“Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it. And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled: but the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness” (Isaiah 5:14-16).

Wickedness has always been among us. Satan began working his evil in the Garden of Eden, and many people listen to his lies. It even seems as if Christians have become cold towards one another. How can this be? Professing Christians should be on the forefront of sharing God’s love, but instead many embrace the world and its evil rather than honoring God in every way. This attitude needs to change.

We are living in the final days before the Rapture, which means Daniel’s 70th week will begin thereafter. As that time of judgment draws closer it shouldn’t surprise us that we can see the birth pains which Jesus spoke of getting stronger.

“And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matthew 24:12).

Earthquakes and pestilence are increasing, but it’s also becoming more and more obvious that people are becoming colder towards each other.

The Greek word translated “love” is agapē ,which is quite often translated “charity.” Doesn’t it seem to you that in these last days it takes very little to bring anger out in people and agapē is non-existent? Friendliness is diminishing while a spirit of meanness has surfaced in its place.

As a civilization we’ve left God behind, and without God in our lives there is no love, joy, or charity. To compensate, many people turn to drugs, alcohol, or ungodly sexual relationships. This only makes matters worse, and so the love of many waxes colder and colder. Murder is increasing as human life becomes unimportant to those whose minds and hearts are cold.

When God created mankind He did so with our well being in mind. He didn’t create us like the angels or like the beasts of the field. He had a much higher purpose in mind for creating mankind.

“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…”(Genesis 1:26a).

God created everything, but only man was created in His image. This should instill in you a desire to please God. A person cannot wax cold if they are trying to please God and have His love inside. How can we possibly please God? It isn’t complicated. Faith is the key.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is the rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

You please God by having faith in Him. If you’re love for others is waxing cold, then you need to draw closer to God. Put down the cell phone and pick up the Bible; get off of blogs that allow you to say cruel things, then reach out to people in love.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who has noticed the coldness that has come over people of late. Unless you’ve been holed up in a cave somewhere or stranded on a desert island you must have noticed this attitude that is permeating every society around the world. News headlines are filled with stories of murder, brutality, and hatred. Even when walking down a sidewalk or a department store aisle very few people smile anymore.

Most are talking on their cell phones or texting and are unaware of the real people around them. If they run into you with their shopping cart, they glare as if you have done them wrong. Where’s the joy in people’s lives these days? If we are children of the King we should be filled with joy. Sadly, even many Christians today look as though they’ve been defeated. The enemy can’t win     in your life unless you allow him to defeat you.

Many things separate people today. Years ago families would eat at the dinner table and talk to each other. Then television came along and people began to eat in front of the TV, and dinner conversations became history.

Today cell phones have come between people even more. Real people seldom talk with other real people anymore and so many people disconnect from others. Other people are seen as abstract beings with no real feelings. It’s easy to lose “agapē” for others when they aren’t real to you.

“And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled” (Isaiah 5:15).

We are in the final days before God’s wrath will be poured out and when the wickedness of men will be unchecked. For now Christians need to separate from Satan, who wants us to separate from other people, and embrace Jesus, who wants us to love others. The problem goes far beyond just separating from other people.

There’s a real spirit of evil that’s violently pitting one person against another for no good reason. Violence is everywhere. The spirit that leads people to be uncivil to one another and treat each other with cruelty and hatred is not of God.

This satanic evil won’t be tolerated by God much longer. Anyone who thinks they can deny or usurp God’s authority is standing on very precarious ground. God is patient, but there’s only so much evil and corruption that He will put up with. His desire is that nobody dies without accepting Christ as their Savior, but we can see that, just as in Noah’s day, people are waxing cold and all of creation is being corrupted.

“The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth” (Genesis 6:11-12).

Every time you see a GMO label on food you know that it has been corrupted. When you see a news article about how scientists are genetically modifying animals so their organs can be used in human transplants, know that the same evil presence that corrupted the earth in Noah’s day is influencing the world today. God is longsuffering but there will be a point when His patience runs out.

Jesus told us that when He comes the second time conditions would be as in the days of Noah; the corruption of all flesh and the total wickedness that existed in Noah’s day is clearly on the near horizon. If someone is offended by the actions of another person, their differences are settled by violence rather than talking things out. Guns are not the problem, but coldness and the rejection of God is.

The atheists have become very vocal and aggressive in their determination to rid the world of God Almighty, but every “little g god” is embraced. Satan, being the god of this world and the father of all lies, has great influence over the simple minded, and these people seem to want to follow Satan’s lies rather than God’s truth. Anyone who follows the father of all lies is going to be filled with a spirit of meanness and aggressive hatred.

In spite of the ugliness and mean attitudes in the world, Christians need to love our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are to show God’s love to the unsaved too, but specifically we are to love fellow Christians.

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you”(John 15:12).

Jesus didn’t “suggest” we love one another, nor did He put it forth as a “good idea,” but He gave it as a commandment. How do we love one another? He showed love by laying down His life for us. Not only did He go to the cross, but many times He put His own needs aside to care for people.

He also showed love by not patting a sinner on the back and saying “Keep on sinning.” Sin separates us from God, so it’s not showing God’s love if we watch a fellow Christian sin and not try to help them out of it. Use Scripture as a guide.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16)

Jesus was sinless but He is our example. We need to get the mote out of our own eye before we can help someone else out of sin. The Bible is our guide. Study it, apply it to your life, and encourage others to join you in study. Love one another.

As time passes and the world around us becomes more like the days of Noah, it’s going to get tougher. More and more people without the love of God living in them are going to surface and the coldness of Satan will grow stronger. It’s a spiritual battle, but God has not left us without weapons. Many Christians today have willingly given up their spiritual weapons and deny God’s power.

“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” (Ephesians 6:10-11).

Scripture will teach you about each piece of the armor and how to use it. If you haven’t been confronted by the spirit of evil yet, your turn is coming. When confronted with it, it’s a good idea to start praying right away. Put on the armor of God and don’t take it off.

All of the signs Jesus spoke about are in place, so if you study your Bible you will understand that the Rapture could happen at any moment. True Christians should see this as challenge to draw closer to Jesus and share His love with others. We must put on our armor and get out there on the frontline and share His love.

“If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever”(John 14:15-16).

The Comforter is the Holy Spirit who is sealed within every born again believer. He is now restraining the total evil of the last days. The restrainer will soon be removed and the total lawlessness and wickedness of Satan will abound. Since He is sealed within every born again believer on earth, we must all be removed before the events described in the Book of Revelation can happen.

Be sure that you have truly accepted Christ as your Saviour, then stop separating yourself from real people. Fellowship with other Christians and encourage each other to walk in the light of God.

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

If you don’t walk in the light of God then you’re walking in the darkness of Satan and you’ll become as cold as he is.

These final days are filled with wickedness, but if you love God you will not be a part of it. Jesus Christ loves you and He doesn’t want anybody to choose eternal death instead of eternal life.

God bless you all,

Ron and Nathele Graham

All original Scripture is “theopneustos” (God breathed).

 

This commentary was started by Ron Graham before his death on March 14, 2013, and finished by his wife, Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

 

“And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold” (Revelation 4:4).

What a glorious sight that will be. The Rapture will have just happened and we will be in the presence of God Almighty. Our human minds have no possible way of grasping what it will be like as we stand (or fall down in worship) in the presence of our Lord.

Around the throne we will see twenty-four elders who have crowns of gold on their heads. There are two Greek words that are translated crowns and the one used here is “stephanos.” This crown is not a king’s crown, but a crown that is awarded, as in a prize at the end of a race. The elders are representative of people who serve God, and the crowns they are wearing are the “stephanos” that have been won.

The New Testament makes it clear that salvation is a free gift and there is nothing we can do to earn salvation. Once a person accepts Christ’s free gift a change should be evident in the life of the new Christian; there should be a desire to serve Jesus. We are truly saved by grace through faith alone, but James says:

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:26).

It’s the works we do in service to Jesus that will earn our stephanos (our crowns).These works won’t make us more saved than we were before we did them, but when standing before the Bema Seat after the Rapture and my works for Christ are judged, I want a crown to place at the feet of my Redeemer.

The blood of Jesus paid the price for the entry fee to enter the race and the competition is not against other Christians. The prize is given as a reward for your own effort in the race. Crowns can be lost, but salvation is eternally sealed.

Most of the congregations to whom Paul wrote were facing struggles and he encouraged them to come away from the world and live to glorify Christ.

There was no letter more filled  with admonitions of turning from worldly ways than his first letter to the Corinthians. This congregation was corrupt, but Paul didn’t say they were lost. He encouraged them to get back on the right track and talked about running the race to win an incorruptible crown.

“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible” (1 Corinthians 9:24-25).

Athletes train in order to run the best race they can, but their reward for winning is something that will not last. On the other hand, there is an incorruptible crown of victory for the Christian who trains for a life which honors Christ. The race begins when we accept Christ for salvation.

After that we need to study our Bibles and learn what God sees as sin. We will face many obstacles in our walk with Christ, but through prayer and determination we will overcome.

“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others I myself should be a castaway” (1 Corinthians 9:27).

Study God’s Word, pray, and live to show others that Christ lives in you.

Paul is an example of a man who was dramatically changed by Jesus Christ. His desire was to spread the Gospel and win souls for Christ. He loved the people he met and brought to salvation through Christ.

“Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved” (Philippians 4:1).

Paul didn’t just bring them to Christ then abandon them. He prayed for them and wrote letters of encouragement. He found great joy in salvation of others.

“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy” (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20).

Brothers and sisters, take joy in each soul who has come to Christ because of your example. Encourage them as they learn to walk in the Christian way. Help them to stand fast in the Lord by also standing fast yourself.

When Paul knew that he would soon be beheaded because of his faith in Jesus, he could look back on many hardships. He suffered beatings, shipwrecks, imprisonment, rejection, and much more. Did he feel sorry for himself? No. In what was his last letter he told Timothy:

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

Paul wasn’t bragging but was being honest. He knew, and we should know, that we are righteous only because of our faith in Jesus Christ. This crown isn’t awarded because you’ve lived a perfect life, there is no way possible for anyone to do that.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).

Then, if you truly seek His righteousness instead of your own glory, you will yearn for His appearing.

“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven”  Matthew 6:10).

Come quickly Lord Jesus.

Although Paul wrote about crowns he isn’t the only one to do so.

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” (James 1:12).

Temptations will come. Every Christian will face any number of temptations in this life, but there’s always a way out. James even said:

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience” (James 1:2-3).

If we turn to God in prayer when temptation comes our way, He will show us how to turn away from it. Overcome the temptations you face in order to receive the crown of life. Temptations are no surprise to Jesus.

“For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted” (Hebrews 2:18).

When He was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, but answered each challenge of the enemy by quoting Scripture, and He is our example. When John was in exile at Patmos, Jesus dictated seven letters and one was directed to the ekklēsia in Smyrna. This letter told of the persecution that would come and Jesus said He knows their works, tribulation, and poverty. These persecuted Christians, represented in the letter to Smyrna, would face many temptations to deny Christ, but Jesus said:

“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).

Many Christians today are being severely persecuted because of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. In many countries our brothers and sisters are being brutally murdered or put in prison and tortured. The temptation to deny Christ may be strong, but a crown is waiting for those who are faithful.

Peter wrote encouraging words to the elders. He had no false pride and knew that he was a man just like those to whom he wrote. Peter is famous for his rash opinions and actions during the time he followed Jesus and he also saw the miraculous things He had done. Time had mellowed Peter and he was no longer jumping out of boats to walk on water.

He had come to the point in his life that he was able to pass on the wisdom he had gained through his devotion to serving Jesus. Just as Jesus had encouraged Peter to feed the flock, Peter now encouraged the elders to do likewise.

“Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away” (1 Peter 5:2-4).

This crown will be awarded to those faithful shepherds who nurture their congregations. False teachers who twist Scripture will not receive this reward, but those who feed the flock nourishing food stand and firm on God’s word will receive this stephanos of glory.

It isn’t too late to earn crowns. This may not be important to you right now, but one day very soon Christians will be called Home. We will hear a voice like a trumpet calling us Home in the Rapture. After that our works will be judged and crowns presented for those things we did for Christ.

“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay stubble; every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is” (1 Corinthians 3:11-13).

When we stand before the judgment seat of Christ it will be our works that are judged. The works we did in order to make ourselves look good will burn up, but even the most menial task done with no thought for our own glory but for Christ’s glory will be rewarded. Jesus Christ will call us Home soon and we will stand before God’s throne along with the twenty-four elders.

“The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created”  Revelation 4:10-11).

On that day you will want a crown to cast before Him. Now is the time to start working to earn one or more. There is no reason to only strive for one crown. Jesus wants to award these crowns so don’t use false humility to say you’re not worthy to receive one. Live to serve Christ and you might be pleasantly surprised as to the crowns you’ve won.

Jesus said “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown” (Revelation 3:11). Time is running out. Start today to win a stephanos.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

All original Scripture is “theopneustos” (God breathed).

twotug@embarqmail.com

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com