A Modern Woman's Perspective On The Kingdom of God on Earth


Showing posts with label God's Justice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God's Justice. Show all posts

February 15, 2024

What Does the Bible Have To Say About God's Great White Throne Judgment?


As I explained in the last post, I am walking in a new season of study in God's Word... not reading something new, but rather, understanding what I've read before in a new light and revelation. What the Lord is asking of me is to understand the Judgments of God and to share what the Bible reveals about His judgments and who they affect. And, so today my focus is on one of the most misunderstood judgments of the End Times...

The Great White Throne Judgment.  Here is what Scripture says about this judgment, found in Revelation 20:11-15 -- And I saw a great white throne and the One sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from His presence, but they found no place to hide. I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God's throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. The sea gave up its dead, and death and Hades (the grave) gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire. 

The first thing we need to understand about this passage is that this judgment was prophesied in the Old Testament by Daniel 12:2: And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And it is evident, by the language, that this is referring to awakening from death [sleep], i.e., resurrection; and that there are two different resurrections being mentioned -- one to everlasting life, and one to everlasting contempt [death]. So, it looks like all the dead will be resurrected at some time or other, but not everyone will receive the same fate. Jesus confirms this in John 5:29, when He says, "and come out, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment".    

So, what does the Bible say about these two resurrections and what are the fates of those resurrected? Let's take a look at the first resurrection ... Revelation 20:4-6 describes it: Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such, the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with Him for a thousand years.  The first resurrection will see the martyrs, the Old Testament saints, and those who rise to meet Christ at His return. These are all believers and they will rule and reign with Christ for a thousand years, or in other words, during the Millennium. 

It is also important to realize that this first resurrection "age", if you will, takes place in different stages. Jesus begins the age with His own resurrection, as the "first fruits" of God's redemptive plan for all mankind (1 Corinthians 15:20). There will then be the resurrection of  "the dead in Christ" at His return (1 Thessalonians 4:16). These stages are then followed, at the end of the tribulation, with the resurrection of the martyrs and the Old Testament saints (Revelation 20:4). They are all part of the first resurrection.

NOTE: I want to interject that sometime during this age between the first and second resurrections, the Bema Seat Judgment takes place. (See my post on this judgment of believers and their inheritance/rewards here). There is no definitive time given in the Bible [that I can find] that narrows the timeline. The options are:  immediately after a believer dies; after the Rapture [depending on when you believe that takes place]; after Jesus's Second Coming; sometime during the Millennium Kingdom; or before the Great White Throne Judgment, which some believe happens at the end of the Millennium Kingdom, [or thousand year reign of Christ on earth] and preceding the coming of the new heavens and the new earth. That's why it is important for us all to spend time knowing what we believe and why.   

Now, let's look at the second resurrection. From the Revelation 20 passage, it can be surmised that those who comprise the second resurrection are the wicked who are judged by God at the Great White Throne Judgment. Their judgment will take place prior to being thrown into the Lake of Fire. So, this is the raising of all unbelievers, who will be judged for their evil and/or unbelief. Various versions of John 5:29 describe it as "the resurrection of judgment" (ESV); judgment that is to be sentenced (AMP); the "resurrection of condemnation" (1599 Geneva Bible); and the "resurrection of damnation" (KJV).  

We have now expanded on the events that happen before the Great White Throne Judgment, i.e., the Bema Seat Judgment and the first and second resurrections of all the dead on earth. But what actually happens at this critical judgment of the unbelieving world? First of all, we should be in awe of the picture that the Apostle John paints ... Satan is released from the Abyss and God's presence on this throne of judgment is presented. It is so powerful and profound that both the earth and the sky [first heaven] "fled away". I believe this is referencing other descriptions in the Bible that describe earthquakes, mountains and islands being displaced, and the darkening of the sun and moon and stars -- in other words, man's sin cursed the earth, and God is now going to make way for a new creation; the new heavens and earth. That will begin to be revealed at the Great White Throne judgment.

Also, it is clear that this judgment is coming against all the unbelieving from every age of human history. The Lamb's Book of Life will be opened and if your name is not written in that book, you will not escape the Lake of Fire. I think we can consider this as a "spiritual death"; the eternal and everlasting separation from the presence of God. Thankfully, those of us who are believers and found in the Book of Life, need have no fear of suffering this second death. It has no power over those of us who have experienced the first resurrection and stood before the Bema Seat of Judgment.

The final thing I would like us to consider about the Great White Throne Judgment is its underlying message to us, the Believer. At times, when we see the lawlessness, cruelty, and wickedness of the world, we may wonder where God's justice is. Will the evil-doers ever be punished? The Great White Throne Judgment assures us that God is just, and He will repay the wicked for their crimes. "Vengeance is mine", says the Lord. Also, the picture of a future Great White Throne judgment reminds us that we are in a period of God's patience, as 2 Peter 3:9 tells us: The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise [to repay the wicked], as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance". We are to make hay while the sun shines, so to speak, and reach as many as we can for Christ during this time in which God is exercising His patience, before releasing the Son to hold judgment. This is doing the will of God.  

In summary, the Great White Throne judgment is where unbelievers will be resurrected from the dead to stand before Christ and be judged for their works. Every thought, word and act has been documented in the Books in Heaven, and each will receive what they deserve, depending on the severity of their disobedience, and based on the amount of revelation they received about God and what they did with it. And here's an unexpected turn of events --- because Believers are co-heirs with Christ, they will participate in the judgment! "Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world"? (1 Corinthians 6:2).

So, while we know that our great God is a God of love, mercy and grace, we must know Him in the fullness of His character, and understand that He is also a righteous God of justice, and judgment belongs to Him. Thank you, Lord, for revealing Your complete nature! I want to know all about You!

Acts 10:42.  And He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.


July 14, 2023

Walking In The Darkness


Publicity Still courtesy of Angel studios

I've spent a lot of time talking about the Kingdom of God; learning how to operate in the Kingdom as we grow in the understanding of our Kingdom assignments. But today I want to give you a personal testimony of how Jesus can throw you a curve ball, especially when you think you have it all figured out.

For the last month or so, He has been pushing me to stop and focus on how I was accomplishing my assignment, and where I was going to go next with it. I know that the assignment He has given to me and my husband Mark is to continue His work in setting "the captives free" [from physical, emotional and spiritual bondage] through our Inner Healing Ministry. I also know that part of our assignment is to teach what Kingdom Living looks like, and then encourage and equip people to DO IT.  I fully understand that "Kingdom" is at the heart of what He has called me/us to do.

But my spirit is beginning to be troubled because I can also see that another level of our ministry is pulling on our hearts and, while we want to become involved and know our Inner Healing ministry has trained us to take this next step, I'm not sure how we are to enter into this new stage of our Kingdom assignment. I am fully aware that if it is Jesus's will, it will happen. And I know He can make a way, and I know it will be in His timing. But my soul is crying out to make it happen NOW!

I'm sure many of you can relate to the emotions that the movie Sound of Freedom stirred in your soul. I have been aware of Tim Ballard and his organization, Operation Underground Railroad, for about seven years, and Mark and I have financially supported this foundation. But it is easy to become satisfied with that effort when the evil is hidden and you are not directly faced with it. Tim's movie, Sound of Freedom, hits you directly in the gut and shatters your heart, and Mark and I can no longer put the sex trafficking and sexual exploitation of children on the shelf. This evil business demands more than money. It demands action! Bottom line: We are no longer satisfied with sitting on the sidelines!

I don't know what that is going to look like for us, but I'm asking Jesus to give us the desires of our heart. And those desires are to see these children delivered of their trauma and healed from the spiritual wounds and scars that trafficking has inflicted on their bodies, souls, and spirits. Yes, I know that these children are going to need psychological care, and their bodies are going to need medical attention. But they are also going to need the presence of Jesus to step in and heal the pain forced upon their innocence by pure evil. I and my husband want to be a part of that process and their journey to restoration and wholeness. 

Incidentally, we are blessed to be in the company of a group of people who feel strongly about the direction of our country and protecting our families from the deterioration in our culture. We come from all kinds of backgrounds and faiths. But we all have a strong moral compass and believe in the power of Jesus in our lives. And I have not been surprised at the response of the tough, masculine, Jesus-loving men after seeing Sound of Freedom. They want justice for the children! I am seeing them express their righteous anger; sensing the deep anguish they feel as they express their emotions over the film; and feeling their primal need to put an end to this evil. They instinctively know what Mark and I have discovered in our Inner Healing ministry... severe trauma takes long-term dedication and commitment on the part of the one ministering "healing" to the victim. The abuse, coupled with the hopelessness and despair of being held captive in this invisible system can literally kill their spirit.

But I do believe that Jesus is going to shatter their darkness soon and the sex-trafficking business will be exposed to His life-saving Light. And I know that I am not to hate anyone, and I'm supposed to love even my enemies, but it's hard to consider offering forgiveness to anyone who would willingly involve themselves in harming children for their own wicked pleasure. The Bible says, “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron (Timothy 4:2).” That means their God-given moral consciences have been literally cauterized so that they are insensitive to any moral pangs that could keep them from committing these unholy acts. If they continue in this depravity, there will be no redemption for them. 

Yet, I am reminded that God can [and wants to] save even the most vile sinner. The Word of God says when a wicked person turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he shall save his life. "Because he considered and turned away from all the transgressions that he had committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die" (Ezekiel 18:27-28). In an interview I watched with Jim Caviezel, the actor who played Tim Ballard in the movie, he reported that after he played Jesus in Passion of the Christ, there were instances of two murderers [who had gotten away with their crime years ago] and were moved to confess their sin and turned themselves in. He stated that he believes there will be whistleblowers who, after seeing Sound of Freedom, will come forth to confess their sins and participation in the heinous business of child sex-trafficking and blow the lid off this hidden evil. Lord, let it be so!

Until then, I am going to be persistent in asking the Lord to show me how I can become instrumental in bringing Your love and healing to the millions of children who are being harmed every day. Lord, you know my heart and my desire to DO the Kingdom -- not just preach it and teach it. I want to work with You to see this Evil eradicated from our culture and the world! Show me the way that I should walk in this darkness so that I can bring Your Light and Freedom to these precious children. I promise, I will run and not grow weary, and walk and not grow faint until all the children are rescued. Until you show me my path, I will wait upon You and daily renew my strength and faith for the battle ahead. Make it soon, Lord! I don't want one more child to disappear!

Psalm 35:6.    Let their way be dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them!


 


 

January 30, 2023

Man's Inhumanity to Man; God Will Require A Reckoning

 

 

I cannot believe that there is a man, woman, or child that is not deeply disturbed by the violent death of Tyre Nichols in Memphis, Tennessee. I don’t need to review the brutal images we have seen played out on our TV screens over the last few days. They tell a story that will be extremely difficult for me to ever forget. And frankly, I’m not sure I want to. It is time for us, as the human race, to confront this image of man’s inhumanity to man if we ever hope to escape God’s judgment of us.

 

That phrase … man’s inhumanity to man … has been used by many notable people seeking to change our societal culture from one of indifference towards our fellow man to a culture that honors our shared membership in the human race; all created in the image of our Creator God. [Martin Luther King comes to mind in his 1967 speech at the Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association in Washington, D.C.]. But I was intrigued to find that this phrase originated with Scottish poet Robert Burns in his 1784 poem, titled “Man Was Made To Mourn”. I’d like to share the particular verse in which it appears:

 

Many and sharp the num’rous ills

Inwoven with our frame!

More pointed still, we make ourselves

Regret, remorse and shame!

And man, whose heav’n-erected face

The smiles of love adorn –

Man’s inhumanity to man

Makes countless thousands mourn!

 

Nothing is truer today than this beautifully written prose. There are millions who are mourning what we have witnessed in the inhumanity heaped upon Tyre Nichols by his fellow man! And while others want to make this about race, all I see is a fellow human being who experienced insufferable and intolerable violence – nothing he could have done deserved that level of wickedness and evil. Instead, I revert to what God proclaims in His Word: God has made of one blood all peoples of the earth” [Acts 17:26]. Note that the word “race” does not appear in this passage. Every human being in the world is classified as Homo Sapien. Even scientists agree that we are all part of one biological family called the human race. We are all related to each other, no matter our skin color or gender; we are all descended from one man and one woman, created in the image of God, Himself.  

 

Pundits will tell us that it is time that we re-examine how we treat each other; but we have had that capability since the beginning of time, and the violence against our fellow human beings just seems to keep escalating. The soul-shattering violence against Tyre Nichols has not been lost on our righteous and holy God. How much longer will He hold back the Restrainer’s hand? I imagine that His cup of wrath [against those who commit such savagery and evil against His creation] is about to overflow. 

 

And yet, in the midst of such a visible atrocity, the mother of Tyre speaks peace from the depth of her grief. She called for calm and peaceful protests; destruction and more violence would not represent her son and the man he was. She asked for peace and prayer during the difficult days to come, and her composure and heart for God brought a degree of tranquility to a nation who grieved with her for the unconscionable death of her son. My spirit recognized where her strength came from, and I couldn’t help but think she reminded me of Mary, the mother of Jesus, on the eve of the vile and shocking death of her son on the Cross. May our Father in Heaven continue to strengthen her as she goes through the process of grieving her beloved son. And may He hold in check those that would seek to capitalize upon her grief for nefarious reasons.


Tyre Nichols was described by his friends and family as “a peaceful man”; a man who loved to walk the beaches in California and watch the sun set. He had also expressed interest in becoming a police officer to “help change the culture”. Our culture as a society [and the human race] certainly needs changing when such violence can be perpetrated without intervention by our fellow man. God will demand a reckoning regarding how we are treating each other! It’s the condition of our hearts that needs to be fixed. It cannot be legislated, and more police training is not the answer. We must recognize that each of us – all of us – are members of one human family, and it is only a positive response to an invitation from Jesus to change our hearts that will accomplish that transformation.

 

The only solace that my soul and spirit find in this tragic incident comes from what I have witnessed in the midst of our Inner Healing Ministry sessions. So many people, when seeking a spiritual encounter with Jesus to be set free from trauma and devastating events in their lives, find that He shows them He was there experiencing the pain and trauma with them. So, I think upon those lonely and agonizing 20 minutes Tyre spent until Emergency personnel appeared on the scene to transport him to the hospital. And because I've seen Him do it in others lives, I believe that Jesus was there with Tyre, cradling his spirit, encouraging him, and telling him that if our society will let Him, He will use Tyre's life for His greater glory to purge the darkness the Enemy has brought to the heart of mankind.

 

So, Lord, do not let Tyre's death be a sacrifice on Satan's altar of man's inhumanity to man. Intervene on our behalf, Lord Jesus, and cause a transformation in the family of man! Cleanse and purify our dark hearts so that the springs of Life flow from them! We desperately need it before we destroy each other even more!

 

#jesuswept #tyrenichols #godsjudgment #godsreckoning #godsjustice #mansinhumanitytoman


Psalm 11:5   The Lord tests the righteous, but His soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.