12.15.24.God’s Mercy

God's mercy
His mercy is new every day!

Revelation 11 Antisemitism & Repentance

Step into this chapter with eyes wide open to see the mercy and judgment of God. John is told to measure the temple but not to measure outside the temple for it has been given to the Gentiles, and they will trample on the holy city for forty-two months. 

Step into the scene and observe the temple closely for now we are given the ability to see a new event, the two witnesses who come with the message for all of mankind to repent.  Who are these two witnesses? God has given us ideas but no definitive answer. These have the power to turn all water to blood and thus the refreshment of a cool drink is removed from all mankind. Is this God’s reminder of His power to do the same as He did in the Egyptian plagues? How did Pharaoh handle that when it happened centuries ago? Just as then, the power of antisemitism is alive and well. For three and a half years men will hear the words: repent.  The witnesses are protected from evil but then are killed. But, God again is merciful as He allows a miracle. Just as the world looks on and rejoices over the death of these two, they see them resurrected after three days. Over and over God has demonstrated both His mercy and His judgment for He is not willing any to perish but come to repentance. 

Just as now, so it will be then. In His mercy He has given men time to repent but also time to recognize that without repentance they will be lost. Have you repented so you will be saved? 

Encountering God in the Wilderness

Are you fearful and if so of what?

Exodus 1-3 Moses shares his journey from unbelief to belief through the chronicles of those who knew him best. One particular trait stands out: The fear of man is a snare, but he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted.” [Prov 29:25]

Now a new Pharaoh arose, and his racial bias surfaced. He was fearful of the increasing number of Israelites. Instead of thanking God for them, he shrewdly plans to destroy the next generation but keep this generation for his own purposes. Hitler, Stalin, and others like him tried the same tactic, but ultimately they all failed because of this truth: “For the LORD of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it?” [Is 14:27] The truth of Joseph’s words comes again: you thought to do harm, but God intended it for good. [Gen 50:20]

In contrast are the two midwives. Did they help Jochabed birth Moses? Hmm, I wonder. One thing is clear; they didn’t lie, but because they feared God, they chose to shrewdly respond about how quickly the Hebrew women birthed their children. Then there is Moses’ murder of the Egyptian. Fearing reprisal led him to escape to the wilderness. God uses all of these experiences to teach Moses and us about Himself because it is in the wilderness that we encounter God.

We can be fearful of men, or we can be fearful of God. One leads to snares, and one leads to blessing. Which will we choose?

Which kind of fear do I have? Which kind of fear leads me to the wilderness where I can have an encounter with God?

Optimized by Optimole