May the Cup Be Full Soon.

 You see a sign of something to come and you expect it to come. You study the signs and believe them, and yet year after year what you expected has not come to pass. Why?

Biblically there are situations that have occurred that have prolonged things that were supposed to happen. The most commonly known occurrence is the Israelites and their journey through the desert for forty years. They weren't supposed to journey for forty years. 

Num 32:13  And the LORD'S anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of the LORD, was consumed. 

Because the Israelites coming out of Egypt committed evil over and over again, breaking the covenant they'd made with God, He grew angry with them and didn't lead them straight to the promised land. FORTY years He had them wandering until the majority of the adults who left Egypt were dead, never seeing the promised land.

God wanted Jonah to go to Ninevah to warn them to repent of their ways. Jonah didn't want to go but God used very unique ways to persuade him to do so. Jonah warned them and they repented and God's wrath was stayed.  148 years later after their repentance they'd turned to evil ways again and this time Ninevah was destroyed. God's wrath against evil - all evil - is a very real thing and it hasn't lessened over time. God's wrath hasn't diminished against evil as some would believe because Jesus advocates for sinners. ALL evil is punished, for those whose hearts are given wholly to Jesus, for those who repent of their evil ways and seek forgiveness in all sincerity, Jesus died and took on their punishment, He took on the wrath of God for all those who are saved through Him. All evil is punished. For the many wicked who choose not to seek forgiveness, repenting of evil, God's wrath will fall upon them. 

Gen 15:16  But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. 

God talking to Abram (Abraham), telling him that when the iniquity of the Amorites was full … then the children of Israel would be freed from their bondage, but it wasn't full just yet.

Clearly God has established various standards for His will to be done with mankind. We look at the history of evil and think surely Ninevah, Sodom and Gomorrah, the Amorites and so on and so forth can't be as evil as the world has been in so many instances since then, and we wonder why God hasn't destroyed more and more cities and people. Truthfully we can't know the mind of God, but we can surmise from what we read that perhaps, God's forbearance with mankind is long suffering. We are told it is actually…

2Pe 3:8  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 

2Pe 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 

When God next destroys a people, a city, it will be in connection with the end of this evil world entirely. No longer will destructions serve as warnings to people as He used them for in the past, the final destruction is what is coming next. And as we just read above, a thousand of our years is as one day to the Lord- meaning our time isn't the same for God. Eternity is the at the end of this world, and when that eternity comes ALL the human beings that will belong to God will be- all there will be. God would save as many as possible. 

I cry out often for God's cup to be full because of the horrors of this world we live in, and I know He hears my cries. Only He knows when the long suffering has been enough, I don't. Only He knows when the cup of iniquity is full and can take no more. I must trust in Him. I believe, Lord, help Thou my unbelief!

All through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior! May we be ready at all times for Him- whether it's for the day of Salvation, or the day we enter death's temporary sleep, let us be His, now and forever!

Amen!!!!!!!

(Excerpt)

EXPOSITION OF MATTHEW XXIV  24  (((Written in 1890 - remember when reading the excerpt 131 years have passed since it was written. History does matter.))))

PARABLE OF THE FIG-TREE 

Verses 32, 33: "Now learn a parable of the fig-tree: When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh. So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it ["He," margin] is near, even at the doors." The parable of the fig-tree is probably the most forcible figure that could be used by our Lord to illustrate this subject. When the trees of the field begin to put forth their leaves, and the tender grass springs up, and the 

ground is being covered with its green velvet carpet, we know that summer is nigh. It is a certainty with us that summer is coming when we see these signs in nature.

We know that summer is nigh. "So, likewise," or with the same certainty, we may know that Christ's coming is at the doors when the signs in the sun, moon, and stars, are fulfilled. Our Lord has stated the object of these signs, which is that we may know when his coming is at the doors. But we are told by some that the church is not to know anything of the period of Christ's second advent. Then we inquire, Why did our Lord give signs of the event? Are they given to deceive us, to lead the honest Christian to look for Christ's coming when, in fact, nothing is to be known of the time of the event?–Certainly not. 

The fact that Christ foretells signs of his coming, and then states the object of those sighs, that the church may know when the event is near, even at the doors, is sufficient proof that it is the will of Heaven that the church should understand the period of the second advent. Our Lord says (Luke 21:28), "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." The signs began to come to pass with the dark day of 1780. Then it could be said that redemption draweth nigh, and from that time the humble follower of Jesus might look up in expectation of witnessing his glorious appearing. But (verse 31) when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand."

The signs in the sun, moon, and stars are all that were given to base faith upon. All the other events mentioned in connection with these, have their fulfillment after the faith of God's people is perfected, and  the doom of all sinners is fixed; therefore their cannot be embraced in the phrase, "all these things," of Matt. 24:33. The three signs having come to pass, we may now learn the parable of the fig-tree, and know that Christ's coming is near, even at the doors. The phrase, "all these things," does not embrace the mourning of the tribes of the earth, and the sign of the Son of man. Neither does it embrace the shaking of the powers of the heavens; for that does not take place until the seven last plagues are poured out. But the faith of God's people is perfected, and the doom of all sinners is forever fixed, before the pouring out of the first plague. The parable of the fig tree was given to inspire faith in the minds of those who hear the reasons of Christ's soon coming. But it is most absurd to suppose that this parable is to be learned after it is said, "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; . . . and he that is holy, let him be holy still." No! The phrase, "all these things," in verse 33, embraces the three great signs in the sun, moon, and stars, given to strengthen the faith of God's people while merciful warnings are being given to the world. Here, then, since the falling stars of 1833, the parable of the fig-tree has force, and we may know that Christ's coming is near, even at the doors, with all the certainty that we know that summer is, nigh when the trees put forth their tender buds and leaves. 

Written For Our Admonition.

We've all heard the saying about those who don't pay attention to history are doomed to repeat history's mistakes, yes? It makes sense doesn't it? When we don't listen to our own personal histories the same thing happens. We are doomed to repeat our same mistakes over and over and over again as long as we refuse to learn from our past. The fact that we have a past to pay attention to, to learn from is a blessing. Every single mistake we've ever made whether it was fifty years ago or two hours ago is a lesson for us to learn from. We have an opportunity to recognize our weakness and to open our hearts before God and seek His strength. We are given a chance to ask for forgiveness, to repent- desiring not to repeat our mistakes, and to live in the newness of life found only in Christ Jesus.

Biblically we are told we need to remember, we are told to learn so we are not ignorant of the truth.

Let's look at one instance…

1Co 10:1  Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 

What fathers were under the cloud? What cloud?

Exo 13:18  But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt. 

Those slaves freed from Egypt by the Lord through Moses- these were the forefathers of those being spoken to.

Exo 13:21  And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: 

Exo 13:22  He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people. 

The LORD - in a pillar of a cloud.

1Co 10:2  And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 

Exo_14:16  But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.

The cloud of the LORD, and the LORD parted sea.  Led by the LORD through Moses.

1Co 10:3  And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 

Exo 16:4  Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. 

Psa 78:23  Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven, 

Psa 78:24  And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven. 

Psa 78:25  Man did eat angels' food: he sent them meat to the full. 

Deu 8:3  And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. 

Bread from heaven rained down upon the people by the LORD. Spiritual meat.

1Co 10:4  And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 

Isa 48:21  And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out. 

Joh 4:14  But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. 

1Co 10:5  But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 

Num 14:11  And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them? 

Num 14:12  I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they. 

Jud 1:5  I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. 

Heb 3:16  For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. 

Heb 3:17  But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? 

Heb 3:18  And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? 

Heb 3:19  So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. 

1Co 10:6  Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 

EXAMPLES FOR US.

WE SHOULD NOT LUST AFTER EVIL THINGS.

What evil things?

1Co 10:7  Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 

Deu 9:12  And the LORD said unto me, Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt have corrupted themselves; they are quickly turned aside out of the way which I commanded them; they have made them a molten image. 

God commanded one way and the people turned away from the way God commanded- and made themselves idols of other things, in this instance it was a molten image they chose to have made so they could worship that image. What do we worship today, what takes the place of God in our hearts? We may not have an image of a golden calf set up in our house to bow down to, but there may be other things we are giving our hearts and minds to.

1Co 10:8  Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 

Num 25:1  And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. 

Num 25:2  And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. 

Num 25:3  And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel. 

Num 25:4  And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel. 

Num 25:5  And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor. 

Num 25:6  And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 

Num 25:7  And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; 

Num 25:8  And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. 

Num 25:9  And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand. 

Choosing others than God to commit our lives to fully and wholly. Choosing flesh over Spirit.

1Co 10:9  Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 

Exo 17:7  And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not? 

Num 21:5  And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. 

Num 21:6  And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. 

1Co 10:10  Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 

Exo 16:2  And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness

1Co 10:11  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 

WRITTEN FOR US - EXAMPLES. WRITTEN FOR OUR ADMONITION.

1Co 10:12  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 

TAKE HEED.

We need to take heed! We need to listen to God, not to ourselves! We need to read the examples and realize that God is NOT TO BE TRIFLED WITH. By our standards today those people God destroyed were not guilty of any crime worth death. We've glorified evil until we've convinced ourselves that evil is good and we will no longer feel the wrath of God. God has come around to our way of thinking… LIES ALL LIES!  God hasn't changed! LORD please, please help us to know Your way and follow in Your way not in our own way! Give us all we need to be YOURS WHOLLY YOURS! Satan would have us confused and deceived so we think that we are Yours when we are not. Please LORD, please let us truly be YOURS. Open our blind eyes! Lead us in the way everlasting! Keep us from EVIL! 

More on all of this tomorrow, God willing!

May we be blessed in the Lord, all through the sacrifice of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, now and forever!!!!!!!

Amen.