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Beware of Dogs!
In this timely warning given by the apostle Paul reminds us of the Gentiles who once were referred by this same appellative with which we label evil workers in God's vineyard. The Jews nicknamed the Gentiles dogs simply because the Gentiles were not included in the covenant, which made the Jews children of the Most High. Now, these Jewish people are cast out of the covenant and the Gentiles taken in; therefore they are the dogs, and the Gentiles the children. Reason? Very simple. The Jews became too full of themselves that God's commandments no longer apply to them. They took to evil works and endeavoured to pervert the Gospel.
In this day and age, we are faced with multitudes of people proclaiming a wide variety of "gospel messages" all of which consider themselves the perfect example of Christ-Likeness. We know that there is only one God, who sent His Son to die on our behalf, but cannot say why there are so many different gospels being preached today in the name of this one God. Christians today do not think of their relationship with Christ in terms of what they can give, but are continually dwelling on what they can get. Where is the life of total surrender Christ told us to live? Do we not owe God our total lives? It is true, God understands that we have needs but we have shifted from an attitude of gratefulness to an attitude that demands whatever we can get from God and then forget about Him. Why has it turned out this way? How did we get off track?
Jesus says, “Take heed that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, `I am the Christ', and they will lead many astray” (Matthew 24:4, 5, RSV). Check out that prophecy. Ponder a little over it. Can we say that we have such people today? I mean those who have aggressively led the body of Christ on a campaign designed to get all they can from God and care less about the life they live? Those who have tickled the Christians' ears to the point that the gospel of sacrifice and suffering has become a big joke? How we have practiced the method of man in worshipping God today! That single warning has delivered the message, prompt and direct. That reminds me of a notice that I used to crack a little joke with. I had a neighbour who hung a big sign post on his gate notifying whosoever cares, of a vicious dog that used to be in his house - Beware of Dogs! That dog was killed while it strayed along the road. You know what? The sign post remained there but there was no dog. One day a little boy from the neighbourhood was sent on an errand to my friend's house. The thought of getting harassed by the dog paralyzed him and he had to put up a lie to get off the hook.
When I thought over the action of that little boy, I sew the sense in his fear. People who rear dogs know that such notice is so important that they could spend so much money to design sign posts to that effect. It is well understood that failure to heed such warnings could make one a victim of rabies, a disease from which only a handful of people have ever recovered. Take a look at the sign post again, or may be we can pronounce it together and louder: "Beware of dogs!" Sure, dogs are dangerous animals. And it could be more dangerous to find a dog-man - half man, half dog - an enigma, a conundrum. The presence of such a being portends danger and is a clear sign that the evil days are here. Don't forget that the devil has descended on the children of God with his angels hunting for souls. The animal called dog can appear very intelligent. Sometimes it will seem as though it has mastered something but later falls stupid. The way dogs handle things makes them what they are - DOGS!
Some men are like dogs. They make laws, set standards or targets, yet by their own selves, they break them. Some preach in the Church of Christ, condemning worldliness but their lifestyles are no different from the world. They move like the world and become friendly to the world. Do we call them are liars, or refer them as friends and brothers of dogs? No, that's hypocrisy. Let's call them by their real names otherwise they will turn back to rend us. Dogs do vomit and later turn back to eat their vomit. Dogs are dirty. I wonder why people chose to live with them. Any way, God made it so. But an idea of a dog-man is nauseating. How could you condemn a thing and still use it? It's hypocritical! The Bible has a lot to say about "dogs". It says, "Beware of dogs, beware of evil workmen, beware of the Concision" (Philippians 3:2); and this forms the title of this message.
The idea of this title is figurative. The Bible refers to the devil and his agents as dogs (2 Peter 2:22), who snap their teeth at flies and have a chief diet of “fornication, drunkenness, adultery, foolish talks, jesting, theft, extortion, covetousness, idolatry, invention of evil, sowing discord amongst brethren, contentions, envy, whore mongering, pride", and so on. They wag their tails at people pretending to be friendly (2 Peter 2:14; Proverbs 7:26). These dogs are everywhere and their target is to get preys to devour and surrender to Satan thereafter. They always have a master disguise, unworthily called "Brothers" or "Sisters", "Pastors" or "Reverends", "Bishops" or "Overseers" in the Church, but in reality they are perfect "Bingos" - dogs!
These dogs bark and yell, "Praise the Lord, Alleluia", but "barking dogs seldom bite" the thief. You ran see these "dogs" preaching and expounding the gospel truths powerfully, but in reality they are hirelings, wolves (cousins of dogs) in sheep's clothing with iniquity in firm control of their private lives. The Bible says, “Beware of dogs!” Child of God, beware of dogs! I say this because we need to give God all our hearts, all our lives, all our dedication and our consecrated bodies and souls. But when we follow men who behave like dogs, things go the wrong direction. We miss the real Christianity and lay claim Churchianity which is made to soothe and smoothen us all over with a bunch of compromising pomade or grease. The Word of God is not like a smooth butter knife that wallows grease all over us and rolls us up and fattens us up for Satan's kill.
When we set up in formalization, sectarianism, denominationalism, stagnation or compromise, we have set up in the dead and Jesus is no longer there. It doesn't matter how long a particular Church (denomination) has known God or how much God has moved in their midst, if the people in such a place set up contrary to God's laws and refuse to follow the Living Lord, they have set themselves up with the dead and they become dead because Jesus has moved out. God is putting out a sobering word saying: "repent and turn ye from your wickedness, turn ye from your harlotries, turn ye from your whoredoms and come unto me".
God sees every activities of our life. Cain was once in this level of dogs. God saw his secret sins and placed a severe punishment upon him. Cain cried foul: "my punishment is greater than I can bear". Are you not among the dogs of today, "having eyes full of adultery and cannot cease from sin, beguiling unstable souls"? (2 Peter 2:14). It is time to repent (Revelation 22:15). There is hope for a living dog (Ecclesiastes 9:4). You can become a sheep in the Master's fold today (2 Corinthians 6: 17, 18). Do not forget, as you hear His voice this moment; do not harden your heart!
In this timely warning given by the apostle Paul reminds us of the Gentiles who once were referred by this same appellative with which we label evil workers in God's vineyard. The Jews nicknamed the Gentiles dogs simply because the Gentiles were not included in the covenant, which made the Jews children of the Most High. Now, these Jewish people are cast out of the covenant and the Gentiles taken in; therefore they are the dogs, and the Gentiles the children. Reason? Very simple. The Jews became too full of themselves that God's commandments no longer apply to them. They took to evil works and endeavoured to pervert the Gospel.
In this day and age, we are faced with multitudes of people proclaiming a wide variety of "gospel messages" all of which consider themselves the perfect example of Christ-Likeness. We know that there is only one God, who sent His Son to die on our behalf, but cannot say why there are so many different gospels being preached today in the name of this one God. Christians today do not think of their relationship with Christ in terms of what they can give, but are continually dwelling on what they can get. Where is the life of total surrender Christ told us to live? Do we not owe God our total lives? It is true, God understands that we have needs but we have shifted from an attitude of gratefulness to an attitude that demands whatever we can get from God and then forget about Him. Why has it turned out this way? How did we get off track?
Jesus says, “Take heed that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, `I am the Christ', and they will lead many astray” (Matthew 24:4, 5, RSV). Check out that prophecy. Ponder a little over it. Can we say that we have such people today? I mean those who have aggressively led the body of Christ on a campaign designed to get all they can from God and care less about the life they live? Those who have tickled the Christians' ears to the point that the gospel of sacrifice and suffering has become a big joke? How we have practiced the method of man in worshipping God today! That single warning has delivered the message, prompt and direct. That reminds me of a notice that I used to crack a little joke with. I had a neighbour who hung a big sign post on his gate notifying whosoever cares, of a vicious dog that used to be in his house - Beware of Dogs! That dog was killed while it strayed along the road. You know what? The sign post remained there but there was no dog. One day a little boy from the neighbourhood was sent on an errand to my friend's house. The thought of getting harassed by the dog paralyzed him and he had to put up a lie to get off the hook.
When I thought over the action of that little boy, I sew the sense in his fear. People who rear dogs know that such notice is so important that they could spend so much money to design sign posts to that effect. It is well understood that failure to heed such warnings could make one a victim of rabies, a disease from which only a handful of people have ever recovered. Take a look at the sign post again, or may be we can pronounce it together and louder: "Beware of dogs!" Sure, dogs are dangerous animals. And it could be more dangerous to find a dog-man - half man, half dog - an enigma, a conundrum. The presence of such a being portends danger and is a clear sign that the evil days are here. Don't forget that the devil has descended on the children of God with his angels hunting for souls. The animal called dog can appear very intelligent. Sometimes it will seem as though it has mastered something but later falls stupid. The way dogs handle things makes them what they are - DOGS!
Some men are like dogs. They make laws, set standards or targets, yet by their own selves, they break them. Some preach in the Church of Christ, condemning worldliness but their lifestyles are no different from the world. They move like the world and become friendly to the world. Do we call them are liars, or refer them as friends and brothers of dogs? No, that's hypocrisy. Let's call them by their real names otherwise they will turn back to rend us. Dogs do vomit and later turn back to eat their vomit. Dogs are dirty. I wonder why people chose to live with them. Any way, God made it so. But an idea of a dog-man is nauseating. How could you condemn a thing and still use it? It's hypocritical! The Bible has a lot to say about "dogs". It says, "Beware of dogs, beware of evil workmen, beware of the Concision" (Philippians 3:2); and this forms the title of this message.
The idea of this title is figurative. The Bible refers to the devil and his agents as dogs (2 Peter 2:22), who snap their teeth at flies and have a chief diet of “fornication, drunkenness, adultery, foolish talks, jesting, theft, extortion, covetousness, idolatry, invention of evil, sowing discord amongst brethren, contentions, envy, whore mongering, pride", and so on. They wag their tails at people pretending to be friendly (2 Peter 2:14; Proverbs 7:26). These dogs are everywhere and their target is to get preys to devour and surrender to Satan thereafter. They always have a master disguise, unworthily called "Brothers" or "Sisters", "Pastors" or "Reverends", "Bishops" or "Overseers" in the Church, but in reality they are perfect "Bingos" - dogs!
These dogs bark and yell, "Praise the Lord, Alleluia", but "barking dogs seldom bite" the thief. You ran see these "dogs" preaching and expounding the gospel truths powerfully, but in reality they are hirelings, wolves (cousins of dogs) in sheep's clothing with iniquity in firm control of their private lives. The Bible says, “Beware of dogs!” Child of God, beware of dogs! I say this because we need to give God all our hearts, all our lives, all our dedication and our consecrated bodies and souls. But when we follow men who behave like dogs, things go the wrong direction. We miss the real Christianity and lay claim Churchianity which is made to soothe and smoothen us all over with a bunch of compromising pomade or grease. The Word of God is not like a smooth butter knife that wallows grease all over us and rolls us up and fattens us up for Satan's kill.
When we set up in formalization, sectarianism, denominationalism, stagnation or compromise, we have set up in the dead and Jesus is no longer there. It doesn't matter how long a particular Church (denomination) has known God or how much God has moved in their midst, if the people in such a place set up contrary to God's laws and refuse to follow the Living Lord, they have set themselves up with the dead and they become dead because Jesus has moved out. God is putting out a sobering word saying: "repent and turn ye from your wickedness, turn ye from your harlotries, turn ye from your whoredoms and come unto me".
God sees every activities of our life. Cain was once in this level of dogs. God saw his secret sins and placed a severe punishment upon him. Cain cried foul: "my punishment is greater than I can bear". Are you not among the dogs of today, "having eyes full of adultery and cannot cease from sin, beguiling unstable souls"? (2 Peter 2:14). It is time to repent (Revelation 22:15). There is hope for a living dog (Ecclesiastes 9:4). You can become a sheep in the Master's fold today (2 Corinthians 6: 17, 18). Do not forget, as you hear His voice this moment; do not harden your heart!
A Fear Worth Having:
The Year 2000 And You!
The year 2000 was known by almost everybody as the “magic year”. Magic year in the sense that references of good things to come were made and pegged to the year 2000 for their fulfillment. In Nigeria, West Africa, the story was the same as virtually everything was promised to the people by the government in the year 2000. It was just like a bazaar: Houses for all by the year 2000, education for all by the year 2000, electricity for all by the year 2000, hospitals for all by the year 2000, etc, etc. That signifies an all-round celebration that would usher in the magic year 2000.
As the year was approaching, many prominent men and women could not cross over. They could not live to enjoy the packages of the political class in the year 2000. It's a pity, they died before the magic year, 2000. A host of others who planned to celebrate the end of 1999 were not able to do so because of the earth-shaking scientific prediction of the magic year - the Y2K bug!
Behold, the Night Approaches
Night is the peak of every spiritual activity ever recorded. All the major breakthroughs people record in life used to happen after midnight (Psalm 119:62; Luke 6:12). Most spiritual battles are won after midnight. If as a Christian, your life is controlled by the alarm clock, you should become more serious spiritually. Night is the period of increased demonic activities. It is the period when evil powers meet. It is the most quiet period, when many things are at its peak, even sleep. This is why God speaks to a lot of people at midnight (Job 3315-18). In the night, God comes to give them information. Scientists knew this and then used it to pass on a threatening information to the general public - the Y2K bug. They knew that there would be a night which will surely come at the end of every night and day (that is, the end of the world), but they misfired. The Y2K bug was projected to herald the end of the world in the year 2000 by scientists. These scientists beautifully promoted the millennium bug story to tally with the fear already built up in people's minds, that the world would come to an end in the year 2000. In their scientific calculations, the world will not really end quietly, but with a big bang, thereby repeating and affirming the gospel truth: “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first” (1Thessalonians 4:16).
Many minds were on the Y2K bug. Little did we know that it was a scientific abracadabra! In fact, the mere thought of the bug brought excitement as well as fear. Remember, there were promises of hope and new things that would happen by the year 2000. As the year 2000 debuts, January 1st 2000 could have been the worst day in modern history, if we go by the predictions of science. That is, the so-called year 2000 bug, or Y2K (K = 1000), that affects computer systems that control everything from heart monitors to air traffic. According to these scientists, the problem stems from the use in computers of two digits to represent the year in dates. For instance, 1999 is represented as 99 instead of 1999. While this does not sound like a very big problem, when the calendar reaches the year 2000, many computers will not recognize “00” as a valid year. Systems that control such things as the flow of electricity in power grinds, the interest of your loans, and the service scheduled for industrial equipment may all grind to a halt. It is really a problem that has the potential to have devastating effects in nearly every area of human life.
As a result, businesses and governments went on spending billions of dollars and devoting countless hours in an effort to find and fix all instances of the problem. But many computer chips, such as those found in telecommunications, satellites, security systems, home computers, and machinery of all kinds will not be able to recognize the turn of the century. The search went on then with the serious intent to find and replace these chips.
Another fear of the Y2K was that public utilities, including water, gas, telephone, and electricity suppliers may suffer disruption or total collapses of their service. According to them, power outages are possible, but the size and scope of these blackouts is impossible to predict because of the complexity of the power production network and the difficulties involved with finding and fixing all of the affected chips and programmes. The global economy which has proven itself to be delicate and volatile, could also feel the impact of Y2K.
Funny enough, God destroyed the wisdom of the wise - the scientists, and brought to nothing the understanding of the prudent (1Corinthians 1:19). That night, the 31st December, 1999 proved to be the most quiet of all nights for we all slept like babies, forgetting every thought of the Y2K bug and there was no BANG, not even a whistle! Sure, scientists made computers but God created scientists and the raw materials of all their inventions. They have no right to dictate to God when to end the world. He (God) only told us to “believe Him” and “watch” for one day He may come to take us. Our confidence is in God, not in science. Science has lied to us time and time again, and will always have excuse and explanation to give, but God never lies!
Sure, we made it to the year 2000 and our computers did not blow or break down with a big bang. Businesses and governments are still on and we have no regrets. The only regret we had was that we wasted our precious time listening to people who wanted to deceive themselves with a whole lot of lies. In Nigeria today, political vision has shifted to the year 2020. The politicians thought that the world would end on the 31st December, 1999 and so decided to offer the people the impossible. God thinks and acts different from man. His ways are not our ways. We may decide to play tricks with our lives, but God knows the end of everything from the beginning. How long would man remain in the game of hide and sick?
5 Minutes Before Midnight
The Lord Jesus uses the most unexpected situations and unlikely ways to bring people to Himself. Our responsibility as Christians is simple and clear: 'share the gospel where a lost world can hear it!' John was a friend of mine. He was an example of one who abhorred gospel messages. But through an unusual circumstance he was brought to Christ. He was having a spinal problem which came as a result of an accident. His drugs were to be taken 30 minutes before midnight to enable him sleep. John was careless; he forgot to take it because he was engaged in other things. By the time he finished, the clock chimed 5 minutes to midnight! He was restless and began asking hard questions about life, because he thought it would all end immediately. The 5 minutes will either make or break him. How did he utilize this little opportunity? Waoh! He successfully reached the finish line. He got born again at the last minute. He was so lucky. A lot of people could not have made it. But John did. He lived and did not die. At the last minute too, most people had lost their salvation. They could not win a prize.
Long-distant runners know the importance of a strong finish. They know that many races are won or lost in the final steps. In the Bible, there is a man called Uzziah. During his own time he made a splendid start, when he became king at the age of 16. Through his faithfulness to God, he restored his nation to honour and glory. Then he became proud and believed that the rules no longer applied to him. Uzziah entered the temple to burn incense - a privilege given to the priests alone. Even when confronted about his sin he arrogantly refused to listen - until leprosy broke out on his body up to his forehead (2 Chronicles 26:1-21). God had gotten his attention!
One bumper sticker says, “Those that seek God at the 11th hour, die by 10:30”. Uzziah stumbled before the finish line and was disqualified. Instead of a record of great victories, he left his throne in disgrace. King Uzziah doesn't stand alone in history. Many men and women who had once walked with God have proudly turned away from Him. They wandered off the course, stopped following the Lord, and persisted in disobedience. Efforts made to get them back on track failed because they refused to hear the voice of God.
Is that the first time it has happened? No. It was like that in Jeremiah's day. The Lord told Jeremiah to stand in the court of the temple and speak boldly to the people of Jerusalem that destruction was headed their way if they didn't follow God's laws. How did they react? They seized Jeremiah and said, “You will surely die” (Jeremiah 26:8). His life was in danger because he dared to speak the truth. But in spite the threats, Jeremiah repeated his warning. This made the officials and the people to say to the priests and false prophets after they had considered Jeremiah's warning: “This man does not deserve to die. For he has spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God” (v6). Jeremiah's dilemma points to two important facts that a message of warning will not be eagerly received by those who need to be warned and that we must give the warnings and then trust God to protect us.
There is a danger signal on the horizon for us to know in this day. We are in the end-time. Any moment from now the midnight cry will sound. I mean the trumpet will sound, heralding the end of this present world. I say this because almost everything has reached its peak. And the clock in heaven is now saying, “5 minutes to midnight”. And like Uzziah and my friend John, a lot of people will be taken unawares. Many people have seen this. Many people have as well received this revelation from God. They have been told by God to warn the people, even the Church. The General Superintendent of the Watchman Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement, Pastor A.C. Ohanebo can tell this better.
But in the face of these developments, there remains false preachers out there, who are bent on telling us nothing else but pleasure, joy of the world, etc, yet not preparing us for heaven. False testimonies everywhere! But please my beloved brethren, if this is all we have to show for the mercy and blessings of God upon our lives, then we need to check our lives again, if we are still with God (2 Corinthians 13:5). Our greatest testimony should be the salvation of our soul - all other things are ending here! We can't carry them beyond. When the trumpet sounds, our wealth will not fly with us. Hear the Bible: "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up" (2 Peter 3:10, KJV).
Time is Running Out
While the world began to realize and deal with the problem of Y2K, an even bigger problem loomed. The Fire-Brand Int'l Ministriesin its editions of Foundation Satellite magazine had been warning the people - men and women, children and adults - of the problem that threatens more than the loss of power and heat that will bring loss far greater than the loss of all the wealth in the world. Yeah, that problem is SIN! Our attachment to the things of this world rather than the things of God has done and is still doing a lot of havoc in the lives of people. Just as programmers who installed our computers did not think that their actions would affect the future, so also are many of us. Some have mistakenly believed that when their life is over that 'that's the end!' Foul! I mean, that's an error!! You have a never-dying soul!!! God's word says, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).
Some people know this fact, that's why they were afraid of the millennium bug, because when the BIG BANG occurs, it will quickly usher them into spending eternity in the 'blackness of darkness forever' - “in the fire that never shall be quenched” (Jude 13, Mark 9.43). Jesus said, “Fear not them that kill the body …” (Matthew 10:28). Ecclesiastes 12:13 says, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man". The fear of God is the fear worth having, it guides you unto wisdom (Proverbs 9:10; Psalm 111:10); every other fear is useless.
But wait a minute, what is running in your mind now? Did you ever bother about the Y2K bug in 1999? Were you afraid that your money might be misplaced or lost, or that a global depression might affect your life? That fear was misplaced. You should have been more afraid of losing your soul in hell fire (Mark 8:36). It may not be possible for one to step forward with a complete solution to the Y2K problem but with the problem of sin - a much larger problem already affecting everyone in the world - someone has already provided the solution. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, stepped forward 'to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself" (Hebrews 9:26). When Jesus was crucified, He bore our sins “in His own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24).
Beloved, you have looked at your clock many times, what did you find out? Is it true that time is running out? Now, look at your relationship with God? I mean God, the Almighty whose time-keeping is perfect. Have you recognized your accountability to Him? If not, hear this: “Now is the time to surround yourself with the values, thoughts, and attitudes of the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14). "Be sure of this one thing that your eternal rescue is closer than ever before" (Romans 13:11). Heed the warning that time is running out for this world and return to God, your maker, in repentance of your sins (Romans 13:12). If you are going to live honestly and lovingly, you must do so now! As you look at the clock today, remember that you should also figure time by your relationship to the Lord. The problem has been identified, and the answer has been provided - but the big question is, have you put it to work in your life even when it is 5 minutes to midnight? (John 3:36). You must repent of your sins and trust Jesus Christ, who died for you and rose again, as your Lord and personal Saviour, so that no matter what the midnight brings, you will have peace in your soul.
However, I implore you to pray this simply prayer earnestly from your spirit:
“Almighty God, I come to you today. I know that I am a sinner and I cannot save myself, no matter how I try. That is why I come to you today. Jesus, I accept you today as my personal Lord and Saviour, I denounce the devil and all his works. I am for you. Thank you for saving me”.
If you have prayed that prayer sincerely, then I encourage you to join a Bible believing Church. A place where Jesus is preached, the Holy Spirit is given absolute liberty and the word of God is the final authority. If you need my recommendation, I will not hesitate to recommend to you WCCRM. Find any branch of this Church closest to you and be apart of what God is doing in the midst of His children. If this message has blessed you, send me an e-maila text to any of the numbers. Someone will always be available to counsel and pray with you and I will also be delighted to read from you.
As the year was approaching, many prominent men and women could not cross over. They could not live to enjoy the packages of the political class in the year 2000. It's a pity, they died before the magic year, 2000. A host of others who planned to celebrate the end of 1999 were not able to do so because of the earth-shaking scientific prediction of the magic year - the Y2K bug!
Behold, the Night Approaches
Night is the peak of every spiritual activity ever recorded. All the major breakthroughs people record in life used to happen after midnight (Psalm 119:62; Luke 6:12). Most spiritual battles are won after midnight. If as a Christian, your life is controlled by the alarm clock, you should become more serious spiritually. Night is the period of increased demonic activities. It is the period when evil powers meet. It is the most quiet period, when many things are at its peak, even sleep. This is why God speaks to a lot of people at midnight (Job 3315-18). In the night, God comes to give them information. Scientists knew this and then used it to pass on a threatening information to the general public - the Y2K bug. They knew that there would be a night which will surely come at the end of every night and day (that is, the end of the world), but they misfired. The Y2K bug was projected to herald the end of the world in the year 2000 by scientists. These scientists beautifully promoted the millennium bug story to tally with the fear already built up in people's minds, that the world would come to an end in the year 2000. In their scientific calculations, the world will not really end quietly, but with a big bang, thereby repeating and affirming the gospel truth: “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first” (1Thessalonians 4:16).
Many minds were on the Y2K bug. Little did we know that it was a scientific abracadabra! In fact, the mere thought of the bug brought excitement as well as fear. Remember, there were promises of hope and new things that would happen by the year 2000. As the year 2000 debuts, January 1st 2000 could have been the worst day in modern history, if we go by the predictions of science. That is, the so-called year 2000 bug, or Y2K (K = 1000), that affects computer systems that control everything from heart monitors to air traffic. According to these scientists, the problem stems from the use in computers of two digits to represent the year in dates. For instance, 1999 is represented as 99 instead of 1999. While this does not sound like a very big problem, when the calendar reaches the year 2000, many computers will not recognize “00” as a valid year. Systems that control such things as the flow of electricity in power grinds, the interest of your loans, and the service scheduled for industrial equipment may all grind to a halt. It is really a problem that has the potential to have devastating effects in nearly every area of human life.
As a result, businesses and governments went on spending billions of dollars and devoting countless hours in an effort to find and fix all instances of the problem. But many computer chips, such as those found in telecommunications, satellites, security systems, home computers, and machinery of all kinds will not be able to recognize the turn of the century. The search went on then with the serious intent to find and replace these chips.
Another fear of the Y2K was that public utilities, including water, gas, telephone, and electricity suppliers may suffer disruption or total collapses of their service. According to them, power outages are possible, but the size and scope of these blackouts is impossible to predict because of the complexity of the power production network and the difficulties involved with finding and fixing all of the affected chips and programmes. The global economy which has proven itself to be delicate and volatile, could also feel the impact of Y2K.
Funny enough, God destroyed the wisdom of the wise - the scientists, and brought to nothing the understanding of the prudent (1Corinthians 1:19). That night, the 31st December, 1999 proved to be the most quiet of all nights for we all slept like babies, forgetting every thought of the Y2K bug and there was no BANG, not even a whistle! Sure, scientists made computers but God created scientists and the raw materials of all their inventions. They have no right to dictate to God when to end the world. He (God) only told us to “believe Him” and “watch” for one day He may come to take us. Our confidence is in God, not in science. Science has lied to us time and time again, and will always have excuse and explanation to give, but God never lies!
Sure, we made it to the year 2000 and our computers did not blow or break down with a big bang. Businesses and governments are still on and we have no regrets. The only regret we had was that we wasted our precious time listening to people who wanted to deceive themselves with a whole lot of lies. In Nigeria today, political vision has shifted to the year 2020. The politicians thought that the world would end on the 31st December, 1999 and so decided to offer the people the impossible. God thinks and acts different from man. His ways are not our ways. We may decide to play tricks with our lives, but God knows the end of everything from the beginning. How long would man remain in the game of hide and sick?
5 Minutes Before Midnight
The Lord Jesus uses the most unexpected situations and unlikely ways to bring people to Himself. Our responsibility as Christians is simple and clear: 'share the gospel where a lost world can hear it!' John was a friend of mine. He was an example of one who abhorred gospel messages. But through an unusual circumstance he was brought to Christ. He was having a spinal problem which came as a result of an accident. His drugs were to be taken 30 minutes before midnight to enable him sleep. John was careless; he forgot to take it because he was engaged in other things. By the time he finished, the clock chimed 5 minutes to midnight! He was restless and began asking hard questions about life, because he thought it would all end immediately. The 5 minutes will either make or break him. How did he utilize this little opportunity? Waoh! He successfully reached the finish line. He got born again at the last minute. He was so lucky. A lot of people could not have made it. But John did. He lived and did not die. At the last minute too, most people had lost their salvation. They could not win a prize.
Long-distant runners know the importance of a strong finish. They know that many races are won or lost in the final steps. In the Bible, there is a man called Uzziah. During his own time he made a splendid start, when he became king at the age of 16. Through his faithfulness to God, he restored his nation to honour and glory. Then he became proud and believed that the rules no longer applied to him. Uzziah entered the temple to burn incense - a privilege given to the priests alone. Even when confronted about his sin he arrogantly refused to listen - until leprosy broke out on his body up to his forehead (2 Chronicles 26:1-21). God had gotten his attention!
One bumper sticker says, “Those that seek God at the 11th hour, die by 10:30”. Uzziah stumbled before the finish line and was disqualified. Instead of a record of great victories, he left his throne in disgrace. King Uzziah doesn't stand alone in history. Many men and women who had once walked with God have proudly turned away from Him. They wandered off the course, stopped following the Lord, and persisted in disobedience. Efforts made to get them back on track failed because they refused to hear the voice of God.
Is that the first time it has happened? No. It was like that in Jeremiah's day. The Lord told Jeremiah to stand in the court of the temple and speak boldly to the people of Jerusalem that destruction was headed their way if they didn't follow God's laws. How did they react? They seized Jeremiah and said, “You will surely die” (Jeremiah 26:8). His life was in danger because he dared to speak the truth. But in spite the threats, Jeremiah repeated his warning. This made the officials and the people to say to the priests and false prophets after they had considered Jeremiah's warning: “This man does not deserve to die. For he has spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God” (v6). Jeremiah's dilemma points to two important facts that a message of warning will not be eagerly received by those who need to be warned and that we must give the warnings and then trust God to protect us.
There is a danger signal on the horizon for us to know in this day. We are in the end-time. Any moment from now the midnight cry will sound. I mean the trumpet will sound, heralding the end of this present world. I say this because almost everything has reached its peak. And the clock in heaven is now saying, “5 minutes to midnight”. And like Uzziah and my friend John, a lot of people will be taken unawares. Many people have seen this. Many people have as well received this revelation from God. They have been told by God to warn the people, even the Church. The General Superintendent of the Watchman Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement, Pastor A.C. Ohanebo can tell this better.
But in the face of these developments, there remains false preachers out there, who are bent on telling us nothing else but pleasure, joy of the world, etc, yet not preparing us for heaven. False testimonies everywhere! But please my beloved brethren, if this is all we have to show for the mercy and blessings of God upon our lives, then we need to check our lives again, if we are still with God (2 Corinthians 13:5). Our greatest testimony should be the salvation of our soul - all other things are ending here! We can't carry them beyond. When the trumpet sounds, our wealth will not fly with us. Hear the Bible: "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up" (2 Peter 3:10, KJV).
Time is Running Out
While the world began to realize and deal with the problem of Y2K, an even bigger problem loomed. The Fire-Brand Int'l Ministriesin its editions of Foundation Satellite magazine had been warning the people - men and women, children and adults - of the problem that threatens more than the loss of power and heat that will bring loss far greater than the loss of all the wealth in the world. Yeah, that problem is SIN! Our attachment to the things of this world rather than the things of God has done and is still doing a lot of havoc in the lives of people. Just as programmers who installed our computers did not think that their actions would affect the future, so also are many of us. Some have mistakenly believed that when their life is over that 'that's the end!' Foul! I mean, that's an error!! You have a never-dying soul!!! God's word says, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).
Some people know this fact, that's why they were afraid of the millennium bug, because when the BIG BANG occurs, it will quickly usher them into spending eternity in the 'blackness of darkness forever' - “in the fire that never shall be quenched” (Jude 13, Mark 9.43). Jesus said, “Fear not them that kill the body …” (Matthew 10:28). Ecclesiastes 12:13 says, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man". The fear of God is the fear worth having, it guides you unto wisdom (Proverbs 9:10; Psalm 111:10); every other fear is useless.
But wait a minute, what is running in your mind now? Did you ever bother about the Y2K bug in 1999? Were you afraid that your money might be misplaced or lost, or that a global depression might affect your life? That fear was misplaced. You should have been more afraid of losing your soul in hell fire (Mark 8:36). It may not be possible for one to step forward with a complete solution to the Y2K problem but with the problem of sin - a much larger problem already affecting everyone in the world - someone has already provided the solution. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, stepped forward 'to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself" (Hebrews 9:26). When Jesus was crucified, He bore our sins “in His own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24).
Beloved, you have looked at your clock many times, what did you find out? Is it true that time is running out? Now, look at your relationship with God? I mean God, the Almighty whose time-keeping is perfect. Have you recognized your accountability to Him? If not, hear this: “Now is the time to surround yourself with the values, thoughts, and attitudes of the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14). "Be sure of this one thing that your eternal rescue is closer than ever before" (Romans 13:11). Heed the warning that time is running out for this world and return to God, your maker, in repentance of your sins (Romans 13:12). If you are going to live honestly and lovingly, you must do so now! As you look at the clock today, remember that you should also figure time by your relationship to the Lord. The problem has been identified, and the answer has been provided - but the big question is, have you put it to work in your life even when it is 5 minutes to midnight? (John 3:36). You must repent of your sins and trust Jesus Christ, who died for you and rose again, as your Lord and personal Saviour, so that no matter what the midnight brings, you will have peace in your soul.
However, I implore you to pray this simply prayer earnestly from your spirit:
“Almighty God, I come to you today. I know that I am a sinner and I cannot save myself, no matter how I try. That is why I come to you today. Jesus, I accept you today as my personal Lord and Saviour, I denounce the devil and all his works. I am for you. Thank you for saving me”.
If you have prayed that prayer sincerely, then I encourage you to join a Bible believing Church. A place where Jesus is preached, the Holy Spirit is given absolute liberty and the word of God is the final authority. If you need my recommendation, I will not hesitate to recommend to you WCCRM. Find any branch of this Church closest to you and be apart of what God is doing in the midst of His children. If this message has blessed you, send me an e-maila text to any of the numbers. Someone will always be available to counsel and pray with you and I will also be delighted to read from you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJzwMfvj5Zc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQYtVnwd5nw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox63JtuRFAY
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQYtVnwd5nw
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