We live in a topsy-turvy world. Right is wrong, and wrong is right. Many Christians try very hard to follow Scripture but are fed by false teachers who don’t teach God’s truth. Thus, the false teacher is followed instead of God’s word. In trying to be good, non-judgmental Christians, God’s truth is compromised. We are often deceived by things that sound Biblical but aren’t.

Many believe that under no circumstance are we to judge. “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again” (Matthew 7:1-2).

The judging named here is a condemning type of judgment. For instance, if you say, “That person is a snob,” you’ve judged that person and shown no mercy. Also, by judging that way, you’ve just proven yourself a snob. We aren’t to judge, but we are to discern. “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24).

What is a righteous judgment? Only God is the righteous judge, so we follow His directives. Scripture is our guide. When you see a brother or sister participating in a sin, it’s good to point out the sin. Perhaps fellow Christians didn’t realize they were sinning. Really? How can you not know you’re sinning? For the answer to that, let’s look back to King David.

He committed a great sin that was punishable by death but didn’t see his actions as sin. He had a sexual encounter with Bathsheba, the wife of one of his most faithful soldiers. Bathsheba became pregnant, and David decided to bring her husband home so it would look as if the child was his. Uriah wouldn’t cooperate, so David sent him back to the frontline of battle and stationed where he was certain to be killed. How could David have thought any of this was not sin?

David had a prophet named Nathan, who bravely came to David with a story about two men and a sheep. One man was rich and had everything he could possibly want, but the other was poor and had only one little lamb. This lamb was the family pet. One day the rich man had a visitor, and instead of taking a sheep from his own flock for dinner, he took the poor man’s lamb. “And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity” (2 Samuel 12:5-6).

It was easy for David to see the fault and judge a judgment of condemnation against the rich man. “And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; and I gave thee thy master’s house, and thy master’s wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah: and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things” (2 Samuel 12:7-8).

David was blind to his sin, but when Nathan saw the sin and brought it to his attention, David was heartbroken. “And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die” (2 Samuel 12:13).

David wasn’t perfect, but he was repentant. None of us are perfect. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24).

Christians have something King David didn’t have. Grace. David was deeply repentant, and from this great sin came Psalm 51, where David poured out his heart to God. David cried out to God for mercy. He didn’t make excuses for his sin but asked for mercy. “For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightiest be justified when thou speakest and be clear when thou judgest” (Psalm 51:3-4).

David knew he wasn’t above the Law, and like any other person, he was subject to the penalty for his sin. “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).

David truly repented and turned away from his sin. As Christians, we can have this same blessing from God. He will forgive, but we have to repent. “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).

Thank You, Jesus, for forgiving a sinner like me.

When the Pharisees brought a woman to Jesus for condemnation, He turned the tables on them. “So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her” (John 8:7). Of course, the Pharisees knew they had sin and couldn’t condemn her. Jesus forgave her.

When we choose one verse and build doctrine around it, we make a big mistake. The entirety of Scripture must be studied. Most pastors don’t teach verse by verse through Scripture, so they can pick and choose easy topics and teach easy-listening sermons. This is very wrong. The pastor of the last church I attended had many degrees in theology but little knowledge of Scripture. He leaned toward New Age teaching and admired the purpose-driven lies. I couldn’t listen to his teaching, so I chose to leave. If Scripture isn’t the authority, then there are big problems within the congregation.

“Whom shall he teach knowledge? And whom shall he make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little” (Isaiah 28:9-10).

If you’re being taught by a man who won’t preach God’s word from Scripture, then you’re probably being taught a different Gospel than the one found in Scripture.

The congregation in Corinth was very far from following God’s truth. Paul had a lot to say to them. Was he being judgmental? He was judging by a righteous judgment. “For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him” (2 Corinthians 11:4). It’s easy to be deceived if you’re still drinking milk instead of eating the meat of Scripture.

Corinth was a congregation that would fit well into today’s topsy-turvy world. They were proud of accepting sin into their midst. They took pride in being open-minded and non-judgmental, and pride is something God doesn’t accept. “It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife” (1 Corinthians 5:1).

God is very clear that this is a very serious sin. “And the man that lieth with his father’s wife hath uncovered his father’s nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death: their blood shall be upon them” (Leviticus 20:11). Perhaps the congregation in Corinth didn’t know Levitical Law, but common decency should be clear that this behavior is unacceptable. The city of Corinth was pagan, and paganism was very ungodly in their practices.

Christians must stand against sin even though we live in a time when sin has been legalized, and we are called haters if we oppose it. The Corinthians not only accepted this heinous sin, but they were proud of their wokeness. “And ye are puffed up and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you” (1 Corinthians 5:2). Pride is a terrible thing when it is the pride of sin.

Paul was very judgmental but judged with a righteous judgment, “To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump” (1 Corinthians 5:5-6). Leaven symbolizes sin. If a little sin enters a congregation, it will grow until the entire congregation is affected. Paul advised them to remove the sinner from the congregation until he repented.

Paul didn’t stop with that one sin. “I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters: for then must ye needs go out of the world” (1 Corinthians 5:9-10).

We are to be in the world but not participate in the sin of the world. We would have to live in total isolation, not sharing the Gospel, if we didn’t rub elbows with sinners on occasion. Paul explains that we aren’t to socialize with fellow Christians who embrace sin. “But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner, with such an one not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person” (1 Corinthians 5:11-13).

God will judge those who have rejected Him, but sin cannot be tolerated within a congregation. I’m sickened when I see transsexual and other perversion being embraced by Christians. They are not to be a part of a congregation. We are to judge, not condemn, sinners, and we are to share God’s love and mercy with them.

Jesus warns us not to follow the well-worn, broad way that leads to destruction but to follow the narrow way. “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). Jesus is that narrow gate.

The New Agers would have us believe that there are many paths that lead to eternal life, but they are wrong. They push yoga, and spirituality, and many false teachings. “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?” (Matthew 7:15-16).

The way to not be deceived by these false prophets is to know God’s truth only found in Scripture. If someone tries to convince you to read The Shack, or The Purpose-Driven Church, or use The Message as your Bible, don’t fall victim to these false prophets.

New Age is full of error. They would have us believe that God is in all things. The Holy Spirit indwells born-again Christians, but He doesn’t live in rocks, trees, or unbelievers. Name it and claim it? False prophets push this lie. We live in a topsy-turvy world where God’s truth is perverted and a “new” truth, which is Satan’s lies, is being pushed on us. Brothers and sisters, stand firm on Christ, the solid Rock. Don’t be deceived. Judge with a righteous judgment and share the pure Gospel as found in Scripture. There is only one way to salvation, and that is a true faith in Jesus Christ. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). There is no other path. Jesus is the narrow gate that leads to life eternal.

Paul had good advice when he wrote letters to the men he left in charge of the various congregations he planted. Pastors today should heed this advice. “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).

If you are being deceived by false teachers, then find a Christian group that stands on God’s word. In this topsy-turvy world, it may be hard to find solid Bible teaching. Perhaps God is calling you to start a home Bible study. Don’t allow fear to stop you from serving God. In this topsy-turvy world, we need Christian men to take their place as leaders in Christian fellowships and in their homes.

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.

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

Hosea was one of the Old Testament Prophets of God and was given a tough assignment. He obeyed God’s direction, and today, we have a “picture” of God’s faithfulness even when we are unfaithful to Him.

Hosea was directed by God to marry “a wife of whoredoms,” which would cause much heartbreak. “The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD” (Hosea 1:2).

Hosea lived during the same time as Isaiah, so God was speaking through many men at this time. Hosea’s life was to be a “picture” of the relationship between Israel and God. God ordained marriage and uses it as a picture of His love for Israel and Christ’s love for His Bride, so it seems odd that God would tell Hosea to marry an adulteress. This should never be taken as the standard of marriage; infidelity is serious. This directive was to graphically show the faithfulness of God, as represented by Hosea, and the unfaithfulness of Israel, represented by Gomer.

Unfaithfulness to God by worshipping pagan idols is called adultery. “Thou shalt not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14).

At this time in history, David’s kingdom of Israel had been divided into the Northern Kingdom called Israel and the Southern Kingdom called Judah. Israel was very unfaithful to God by embracing wicked pagan worship and turning away from God. Idolatry is equal to whoredom, and so Gomer was representative of the idol worship found in the Northern Kingdom. Although Israel had rejected God, He was still faithful to them and tried to bring them back into a faithful relationship. Idolatry is an abomination to God. Christians need to be sure to worship and submit to Him and not put anything ahead of our love for Him.

God holds marriage in high esteem, but today it’s turned into a thing of evil or skipped altogether. It’s only to be between one man and one woman and is the only acceptable place for sexual activity. The Apostle Paul discusses marriage and the role of the wife and the husband. Wives have a responsibility to the marriage.

“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing” (Ephesians 5:22-24).

Gomer had trouble submitting to her own husband, and so Christians, as the Bride of Christ, have trouble submitting to our Lord. Woman’s lib and the “woke” movement are tools of Satan to destroy God’s ordained plan. Gomer was a prostitute and indulged in whoredom. She is a “picture” of the nation of Israel over the years. Sometimes they have submitted to God, but other times they indulge in adultery through idolatry and not submitting to God. A husband has his own place in God’s plan. He is to love his wife as Christ loves His church.

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For not man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church” (Ephesians 5:25-29).

I’m very blessed to have been married to a Godly man and know how easy it is to submit to his love.

When the division of the kingdoms happened, Jeroboam became king over the Northern Kingdom, and like America today, it was prosperous but very corrupt. Evil and wickedness were legalized, while those who feared God and worshipped Him were criminalized. When the leader of a nation is evil, the whole nation follows suit. The Levites, who were faithful to God, left Israel and fled to the Southern Kingdom ruled by Rehoboam, who was King Solomon’s son.

“And the priests and the Levites that were in all Israel resorted to him out of all their coasts. For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from executing the priest’s office unto the LORD: and he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he made” (2 Chronicles 11:13-15).

The “high places” were places where evil acts were done and worship of idols was at its worst. Instead of the God-ordained Levitical priesthood, Jeroboam appointed non-Levitical priests who led the adulterous worship. It was Satanic. Today we have the ACLU, which champions the “rights” of human sacrifice, called abortion, and promotes the protection of deviant sexual practices while trying to silence Christians. The similarities between Hosea’s time and America today are obvious.

After the Levites left, other people who wanted no part of the wickedness also left. “And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers” (2 Chronicles 11:16). There were many people who were faithful to God Almighty. Today we need to follow their example and take no part in the evil that’s gripping the United States and, indeed, the entire world.

Christians need to shun the ways of the world and put God first. Christians will soon be taken away from the evil when God calls us Home in the Rapture. Because those who refused to be a part of the evil of the Northern Kingdom left, the Southern Kingdom was strengthened. Christians today can strengthen our own nation by refusing to be a part of the wickedness of spiritual prostitution, returning to the pure worship of God, and submitting to His ways.

Hosea wasn’t a part of the idolatry of the Northern Kingdom, but Gomer was. Hosea was a faithful husband, just as God is faithful to Israel in spite of their rejection of Him. God was very clear in speaking of the evils of Israel. “Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land” (Hosea 4:1).

That sounds much like America today. Our schools aren’t required to teach truth, and children aren’t taught God’s truth at home. A little boy may be encouraged to be a little girl, or a little girl encouraged to be little boy. The deception is ungodly. Also accepted and not discouraged are children who believe they are animals, and schools provide litter boxes for them. The truth that God is the Creator is replaced with the lie of evolution. When knowledge of God is denied, truth and mercy soon disappear. It’s happening today, but Christians live in denial and keep silent. Too often, like Gomer, Christians even join in the evil. We’re more afraid of being accused of being judgmental than we care about God’s truth and honoring Him.

It isn’t being judgmental when standing upon God’s truth. We aren’t under the Mosaic Law, but that Law is the heart of God. The 10 Commandments are a hint of how God views morality. Jesus said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:17-19).

Jesus spoke plainly when He talked about the commandments and said that God’s truth goes deeper than our actions and is shown by our very thoughts. “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: but I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire” (Matthew 5:21-22).

Have you ever been angry? I have. Jesus also said looking at another person lustfully is the same as adultery. Our thoughts are important, and they will guide our actions. Today, idol worship and lust have led to all kinds of debauchery. Idols? In America? Yes, many. Hollywood stars are touted as sex symbols and lusted after. There are also more subtle forms of idol worship, such as preferring to attend a sports event rather than assembling with Christian friends. Anything you place higher in your priority than God is idolatry… adultery to God. Emulating the lifestyles of most of the rich and famous, including government leaders, is as evil as the pagan worship of the Northern Kingdom.

The world is being groomed to accept the Mark of the Beast, which will make you beyond salvation. “And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, if any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name” (Revelation 14:9-11).

The one-world order of religion, economy, and government is coming about quickly, and it’s all addressed in the Book of Revelation. Study that book and be aware of the times in which we live. Be sure that any government edict you follow isn’t opposed to God’s word. Ignorance of Biblical truth and spiritual whoredom is making it easy for the Anti-Christ to step in as the evil world leader, and the Mark of the Beast is being prepared.

Digital money? Christians won’t be on earth to see these things fully implemented; we are seeing the beginnings. We must stand true to God today. We must not be like Gomer. It’s important that we share God’s truth with the adulterous idol worshippers of the world because if they continue to reject God, their eternity will be horrific. God is always faithful, as pictured by Hosea, and has given us Scripture to guide us. If you choose not to study Scripture, you are missing important information about the times in which we live.

One of the problems of today is that many people who claim to be Christians follow the ways of the world rather than the ways of God. When King Solomon built the Temple and dedicated it, there was much joy among the people, and God was worshipped. God was pleased but gave a warning that we need to heed today. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). That verse is directed toward the Jewish nation prior to the division. Still, all who claim to be of God need to pay attention to this warning.

Do you call yourself a Christian? That means you are called by God’s name, and you need to turn from anything you do that doesn’t agree with God’s commands. We all need to submit to God and stop being unfaithful to Him. We mustn’t be like Gomer.

God has never stopped loving His chosen people, and more prophecy is being fulfilled each day. He has reestablished Israel (both kingdoms), and they are back in their land. Jerusalem is their city, and no part of it belongs to heathens. There is much fighting against Israel, just as God said there would be, but they won’t be ousted from their land again. The terrorist attacks will eventually be stopped, and all of Israel’s enemies will be defeated. There are still many prophecies yet to be fulfilled, and God will always be faithful to Israel.

The Rapture of Christians is a prophetic event that will happen soon. For nearly 2,000 years, God has been focusing His attention on Christians. We have not replaced Israel, as some false teachers would have us believe. “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: for this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins” (Romans 11:25-27).

That is a wonderful promise, but there will be a very difficult time, sometimes called the Time of Jacob’s Trouble and also called the Tribulation. Christians will be in Heaven during those final seven years, and that’s a prophetic word from God. As we watch world events, it’s easy to see that prophecy is being fulfilled quickly, and all things are happening just as God foretold and in His timing. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

The story of Hosea and Gomer is a beautiful example of God’s love. I have only scratched the surface, but the Book of Hosea contains many prophecies. God’s love, represented by Hosea, is faithful even though Gomer, Israel, has rejected His love. Christians need to study, truly study, all of the prophetic books (that would be Genesis through Revelation) to understand what our future is. Israel has one destiny, and Christians have another.

Idolatry does not honor God, and we are all guilty of putting pride of self above God. God won’t tolerate pride and vanity because they come from Satan. “Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope: that say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it” (Isaiah 5:18-19).

When you see pride paraded publicly, you can be sure God is not being honored. “Woe unto 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?” (Isaiah 5:20). God’s love is perfect and eternal, but if we choose to reject Him and call evil good, then we reap the result of our adultery, He will allow us our free choice of spending eternity separated from Him. Remember that God gave His Son to be the final sacrifice for our salvation. If you choose not to accept His death, burial, and resurrection for your salvation, then you choose to spend eternity separated from Him.

God is faithful, like Hosea, even when we are steeped in idolatry and reject Him. He has not given up on Israel, just as Hosea never turned away from Gomer. Learn the lessons to be found in Hosea, and be faithful to God. Don’t be like Gomer by chasing after idolatry. Be faithful to God.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com
ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

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.