IN A TIME LIKE THESE
Beloved, You are welcome to THE TRUMPETER. Remember, It’s a moment we are sharing the UNDILUTED word of God, preparing the saints for the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. It's a moment we also look at the amazing facts happening in the world today and understanding them in the light of the revealed word of God. We also use this medium to warn the unbelieving world about the fast approaching judgement of God
In this edition, we are going to look at dangerous spirits prevalent in this age. It can be seen in a life, church,family and nation. The revelation of this message will shock you.
Let us pray.
In the Name of Jesus Christ......Amen
Our Heavenly father, sanctify us with your word for your word is truth. Minister knowledge and wisdom to us through your revelation and bring us to the fullness of your understanding. Thank you Lord,as all glory will be returned to you through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Subject is, ‘IN A TIME LIKE THESE’
2 Timothy chapter 3 verses 1 -7
“But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good,
traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof: from these also turn away. For of these are they that creep into houses, and take captive silly women laden with sins, led away by divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth”
If there’s a time, both heavens and earth are interested, it is now. It has been predicted ever in the Word of life. Many prophets of old saw this day and prophesied about it. The Word of God is infallible and settles forever. St. Paul, in the New Testament saw this age and told his son in the faith, Timothy about the activities and lifestyle of mankind which may be on display during the end of the age. The perilous hour is here with us. The NIV of the Bible pointed it aright.
"But mark this: there will be terrible times in the last days"
The Bible New Living Translation begins this way,
"You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days, there will be very difficult times”
In a time like these, many things are happening in the world both positive and negative- and that too fast. I spoke about Titanic in our previous edition on the topic-“It's midnight” Really, there is shaking going on now economically, materially, socially and spiritually. Even, the scientists would tell you that the planet earth is undergoing some changes. In the midst of all these, the word of God is unchanging.
David said in Psalms 119 verse 89;
“For ever, O Jehovah, Thy word is settled in heaven”
Almost all human lifestyles and characters pointed out in the passage where we read are here with us. Time may fail if I go through them one after the other but remember, I do say, when any age is about to close, there is always unprecedented rise of wickedness and unrighteousness.
In the last days, men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, un thankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than God. In short, men shall have God in their mouth but not their hearts. This is having the form of godliness, but denying its power.
Beloved, Believe me, this is the time St. Paul was referring to. This present age will witness the coming of the Lord and the manifestation of the Antichrist- the personality I will not wish you to meet.
As I pray for your well-being and blessings from above, I must not fail to address you about the present age we live.
I don't want you to be a victim of many Satanic agenda of this time.
So, you should know that an age is a period of time that has a definite beginning and a definite end.
Even in the midst of iniquity and wickedness, Christ gave his promise to be with his followers till the end of the age in the book of Matthew chapter 28 verse 20.
He concluded " And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world" Amen!
What an assurance of victory!
There, the King James Version reads "world". But the correct translation is "age". In a number of places we have "world" when it should read "age"
We are now living in a time and age that had a beginning and will have a definite end. This age began with the coming of The Lord to this earth to die and will end with the coming of Christ to reign as king of kings and Lord of Lords.
Friend, let me call your attention to some Biblical teachings about this present time and some of the amazing facts going on currently in the world.
Really, the word of God says that this is a perilous hour, meaning this is a difficult or evil age to live. The word "perilous" means "risky, shaky, threatening, bad, critical, dangerous, delicate, alarming or vulnerable.
Have you seen it?
We are living in a critical moment. It also suggests that this age will not become better as it continues. This is true!
So now, It's either one gains or he loses.
The characteristics of this age are;
1.THIS PERILOUS AGE IS DOMINATED BY EVIL WORKS BY SATAN.
The architect of these lifestyles found in the passage we read is the Devil- the arch-enemy of anything good. He is influencing lives, families, pseudo-religious faith and nations today. He is the small "god "of this age. As long as the Devil remains, the evil of this time will continue to wax worse and worse. Men, with Satan will take side against Christ.
Friend,are you not hearing what is happening in the world today? The Devil really knows that his time is too short. So, he is doing everything within his power to dominate the affairs of mankind.
Today, you hear of different stories of perversion both in the church and society. The story of social and spiritual pollution are everywhere. Morality has been a forgotten and rare commodity while corruption is enthroned even in sacred places.
In our time now, you hear of gay parade in many major cities, hall of porn instead of hall of faith. I read about the porn Queen stars in the. Popular movie "Passion of Christ" I thanked God for the message the movie contains when we are watching it but the lifestyles of the producer, some actors and actresses of that movie are nothing to write home about. The passion was filmed in Italy, in that most of the acting cast are Italians. In short, Dennis Palmu, who researched most of the "Passion" cast and wrote nearly all of the profiles said " By my count, out of a total of 66 adult actors and actresses in the Passion of the Christ, 33 have appeared in movies with graphic sex, pornography, violence, horror or a combination of some or all of these four elements.
This has shown to me that people are not what they really show they are. It’s just like people we see in the Facebook- our social network, very beautiful, charming and handsome but the fact remains, they will only show their faces but you will not see or know their heart.
If I may ask, are you really what people think you are?
When you see someone carrying a cross in the film, you would think he is Christ.
Friend, in a time like this, Who are you?
Time will fail me to call to your hearing, the names of the actors and actresses in the film "Passion of Christ" and their real identity after the production, starting from Mel Gibson, the producer and director, James Caviezel who acted as Jesus, Monica Bellucci who was Mary Magdalene, Maia Morgenstern who was Mary, the mother of Jesus, Claudia Gerini, the wife of Pontius Pilate and others.
In short, my friend, in a time like these, we have many actors and actresses both in the church and society, displaying what they are not. The time is the more you look , the less you see.
Ezekiel saw this time when he prophesied the mind of God to Jerusalem.
The book of Ezekiel chapter 22 verse 23 to 26
“And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, Son of man, say unto her, Thou art a land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation. There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey: they have devoured souls; they take treasure and precious things; they have made her widows many in the midst thereof. Her priests have done violence to my law, and have profaned my holy things: they have made no distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they caused men to discern between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them”
This is God speaking to this generation which violates his law without remorse.
There is so much evil in the world now to the extent that people have profaned holy things. Presently, you hear of a place called "Sin City! Yet people live there. This is the gratitude to show God for making them great. When a nation stoops so low spiritually that they nickname an entire city, "Sin City" where people flock by the millions to gamble, fornicate, strip club, view satanic theatre performances, partake in witchcraft and nearly every other sin imaginable- that life or nation has already gone to hell. No wonder, Satan has given people the license to believe in many things. In a time like this, people believe the lies of the enemy like evolution, re-incarnation, same-sex marriage, legalization of abortion,idolatry and other vices.
Man of God hearing my voice, I also ask you, In this last days, what do you believe and what are you teaching? Some preachers do not even believe in heaven and hell anymore.Some Christian standards and old time religious principles are eroding away.
I know of a world Christian figure, In short, a one time Bishop of a large christian sect or denomination who was interviewed on May 29th, 2013. He made a controversial remarks on ABC Australia popular "Question and Answer" show. He emphatically said that "Jesus lived an " alternative lifestyle" while highlighting how Jesus spent time with male disciples and that he loved them. What apostasy?
Another popular preacher said in his pulpit, " Jesus is a hermaphrodite, meaning He is a male and equally a female.
Friend, when you hear statements such as this, what comes into your mind?
Really, the end is at hand!
I read in a newspaper some of the comments of many popular men of God in this country over a son of an overseer of a denomination who was disciplined by the Church because he violated their set-down rule concerning marriage and I exclaimed " the church is in trouble". Very soon, the Satan in the church will endorse many evils on the notion that the world is changing and we should apply some western lifestyles. Remember, God is not a Nigerian or European. His standard and foundation stands sure and with a seal which is, " The Lord knows them that are his, and let everyone that names His name depart from iniquity"
I ask again,Which way the church? No wonder, people will come to church on Sunday and patronize the native doctors or secret societies on Monday because we no longer take heaven seriously. Are we just making noise in this age, without the real love for God?
Oh! Lord,Show us your mercy!
Friend, Do you name His name, then depart from evil!
One thing you must know is that, all Satan's apples have worms!
I won’t end this message with a sad, ugly presentations because I know there is still hope for the remnants.
2. THIS TIME OR AGE IS THE AGE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Halleluyah!
Jesus told us in the book of John chapter 14 verses 16 and 17 that another comforter should take his place after the ascension. Friend, this is the age of the Holy Spirit.
In a time like this, when iniquity abounds, He dwells in you to empower and direct. Yes, perilous time is here but you can overcome the evils of this time by dwelling in his presence. He will help You.He will quicken your spirit. He is a holy being and so demands absolute holiness. He will assist you in your intercession.
In a time like these, when everybody is a christian but ‘every christian is a sinner’ (time of Constantine). When people, institutions,nations and individual lives are saying "goodbye, God". When children are becoming way-ward and some youths vagabond, men loving pleasure more than God, society changing and deteriorating,youths putting anything in the name of fashion and trend, ministers and ministries losing value with many terrible news on daily basis. When talkers are many but doers very few,people playing church and marching to hell in every second.
I believe the Holy Ghost will still help you to stand and to conquer. Your strength shall not fail in the time of adversity. He will answer you in the time of need and help in your preparation for eternal happiness.
He is even convicting the unbelieving world of their sins until now.There is no salvation without Conviction. Is your heart right with your maker?Remember, if you are not saved, you are not safe.
Many things are happening in the world now but my hearer, you can choose to stand for The Lord in this final hour before it becomes too late. Look at God shaking the whole earth, warning the people of the world about his coming judgement. It's time to escape for your life.
Peter told his audience in the book of Acts of the Apostle chapter 2 verse 40
"Save yourself from this untoward generation"
The living New Bible puts it this way
" Save yourselves from this crooked generation"
Do you know this Jesus? I m not talking about your denomination or religious attachments. I mean, have you given your life to him and to serve him till the end?
If you ve not done so and wish to do it now, this night- maybe -as your traveling, in your room or in the street.
May I help you in prayer.
You can repeat this prayer with me and believe it.
Lord Jesus, I come to you now by faith. I'm a sinner. Forgive me and give me the grace to live for you. I reject self, the world and Satan. From today, I promise to follow you till the end. Thank you Lord for accepting me. Amen.
Now, let me pray for you;
Lord, I thank you for this soul coming to you. I can see the angels rejoicing on his behalf. Forgive him all his iniquities and write his name in the book of life.Please give him power over the flesh, the world and the enemy. Thank you Lord for answering us in Jesus name.
Congrats! my friend ,for the new life in Christ you've received today.
MARANATHA!
