Asking the Strategic Question-Why? Is Crucial in the End Times
I have been known to be a prolific questioner. In fact, my former boss in a certain institution repeatedly told me that I asked very hard questions. I would sit there and smile. For a long time, people have been forced to be quiet. Many are told, “Shut up and just do as you are told!”
We are living in the days, the Last Days, where we are to keep asking questions. We are not to be sponges, we are recipients of God’s authority, His mandates and commands. These were given for us to observe and make sense of the world around us. We are to be vigilant! Not be lulled asleep!
In the age of technology, there are neon lights flashing on billboards, where almost everyone owns a cell phone and just a few, a billion or two, are not avid participants on two or more social media platforms. We are in a world that only bits of information are approved by certain ones self-appointed to judge the message and the messengers. These ones evaluate the various messages or voices and determine who is to be heard and who is to be silenced, in the process of communicating ideas and messages. These ones lose sight of the fact that they themselves might be conveying bad information or that they might be advocating for ungodly values, they might be also “brain-washed,” so what’s to be done?
Jesus talks to His disciples about the concept of deception. He uttered a warning saying the following:
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
(Source: The Galatians -Chapter 6: Verses 7 & 8, NKJV)
Additionally, in the Book of Matthew, we see that-
4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
(Source: Matthew-Chapter 24: Verses 4-8, KJV)
In our days there will be crises, destabilization and efforts to “fundamentally change” what was working to the something men find more attractive. The question is why? Pride! Certain men have turned away from God and aspire to become their own gods. Wealth and power have deceived them. They will perish!
We have the responsibility to not be demoralized, marginalized, turn away from the truth or be found wanting as a result of the crises or thirst for change underway.
Yet again, I refer to what Jesus told us in the Book of Mark:
33 Be on guard! Be alert[e]! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”
(Source: Mark -Chapter 13: Verses 33-36, NKJV)
Here is another significant Scripture text. It resembles the nuanced political scenario in our day. It is:
Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.
(Source: Exodus 1: 18 KJV)
This points to a Pharaoh who ascended to power decades after Joseph had served as Governor in Egypt and had saved Egypt during the seven years of famine. The new king wanted nothing to do with the God of Israel or His people, the Children of Israel. So, he dealt deceptively with Israel and the resultant oppression, slavery, ensued. Many times, afterwards Israel experienced similar betrayal. They faced Pogroms, Expulsions, the Holocaust and today-- the BDS Movement. These paradigms are here for warnings, but where pride is present in the hearts of man, they do foolish, harmful things such as rejecting God and those who serve Him.
If God were to be off the scene, which is impossible, the result is darkness. Let’s read this Scripture text:
2But your iniquities have separated
you from your God;
your sins have hidden his face from you,
so that he will not hear.
3 For your hands are stained with blood,
your fingers with guilt.
Your lips have spoken falsely,
and your tongue mutters wicked things.
4 No one calls for justice;
no one pleads a case with integrity.
They rely on empty arguments, they utter lies;
they conceive trouble and give birth to evil.
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7 Their feet rush into sin;
they are swift to shed innocent blood.
They pursue evil schemes;
acts of violence mark their ways.
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15 Truth is nowhere to be found,
and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.
(Source: Isaiah Chapter 59: Verses 2-4, 7, 15, NKJV)
These are the fruits of darkness. Jesus expects us to walk in the Light. For He is the Light of the world. (John 8:12).
Here is a list of strategic pointers to help us in the times we are living:
1. Discerning of spirits. This helps us in combating communication campaigns designed to foster the fundamental change that is underway. These efforts are not to draw us to Jesus, so be aware. (1 Cor. 12: 10)
2. Remember the lovingkindness of the Lord. (Neh. 9:17)
3. Be strong and of good courage. (Joshua 1: 6, 7)
4. Trust in God. (See Ps 25: 2)
5. Call on the name of the Lord and you shall be saved. (Rom 10:13)
6. Pray without ceasing. (1 Thess. 5: 17)
7. Preserve the ancient landmarks. (Prov 22: 28)
8. Support Israel. (Gen 12: 3)
There is no need to reimagine anything or destroy the foundation of truth to build on something that is unsound or ungodly. We have the Word of God, let us build our expectations, only, on Jesus.
May the Lord help you and me to be bold to ask questions of the messengers of change. Such questions should include:
· Why do we need change?
· To what do we change?
· How will that look?
· Who benefits?
· What’s the price do we have to pay?
· Where does Jesus fit into this new world order?
The answers will inform your decision.
The Lord is good, my friend. Do not put anyone or anything before God. God is the Great King and Satan knows it. Satan is defeated and the date of his judgment is set. Do not walk away from Jesus, He sets us up to be more than conquerors (Rom 8: 37). Let us holdfast to Him in this ever-changing landscape.
Best
Yours
Cherub