INIQUITY SHALL ABOUND
MATTHEW 24:12
Beloved, you are welcome to today's episode in the hour of the trumpeter. It is aimed at waking up the believers in Christ through the undiluted word of God, and also warning the unbelieving world about the imminent judgement of God.I sincerely thank God Almighty for his abundant grace to us, and also opening our eyes on daily basis concerning the amazing facts happening around us.
If you are joining us for the first time, I wish to let you know that this is an-end time messages coming direct to you, and also, being an alert for you to be more serious now-more than ever before.
At this time, Let us pray.
In the name of Jesus Christ-Amen
God of grace and truth, we thank you for your unfailing word. May you speak to us, this time of the day. Use me as an instrument of righteousness to speak your word and truth to my listener. And may your word fall on the good ground to bear hundredfold tonight. Bless us together. This we pray, through Jesus Christ, our Lord-Amen.
The subject is "INIQUITY SHALL ABOUND"
Matthew chapter 24 verse 12
“And because iniquity shall be multiplied, the love of the many shall wax cold”
We read this passage of the Bible, to understand exactly things we are going to say now. The above topic came out from the mouth of our Lord, Jesus Christ, Himself. The book of Matthew chapter 24 deals purely on eschatological subjects. Eschatology, if you must know- is the study of the end-time events. So, Jesus, here, is opening the heart and mind of his disciples about the events of the last days.
Why did Jesus opened up this matter?
The reason is that He wants you and I to know everything that is happening now, and should happen afterwards.
In verse 12, where we read, He talks about iniquity which abounds in our generation, which also make the love of many people living today, to wax cold. This word should be fulfilled also at the time of the great tribulation.
If you've been following our series in this hour of the trumpeter, you will know exactly where we are going and what God lays in our mind for this generation.
When you look at the passage, it looks too simple but not. For, any word which comes from the mouth of the Lord must be taken seriously. God doesn't play with His word or joke about it. So, every word from him must be taken seriously.
Now, let us look at the word of our topic, to bring out the actual truth and meaning of it. Just look at verse 12 and see the words used-I mean, beginning with the word- Iniquity.
What is iniquity?
The Greek word is "anomia" meaning, lawlessness, wickedness and unrighteousness. The other word is "love" and the correct usage here is from the Greek word" agape" As you know,we have different kinds of love. The one here, is sacrificial love- that is, God's kind of love. The final word from the main passage is "wax cold". And the Greek word for it is "psucho" meaning, to blow or cool by blowing. In other-words, "it is a waning zeal"
So, putting the whole words together, Jesus Christ is saying here, "lawlessness, wickedness and unrighteousness will abound, because people will allow God's love in them to grow cold, or freeze out. Are you getting something now?
People shall miss the way, to follow the path of wickedness or they will pretend to love the Lord, but in actual sense, are not really with Him.The result out of the whole thing warrants some questions in the heart of many, "Are you sure, we are getting it right? "Where is God then, if He is still with us- Maybe He has abandon the earth He created? Some might even say, "Are you still believing the same old story? Why can't you join us, Can't you see here, there is no wolf after all? Anyway, you may just register with them but don't attach yourself too much to this church thing! After all, this is the only world you see now.
Maybe you have thousands and one question now, going on in your mind. Are you allowing the love of God in your life to freeze out? Maybe, today's headline news are not helping matters. You now hear all kinds of stories which the word of God says,that may make the heart to melt. To you, the church of God,which is, the hope of a common man is no more helping issues. There is problem everywhere- both in the family, institution and society.
Some hearts are getting cold already. My brother and my sister, you started very well, believing the story of the old time religion, but now, you have a heart asking many questions."Why was I created after all or where is the promise of His coming" . Things are getting worse day after day. There’s a connection now, in you,with my topic- don't you?
The disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ asked a question in Matthew 24 which led to our main passage. Look at verse 3 and mark the three important facts in their question which are when shall these things be, what shall be the sign of His coming, which means there are things to watch for,on daily basis or things to know about his appearance and finally, the end of the world?
The suitable language for the last question should be, the end of the age. Some translations of the Bible got it right. The end of the age.
Jesus started by telling the disciples the things which shall happen, as signs of his imminent return. He said that this period will look so bad, to the extent that men should be afraid of what they see or news they hear. He talked of wars and rumors of it.
We all know the danger of the hour which we live now. You no longer hear the rumors of war, but now you see it with your eyes, happening everywhere. We now see internal wars, conflicts in the communities, in families, in our society even the church. Friend,There is war! You may not like to hear it but,it is there with you- if not internal, it maybe external. You now hear strange stories like pastors struggling for positions in the church or over the distribution of money which is meant for church progress. Or, you hear something like, two people in an office quarreling over one thing or the other. Atimes, you see threat or power of elimination by all means. Even as I'm talking now, there is war going on somewhere, this night.
Young woman, if i may ask, What is your problem with your mother In- law? Believe me, you hardly see a family now, without one war or hostility. The problem is who shall rule? Who shall rule?The brother of Joseph asked him, " Will you indeed reign over us?These are the result of abounding iniquity in our generation.
Apart from all these, we are now on the verge of national hostilities. You should know, the wars in the Middle East and many regions of Africa. Wars will happen. The weapon of war have increase?Jesus talked about famines, pestilences in divers places. "These things have always been around"-someone may say, but friend, they are increasing in strength more than past generation. Diseases are getting worse. You now have many of them. These are the beginning of sorrows according to Matthew chapter 24 verse 8;
“But all these things are the beginning of travail”
One of the things, I want you to know about these last days, and the iniquity which shall abound is the increase of apostasy and rise of false prophets. Many false prophets shall arise! I told us in one of our previous series that our gospel has been pirated. I mentioned what piracy is. I'm saying that the message of the kingdom has been hijacked by some fast guys. A muslim once said, " Kai, this una Jesus dey give una money" Did you hear it? Our master, Jesus is doubling it for us anyhow. Whatsoever you do, either in the church, market place, even music industry- just call His name, whether you know Him or not, money must surely come. People are funny this days.
Indeed, many things are happening everywhere and very fast. If you do not have original, you may not know the counterfeit now- So, embrace the original fast by being a student of the Word of God, so you can discern the spirit at work.
In our dispensation, many false prophets have risen and have deceived many. This is an age of deception, iniquity and wickedness. You should remember many cases, in the time past- like the man Jim Jones who claimed himself a messiah and killed over nine hundred of his followers in 1978. How about the man, David Koresh of Waco, a city in Texas, USA who claimed to be the savior of the world in 1993. I'm talking about the same city which witnessed some terrible fire outbreak few months ago. Just one morning, people saw a great wildfire of no source, ravaging the entire city. Some people called it "the finger of God” They may be true or not. Again, Did you not hear the case of one man called Father Divine in Pennsylvania who had his own kingdom, of massive acres of land. He surrounded himself with many people, both young boys and girls which he decorated as his personal angel, being worshipped as God. They praised him day and night, like the one I saw in our cable station in this country, where thousands of people wearing white, worshipping a mere man, calling him Messiah of the world. Terrible!! Maybe, you have seen these people in your satellite station? No wonder, Karl Marx said, "Religion is the opium of the masses". You know what is opium? It is a sedative substance or drug you may give someone and he doses off. I thank God,that Marx said, Religion- not Christianity. Religion is religion while Christianity is life.
This Father Divine of Pennsylvania finally died, at the age of 90 and the foreign journalists wrote "God died at 90"
You should equally know that the self-styled messiah, the founder of Unification church, the man Sun Myung Moon died on the 4th day of September 2012 at the age of 92yrs. He claimed to be the messiah of the world. The event of his burial was shown at CNN. His main function was husband and wife swapping or contract. He do wed over 300 persons at a time, and equally preached that Jesus Christ did not do his work very well. Why? He produced many sinful children and so, the one that he wedded and produced are sinless. They are the ones to inherit the kingdom of God which he is preparing for them. Well, he died. I don't know what he told the original Messiah when they met. If they met at all. I think his case and eternity has been settled. One thing, people fail to understand is that everyone living under the surface of the earth must spend eternity somewhere- All of us, no exception. Your soul must settle finally, somewhere when your body- which is the manure is dropped. There must be separation for this physical flesh and immortal soul. You and I should begin to prepare. Are you hearing me?
I think you remembered that the world shook sometime ago, precisely in May 21st, 2011 when a man, Harold Camping of the Family Radio, USA predicted the end of the world. That was his usual ways, as he had predicted this, times without number but nothing happened. He became a false prophet- but I believe,he has learnt his lesson. So, these false prophets are a prelude to the ultimate false Christ. I mean the man, Antichrist- the world dictator which maybe around the corner now.
Friend "Iniquity shall abound"
Now, let us come back home. Our society is filled with false prophets and their wickedness. Are you not seeing what I'm seeing?The word of God says, in 2 Timothy chapter 3 verse 6, that some of these men will creep into houses, and lead silly women laden with sins which are led away with divers lusts. I don't know the reason why the word of God call them -silly women. It seems that women are the worst hit or victim these days. The days of the more you look, the more you are deceived. Indeed, these deceivers are trying to make Christianity and church to look irrelevant.
These are the people Jesus warned about, in Matthew chapter 7 verse 15
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves”
These men are "Wolves in Sheep clothing" or " Demons in angels color" They are here with us. As wolves, they put on the cloth of sheep. Maybe, they borrowed it, to fake it. Today, people borrow miracles, others borrow speaking in tongues or slaying of power. Others borrow people's messages, or music- and put their voice on it to fake it. No wonder, there are fakes everywhere. Iniquity and wickedness shall abound.
Beloved, why do people prophesy lies in the name of prophecy, just to deceive?We have men who are saying what God did not say or imagine, as they try to confuse people out of their imagination or feelings.
Man of God, Is your ministry, that of bring these and bring that? Today, people put their trust and faith in the "so called anointed handkerchief, little bottle of Olive oil, blessed water, anointed soap,blessed broom or blessed pen for exams. And people are buying. You now hear, you must buy the olive oil from Mummy. It is an order from G.O-So,the wife of the pastor is now the oil distributor. Any other oil bought from the market cannot fetch the miracle except the one bought from the ministry of Big daddy. So, the prices of oil has gone up because Daddy and the wife is selling the original. In other place, a fast is given, and if the person cannot do it- especially lengthy one, you have to pay for a standby sister or brother in the ministry to do it for you. God will receive it on your behalf. What are we doing self in this generation, in the name of worshipping God? I believe, the many cloud of witnesses over there is watching us.
One did a crusade sometime ago, with an advert that people should come with big or small coffins to bury their enemies. The other one said " it's KOBOKO (flogging night) as they should flog their enemies till they die. The other one said "It's operation bottled your enemy" You hear many things in our generation now because people are looking for cheap popularity and quick money- afterall poverty and ignorance are the problem of some people. They are deceived in masses.Are you deceived already? Because, you have no time to study the word of God and know the truth which will make you free.
We have entered into the era of the worship of the golden calf of Aaron and the people of Israel. Now, It is what you can see-no longer, the tangibility of faith which is the substance of things hope for. Child of God, go and read your Bible and forget these abracadabra of some of these false-prophets.
It's funny, as you are bottling your enemy in your church, he is in his own church bottling you. You know, we are too religious now. It's just like the time of Constantine- Everyone is a ‘Christian but every Christian’ is a sinner.
Jesus Christ, our Lord is saying, " Wickedness shall abound" When you see some men of God, anointed taking the position of God Himself. Well, I'm not surprised, for Jesus said, "Some people shall come and say they are Christ's, not Jesus. Mark, the usage of the word. " Christ" They will not say, they are Jesus. They will say, they are Christ’s, that is, the Greek word " Christos" meaning- the anointed One. What are you not hearing today? We now have many people who claim to be anointed. Anointed this, anointed that. All these things are good but how many are genuine?
Man of God, I know God is using you, but the question is " who takes the glory". In your church signpost, the write-up " Evangelism is our supreme task" but inside the church, are you sure? Before anyone will see you, he must fill a form, and pay consultation fee" Before you go for your so- called family deliverance, the hypnotized people should first of all pay in fat amount of money into your account. You bring out your lists. Now, it is big prayer,big money. Small prayer, big money. One said, "Did you know how I suffered to get this anointing" Let me say here, " I don't think you received genuine anointing if you are charging people before prayers" The infallible Word says, "Freely you received, and freely you shall give" Beware! Lets you join the generation of Gehazi’s- you know his story when he did something terrible, and received the sharp rebuke of his master, Elisha? His descendants were settled with leprosy. Please, stop taking pregnant women to the riverside to bathe them or intimidating your congregation in the name of leading them. Some do issue threat. ‘If they don't do this or that, they must die’ This is wickedness. I pity this generation. Well, you may have your way here but not there.
Friend, Iniquity is everywhere- in the family, in the school, in the market area, in the church. As I'm preaching now, don't be surprise to see a thief stealing at the street, or the master of the house- the boss sleeping with his maid. Move around, though the ASUU (schools)are on strike, if not- you will see a lecturer sleeping with his student. Because, if she fail to comply, she will fail the course or be ready for a carry-over. Don't be surprise to see a young lady who attended a church today in a little quack corner, aborting a child, created by God. Go around now, you may see two pastors quarreling over earthly position or a man looking for opportunity to behead his mother for ritual, or a man of 60 years raping a small girl of 8 yrs. This is what we are hearing today. Now, people are into occultism- as if to say, it is a sure ground. Friend, let me tell you- it is your worst mistake. All other ground apart from Jesus Christ is a sinking ground. You should ask some people their regrets today. Believe me- there is no free gift from the devil. You must surely pay. But, you can come out today. You still have a chance. You need freedom and God can help you. You shall not die but live.
Friend, this is a perilous moment. Many things are happening, and if Jesus tarries- more things are on the way.
Paul, the Apostle saw it when he admonished his son in the faith, Timothy, in his second book chapter 3 verses 1-4.
“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”
Does this sound like anyone you know? People are becoming more rude, unpleasant and wicked. Tempers are out of control. As we listen to news and look at daily events-we see iniquity abounds and people's hearts are growing colder. I wonder how much worse it can get. Iniquity abounds in every sector of our society. Where will it all lead?- to the end of this age.
Let me say this before we close for the day. Be careful how you live your life now. There is a vision of Rapture on constant basis. Everything is running too fast now. Christ is appearing by Himself to many people of the other religion- maybe, because the church is now too weak in evangelism. So, The master is doing it all by himself now.
There are many indicators exploding on the scene that prove we are in the end-times. So be ready. Be ready!
If you are a believer in Christ, hold on to your faith and belief- no matter the abuse, rejection and caricature. This is just a light affliction. It cannot be compared with the glory to be revealed. There is a glory to be revealed. Just go ahead; Prove all things and hold fast that which is good according to 1st Thessalonians chapter 5 verse 21;
“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good”
So,If you are a sinner hearing my voice- maybe in your room, in the church or in the bus traveling. Today, may be your last day here. And you know, to close your eyes here is to open it in a second in the other side. Don't be confused with what you are seeing here on the earth. Let me tell you, earth is not beautiful as you think. It is just a shadow. So, give your life to Jesus Christ. You will not die forever. As go about your normal business now, lay hold on things which stay permanent,and that is eternity in Christ waiting for you.
I will give you an opportunity now to surrender your life to Jesus Christ. If you are ready, He is ready to accept you now.
You can follow me in this simple but mighty prayer and believe it with your heart. For with your mouth, you confess that Jesus Christ is The Lord and with your heart, you believe.
Now, say after me.
"Lord Jesus, I come to you today by faith. I'm a sinner and I can't save myself. I have heard your word and discovered that I need your mercy and forgiveness. Come into my life and be my Lord and personal savior.Forgive me all my sins. I reject self and the world,and hereby promise to worship you sincerely. Thank you Lord for saving me today. Amen
I now pray for you
Lord, I pray for my listener who had prayed this prayer now. Please accept him into your kingdom. Forgive all iniquities and transgressions and give him or her a new life to live for you. Thank You Lord for we pray in Jesus Name. Amen
My friend, thank you for the new life you have received in Christ Jesus today. Congratulation, and begin to study the word of God on daily basis and ask for deeper revelation and insight from His Spirit. If you want a place to begin, You may start with the gospel of John, and also fellowship with other believers in Christ for your growth.
