Romans 1: Love of Sin, Loss of Redemption :: By Dr. Donald Whitchard

Published on: July 28, 2022 by RR10

Romans 1:20-32, Job 15:16, Psalm 52:3, Psalm 14:1-3, Jeremiah 5:31, Jeremiah 14:10, 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12, Hebrews 3:13

Summary: Romans 1:20-32 shows the digression of humanity in its rejection of God’s revelation through Creation and the Word. These verses are a warning to anyone with ears to hear that sin leads to the loss of one’s soul.

Anyone reading the first chapter of Romans is confronted with the harsh fact and inescapable truth that all of the “self-esteem,” “participation trophy,” “we’re all winners,” “follow your heart,” psychological, sociological, self-centered “affirmation,” “best life now,” “you’re all that and prosperous” nonsense that the world, the flesh, and the devil has fed us since Eden is really nothing more than evidence that will be used on the Day of Judgment against fallen humanity and the horrendous sentence of eternal death to follow. (John 5:28-29; Hebrews 9:27).

Romans 1 exposes our real nature, and we don’t want to face it lest we be forced to get off our pedestals of “self” and kneel before the LORD God Almighty. The thought of admitting that God exists and that we are accountable to Him is irksome, hateful, and irritating to those who are in love with their sin and want to continue in it as long as possible (Psalm 49:11; Isaiah 53:5-6, 64:6; Jeremiah 50:6; Zechariah 10:2; John 10:14-16; Philippians 2:9-11; 1 Peter 2:25; 1 John 2:15-17).

The unmistakable digression of humanity is on display as Paul describes their perverted and evil actions, beginning with the rejection of God’s existence in order to invent and worship their own non-judgmental deities, giving them a convenient excuse to start engaging in varied sexual perversions and unnatural passions without the least concern for the consequences (Romans 1:26-27). Their selfish, malevolent attitudes and evil behavior leads to the point where they thumb their noses at God, give Him the finger in an act of vulgarity, and dare Him to do something about it. They openly and unashamedly choose to slander, mock, and blaspheme His holy character with arrogance and brazen disdain.

They will continue to go down the road of their depravity and encourage others to join them in their acts of reprobation and wickedness without regard to the cost in life, moral standards, ethics, law, or any sense of compassion (Romans 1:28-32). Their hearts continue to grow hard, cold, and more rebellious against the call of God to the point where He abandons them. He leaves them alone to face the consequences of their actions, their inevitable judgment, and then banishment to the Lake of Fire for eternity (Revelation 20:11-15).

Anyone with an ounce of fear and common sense should tremble at this point and think about what could happen to them if they decide to throw away the opportunity to receive the compassion, mercy, grace, and redemption that God offers through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:16, 11:25, 14:6; Acts 4:12).

Wait a moment while I pause to go over what I’ve just written. Common sense? Really? That’s the problem. The devil has fooled too many people into following the broad road (Matthew 7:13-14; Luke 13:24). He has whispered in their ears to set aside common sense, at least “for a season” (Amos 6:4; Luke 12:19; 1 Timothy 5:6; 2 Timothy 3:3; 2 Peter 2:13; Revelation 18:7) and instead embrace gratification, sensuality, selfish desires, fleshly pleasures, lack of regard for others, and to “look out for Number One” (Galatians 5:19-21). Any thought of accountability or concern for their soul is cast aside (Matthew 25:31-32, 41; Luke 12:20-21, 16:19-31; Hebrews 9:27; 2 Peter 3:7; Jude 1:14-15; Revelation 20:11-15).

This suits the devil just fine. He knows all too well about the judgment of God and the consequences of sin and reprobation (Ezekiel 18:4). His own rebellion against God brought him and the angels who followed him certain judgment and the assurance of hell (Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-17; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10). However, his evil nature is so entrenched within him that, having nothing to lose, and in a last act of defiance, he will take these blind, naive, and gullible souls to hell with him, and he will do and say anything to bait his traps. He will whisper to them to let any concept of common sense, conscience, Scripture, and Creation be cast aside.

For now, Satan is letting his blinded children have their fun – perverse, sickening, and reprobate as it is. If he can keep the bulk of humanity occupied from opening their eyes to the sins that will lead them to hell apart from salvation through Christ, the greater the satisfaction he thinks he can receive by having these lost souls continue to revel in their wickedness until it’s too late (2 Corinthians 11:14-15).

The sins Paul describes in Romans 1:18-32 are in line with the character of the “god of this world” (John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11; 2 Corinthians 4:4) and the “father” of the wicked (John 8:44; Acts 13:10; 1 John 3:10). Satan is the initiator of what Paul lists and what Jesus had taught about him in the Gospels.

Our own fall into sin has a lot to do with the way the world currently operates, but let us not forget that it is the prince of darkness whose own sins got the ball rolling. We are not to blame God for any of the evil we witness (James 1:13). We chose to rebel against Him, and we cannot lay the blame on Adam alone (Romans 5:8,12). Even if Adam had remained in fellowship with God, one of his descendants would have brought sin into the world. This is the consequence of our choices known as “free will” (Genesis 3:5-7; Deuteronomy 30:19; Joshua 24:15; 1 Kings 18:21).

Almighty God is Sovereign in the affairs of His creation, and none of this caught Him off guard. Before the foundations of the world (Ephesians 1:4), He knew we were going to fall and fail Him. He did not create us to have a forced relationship with Him and be devoid of the choice of whether to love Him or walk away. However, our choice to rebel against Him will not continue for long. We will be held accountable for what we have done. The Sovereign LORD God Almighty is Holy and Righteous. He will not tolerate sinful behavior. He has the right and authority to punish us by casting us into hell for our wickedness and would be just in doing so (Luke 12:4-5).

Stop right now and let that sink in. Our reprobate perverseness will NOT go on nor be left unpunished. Our sins have condemned us (Romans 3:10-18, 23, 5:6-11, 6:23), whether great or small. When you face God at the start of eternity, covered in sin and shame, and He asks you by what right you have to enter into His heaven, you are doomed if you think that He will shrug His shoulders, dismiss your wickedness, and let you in because, after all, you were a “good old boy who didn’t mean any harm” (Ephesians 2:8-9). It doesn’t work that way.

Dear Friends, this is not the destiny we have to follow. Our lives do not have to end in this manner. God takes no pleasure in the death of any sinner (Ezekiel 18:23-24). He freely and lovingly offers mercy to anyone who comes to Him in repentance (Isaiah 45:22; Joel 2:22; Luke 12:8; Romans 10:13; 1 John 5:1; Revelation 22:17). The ONLY way that you and I can be freed from the certainty of death and hell is to admit that we are sinners headed for certain judgment (Psalm 51:1-3; Proverbs 28:13; Romans 3:23).

Repent of your sins (Matthew 3:2; Luke 13:2-3; Acts 3:19, 17:30, 26:20), confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and that God has raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9-10), and you WILL be saved (Romans 10:8-10, 13). All of the sins you have committed in your life, regardless of their depth and nature, will be forgiven, forgotten, and never held against you again (Psalm 103:11-12).

Open your eyes and get it into your head that your sins can and will lead to death and judgment, period. Your nationality, creed, gender, sex, race, or religion (or lack of it) of any kind does not give you a pass. The curse of sin and death spares no one regardless of any circumstances. Get off the broad road of destruction that your sinful behavior and the devil’s contractors have built. Give your life this day to the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:28-30) and be freed (John 8:36).

The classic hymn says it best, “There’s room at the cross for you; though millions have come, there’s still room for one; there’s room at the cross FOR YOU” (John 6:37; Hebrews 13:5). Come join the family of God today.

donaldwhitchard@gmail.com

www.realitycityreverend.com

My new book The Scope of Biblical Prophecy is available for purchase at: www.parsonsporch.com.

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Donald was born and reared in the authentic “Cajun Country” of southern Louisiana. He is a graduate of Louisiana College (B.A. in History Education/ Biblical Studies, 1984), New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div. In Christian Education, 1994), and Andersonville Baptist Seminary (Doctor of Ministry, Biblical Exposition, 2000). He has been in the Gospel ministry since 1986, serving as an evangelist, interim and supply pastor, hospital and rescue mission chaplain, high school and college teacher, and pastor in churches in Louisiana and Oklahoma.

In 2018, he began to devote his time to the rich field of internet and social media evangelism and outreach. In 2021 he became a member of the Oklahoma Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists, using his skills as a writer to contribute articles and sermons to websites such as Rapture Ready, Sermon Central, and Inspirational Christian Blogs. He also writes Bible studies and curricula for churches in southeast and central Asia and Africa, the locations of which are anonymous. He can be contacted at: donaldwhitchard@gmail.com for inquiries, information, and speaking/preaching engagements. A copy of his resume is also available upon request.

Russia, Iran, and Turkey Forming a Biblical Alliance :: By Britt Gillette

Published on: July 26, 2022 by RR10

Vladimir Putin will meet with Iranian and Turkish leaders in Tehran this week. The trip will mark only his second trip outside of Russia since the Ukraine war began. In his previous trip outside of the country, Putin visited Tajikistan (home to Russia’s largest military base outside of its own borders) to discuss Afghanistan’s stability. He then attended a summit in Turkmenistan to discuss energy policy with Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Iran, and Turkmenistan. Given Russia’s ongoing military campaign in Ukraine, these trips highlight the significance of Russia’s relationship with these countries – and with Iran and Turkey in particular.

So why should you care? You should care because more than 2,600 years ago, the prophet Ezekiel warned of a future time when a vast coalition of nations will attack Israel. The leader of this coalition is a man known as Gog, the ruler of Magog (Ezekiel 38:1). This is why the invading force is known as the Gog of Magog coalition. According to Ezekiel, this alliance will send an overwhelming force to invade Israel in the last days. And today, for the first time in human history, we see this alliance forming.

The Invading Nations

Which nations does Ezekiel describe? He identifies the invading nations as “Magog, Rosh, Meshech, Tubal, Persia, Cush, Put, Gomer, and Beth-togarmah” (Ezekiel 38:1-6). If you look on a 2022 map of the globe, you won’t find any of these nations. So how can I say this alliance is forming?

Because these are the ancient biblical names of these nations, and while their names have changed over the years, we can still locate them on a map today. Below is a list of each nation, followed by its modern-day name:

Rosh = Russia

Magog = Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan

Persia = Iran

Cush = Sudan

Put = Libya

Meshech, Tubal, Gomer, and Beth-togarmah = Turkey

Putin’s visit to Tehran will mark the third nation he’s visited since the Ukraine war began, and all three – Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Iran – are part of the Gog of Magog alliance. Moreover, during the course of these three visits, Putin will meet with two additional members of the Gog of Magog alliance – Kazakhstan and Turkey. Is this a coincidence? I don’t think so.

It’s been centuries since Ezekiel first recorded these prophecies. Yet, this alliance has never existed. It certainly hasn’t invaded Israel. But now? Today, we see it coming together.

An Unlikely Alliance

Putin’s trip to Tehran to meet with Iranian and Turkish leaders should be of particular interest to those who study Bible prophecy. Why? Because, until recently, these three nations made an unlikely alliance. First, these three nations have never been aligned in all of human history. Second, Turkey is a member of NATO, and until recently, actively sought EU membership. Third, for most of recorded history, Russia and Iran had a turbulent relationship with little cooperation. In fact, until the death of Ayatollah Khomeini, who deemed Islam incompatible with the atheism of the Soviet Union, the modern nation of Iran had little to do with Russia.

But in recent years, Russia’s ties with both nations have strengthened. Following the death of Ayatollah Khomeini and the end of the Iran-Iraq war in 1989, Russia (then a part of the Soviet Union) started selling arms to Iran. In 1995, the Russian Ministry for Atomic Energy signed an agreement with Iran to finish the Bushehr nuclear power plant. The civil war in Syria was another area of cooperation between the two countries. Russia and Iran share a common interest when it comes to keeping Syrian President Bashar Assad in power. Russia has a vested interest in retaining access to the Syrian naval base in Tartus and stopping the spread of ISIS. As a longtime ally of Assad, Iran also has military forces in Syria. In addition, Iran is the primary sponsor of Hezbollah, a radical terrorist organization. Hezbollah has openly operated in Syria under Assad.

It’s clear Russia and Iran have strengthened their diplomatic, economic, and military ties. But what about Turkey? Of all the members of the Gog of Magog coalition, Turkey is the most interesting. Why? Because it seems an even more unlikely ally of Russia in an invasion of Israel.

Following World War I, Turkey established a secular western democracy and became a model democratic republic in the Middle East. In 1949, Turkey became the first Muslim majority nation to recognize Israel. In 1952, it joined NATO. For the latter part of the 20th Century, Turkey was a strong ally of Israel, the U.S., and other western nations. As the 21st Century dawned, Turkey explored membership in the European Union. This would have further solidified the nation’s western ties. Instead, an event took place that reshaped the future of Turkey.

In 2003, Turkey elected Recep Tayyip Erdogan as prime minister. A former member of a banned Islamist political party, Erdogan’s administration has been hostile toward Turkey’s secular and democratic institutions. Under Erdogan, Turkey has turned from its traditional western allies and cultivated relationships with nations that oppose western democracy. In July 2016, Erdogan cracked down on his political opponents following what he claimed was a coup attempt. He imprisoned thousands of citizens and consolidated his grip on power. A 2017 referendum further extended that power. Now the president, Erdogan is the undisputed ruler of Turkey. The nation, once hailed as a model of freedom and democracy in the Muslim world, has quickly devolved into a totalitarian regime eager to befriend America’s enemies.

In September 2018, Turkey met the leaders of Russia and Iran in Tehran to discuss the future of Syria. In February 2019, Turkey met the leaders of Russia and Iran in Sochi to coordinate joint military plans in Syria. Now, these nations are meeting once again in Tehran. The relationship between Putin and Erdogan is strong and growing. All that’s left to permanently move Turkey into the Russian ally column is a clear break between Turkey and NATO. What could cause that? We may be witnessing it now. Turkey is experiencing massive inflation. They also counted on Ukraine for a significant portion of their food supply. Inflation and food shortages threaten Erdogan’s grip on power. Where can he get a steady supply of energy and food? Russia. It may be what finally drives Turkey into Russia’s corner. When that happens, the key players in the Gog of Magog alliance will be in place.

When Will All This Happen?

So when will this invasion take place? The Bible says it will come “in the latter days” (Ezekiel 38:8). The original Hebrew word in this verse is “acharith,” which means “after-part, latter part, last, close, or end.” In other words, this alliance will form in the last days just prior to the return of Jesus Christ. Ezekiel uses this same word “acharith” eight verses later, when he says the invasion will come “in the last days” (Ezekiel 38:16).

This is confirmed again when Ezekiel reveals the Russian leader’s thoughts. Gog says to himself, “I will attack the once abandoned cities now populated with the Jews who returned from exile among the nations” (Ezekiel 38:12). This tells us Russia and its allies will attack the land when it’s filled with the exiles who return from among the nations. In other words, the target is modern-day Israel. This means the invasion is coming in our day and time.

Ezekiel stresses this fact again and again when He says the invasion will occur “after Israel’s people have been gathered from among many nations” (Ezekiel 38:8) and “when I bring my people home from among the enemy nations” (Ezekiel 39:27). This return home from among many nations has happened only once in all of human history – modern-day Israel.

While we wait for that moment, the military forces of the three most powerful members of the Gog of Magog alliance – Russia, Iran, and Turkey – are now cooperating in Syria. This puts their joint military forces right on Israel’s border. And not just any border – Israel’s northern border. This is where Ezekiel said the invading force will come from – north of Israel (Ezekiel 38:15; Ezekiel 39:2). Is this a coincidence? Again, I don’t think so. Never in history have these three nations formed an alliance. Now, they’re all stationed directly to Israel’s north.

The stage is now set for the fulfillment of the Ezekiel 38-39 prophecies. Turkey has made a strategic choice to align itself with Russia and Iran. Eventually, Russia, Iran, Turkey, and the other nations in the Gog of Magog alliance will send an overwhelming invasion force against Israel (Ezekiel 38:8-9). When they do, God will destroy them and display His power and glory for all the nations to see (Ezekiel 38:23). It’s one more sign of how close we are to the Second Coming of Jesus.

Jesus is Coming

The rise of the Gog of Magog alliance is a major sign of the end times and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Remember, Ezekiel said this coalition will attack Israel “in the last days” (Ezekiel 38:16) “after they’ve been gathered from among many nations” (Ezekiel 38:8). The prophet Jeremiah spoke about this same regathering from among the nations. He said God would “gather the remnant of His flock from the nations where he had driven them and bring them back into the land” (Jeremiah 23:3-4). And then? And then God will “raise up a righteous descendant of King David, a king who will rule the land with wisdom” (Jeremiah 23:5-6). This righteous King is the long-awaited Messiah.

Through the prophet Micah, God promised to “gather His exiles and form them into a strong nation.” Then, He promised to “rule from Jerusalem as their king forever” (Micah 4:6-7). The modern-day nation of Israel is the fulfillment of God’s promise to regather His people back in the land of Israel. So it should come as no surprise to see Russia, Iran, Turkey, and the other nations Ezekiel noted in cooperation with one another. According to the Bible, it’s only a matter of time before they attack Israel (Ezekiel 38:8-9). And after that, it’s only a matter of time before Jesus returns to establish His everlasting Kingdom (Revelation 22:20). Take note – Jesus is coming!

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Britt Gillette is author of the free ebook Coming to Jesus as well as the books Signs of the Second Coming, Racing Toward Armageddon, and The End Times. Receive his book 7 Signs of the End Times for free when you sign up for his monthly newsletter.