Book of Jonah Bible study, Verse 1:2
"The LORD looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God." Psalm 14:2 NLT
“Welcome back”
A few simple words and an opening prayer
"Thus says the Lord: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things, I delight, declares the Lord." Jeremiah 9:23-24 ESV
Here we are once more, studying the book of Jonah. Our journey together continues. Thank you for returning to hear a few more thoughtful words about life, which is, most importantly, knowing and Loving the LORD, always being ready to meet Him face to face at any moment because only he knows when He'll return, or we'll breathe our last breath.
“And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” John 17:3 ESV
We have gathered again to talk about things that matter most. As always, when beginning to write each study, I ask the LORD this question. If these were my last words, would they make an everlasting difference in someone's life? Did these words encourage and strengthen Your people, equipping them to persevere better through hardships? Did I speak well of You, GOD? Did I say the things Your people needed to hear in their moment of need? Did I say what You led me to say, no matter if some didn't want to listen to what was said or not? Did I warn them of existing and impending dangers? Were their lives changed for the better? And lastly, which is the biggest burden placed on my heart for everyone, did those who never knew You LORD find You? Did they leave with a new hope for Heaven and a new life now?
"So, it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So, if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly." Romans 12:5-8 NLT
Let us pray. . .
Father may this part of the Bible study come to us at Your perfect time. Only You know what each of us needs to know at this very moment, so I pray that You would speak to our hearts loud and clear throughout this Bible study, lead us into all truth, teach us how to trust in You with our whole hearts, fill us with wisdom, and overshadow us with Your Spirit. In Jesus' mighty Name, we pray. Amen.
Why is studying the Bible the wisest thing to do during end-time world Apocalypse?
"You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3 ESV
Living our lives in preparation for the LORD's return is something that we must be actively involved in doing. When world hardships continue to grow worse, will we be able to persevere if we haven't been living in daily fellowship with the LORD, staying close to Him through reading His word, the Bible, praying and seeking to do what is right in His sight?
These are times of Apocalypse, who can deny it, so let's continue drawing closer to the LORD, who has promised us perfect peace in the storm as our hearts and minds are stayed on Him, always trusting, always believing in Him. He will keep us in His loving care throughout these moments of world unrest as we all come to understand that knowing this is no longer an option but a necessity.
"Truly, these are Times of World Apocalypse." A short story of what could come. Just a reminder that we are forever secure in the LORD's hands, even amid the storm, so remember to keep trusting in Him no matter what happens.
"Though I am surrounded by troubles,
you will protect me from the anger of my enemies.
You reach out your hand,
and the power of your right hand saves me.
The LORD will work out his plans for my life—
for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever.
Don't abandon me, for you made me." Psalm 138:7-8 NLT
Important Note: Throughout this Bible study, you will notice many “word definitions and web links.” The reason for doing this is that it gives everyone a better in-depth understanding of the subject matter.
Apocalypse: a revealing, a revelation, to uncover something, an unveiling, end time catastrophic events, the final days of battle between good and evil.
It was just another ordinary day in your life that came to a close. You lay down in bed to rest. All night, you tossed and turned and couldn't settle into a sound sleep. You awoke early, still a little tired but hopeful that your day would be uneventful, and everything would go as usual. But as you gleamed through your bedroom window, something seemed different.
Daybreak was arriving as the first rays of light started to show on the horizon. You scanned the skies and noticed dark smoke coming up over the city in the distance, and as you listened closer, you could hear sirens glaring non-stop in the background. “Something is going on,” you thought as your hand reached out for your mobile phone to turn on the news. Your phone is dead, and now you're suddenly becoming more aware that something isn't right. The streetlights outside are out, so you start testing your inside light switch and realize there is no power.
You look outside again and see a small group of fearful faces. It’s your neighbors gathering in the street in front of your house. As you meet everyone outside, you quickly learn that most major cities were hit overnight with small nuclear bomb strikes, taking out all power and communications. It all happened without warning as if the government and local news networks knew this was coming, but they didn't tell anyone.
You hear that all banks will be closed, and grocery markets won't let people come in to buy water or food because of possible radioactive contamination from the fallout. Your neighbors inform you that the government has declared martial law, and the military will be coming soon to gather and confiscate all firearms for public safety reasons.
Now, stop, and let's think about this. Will we, as Christians, go into a state of panic like most other people? Or will we continue trusting the LORD to care for us and help in our time of need, just as He promised? If we don't know our GOD, will we still be able to persevere under sudden adverse conditions?
"Cast your burden on the LORD [release it] and He will sustain and uphold you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken (slip, fall, fail)." Psalm 55:22 AB
Indeed, “trusting in the LORD” is the main theme of this Bible study.
"You will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Trust in the LORD always,
for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock." Isaiah 26:3-4 NLT
Trust in the LORD: believing in GOD's absolute faithfulness, entrusting everything to Him, resting in GOD's promises for us, a complete surrender to His plans, an unwavering reliance in GOD's word, a belief in the LORD's complete sovereignty, unshakable assurance, a firm stance, bold perseverance, remaining steadfast, a peace that surpasses all understanding, drawing near to the LORD and staying near.
Upon reading over this Bible study from start to finish, it became evident that a recurring theme runs throughout, emphasizing trusting in the LORD as one of the main points. Undoubtedly, this is one of the most important things we must do now more than ever. As the days grow darker, our faith will be tested more and more, so we'll need to be reminded frequently that our GOD is with us, never to leave us as He promised, always watching over us because we are His people whom He Loves. He is our Rock, meaning we are forever secure in His arms, so no matter what happens, we can still have peace and not be fearful because our GOD is in control, absolutely, yes, without any doubt.
Let's remember to keep our hearts focused on the LORD, not letting what's happening in the world distract us from what's most important. Trusting in Him keeps us steadfast, sure, not movable, able to endure any adversity, going through difficult times without instability of mind, but being firm, having permanence of our emotional state because we trust in the Rock who is the LORD our GOD.
"But blessed are those who trust in the LORD
and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.
They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
and they never stop producing fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-8 NLT
"A few important words about Deception and Discernment"
“Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.” Hosea 14:9 ESV
DECEPTION: fraud, deceit, lies, scams, nefarious schemes, craftiness, cheating, false, not true, intentional deceitfulness, subterfuge, willful distortion of the facts.
Discernment: good judgment, sensitive perceptiveness, alertness, awareness, sharpness, ability to see trouble, an intuitive understanding, a keen insight into what’s happening, a sure sense of reality, being watchful, knowing the difference between good and evil, distinguishing the obvious and the concealed, excellent discrimination, being able to understand clearly, recognizing truth and error, identifying true motives or intentions, Common sense.
Alert: vigilant, watchful, observant, aware, awake, cautious, attentive, asking questions, looking for answers, dividing truth from error.
Be discerning, alert, awake, and attentive to what is going on.
"Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true." Acts 17:11 BSB
Sound discernment is needed now more than ever in the history of Christianity. With ever-increasing levels of evil in the world and within the Church, we must constantly be aware of false teachings that would attempt to try and lead us away from the LORD, not closer to Him. Therefore, we must be vigilant, continually testing everything by the written word and faithfully holding fast to what the Bible has always thought.
“But test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 NLT
Again, for those who don't want to be deceived, it's always better to err on the side of caution instead of readily believing something as the truth. Anyone can be misled and lied to, and everyone is susceptible to deception without exception. So again, be cautious about what you believe to be accurate, especially now. Deception has permeated every facet of society. The Christian church, schools, governments, most media news outlets, entertainment, books, literature, everything has been infiltrated because this is the Devil's kingdom. That is why to Love this world makes you the enemy of GOD.
"You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." James 4:4 ESV
“DON'T BE DECEIVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
So again, one more time, stay watchful, surround yourself with faithful Christians you can trust to keep you in line with wise counsel. Below are a few thoughtful verses for your encouragement to always stay close to the LORD and connected to faithful friends you trust.
"As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend."Proverbs27:17 NLT
"The godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray." Proverbs 12:26 NLT
"Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy." Proverbs 27:6 NLT
"There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24 NLT
"I am a friend to anyone who fears you— anyone who obeys your commandments." Psalm 119:63 NLT
"A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need." Proverbs 17:17 NLT
"Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble." Proverbs 13:20 NLT
"So, encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT
Lesson 18: Spiritual Discernment (1 John 4:1-6) | Bible.org
Another short story of what could come. Is the Alien disclosure just science fiction or a coming real-life scenario? Will this also be a powerful deception in the last days?
UFOs: unidentified flying objects.
UAP's: unidentified anomalous phenomena.
Extraterrestrials: beings from other galaxies, aliens, unknown intelligent creatures from elsewhere, fallen angel hybrids in disguise.
News reports of a UFO landing start filling the airways as all known news outlets frantically make what seems to be, at first, just another crazy announcement. Their obvious nervous emotions can't be hidden as an uncontrollable frenzy grips their voices as they say in unison “that an actual spacecraft of unknown origin has suddenly landed.” The entire world, people everywhere, on every corner, are watching it live, some thinking this is just like a sci-fi movie, but now it's happening for real. As everybody watches, a news broadcast says that humanoid-looking creatures have just emerged from the ship and have started to make contact.
The aliens say a broadcast in all human languages will soon explain why they are here. Suddenly, all activities worldwide come to a screeching halt, and even ongoing wars have stopped, momentarily waiting in great anticipation for them to speak.
People everywhere begin to panic for fear of the worst. Many ready themselves by arming with defensive weapons and preparing for a likely attack, while others call family and friends, telling them what's happening as mass hysteria breaks out amongst even the most clearheaded individuals.
Finally, the long-awaited broadcast comes. The aliens say they have been monitoring humanity since our beginning. One thing that needs to be made clear to all humans is that they want us to know that they have not come to harm us but to help and reveal that we are the byproduct of their making. They designed us a long time ago on a planet of their origin in an outer galaxy not known to us.
We were placed here because the earth was a suitable habitat for us to live and multiply. They say that they have watched us develop throughout our history, but now we have become too violent for our future welfare. It's time for them to intercede in our affairs, to protect us, before we destroy ourselves. So, they're now stepping in for our good to help bring about world peace. They also say that all our weapons of mass destruction worldwide have been disarmed, and we can no longer use them to harm ourselves or anyone else, saying they have gained complete control of all our defense systems for our safety and protection.
They would, in conclusion, like to introduce us to their master, who rules the Universe and is the father of all life. He will be landing in the mother ship soon. They say to be patient now and wait for his arrival and the following announcement. We will keep you informed. Your new leader, the father, will explain everything in detail shortly. Just trust us. We are here to help you???
In conclusion, what does this all mean?
"Then if anyone tells you, 'Look, here is the Messiah,' or 'There he is,' don't believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God's chosen ones. Watch out! I have warned you about this ahead of time!" Mark 13:21-23 NLT
Many powerful deceptions of every kind are upon us and more will come. These deceptions are and will be so convincing that they will lead many people astray, away from GOD, and even, if possible, the very chosen ones of GOD (we Christians, followers of Jesus) could be deceived. Those caught off guard and deceived will be the ones who have placed their trust in anything but GOD alone. These will not stay alert to the danger and seriousness of what's happening but will sleep and slumber, saying in their hearts all is well when it's not. We are at war, beloved, and dark forces behind the scenes are trying to deceive everyone. So, stay close to the LORD, be watchful, alert, stand firm, bold, vigilant, courageous, and test everything by the Bible, which is the word of GOD. Don't be deceived!
"The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved." 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10
“THE GREAT DECEPTION” / Pastor Jamie Walden
Spiritual warfare is a fight between good and evil. Whether we like it or not, we are all on the battlefield.
"For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12 NLT
Now is the time to be reminded frequently that we are all a target of our enemies in the unseen world of darkness. Deceptions of all kinds will increase rapidly in the last days, as foretold in the Bible. An excellent example of an end-time deception as of late would be the COVID-19 Vaccine. This deception caught people, Christians included, off guard. Most didn't stop and question what the authorities were telling them. Most medical institutions worldwide, health agencies once established to protect people, turned on them overnight.
This deadly Vaccine deception of the Devil cost the lives of millions of innocent men, women, and children and, to date, is still causing injury across the world, priming humanity for the next set of events that will be unleashed to harm them. Our true enemies, the Devil, and his fallen angels, are hiding behind the scenes with one main motive. To lead everyone away from the LORD, to kill, steal, and destroy as many people as they can. To keep everyone blind and unable to discern between good and evil. We are all on the battlefield, dear beloved. We are at war, so be alert, now more than ever.
"So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober." 1 Thessalonians 5:6 BSB
The book of Jonah is one of the most extraordinary bible narratives ever told.
Here, in the book of Jonah, we see another orchestrated moment in human history, carefully planned in detail long ago. Every millisecond will happen in a perfectly ordered succession of events. It’s like the greatest Symphony you have ever heard, with all the instruments being played in a flawless sequence, not one note out of place, nothing would be off course, not a thing amiss, everything arranged to happen as the LORD intended.
Many might find it hard to imagine how everything could happen precisely as planned. As we’ll discover, Jonah will disagree in his heart and disobey GOD's command to warn the Ninevites of their impending destruction. Jonah's refusal to go to Nineveh might be seen as disrupting GOD's plan, preventing everything from happening precisely as determined. But Jonah's disobedience will become woven into the fabric of this story, and every piece of this wonderful puzzle will fall into place according to GOD's plan because He is Absolutely Sovereign.
Absolute: perfect, pure, flawless, without fault, complete, not lacking anything, whole, not diminished in any way, fixed, without limitation, unrestricted, independent, not dependent on anything, unlimited, boundless, Sovereign.
"I declare the end from the beginning, and ancient times from what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish." Isaiah 46:10 BSB
The book of Jonah helps us to see and understand GOD's timeline. Let's have a closer look.
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV
Timeline: an arrangement of events, a designed order of things, a sequence or succession that follows a set course, many parts set in motion to form a whole.
What is GOD's timeline? It means that every event in human history that has ever happened or will happen has been orchestrated in a preordered sequence. GOD has ordained each millisecond to coincide with his plans.
Within the apparent chaos, there is perfect order. Everything is on a planned order of events with a determined purpose and destiny. Once we understand that all human history is happening on the LORD's precise course, no matter the outward appearance or outcome of each event, good or bad, then we will receive an unwavering reassurance that will enable us to trust the LORD entirely apart from what is happening around us. Again, GOD's sovereignty is on display for all to see, and those who take notice will be blessed.
"From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands." Acts 17:26 BSB
Patterns of the Infinite: Understanding Chaos in God’s World
Order in Chaos: Bible hub
Recognizing God's Sovereignty Bible hub
What is divine providence?
Divine Providence: Sovereign guidance, complete control over all outcomes, the governance or direction of all events by the LORD as the final authority.
It is GOD's control over all events throughout His creation, from the complex interaction of each electron and proton within an atom to the individual course of each person's life. How do we understand how the LORD uses our choices and everyone else's good or bad to accomplish His perfect will? First, we must realize that the LORD already knew every free will choice that everyone would make before He created anything, thus flawlessly incorporating them all towards an outcome determined by Him alone.
Also, it needs to be stated that there are arguments on this subject of divine providence, being that God doesn't have complete control over everything happening. It comes down to whether GOD is truly absolute (definition above). Everything that he does must be without fault. If not, the LORD would not be the GOD of the Bible because the Bible teaches that GOD is perfect and absolutely good.
If He were diminished in any way or reduced to less than perfect, He wouldn't be absolutely (omnipotent) almighty, having unlimited power, or (omniscient) all-knowing, (Immutable) never changing, remaining constant, or completely Good, Wise, just, Faithful, Trustworthy, Gracious, Merciful, Loving, Holy, or Eternal, if the LORD wasn't all those things and more He wouldn't be the GOD of the Bible. Sadly, He'd just become, in people's minds, another manufactured god of this fallen, wicked world.
Understanding the Bigger Picture.
Insight: a deeper understanding of the matter, an awareness, increased discernment, acuteness, better comprehension, an insightful perception, sharpness, revelation, the ability to apprehend all the details.
Foresight: the ability to see and understand the bigger picture.
Why did GOD send His prophet to Nineveh, the most wicked city in the whole world at that time? More likely, the first thing we think of is that the LORD is merciful and desires everyone to be saved no matter how bad they are. Yes, that is correct, but there is much more for us to learn in this story than just teaching us about His great mercy towards all people and how repentance should be one's only response. Let us step back and try to understand the bigger picture now.
"The LORD Almighty has sworn, “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen." Isaiah 14:24 NLV
Multifaceted: having many features, diverse, has different aspects, numerous and diversified, with multiple parts.
Predetermined: fixed, preset, foreordained, pre-planned, arranged beforehand, predestined, fixed.
The LORD's intentions are always multifaceted, meaning His plans are like a puzzle with many pieces that come together simultaneously, revealing to those who take notice the bigger unfolding picture. The LORD begins this story by commanding Jonah, "Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh." This is the beginning of a whole series of events that will take place in perfect predetermined order. Yes, the LORD knew Jonah would disobey and plan to flee from His presence by getting on a boat headed to Tarshish over 2,000 miles in the opposite direction.
Not by accident but by divine decree, Jonah will have the money he needs to pay the fare, and a vessel will be ready for him, but not any ordinary craft, this one the LORD had foreordained to be built just for this historic journey. The ship's captain will not be any random person but the exact one of the LORD's choosing, as well as the crew, those uniquely chosen individuals who will eventually throw Jonah, GOD's wayward prophet, overboard into the darkness of the turbulent waters below.
And yes, there will be in waiting a mighty king-sized fish, prepared from birth for this very moment, nurtured in the quiet depths of the sea for an extraordinary destiny like none other before or ever will be after. Like Jonah, they both will have history to make, and lives will change, and a message to declare to all who will listen that there is hope for a better life, now and forever, because the LORD's desire for all humanity is the salvation of their souls, freely offered to all who accept His invitation to be saved.
“Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other." Isaiah 45:22 ESV
The dangers of teaching a watered-down Gospel
"I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation." Psalm 40:10 ESV
Honestly, taking on the responsibility of writing a Bible study, one cannot succumb to compromise (Shrink-back) and seek to please people rather than GOD. Otherwise, it would be unfaithful to GOD and everyone listening by not telling the complete truth.
"For I did not shrink back from proclaiming to you the whole counsel of God." Acts 20:27 BLB
Shrink-back: a hesitation to tell the whole truth for fear of adverse consequences, shunned to declare something, holding back, turning aside, wavering to say everything, withdrawing to speak up.
"Cutting to the chase": getting directly to the point, an undelayed focus on what's most important, eliminating the superficial, the main subject, no time wasted with small details, saying what matters without extra baggage attached, the facts unrestricted from view.
The Bible speaks directly to our hearts and minds. It's a book that "cuts to the chase." This means that it doesn't attempt to make things ambiguous but drives one to understand what is most important by the direction of the Holy Spirit. Its teachings are simple and yet profoundly deep at the same time. Its words are living and carry with them what needs to be said, things relevant to each person now in real-time in a way no other book can.
So, let it be understood that we must be faithful to the LORD to teach the whole counsel of GOD, that is, everything written in the Bible, the whole truth, without fear of being offensive to some. Also, it must be stated that being obedient to speak the truth no matter the cost and focusing on what concerns the LORD most must be our message.
The main reason I'm saying this is that a watered-down Gospel won't say to everyone that we have all sinned against a Holy GOD, and our sins have consequences. The Bible says that those who are unsaved will go to hell and listen. It's not a state of mind but is a literal place where people who reject GOD's great Salvation will reside forever, its eternal conscious living torment, like Heaven, its opposite, eternal conscious peace and joy, both are real places.
“And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Matthew 25;46 ESV
The good news is Jesus came to set us free from the consequences of our sins and give us a new life that will last forever, reuniting and restoring our relationship with GOD, our Creator, through Jesus' death on the cross and his victorious resurrection from the grave He made a way for us to be saved.
"If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced." Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved." Romans 10:9-13 NLT
So, you see, the whole counsel of GOD is everything taught in the Bible. It is all equally important. For example, GOD is love, but at the same time, He is Holy. Because of this, He must judge people for their sins, holding everyone accountable for their actions, and since GOD is also merciful, He has provided a way for everyone to be forgiven, a great Salvation for all those who receive it.
"But, when God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit." Titus 3:4-5 NLT
The Perils of a Watered-Down Gospel: Holding True to Biblical Teachings - Christian Wake-Up Call
What is the gospel? | GotQuestions.org
Topical Bible: Understanding and Explaining the Gospel
What Is the True Gospel? | Paul Washer. This is a must-watch.
What is the True Gospel Message of Jesus that Every Christian Needs to Embrace - Christian Wake-Up Call
Acts 20:27 Commentaries: "For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.
The Holy Spirit is our Teacher.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26 ESV
The Holy Spirit is the actual author of the Bible, and it would undoubtedly be fruitless not to be taught by the one who wrote it. For this reason, we seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to teach us.
"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right." Timothy 3:16 NLT
We are all here together under the Holy Spirit's direction and timing. Nothing is undetermined or happens by random chance because the LORD is Sovereign and controls every minute detail. The Holy Spirit does everything in order and according to a precise plan. My role in leading this Bible study in the book of Jonah is always to be sensitive to the move of the Holy Spirit, what needs to be said, and what doesn't.
The Holy Spirit speaks to us individually according to what we need to know at the exact moment. For example, suppose we are going through something in our lives where we need answers about decisions we're trying to make, or maybe we need encouragement, comfort, or to hear and understand a warning.
"However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come." John 16:13 BSB
If we are attentive to His voice, the Holy Spirit will speak to us about what we need to know. In some cases, many will become offended by things discussed in this Bible study. Undoubtedly, some will become upset because the Holy Spirit works to teach and correct us simultaneously. As the one called to lead this Bible study, I'm not exempt from correction either.
"Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness." James 3:1 ESV
At the same time, the Holy Spirit instructs and corrects me when needed, just as He does with everyone reading this study. For this reason, I understand the responsibility that GOD has placed upon me to have these teachings in order, well-researched, and studied diligently beforehand, ensuring what is spoken here is accurate and what the Holy Spirit desires to be known to all of us at this precise moment.
This Bible study in the book of Jonah is a journey of discovery. The Holy Spirit is our guide as He makes the Bible come alive for us. For this reason, it is called the living word of GOD because it always accomplishes its work of bringing people closer to the LORD. This journey is supernatural. It's a powerful quest to have our lives changed forever for good as we study GOD's living word.
"But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ." 1 John 2:27 NLT
Something about the Holy Spirit and "discernment" and how we must always be alert.
"You, however, have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. I have not written to you because you lack knowledge of the truth, but because you have it, and because no lie comes from the truth." 1 John 2:20-21 BSB
Yes, the Holy Spirit is our guide and only leads us into all truth. He shows us the way we should go, always leading us to Jesus because He is the way, the truth, and life. The Holy Spirit gives us discernment, the ability to distinguish between good and evil, truth and error. The Spirit will never contradict what has already been written in the Bible. Therefore, it is paramount that we understand what the Bible teaches and be uncompromising against any other teaching that contradicts what has already been foretold and established by the LORD in His word, the Bible.
The Holy Spirit as a Teacher: Bibles.net This study by R.A. Torrey is a must-read for everyone.
Let us begin this part of the study now.
This verse 1:2 will be divided into three parts.
Part #1- The Command." Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh."
Part #2- The Assignment." Announce my judgment against it."
Part #3- Their Wickedness. "Because I have seen how wicked its people are."
Part #1 “The Command”
"Get up and go” to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are." Jonah 1:2 NLT
"Arise, go to Nineveh” that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me." Jonah 1:2 ESV
"Get up! Go” to the great city of Nineveh and "preach against it" because its wickedness has come up before Me." Jonah 1:2 BSB
"Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh.”
"Arise, go to Nineveh."
"Get up! Go”
A Command: an order, a charge to do something, a mandate, or instructions to be done.
Now, the LORD is speaking to Jonah His prophet, "Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh." This is not a request allowing Jonah to choose, go or not to go. No, this is a direct command from the LORD.
"Are you listening, Jonah You must go to Nineveh without exception Go now!"
Certainly, Jonah heard the LORD speak to him about going to Nineveh, so he quickly left his country, but acting defiantly, he devised a different plan. He would go to Tarshish in the wrong direction on purpose. Instead of obeying the LORD's Command, Jonah determined to disobey what he was told to do, thinking that GOD's plan of Judgment for the Ninevites would be far better than GOD's plan for mercy. Let's jump ahead now and look at verse 4:2 momentarily to see what Jonah was thinking.
"So, he prayed to the LORD, saying, "O LORD, is this not what I said while I was still in my own country? This is why I was so quick to flee toward Tarshish. I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion, One who relents from sending disaster." Jonah 4:2 BSB
What was Jonah thinking when he disobeyed the LORD's Command to go to Nineveh?
Did Jonah really think that he could escape from the LORD's presence? He must have read the Psalm of King David, which said, "Where shall I go from Your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from Your presence?" Psalm 139:7
Was Jonah trying to make a statement to GOD by fleeing to Tarshish at such a great distance, saying I'm so far away from Nineveh now and unavailable that You, GOD, would surely need to find another one of Your prophets for this mission?
Was Jonah saying, sorry, LORD, I'm putting in my resignation as your prophet. I'm now resigning from my position. I'm no longer working for You, GOD.
Also, his thinking might have been, "Surely it would be harder for the LORD to bring me back from Tarshish to Nineveh, being so far away, approximately 2,500 miles in the opposite direction."
Maybe Jonah thought this time away in hiding would give the LORD more time to think about His plan, persuading GOD to change His decision for judgment only as the people of Nineveh became more evil with each passing day.
It's obvious Jonah showed in his attitude that he would rather die than go to Nineveh, but at the same time, He knew his fate was in GOD's hands. Could the LORD also be merciful to him and let him live?
He must have thought, would not his people, the Israelites, now consider him a hero for not going to Nineveh and warning them of impending danger? Truly, they had been waiting for the LORD to intervene on Israel's behalf. Finally, would they get justice against their enemies?
Jonah was worried that his enemies would repent and escape GOD's judgment.
Would the rulers of Nineveh, upon hearing his message, lock him up in prison and torture him severely for saying his GOD was going to destroy them if they didn't heed His warning?
Would the people think he (Jonah) was a false prophet if he prophesied that the LORD would destroy Nineveh and then their destruction not happen as foretold, even though Nineveh's coming Judgment would be conditional based upon their hopeful repentance.
"Jonah, Jonah," "what have you done?" "You didn't obey what I told you to do."
Yes, it can be assumed that all those thoughts crossed Jonah's mind as he thought about what to do. He needed to make a choice. Obey or disobey, trust or not trust in the LORD’s plan. And so it was, he decided to disobey the LORD’s Command and flee to Tarshish, which, as we know, was in the opposite direction from the great city of Nineveh.
What did Jonah do wrong?
Obedience: compliance, submission to GOD's authority, willingly surrendering to a command, trusting, yielding, respect, and listening.
Disobedience: a disregard for authority, a defiance of GOD's will, a state of rebellion, a heart of unbelief, a willful intent not to trust in GOD completely.
He failed at that moment to completely believe and trust in the LORD. He didn't stop and consider that if the LORD was commanding him to do something, anything, as a chosen prophet, then without question, GOD's plan must have been the best for everyone, not only for the people of Nineveh but also for his own people, the Israelites.
So, Jonah disagreed with GOD and disobeyed His Command to go to Nineveh and warn them of their impending destruction.
In the Bible, obedience to GOD means trusting the LORD unconditionally, submitting to His will, complying with His requests, listening to His instructions, and committing 100%. Thus, we please GOD when we wholeheartedly trust Him because we show our faith in Him to do what is best.
Obeying the LORD's commands was not optional for Jonah or us. We must all obey for our good and the good of others. The simple fact is most of us feel uncomfortable with the word Command. It means we must submit to and obey authority.
For most, when the word Command first enters our minds, the thought of control immediately emerges. We ask ourselves, will we be forced to do something that might restrict our freedom? Will we still be able to choose what we want to do whenever we feel like it? The Bible talks about how we are being transformed, having our minds renewed to better understand everything from GOD's perspective. When the LORD commands us to do something, it's always for our benefit. He's instructing us because He loves us and wants us to know His will for our lives, how we ought to live, doing what is pleasing in His sight.
Again, what did Jonah do wrong? He didn't surrender to the LORD's command.
Surrender: submitting to GOD's will, letting go, accepting GOD's plans for us, believing His way is better and always in our best interest.
Rebellion: disobedience, opposition to authority, defiance, resistance to GOD’s commands, a disagreement with the LORD’s plans, not wholly trusting in GOD
Submitting ourselves to the LORD's commands is an act of surrender. Drawing closer to the LORD is about completely trusting His plans, which are always best. Denying ourselves and seeking GOD's will is not easy for us. Let's face it, we are all continuously at war with the old rebellious self within us. We want to do things how we want to, go our way, be the master of our destiny, and have complete control, but this isn't what the LORD wants. He says obey Me, listen to My words, and do as I say because I'm always concerned with your best interests and know the beginning and end of everything. The life GOD has given us is not just for us to do whatever we want, that is, if we have indeed decided to follow Jesus.
"And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did." 1 John 2:3-6 NLT
LORD, break us. Please let it be as You command.
Breaking a horse: establishing a foundation of trust and respect between the horse and trainer. Use tactics to get the horse to obey your commands out of mutual trust instead of causing them to submit to your demands out of fear.
"We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth." James 3:3 NLT
What Does “Breaking A Horse” Mean? - LoveYouHorse.com
Submit: to comply, consent, heed, accept, yield, relent, surrender to GOD, trust in His authority, resting in His sovereignty to always do what is best.
Humility: meekness, selflessness, lack of arrogance, not being prideful, complete dependence on GOD, yielding to the will of the LORD instead of our own.
Understanding: having good comprehension, discernment, awareness, perceptive, astute, recognize, interpret, make sense of, grasp the meaning.
As I was writing about surrender, the thought of horses came to mind. We are all like wild horses to some degree or another. We're like Jonah in so many ways. We want to run free, go our own way, and do things the way we want to do them, and for this reason, we sometimes go in the wrong direction. We still have a bit in our mouths because we lack understanding.
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5 ESV
Jonah lacked understanding when he disobeyed the LORD's Command because he didn't seek to truly know why the LORD asked him to go to Nineveh. At that moment, Jonah stopped trusting in the LORD with all his heart. He should have just said yes, I'll go, seeking the LORD in prayer and asking Him for understanding, but he was consumed with contempt for the people of Nineveh, thus letting his emotions distort his perception of the real reason he was commanded to go, which was to bring a message of hope and salvation, of mercy, a way of repentance, and an escape from impending judgment.
Completely surrendering to the LORD takes time. It is an ongoing work of GOD to transform us, a people who have learned to listen to His words and trust Him wholeheartedly, not just a little but a lot, and eventually, without any more doubts, no longer the need for bit or bridle, free to run like never before hearing the Masters voice as He leads us forward.
"I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you.
Do not be like the horse or mule,
which have no understanding.
they must be controlled with bit and bridle
to make them come to you.
Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
but loving devotion surrounds him who trusts in the LORD.
Be glad in the LORD and rejoice O righteous ones.
Shout for joy, all you upright in heart." Psalm 32:8-11 BSB
"Break us" simple songs of lament and hope / Bifrost Arts
ALABASTER JAR: HOW TO BE UNDONE BY THE GOSPEL This is a sermon by Pastor Jamie Walden. It's about being broken before the Lord. My favorite talk by Jamie broke my heart for Jesus and again reminded me of His great Love for us. Please watch it.
The book Omega Dynamics: Equipping a Warrior Class of Christians for the Days Ahead by Jamie Walden. This book will ready you, now and for the days ahead, equipping the saints for the fight. If my house was on fire and I could only grab two books before it burned down, I'd grab the Bible #1 and this book #2. Yes, we are at war, so stay faithful and trust the LORD above everything else.
"Obeying GOD's commands are not burdensome."
"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome." 1 John 5:3 ESV
As Christians, we don't find it a burden to listen to GOD and try to do what He requires because we Love Him. Obeying the LORD's commands proves to Him that we truly Love Him. We know everything GOD desires for us is always in our best interest, so as a blessed consequence, it becomes what we want too. Doing what GOD says demonstrates through our actions that we really do trust and believe in Him to care for us.
What should we do?
"No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 NLT
He wants us to do what is right.
To love mercy and show it to others. Forgive those who have sinned against us. Never forget how the LORD was merciful to us.
To walk humbly with Him, our GOD, is to live a life in daily communion, living every moment understanding that He has called us to surrender to His way completely, trusting that His plans for us are best and absolutely good.
The most important Command for us to do is to Love.
“Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”
Jesus replied, “You must Love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: "Love your neighbor as yourself the entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40 NLT
We must ask GOD to help us love Him and others, to teach us how, to ask for help to obey Him and to help us make an effort to do those things that are pleasing in His sight daily with all our Hearts, souls, and minds.
With all our hearts, we are to love Him by being grateful and thanking Him for what He has done for us and everything He is doing now and is planning to do for us in the future, thus loving Him more and more with each new day.
With all our souls is to Love Him with everything we are, with our whole person.
With all our minds, it is to Love Him by surrendering all our thoughts over to him, to let the LORD use our minds to serve Him, to use our words for His glory, to praise and worship Him, use our actions to do what will honor and glorify the LORD alone, and always praying for His help to enable us do all these things spoken here.
And to love our neighbor as ourselves is to have compassion and kindness for them, not to steal from them, deal falsely (cheat), lie, hate, bear any grudge against them, but to be sharing, concerned with their needs, not to gossip, slander, or take vengeance. We are to strive to make peace with them at all times, and most importantly, if they don't know the LORD, we are to be a witness of GOD's Love to them, share the gospel with them when an opportunity arises, and always keep them in our prayers.
"And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." 1 Corinthians 13:2 ESV
We are Commanded not to be lovers of the World but to Love GOD and one another instead.
"Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions These are not from the Father but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave but anyone who does what pleases God will live forever." 1 John 2:15-17 NLT
This Command asks us what our heart desires most. Are we living a life focusing on things that do not last forever, or is our motive on what pleases GOD? The main point is that we can get distracted by this world's pleasures from seeking the LORD, living in His presence, and living in His everlasting care.
"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." Matthew 6:33 NLT
Here is a quote from Matthew Henry (1662-1714), preacher and Bible expositor "The world draws the heart from God; and the more the love of the world prevails, the more the love of God decays. The things of the world are classed according to the three ruling inclinations of depraved nature. #1 The lust of the flesh, of the body: wrong desires of the heart, the appetite of indulging all things that excite and inflame sensual pleasures. #2 The lust of the eyes: the eyes are delighted with riches and rich possessions; this is the lust of covetousness. #3 The pride of life: a vain man craves the grandeur and pomp of a vain-glorious life; this includes thirst after honor and applause. The things of the world quickly fade and die away; desire itself will ere long fail and cease, but holy affection is not like the lust that passes away. The love of God shall never fail." Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary.
What does God want me to do? | GotQuestions.org
"When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means." 1 Corinthians 2:13-14 NLT
GOD commands everyone to repent of their sins.
“God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him." Acts 17:30 NLT
Transgression: sin, wrongdoing, offense, ungodliness, unrighteousness, immorality, iniquity, profanity, wickedness, evil, an offense against GOD, a violation, a separation, a hardening of the heart.
Repentance: a sincere regret or remorseful sorrow for sins committed, shame for sinful actions, changing one's mind and heart, turning away from sin, a turnaround, surrender, the start of a new life to walk with the LORD, a desire to draw nearer to GOD as He draws nearer to you.
Confession: acknowledgment of our sin, willingly recognizing our sin, declarations of wrongdoings or guilt, confession of an offense against GOD and others, admission of sin, admitting our sins before GOD, and asking for forgiveness.
Sanctification: declaring us holy and making holy as an ongoing action, being set apart, set free from sin and death by the blood of Christ.
This Command to repent of our sins is for all humanity everywhere. With the explosion of evil worldwide and the end of human history approaching quickly, there has never been a more critical moment to repent of our transgressions and get right with GOD by obeying His Command to repent and turn to Him.
"The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9 BSB
The evil that now prevails around us truly exceeds Noah's time, Sodom, Gomorrah, and Nineveh combined. Modern technology has made it easy for all forms of evil to increase rapidly. For example, through media, such as the Internet, people can commit sins of every sort known in a single moment. These are times of unbounded lawlessness, rapid moral decay, unspeakable wickedness of every imagination, a world gone bad, a people consumed with violence and hatred for one another. The Bible calls this a reprobate mind, someone who is without any conscience or awareness of what is right or wrong. This condition is a state of mind in complete rebellion against GOD.
"And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God or consider Him worth knowing [as their Creator], God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do things which are improper and repulsive." Romans 1:28 AB
For all those Christians reading this letter who have been faithfully seeking the LORD, be encouraged, strengthened, renewed in His care, and continue to persevere under His mighty hand. GOD bless you. And for all those who have slipped away into a sinful lifestyle, come back now to the LORD. He is always waiting for us to return. His arms are wide open, ready to pull you closer to His heart. Now, for all those who have never known the LORD, this is your moment to make a choice, to choose a life far better than you ever imagined, a life that will last forever. Now is the time to turn to GOD while there is still time to repent and call out to Him before it is too late.
Jesus said, "The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here but you refuse to repent." Matthew 12:41 NLT
"I am coming to visit!" 12-29-24 A teaching by Jennifer Faircloth. This talk is one of the most insightful messages about being ready for the LORD's return. Jennifer sums it all up in her talk. Please, you must watch this video.
In conclusion, obeying the LORD's commands draws us closer to Him, thus leading us to trust Him more, and, most importantly, it demonstrates that our Love for Him is real.
"Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome." 1 John 5:3 NLT
Faith: complete trust, belief, dependence, reliance, and expectation in the LORD's faithfulness.
Jonah became the disobedient prophet because he failed to trust the LORD with an unwavering confidence in His plan. This point is critical to understand because we can't expect an intimate relationship with the LORD if we don't trust Him completely. For example, "Without faith (complete trust), it is impossible to please Him.
"And "without faith, it is impossible to please him," for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." Hebrews 11:6 ESV
When discussing what it means to have a healthy, close personal relationship, the first and most important thing should be whether we can trust the other person. The more trust we have, the more intimate and closer we become. The same goes with the LORD. The more we trust Him, the stronger our faith becomes, and the more intimate we become with Him, which is what GOD desires most. When we disobey His commands, it shows a lack of trust and reliance on the LORD and His faithfulness.
To know Him is to trust Him is to Love Him!
"By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments. If anyone says, "I know Him," but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone keeps His word, the love of God has been truly perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him: Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked." 1 John 2:3-6 BSB
When Jonah stopped trusting the LORD, he became disobedient because, at that moment, he failed to believe that GOD's plans are always perfect, even if we can't understand them. Can we still Love, believe, or have faith in the LORD without completely trusting Him? Listen now, if we don't have unwavering confidence in Him, we will suffer the consequences of doing things our way, which was, in Jonah's case, going over 2000 miles in the wrong direction. Trusting in God with all our hearts means we fully believe that GOD's plans are always best.
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people." Genesis 50:20 NLT
Then, we will come to understand that obedience to GOD's commands is about trusting Him with all our hearts first. Yes, as a Loving benefit, we will be given unshakable confidence, true obedience, steadfast faith, unsurpassable peace, unlimited fearlessness in battle, His boldness, His strength, and a firm foundation enabling us to persevere. We will know with no doubt that the Love of GOD is truly being perfected in us, and we'll say with humble adoration that we know our GOD, and He knows us.
"The LORD is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him." Nahum 1:7 NLT
Part #2 - The Assignment.
"Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. "Announce my judgment against it" because I have seen how wicked its people are." Jonah 1:2 NLT
"Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and "call out against it," for their evil has come up before me." Jonah 1:2 ESV
"Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and "preach against it" because its wickedness has come up before Me." Jonah 1:2 BSB
"Announce my judgment against it."
"Call out against it."
"Preach against it"
An Assignment: a task given by GOD, a planned purpose, a mission, a commission, an allotment undertaking, endeavor, responsibility, a command.
Jonah, Jonah, my prophet Jonah, I'm now calling you for an assignment. Did you hear Me? Get up and go to that great city of Nineveh and warn them. They will have 40 days to act. Time is running out for them. Tell them, Jonah, they must repent of their evil ways now or suffer the consequences.
The LORD has an assignment for all of us Christians.
"I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do." John 17:4 ESV
We are all called to bear our testimony about Jesus being the Savior of the world, telling others that He is the only "way, truth, and life." Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life No one can come to the Father except through me." John 14:6 NLT
Sharing the gospel (Good news) with others.
Letting the (Bible) word of GOD light our path, discerning between good and evil.
Living a life for the LORD, turning away from sin, no longer loving the world more than GOD.
Desiring to obey GOD
To Love GOD.
To Love others.
We must completely trust in the LORD, His faithfulness, and plan for our lives.
Treat everyone fairly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our GOD.
A specific or different assignment for each of us to do.
GOD might give some an assignment to go to Nineveh (this fallen world) to preach, to tell them about GOD's coming judgment with a call to repent of their sins before it is too late to be saved. And to another, an assignment to be a mother and raise a family and a father to provide, love, and protect that family. Some might be given an assignment to be a public-school teacher, teaching amid a broken system, while others might be called to clean houses. Maybe you have been assigned the task of feeding the poor, being a doctor and healing the sick, or a counselor to bring order to the chaotic emotional state of the human mind.
The LORD's assignments have special purposes to benefit our lives and others. He supernaturally equips us by giving us unique gifts for the task that we have been called to do. Each of us has assignments from the LORD, and He gives us the choice if we decide to do them. These assignments are part of our destiny here on earth, as GOD had planned for each one of us even before we were born. Each assignment is designed with meaning and purpose to impact others around us for good.
"As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another." 1 Peter 4:10 BSB.
Whatever assignment GOD has given you to do, big or small, do it to His glory.
4 Signs God Is Preparing You for a New Assignment | AGW MINISTRIES This writing is excellent about GOD's
assignments.
Part#3
Their Wickedness. "Because I have seen how wicked its people are."
How wicked were the people of Nineveh? A quote from the Armstrong Institute of Biblical Archaeology.
Armstrong Institute of Biblical Archaeology quotes, "One famous Assyrian leader of the century prior was Ashurnasirpal ii (circa 883–859 B.C.E.). This king was known for hanging his enemies on posts, flaying them, and lining city walls with their skins. He also burned his enemies or beheaded them if they were fortunate—those still alive would have noses, ears, eyes, arms and other extremities removed.
His son Shalmaneser iii (858–824 B.C.E.) continued in his footsteps. His famous bronze Balawat gates (see above; Balawat was a city near Nineveh) depict Assyrian soldiers hacking apart the captured enemy alive, dismembering hands and feet. Heads were hung from walls during his reign, and impaled captives were lined up on display. “Pillars” of skewered human heads stood like totem poles.
Another later example of Assyrian brutality, King Esarhaddon (seventh century B.C.E.) recorded on one of his prisms his parading of conquered nobles through the streets—wearing “necklaces” of the decapitated heads of fellow nobles around their necks. Other records a defeated Arabian leader being taken to Nineveh and made to live in a kennel alongside the dogs that guarded the city gates. On King Sennacherib’s prism inscriptions (late eighth century B.C.E.), the ruler bragged about creating so much blood from death and disembowelment that his horses waded through it like a river. Sennacherib gratuitously describes ripping out men’s testicles “like the seeds of summer cucumbers.” As for the city of Nineveh itself, to whom Jonah was directed—the Prophet Nahum aptly describes it specifically as “the bloody city” (Nahum 3:1).
This was the kind of terror faced by enemies of the Assyrian Empire at the time of Jonah. While the later Persian Empire sought to keep conquered peoples in the fold through mercy and favor, the Assyrians sought to keep their empire together through the opposite extreme: terror. No wonder the prophet was fearful of carrying God’s warning message—and conversely, no wonder God’s threat of divine destruction." Armstrong Institute of Biblical Archaeology.
Jonah’s Remarkably Accurate Account of Assyria | ArmstrongInstitute.org
As we can see when the LORD says, "Because I have seen how wicked its people are," we begin to understand that the Ninevites (or Assyrians) were extremely cruel. They also displayed their cruelty for everyone to see, even to the point of being proud of it, which no doubt was a shameless act of mocking GOD and His people.
Here's a list of some of Nineveh's wickedness, as mentioned in the book of Jonah and Nahum.
Extreme Violence, cruel torture, heartless brutality.
Shedding of innocent blood.
Crimes against children
enslaving nations
Plotting evil against GOD and his people.
Injustice, GOD's laws disobeyed.
Idolatry, worship of false gods.
Lies or deceit.
Sorcery or witchcraft.
Prostitution.
Murder
Plunder, robbery by force, shameful victory.
Pridefulness.
How does the wickedness of Nineveh compare to the wickedness of America and the world now?
Extreme Violence, heartless brutality.
Shedding of innocent blood.
Crimes against children
enslaving nations
Plotting evil against GOD and his people.
Injustice, GOD's laws disobeyed.
Idolatry, worship of false gods.
Lies or deceit.
Sorcery or witchcraft.
Murder
Plunder, robbery by force.
Pridefulness.
Prostitution.
Rape
Normalizing pedophilia
Sexual and gender perversion, LGBTQ+, Homosexuality, Lesbianism, Transgenderism, all types of gender deviation from what GOD has created.
Abortion: the murder or slaughter of innocent, defenseless babies in the mother's womb. Abortion Statistics - Worldometer approximately 200,000 abortions per day worldwide
America is the largest producer of pornography in the world.
Human trafficking. America is the greatest conspirator and consumer of the sex trafficking of women and innocent children.
Transgender surgeries: a direct manipulation of the human body created by GOD and determined by Him alone which gender an individual receives, male or female.
America leads the world in illegal drug use, with Fentanyl now killing over 100 thousand people per year.
Nefarious genocidal programs to reduce world population.
Deadly Vaccines designed with the intention to harm and kill people worldwide, such as the Covid Vaccines.
Inhumane science: deliberately attempting to change the human genome without the informed awareness of Humanity.
The causing of unjust wars for profit, the senseless killing of human life.
Dark Artificial Intelligence (AI): designed with the sole purpose of harming people.
Geoengineering: Because of a misconception or a nefarious plan to destroy all of humankind. Specific individuals, or dark societies, organizations, and groups are modifying our climate, not for good but for evil.
The weaponization of technologies to control cognitive awareness of world populations, such as manipulative mind control programs. The manipulation of human rational thought processes, designed to turn the masses into unknowingly psychologically submissive subjects for the sole purpose of controlling them. (BRAINWASHING).
The Truth About HUMAN TRAFFICKING Revealed / End time Productions/ interview with Pastor Jamie Walden. “a must watch video”
Abortion Statistics - World meter approximately 200,000 abortions per day worldwide
Number of Abortions in the US & Worldwide - Number of abortions since 1973
Brutal Reality of Child Trafficking on Southern Border
Child Trafficking CRISIS. At the Southern Border EXPOSED
Honesty, this is not a complete list of the current condition of America and the world. Still, it gives one a vivid illustration of the severity of the wickedness in our modern world. It can be said now with much certainty that the world is quickly accelerating in all forms of evil beyond anything in the past. Can anyone say the sins or wickedness of Nineveh were any less than those of America and the world today? The LORD told Jonah, "Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.” Can we, as (Christians) disregard the fact that America and the world are now under GOD's judgment? Even if we could deny it with an emotional response of fear, it would still be a direct refusal to accept that we have become much worse than Nineveh, which is sadly apparent to all who humbly consider the facts.
"The wrath of God is being revealed from Heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse." Romans 1:18-20 BSB
A time for repentance, a time to get right with GOD. The alarm is sounding!
The question in front of everyone now is what adverse event will happen next to America and the world as things worsen. No doubt GOD's judgment is upon this world, and the call for repentance has been going out loud and clear for a long time. Evil everywhere has been escalating beyond anything in times past and can no longer be ignored, as the door of the ark is closing fast. Writing this part of the Bible study, Jonah 1:2, "Because I have seen how wicked its people are," comes at the perfect timing. It couldn't have been a more appropriate moment to talk about this because what’s happening now parallels the time of Nineveh. GOD told Jonah that the Ninevites had come under His judgment and had only two options. Receive GOD's mercy and repent of their sins or suffer His judgment and be destroyed in 40 days. They had indeed come to the end of GOD's tolerance of their sins.
"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." 2 Peter 3:9 ESV.
Is it too late for this world? Has GOD's tolerance come to an end?
"The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” acts 17:30-31 ESV
Once more, the LORD is warning the world of His coming judgment. At the same time, His mercy is being offered because He calls everyone everywhere to repent of their sins, but who is listening? Does America and the world know that the LORD is reaching out to them before His final judgment comes? Are we turning from our wicked ways and seeking GOD's forgiveness?
"When God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways—He relented from the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them." Jonah 3:10 BSB
"Peace and Security"????????????????
“Sound the alarm, tell the people, beware as a banner of complacent victory is being raised, and a misplaced sound of joy erupts. Is this really a time for rejoicing, as sounds of “false hope” fill the air, only to have our ears touched with illusive words of safety, a crafty slogan that all is well is proclaimed on the hilltops, directed to those who have fallen for the lies, like someone who has forgotten, unaware that they are being hunted by a roaring lion seeking his prey, he casts his net for those who slumber, for those who are an easy kill, lured in with promises of comfort and security, a voice that mutters come and rest, trust me, feel protected as it calls you by name when all the while a snare has been set to trap you the unsuspected, you have become the wounded captive, the one who has fallen asleep again. Wake up, people! The alarm is sounding!” Do not be caught off guard! Do not be deceived! "But let us keep awake and be sober."
"Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the Devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are." 1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT
The Warning
Warning: caution, a call to beware, a notice of urgency, alert, a forewarning of something unpleasant, an existing danger, a word of concernment for others.
False hope: misplaced trust, a deception that leads to disappointment, deceptive assurance, a confident feeling about something that might not be true, false promises, reliance on human wisdom in place of GOD's wisdom, the temporary, a perilous condition, not steadfast, unsure, a faulty foundation, unstable ground, instability, trusting in man more than trusting in GOD.
A very relevant clarification: If we Love President Donald Trump, we will pray for his safety and Salvation, like anyone else. As the Bible says, "and what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?" Matthew 16:26 NLT. For all MAGA and God & country patriots, I don't support Trump's stance on mRNA Vaccines and many other vital issues. Not everything he is doing is good. Let it be noted here also. I Love my country, its people, and all people everywhere on this earth. I am sincerely concerned with the Salvation of everyone's soul as GOD has profoundly burdened my heart, believing and praying that "none should perish, but everyone come to repentance" 2 Peter 3:9.
As customary, the LORD has placed on my heart “a warning” to share with everyone. This warning came as I prayed on November 6th, the day after the presidential election here in the United States. While praying, I heard the words "Make America great again" sound in my head, and I thought yes, I understand that slogan, but LORD, what is the warning? I asked, what should we be aware of now then came the words "FALSE HOPE." To be honest with everyone reading this part, I have been wrestling within myself since then to say anything about this subject because it is so sensitive, especially right now after Donald Trump, the now 47th president of the United States, celebrates with patriotic Americans a victorious win. So, what is wrong with making America great again and a promised golden age to come? Yes, it sounds like an honorable thing to do, but if we don't understand the real danger of those words as Christians, we will be at risk.
An election, a promised coming Golden age, and a test of having good discernment. Will GOD fix this fallen world or make a new one? Beware of having a false sense of security. All is well. Is it?
The optimist: being hopeful, confident that everything will be ok.
The pessimist: always believing the worst is yet to come, hopelessness, thinking there will be only doom and gloom.
The follower of Jesus (a Christian): a saved soul, a person who has been born again, has been given a new life that will last forever, one who Loves GOD and others, who put their trust in GOD above everything else, a member of GOD's family, someone who seeks wisdom from above and stays alert and is watchful, one who is following Jesus as He leads them through life.
Topical Bible: Practical Steps to Discernment
Topical Bible: The Responsibility of Discernment
Stay Alert and Watchful / Bible hub
An Election
11/6/2024 A much anticipated Presidential Election just happened here in the United States. Donald Trump won over Kamala Harris with a promise and hope to make America great again, and bring in a golden age of prosperity. Those on the winning side celebrated the victory, while those on the losing side angered in defeat. Now, I'm speaking to followers of Christ Jesus (Christians). Yes, this is a moment of relief, but no doubt there's also a warning flag of caution going up at the same time as many wholeheartedly put all their trust in the new leaders to fix this Country and the world when the Bible says things will not get better but worse as the second coming of the LORD's return grows near.
The majority consensus now in the people's minds is that this (the New Government Administration) will be able to bring this runaway train (America) back onto the tracks, believing that we, the people, can make things great again, "we can fix this" (the optimists). Remember that this world is broken beyond human repair. Humanity can't or won't be able to fix it (the pessimist). The LORD is the only one who is able to restore this earth and eventually make a new one. Our focus now must be on Jesus and what He plans to do (the follower of Jesus, a Christian). Reality check. This world has lost its way, and no one but the LORD will be able to make it great again because it has fallen. Be reminded and encouraged that Jesus, as a mighty warrior, is returning to judge and wage war against the powers of evil and will victoriously succeed 100%.
"Then I saw Heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war." Revelation 19:11 BSB
Have we quickly forgotten that this world system is the Devil's kingdom, where he rules to deceive humanity?
"We know that we are of God, and that the whole world is under the power of the evil one." 1 John 5:19
This nation (The great United States of America) and all other nations have been turning their backs on GOD for a long time and have all fallen into sin. Does GOD not see how hundreds of thousands of innocent babies are killed (brutally massacred) every day by our abortions worldwide, and here in the United States, we are the largest producer of pornography in the world, the biggest consumer of sex trafficking of women and children, the most radical promoter of the transgender movement, and one of the leading causes of the current explosion of immorality worldwide because of our persuasive influence on other nations.
President Trump believes that GOD saved him to "make America great again" and to bring in a golden age. At the same time, we are witnessing what the DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) and Elon Musk have been exposing. Devastating levels of fraud and corruption that are shamefully astounding beyond what we imagined, revealing a corrupt government turned into a money laundering criminal organization as another dark, nefarious shadow government operates the whole mess from the shadows. As the curtain is pulled back, for the first time, from behind the scenes, we get to see just how scandalous our Government has become. In reality, this only reveals a tiny percentage of what is happening here in this Country and the world. Only GOD can see the totality of humanity's wickedness at any moment. Indeed, we wouldn't even be able to bear it if we could see everything like He does.
Do we think GOD hasn't noticed what's going on? Is He just going to keep extending his mercy to cover the multitude of our sins indefinitely?
An exercise in discernment and a test to see Who we trust above all else and where our true loyalty lies.
A Reprieve: a postponement, delay of punishment, pause, a temporary halt, an interruption, a lull, a stoppage.
A Diversion: a detour, redirection, a smokescreen, a distraction, a deviation, straying from a set course, led in the wrong direction.
Topical Bible: The Importance of Loyalty to God / Bible hub.
Trust in God Above All / Bible hub
The real test for trusting in the LORD above everything with all our hearts has arrived as we hear promises that America will be great again, and even more, there is a coming golden age of prosperity unlike anything ever seen arriving soon. As many say in unison, "at last, yes, there is real hope for a better future." Finally, there will be peace and security. Surly, we'll be able to live free from additional worries, and life will be better than we have ever imagined. Yes, these words sound hopeful and, for many, believable, but is this what we should believe as discerning Christians, accepted without any scrutiny?
Sadly, many Christians here in the United States of America now believe the LORD has given us a reprieve, a temporary pause to rebuild our broken system, make America great again, and bring in a golden age of prosperity when, in reality, this moment in history was given for us to humble ourselves, pray and seek the LORD, repent of our sins, thus abandoning our wicked ways, and turn back to Him, making "In GOD we trust" what we sincerely proclaim to the rest of the world once again.
But is this what we are doing now as a priority? No. Unfortunately, that isn't what is happening. A critical exercise in discernment is needed now because what is happening is diverting our attention away from the fact that this Country and the world are not repairable. Both can't be fixed by humanity and besides that, should this world be what we desire most? No, it shouldn't. Our focus must be on Trusting the LORD above man and seeking His Kingdom first, not seeking the things of this fallen world. Our hope must be in eager expectation of the LORD's coming and His Kingdom.
If you haven't noticed, nothing has changed. This world has still lost its way and needs Jesus more than ever. We are still living in a state of an end-time apocalypse. Without delay, we are still quickly approaching the conclusion of this fallen system. Honestly, nothing has changed these facts, so don't be easily deceived by a promise of false hope.
Now is not the time to be distracted or led astray, but this is the moment to draw closer to the LORD. Being aware of where we're going to spend eternity needs to be on our minds, the eternal, not the temporal, do you understand?
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33 KJB
Why doesn't GOD fix the world now?
Understanding Misplaced Hope / Bible hub
The Danger of Misplaced Hope / Bible hub
Making things better is not fixing it. What makes this misplaced hope so convincing to many is that good things are being done now in this Country. Still, at the same time, our trust in the LORD as the only one who can make things right is being replaced with a false hope that humanity can fix this fallen world. If the LORD wanted to fix the world, He would have done it long ago, but this hasn't been His plan. He will fix it and plans to do so in the nearer-than-we-would-think future.
Also, this current distraction takes our attention away from the fact that the hour is late and that Jesus is even at the door, waiting to open it at any moment.
"For you know quite well that the day of the Lord's return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. When people are saying, "Everything is peaceful and secure," then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman's labor pains begin. And there will be no escape." 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 NLT
“The first thing that needs fixing is us. Humanity at large is in a state of rebellion against GOD, just as the Bible says. . ."
"God looks down from heaven
on the entire human race.
He looks to see if anyone is truly wise,
if anyone seeks God.
But no, all have turned away,
all have become corrupt.
No one does good,
not a single one!" Psalm 53:2-3 NLT
Truly, the LORD has been patient with humanity, waiting and offering everyone salvation until the last one is saved.
"This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:3-4 BSB
What does it mean to seek first the kingdom of God? | GotQuestions.org
What the Bible Says About Fixing the World – Growing 4 Life
The next big question?
The next question for us is whether or not we believe we're in the times like in the days of Jonah, Noah, or Sodom and Gomorrah, yes or no. If you say that our sins are not that bad, thinking, even if our sins are bad, our good works will please GOD, and He'll save our Country because don't forget, we are a blessed people. But if you say yes, we are a sinful nation just like all the other world nations who need to repent, then without a doubt, it will change your perspective and understanding of the bigger picture. The LORD told Noah that He would judge the earth by sending a flood because humans were consistently evil.
"Now God saw that the earth had become corrupt and was filled with violence. God observed all this corruption in the world, for everyone on earth was corrupt." Genesis 6:11-12
And so, it was with Lot in Sodom that those people's sins were also very shameful. The LORD sent two angels to Sodom to warn Lot of the city's coming destruction.
"But when Lot hesitated, the men (angels) grabbed his hand and the hands of his wife and his two daughters. And they led them safely out of the city, because of the LORD's compassion for them.
As soon as the men had brought them out, one of them said, "Run for your lives! Do not look back, and do not stop anywhere on the plane! Flee to the mountains, or you will be swept away!" Genesis 19:16-17 BSB
And as we already know, Jonah was sent to warn the Ninevites from the great capital of Nineveh of the LORD's coming Judgment.
Is the LORD judging this Nation and the world now?
It is more than obvious that GOD's Judgment has been and is now continuing to be upon us as a Nation, together with the whole world, to cause us all to turn from our sinful ways, call out to GOD, repent, and come under His authority by obeying His commands. Yes, speaking now about America, we have been living in a period of immeasurable blessings, and GOD's grace and mercy have also, without any doubt, been in abundance. But like Nineveh, GOD warned them of the coming Judgment and their impending destruction, so we (America) and all other nations have now been given another opportunity to reconcile with GOD. How many warnings will we get before it is too late? Yes, no doubt it's already too late. Surly, we are quickly approaching the time of the end.
The conclusion to this matter
"Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins." Ecclesiastes 7:20 ESV
Just like in the time of Jonah
The LORD called Jonah to warn Nineveh that His Judgment was coming because their wickedness had gotten so bad that the LORD couldn't let it go on any longer. The Ninevite's problem was that they had become extremely wicked. No doubt, they didn't even know it because their hearts had waxed cold. It wasn't about their economy, agriculture, or industry. As a fact, they were successful in trade, had enormous wealth, a lifestyle of luxury, and the greatest and most beautiful city of that time. It was their (Golden age).
They had it all, but that didn't matter to GOD because still gross wickedness filled their hearts. They were wicked because their desire to do evil continually was the issue. They thought in their prideful minds that they were a special people, blessed beyond measure. They thought everything was just perfect, but not according to GOD. Nineveh’s only option was to turn from their evil ways and repent, which, as it turned out, they did and escaped GOD's judgment for a time.
America and the world have a sin problem that has gone too far, and this is the first thing we must understand. Aiming to make any nation great again and leaving this fact out of the picture will not solve anything when looking at things from GOD's perspective.
"Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." Isaiah 1:18 ESV
Clearly, the LORD has plans for President Donald Trump and his team to do much good (great things), reestablish law and order, uphold justice, maintain peace and security, and lead with sincere honesty. At the same time, the LORD will use the President to bring about world change that will lay the groundwork and prepare the world for future events. Is it to make America great again and bring in a golden age? Come, let us reason together now. It can't be that because nothing will be great unless we solve the first problem, the sin problem. The hour is late, and we must accept that only Jesus can make things right and fix this world permanently, and He is returning to do just that. This time, He comes as the Warrior King to judge the nations. Yes, there will be true justice in the end. Praise the LORD!
"Before the Lord, for he is coming!
He is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with justice
and the nations with his truth." Psalm 96:13 NLT
What should we do? Let's start with praying for all people and those in authority to be saved and understand the truth because this pleases the LORD.
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth." 1 Timothy 2:1-4 NLT
Father in Heaven, we pray for our new President, Donald J Trump, and his team. Help them to bring about justice and govern with Wisdom and honesty, lead them all in their efforts to do good, help them to do what's right in Your sight, and protect them on all sides from evil.
"Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved." Romans 10:1 ESV
Most of all, we pray for their eternal welfare, for their Salvation starting with the President and everyone working with him, for all those who have yet to surrender to the LORD's call to be saved, that they would repent of their sins, be born again, given everlasting life and start following Jesus as Christians.
LORD, first to those who are already saved, we pray that their trust in You will increase more and more and that they will grow closer to You, moment by moment, helping them do the things that You have called them to do according to Your will.
"If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved." Romans 10:9-10 NLT
And for all people everywhere who are yet saved, that they would receive Your great gift of Salvation, draw them near, oh GOD, help them to come before You with sincere repentance, asking to be forgiven of all their sins, then being born again by Your Spirit, and given a new life that will last forever. In Jesus’ mighty Name, we pray. Amen
Thank You, LORD!
"God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it." Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT
Yes, "Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done." Our good works can't ever save us. Only Jesus and what He did on our behalf can.
"But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God's condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God." Romans 5:8-11 NLT
Is there still Real Hope?
“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you." Psalm 39:7 ESV
Yes, there is always Real Hope for all those who put their faith and trust in Jesus. He is the only hope for a future without sickness, suffering, tears, and hardship. A secure earthly kingdom is coming where real peace will last forever. Jesus is the only real hope. No society, government, or global institution will be able to make this happen because all nations everywhere have fallen. They have become corrupt and wicked and have all turned their backs on GOD as a sad consequence of their rebellion. Jesus came to save the world from their sins.
"She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 BSB
His Name is Jesus, which means Yahweh is Salvation.
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone. It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds." Titus 2:11-13 BSB
Again, yes, there is still real Hope.
"I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, "Look, God's home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever." Revelation 21:3-4 NLT
Yes, beloved, a time is quickly approaching when GOD will make all things good again. The LORD will rid the earth of evil everywhere, and yes, He will forever wipe away every tear from our eyes. There will be "no more death or sorrow or crying or pain." We will no longer live in a world of turmoil, going from one crisis to the next, but instead, it will be a place of everlasting security and peace where unlimited Love and joy will abound forever.
"He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon!" Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!" Revelation 22:20 NLT
What about a Revival happening in the end times?
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33 KJV
Revival: a restoration to life, an awakening, rebirth, a move of the Spirit, conviction of sin, an event leading to repentance, a departure from living in sin to seek GOD in life in holiness, a personal transformation, a newfound relationship with Jesus, a changed life.
Will there be a worldwide revival before the end times? | GotQuestions.org
The Jesus Revolution, the movie.
I have pondered this question with much prayer and sincerity. I waited for a clear response from the LORD. Since I came out of the Jesus movement in the 1970s, I know for a certain what Revival looks like.
The Bible talks about how in the last days, there will be a great falling away from the Christian faith, an apostasy within the Church, people abandoning sound Bible teaching instead to be deceived by doctrines of demons, forsaking a genuine Love for GOD and replacing it with an infatuated love for self, a world that no longer discerns between truth from error, people living in a false reality of their own making, an upside-down world, causing them to be blinded to the truth, only believing what they desire regardless of the facts, so they can live a perverted lifestyle, being deceived and deceiving others.
So, can there still be a Revival at this time? You decide? No, yes, not likely. Can the LORD still pour out His Spirit to save and awaken souls just like He did in times past? Let's pray for people who yet know the LORD to repent of their sins and be born again and receive a new life in Christ, to be rescued from GOD's judgment before it's too late to reach out to GOD and be saved. And for those Christians who have drifted away from the LORD's intimate fellowship, He is calling you back now. Before anything can happen, people need to have a genuine conviction of their sins and then a heartfelt need to repent and cry out to GOD asking for forgiveness. Let us pray that GOD's mercy abounds and that His Love convicts us all to draw closer to Him, that a personal revival would start with us first, and then reach out to others who GOD has placed in our lives.
Please read this short essay. A revival begins with us first. Restore My Soul: In Pursuit of Personal Revival, Desiring God/ Scott Hubbard/ a Pastor and managing editor for Desiring God. This writing is excellent!!
"At one time or another, all of us in Christ find ourselves in need of returning to Christ. Maybe we’ve wandered from him only for a few days or a week, or maybe we’ve allowed months or more to pass. Either way, our feet have strayed; our love has waned; our zeal has cooled; our eyes have dimmed. We love Jesus less today than we did yesterday. We need renewal." Scott Hubbard “Restore My Soul, In Pursuit of Personal Revival.”
Send Revival! - Josh Snodgrass
Send Revival!
Verse 1:
"Are your plans for us fulfilled?
Is the Book of Life all filled?
As Your church strives, and dwindles away
Has our nation gone too far?
Has the church fought all the wrong wars?
The Truth is mocked, Oh where have you gone?"
Pre-Chorus:
"You've made Yourself known
To a thousand generations
Let Your glory shine in our days
You have saved Your remnant
Through a thousand generations
Let Your people rise up and pray."
Chorus:
"Send revival! Send revival!
Let your church see Your glory again
Send revival! Send revival again!
Let your church see your glory shine."
Verse 2:
"Your people bicker and fight
Our lives don't shine very bright
Forgive us Lord, for we have sinned!
Is this the way it will end?
Will Your Spirit be poured out again?
Restore the church for the sake of your Name!"
(Pre-Chorus and Chorus repeat)
"You've made Yourself known
To a thousand generations
Let Your glory shine in our days
You have saved Your remnant
Through a thousand generations
Let Your people rise up and pray."
"Send revival! Send revival!
Let your church see Your glory again
Send revival! Send revival again!
Let your church see your glory shine."
Psalm 85:6-7
"Will you not revive us again,
that your people may rejoice in you?
Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,
and grant us your salvation."
A short reflective summary of what we have discovered so far in this Bible study in the book of Jonah.
We began with the first letter, "the Invitation." We learned that the LORD invites all people to come and know Him personally. Then, the following letter was "the Introduction." We were introduced to the LORD as Sovereign, having absolute control of all things, from the smallest details to the largest. Next came "Jonah verse 1:1," where we were introduced to some of the LORD's attributes, what sets Him apart from all other known or believed gods of humanity. Making it clearly understood that He is the only GOD there is, His ways are perfect, His Love is everlasting. His powers are unlimited (almighty), His Mercy endures forever, and so on.
We got to know GOD even more intimately. After that came "the Bible review," in which we were warned of the many dangers we face as Christians and reminded that drawing close to the Lord is about holiness. The call for repentance was announced once more. Now, in this part of the study, "Jonah verse 1:2," we learned that drawing closer to the LORD is about us surrendering to be obedient to His commands and, most importantly, to trust the LORD above all things because He is faithful, His Love for us is greater than we could understand, His promises are always true and trustworthy, that we are forever safe in His arms even in the midst of the darkest storms, trusting in Him casts out all fear, fills us with unsurpassed peace, making us able to stand firm, to persevere throughout difficult (perilous) times.
The conclusion of this part of our ongoing study in the book of Jonah. Always TRUST in the LORD above all things.
If we put our ultimate trust in anything but the LORD, we will be disappointed because only GOD is absolute in everything He does. He is the only constant, meaning He never changes. His plans are always perfect. He knows the beginning and end of all things. Our destinies are in His hands. Our future is secure in Him alone because His promises towards us are forever true and faithful. Trusting the LORD is about drawing closer to Him. It's believing His plans are better than ours, that there is hope, a sure and better future, and that everything will work out for the best.
“But I said to you, ‘Don’t be shocked or afraid of them! The LORD your God is going ahead of you. He will fight for you, just as you saw him do in Egypt. And you saw how the LORD your God cared for you all along the way as you traveled through the wilderness, just as a father cares for his child. Now he has brought you to this place." Deuteronomy 1:29-31 NLT
Closing prayer.
"Father in Heaven, the only GOD there is, thank You for helping us understand that trusting in You is what You desire most. It pleases You when we believe in You above everything else. LORD, help us to trust in You more and more with each passing moment. Help us all to do what is pleasing in Your sight, now and forever. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." Isaiah 26:3 KJB
What's next?
We will continue our journey together in studying the Book of Jonah, moving on to verse 1:3.
"But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the LORD. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the LORD by sailing to Tarshish." Jonah 1:3 NLT
We will again dive deep into the Bible, uncovering more amazing things to ponder and, as always, desiring to draw closer to the LORD.
"Oh, that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring." Hosea 6:3 NLT
GOD bless you all!
Always trust in Yahweh. He is constant. He keeps His promises.
Lord God, protect Your children from deception! Amen.
Glad to see your post in my feed, brother James!