A Hedge of Protection

Dear Brethren,

We are the recipients of the blessings that God promised to our Patriarch, Abraham. "It shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God. Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.

"Blessed shalt thou be when thou come in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out. The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways. The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou set thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee."  (Deuteronomy 28:1-8)

God has given us great wealth and power, and He has also placed a hedge of protection all around us.  This protective wall of defense from our enemies was given to us by God on a strictly conditional basis - only if we remembered to obey and look to God.  As modern Israelites, what can we expect as a result of turning our back on the One True God who blessed us?  The answer is clear, God will remove his protection!

"I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down."  (Isaiah 5:5)

When Jesus Christ returns, will we be a prosperous people going about our business as usual, or will we be in desperate straits as a result of the depravity of our nations?  The answer is, "We are bringing the curses and the destruction upon ourselves."  God will not be capricious in sending curses on us.

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."  (Galatians 6:7)

We can see clearly that the strengths of our once great nations are becoming our weaknesses.  Do we realize that we are the cause of the curses that are prophesied to come on our Israelitish nations because we have denied our God?

Events are speeding towards their final culmination.  Our society is changing rapidly and destructively.  The earth is filled with war and terrorism.  God says that there will also be chaos in nature.  Already, we are seeing changes in the climate, earthquakes, volcanoes, and extremes in the weather.  Our sins are the cause of the disruption in the natural order established by God. "All these are the beginning of sorrows."   (Matthew 24:8)

"If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the Lord of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart."  (Malachi 2:2)

It is obvious that God has removed, at least to some degree, the protection our countries enjoyed.   Where are the religious leaders who are willing to point that out?  Are there no men of God who will warn the people of their sins?  God's Church has lost its voice to" Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins."  (Isaiah 58:1).  We know that some Christians will be speaking out against sin just before Christ returns.  How else will this prophecy be fulfilled? "Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake."  (Matthew 24:9)

God tells us to be bold about our national sins - all of them!  Until God again sends a strong spokesman or the two witnesses, we need to keep in mind that our job is to be a light of decency and stability among those with whom we come into contact.  We need to be preparing ourselves for even more tragic events to occur, so that we will not lose hope when the day of trouble comes.  "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."  (Matthew 5:16)

There is a place of safety.  We can rest assured that those who trust in God and obey His commandments will receive His protection.  The time between now and the Tribulation is going to be fraught with difficulties.  We all need to be very sober and strong-minded toward God through much prayer.

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Sermon:  "Substitutes for Religion"  

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