“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are made new and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” – Matthew 18:1-6
As we were taught by God from the account in the Garden and man (Genesis 1-11) as well as in the beginning and ending chapters of Job (the two oldest books in the Bible), there are events and interactions occurring of a cosmic nature – and we are right in the middle of them.
We have already considered Daniel and Revelation (Book by Book posts #48 and #49) regarding the time of the end, and the next several posts are about the end of days, including teachings about sorting out will happen in light of what is going on in our hearts as the process of the end unfolds.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” – Ephesians 6:10-13
Jude continues this theme of how our story is a part of something much bigger, all tied to our significant role in the glory of God. As does Paul when speaking to Timothy:
“But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons…” – 1 Timothy 4:1
God’s Word (commandments) are given to set us free. Satan and his demons spit in God’s face and try to place us in bondage. This has been going on since the establishing of the earth.
“Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into impure sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” – Jude 3,4
Jude provides the springboard for tying together the Law of God, grace in Christ, the demonic struggle between good and evil, and where we fit into the Story.
Type Solemn Charge into the search box and you will find three posts wrapping these themes together, and helping us to see the big picture on our spiritual purpose in the plan of Yahweh. Included are three full teachings about the implications for how we live our lives.