Psalms 119:105-112: “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it to keep your righteous rules. I am severely afflicted; give me life, Oh Lord, according to your word. Accept my freewill offerings of praise, Oh Lord, and teach me Your rules. I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget Your law. The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from Your precepts. Your testimonies are the joy of my heart. I incline my heart to perform Your statutes forever to the end.” (ESV -all emphasis is mine.)

In this evil, constantly changing world today, we need to focus more and more on our Lord and Savior, Jesus, the Christ. All who will truly receive and accept Jesus as our eternal Savior will be saved (Romans 10:9-13, Joel 2:32, and Acts 2:21).

Jesus made a specific promise to us in John 14:1-3 when He said: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s House there are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am, you may be also.”

Jesus did not ever lie, as He is a part of the Triune Godhead (Titus 1:2, Numbers 23:19, 1 Samuel 15:29, and Hebrews 6:18). Even though initially His own apostles had doubts, after His resurrection from the grave, those remaining were fully convinced and converted. Peter is one example of doubting Jesus prior to the crucifixion, but afterward he spoke boldly to anyone who would listen to him about Jesus, the Christ.

In John 14:6: “Jesus said to him [Thomas], I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.”

In Acts 4:12, Peter boldly proclaimed to the scribes and religious leaders, “And there is Salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Going to Acts 4:17-21: “But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more in this name. So they charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard’. And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people; for all were praising God for what had happened.”

If only all churches today would teach the true word of the Bible; but 2 Timothy 4:3-4 is very much coming more and more into our society. “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth, and wander off into myths.”

We hear of so-called “Rainbow Services” and messages that try to tell us what the Bible calls sin no longer applies today. Some false teachers are even proclaiming that believing in  Jesus is not necessary to get into Heaven. The thing is, in Hebrews 13:8 we read: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

And, as Christians, we need to keep Jesus as our “Vision” and follow His teachings. There is a hymn titled: “Be Thou My Vision.” It’s said to be an ancient Irish prayer from the 6^th Century, and translated into English in 1905.

1.)  Be Thou my vision, Oh, Lord of my heart. Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art. Thou my best thought by day and by night. Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my Light.

2.)  Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my True Word. I ever with Thee, and Thou with me, Lord. Thou my great Father, and I Thy dear child. Thou in me dwelling, with Thee reconciled.

3.)  Be Thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight. Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight. Thou my soul’s shelter, Thou my High Tower; raise Thou me Heavenward, Oh, Power of my power.

4.)  Riches I need not nor vain, empty praise. Thou mine inheritance, now and always. Thou and Thou only, first in my heart. High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou Art.

5.)  High King of Heaven, my victory won. May I reach Heaven’s joys, Oh, bright Heaven’s Son. Heart of my Heart, whatever befalls, still be my Vision, Oh, Ruler of all.

Psalms 18:2: “The Lord is my Rock and my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my Rock in Whom I take refuge, my Shield, and the Horn of my Salvation, my Stronghold.”

Ephesians 6:11-18 is fairly lengthy, but it is worth the read:

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand firm.

“Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness; and as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take up the helmet of Salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God; praying at all times in the Spirit with all prayers and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance making supplication for all the Saints.”

Philippians 3:20-21: “But our citizenship is in Heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself.”

Granted, a lot of information is being presented with a specific goal in mind: bring souls to the Savior. Our Jesus gave us a commission to get His word to as many souls worldwide as possible (Matthew 28:1-20).

We do not know the day or hour that this current era will come to an end, but for all who will have received and accepted Jesus as their Savior, it will not be a negative event. All who have Jesus as their Savior are indwelt by the Holy Spirit as long as we’re on this earth. When the Holy Spirit is taken out of the way to allow the ultimate antichrist to come out, all He indwells will have to be removed to be kept from any part of the tribulation (2 Thessalonians 2, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, and Revelation 3:10).

If you have thought about asking Jesus to forgive you and be your Savior forever, now would not be too early to actually do so. Once the “Rapture” starts (1 Corinthians 15:51-53 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17), it will be completed before anyone will have time to call out to be saved. Those left behind will face the worst seven years this earth has ever been through so far.

The steps to Salvation are not complicated. Admit you’re a sinner, as everyone on Earth is. Ask Jesus to forgive you and to be your Savior forever. Believe that He is truly the only pathway to your eternal Home in Heaven.

Our Heavenly Father knows no one on Earth is perfect and sinless. Jesus was the only “human” that lived a sinless life here. For all who become a part of His precious flock, we have 1 John 1:8-10 as our steps to forgiveness when we do sin.

The choice is totally up to each individual, as God will force no one to call out to be saved. In the meantime, Satan will do everything in his power to keep you from doing so.

There are only two outcomes possible at the end of each person’s life here, no matter what any false prophet may try to tell you. Heaven or Hell. Our Savior will turn no one away who truly calls out for Him to save them.

Consider your eternity and choose wisely.

Shalom! Peace be with you!

huebshman46@gmail.com

 

 

Text: Revelation 22:11, NKJV — “He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”

Introduction: The Most Serious Word in the Bible May Be “Still”

There are many tender words in Scripture: “Come,” “forgiven,” “mercy,” “grace,” and “peace.” But in Revelation 22:11, near the very end of the Bible, the Lord gives a warning that should cause every soul to tremble. The word is “still.” Unjust still. Filthy still. Righteous still. Holy still. It speaks of a time when character is fixed, opportunity is past, and eternal destiny is settled. This is not because God is unwilling to save.

The same chapter says, “And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17, NKJV).

The warning of verse 11 stands beside the invitation of verse 17. God is saying: Come now, while the door is open. Decide now, while mercy is offered. Do not wait until “still” becomes the final word over your soul. Imagine a courthouse where the judge is still willing to receive a plea, still willing to hear confession, still willing to show mercy. But once the gavel falls, the case is settled. Revelation 22:11 is the sound of eternity’s gavel. Before that moment, God says, “Come.” After that moment, the condition remains “still.”

1. Revelation 22:11 Is a Warning About a Settled Condition

Revelation 22:11 does not teach that God delights in leaving sinners in sin. It teaches that there comes a point when the sinner who continues refusing God is left to the condition he chose. If a person insists on being unjust, there will come a day when he is unjust still. If a person clings to filthiness, there will come a day when he is filthy still. But if a person comes to Christ, receives His righteousness, and is made holy by grace, there will come a day when he is righteous still and holy still.

The Bible presses the urgency of decision. Joshua cried, “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15, NKJV). Elijah asked, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him” (1 Kings 18:21, NKJV).

Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24, NKJV). There is no neutral ground. To delay obedience is to continue in rebellion. To postpone repentance is to remain in sin. A man standing at a crossroads cannot walk both roads at once. He may stand there for a while, thinking he has made no choice, but remaining at the crossroads is itself a choice. So, it is with the soul. A person who refuses Christ today has not remained neutral; he has continued upon the road away from God.

2. Noah’s Generation Waited Until the Door Was Shut

In the days of Noah, God warned the world before judgment fell. Noah built the ark while the people continued in their own way. They ate, drank, married, worked, laughed, planned, and ignored the warning. Then the day came when Noah and his family entered the ark, “and the LORD shut him in” (Genesis 7:16, NKJV). That door was not shut by Noah. It was shut by the LORD.

When the rain began, the people outside may have believed Noah’s preaching at last, but belief after the door was shut did not save them. Their decision had already been made by years of refusal. They waited until it was too late. Jesus said, “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be” (Matthew 24:37, NKJV). The warning is plain: do not stand outside the ark of salvation while the door is open. Christ is the ark. He is the only refuge from coming judgment. Come to Him now.

Think of people watching dark clouds gather while a storm shelter stands open. The warning siren sounds, the door is open, and safety is near. But if they mock the warning and remain outside until the storm arrives, the open shelter they ignored becomes the shelter they cannot reach. The ark was open before the flood, but once God shut the door, it was too late.

3. The Rich Man in Hades Prayed Too Late

In Luke 16, Jesus tells of a rich man who lived for this world and neglected the things of God. When he died, Scripture says he was “in torments in Hades” and cried for mercy (Luke 16:23–24, NKJV). But Abraham answered that “between us and you there is a great gulf fixed” (Luke 16:26, NKJV).

The man could remember. He could feel. He could pray. He could be concerned for his brothers. But he could not cross over. He became evangelistic in hell, begging that someone warn his five brothers. But his concern came too late for him. He had heard enough truth in life. He had enough light to respond. Yet he delayed until death fixed his condition.

Dear soul, do not comfort yourself with the thought that you will settle things later. Later is not promised. Hebrews 9:27 says, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (NKJV). After death there is judgment, not negotiation. After death there is accountability, not another altar call. Come to Christ now.

A man may miss a train and still catch another. He may miss an appointment and reschedule. But there is one appointment no person can postpone: death. When that appointment comes, the issue is not whether we meant to get right with God someday, but whether we came to Christ while mercy was being offered.

4. The Foolish Virgins Came After the Door Was Shut

In Matthew 25, Jesus gave the parable of the wise and foolish virgins. The foolish had lamps but no oil. They had outward association, but not inward readiness. When the bridegroom came, “those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut” (Matthew 25:10, NKJV). Afterward, the foolish came crying, “Lord, Lord, open to us!” But the answer was terrible: “Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you” (Matthew 25:11–12, NKJV).

They did not deny the bridegroom. They expected to enter. They came close to the door. They even cried, “Lord, Lord.” But they were not ready when the time came. Religion without regeneration will not save. Church attendance without the new birth will not save. Knowing the language of faith without surrendering to Christ will not save. Jesus concluded, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming” (Matthew 25:13, NKJV).

The question is not whether you intend to be ready someday. The question is whether you are ready now. A lamp without oil may look acceptable in daylight, but the truth is revealed when darkness falls. In the same way, outward religion may look convincing now, but the coming of Christ will reveal whether a person has truly been born again.

5. Esau Sought the Blessing When It Was Too Late

Esau treated spiritual things lightly. He sold his birthright for one meal. Later, when he wanted the blessing, Hebrews says, “he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears” (Hebrews 12:17, NKJV). His tears were real, but they were not the tears of a heart surrendered to God; they were the tears of a man grieving consequences after despising the holy things of God.

Sin always offers a small meal and hides the eternal loss. It promises pleasure now and never tells you about weeping later. It offers a moment of satisfaction and conceals the bitterness of judgment. Do not sell your soul for what cannot satisfy.

Jesus asked, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Matthew 16:26, NKJV).

Esau is like a person who trades a deed to a house for one meal because he is hungry in the moment. The appetite passes, but the loss remains. Sin always magnifies the craving of the moment and minimizes the cost of eternity.

6. Pharaoh Hardened His Heart Until Judgment Fell

Pharaoh heard the word of the LORD repeatedly: “Let My people go” (Exodus 5:1, NKJV). Plague after plague came as a mercy-filled warning. At times Pharaoh seemed moved. At times he admitted wrong. But again, he hardened his heart. Eventually, judgment fell on Egypt, and Pharaoh’s resistance led him into ruin.

Every time a person says “no” to God, the heart becomes more accustomed to refusing Him. Every postponed surrender makes the next surrender harder. The danger is not only that you may die suddenly; the danger is also that you may live long enough to become hardened. The voice that once shook you may become easy to ignore. The call you once felt may become faint. That is why Scripture says, “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 3:15, NKJV).

Wet clay can be shaped easily, but after it is baked, it becomes hard. Each refusal of God’s voice is like another moment in the heat of rebellion. The heart that could have been shaped by grace can become hardened by delay.

7. The Gospel Plea: Come to Jesus Christ Now

The warning of Revelation 22:11 is not meant to drive you to despair; it is meant to drive you to Christ. Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. He lived the righteous life we have not lived. He died on the cross for our sins. He shed His blood as the only sufficient sacrifice. He rose from the dead, victorious over sin, death, and hell. He is alive, and He is calling you.

Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (NKJV).

John 3:16 declares, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (NKJV).

Jesus promised, “The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37, NKJV).

You do not have to remain unjust still. You do not have to remain filthy still. You can be washed. You can be forgiven. You can be made new.

“The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7, NKJV).

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV).

A drowning person does not need swimming lessons first; he needs a rescuer. A guilty sinner does not need to reform himself before coming to Christ; he needs the Savior. Jesus does not wait on the shore for sinners to save themselves. He came to seek and to save the lost.

8. The Decision Before You

There are only two paths. You may serve the LORD, or you may stay in your sin. You may bow to Jesus Christ now as Savior and Lord, or you will face Him later as Judge. You may receive mercy now, or you may meet justice then. You may have your sins forgiven now, or you may carry them into eternity.

Do not say, “I will repent someday.” Someday is the devil’s lullaby. Do not say, “I am not ready.” Christ is ready to receive you. Do not say, “I have sinned too much.” His blood is greater than your sin. Do not say, “I need to clean myself up first.” Come to Jesus, and He will cleanse you. Do not say, “I will wait for a better time.” The Bible says, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2, NKJV).

If a doctor told a patient, “This condition is fatal, but there is a cure available today,” it would be foolish to say, “I will think about it next year.” Sin is fatal, judgment is certain, but Christ is available now. The wise soul does not delay the cure of grace.

Conclusion: Do Not Let “Still” Be Your Final Sentence

One day the last sermon will be heard. One day the last invitation will be given. One day the last conviction will be felt. One day the last breath will be taken. One day Christ will come, and His reward will be with Him. Then the unjust will be unjust still. The filthy will be filthy still. The righteous will be righteous still. The holy will be holy still. But today, the invitation still stands: “Come!” The Spirit says, “Come!” The bride says, “Come!” The Savior says, “Come!” Come with your sin. Come with your guilt. Come with your shame. Come with your fear. Come with your need. Come to the cross. Come to the risen Christ. Come now.

If you will turn from sin and trust in Jesus Christ, call upon Him now:

“Lord Jesus, I am a sinner. I cannot save myself. I believe You died for my sins and rose again. I turn from my sin and come to You. Forgive me, cleanse me, save me, and make me Yours. I receive You as Savior and Lord. Amen.”

Do not wait until the door is shut. Do not wait until the gulf is fixed. Do not wait until the cry is too late. Do not wait until your heart is hardened. Come to Jesus Christ now, and you will be saved.

donaldwhitchard@gmail.com

https://drwhitchardteaches.wordpress.com

www.youtube.com/@drdonaldwhitchard