The Power Struggle Between Good and Evil
Topics: Good vs Evil, The Mystery of the Shemitah (Bible Prophesy)
Date: September 12, 2015
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Forum One Discussion Recap
The purpose of our Forum Discussion is to call attention to the second advent of Jesus Christ. In keeping this in mind, this platform is used to disseminate and discuss bible teachings as they relate to our present daily life. We do not know when Christ shall make his glorious appearance, but we do know that he shall. For this reason, the Holy Spirit continues to call his people to build their most holy faith in Jesus Christ. (Jude 20)
The discussion was centered on the struggle between good and evil. There are two spiritual powers in this world 1) God who has all power in heaven and earth 2) Satan, the fallen angel, who was cast from heaven to rule the earth. Jesus Christ is our Savior and his resurrection is our surety to claim the victory. Satan is the adversary, whose primary goal is to keep us from the full knowledge and truth about the saving power of Christ. The church is to be attentive and responsive to the problems that can distract us from the power of Jesus Christ. To know the will of God is the beginning to understanding good and evil. Specific discussion was given to the problems that continue to plague United States. Though, we do not fear the things that are happening, we must be prudent to understand that this is praying time. Time to pray for ourselves, the church, and the many people that will be saved. The Holy Spirit continues to remind us that there will be very serious problems in our world because of the continual rejections of the power of God Almighty. This is why it is imperative that believers understand good and evil. Temptations and the influences of evil are still prevalent in our life. These are times to draw closer to our redeemer. “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.”(Proverb 22:3)
Prophecy remains a very unique, inspiring way in which God chooses to enlighten us of future events. As discussed, the first of the three angel message is to be fulfilled in a later time period, after the three and half years tribulation. (Revelation 14:6&7) This message ties in specifically with the sealed saints that endured this tribulation period. How does this connect with us now? It brings to light that we must love God, with all of our soul, heart, and strength. To fear God is to reverence him. To give God glory is to acknowledge him as the one and only supreme God. To worship God is to give him the praise because he is the Creator of all things.
The church is in judgment time. According to the scriptures, judgment must begin at the house of the God. (I Peter 4:17) Judgment begun around 1844. This year is based on the 2300 day prophecy of Daniel 8. When Christ returns he is coming to receive his people, not to judge. The unrighteous will die at his glorious appearance and lay dead on the earth until after the millennium, a thousand years. After that time, the New Jerusalem, which are the glorified saints of God will return with Jesus Christ to judge the wicked. If this sound amazing, it is!
Why is the discussion of good and evil so important at this time? We are living in very difficult times, while the power of God has been ignored, forgotten or belittled. It is time for a spiritual revival. This revival starts with the individual and it spreads to one another. We must return to the word of God that we may know the answers to questions that probe our minds. The word of God provides all the answers that we need, but we must be patient in learning and pray for God’s continual power to understand. The church seems to be somewhat relaxed and complacent about salvation. The church has adopted laws to make believers feel comfortable, instead of teaching the word that will inspire them to lay hold of the richness in faith in God, through Jesus Christ. Our free gift of salvation is perfect and truly amazing. It is the beginning of a new life and claim of life eternity. It is by our acceptance of it, that we choose where we will spend eternity, by the grace of God.
The Spirit of God works in the lives of men, women and children. As we study the scriptures to understand the plight of humanity, we find others who are doing the same. Included in the Forum Discussion, was a very brief summary of an interesting book titled The Mystery of Shemitah, written by Rabbi Jonathan Cahn. He was inspired to highlight various points in American economic and financial history and relate them to the judgment of God. Rabbi Jonathan Cahn, a Messianic Jew has the testimony that God had blessed and revealed a 7-year pattern that’s been writing our world history since the days of Moses.
It was then on Mount Sinai in Exodus 23:10-11 when God gave Moses an instruction for the Israelites to labor on their fields for six years then rest the land on the seventh year. This was known as the Shemitah or the Sabbath Year. This holy year went according to the Hebrew Calendar starting from the first of Tishri to the sunset of Elul 29. Once sunset came the Israelites had to clear all debts and loans to one another and if they had lost something it would be returned to them. It was a simple instruction from God to test their obedience, but eventually they turned from the laws of God and ceased in observance of the Shemitah. Their culture changed into one of immoral living, which included idolatry and the sacrifice of children. Because of this, the Shemitah year transformed into judgment. In 586 BC, Israel was conquered by Babylon and were taken into captivity for seventy years, as prophesied by the Prophet Jeremiah. (Jeremiah 29:10) During this time, the land which Israel had occupied and tended, was enjoying its Sabbaths (2 Chronicles 36: 20-21).
The 7-year pattern of the Shemitah brings judgment, an economical and financial crash, the rise and fall of nations, and calamity such as natural disasters or war. The ancient Israelites had faced all of these because they had disobeyed God’s Commandments and his instructions. This same pattern is continuing in our time today. Focusing on America alone, we can see how far the country has strayed from the Laws of God when listening to the news media, the passing of controversial laws, and the absence of love.
The years 1930-1931 was a Shemitah year. On September 19, 1931 also known as Elul 29, Wall Street crashed leading to the worlds well-known Great Depression. In 2007-2008, America faced another Shemitah when Wall Street crashed again. This was called the Great Recession. Due to disobedience, America has been facing many signs and warnings of a greater judgment to come. Now, the main purpose of the Shemitah is for people to return to God, accept the name of Jesus Christ and be saved. According to what God had revealed to Rabbi Cahn, we are living in a Shemitah year. Starting on September 24, 2014, Tishri 1, America and the world began to have major financial and economical disturbances as well as rumors of wars and the rising of deadly diseases. So much has occurred in this Shemitah and issues continue to escalate as Elul 29 approaches. This Elul 29 falls on September 13, 2015. As the Rabbi had repeated in his interviews, nothing has to happen. But as America continues to stray further away from the love of God, by approving laws that desecrate the laws of marriage, while making a mockery of God’s rainbow, and support abortion, just to name a few of America deplorable acts against the human race, a shaking will come whether it is before or after September 13, 2015. Again, what is interesting to note is the pattern in which events have occurred.
Remember, we cannot put God in a box. He can do whatever he wants because he is Sovereign. He is giving us his enduring mercy to choose this day whom we will serve, Jesus or Satan. Once we choose wisely, we must show God that we are in for the long run by being obedient to his Ten Commandments, including the seventh-day Sabbath. In his word, God tells us that the Sabbath is a sign between us and him. (Ezekiel 20:12).
In conclusion of our first Forum Discussion, I believe that the spirit of the seventh church, Laodicea, as written in Revelation 3 is present in church today. We are in times in which church is neither cold nor hot. We should be on fire for the Lord, living the word of God and directing souls to the cross of Jesus Christ. Our salvation is very serious. Now more than at any other time we must pray, study the word of God and trust in the presence of Holy Spirit, that we are not persuaded into the will of the adversary. The good news in all that was discussed, is that we have peace in the midst of the storms because we do have the victory in Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 15:57)
Pastor Tylvia E. Koromah, contributions by Sister LeQuita Harrison
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