In these last days of earth’s history, when the dawn of eternity is just upon the horizon, and probation is soon to close, it is critically important for us to know that obedience to every word that God gives us is the only way to survive the troubles that are coming upon the world in quick succession. Man does not have the answers to our most pressing problems, and without obedience to what The Lord says in His word, we will be at a loss for any lasting solutions.
When God gives us instructions, faith in Him is always manifested in obeying every particular thus given, without turning to the right hand or the left, and without modifying, adding, or subtracting from what He has plainly stated. The disposition to view obedience to God as being optional or subject to change at our own discretion will put many Christians at odds with Christ, and if no change in our attitudes are made, will cost us eternity.
There is the doctrine of relativism, in which the Bible and the commandments given therein are held in subjection to what many people otherwise feel is right, and whose adherents do not accept the fact that there is any absolute truth. In this doctrine the standard of right and wrong conveniently changes from person to person with man being accountable to no one but himself. That’s why we have in our day the rapid decline of morality, for most people are now doing what they think is right in their own eyes.
The problem with this trend of thought is that what is right for one person may appear to be completely wrong to another and vice versa. One person thinks that marriage should be between one man and one woman as God originally ordained, while another thinks that alternative lifestyles are perfectly legal and normal, and taught in public schools, and it is because of this mode of thought and action, that we now have a very serious disconnect between what is God’s will and what our own will is. However, in the lives of those who will be saved there will be always manifest a disposition to take God’s word as being supreme, not being subject to change or amendments at our own discretion.
God never blesses disobedience, and in order for us to be protected in the days of retribution which are hastening to fulfillment, we will have to learn this one important lesson, that God says what He means and He means what He says. Thus we should always be cultivating an attitude of faith and obedience in Christ, that our relationship with Him may have true grow and blossom. God sets before us the only two paths that exist in the universe, and then He bids us choose life, by submitting ourselves to His wise instructions, which must be followed in entirety if our relationship with Him is to mature. Let’s read:
Deuteronomy 11:26 Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse;
11:27 A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day:
11:28 And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.
One of the misconceptions in modern Christianity is the belief that God is too good to bring or permit judgments upon the land, because He is portrayed by many prominent televangelists as being one sided in character, meaning that He only blesses and never executes judgment. And it is because of this very warped misunderstanding of God why millions are now going to extreme lengths in sin, not knowing that the same God who has always manifested kindness and mercy all these years, will one day reveal to the world an entirely different side of Himself that most people, including many Christians are not expecting.
As a matter of fact, it was to counter-balance this misconception of God that “The everlasting gospel” given in Revelation chapter 14, is written in such stern language, with no mention of the cross, mercy or love, even though the loving attributes of God’s character will stand fast forever. Let’s read:
Revelation 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive [his] mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb.
No mention of the smooth, itching doctrines that are now being presented across the land are made, but instead a very serious warning of impending judgment to those who choose rebellion over obedience is given, so that all who will be aligned with God’s kingdom of righteousness may do so by walking in obedience to His every word whilst probation still lingers. Therefore it’s imperative that we harbor a balanced understanding of who God is, as is clearly presented in sacred history for all present and future generations.
In the following passages of scripture, Joshua calls for the elders and leaders of the people, and rehearses in their hearing the sacred history of God’s dealings with them and their forefathers in times past, so that they may be instructed with a balanced understanding of God’s character, and His methods of interacting with His children, as they move forward.
He begins by recounting God’s blessings, mercies, deliverances and miracles to the listening multitudes, and then after He has clearly shown that God is love, He then states that disobedience to His revealed commands will result in a change of fortune, and then the same God who had blessed them for so many years will now embark upon a course of correction via judgments, with the intent that they would learn righteousness.
Very much the same way in which a child who has been constantly showered with gifts and kindness by his parents could come to the wrong conclusion that mom and dad are too loving and kind to mete out discipline when it is due. Therefore this detailed rehearsal of the history of God’s dealings with the faithful in by-gone years, was presented so that the people may have a balanced understanding of both God’s mercy and His justice. Let’s read:
Joshua 24:1 And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God.
24:2 And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, [even] Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods.
24:3 And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac.
24:8 And I brought you into the land of the Amorites, which dwelt on the other side Jordan; and they fought with you: and I gave them into your hand, that ye might possess their land; and I destroyed them from before you.
24:9 Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you:
24:10 But I would not hearken unto Balaam;
therefore he blessed you still: so I delivered you out of his hand.
24:11 And ye went over Jordan, and came unto Jericho: and the men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; and I delivered them into your hand.
24:12 And I sent the hornet before you, which drave them out from before you, [even] the two kings of the Amorites; [but] not with thy sword, nor with thy bow.
24:13 And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat.
24:14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.
Then after a concise and extensive review of God’s mercies and kindness manifested to His people in ages past, Joshua then brings about the correct balance in their minds by making a very startling and profound statement, with the intent that the living may know that God is serious, and means what He says, especially when it comes to us following the laws, instructions and commandments He has laid down, which form the basis of His government. Let’s read:
Joshua 24:20 If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.
This balanced view of God’s grace and mercy, and also of His justice, stands in marked contrast to the “Other Jesus” that is widely being presented in Christendom today, and that’s why in the book of Revelation Christ is portrayed as having a name on His vesture which no man knows, because most of us have never seen Him actually operate in His capacity as Judge of all the earth, therefore, when He begins to do His “strange work” in the earth, many people will say this is not the Jesus whom we know, and by coming to an erroneous conclusion, millions will be deceived by the “other Jesus” who will appear as the antichrist in the closing scenes of earth’s history. Let’s read:
Isaiah 28:21 For the LORD shall rise up as [in] mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as [in] the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.
28:22 Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.
Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
19:12 His eyes [were] as a flame of fire, and on his head [were] many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
19:13 And he [was] clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
19:14 And the armies [which were] in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
19:16 And he hath on [his] vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
Now let’s turn to the scriptures to discover why it is so important to cultivate a disposition to obey God in every particular. As stated before, when God gives instructions or commands, they should be carried out to the letter, in the right spirit of obedience, because the choice of the outcome of obedience or noncompliance is ours, as is clearly stated over and over again in God’s word. Let’s read:
Isaiah 1:19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
1:20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken [it].
When God was about to deliver the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage, He gave them very specific instructions pertaining to their deliverance, for He was just about to bring the last deadly plague upon the stubborn Egyptians, after which Pharaoh would be eager to let the Hebrews go. The Israelites were commanded to kill the Passover lamb and to do specific things with the blood, with the meat, and with their own persons, so that when the destroyer visited the country at midnight, all who were in compliance would escape. Let’s read:
Exodus 12:3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth [day] of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of [their] fathers, a lamb for an house:
12:4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take [it] according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.
12:5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take [it] out from the sheep, or from the goats:
12:6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.
12:7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike [it] on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.
12:8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; [and] with bitter [herbs] they shall eat it.
12:9 Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast [with] fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.
12:10 And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.
12:11 And thus shall ye eat it; [with] your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it [is] the LORD'S passover.
12:12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I [am] the LORD.
12:13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye [are]: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy [you], when I smite the land of Egypt.
12:23 For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite [you].
In verse 23 it is stated that God must see the blood on the door posts in order for the destroyer not to come through the front doors. That word “See” means that there would be a period of inspection to ascertain whether or not they had obeyed in every detail that which was delivered unto them, or whether they had altered or modified in any way, the instructions thus given. This inspection would therefore take place just outside of their front door at midnight, and if any were out of line for any reason, then that household would suffer the same fate as the unbelieving pharaoh and his cohorts.
What is strange about this particular incident is that there were some Egyptians who because of fear for their lives, complied with the instructions given, and
although many of them did not have a change of heart, they were spared the national calamity, simply because they obeyed. Obedience to God is the most important lesson for us to learn and practice as we prepare for the final conflict between Christ and the powers of darkness that is just before us. Let’s read:
Exodus 12:29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that [was] in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.
12:30 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for [there was] not a house where [there was] not one dead.
12:31 And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, [and] get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said.
12:32 Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also.
12:33 And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We [be] all dead [men].
Again we read of the importance of obedience in the experience of Lot and his family who were given specific instructions to follow, lest they be consumed in the sudden conflagration that was to envelop the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Those two mighty angels who were sent by God to destroy the doomed cities on account of their perversion of the marriage institution, told Lot to warn his entire household and extended family of what was about to take place, so that all who desired to be saved could find shelter during that small window of opportunity that would be given them. Some of his family mocked him and laughed him to scorn, whilst others, including himself, left the comforts of their home reluctantly, but as they left, it would be imperative that they obey in every particular, the commands thus given by the angels. Let’s read:
Genesis 19:12 And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring [them] out of this place:
19:13 For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it.
19:14 And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.
19:15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.
19:16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
19:17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.
19:26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
After some time had elapsed in running to the mountains to escape the conflagration that enveloped the doomed cities, Lot must have noticed that his wife was missing, yet according to the word of the Lord which must be obeyed to the letter, not even he could look back to check on her, lest there be two pillars of salt instead of one. This is the reason why Jesus, in relating to us the terrors of the last days, asks us to “Remember”, not only the Sabbath day to keep it holy, but also to “Remember” Lot’s wife. Let’s read:
Luke 17:26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
17:27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
17:28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
17:29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed [them] all.
17:32 Remember Lot's wife.
A disposition to obey only when it is convenient to do so, or only when we feel to obey will set us up to disregard an important instruction from God that may come at a critical time, and because obedience to Him was held in a subjective manner over the course of a lifetime, we may miss out on a “once in a lifetime” golden opportunity to be numbered with the righteous. Some may be wondering why such a great emphasis is being placed on obedience at such a time as this. The fact is that most of our troubles and diseases with which we are afflicted are the result of not following in detail, the dietary laws and commands of God, given to us in His word.
For instance, the deadly Ebola virus that has now claimed the lives of over four thousand people and counting is the direct result of violating the dietary laws given in Leviticus, so that it may go well with us and our children. The host that is now considered the prime suspect in the original transmission to humans is the bat, which is hunted as a delicacy for protein in many places like South Africa and New Guinea.
The Ebola virus thrives in bats without affecting them in any adverse manner, but when the human agent eats or comes in contact with the infected animals and their meat, a cycle of death ensues and because of this we are now at a loss to come up with an effective vaccine that can stem the tide of evil. But what is even more disturbing is the so-called cure that is being experimented with and offered, without proper testing so as to ascertain the long-term side effects. New diseases are soon going to come upon the land with such rapidity and devastating consequences, that there will not be time enough for any proper experiments, and this condition of things will thus trigger newer and deadlier mutations of current fatal viruses.
The vaccine Zmapp, which was administered to two Americans infected with the deadly virus, is made by first infecting mice with a protein from the Ebola virus, and then modifying the antibodies from the infected mice to mimic human antibodies. Then a gene from these modified mice antibodies is synthesized with tobacco leaves, which are then harvested to produce the vaccine. And all of these evils could have been avoided if we had understood the importance of obedience to God’s wise laws and instructions. Let’s read:
Leviticus 11:13 And these [are they which] ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they [are] an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the osprey,
11:19 And the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.
11:24 And for these ye shall be unclean: whosoever toucheth the carcase of them shall be unclean until the even.
11:35 And every [thing] whereupon [any part] of their carcase falleth shall be unclean; [whether it be] oven, or ranges for pots, they shall be broken down: [for] they [are] unclean”.
As we approach the close of earth’s history we are going to witness some very strange developments in the many pestilences, viruses, diseases and sudden deaths that will occur across the entire globe, and that are only going to increase at an alarming rate, without any apparent explanation, and then it will be that our only safety will be in a strict obedience to every word of God to us. We therefore end with two passages of scripture which reminds us of the importance of obedience, now and in the future, for therein lies our only safety. Let’s read:
Deuteronomy 4:30 When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, [even] in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;
4:31 (For the LORD thy God [is] a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.
Psalms 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
91:2 I will say of the LORD, [He is] my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
91:3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, [and] from the noisome pestilence.
91:4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth [shall be thy] shield and buckler.
91:5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; [nor] for the arrow [that] flieth by day;
91:6 [Nor] for the pestilence [that] walketh in darkness; [nor] for the destruction [that] wasteth at noonday.
91:7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; [but] it shall not come nigh thee.
91:8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
91:9 Because thou hast made the LORD, [which is] my refuge, [even] the most High, thy habitation;
91:10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
91:11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
91:12 They shall bear thee up in [their] hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
91:13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
91:14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
91:15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I [will be] with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
91:16 With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and doing of His every word. God bless!