The Godly

The people of God / The true child of God / The Godly (Eniyan Olorun)

Text: Luke 21:8-19

As the world is progressing in its current direction, one may say that the tribulations the Bible talks about in the end times are already unfolding. Luke 21:8-12 states,

“And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore, do not go after them.

9But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.”

10Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

11And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.

12But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake.”

2 Timothy 3:1-7 expatiates on these, and they are already happening. May God deliver us.

In light of the tribulations, what happens to humans? We must ensure that we become godly people in order to escape.

What happened to God’s people in the past?

2 Peter 2:9 records that, “the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment,”

• They are rescued and protected: People in the past who belonged to God were rescued and protected from their unending trials in Egypt. Exodus 1:15-21 states that Pharaoh gave an order to midwives to have all newborn sons killed at birth, but because the midwives feared God, God favored and dealt well with them.

o If you can become a true child of God, He will differentiate you from others. God can keep thieves from getting into your barn. It may be at this time of economic hardship that God will elevate you. Fear will not have a place in your heart. Our situations will be like the Hebrew women who gave birth quickly without trouble, before the midwives arrived.

• They are defended and saved: The bible records in Exodus 14:15-31 that the pillar of cloud surprisingly moved to the rear/back of the Israelites, to make light for God’s people, but darkness towards the Egyptians. This is what God does when He wants to save His people.

o If you can become a true child of God, He is ready to defend you and bring fear to your enemies. As the angel did this, Moses stretched his rod to part the sea, and God’s children crossed safely while their enemies drowned in the same sea.

You must become a true child of God. If you do, God has good plans for you.

How to become a true child of God?

Before Jesus returns, how can you become a true child of God who fears Him?

• Separate yourself from sin - 2 Cor. 6:14-18. Do not be equally yoked with unbelievers … Come out from among them and touch not unclean things.

• Seek good, hate evil, do justice, that you may live (Amos 5:14-15). The Almighty God will be gracious to all of us who remain in the world of today.

What will happen to you if you become a true child of God?

Malachi 3:18 says, “Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God, and one who does not serve Him.”

• Isaiah 61:6-9 says, “But you shall be named the priests of the Lord, they shall call you the servants of our God. You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory you shall boast.

7Instead of your shame, you shall have double honor, and instead of confusion, they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore, in their land, they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs.

8 “For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery for burnt offering; I will direct their work in truth and will make with them an everlasting covenant.

9Their descendants shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people. All who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the posterity whom the Lord has blessed.”

• In Matthew 5:5-7, Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.

7Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”

Concluding with the text we began with, Luke 21:13-19 states,

“But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. 14Therefore, settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer;