There are some things in life that make me scoff. Evolution, for instance. I have lived many years and never have seen even the slightest change of one kind of animal mutating into a new and different kind altogether. Cats are cats, whether they are calico, tabby, black, big with a mane, or large spotted ones. Dogs are dogs and never change to a new and different species. DNA proves that each kind of animal will always be that same distinct animal.

Yes, I scoff at the absurdity of evolution, but I never scoff at God’s truth. That doesn’t rule out survival of the fittest or adaptation. If the food supply can only be reached with a longer beak, the genes of birds with longer beaks will survive easier than those with shorter beaks, or else those with shorter beaks will learn to eat food that they are able to gather with their shorter beaks. For instance, a hummingbird has a beak that slips deep into a flower to gather the nectar, while a cardinal will eat seeds.

Today, Christians have stopped being vigilant and have allowed “science” to dictate truth. Only God is truth, and His ways are perfect. From Scripture, we understand that God created all things in six literal days, but instead of believing God’s truth, Christians have compromised. Will you be scoffed at or mocked or flunk a class at school if you stand firmly on God’s word? Yes, you will, but so what? If you take time to study, you’ll find that “science” is filled with made-up stories that are taught as truth.

“O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen” (1 Timothy 6:20-21).

The secular world is blind to the truth. We can’t blame them for their ignorance, but we can guard our own understanding of truth only found in God’s word.

Most Christians have become lazy when it comes to studying and understanding Scripture. It’s interesting that many can quote sports statistics or know all about the stock market but haven’t a clue about God’s word. There’s no time for Scripture study when the Dodgers or Cardinals are playing ball. Or there’s a pennant race, or the stock market is sinking. None of those things can possibly matter for eternity. It matters not that your favorite team is low in the standings; what’s more important is the faith you profess is being compromised. We need to be vigilant and not allow anything to be above our knowledge and understanding of God’s word. Life on this earth is temporary.

“The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:10).

Where are you on that timeline? I’m just past the threescore and ten, but I have many friends well past fourscore. I’ve noticed that the “golden years” are tarnished by sorrow, loss, and the aches and pains of aging. Yet, God never changes. He is the same today as He was in the beginning.

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8).

God hasn’t changed, nor has His word. Christians must use Christ as our example and become like Him instead of trying to change Him to be like us.

“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).

God’s perfection is an impossible standard for humans to achieve, but Christians have Christ. We are sinners saved by grace, and we must be vigilant in our Bible studies so we aren’t swayed by the ways and whims of the world. We mustn’t try to make God conform to human thinking.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

God’s ways are so much higher than our minds can grasp. I want to be more like Him, but I fail. He doesn’t expect us to stop being human, but He does expect us not to scoff at His word and to be vigilant in our walk with Him. It’s important to be able to defend our faith because sometimes we listen to worldly opinions and even need to defend God’s word to our own minds. You may face derogatory remarks and scoffing from people around you, but stand strong in the Lord. How do you live your faith when people mock you and laugh at your beliefs? You need to plant your feet solidly upon Scripture, and don’t allow your faith to waiver.

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ” (1 Peter 3:15-16).

Every day we are inundated with sin being glorified. Even though the world accepts something, it doesn’t mean God accepts it. We are called haters when we stand against sin and don’t participate in pride parades or other blatant demonstrations of sin. When Peter talked about having a “good conversation in Christ,” the King James translation sort of blurs the meaning. The word “anastrophe” is translated as “conversation” and means “manner of life, conduct, behavior, deportment.” We are to live our life in such a way that we please God, and those who accuse us of being “haters” will be ashamed because of our Godly love towards others.

If you love someone and see them headed to destruction, you don’t keep quiet. That’s not love. All who have rejected Christ for salvation are on the road to destruction. Paul and all of the Apostles faced persecution; scoffers were everywhere, but they were not silenced.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16).

We will be silenced if we are ashamed of our faith. Pray that the Holy Spirit will strengthen your faith and help you to speak openly in defense of the Gospel of Christ. Peter said to always be ready to answer questions about your faith. Study Scripture and write it on your heart so you have a ready answer.

A good study of Scripture (and I don’t mean one filled with New Age ideas and purpose-driven follies) will open your eyes to the truth of prophecy. People will scoff at you because Christians have been looking for the Rapture for years. Even Paul seemed to think it would happen in his time. Just because it hasn’t happened yet doesn’t mean it won’t happen. The Pre-Trib Rapture is a Biblical fact and a gift from God to all believers.

The Great Tribulation will be a horrific time when God’s wrath will be poured out in judgment of all who have rejected Him. For those of us who follow the news with an eye on prophecy, we can see all of the prophetic pieces falling into place. The nation of Israel is back in their land, and that was a huge part of fulfilled prophecy. Russia is uniting with Iran against Israel, and the whole world condemns Israel for defending themselves. The economic system of the world is merging into a one-world currency, and governments are starting to willingly turn over their individual sovereignty to a one-world government. Watch out for artificial intelligence; it’s being used for evil.

We live in exciting times, but they can be frightening. The Rapture is going to happen soon, and we can take comfort in that.

Hatred towards God and His children is becoming more open. As the pieces fall into place, the enemy of all (Satan) plants doubt in the minds of the weak and gullible, so God and Scripture are questioned. Pastors don’t equip Christians with the pure word of God but water it down and make it politically correct and user-friendly. Since many pastors don’t understand Scripture — because seminaries quite often don’t teach God’s pure word — scoffers can easily silence Christians. Christ is going to call Christians Home very soon, but scoffers laugh.

“Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation” (2 Peter 3:3-4).

Things have changed a lot since the Garden of Eden. God’s perfect creation was damaged by sin. God could have left us to continue to struggle on our own to try and save ourselves from eternal death, but He loves us. He gave us Scripture, the Holy Spirit-inspired word of God. The Old Testament is filled with prophecy. Through prophecy, we understand that God still loves His creation and that the only way for humans to live eternally with Him is to be perfect. Not perfect in the eyes of other humans but perfect in the eyes of God. That perfection can only be obtained through faith in the shed blood of Christ.

When Adam sinned, the entire creation fell and was corrupted beyond salvation. That’s why we need Jesus Christ, God incarnate. This is also one of many reasons to reject the lie of evolution. Scripture tells us that there was no sin or death until Adam disobeyed God and ate the forbidden fruit. That’s when humanity was separated from God. Billions of years of fish turning into higher life forms didn’t happen. God spoke, and creation happened. Then sin and death became reality, and creation was altered. That didn’t change God’s love.

Prophecy disclosed that God would provide a way for us to live with Him eternally. People who lived before the cross found salvation by looking forward to the coming Messiah. He would be born of a virgin in Bethlehem. Jesus fulfilled hundreds of prophecies, but those who were ignorant of prophecy were blinded to His coming. Jesus was God come in the flesh.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:16-18).

Some well-meaning Christians would have us believe that faith isn’t enough; they want us to believe that faith plus works is necessary. God tells us that we are saved by faith. We will never be sin-free while we live on this side of Heaven, but true faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ will bring God’s forgiveness of the sin that separates us from Him. Works won’t save you, but after you’ve repented and asked for salvation through Christ, you need to turn away from sin. You will fail in your walk. I do. In spite of our failures, God is always willing to forgive.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). What a wonderful promise!

Don’t scoff at God’s word, but be vigilant in your walk with Christ. The Rapture will happen soon. I won’t try to guess at a date when it will happen, but as I study prophecy, I can see the signs that it could be at any moment. I’m ready to go, and I hope you are too. Don’t let scoffers intimidate you, but be vigilant in your walk with Christ.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com
ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

If you’d like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

Picture, if you can, an army intended to defend a powerful nation. That army just lolls around, denying that there is an enemy. They actually deny the enemy exists. This denial results in lowered defenses and lack of training. As the army sleeps, the enemy, who is very real, slowly infiltrates the troops. The enemy whispers many lies and convinces the soldiers that they don’t need to train and that the guidelines for the conduct of soldiers are old fashioned and the rules need to be slackened in order for a happier, user-friendly group of soldiers. The soldiers begin to argue with the commander’s orders, they make changes to the battle plan, and they generally side with the enemy.

Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce you to today’s ekklesia! We have our battle plan, as well as a description of the enemy’s plan, but we ignore it. Scripture is very clear as to what our King requires. Men are commissioned to lead the battle, but they are now allowing soft-hearted women to lead the troops. This is not Biblical. In order not to upset the women, men compromise the battle plan. This apostasy allows the New Age to flourish within our troops.

Every person, male or female (and there are only two choices), must prepare for their own spot in the army of God. We cannot close our eyes and live in denial. The battle is real, and the enemy troops are becoming braver. In order not to be called haters or to be seeker-friendly, God’s troops remain silent, and the enemy becomes more brazen. Brothers and sisters, we must prepare for battle. We must listen to Christ our King and be brave as we wage war against the powers of darkness.

History is clear that if an army hides, the enemy grows braver.

King Saul was a weak leader of Israel. He was double-minded and not always in his right mind. Today we might say he had a mental disorder. Whatever his mental state, he didn’t honor God. The physical enemy of that time were the Philistines. The Philistines had a “champion” to fight for them. He was a very formidable opponent named Goliath. To look at him was a frightening sight. He stood “six cubits and a span,” which is over 9 feet tall. Not only was he taller than any man in Saul’s army, but he was heavy and strong. Saul’s troops hadn’t prepared for battle. They should have known the enemy and prepared to fight him, but they were weak and scared.

Goliath had remarkable armor, which helps to understand his giant proportions. “And he had an helmet of brass upon his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail; and the weight of the coat was 5 thousand shekels of brass. And he had greaves of brass upon his legs, and a target of brass between his shoulders. And the staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam; and his spear’s head weight 6 hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him” (1 Samuel 17:5-7).

Some scholars estimate the battle gear that Goliath wore weighed around 200 pounds. Yes, he looked unbeatable. So, in the Valley of Elah, Goliath stood before Saul’s troops while those unprepared soldiers hid in fear of the enemy.

Many pastors refuse to teach from the Old Testament. This is wrong. Many Christian soldiers could draw strength and encouragement from the Old Testament accounts of God’s people. This is one of those accounts. The enemy looked strong, Saul’s army was unprepared, but God had prepared His own champion to fight.

The champion whom God had prepared was a young man named David, the youngest son of Jesse. He was a shepherd, not a warrior, but he had prepared for battle in an unusual way. He had protected his flock from attack by a bear and a lion. We can assume that David didn’t waste his time lying in the green pastures or enjoying the still waters while his sheep grazed. He must have spent time in target practice with his slingshot, preparing for battle. When the enemy appeared, he was ready. David didn’t look like a giant killer, but he was prepared. When his youth and stature were questioned, he had an answer.

“And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: and I went out after him and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing that he hath defied the armies of the living God” (1 Samuel 17:34-36).

Where are the shepherds today? The enemy is plucking the lambs from among the flock, and instead of fighting for the life of the flock, the shepherds today allow the enemy to take the lambs. This is done by allowing doctrines of devils to enter into their sermons, and the Gospel is watered down until it is no longer the Gospel of Christ.

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:1-2).

Paul wrote these words to a young pastor. If the shepherds are lacking, the flock will die. Men of God, prepare for battle because it is upon us.

David won the battle with Goliath because he was prepared. David armed himself only with his shepherd’s staff, his slingshot, and five smooth stones (he only needed one) and went to face Goliath. David’s youth and stature gave Goliath a false sense that the battle would be easy.

“And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods” (1 Samuel 17:43).

False gods can never prevail against God Almighty.

“Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee, and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not the sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S and he will give you into our hands” (1 Samuel 17:45-47).

Goliath felt prideful and self-confident. On the other hand, David knew his strength was in the Lord. The Lord won the battle that day because one young man had prepared for battle. It only took one stone perfectly aimed at the giant’s forehead to bring him down. Then David cut off his head. Victory was complete.

The same enemy that subtly whispered lies to Eve in the Garden of Eden, the same enemy who attempted to destroy the army of God, is working his evil today. He is becoming braver in his attacks and his mocking and twisting of God’s truth. There are many, many false doctrines entering our congregations today, and the shepherds don’t care.

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

This sounds as if the Apostle Paul was looking at today’s Christians and their “form of godliness.” It has no substance, no battleworthiness, and is filled with false teaching. The word “perilous” is a very strong word. In Greek, it is “chalepos” and is only used twice in the New Testament. The first use of chalepos is found in Matthew and translated “fierce.”

“And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way” (Matthew 8:28).

These days in which we live are exceedingly chalepos… perilous and fierce. There is a demonic evil pervading the world. The battle is real, and it is demonic. The enemy is invading, and Christians are asleep or hiding in the hills. We listen to seeker-friendly sermons filled with politically correct, seeker-friendly words that don’t prepare the soldiers for battle. That battle isn’t coming; it’s here. Christianity isn’t for the faint-hearted.

The war was won at the Cross, but Satan isn’t giving up. We each have a place in the final battle. Satan is in his death throes and wants to destroy as many souls as he can. The only way we can lose our part in the battle is to not prepare. Study Scripture. Most pastors don’t teach line upon line through Scripture. It seems as if it’s more important to get through the allotted hour rather than arm the soldiers for battle. That shouldn’t stop you from your own study.

Prophecy is extremely important in being armed for battle. The Rapture will happen very, very soon, but do you know how to use this as a witnessing tool? Prophetic signs are happening quickly. The world leaders, and some false teachers within the church, are pushing for a one-world order. It’s happening, but we aren’t prepared for battle.

God has given us His word… both Old and New Testaments. The Apostle Paul talked a lot about spiritual warfare, but many pastors today erroneously think we shouldn’t talk about evil spirits and demons. The only way to be prepared for battle is to be aware of the enemy’s strategy. Jesus seemed to think demons were real, and I trust Him to know. Christians have God’s armor, not your own armor, but God’s armor.

“Finally, my brethren be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:10-12).

The armor is there for you, but if you don’t know what it is, then you need to study Scripture. The things we wrestle against, or should wrestle against, are spirit beings who serve Satan. If you aren’t armed with God’s armor, you will hide in the hills like Saul’s soldiers and lose the battle.

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13).

This passage of Scripture follows after Paul’s warning of the destruction of the family. Men are to love their wives as Christ loves His church, not mentally or physically abusing her (Ephesians 5:25). Women are to submit to their own husbands as if submitting to Christ (Ephesians 5:22). Fathers aren’t to provoke their children (Ephesians 6:4), and children are to obey their parents in the Lord (Ephesians 6:1). Servants (employees) are to be obedient (Ephesians 6:5), and masters (employers) are to treat servants kindly (Ephesians 6:9).

Satan is attacking God’s order of life, and the demons are getting more open in their attacks. God’s armor will protect against the attacks of Satan. It won’t stop the attack from happening, but you will be protected.

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians 6:13-18).

Learn to use God’s armor now, before the battle. Begin by accepting Christ for salvation, not with lip service but with your whole heart.

Prepare for battle now. Don’t wait until you see the enemy pointing his weapons at you. The war is all around you right now. If you don’t see the enemy, then maybe you are on the wrong side of the battle.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com
ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

If you’d like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.