Jesus's Personal Warning For Us In These Days of Reckoning (Luke 21:34-36)

I am seeing more and more of the faithful becoming mindful of their difference with others in our culture. Some of us are recognizing the signs that Jesus warned would signal the approaching end of this Age. We are not only seeing the physical signs He warned about [in Luke 21] coming into view (conflicts among nations; earthquakes, chaos in nature, famines, pestilence, events in the heavens), but He also warns about what will happen before all these things. He tells us we can expect to be "seized and persecuted", which I interpret to mean that our faith will become a point of contention for those in authority, whether it be civil government, religious/church leaders, or the mobs of lawlessness that will arise.

He plainly tells us, Watch out that you are not deceived ... and especially by those who claim they are speaking in His Name. We must sharpen our discernment and rely on the Holy Spirit for wisdom and guidance. We're going to need it! During this time, chaos and betrayal will reign. We will be hated and persecuted because of our love for Him. And then He gives us a word of encouragement: Stand firm, and you will win life. He then talks about the armies that will come against Jerusalem; the great distress in the land and wrath against the people; the anguish of nations; the roaring of the seas; and we will see the heavenly bodies being shaken. It almost overloads my soul to imagine experiencing all these things right before His return! But if I am to trust Him, I must trust His words: When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. 

And then at the end of this chapter, Jesus kind of dials it down and focuses in on a more personal warning. Instead of watching all the external signs the earth is showing us, indicating that His return is within view, He says this ... In verse 34, He says, But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.

I really enjoy breaking down passages like this to their deeper meaning. I will research what the connotations are in different versions of the Bible, and in different translations other than English. In this passage I wanted to understand what was meant by dissipation. And was it different than the word surfeiting, which is used in the King James version. "Dissipation" points to carousing, which is interchanged with the word "Surfeiting", in the King James version. Both words are closely associated with "drunkenness" which is one of the other things that Jesus warns us about. I especially like the Amplified version of verse 34, which reads, "But be on guard, so that your hearts are not weighed down and depressed with the giddiness of debauchery and the nausea of self-indulgence and the worldly worries of life, and then that day [when the Messiah returns] will not come on you suddenly like a trap". A little more expressive, isn't it? 😊

Obviously, Jesus is interested in the state of our hearts. When these things begin to happen -- and indeed, are happening -- we need to recognize that we are in serious and dangerous times. That day [of His return] could be upon us at any moment, and we need to stay prepared to enter Eternity. We can't dividing our allegiance [nor our heart] between this world and Eternity. Even our jobs, our families, and the distractions of this world (including carousing, intoxication, and personal pleasures) must not leave us living half in and half out of an Awake and Prepared state for Jesus's return. We can't be caught napping, so to speak. That will certainly be a trap or a snare. The world will try to deceive us into thinking we're not there yet; that we still live in a time of peace and safety. In effect, He's saying that letting our guard down combined with our failure to Watch will prevent us from being ready. 

Then there's verse 35, in which He says, For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Stop and read that again. To me, the fact that Jesus makes it clear that all these troubling signs will come upon "all" who dwell on the face "of the whole earth" implies that this speaks of much more than what happened to Jerusalem in 70 A.D. There are those who believe this refers to events in the past that happened to the Israelites under Roman rule. But I think "all who dwell on the face of the whole earth" makes it clear that this is a world-wide event that will happen to everyone in the future. 

Jesus then concludes His warning with verse 36: But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man [at His coming]. We are to stay awake, watch, and be prepared at all times so we are ready when these things come to pass so that we can "escape" them. What are we escaping? The Bible says so much about the judgment that Christ will bring when He returns. Revelation 19:11 tells us, "And I saw Heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war". In reference to Luke 21:34-36, we will be escaping the wrath of God and the judgment by Jesus, "For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son (John 5:22).

In conclusion, this is a very important passage for us to understand at this time in our lives, and in the history of the world. Jesus doesn't want our hearts to become dulled by intoxicating distractions or the cares and worries of this world -- because let's face it, there are plenty of things to distract us, and just as many to worry about. But if we have committed our hearts to Him and His Kingdom here on earth, then we must keep the fire of faith burning bright and strong. He asks us to pray for our escape from, yes, sin in our lives, but to also pray for strength to endure and stand up to the evil that is coming, and to have the strength to hold on to Him when everything in this realm [and the supernatural realms] are trying to pry you loose from your hold on the hem of His garment. And I would add that we must pray for the strength to continue to lead others to the Good News of His Love and Saving Grace ... even when we are met with hatred, persecution, and death. I can only imagine the strength I will need to stand in His Presence; the strength to keep from falling to my knees in repentance. Until that day, I will continue to pray -- pray for His mercy, His strength, and His glory to the end of Days and on into Eternity. Amen!

1 John 2:28.    Now, little children [believers, dear ones], remain in Him [with unwavering faith], so that when He appears at His return, we may have perfect confidence and not be ashamed and shrink away from Him at His coming.  

Lord, Raise Up a Generation of Godly Men!

A friend sent me a social media posting that proclaimed, "Dear women, there is a new breed of man awakening on this planet and he does not (mess) around. He knows exactly what he wants and he shows up for you emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and sexually. He learned how to treat a woman while transmuting his own emotional pain and heartache into power, then used that power to alchemize his fear into love; [i.e. transform that fear supernaturally into love]. He remembers his position as a man, a protector and a lover for the woman sent to him by God. He treats her like a sacred phenomenon from heaven and wants her by his side as a partner, lover and friend".

Actually, this friend sent it to my husband as well, telling him how blessed I am and what a great role model he is as a Godly man. I couldn't agree more! I pray for this awakening among men because our world, our nation, and our families desperately need Godly men to rise up and lead. Frankly, I am tired of seeing men emasculated by a culture that seeks to weaken them, undermine them, and reduce the identity in which God created them. It's easy to see Satan in this strategy ... he wants to corrupt God's design of man's dominion over the earth. It started in the Garden when he tempted and seduced Eve into usurping Adam's authority in making the decision to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. And that sin has crept in, down through the centuries, increasingly attacking men's role and their identity, with the goal to make them weaker or less effective, leaving the door open for Satan to control the world.

[NOTE: At this point, I want to take a quick sidestep, and introduce a topic that involves the Genesis 6:1-4 incursion of Fallen Angels. The Church's teachings on this event is sparse and limited, at best. But Flavius Josephus, a Jewish priest, scholar, and historian has shed some light on the oral histories that were accepted and passed down. I suggest you read his 20-volume Antiquities of the Jews for a historical perspective on this subject. And there are some excellent books by modern authors Gary Wayne (Genesis 6 Conspiracy) and Timothy Alberino (Birthright: The Coming Posthuman Apocalypse and the Usurpation of Adam's Dominion On Planet Earth) that will shatter our tame Biblical narrative [of Genesis 6] that the seminaries have proffered over the last 200 years or so.

The thoughts that I am carefully forming [and studying] center around the theory [and possibility] that Satan encouraged the Fallen Angels, [who were jealous that God had provided Adam with a helpmate and wife] to lust after the daughters of men and to marry them (Genesis 6:2) in order to corrupt the bloodline that was designed to lead to Jesus. Timothy Alberino suggests there's a possibility that the women were willing partners because they also sought the knowledge that their ancestor, Eve, was tempted by -- the divine knowledge that Satan used to deceive Eve, and that the Fallen Angels would have received in Heaven before they rebelled and defected.  

Consider this: Our authority for dominion of the earth comes from Who we have pledged our allegiance to and Who we're in covenant with, namely the Creator of Earth. But those who have pledged their allegiance to Satan owe their authority to him. He gives men (and women), who use their free will to disobey God, the authority and resources to use their dominion to serve his [Satan's] purposes. We see it today, most alarmingly, in the practice of abortion. Men and their desire, or opinions in this situation, are discounted because Satan has convinced women they have exclusive control and rights over their bodies and can do with them [and to them] what they wish. God's structure for the family is being destroyed and eliminated, as man's purpose in establishing dominion on the earth slips away].  

With this understanding, let me get back to my purpose for this post. It is so important at this juncture in history, that we see men reclaim their identity; to begin to live as though they truly are the image of God. So, what makes a man, "Godly"? How can we begin to not only identify and encourage such men, but begin to raise up sons who will follow in their father's/Father's footsteps? We all know that Jesus is the perfect model of a Godly man, so let's consider His character traits.

I think one of the leading indicators of a Godly man is one who has cultivated a deep, personal relationship with God. Jesus never did or said anything that wasn't approved by God. He prayed for Divine counsel and never imposed His will on the situation. Godly men have hearts full of compassion for those in need, and have hearts to serve -- not to be served. How many wars could be avoided if leaders sought and listened to God's advice? How many families would feel secure and live in peace and security, if men were willing to sacrifice and give of themselves for the sake of their wives and children and the Glory of God? And how many women would feel deeply loved by a Godly husband, when they realize they are married to a man who makes it his priority to provide for her, protect her, and esteem her, bringing peace to her life?

Godly men are honest and humble. They don't act out of selfish ambition, but for the good of others. They do the right thing, even when it's not pleasant or desirable. They are steady and consistent, bringing discipline and self-control to situations where peace and harmony are needed to battle against the lawlessness of the Enemy. They know how to persevere and endure in times of challenge and testing, showing others what faithfulness and commitment to God and His ways looks like. They seek wisdom and discernment from God, trusting Him in His timing and plans for the future. They talk to God a lot.

There are so many traits and characteristics of Jesus that are the measure of a Godly man. And I am truly blessed to be married to a man that is intent on following in Jesus's footprints. He is not perfect, [and would be embarrassed that I am paying him this tribute]. He did not always walk out his life in Godly ways. But when the Lord called him out of a worldly mindset and made him accountable for the words, actions, and thoughts in his life, he became teachable and moldable, resolving to grow spiritually as he matured, and let God lead him to more and deeper revelations about his purpose. What could he do for God's Kingdom during whatever time he's here?

Naturally bold and courageous, I have watched him stand for Biblical principles even when it wasn't popular by worldly standards. His heart posture, or attitude, is this: he is not afraid to defend his Biblical worldview in a culture that despises anything that competes with their self-gratification. For him, it's all about representing God and His Son, who gave everything to show us the greatest expression of what love is truly all about. And in the midst of such a determined life, he is still human. He still stumbles, but he repents when he sins, and he is careful to ask for forgiveness and offer it when he is sinned against. 

I guess I am most proud to be the wife of this Godly man because he is leading by example, not calling attention to himself, but walking boldly and confidently as a redeemed man; a man who has learned to die to himself so that he can glorify His Lord. Without a doubt, he is bearing fruit for the Kingdom of God, and it is my privilege to walk by his side as we seek God's Kingdom and righteousness, growing together and learning more each day how big and magnanimous and glorious our God is. May He hear our fervent prayers, and faithfully raise up a generation of Godly sons on the earth! Amen!

1 Peter 2:9      But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.