The Judgements of God
2Pe 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
2Pe 2:5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; 2Pe 2:6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly 2Pe 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
Hardly a day goes by without some disaster being reported on earth somewhere. In fact, many disasters happen so frequently while increasingly in number each day that, we have to conclude that the world is out of order. We as Christians conclude that the reasons behind such disasters arise from our understanding that humans are provoking God and affecting His sensitivity. Yes, God is sensitive about certain issues. Therefore, He decrees judgements that are carried out in one form or another. Besides this, humans judge and decree certain things to happen between themselves which in turn causes God to judge matters. These judgements are coming from choosing wrongly. This two fold nature of God’s judgements are hardly noticed by the majority of people on earth because they are insensitive to God and His feelings. I think God grieves that mankind does not understand Him nor is willing to appreciate His goodness toward them. Thirdly, the judgements that have already happened in the heavens with regard to the devil and the angels who rebelled continue to have ramifications for all of us concerned on earth. There is much more activity to follow these judgements that will come in the future for the devil and his antichrist which will also affect us. I believe, we are close to that time now and so we must be very aware of the turmoils that are going on in the world regarding this.
The preaching and teaching in churches today focus on the grace and love of God but few venture into the judgements of God because they will lose people in their church. Others preach God’s judgements on a scale that is not revelatory or complimentary of God. They speak fire and brimstone hoping that it would come upon the very people they are preaching to, to be saved. They do not preach judgements as a warning but as judgements to be carried out. Noah preached the coming judgement of a flood for 120 years. This tells me, he preached it as a warning using the long suffering of God. I think that preaching judgements of God are better received as a warning rather than condemnation because it gives a person a chance to turn and repent. This is the true commission of the prophet of God. He warns and gives a solution but leaves it up to the people to make up their minds. This way, he does not become responsible for not warning them.
When God judged the people and gave them blood, He was commended for it by the angel. Rev 16:5 And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. Rev 16:6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. Rev 16:7 And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments. Few people understand the commendations of God’s judgements. Getting justice is a huge part of our society. People look for it through our court system, through seeking it on a personal level of revenge and through spite. This is not God’s judgement. His judgement is an act of love first, then an act of wrath. Revenge belongs to the Lord. This has caused problems for many (like Jonah) because of God’s tolerance of people and His delays in justice. Added to this, God expects us to forgive when we are wronged, even when serious crimes are done against us. This is where it becomes really difficult to understand God’s ways. Yet, it holds great reward for us through obedience and patience to obtain His justice, that which cannot be gained in any other way.
The nature of God’s judgements can range from punishment, to delayed responses and actual condemnation through His wrath that results in both physical and spiritual death. I remember when He was wooing me to come to Him, I was completely out of order. He gave me a final warning after three attempts through supernatural experiences. The warning was final in its communication and deliberation. I knew that my time was up. It was now my final choice to accept Him or die both physically and spiritually. Accepting this final warning brought me into salvation through the waters of baptism. Many go to their eternal death because they disdain the grace of God through pride and then through continued acts in deliberate sin. Such people who sin after coming to know Jesus suffer immensely because the judgements and punishments are greater. Heb 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? Heb 10:30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. Heb 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God
The concerns for a modern generation regarding judgements are based on what we already have experienced on this earth through what God did in the history of mankind. This has been recorded for us right through the Old Testament. God destroyed the earth with a flood but saved eight righteous people. He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah based on their sexual sin. He destroyed nations because they stood opposed to His purposes in Israel. He judged Israel regularly because they sought after other gods, their sexual sins and their blatant disobedience of His commandments.
The Church too, is being judged, even if they do not know it. The problem with grace is; its requirements of purity and sanctity are much greater than the Law. It is in this grace that we now journey in this life. God’s constant reminder to us of His goodness, forgiveness and blessings are in Jesus. Jesus is both the image and sign of His grace and judgements. It is in Christ that everything will be sorted out and as to who will ultimately get into heaven.. Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.. Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
The verses above clearly state the mind of Christ about who belongs to Him and what happens to them who do not belong to Him. The days are upon us when we do not always know who is on our side. There is no fear of God in the Church as such and many are falling to the wayside that call themselves Christians. Big churches are pushing for money and others are pushing for same sex equality. I was told by one church member that a Pastor of a big church in Perth said it is okay to vote “Yes” for same sex marriages. Thousands of people go to this church. Imagine their confusion and what they will be judged on.
The word of God is clear and is the only source of confirmation of a relationship with God. One cannot go to any other source. The word of God cannot be interpreted by anyone other than the Holy Spirit. Since He is the Spirit of truth, it will be He who reveals the truth. We must seek the truth of the word of God through the Holy Spirit and prepare our hearts to meet our Maker. The times of seeking other gods through pleasures, intellect and temptations of this world cannot take place anymore in our lives. We will not be blessed but judged.
Our time on this earth is short. Let us not build our kingdoms on this earth either. The judgements of God are all around us and we can see them. Many are sleeping and allowing their senses to be dulled by their needs, pleasures and selfishness. The sorrows of this lifetime can in no way compare to the glory that is to come. Let us not focus on earthly burdens that take away the glorious joy of a blessed life. We are a blessed people, if we believe and* a cursed people if we don’t. Some judgements have already been passed and work out themselves on our response to God’s commandments. This occurs in daily life and so we must pay attention to the things that are before us. By the sweat of our brow and the sorrows of birth pangs and death that comes to all by which life works itself out. Those who are Christians escape the torture of this cursed life on earth, if we believe because we are blessed and not cursed.
In conclusion, we see the verses that we started off with show the judgements that have already taken place. It started in heaven with the angels who rebelled being sent into chains of darkness. Then came Noah’s flood. Then Sodom and Gomorrah. Now, we have come into the New Testament period to face the falsity and subtlety of the devil in raising many false prophets through whom the judgements of God have come to the Church. Many good people are being deceived into falsity and bringing the judgements of God revealed to us in the book of Revelation. There is much confusion and problems internally within the Church which causes us to expect God’s manifest wrath to be seen on earth in full. “Prepare ye the way is the cry of the Spirit”. Then, He cries; “Repent “.
Lots of love, Pastor Noble, 25/03/18