Dear Friends,
Greetings in Christ! When we left off last week, Jesus informed his disciples it was time to go to Judaea again, two days after they heard Lazarus was sick. Give us understanding Father, as we read your word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
John 11:8-14
8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?
9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.
If a man walks during the day, the light of the sun keeps him from stumbling. Jesus seems to be saying although there is darkness in Judaea, He will be protected in his mission as He is the light of the world.
In John 9:5 Jesus said As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. Now that Jesus has ascended into heaven, it is the church that is the light of the world. Just as the moon reflects the light of the sun, the body of Christ reflects the light of Jesus.
10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.
Jesus called the great tribulation period the coming night (John 9:4). Jesus is still in the world working through the church via the Person of the Holy Spirit. Once the church is removed, the Holy Spirit will no longer be working through the church to withhold evil in the world (2 Thess 2:6f). Jesus said the gates of hell would not prevail against his church (Matt 16:18), but the same is not true of those who get saved during the tribulation period (Dan 7:21; Rev 13:7).
11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.
13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.
John 11:8-14
If you are a regular reader of these notes, you know that for more than a year I have been writing about how the war on Christianity (and freedom) has been accelerating. When I wrote on the rise of the death cult in my notes on Isaiah 28, I had no idea we would see it manifesting itself so quickly and so nakedly as it has since the plandemic hit. Considering these developments and how things are continuing to speed up (more attacks on human freedom worldwide, etc), let us consider what it means to be a Christian. Being a Christian means going from being dead in our trespasses and sins to being made alive in Christ. Lazarus was dead, but Jesus made him alive. This is what Jesus does for all who repent and put their faith in Him.
Jesus told the church in Laodicea that He wanted them to be either hot or cold. This church in Asia Minor represents the last period of church history, ie us. In other words, He was also speaking to us when He said if you are lukewarm, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Many years ago when I committed my life to Christ, I found that many who called themselves Christians had no real faith in the Bible, let alone any desire to learn what it says and obey it. I find this to still be the case today in 2021, which is heartbreaking considering how close we are to the rapture of the church and the strong delusion (2 Thess 2:11).
Today at school I was talking with some of my fellow students, many of whom are married. They were talking about their love lives. One of them spoke very candidly about his ‘baby momma’, with whom he has had two children while still remaining married to his wife. When he asked me if I was married or had children, I told him I have never been married nor have I even had sex since I became a Christian twenty-five years ago. He then said he considers himself a Christian. I want everyone who reads these notes to understand what is expected of you if you are going to commit your life to Christ and receive the free gift of everlasting life. In a word, repentance, which simply means to change your mind. Repentance was the first thing John the Baptist spoke about when God broke four hundred years of silence from heaven (Matt 3:2) and the first thing Jesus spoke about when He began his public ministry (Matt 4:17). In order to become a Christian, you need to change your mind about the way you live your life. Paul wrote about this in his letter to the Ephesians (cf 1 Cor 6:9-11):
…..But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
…..Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
…..For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
…..Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Ephesians 5:3-6
If you are caught up in fornication or idolatry you need to repent. These notes are meant to encourage you and the good news is that God’s mercy endures forever (Ps 136). Consider the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15). After the Prodigal wasted his inheritance and found himself starving in a pigpen, he realized he needed to repent and go back home to his father. If you are a daughter or son of God, you will not be content to live in a pigpen either. Eventually you will realize that you need to repent and return home to your Father. For the last year, I have been telling you that we are in a war. If you do not want to become a casualty in this war you need to put your armor on. This includes the helmet of salvation and the breastplate of righteousness. To be saved (to put your helmet on) you need to repent and trust Christ. To put the breastplate on (receive the righteousness of Christ), you need to repent. You will still stumble and sin at times but [i]f we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Jesus said Lazarus is dead, but before too long He will make him alive again. Whatever you have done, no matter how terrible it may seem in your eyes, if you repent Jesus will resurrect your dead soul and give you new life the same way He raised Lazarus from the dead. More on this next week.
…..O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalm 136:1
