Tuesday, July 23, 2019

The Plight of the Earth Dweller

           We enjoy many wonderful benefits living in this country that others around the world do not enjoy. We have a lot more choices available to us in our daily living. I have already mentioned the choice of which cereal to purchase since we have so many different kinds compared to other country's choices. It doesn't stop at cereal. We used to go to a church that was about 5 miles away from the house and we would make the drive there every Sunday that the church was opening which was most of the time except during wintry storms. On our way to church, we would notice the large number of cars and people that would come to a local flea market. Everyone had the same choice. They could go to church or they could go to the flea market and look through another man's junk. They chose the flea market. Our pastor at the time would often refer to people who had no interest in God as “earth dwellers.” They were involved in the things of the earth and not the things of God. Revelation 13:8 says, “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” 
       This verse uses a term that is very similar to “earth dweller.” It refers to the people as those that dwell upon the earth as the ones that are worshiping the “dragon” which is another name for the devil himself. They have made the choice to worship the dragon, which is so easy to do. The first step is to separate yourself from anything that is religious or to be more specific, to separate yourself from anything that refers to God or the Lord Jesus Christ. From then on, all you have to do is to follow the dictates of your flesh. “If it feels good, do it.” So, the earth dwellers continue to worship the devil in the choices that they make looking for treasure that lurks in a pile of junk at the local flea market. When trouble does come into their lives, they make mention of calling for prayers for their situation but they have no idea to whom to pray or what prayer is all about. The saddest part of the above verse is the phrase that says, “...whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” If your name is not written in this book of life, then you will be eternally separated from God. The earth dwellers say that it is okay with them but they do not know all that it entails. The earth dweller assumes that hell will just be a continuation of their search for treasure in the junk pile of the universe but the reality of eternal separation is far from that. Now, the plus side of all of this is that people like you who are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ have the opportunity to change the outcome of the life of the earth dweller. You have the ability to share with them the love of God as mentioned in John 3:16. You have the ability to show them how they can be saved and to have their names finally written in the Lamb's Book of Life. You can plead with them to change their lives by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sin. As long as they are on this earth, they can still make the choice to worship God instead of worshiping the devil. You are still the one who has a connection with many in your own circle of friends and family that no one else has, not even your pastor. So, share the love of the Lord Jesus Christ with others before it is too late and their fate is sealed when they pass from this life to the next. Oh, and by the way, everyone will exist eternally, many without God since they chose to worship the devil instead of God. So, praise God today for the offer of salvation that has been made to “whomsoever.” That includes you and your neighbor.

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