House of God

 Matt 11:17
’‘My house shall be called for all nations the house of prayer’? But ye have made it a den of thieves.”

It was the practice and conviction of the church I was saved in to keep the house of God sacred. All exchange of money for whatever purpose was to be done outside the church walls. Food was not to be eaten inside the church sanctuary. This included the basement, and any edifice connected to it. The premise of these strict rules is based on this passage of scripture. I do appreciate the reverence and respect that was given to God’s house, even though I think they have taken this scripture beyond the purpose it was intended. We need to keep the place we gather together to meet God special. We have entered into the presence of God, we are on holy ground. The sanctuary is not a playground or the marketplace, it is a place to “take off our shoes”, lift our hearts, and hear the word of God. 
Like the fig tree that Jesus had cursed on its way to the temple, the Jews were not bearing fruit that was pleasing to God. Their hearts were full of greed and selfish living. They did not care about being true worshipers of God, they used their religion and the temple to pad their pockets. Jesus saw the hypocrisy and the fruitlessness of their lives and manifested His wrath against the way they were blaspheming the House of God. Like the fig tree He cursed and withered away, Jesus was demonstrating His displeasure and anger at the sin of His chosen people. They were all about appearing good on the outside, a tree with leaves, but hearts far from true followers of God. The Jews were not bearing the fruit that God intended them to bear. As believers, it is not enough to be called a Christian, but God desires that our lives bear fruit unto righteousness, living our lives to be like Christ.

God is Against Evil

1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

The character question, do I choose to do good or do I choose to do evil. This should be a no brainer. Choosing to do good or live righteous is given with promise that the Lord will watch over those who do good, and He listens to the prayers of those who choose to live a life that follows His commandments. Choosing to do that which is evil or forbidden in God’s word is to have the wrath of God to face. This is pretty harsh when we think that God is love, pours out His grace, and desires to show mercy. Hard to think that this kind of God is against those who refuse to follow His ways and choose to do evil. God is holy, and the very nature of God is against that which is unholy, or evil. He is also a God of forgiveness and will not turn anyone away that will humble themselves before Him and confess their wicked ways. He desires fellowship with His fallen creation and has provided a way to have fellowship with Him. The cross has bridged the gap between sinful man and a Holy God. To those that refuse to turn from their wicked ways and do what is right, will face the judgment of the Lord for their choices. As long as we have breathe, we have a choice to do right or do evil. God does not make that choice for us. We decide if we will walk with God and do good, or abide in sin and do evil. 

Armageddon

Revelation 19:11-21

As they stand there with defiant hearts, Christ with His eyes of flaming fire penetrates their darken soul. And in a moment of time from the mouth of Christ, a sword goes forth as He speaks the words that smite all that is wicked and evil. Who is able to stand against the wrath of God?

Faithful and True - He that sat was called faithful and true

• What he says is true- It will come to pass
• His word will not return void
• He come to fulfill justice- Days of mercy are passed
• We serve one that is faithful and true to his word.

Flame of Fire – His eyes were as a flame of fire

• His eyes penetrated through the darkness
• He was crowned with majesty- too many to count

Following Army – the armies which were in heaven followed Him

• They were all on white horses- emulating their leader
• They had on the robe of righteousness- made pure
• They came along for the “ride” Christ was the victor

Fierce Wrath of God – the winepress of the fierceness of God

• Sharp sword from the mouth of Christ
• Rule with the rod of iron- there shall be none that will oppose.
• Treadeth the winepress- “Crushing of grapes”
• Fierceness and wrath of the Almighty God
• He comes in all His glory- King of Kings, Lord of All

Fowls Called to Supper – Gather together to the supper

• Supper of the great God- Follows supper of the lamb in heaven
• Eat the flesh of those left dead after battle

Fires of Hell – cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone

• The folly of making war with Christ
• All that followed or were deceived by Satan were cast away
• Cast alive into sulfurous fire

An Army Gathered- Armageddon

Revelation 16:12-20

The day of reckoning has finally arrived. The foolish and wicked are finally put to silence. The day of repentance has passed and now man must meet his maker. The wrath of God and final judgment is poured out on all those who made their choice to worship the beast and the false prophet. Even in the face of imminent doom, man refuses to acknowledge Christ as Lord. Their heart has rebelled and hardened itself against the warning of destruction. They foolishly go forward into battle being deceived by Satan that they can overcome the God of heaven and earth. It will not be until the great judgment day that they will realize that Christ is Lord of Lords, and King of Kings. Today is the day of salvation. May we fall on our knees now and make Him Lord of our lives.

Reapers of the Vineyard - Chapter 14

• 144,000 with Christ
• Warning of judgment is given- Last chance- Fear God
• Judgment to come to those with the mark of the beast
• Reapers gather the wicked into the wine press of God’s Wrath

Rejoicing in Heaven – Chapter 15

• The song of the redeemed- those who died for the lamb

• They who refused to worship to the Beast
• He is Holy, Almighty, Lord of All, and Righteous in judgment

Revelation of the Bowls – Chapter 16: 1-12

• Sores on the body
• Sea of Blood- life in the sea dies
• Spring water turned to blood
• Sun becomes hotter
• Sunshine turns to Darkness
• Source of Life is dried up- Euphrates river

Ready for Battle – …to gather them to battle

• Dragon, beast, false prophet – spirit of divination
• Battle of all battles
• Armageddon- historical battleground

Reckoning Day – it is done, the mountains were not found

• God speaks the word and it is finished- DONE
• Earthquake at every fault line- earth plates collide and sink
• All the great cities crumbles to the earth

• The earthly kingdom of Satan falls under the wrath of God
• The earth swallowed itself- Open and disappeared.