Jesus came to us as a helpless baby, and when he grew up he increased in favor with God and men. He walked the countryside, blessing children, preaching uplifting sermons, healing the sick. He called his followers friends. He explained that he had come to lay down his life for us. He welcomes all who will come to him in humility, and his presence is a great comfort to the believer in times of trouble, grief, and sorrow.
Remember, also, that people tried to kill him several times for claiming to be God. Remember his violence in the temple. This same man who is meek and lowly is mighty and holy. Things are not right in this world, and he WILL fix them. I would like to share a few things Jesus said in hopes that you will see him in a different light and give pause to think.
Remember that John the Baptist introduced Jesus by saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." Jesus himself said, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." MT 7:13-14
In MT 11:20-24, Jesus tells that the day of judgment will be terrible, even worse than it was for Sodom, for the cities of his time because they wouldn't repent at his teaching.
MT 12:29-42 talks more of judgment for blasphemy and careless words. V.30: "He who is not with me is against me...."
MT 24;38,9,44 warn us that we will be caught by surprise when Jesus returns, and it won't be a pleasant surprise for everyone.
When the Israelites crossed the Red Sea on dry ground, escaping their murderous pursuers, they sang, "Sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea."
When Peter and John were persecuted, the believers prayed Psalm 2.
REV 11:17-18 "We give thanks to you, Lord Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign. The nations were angry; and your wrath has come."
Look at the parable of the sheep and the goats in Mt 25 this way: the sheep didn't know what they were doing right while the goats didn't know they were doing anything wrong. I sure hope my conscience never breaks down so far I no longer know when I am doing wrong!
Jesus is asking you a very pointed question. "Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division." LK 12:51 He gets just a bit harsher in 13:5: "I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish." I don't know about you, but I would rather avoid eternal punishment, fire that is never quenched, and the whole weeping and gnashing of teeth thing. I don't think he was kidding.
In MT 12:43-45, Jesus describes the spiritual state of Israel. He had come to preach repentance and salvation, and by his power had caused demons to flee. These demons not only fled people, but the land. "When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation." See, Jesus did the people a favor: while they were powerless to resist the devil, emptied the house of Israel of demons, put it in order and swept it clean, but the people rejected him. The demons came back with a vengeance. Wonder why things are so bad in our own nation? We kicked God out of most of our society, and guess who takes his place?
Please read LK 20:16 and 21:17.
My prayer is that you will see that Jesus taught many things that we don't hear anymore pertaining to nations, particularly the USA. He came to save sinners, but he also rules over the affairs of men, and this includes nations. After all, in the end he will rule the whole earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Nations rise and fall according to his will. Please continue to follow my blog at http://revelationblog18.blogspot.com/
I have brought some heavy news to your heart. Remember that no matter what happens to the world around you, "we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf." HEB 6:18-19 Right there, seated in heavenly places with Christ Jesus, is where I want to stay and where I want to invite others so that they can flee the coming wrath.
Revelation 22:20 " Amen. Come, Lord Jesus."
