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Violence today We are told before the flood that mankind became increasingly violent because of their corruption. Gen 6:11-12 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. In V.13 God repeating this specifically tells Noah The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them. This violence was pervasive for the Lord to pronounce judgment on the whole world. Hatred that led to anger had Cain kill his brother Abel, and now the whole world is confronted with the same in attitude. History shows violence is a product of our sin nature and has not vanished Rom 1:29 Among the many description of the ungodly, being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent , proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful All these activities, are the work of the flesh and demonic, they are symbiotic. Notice it says they are filled with these. As it says of the works of the flesh in Gal 5:20-21 among which are outbursts of wrath, and murders. God tells us to be filled of the Spirit of holiness to produce the fruit of the Spirit. Which is ove, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Gal 5:22-23) The Psalmist writes in 11:5 The LORD tests the righteous, But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates. God wants peace among mankind, which can only be accomplished by his spirits work within us. David says 2 Samuel 22:3-4 The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, My stronghold and my refuge; My Savior, You save me from violence. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies. 2 Sam 22:49 He delivers me from my enemies. You also lift me up above those who rise against me; You have delivered me from the violent man. (Ps.18:48) Ps. 140:1-5 he prays, deliver me, O LORD, from evil men; Preserve me from violent men, Who plan evil things in their hearts; They continually gather together for war. They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; The poison of asps is under their lips. Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; Preserve me from violent men, Who have purposed to make my steps stumble. The proud have hidden a snare for me, and cords; They have spread a net by the wayside; They have set traps for me. Throughout the Scripture we find these descriptions: Ps. 73:6 pride serves as their necklace; Violence covers them like a garment. Prov. 4:17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence. Prov. 13:2 But the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence. Prov. 24:2 describes evil men, their heart devises violence, And their lips talk of troublemaking. Jesus does not call the people violent in a general sense, it is a certain activity that contains an extreme anger and hatred. As violence escalates you will see things you never thought you would see. Sin damages our humanity, the image of God we were created in, it removes us from having any control. The largest increase in murders in our Americas history is now taking place. As lawlessness becomes more pervasive all restraints are being removed. With this lawlessness comes a love that has grown cold for many. We have become unresponsive, losing compassion for the weak and helpless among us. When Jesus came on the scene the Pharisees were disturbed and they strengthened their resolve against his preaching to repent. He spoke directly to them saying, from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. (Mt. 11:12-13) These violent men were the Pharisees using force to take hold of the kingdom, and disallowed Jesus to be in his rightful place. Nowhere would Jesus condone violence a taking it by force, He said the meek shall inherit the earth. When James and John wanted to call down fire to cleanse things they were rebuked. There is time for this and it is done by the Lord. Having no violence is listed for the prerequisite for being an elder 1 Tim 3:3; Titus 1:7 not violent. So this can be among believers who are not walking in the Spirit but the flesh. Jesus refers to this event of a judgment being repeated, that prior to it, it will be like the days of Noah. God pronounced the state of mankind before He commissioned Noah. Matt 24:37-38 as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Luke 17:26-27 And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. In other words all was normal, life gave no indication to the wicked, those who were violent that a judgment was coming upon them. Yet they were told by Noah daily until that fateful day. Mt. 24:27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be." Just as quick as the flood broke upon earth so will the coming of the Son of Man. The sinner, the wicked and corrupt will continue as if nothing is to change. But Jesus says the righteous will know. Dan 12:10 Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand. You are wise if you know and live by the Words of Scripture. Prov. 2:2 incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding. Prov. 4:5 Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth . Without the wisdom of the Word no one can understand the time we are in. Prov. 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom Heb. 11:7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. We like Noah are divinely warned. Are we moved with godly fear of what is coming, are we preparing for the saving of our household and looking toward our salvation being completed. We are promised in the Millennium when Christ reigns from Jerusalem, Isa. 60:18 Violence shall no longer be heard in your land, Neither wasting nor destruction within your borders Continually keep this in remembrance: Mt. 24:43-44 If the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Mark 13:33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. Mt. 25:4 the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. Eph. 5:15-16 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
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