation? There is more material for us to appreciate and fill us with more intense appreciation of the last generation description given by Jesus. In this study we will look at the last generation in its social representation of social breakdown today. We reflect again upon the words of Jesus and glean the aspects.
Matthew 24:33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, [even] at the doors. 34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Among all these things that are mentioned, when you shall see all these things, what things are we seeing that He is referring to that indicates that we are in this last generation in reference to social?
Matthew 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Are people easily offended today? Because they are offended they payback what they are offended about. They have a go. You can see it in the Middle East. When Israel does something the Arabs pay back. That is the way human beings behave.
Matthew 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
In this generation iniquity abounds and the love of many grows cold. We want to see some enlargements of this.
Matthew 24:37 But as the days of Noe [were], so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two [women shall be] grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
These are the things of the last generation that are directly in relation to social factors.
Daniel 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, [even] to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
These are the factors which we want to closely examine.
Iniquity and hatred.
Eating and drinking.
Marrying and giving in marriage.
Preoccupation of running to and fro and of knowledge.
Iniquity and Hatred
Has not iniquity and hatred always existed? Of course so is that a sign of the last generation? What about nature? All these things have always been in nature, pestilence earthquakes but what happens at the end? They get worse.
2 Timothy 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
The generation before was pretty bad and that wasn’t quite as bad and the one before that and so on. When you come to the last generation, you have an increase of people becoming seducers and worse and worse and continuing to increase their deceptive skills. This is the measure as it is given in those first three verses.
2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
What is the peril?
2 Timothy 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
There has been wickedness in the past. There have always been people who have been incontinent and truce breakers but as we come to the end it is of a magnitude that creates peril for society and the generation just before Jesus comes. Today we are looking at a society and think, can it get any worse? Things are really bad.
Without Natural Affection
Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
They hold the truth in unrighteousness.
Romans 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 26 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: 27 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. 28 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;
The atheist doesn’t like to retain God in his knowledge even if proved wrong.
Romans 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
I hear people commenting, how is it that people can’t see what we can see? How is it that people who are professing to be Christian can’t see all these things? Here is the reason, it is all written. It doesn’t make any sense but it is happening all around you. How real are these texts in reference to the last days in perilous times without natural affection? There was a time where these people always existed – see verse 27. How is it today? Is it done in secret? It used to be done in secret. In my generation gay people weren’t termed gay, they were homosexual full stop but as time went on they are regarded as having rights. Now how far has it gone? They are passing laws to say marriage of men with men and women with women is acceptable.
In the government there are people governing us of this calibre. There is a woman in the senate living with a woman who has just had a baby. This is the last generation. It is as bad as Sodom and Gomorrah and they think it’s alright. Social decadence that is of a hue to the Christian that is horrifying. Its peril because fellow Christians will judge you for the way I’m talking. In the Seventh Day Adventist church there is a society under the umbrella of Adventists for gays and its quite alright, that is the peril. Being filled with unrighteousness, mis-using their bodies. The use of a woman is completely diabolically perverted. This is what is under the heading without natural affection.
Because there are people who will be expressing what I’m expressing who get into trouble. I’m not condemning them, I’m just describing them. If I was really verbal and expressed how corrupt they are in no uncertain terms, to be a preacher of fire and brimstone, I’ll get into trouble. There are laws against doing that. I’m just quoting scripture. This is the last generation, believe it on that level alone. It’s hopelessly gone. Despisers of those that are good. They will despise you for upholding the pure things of God. Even within the church within the Adventist circles:
Matthew 24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 46 Blessed [is] that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
Here is a faithful servant and the despisers of those that are good are who?
Matthew 24:48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; 49 And shall begin to smite [his] fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
What is this man doing? He is a fellow servant. Because the faithful servant is doing good and proclaiming the pure message, he is despising him for doing good. When I went to school and I wanted to do good, my peers said mummy’s boy and teacher’s pet. That is despising those that are good. We come to the reality of that today. If you were in court and you wanted to stand for truth and righteousness, you will be despised and you will not get justice.
Isaiah 59:4 None calleth for justice, nor [any] pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.
Iniquity abounds, it is rampant.
Isaiah 59:7 Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts [are] thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction [are] in their paths. 8 The way of peace they know not; and [there is] no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.
Are they looking for peace especially in this generation? Are they finding it? They think they can make peace by going to war but that is the madness. Peace keepers shooting others. If you really let your mind absorb what is written and what is meant about getting justice, it turns your brain. I’ve learnt over the years to stay under the radar. You don’t want to be a protestor today. The wise and prudent will be silent in that day. All we can do is encourage one another. You can’t raise your voice because if you do, you are gone. Your power for influence is gone. The way you should witness is by a quiet manner because if you would go to court you would lose. Justice is falling in the street.
Isaiah 59:14 And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. 15 Yea, truth faileth; and he [that] departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw [it], and it displeased him that [there was] no judgment.
What is the immediate next event described in this line-up?
Isaiah 59:16 And he saw that [there was] no man, and wondered that [there was] no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him. 17 For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance [for] clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak. 18 According to [their] deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompense to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompense. 20 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.
What are we reading? This is the last generation because immediately upon these realities the redeemer will come. We are reading the very last generation in scripture. That’s why we have to take this seriously and walk very carefully so we don’t cause unnecessary persecution upon ourselves. God will come with vengeance.
Economic
In the economic situation today people know there is going to be trouble in the financial market and they are heaping up gold as they say that is the way you will survive the credit crunch. These are the ideas people have to survive under the perilous times we live.
James 5:1 Go to now, [ye] rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon [you].
How did the mega rich get so rich today?
James 5:3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. 4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. 5 Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. 6 Ye have condemned [and] killed the just; [and] he doth not resist you.
If you were to look into the depths behind the scenes of so called modern propriety you will see this is exactly what they have done. The First and Second World War’s are an example. They are secretly working to making themselves wealthy on war and bloodshed and making the poor poorer. It’s only by the grace of God that we who are poor and afflicted are still fairing sumptuously to a large degree, only by Gods mercy. We have seen iniquity and hatred. People want their rights to do as they please, disobedient to parents, broken marriages.
Eating and Drinking
Eating and drinking as in the days of Noah. Is that wrong? Don’t we eat and drink? What is the problem? According to Luke we read there are severe perplexities. Men’s hearts failing them for fear and as they are, would that be a time to celebrate? Should that be a time for partying? It shouldn’t be. With all things coming on the planet in this last generation, what is the mind occupation during these negative prospects?
Joel 2:10 The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: 11 And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp [is] very great: for [he is] strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD [is] great and very terrible; and who can abide it?
As this is happening and heaping up on them, what are they doing? Eating and drinking. This is what God calls for in such a serious time as this.
Isaiah 22:12 And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth: 13 And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.
Their hearts were failing them for fear so come on let’s have a good time. When people are depressed what do they do? Let’s have a party and cheer each other up, we’re going to die anyway so let’s have a good time. God says if it’s so bad, why don’t you turn to me and turn your laughter to mourning and your joy to heaviness so that you may repent and change your ways? But no, we are going to die, they are making the choice. Instead of following the true fast that God has called upon us to do, health reform, they eat anything. What do they eat? How diabolical is it today that people are eating and drinking as in the days of Noah?
Isaiah 66:15 For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. 16 For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many. 17 They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one [tree] in the midst, eating swine’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD. 18 For I [know] their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.
What was His glory; His character that is displayed in the judgment in the day of His wrath which is their self-destruction.
What are the heathen nations eating? The Chinese eat what? Mice and the French eat snails. They eat these abominations. Dogs, kangaroos etc. Let us eat and drink anything. Did you taste that? It was a lovely crustacean. Abomination! Is that correct? Is that what is happening? Western society is bringing in the heathen practices of other nations and they are prepared to touch and taste them and handle them which before was yuck. This is the last generation in regards to eating and drinking.
Marrying and Giving in Marriage
Is that wrong? Is there something wrong with getting married? I’ve grown up in such a generation described by Jesus. Those who are not married follow this carefully and don’t make the same mistake I made.
They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the Flood came, and destroyed them all.” The people of this generation are marrying and giving in marriage with the same reckless disregard of God’s requirements as was manifested in the days of Noah. There is in the Christian world an astonishing, alarming indifference to the teaching of God’s word in regard to the marriage of Christians with unbelievers. Many who profess to love and fear God choose to follow the bent of their own minds rather than take counsel of Infinite Wisdom. In a matter which vitally concerns the happiness and well-being of both parties for this world and the next, reason, judgment, and the fear of God are set aside, and blind impulse, stubborn determination, is allowed to control. {5T 365.3}
What is that? If you fall in love, it’s quite alright. That is blind impulse.
Men and women who are otherwise sensible and conscientious close their ears to counsel; they are deaf to the appeals and entreaties of friends and kindred and of the servants of God. The expression of a caution or warning is regarded as impertinent meddling, and the friend who is faithful enough to utter a remonstrance is treated as an enemy. {5T 365.3}
Remember disobedience to parents is brought into this area. If mum and dad say, no I don’t agree with this marriage, too bad. I love this person we are really so blended together in beautiful love and the parents say, sorry this is not a good partner for you, but I love her/him. Sorry you are not right, stop it. I know I’m right. My mother cried buckets of tears when I found my girlfriend and married her. My mother in law said she is not for you and I paid no attention.
All this is as Satan would have it. He weaves his spell about the soul, and it becomes bewitched, infatuated. Reason lets fall the reins of self-control upon the neck of lust, unsanctified passion bears sway, until, too late, the victim awakens to a life of misery and bondage. This is not a picture drawn by the imagination, but a recital of facts. God’s sanction is not given to unions which He has expressly forbidden. For years I have been receiving letters from different persons who have formed unhappy marriages, and the revolting histories opened before me are enough to make the heart ache. It is no easy thing to decide what advice can be given to these unfortunate ones, or how their hard lot can be lightened; but their sad experience should be a warning to others. {5T 365.3}
What’s the reason? Incontinence, bed wetting. I can’t control my bladder or emotions as that is what we are called to do as Christians. Control the flesh and learn to become continent. But that is not on, we want to enjoy ourselves and we believe I am a Christian and I love my darling as she is looking at me all starry eyed as I talk about the Lord. So what? She is not matched because the life is not in harmony with the starry eyes but that is what controls.
In this age of the world, as the scenes of earth’s history are soon to close and we are about to enter upon the time of trouble such as never was, the fewer the marriages contracted, the better for all, both men and women. Above all, when Satan is working with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish, let Christians beware of connecting themselves with unbelievers. {5T 366.1}
You can find unbelievers within the church and think you are marrying a believer.
God has spoken. All who fear Him will submit to His wise injunctions. Our feelings, impulses, and affections must flow heavenward, not earthward, not in the low, base channel of sensual thought and indulgence. It is time now that every soul should stand as in the sight of the heart-searching God. {5T 366.1}
This is a subject which has to do with preparing for heaven. People are under this mentality that when it feels good, do it. I’ve had to deal with several occasions of this nature. Some listen and some did not. What is the effect in today’s society of not listening to the counsel of the Lord and marrying and giving in marriage? What is the effect? The marriage continues and then Matthew 19:7-9 takes place. Because of the hardness of their heats they are given a letter of divorcement, families breaking up. She was the wife of my youth, I loved her dearly now what am I doing? What has happened?
Malachi 2:14 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet [is] she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. 15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. 16 For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for [one] covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.
This is what happens with marriage and in today’s society, how much treachery has been given in marrying and giving in marriage? 50% of marriages twenty years ago divorced and remarried. The ministers of the Seventh Day Adventist church 51%. That’s a statistical fact twenty years ago. Just as it was in the days of Noah. Such is the story of this generation much worse than any time before. As they are occupied with their marriages and intermarriages, they are so occupied they don’t realise they are in the last generation and the thief is coming.
Jeremiah 23:10 For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force [is] not right. 11 For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the LORD. 12 Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery [ways] in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, [even] the year of their visitation, saith the LORD. 14 I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah. 17 They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.
There has just been a divorce and remarriage and then at the remarriage time they say, the Lord will bless your marriage.
Jeremiah 23:18 For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard [it]? 19 Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked. 20 The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.
What was the consequence of inordinate affection of men and men and women and women? The own result of their own sin will come upon them, what is that? AIDS. This is the last generation looking at social wickedness.
Knowledge
Ecclesiastes 1:18 For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
The more knowledge you get the greater your perplexities, I learnt it when I was doing my nurses training. Of all the knowledge I got of the diseases and sciences I would have become paranoid if it wouldn’t have been for the Lord. Many today with the knowledge they have, have gone cuckoo as they can’t handle all that knowledge. As knowledge increases, sorrow increases.
Here is the American power the beast with the horn. What will it do?
Revelation 13:13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by [the means of] those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
This is the lamb like beast with the little horn. What does it say? He does miracles. Is the technical advancement seen by modern man as a miracle? Drugs are a modern miracle. Pop a drug and symptoms get washed away. Knowledge has branched out through America to the whole world so they have split the atom and brought fire down out of heaven. Is this not the last generation? The atomic bomb was generated after the Second World War, this is the last generation. Not only the atomic bomb, but the electrical currents they are throwing into the ionosphere. . Knowledge has increased.
Revelation 18:3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
Who makes themselves rich today? With all the delicacies available on the market of Windows and Apple, the Silicon Valley has immediate wealth with all the delicacies they have developed. Are we in the last generation? Knowledge shall increase. Are we better off really? Some people argue we are but they are imagining things. The prophet is looking down to our time and is pointing out the advanced technology and he doesn’t understand what is going on. Remember it said running to and fro in the last days?
Isaiah 60:8 Who [are] these [that] fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?
His description is in reference to this time. The Bible doesn’t leave you in any doubt where you stand today.
Naham 2:3 The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men [are] in scarlet: the chariots [shall be] with flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken. 4 The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the lightnings.
Cars jostle against each other in the streets. The advance of knowledge with its associated benefits will ultimately come crashing down as it can’t continue escalating. It all looks good for a while. We are living sumptuously. We are doing very well, we are blessed, then all of a sudden, what has happened?
University
Those who are seeking to gain knowledge outside of Christ, examine how your mind is taken away from your preparation. When you go to university, how much time to you have to spend to pass your exams? How much time do you have to spend with the Lord? Do you ever spend that much time with the Lord? We have to examine very carefully where we centre our efforts. Yes we have to get a good job but don’t think for one moment you can make good money necessarily by going to university.
My daughter proved it. I said don’t worry about university, just build up yourself and you will be able to get as much income without going to university than if you went and she proved it. She was 30 years of age and she earned double as much as me by building her way up in the business world. You can learn plenty of scientific knowledge without going to university and it won’t so readily take you away from God. I have to be honest with you, it is a reality. But if you are a smart person who doesn’t need to study much to pass exams, not a problem but some have to study and study and do all this is hard work and it is not worth it. I know some who go to university and they pass with flying colours without hours of study. I’m not writing off university and saying it’s totally wrong, but what is your priority? Knowledge shall increase and it will increase sorrow. You learn a lot of things you don’t need to know. All this will come crashing down on this generation.
Isaiah 47:10 For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I [am], and none else beside me.
I nearly fell into that pit when I had to discover some of my knowledge was going to pervert me. What does good education create? Pride, look what I know. I walked like that in my nursing years. I was the great Mr. Thiel. Everyone honoured me. I was feeling really great and I was really blessed and the Lord had to bring me down.
Isaiah 47:11 Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, [which] thou shalt not know.
All of a sudden what has happened? Where did that come from? Why am I so in despair? You don’t know where it comes from, God knows. You want to open your heart to the word. Believe God’s word, it is true. Those who have experienced it before can testify and only by the skin of their teeth can they be saved out of it. If the righteous will be scarcely saved, how will it be with the wicked? Phew, just made it. All these last day events have crowded in upon us and we want to believe Gods word. You have no guarantee if you pursue this path that these things will not happen. I wanted to believe God’s word and I thought I did pretty well but I discovered I didn’t believe everything and I had to suffer the consequences.
Psalms 49:11 Their inward thought [is, that] their houses [shall continue] for ever, [and] their dwelling places to all generations; they call [their] lands after their own names.
Their inward thought is, we’re great look at us, my house will be forever and they build beautiful mansions and they call their land after their own names. Isn’t the world full of that today?
James 5:1-3 Go to now you rich men, howl for all your wealth.
It’s all going to come upon you in hopeless doom.
The believers of this last generation with its many technical gadgets are very strongly alerted.
Isaiah 33:14 The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
Who? Running to the rocks and being safe and being able to dwell with everything burning around us, who?
Isaiah 33:15 He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;
33:16 He shall dwell on high: his place of defence [shall be] the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters [shall be] sure.
33:17 Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.
Here is Gods counsel to this generation. While all this corruption is teaming around you, be careful. If you want to live with devouring fire, what must we be doing? We must walk righteously and speak uprightly and we must despise the gain of oppression – deceits. Men will get worse and worse and we don’t have any part of that. In this corrupt generation, what is our protection?
Psalms 101:1 I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing. 2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. 3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; [it] shall not cleave to me.
We have so many things that we can occupy our eyes with and the counsel is shut our eyes from seeing evil and our ears from hearing of blood. With all these corruptions around us, focus on the beauty of Christ so we will see the king in His beauty. As we pursue that in this generation of emotional stresses generated by hatred, we will be spared such horrible emotional and social stresses. Depression is rampant where ever you look today. It is an amazing thing to find someone who is not stressed and on drugs of some kind or another.
In a time of such revelry and opulence in which we live today, in the time of domestic disturbances and households breaking apart, in the time of mind absorbing occupation with all its educational processes, is this picture painted well from the Bible? How better can we get it? We don’t need to go anywhere else? What are the words of Jesus? Here are His words to the last generation. These words are now much weightier when you consider what these things of the last generation are.
Luke 21:31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
What were they? Emotional stresses of hatred and evil of these corrupt practices, revelry the mind occupation with knowledge, know the kingdom of God is at hand.
Luke 21:32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
This generation needs to look no further. Even if I didn’t know about the parable of the fig tree, I know this is the last generation by the display of the events here considered.
Luke 21:33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. 34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and [so] that day come upon you unawares.
We get dizzy with all these mind occupations. I get dizzy many times with too much to think about. Because of all the increase of knowledge the cares and distresses get worse. We have to keep up to keep the finances going to pay for all those things so that ministers wives have to work as their wages aren’t good enough to keep up with the supposed financial need.
Luke 21:35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
We must escape those things, we mustn’t drown under them. Do you want to stand before the Son of man? Thank Jesus for showing us and act on it. Just use the technology and this world but don’t abuse it. Being of such a mind as having things and yet as though you have them not. When you are married be as though you are not married. That’s a hard one. Possessing as possessing not, weeping as though you wept not, and so on. That’s where we must be today. Thank God that we have this information but it’s useless if we don’t practice it.
Amen.
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