National Repentance

National Repentance - Nathele Graham - twotug@embarqmail.com

 

In the Book of Revelation we read about God's wrath being poured out and it's easy to be shocked at the violence of the judgment during the Great Tribulation. The angels of God know Him to be fair. They sang as He laid the foundation of the earth and they sang at Jesus' birth and they know how much God loves His creation. John was shown the future and he saw the angels pour out God's wrath and heard them proclaim God's righteousness. "And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou has judged thus. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments." Revelation 16:5-7. God is righteous and always gives us warnings prior to judgment and also a way to avoid His wrath. This is still a future event, and you can still avoid God's wrath.

 

God's wrath and judgment will soon come upon the whole earth. Is there anyone you think deserves to go through this judgment? In truth we all deserve God's wrath because of sin. We are all sinners. Listen to this carefully, the only way to escape God's judgment is to accept the only way of salvation. Only faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ makes a person worthy to avoid God's judgment. All roads don't lead to salvation, good works aren't enough, and nobody is "good enough" to stand before God Almighty at the Great White Throne. Only through faith in Jesus Christ are you worthy to either be with Jesus after you die, or to be called Home if the Rapture happens prior to your death. Your eyes might be blinded and your ears plugged, but the things that are happening around the world, and specifically happening to Israel, are telling us that the end time events are quickly coming to pass. Study prophecy. Christians haven't replaced Israel, but are a special group of humans who have chosen to follow Christ. "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus...There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26 & 28. Christians will be Raptured prior to God's wrath. The nation of Israel is blinded to the fact that Jesus is the promised Messiah but during the Great Tribulation they will recognize Him. They will finally understand that He had already come in the human form of  Yĕhowshuwa`...Jesus the Christ. Salvation comes only through Him.

 

In ancient times God spoke through prophets to warn the Jewish Northern and Southern Kingdoms against looming captivity, and also warned Gentiles. Amos prophesied against Damascus, Tyrus, and other Gentiles that had come against Israel, and we know Jonah took a message to Nineveh. The Old Testament centers on Israel but God didn't ignore the Gentiles. God called Abraham out of the nations and began His plan of salvation by choosing the lineage that would give birth to the Messiah. Today we know that our Saviour was born from the tribe of Judah (as prophecy foretold), was born of a virgin (as prophecy foretold), and was crucified (as prophecy foretold). Prophecy has been fulfilled in the past, and as we watch the news we can see end time prophecies are being fulfilled today. Whether you have Jewish roots or Gentile, end time prophecies affect you. God gave the only way to avoid His wrath. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23. Heed this warning and repent. Will it turn God's judgment away from an entire nation? Jonah was sent to tell the  Gentiles in Nineveh that God's judgment was about to fall on them. Jonah really wanted God to give them what they deserved instead of showing mercy. These people were vicious and evil, but because Jonah spoke God's warning to them the king and all the people repented and their judgment was delayed for 100 years. We need people today who aren't afraid to share God's word with others. Only faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ brings salvation. A nation filled with unashamed Christians is blessed.

 

Just as seen in Nineveh, leadership of a nation matters. The leadership of the nations in today's world are secular and don't respect God Almighty. "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance." Psalm 33:12. This is speaking about Israel, but it's truth is for all nations. What about the United States? There are many people here who claim to be Christians, but by looking at the mess this nation is in it's obvious that very few live their faith. The leadership of America has sunken into pure evil. Satan has been working to destroy America and his patience is paying off. In 1962 prayer was removed from school, in 1963 the Bible was also removed from schools and in 1973 abortion (human sacrifice) was legalized. In 1980 the Ten Commandments were removed from public places. Look back at American history since 1962 and be ashamed. Drug abuse opens a person's mind to demons, sexual "freedom" spreads disease and promotes abortion, and now homosexuality is condoned and same sex marriage was legalized in 2015. Today the Bible is banned from schools, but Satan Clubs are welcomed. Parents, be aware of what your children are being exposed to in the name of "tolerance". Your children are more influenced by what they are taught in public school than what they learn in Sunday school. You do take them to Sunday school, don't you? Teach your children to honor God in spite of what this satanic world condones.

 

The United States is a nation that has been blessed by God but has turned against Him. An election will soon take place that is crucial, and Christians must pray to make the right choice. Before you vote, look at the history behind each candidate. Donald Trump is a successful businessman with proven leadership abilities, but has made mistakes. He has little tact, but what he says lets you know where he stands. A recording from many years ago has been dug up that contained some crude talk about women, but recently he claims to have accepted Christ for salvation. This should begin to change his attitude. Men, have you ever said similar things? If you've accepted Christ then your attitude since then should have changed. Women, I've heard much the same talk in secular circles. Such behavior should never be condoned, but be careful about what you base your vote upon. What about Hillary? Her husband was President and the shenanigans in the Oval Office went far beyond thoughtless words. She stood by him, thereby condoning his actions. There are claims of rape against him, illegitimate children, and there's a long trail of criminal activity surrounding these two people who resemble Ahab and Jezebel. What about domestic troubles and foreign policy? She supports abortion. We certainly don't need any more liberal ideology in the White House. What's her stand on Israel? She's ill so what will happen when her "pneumonia" (more likely Parkinson's disease) comes back on her when North Korea or Russia attacks? Will she ignore it like she did in Benghazi? I'm concerned for America because Hillary is high in the polls. Vote wisely. Pray.

 

God exists outside of time and knows what will happen. That's why Bible prophecy is accurate. "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." Revelation 1:8. Is it too late for national repentance? We live in times that were foretold so don't be ignorant of end times prophecies disclosed by Scripture. Daniel was given quite an interesting prophecy regarding the end times and Jesus answered a question from His disciples regarding the end of the age by revealing events that will happen during Daniel's 70th week. Read Revelation beginning in chapter 6 and you'll see a very graphic description of the horrors to come. Is there any good news in this? Yes! The Rapture will happen prior to Daniel's 70th week. The only way to avoid the outpouring of God's wrath during the Great Tribulation is to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour today. Some people like to say that those of us who believe that the pre-trib Rapture will take us away from the wrath of God are living in denial. Wrong. There's a big difference between "persecution" and "The Great Tribulation". Persecution has been going on since Jesus walked this earth, but the Great Tribulation will be far worse. Again, read Revelation beginning in chapter 6 and read what those who have rejected Christ will face. "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thessalonians 5:9. Praise God for His promises.

 

Never neglect studying Old Testament Scripture. It's true that Israel is the apple of God's eye, but Christians can learn from His warnings. Looking back in Scripture we learn that we are to avoid sins, such as idolatry, sexual impurity, pride, and so forth. If you say you're a Christian you need to seek Him...you bear His name. "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 will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14. This was written to the nation of Israel but we need to pay attention. God is also aware of what Gentiles do. The Assyrian capital of Nineveh was filled with evil, but God sent Jonah to preach truth to them. Because the king and all the people heeded God's word and turned from their wicked ways, God's judgment on that nation was delayed. One by one individuals can repent and turn from wickedness and a nation can be changed. Christians are one body in Christ and wherever we live we need to heed the above verse. Humility is important as we seek God and live to please Him. Christians are forgiven and are saved by grace, but the wickedness of sin still comes between our fellowship with God. We cannot be right with God while living like the world. Turn from your wicked ways and let God rule your life. If every person who claims to be a Christian would make decisions that honor God and live life accordingly it would certainly bring healing to our nation.

 

Is national repentance possible? Only if those who claim to be Christians put Christ first, repent of sin, and turn from our wicked ways. May God heal this nation.

 

God bless you all,

 

Nathele Graham