Living for Him in a Divided Nation
Hi Friends,
I have two visions to share with you today. These visions come with warnings. The first vision stands alone as a very serious message. But when the two visions are seen together, there is another meaning that comes across. Please read this post and share it with others. God bless you!
The Visions
Preserving
I saw a road sign with the word “Preserving” written on it. To preserve means to save, to keep in its present form, to conserve, and to protect. To preserve foods, we can sterilize jars and fill them with cooked fruits, vegetables and meats. We can sun dry or freeze dry fruits. We can salt cure or smoke meats. We can pickle vegetables in a salt brine. Or we can pasteurize and ferment liquids. These are methods to preserve and protect from spoilage.
We can preserve our forests, with forest management programs. We can preserve our American heritage, by protecting historical documents, photos, monuments and artifacts. We can preserve our representative republic, by holding to the United States Constitution as it was written.
The Lord is faithful to reveal what we are to preserve. I believe we can find the Lord’s intention in the following scriptures:
“Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.” Luke 17:33
“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 16:25
“Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” John 12:25
“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and for the gospel will save it.” Mark 8:35
All four gospels contain this strong and important message.
The words “preserve” or “preserving” clearly mean to save. The Lord purchased our salvation with his own blood. And, we are to preserve our salvation by choosing to live for him, for “...how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? Hebrews 2:3
What the Lord wants us to understand and believe is that the life we live in our flesh, is not to take precedence over our devotion to Him. If persecution comes our way, and because we fear for our lives, we compromise or denying our faith, we will most certainly lose our eternal life with the Lord. We must value the Lord and what he did for us, over every other thing.
As we should already know, the choices we make today, have lasting consequences. We can choose to live for ourselves and do what we think is best, or we can instead, live for God, deny our flesh, and follow him. For what pleases our natural self opposes what our spirit yearns for – to have fellowship with God.
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:16-25
We see an important statement in this passage: “Those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” If our lives are all about satisfying our natural desires, and living for success, as the world values success, then we will lose what is most valuable: an eternal life with the Lord,
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
If we will deny our flesh and allow the Holy Spirit to have his way in our lives, then the fruit of the Spirit will be produced in us, which is the very proof that the Holy Spirit dwells within us. As we yield to the Spirit, we become the fragrance of Christ, and pleasing to him.
“For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one, we are an odor of death and demise; to the other, a fragrance that brings life.” 2 Corinthians 2:15-16
The Context of the Four Gospel Passages:
The contexts of Matthew and Mark are nearly identical, presenting the choice with something to consider.
“Then Jesus told His disciples, ‘If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?’” Matthew 16:24-26
In the context we understand that the Lord presents us with a life and death choice. The Lord is asking us to consider sacrificing our wills for his. Can we choose to follow him rather than following our own self-directed path? Are we willing to choose a cross over our desires, dreams and goals? We must consider the ramifications of our decisions. Are we willling to give up heaven and spend our eternity in hell just to be able to “do our own thing” here and now on this earth? Isn’t heaven is worth every sacrifice we make in life now, to have the peace of knowing that we will spend all eternity with God?
Now, let’s now look at the context that Luke’s gospel provides:
“Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot—they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all— so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed. On that day, let the one who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away, and likewise let the one who is in the field not turn back. Remember Lot's wife. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it. I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed. One will be taken and the other left. There will be two women grinding together. One will be taken and the other left.” And they said to him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.” Luke 17:22-37
Luke places this quote in a different context to convey another aspect of this warning. Luke wants to show that it is not simply the fear of physical pain and suffering coming from persecution that causes people to fall away from the faith. He focuses on the ordinary circumstances of life, the love of comfort, pleasure and material possessions.
The warning that Luke gives is the warning that when the Son of Man is revealed, we cannot leave to go back and get whatever we think is most important. Lot’s wife was told to not look back, but her heart was for Sodom. She loved her world more than being obedient to God. She was turned into a pillar of salt.
Her action, spontaneous or otherwise, revealed her heart and her priorities. We are told to remember Lot’s wife, because anyone of us can be persuaded to give more attention to our families, pastimes and businesses, than to our Lord. There is nothing that we can take with us. Everything is worthless compared to our salvation and knowing Him.
John’s context reads:
“Truly, truly, I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a seed; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. John 12:24-25
John’s gospel points out another aspect of not trying to save or preserve our natural life. The kernel of wheat that falls to the ground and dies is a martyr, meaning “witness.” If anyone testifies or gives witness to the goodness, grace and salvation found in Christ, he will no doubt find those who oppose his message.
“For Jesus said, ‘Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.’” Matthew 10:21-22
Those who do not shrink back or compromise their faith to avoid physical pain or death will prove to be more fruitful, because their courage and sacrifice speaks volumes to non-believers. Their witness of faith and obedience unto death proves to comfirm the message of the gospel, bringing glory to God.
I must share one more scripture, very similar in thought:
“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me; and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.” Matthew 10:37-38
When I think of these important scriptures, I remind myself that I cannot consider my love for my children or grandchildren or my spouse to be greater than my love for the Lord. When the Lord appears, we cannot go back into the house to take anything with us. Nor can we take a loved one with us who has been unwilling to submit to God. I love my family dearly, but I cannot change their hearts. That is something that only God can do. When we see the Lord in all his glory, we cannot abandon him for even a second. We cannot go into the house to find a son or daughter or a spouse to tell them “He is here! Come with me!” Our love for our children or spouse cannot be greater than our love for the Lord.
And certainly, we cannot value a single thing over Him. For that day will come, and all that we consider important will pass away. Only our relationship with the Lord will remain.
The Lord looks at our hearts. He sees our real intentions. He knows our every thought and motive. His desire is for us to draw near to him, to surrender our wills, to deny ourselves, and to take up our cross and follow him. We must not attempt to preserve our life rather than face persecution and possible death. In America we have felt safe and comfortable. We have had the liberty to speak our minds and to worship God without interference. But the times are changing and from the other visions that I have received, I know that it will be dangerous for us to carry a Bible. This is a warning to prepare for difficult times. We must have a genuine love for the Lord and live in expectation that someday he will come for us. Let us be ready!
The Beta and Iota
The second vision that I am sharing today is of a small square with a frame around it. Inside the square frame is the Greek letter Beta which looks like a “B” written in script. And superimposed over the beta is an “Iota,” which looks like a capital “I.”
A good portion of the New Testament is written in Greek, because like English today, it was the language of diplomacy. At that time in history, the Greek language and culture was promoted throughout the Roman Empire. Since the Jews rejected the Gospel, the message spread to the rest of the known world, through the Greek language.
The letter Beta is the second letter in the Greek alphabet. It can represent a “house,” and the number 2. An article online entitled “Beta Symbol and its Meaning” describes the origin and meaning of the Beta.
Origin of the Beta Symbol.
“Like most other Greek letters, the name "beta" was derived from its corresponding letter in Phoenician, also known as the Proto-Canaanite alphabet, once spoken in the Mediterranean region. Etymologically, the term means "house" in various Semitic languages, including Arabic, Hebrew, and Phoenician, and it seems to originate from an Egyptian hieroglyph of a house.”
The letter “Iota” is the ninth and smallest letter in the Greek alphabet. It can represent anything very small. It also represents the number 10. The Lord uses the Greek letter iota in his teaching about the Law and the believer’s relationship to it.
"For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished." Matthew 5:18
We should note that the Law originated with the Ten Commandments, and the letter iota also represents 10. Jesus was saying that as insignificant as the smallest letter is, it would not be dropped from the Law, “until all is accomplished.” And we know that Jesus came to fulfill the Law.
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.” Matthew 5:17
But by his death, everything was accomplished.
“After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished,’ and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:28-30
If we look at the two letters in the vision, we see that the iota, a straight line superimposed upon the beta, divides the beta into two equal parts. If the beta represents a house, and also the number 2 which represents division or the cutting into two, then what I believe I see is a house divided.
What did Jesus say about a house divided?
“And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.” And he called them to him and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end. But no one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house.” Mark 3:22-27
So where is the divided house that concerns the Lord? Is it not our nation? After all, the Bible refers to the nation of Israel as “the house of Israel.”
Even in our government we have the House of Representatives, and the White House. And historically, we had a governing body in Colonial Virginia called “The House of Burgesses.”
We also have the “House of God,” meaning the church or body of believers, to which the Bible refers, in this passage:
“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17
I know that the Lord will someday divide or separate the sheep from the goats. But they remain together until the very end of the age. This is a comparable example the Lord gives of weeds and wheat:
“Let the weeds and the wheat grow together until the harvest time. At the harvest time I will tell the workers this: ‘First, gather the weeds and tie them together to be burned. Then gather the wheat and bring it to my barn.’” Matthew 13:30-32
So the house divided I believe is our nation. What concerns me is the idea that “a house divided will fall.” The enemy, the devil and his demons operate their wicked schemes through people who can be manipulated and enticed by money, power and sexual sin to do all kinds of evil. Our nation is so divided, politically, morally and spiritually. We see divisiveness everywhere. The executive branch blames their political opponents as being racist, domestic terrorists, and enemies of democracy. Members of the legislative branch call for their constituents to “getting in the faces,” of their political opponents. The enemy of our souls is having a hayday with our nation. Violence, drugs, injustice, lawlessness, abortion and illegal immigragtion and corruption everywhere. We have had a steady diet of lies, propaganda and “fake news.”
We are truly in the end-times, for the Lord warned us that “wickedness would increase.” Have we ever seen such wickedness? Have we ever seen such lawlessness? We are in a cultural war, and a fight against what should be considered right and wrong, good or bad. It is truly a tragedy when some in our nation consider good bad and bad good.
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” Isaiah 5:20
It is unbelieveable how far we have gone from the truth. We, as believers, need to pray and seek the face of God to bring to the light whatever has been hidden in the darkness. We need evil to not only be exposed, but to be dealt a swift blow. And we need to pray for repentant hearts for those who have corrupted the various institutions by promoting ideologies that destroy our nation.
Yet, we have a formidable weapon for our use, the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. When we speak the word of God over our nation and its people, the Lord accomplishes his will through the word that is sent.
“Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.” Jeremiah 1:12
“so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11
There is power in our declarations:
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” Proverbs 18:21
We declare what is true, to expose the lies and false narratives that shield wickedness. The Word of truth overcomes all darkness.
Looking at the Two Visions Together:
When we see that the beta was split in half by the iota, we understand this to mean division of a house. And that the house is our nation. We also know that a nation divided cannot stand.
The street sign in the first vision, which read, “preserving,” we understand to mean “to save.” Therefore, what the Lord is asking us to do is to pray to preserve and restore our divided nation. We pray that God will preserve our nation from being destroyed by wicked men.
This is the Lord’s promise:
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
As we are those called by the Lord’s name, we are to humble ourselves and pray. We are to seek the face of God for the forgiveness of our sins. And as we turn away from our own wicked ways, the Lord will hear our prayers and forgive us and heal our nation. This is what we are to do if we want to see real changes in our country. God is faithful. He is asking the church to be faithful.
Our nation was formed and dedicated to God for his glory. We have had God-fearing men in our formative years and even throughout our history. But now is the time to return to God and re-dedicate our nation to him.
Let us not lose heart or become weary. Let us pray without ceasing, and stand firm in our devotion to the Lord, because he is the lifter of our heads!
“Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up!” James 4:10
Please share this message with others, for everyone needs to be prepared to meet the Lord! God bless you!
