(Proverbs 23-24; 2 Corinthians 5)

The times in which we live are creating multiple schisms. We have the big one of the day being between the vaccinated and the unvaccinated. There are many who are working hard to cause this rift to be even greater. They want a bifurcated society, not of haves and have-nots, but of the jabbed and jabbed-not. Those who refuse to take the shot are being marginalized. The proposition is out there that the unvaccinated should be denied basic necessities; some have even declared they should be locked up or simply eliminated.

We also have the split within the church of those who advocate for taking the vaccines, and those who resist with horror. There has long been a falling away in the church from sound doctrine; this fissure is one that threatens unity in Christ.

I am unabashedly against taking these experimental biological agents that pose as vaccines. The dangers they present to God’s marvel of creation, the human body, are extreme. The thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands of other adverse reactions are a testament to this. Many people, however, are either unaware of this data or willfully reject the large amount of evidence that has accumulated since the shots began to be administered in December 2020.

To rectify this situation, many medical professionals who became aware of the significant peril in taking these shots began to speak out. Because there has been a larger narrative driving the giving of these vaccines, these brave individuals were shut down in many ways from communicating the knowledge they had. It caused some to lose their jobs or positions at hospitals and certainly tarnished their reputations, which were trashed mercilessly by those who did not want the message of truth brought forth.

There have been others of us fortunate enough not to be in situations where these kinds of pressures can be brought to bear, or that might matter to us. We have nothing to gain by speaking out against the wicked agenda and the tools being used to implement it. But we do so out of obligation. For secular people doing this, they simply have a heart for others and don’t wish to see them injured.

For believers in Christ, this first reason is certainly valid, but our efforts are fueled by what the Lord has given us through the sacrificial gift of His Son, and we want to be faithful and obedient to Him in return. It means we must stand firmly and boldly against what we believe are atrocities perpetrated upon mankind and against God Himself. Knowing what we do, Proverbs 24:10-12 comes alive for us:

“If you faint in the day of adversity,
your strength is small.
Rescue those who are being taken away to death;
hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.
If you say, ‘Behold, we did not know this,’
does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it,
and will he not repay man according to his work?”

This is a day of adversity in many ways. Although our strength – even the reach that we have in communicating to others – may be small, the battle isn’t ours. It is God’s, and we must rely on His strength, not our own. What is being done to mankind through these so-called vaccines is horrendous. People are being deceived and encouraged to take a drug that will either kill them outright or cause deteriorating effects in their bodies, i.e., prompting them to stumble to their slaughter.

We who know the truth, whether medically educated or having learned through study over these past months, have a Godly obligation to speak out. Consider what the Lord says in this Proverb. God knows that we know the facts. If we do nothing, will that not count against us? Most assuredly, it will! For us to have learned these things and refuse to attempt to pull people from the fire is surely a sin of commission – a purposeful, willful negligence that would not go well with us when we stand before God.

Paul spoke of similar things to the church at Corinth. They had obligations to Christ just as we do, and none of us should use the excuse that in being obedient it will cause us harm. Paul expressed this in 2 Corinthians 5:6-10:

“So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”

The important lesson for us in all this is the necessity to walk in courage by faith and not by sight. We see the threats around us, and who knows where that might lead? The powers that be certainly know who we are. Yet, are we faithful to Christ regardless of what might come our way? Does it matter what man might do to us? Or, is it more important that we keep the eternal prospect in mind that we will someday stand before Christ at the Bema Seat of Judgment?

God, give us the strength to stand. Might we rescue others if You allow us to do so. Might we glorify You in all we do!

[Author Note: Briefly, I want to set the stage for you as to the nature of most of my articles in this season. Each year I read the Bible through completely at least once – that has been my practice since I came to the Lord in 2005. I remain astounded at what God has done in my life because of that discipline! Each day I read from both the Old and New Testaments. I choose a verse from one of those passages and write my commentary and reflection based on that. In the title of my article, you’ll see the verse I chose. In addition, you’ll see the reading for that day if you’d like to follow along with greater context.]

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Gary W. Ritter is a lay pastor, Bible teacher, and prolific author. His Whirlwind Series comprises three books: Sow the Wind, Reap the Whirlwind, and There Is A Time. These books are contained in the collected volume of the Whirlwind Omnibus. Gary has been given the Christian Redemptive Fiction award for three novels: The Tattooed Cat, Alien Revelation, and for his collaboration with Terry James in writing The Minion Protocols, the third book in James’ Second Coming Chronicles.

Earlier this year, Gary released a four-volume set of Awaken Bible Study Notes that comment verse-by-verse through Scripture from a Biblical prophetic lens. He is currently editing a sequel to Alien Revelation called Alien Zombie Plague, which he plans to release later in the fall of 2021. Recently, Gary wrote a novella for the new Kindle Vella platform. That story is called Tribulation Rising: Seal Judgments – The Coming Apocalypse. This seven-part short work can be found at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B099Z462WD.

Each day this year, Gary has been writing commentary and reflections based on his reading through the Bible in a year. The intent in all his writings is to bring a strong Christian witness to what people read.

You can see all his books and blog articles and reach him at his website:www.GaryRitter.com or his Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/gritter3390.

You can also see his older video Bible teachings on his Gary Ritter YouTube channel – look for the fish symbol, and more recently on Rumble on his Awaken Bible Prophecy channel: https://rumble.com/c/c-783217.

How about another famous cry, “The Sky Is Falling,” or maybe the little boy who cried ‘Wolf’? Today there are many cries saying all is about lost, but for true believers, all is just fine. (ESV, all emphasis mine)

The cry, “The Redcoats Are Coming,” was no myth, as a nation was being warned that an invasion was about to take place. This sparked a small, fairly new nation to take up arms and to fight for the right to be a free country. Praise the Lord, they were able to ultimately defeat the enemy. I believe that if the founding fathers could see us now, they would be disgusted with what we have become.

The “true believer” population in America is shrinking, and Matthew 7:13-14 is very evident. Jesus said that more would be in that broad pathway leading to destruction than those on the straight and narrow leading to eternal life with Him.

If someone were to cry out, “The Demons Are Coming,” you would think this would at least raise an eyebrow or two. However, with all the different types of media available today, things that are satanic, violent, or very graphic are not a big deal. Movies and television shows are presenting themes that are very explicit pertaining to occult practices, sex, and science fiction, and they are commonplace. Computer video games are desensitizing the minds of our young generation as they barely raise an eyebrow to the carnage.

Is it any wonder that crimes against persons, especially youths and females, have gotten so violent? After many hours, days and weeks of a mind being “programmed” to accept violence of every nature, and then to hear about unbelievable acts of violence towards other humans of all ages should not surprise us at all.

Not too very long ago, we would hear about satanic and occult activities, but they were all behind closed doors, held in secret. Attitudes have changed, and now there are even “Churches of Satan” in many parts of our country. Peer pressure to join such groups is on the rise, while anything that even hints about Christianity is to be avoided. John spoke of false prophets and antichrists as being present even in the first century. Jesus said they would increase as we near the end of this age. What is obvious is that we are entering the last “Hurrah” of this world and are ushering in the New World Order. That will put this world into the final seven years before Jesus physically returns to earth to rule from Jerusalem for a thousand years.

Before all this happens, Satan, who knows the Bible as well as anyone, is accelerating his evil agendas as fast as he can. He is just arrogant enough to believe that he may be able to change the outcome. However, our Heavenly Father is right on schedule with worldly events and is allowing the evil one more latitude. Paul tells us of a strong delusion in 2 Thessalonians 2:11 that will cause those who are completely bound to Satan to believe what they are doing is right. My personal belief is that at least part of that deluding influence is in place now and will only get stronger. How else could a small minority of “alphabet” groups grow to be such a major influence on our world? Today, without God allowing their actions, they would melt into the woodwork.

For true believers, we have faith that God’s word is absolute truth, and all the abominations are not turned around to suddenly be acceptable and not sinful. It’s obvious that today we are in the minority. What groups are advocating and messages that are being preached in some previously Bible-based churches is that all the abominations were meant for the ancient world and could not possibly be meant for today’s “enlightened” people. After all, we are told our God is totally about love, and all relationships of our choosing, with whomever we choose, are perfectly all right.

The biggest problem that the LGBT or whatever does not see is that Hebrews 13:6-8 tells us that Jesus, who is God, is the same today as yesterday, and will be forever. Isaiah 40:8 tells us our words are air, but His Word is forever. By the way, with God’s timing, to Him, He created our world about 6 to 8 minutes ago (2 Peter 3:8).

Having been in my teens and early twenties in the 1960s, I witnessed demonstrations against our government and military, protesting the Viet Nam war. There were numerous signs held up saying we need to get out of Viet Nam. Because I was in the military the last half of the 60s, I had friends that I grew up with that would not associate with me. It was as if it were my choice that America was in an unpopular conflict.

Slip forward to 2020-2021. I have seen photos of signs being held up in major cities of California stating that God needs to get out of that state. Since then, there have been fires, unusual heat and other severe weather patterns that are affecting the whole west coast. Coincidence? I doubt that very much. It hasn’t subsided yet.

The attitude of the majority of this nation toward anyone who has received and accepted Jesus is that we are “haters.” Sadly, there have even been negative court decisions toward Christian businesses who refuse to go against their faith in providing products and services they believe are honoring sin. Some bakeries, photographers, and even some floral shops are being challenged because they will not cater to the wishes of the gay community. There are secular businesses of the same nature that would gladly accommodate them, but Christians are being purposely singled out for persecution, and some have had to close down.

We are a direct threat in the minds of all the alphabet groups. We won’t roll over and “play” their game and “accept” their perversions. However, we are not “haters.”

Our Jesus led by example by loving everyone for their immortal souls. However, He did not like their false religions. He was crucified because He was a threat to the “religious” group of His day, the Pharisees and Sadducees. They couldn’t stand any outsider proving them wrong in their self-ordained religious activities. They also did not know their scrolls because the person before them fit every prophecy about the coming Messiah.

God’s word is not complicated to someone who is seeking the truth. Jesus is the only way to the Father and an eternal Home in Heaven (John 14:6). All have sinned, and without the grace and mercy we receive through His pure, sinless sacrifice, we would be totally lost (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Romans 3:10).

To not have Jesus as our Savior, no matter what false prophets and antichrists are saying, is to be destined for the Lake of Fire forever (Revelation 20:11-15). No; Muhammad, Buddha, or any other so-called god is not equal to our Heavenly Father; the Lord God Jehovah; Creator of the heavens and the earth. Man can make up and worship whomever or whatever he wishes but will face eternal condemnation.

John 14:6 was given by Jesus Himself; “And Jesus said to him, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” This is given further by Peter in Acts 4:12; “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.”

For Peter to stand before the Sanhedrin and make that claim should be an inspiration for all of us. Just a short time prior to that, he denied even knowing the Savior; and not just once, but three times. Jesus forgave Peter, and after receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Peter became a powerful force in proclaiming Jesus as the one and only True Messiah.

Unless someone takes their last breath here without Jesus as their Savior, there’s no sin they cannot be forgiven for. To deny Jesus is blasphemy, and unless there is repentance, there will be no forgiveness. Other than that, “All who call on the name of the Lord, will be saved!” (Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13).

Everything that had to be done before the Rapture has been completed. That event will be the next great prophecy to be fulfilled (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53). It is very close. To not be ready and to miss the Savior’s call to avoid the horror of the Tribulation would be a very tragic mistake. Today would not be too early to tell Jesus you are a sinner in need of His forgiveness and to be your Savior. It doesn’t have to be any formal speech, just a plea to a friend for His help. He is ready to forgive and receive all who truly call on Him.

Then the cry we will hear will be, “Come Up Here!” by the Archangel, as the Trumpet of God is sounding. You will be ready, and you will have your guaranteed reservation to make the “flight” up to meet the Savior in the air.

Hope to see you there!

huebshman46@gmail.com