EVILNESS in glory
Jesus said in his time: ”But whoever shall offend one of these little
ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged
about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the
world because of offenses! for it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to
that man by whom the offense comes!” (Matt 18:6,7).
In the light of the previous words, it seems that the TV
channels of Finland, the Nyt-liite of newspaper Helsingin Sanomat etc.
have lost moral and good values. They have become seducers which make
people more and more negative towards spiritual issues, becoming estranged
from God and positive to sin. They do not speak about what is good and
right but they boast with immorality like the Sodomites. The sins are
paraded as it happened then (One example of the development is an
advertisement in the main newspaper of Finland, Helsingin Sanomat which
advertises a new TV programme. In the advertisement, there are naked
people and it says ”If morals are loose on the weekends, so on Mondays
they are lost”.):
- (Isa 3:9)
The show of their countenance does witness
against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe
to their soul! for they have rewarded evil to themselves.
But what
does it mean that in our society people act this way, in other words people
boast sin and bring it openly out? Does it matter and where will such a
development lead?
The answer to the previous is that it influences at least
one issue: the destiny and the future of the society – an issue which we
do not often think in the midst of the Western welfare. As we
see from the examples of the Bible, protection is always abandoned from
a society that becomes proud and is driven deep into sin. The
ancient Israel, Sodom and Gomorrah, Nineveh, the Canaanites and other past
day societies are examples of what can happen when the hardening reaches
its climax. They were driven so far that nothing helped any more.
Therefore, one can assume that the present-day Finland or some
other society is not an exception: what has happened before, can
happen also now. In Jeremiah it is written:
- (Jer 7:12-14) But go you now to
my place which was in Shiloh, where I set my name at the first, and see what I
did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel.
13 And now,
because you have done all these works, said the LORD, and I spoke to you,
rising up early and speaking, but you heard not; and I called you, but you
answered not;
14 Therefore will I do to this house, which is
called by my name, wherein you trust, and to the place which I gave to you and to
your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh.
In this
writing we are going to examine the present situation and to which it will
lead. We are going to point out issues which were characteristic of the
ancient societies and which can also be seen in the society of our time.
From these signs we can conclude something about how long the development has
gone.
Boasting sin
- (Phil 3:18,19) (For many walk, of whom
I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies
of the cross of Christ:
19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their
belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
Already in
the first part it was mentioned how one feature of the Sodomites was boasting
with sin as it was said in the Book of Isaiah. They brought their sins
openly out and were finally driven so far that the protection of God was
lost. This led to its destruction.
However, the present time does not differ from the past. How
usual is it that even young pupils boast of their sexual
experiences, drinking, drug experimentations or ”brave films”. Many of
these issues are done because of the attention of pals, just like Jesus
said about the Pharisees (”But
all their works they do for to be seen of men”,
Matt 23:5). In any case, this is an indication of the direction of
the development. Only 50 years ago there were hardly any of the
same issues among the generation of that time. The generation of our
parents and grandparents lived a much purer life than the life appears to be
now. A similar development as in Israel in the past is taking place now.
At that time, the power of sin grew all the time:
- (Jer
16:12) And you have done
worse than your fathers;
for, behold, you walk every one after the imagination of his evil heart, that
they may not listen to me
The
direction of development can naturally be seen also in the TV
and magazines, in which sin is brought more and more openly out. There is
more fornication and violence than there was only 20 to 30 years ago. Paul
wrote that ”their glory is in their shame” and this is certainly true as
far as many writings and programmes are concerned. Many compete in how far
they can go in evilness in order to get attention. They will be seen, but isn’t
it great foolishness? Why boast with what is not right and good, and which will
only estrange people from God? Why respect things which can only
destroy life and lead to selfishness? Paul wrote in his time:
- (Eph 5:3-6) But fornication, and all
uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becomes
saints;
4 Neither
filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but
rather giving of thanks.
5 For this you
know, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an
idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for
because of these things comes the wrath of God on the children of disobedience.
Good and
evil mixed.
- (Isa 5:20,21) Woe to them that
call evil good, and good evil; that put
darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and
sweet for bitter!
21 Woe to them that are wise in their own eyes,
and prudent in their own sight!
- (2 Tim 3:1-5) This know also, that in
the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men
shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud,
blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without
natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers
of those that are good,
4 Traitors,
heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the
power thereof: from such turn away.
When the
people of Israel erred in the past and were driven into evilness, it was
normal at that time to raise evilness to honour and call good evil. It was a
time when issues had been turned upside down. Isaiah wrote about wrong
values like these. Above there are also the words of Paul about how people
are not lovers of the good.
On
the other hand, similar development is apparent in the society also now. Issues
which were regarded as wrong still in the early 1960’s have become
accepted and popular now (free relationships, homosexuality, abortion [You shall not kill]). The
situation has turned even so much that if one says that these are wrong he
immediately gets the reputation of a narrow-minded person and a person who
does not support equality. (About equality, the supporters of
homosexuality do not usually promote the interests of murderers or
pedophiles. Why? The answer is that they have so much sense that they
understand these to be wrong.) These issues have been pushed through so
that speaking about them in a negative way is not regarded suitable.
But what is the opinion of God here? Isn’t it much more important than the
favour and opinions of others, even though the acceptance of others is
indeed an valuable thing?
So, if we assume that the texts of the New Testament are
true and God’s message to us, they clearly show that the unrepentant
will not inherit the kingdom of God. Or, as for example fornication
and homosexuality are lusts, we must confess them as such and as sins. (You
can say: ”Lord, forgive me this lust of mine and other sins. Cleanse me
and free me from everything that is not from You!”) If we do not
admit to having sinned, how can we be forgiven our sins? Only by confessing
that we have done wrong can we expect the miraculous promises to come true
also for us. In the First letter of John and Luke it is written:
- (1 John
1:9) If we confess our
sins, he is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.
- (Luke 15:17-20) And when he came to
himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and
to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18 I will
arise and go to my father, and will say to him, Father, I have sinned
against heaven, and before you,
19 And am no more
worthy to be called your son: make me as one of your hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But
when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and
ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
hardening.
- (Acts
7:51) You stiff necked and
uncircumcised in heart and ears, you do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your
fathers did, so do you.
- (1 Thess 2:15,16) Who both killed
the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please
not God, and are contrary to all men:
16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that
they might be saved, to fill up their sins always: for the wrath is come
on them to the uttermost.
When we
examine the past societies just before their collapse, at least hardening,
the rejecting of spiritual issues and as a consequence of them believing
lies are characteristic to them. For example, before the destruction of
Jerusalem there were just the characteristics evident. When Jesus spoke to
these people, a large majority of them did not receive Him. Also in the
words of Stephen and Paul (the statement above) it can be seen how the
sin debt of the society of that time was becoming full.
Another viewpoint to the same issue is
given by the historic Josephus. He speaks about the destruction of
Jerusalem and its temple. It is interesting that he says the generation of that
time to have been more atheistic than the all previous ones. It
is consistent with the statement of Paul, when he said that the wrath was already
come on them to the uttermost.
It was
destiny that ordered devastation like this. Inevitably it came, both for the
living and the lifeless, also places. However, one cannot help but to wonder
the accuracy of data, how it has been proportioned: the destruction took place
on the same day of the same month (…) as the Babylonians earlier burnt the holy
room. (1)
I presume that if the Roman attack
against these rascals had been delayed, the earth would have opened and
swallowed this city, or a drowning flood would have come, or it would have been
destroyed by the fire and burning sulphur of a thunderstorm as the country of
Sodom was destroyed. This generation was much more atheistic than those who
were destroyed before in the punishment of Sodom; and then, the whole nation
was also destroyed for the sake of their absurdity. (2)
Do the
devastations arise from the evilness of the society?
What
about the present time and devastations and plagues that occur in the
society – the next question is: do they
always have a connection to the evilness prevailing in the society? Are
they always caused by it and hardening of the people?
The answer is that it need not to be so. Even though
the destruction of Jerusalem was caused by the sins of Jerusalem and
evilness prevailing there (Matt 23:36-39), Jesus warned us not to draw
conclusions too hastily. In other words, those who experience bad things,
are necessarily not in any way worse than others. However, each of us
should turn to God so that nothing bad would happen to us. Like this Jesus
taught:
- (Luke 13:1-5) There were present at
that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had
mingled with their sacrifices.
2 And Jesus
answering said to them, Suppose you that these Galilaeans were sinners above
all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
3 I tell you,
No: but, except you repent, you shall all likewise perish.
4 Or those
eighteen, on whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think you that they
were sinners above all men that dwelled in Jerusalem?
5 I tell you, No: but, except you repent, you
shall all likewise perish.
Love towards the wicked generation. Furthermore, it is good to
note that we ourselves are not hard towards hardened people, because it is
never the will of God. For as we look the attitude of Jesus towards the generation
of that time and Jerusalem, wept He over it (And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If you had known, even you, at least
in this your day, the things which belong to your peace! but now they are hid
from your eyes, Luke 19:41,42). Likewise it is good to note
that Paul did not curse his citizens but prayed to God for them, so that
they might be saved (Rom 10:1: Brothers, my
heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.) It is the
model given to us by God also now. A prophet who curses others but does
not care for people is not sent by God. It is worthwhile to be careful
with such persons:
”Nicky”, Dave said, “today God speaks again
– audibly and clearly.”
But we all be so weary of hearing about
judgement.
“Yes, there are also false prophets:
mindless, immoral, half-mad, who have proclaimed themselves prophets and who
also proclaim judgement”, Dave admitted. “But they have been sent by Satan to
pervert the real message of sentries sent by God.” (3)
Our own
selections. When evilness has been raised to honour and
everybody boasts on what they dare to do in the area of sin, very
many think that our acts here won’t have any consequences. We do not
think that each of us will give an account of himself, or to reap what we
have sowed. This is the general teaching of the Bible about what happens
after this life:
- (Rom
14:12) So then every one of us
shall give account of himself to God.
- (Gal 6:7,8) Be not deceived; God is
not mocked: for whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh
reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life
everlasting.
- (Hebr
9:27) And as it is appointed
to men once to die, but after this the judgment
As we have
to reap what we have sowed, it is of course clear that the judgement will
take place according to the acts. We will have to give an account even
for every careless word and acts done in this body. Furthermore, the
judgement will be determined by the light each person has:
- (Matt
12:36) But I say to you, That
every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof
in the day of judgment.
- (Luke12:47,48) And that servant, which
knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his
will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
48
But he that knew not, and did commit things
worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For to whomsoever
much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed
much, of him they will ask the more.
- (Rev 20:12-15) And I saw the dead,
small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book
was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of
those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave
up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which
were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and
hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whoever was not found written in
the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
The judgement taken away! Even though there will be
judgement and it can come also over the society, the good news is that
the judgement of damnation has been taken away by Jesus Christ. The basic
teaching of the whole New Testament is how Jesus came to save people that
they would be forgiven their sins and they would get to heaven. Or, as we turn
to Him and believe in Him, the whole judgement will disappear from above
us, and we will no longer be condemned to damnation. Therefore, confess
your sins and wrong attitudes to God – whether it is a question of
bitterness, fornication, hate towards foreigners and neighbouring
countries or whatever your sins are. When you do this and turn to Jesus
Christ by your heart, you will once get to God and to heaven:
- (John
5:24,40) Truly, truly, I
say to you, He that hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, has
everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed
from death to life.
40. And you will not come to me, that you
might have life.
- (John
3:18) He that believes
on him is not condemned:
but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in
the name of the only begotten Son of God.
- (Rom 8:1) There is therefore now no condemnation to
them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the
Spirit.
THE PRAYER OF SALVATION. Lord, Jesus, I
turn to You. I confess that I have sinned against You and have not lived
according to Your will. However, I want to turn from my sins and follow You
with all my heart. I also believe that my sins have been forgiven by Your
atonement and I have received eternal life through You. I thank You for the
salvation that You have given me. Amen.
REFERENCES:
1.
JOSEPHUS Wars of the Jews, 6.4.8.581.
2.
JOSEPHUS Wars of the Jews, 5.13.6.570.
3. Nicky Cruz: David Wilkersonin viimeinen
varoitus (David Wilkerson: A FINAL
WARNING), p.115
