Tag: bridegroom

Luke:17: 32: Remember Lot’s wife.

 

What was it about Lot’s Wife that Jesus would tell us to remember?

The world sometimes seams up-side down, so before we begin we need to ask Gods Blessing on what is the true meaning of what He said about Remember Lot’s wife

First we need to understand the story about Lot and his family so let’s go to the book of Genesis and start with Chapter 13:

7: And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.

8: And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.

9: Is not the whole land before thee?  separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.

Abram was Lots uncle and together God had blessed them to the point that everything they had was too large for them to dwell together. So Abram said to Lot choose where you want to live, how wonderful was Lot’s uncle to give him first choice of all the land before them.

10: And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.

11: Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.

12: Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.

Here we are told that Lot decided that he would dwell close to the big City of Sodom, but what did God say about Sodom. 

13: But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.

Lot seen and knew about how wicked that city was but he believed that he could gain advantage by living there and maybe convert some of the people as well.

Sometime it’s not good to live in or near a big city, why because little by little Satan will use the things of pleasure to lure you or your family away from God and away from the truth.

Now understand that it is not Gods will that any should die but there are times when God must put a check on sin or it would destroy the world before its time. The City of Sodom was known for its wickedness and the time of probation for that City was drawing to and end. They were giving time to repent of all the Evil that was done in that great City, but there passion for sin was great.

Genesis: 18

16: And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.

17: And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;

 

20: And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;

21: I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.

22: And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.

We are told that these men were Angles that were with Jesus; they went on there way to Sodom while the Lord and Abraham stayed behind.

Genesis: 19

1: And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;

2: And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant’s house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways.  And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.

God will never force His way into your home, he comes in only when He is invited into your home. Lot did not know at first these men were angles, he like many good men in his time, it was customary to watch by the gate for strangers coming into the city and invite them in to his home. Lot also knew the wickedness in the city at night and did not want these strangers to meet any harm, so he invited them into the safety of his home.

12: And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides?  son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place:

13: For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it.

The angles reveal to Lot there mission and give him warning to get out of the city because it will soon be destroyed. God will again in the last days give his people warning to get out of the Cities to a place of safety that He will provide for all who put there faith in him.

14: And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city.  But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.

Lot returned sorrowfully to his home and told the story of his failure. Then the angels bade him arise and take his wife and the two daughters who were yet in his house and leave the city. But Lot delayed.

Though daily distressed at beholding deeds of violence, he had no true conception of the debasing and abominable iniquity practiced in that vile city. He did not realize the terrible necessity for God’s judgments to put a check on sin. Some of his children clung to Sodom, and his wife refused to depart without them.

Lot like all true Christians did not loose his faith or belief in God even surrounded with all the evil and sin, he kept his eyes on God; but he did became unalarmed by all the vice in the city. By beholding we become changed, this is why we must guard the avenues of our minds, we must be carful of the things we watch and do as they will change us. Lot had hopped to turn others in Sodom to the one and true God, but in fact he ended up loosing his own family to the pleasure of Sin. We need to be carful of what we let our Children do and see as it will someday make a difference in there life, if they will or will not obey God and live or serve Satan and die.

17: And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

Is it importance to listen when God is giving instructions, when he tells you to do or not to do something in a cretin way. We might not understand the reason why God said to do something, but we need to make sure we do precisely to the T on how God said to do it. Remember Adam & Eve it was just a piece of fruit that’s all, but it was a piece of Fruit that God said don’t eat it for in the day you eat of it you will die. When God tells you to do something, do it according to His very word, when God says to remember something make sure you never forget it, it could save your life.

 

24: Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;

25: And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.

The thought of leaving those whom he held dearest on earth seemed more than he could bear. It was hard to forsake his luxurious home and all the wealth acquired by the labors of his whole life, to go forth a destitute wanderer. Stupefied with sorrow, he lingered, loath to depart. But if it was not for the angels of God, they would all have perished in the ruin of Sodom. The heavenly messengers took him and his wife and daughters by the hand and led them out of the city.

26: But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

So here is the reason Jesus said remember Lot’s wife. She was instructed like Lot and his two daughters not to look back. God did everything He could to save her; all she needed to do was to obey His command. But the question is why did she looked back, did she for get something. In fact she did she left her heart there in Sodom, even thro her body was safe and on the outside of Sodom, her heart was on the things she left behind.

While her body was upon the plain, her heart clung to Sodom, and she perished with it. She rebelled against God because His judgments involved her possessions and her children in the ruin. Although so greatly favored in being called out from the wicked city, she felt that she was severely dealt with, because the wealth that it had taken years to accumulate must be left to destruction. Instead of thankfully accepting deliverance, she presumptuously looked back to desire the life of those who had rejected the divine warning. Her sin showed her to be unworthy of eternal life, for the preservation of which she felt so little gratitude. We should beware of treating lightly on God’s gracious provisions for our salvation

How sad when the children of the Father loose there hold on faith because of the trinkets of this world. When they would rather choose the pleasures of Sin for a season rather then eternal life with the God who loves them enough to die for them. Lot did all that a Father could do for his family, he was a man of faith, a man of purity, a man of prayers; but to his children and Wife he was only a foolish old man. To the world God people will look like foolish people because they will be different, they would choose the things of heaven over the pleasures of Sin in this world. They would choose to server God rather then Satan, they will be the ones doing what God said to do, John:14:15: If ye love me, keep my commandments.

We must learn that there is nothing in this life more important then to serve the God who created us. Adam lost his grip on faith when Eve sinned and he chose to Sin with her rather then to be separated from her. He could not see Gods divine plan for mankind with out Eve, so rather then wait for God he too decided to join Eve in her act of rebellion and disobeying Gods divine instructions.

 

Now let’s look at the words of Jesus in the book of Luke

Luke:17:

28: Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;

29: But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.

God is telling us that this world is becoming a city of sin just like Sodom and soon his judgment will fall on all who have choosing to disobey His Laws His Commandments. It is not His will that any should be lost because He paid the price for all by His death on the cross. To be lost in Sin is a personal choice, it is a choice you make to turn your back on the truth and be lost in this world of Sin. Just because you go to Church does not give you a free ticket into heaven, remember Lot’s Wife. She was safe outside but her heart was still there in Sodom.

 

Let’s look again at the story Jesus was telling in the book of Matthew

Story about 10 Virgins Matthew 25:

1: Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

2: And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

3: They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

4: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

5: While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

Now let’s understand the setting of the story, this illustration is about Gods Church. Why I say that is because it is about Woman who are Virgins. A woman in the Bible represents as a Church, and a Virgin Woman would be GodsChurch.  

6: And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

The Bride Groom represents Jesus coming back for His people

7: Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

8: And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

9: But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

What does oil represent in the Bible, Gods Holy Spirit that is correct.

10: And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

So here we find only half of God Church were keeping His laws and commandments and so they had more of the oil that only God can supply, His Holy Spirit. The other half of the so called Christians had some oil but when the time came they ran short on the oil that would keep there light burning. That light my friend is Jesus as long as we are looking at Jesus and keeping His word that light will guide us safely to Him. John:17: 7: Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. Psalme:119: 105: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

All who will have the Oil of the Holy Spirit will have enough that there light will keep burning and keep them on the right path to Jesus. But we must learn now that we need to Obey Gods and do what he told us to do. It is very important to follow Gods word and do as He told us to do and not the world. Isaiah:8:20: To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. The only truth there is, is in God word, don’t let someone fool you and say it is OK to forget what God say to remember.

11: Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

12: But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

Friend the story here in not about people who do not know Jesus, the story is about God Church. The problem again is those who believe and do what God said to do; and those who believe and do what the world said to do.

 

There is a danger and Jesus is giving us a warren that we will become like Lots wife. When the time comes and the message to leave our homes and things of this world, will you be lost or saved. Will you be one of the Christians who keep the commandments of God, or the traditions of your Church, there is a big different. 

Do not let the things of this world keep you from eternal life with Jesus, when he said to remember Lot’s wife He was telling us to take care and listen to the Holy Spirit. Read everyday in Gods word; asking for God’s Holy Spirit to lead you into all truth. Obey His commandments not your Church doctrines. The Church doctrines will lead you to disobey; but Gods Word will supply you with enough oil to get you through the night and into the Wedding feast. Obey and don’t look back at the cities when God is telling you to get out.

 

Exodus 20: 8-11 Again God says to remember, but many of the Churches today say it is OK to forget.

8: Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

9: Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

10: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

11: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Right in the middle of Gods Ten Commandments we find the word REMEMBER.  And who is telling us to remember God is, and what is He saying to remember, His Law His commandments. When God said to remember he was telling us to look back at the past to find out what He said to remember.

Genesis: 2:

1: Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.

2: And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.

3: And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

Right there in the very beginning of creation, God did something wonderful, He blessed the last day of creation and made it holy. Then He tells us to Remember what He God did in the beginning, so you would have no drought of where you came from.

Look at how the Bible describes the Church at the end of time, he calls it Laodiceans and says it is in a Luke Warm stage Revelations: 3: 

14: And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

15: I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

16: So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

With God there is no in-between, you are either all for God or you will be all against God. There will be no one sitting on the fence with one leg in both sides.

Matther:6:

24: No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

The Truth is that many Christians today are no different then Lot’s Wife. They have a form of Godliness on the outside but want the goods of this world on the inside. They are not cold but they are not hot either; they are kind of right there in the middle, (Luke Warm). That my friend is a dangerous place to be in the present of the almighty God of all creation

In the end time there will be only two choices to make; those who keep God Commandments, and those who do not keep God commandments. What side will you be on?

 

Revelation 14:

12: Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Who is Satan persecution, There will only be two choices.

Revelation:12:17: And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

God is telling us by His prophet John that Satan will be angry with the small group (remnant ) of true Christians who refused to disobey God. Then Satan will make war with Gods true Christians and persecute them through the others so called Christians who have compromised with the world and trample down the truth of Gods Word.

But I tell you a truth my friend, don’t be afraid, just have faith because God will be with His true people. He will lead them through time of trouble just like He did for the children of Israel. For 40 years God provide everything they needed in the wilderness and God will again provide for His end time people who have left Sodom for the safety of His provisions.

Don’t take lightly what God is telling you to do, and don’t think because some Church tradition or big religious leader is saying it is OK to do contrary to what God said is OK.

Out of all of Lot’s family only He and two of his children were saved, everyone one else was lost.

 

Remember also Noah, God gave him a massage to preach to the world of the soon coming destruction, but no one believed him. It did not stop Noah because he believed Gods word and when the time came to make a choice to enter into Gods provision of safety only 8 people were saved   Genesis:7: 16: And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in.     

God shut him in and probation for this world ended. God will again shut His true believers in and away from the destruction that is coming upon this world. Because they will be the ones who made the choice to do according to His commands and to keep His word as a light unto the path that will lead to salvation.

Luke: 21:

25: And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

26: Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

27: And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

28: And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

My friend what side will you be on, I pray that you will choose to keep Gods Law and His commandments all ten of them and not the 9 that the Churches of this world are saying it is OK to keep.

Revelation:14:7: Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

Right there in the last book of the New Testament it is telling us to Worship the God who back in Genesis Created this world, the same God who in the 4^th commandment made the made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. What should you be doing, what God said to do, or what your Church is saying to do. Remember Lot’s Wife and obey the command of a God who loves you so much He came to die in your place in order to give you eternal life with His in a paradise kingdom that He is preparing for all who by faith believe in Him.

 

Matthew: 7:

13: Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

14: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

15: Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Read and understand what Jesus was saying, He is giving us a warning. The path that will lead you to Him is narrow and only a few only the remnant will find it.

The path that leads to Jesus is not the one that the large Churches are teaching. Remember Revelation 12: 17: The dragon went to make war with the remnant of her seed. The few that will find the straight path will be the ones keeping Gods Commandments, God’s Law, and God’s testimonies. We must learn that in order for anyone to be saved we must do what God is telling us to do and not the Church or the Church traditions. We will all stand before Jesus one day and be judge for what we know is the Truth. How will you fair on that day if you are doing something other then what Jesus has told you do.

You see we live in a World today where people say oh I am OK I am a good person I don’t hurt any one or do anything wrong. But is that enough my friend to get you in to Heave when the time comes or will you refused to leave your Sodom home.

We do things at home and watch things on TV or at the Movies, but I ask if Jesus came to live with you today would you watch them in His presents; or take Him to see that Movie. Would you say those things to your neighbor or take that thing that is not yours if Jesus was standing right there next to you.

My friend the Bible said in Proverbs:14:12: There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. We think we are OK living the way we do but we would not live that way if Jesus was standing there with us or living in our Homes. And in this scripture it is telling us that these little things may someday be the difference between us wanting to leave or holding us back in this world of Sin.

God is a God of love a God of mercy a God of justice, but you can’t disobey what He is telling you to do in order to be saved and expect to be saved. If you do; wend the time comes to leave this Sodom world you too will look back at all the treasure and things you had to leave behind and find yourself a pillar of salt outside of the Kingdom of Jesus.

We must learn to put our faith in God and God alone. You can’t go by what your Church is teaching or by what your pastor may be preaching. You must study the word of God for yourself day by day and let His Holy Spirit guide you into all Truth. As you read and pray little by little the Holy Spirit will open your understanding of Gods word. As we get closer to the time of the end there will be many deceivers in the all Churches. This is why you must know the word of God for yourself and what is says.

Yes I know what you are thinking, I can’t read that well or I can’t remember what the Bible says. That is no excuses, just believe and let God lead. Maybe you will not remember now but when the time comes God will bring back everything you have been learning to safely guide you out of Sodom. Daily Bible studies are very importance even if it is just 5min a day, devote that time and be alone with God, just obey His voice and do the things He said to do.

Look at the Bible from cover to cover and read, it is all about a God looking for a people that love Him and want to show it by doing what He God say to do. Salvation my friend is just that simple obey and live disobey and die, the same test that Adam & Eve was giving is giving to each and everyone of us today.

 

1Kings:18:21:How long halt ye between two opinions?  if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him

I pray that today you will choose to follow God and His truth.

God Bless you my friend and may we meet someday in God kingdom

Elder Tim McNab

Restoring Gods Truth Ministries