“DON’T BE PRESUMPTUOUS!
Prophetic vision: My wife received a prophetic picture from the Lord on Wednesday, last week. As she was praying, she saw a road. Both sides of the roadway were lined with houses on either side, along with some street lamps. As she gazed down the road, at the end she saw a lion. It wasn’t just a normal sized lion. It was huge lion – a mountain size lion, and it looked like it was beginning to roar. She was impressed with these words “The LION (the Lord) is beginning to roar…”
Here are some reinforcing prophetic Scriptures about THE LORD ROARING AS A LION that are very encouraging for us all to consider in light of these troublesome times…
There is an amazing last day prophetic Scriptural revelation of Jesus, the LION OF JUDAH! Below are some other verses as well that reveal significant things in Scripture about the roar of a lion:
Revelation 5:5 – Behold, the LION of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed…
Proverbs 19:12 – The king’s wrath is like the ROARING OF A LION, But his favor is like dew on the grass.
Hosea 11:10 “They shall walk after the Lord. He will ROAR LIKE A LION. When He roars, Then His sons shall come trembling from the west;…
Amos 3:8 – A LION HAS ROARED! Who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken! Who can but prophesy?
Revelation 10:1-3 – I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, •and cried with a loud voice, AS WHEN A LION ROARS. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices…
Isaiah 31:1-6 – Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses. Who trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, But who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord! Yet ss and will not call back His words, But will arise against the house of evildoers, And against the help of those who work iniquity. Now the Egyptians are men, and not God, And their horses are flesh, and not spirit. When the Lord stretches out His hand, Both he who helps will fall, and he who is helped will fall down; they all will perish together. For thus the Lord has spoken to me: “AS THE LION ROARS, and a young lion over his prey (When a multitude of shepherds is summoned against him, He will not be afraid of their voice nor be disturbed by their noise), So the Lord of hosts will come down to fight for Mount Zion and for its hill. Like birds flying about, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem. Defending, He will also deliver it; Passing over, He will preserve it.”
This is such an encouraging word to help strengthen our faith to continue to believe in the midst of all of the adverse circumstances, world-wide…
Lamentations 3:22,23 – Through the LORD’S MERCIES we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness.
Titus 3:5 – …according to His MERCY He saved us…
VESSELS OF MERCY
Romans 12:1 – I beg you brothers, by the MERCIES OF GOD, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice… which is only your reasonable service.
In consideration of the Lord’s abundant mercies and forgiveness of all our sins, it is only reasonable that we continue to be vessels of His mercy, experiencing His GREAT MERCY and passing it along to others.
Romans 9:23 – …that He might make known the riches of His glory on the VESSELS OF MERCY…
ROMANS 11:22
Therefore consider the goodness AND severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, IF you continue in His goodness. OTHERWISE you also will be cut off.
OBJECT LESSON
Yesterday as I was walking along the street near our home, I noticed a tree that had been cut down and thrown into a vacant lot. I brought it with me & showed it to our congregation to demonstrate the seriousness of maintaining our life source. Although it might still look alive, in just a matter of a few days it will be be dead, dried up, and only fit to be burned because its source of nutrients and life-giving root system had been cut off. It is not continuing to grow and flourish because it has been cut down & discarded.
John 15:5-6 – “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
It is absolutely important to continue in God’s goodness, OR the consequences will be dreadful. ( See Romans 11:22 above)
DEUTERONOMY 32:4
He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are JUDGMENT, a God of truth and without iniquity, JUST and right is He.
Since “all His ways are JUDGMENT” – we should want Him to teach us HIS WAYS so we can walk in His paths (Isaiah 2:3)
Isaiah 2:2-3 –
…it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it… and HE WILL TEACH US HIS WAYS, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
JESUS IS MERCIFUL
Our theme for several weeks has been — “JESUS IS MERCIFUL”. Last week was 2A “Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment!”
Praise God for His abundant, UNFAILING MERCIES!
In this post we continue with “JESUS IS MERCIFUL” – 2B “Don’t Be Presumptuous!” The Lord is a God of MERCY AND JUDGMENT…
Both MERCY and JUDGMENT are very real! They important vital revelations of Jesus, and His righteous dealings with people.
James 2:13… For JUDGMENT is without MERCY to the one who has shown no MERCY. MERCY triumphs over JUDGMENT.
It is not “MERCY… OR JUDGMENT” – In James 2:13 it says, “MERCY… OVER JUDGMENT!”
DEUTERNOMY 7:12
“Then it shall come to pass, because you listen to these JUDGMENTS, and keep and do them, that the Lord your God will keep with you the covenant and the MERCY which He swore to your fathers.
judgment & justice
Matthew 12:18 “Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He will declare JUSTICE (in some translations – Judgment) to the Gentiles.
Exodus 12:12 – …against all the gods of Egypt I will execute JUDGMENT: I am the Lord.
God will bring judgment upon false gods & wickedness! His judgments are good! They help to establish righteousness, punish evil doers, and reward the godly with vengeance upon their oppressors.
Psalm 76:9 – When God arose to JUDGMENT, To deliver all the oppressed of the earth. Selah
Deuteronomy 6:1-3 – “Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and JUDGMENTS which the Lord your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, that you may fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you… Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly…
Keeping His judgments and instructions brings a multiplication of blessings upon us, & helps things to go well with us
SINS OF PRESUMPTION BRING JUDGMENT
Let’s consider the “sins of presumption”.
Presumption has to do with blind or headstrong, stubborn confidence; arrogance; unreasonable confidence in divine favor; continuing to willfully do wrong – assuming upon grace & merciful forgiveness to be extended, irregardless.
Presumption is a serious offense — sometimes it brought the death penalty!
Don’t presume upon His mercies – that’s a very serious condition!
Although God is a God of great mercy, those who rebelliously and disobediently presume upon His mercies & continue their sinful lives will be JUDGED.
God wants us to walk in the fear of God (give Him due respect & reverence). Some people presumptuously think – “God is a God of mercy… I know this is wrong to do, but I will do it anyway and just ask for forgiveness after I do it since I know He is merciful…
God forbid that we continue to sin (Romans 6) •… He by no means clears the guilty (Numbers 14:18)
When we sincerely repent and return to the Lord He will abundantly pardon – while there is still opportunity – NOW is the accepted time (2 Corinthians 6;2). There IS coming a time when it will be too late – the opportunity will be lost! (Revelation 22:11)
Romans 1:32; 2:2,5 – …- who, knowing the righteous JUDGMENT of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them… But we know that the JUDGMENT of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous JUDGMENT of God,…
Romans 14:10 – For we shall all stand before the JUDGMENT seat of Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:10 – For we must all appear before the JUDGMENT seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
Hebrews 9:27 – And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the JUDGMENT…
Hebrews 10:26-28 …if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of JUDGMENT, …and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without MERCY…
James 5:12 – — let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into JUDGMENT.
I Peter 4:17 – the time has come for JUDGMENT to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?
Jude 1:6 – the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the JUDGMENT of the great day;…
GOD’S RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENTS
(More about this on our next post – “JESUS IS OUR JUDGE — His Righteous Judgments”)
The theme of righteous judgment is not just revealed in the Old Testament – there are also many New Testament illustrations…
God’s wrath will be poured out upon the world because of sin, corruption & wickedness.
THE FEAR OF THE LORD
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). He will teach us His ways and we will walk in His paths (Isaiah 2:3) Since we know that His ways are ways of judgment, we need to give due respect to that, and live accordingly.
JESUS CLEANSED THE TEMPLE
Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-17; Luke 19:45-46
(Not everything is acceptable with the Lord. He cleansed the temple, & demonstrated displeasure with corrupt practices. His design for the temple is for it to be a holy place, set apart for prayer. We are the temple of God. Our bodies are to be holy, and a place of acceptable sacrifices pleasing to God… Romans 12:1-2; I Corinthians 3:16; 6:19-20)
ANANIAS AND SAPHIRA
Acts 5:1-11
(They sold a possession, & brought part of it to the disciples. They lied about how much they were giving to the Lord. The Lord was not pleased, and both of them were killed right on the spot. It produced a holy fear of God with those who observed these things…)
SIMON THE SORCERER
Acts 8:9-25
(He had already believed and was baptized. He wanted to purchase the gift of the Holy Spirit with money. His heart & motives were not right – poisoned by bitterness and iniquity. He needed to repent & humbly ask forgiveness)
REVELATION
There are so many references to the Lord’s righteous judgments upon the wicked in the book of Revelation. Here are several:
Revelation 14:7 – Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come:
Revelation 15:4 – …your judgments are made manifest.
Revelation 16:7 – …true and righteous are your JUDGMENTS.
HELL
Matthew 10:28 -(Jesus said) … fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matthew 16:18 – (Jesus said) … the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (the church).
Revelation 21:8 – But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Revelation 20:14 – And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
MATTHEW 24 & 25
(The wicked servant that was not living righteously, & the foolish virgins & unfaithful servants who were not faithful or prepared for Jesus return were not rewarded, but the consequences were dreadful.)
MATTHEW 24:48-51 – But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, 51 and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
PROVERBS 2:21,22
The upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it. 22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.
PSALM 1
(…the wicked are as the chaff that the wind drives away, the way of the ungodly shall perish, etc.)
THE FLOOD
Genesis 6: 5-8 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 So the Lord said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. 11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.13 – And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.
Vs. 18-22 (summary) – The flood waters prevailed and covered all the earth. Everyone and everything died except for those in the ark – all were destroyed from the earth!
MATTHEW 24:37-39 (JESUS REFERS TO THE FLOOD)
But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the FLOOD they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,39 And knew not until the FLOOD came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
2 PETER 3:10-17 (PETER REFERS TO THE FLOOD)
– For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; …and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; … then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of JUDGMENT, and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority.
2 PETER 3:3-7,10-14 (PETER REVEALS COMING JUDGMENT)
…scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; since you this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;…
2 PETER 2:4-10 – (THE DAY OF JUDGMENT)
For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; …and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; …then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of JUDGMENT, and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority.
HOW TO GET MERCY
Everyone desperately needs the Lord’s mercy, because of His righteous judgments. How can we avail of His faithful mercies that keep us from destruction?
HEBREWS 4:16
…come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain MERCY & find grace to help in times of need.
WHAT DOES MERCY BRING?
There are many descriptions of the fruit & consequences of MERCY in Scripture:
Comfort (See Isaiah 49:13, Philippians 2:1, 2 Corinthians 1:3); Everlasting kindness (See Psalm 117, Isaiah 54:8); Goodness (See Psalm 23:6, Psalm 25:7, Isaiah 63:7)); Mercy (see James 2:13, Matthew 5:7, Psalm 103:8); Reconciliation (See 2 Corinthians 5:18,19; Ephesians 2:16, Colossians 1:20,21); Forgiveness of our sins (See Psalm 106:1, Ephesians 1:7); Divine guidance (See Isaiah 49:10, Exodus 15:13); God’s favor & glory (See Isaiah 60:10, Psalm 102:13, Romans 9:23, 2 Chronicles 7:3, Psalm 115:1); Healing (See Psalm 6:2, Matthew 9:27-30); Deliverance (See Psalm 107:20, Jeremiah 17:14); Joy & gladness (See Jeremiah 33:11, Isaiah 49:13); Praise (See 2 Chronicles 5:13, Psalm 59:17, Psalm 118:1, Jeremiah 33:11); Happiness (See Proverbs 14:21); Life ( See Jude 1:21, I Timothy 1:16, Proverbs 21:21); Righteousness (See I Kings 3:6, Psalm 85:10; 89:14; 103:17; Proverbs 21:21; Hosea 10:12); Honor (See Proverb 14:31, Proverbs 21:21); Help (See Hebrews 4:16, Psalm 30:10, 109:26); Grace (See I & 2 Timothy 1:2, Hebrews 4:12, 2 John 1:3) Delight (Micah 7:18); Blessing (See Deuteronomy 7:12, Galatians 6:16; Psalm 37:25, 67:1, Matthew 5:7, James 5:11).
WISDOM
James 3:17 – …the WISDOM that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, FULL OF MERCY AND GOOD FRUITS,…
HOW IS MERCY SEEN?
Recipients of God’s MERCY have a responsibility to also share it…
Colossians 2:12 – put on… a heart of mercies, kindness…
Note, kind words & deeds are demonstrated when we have a merciful heart!
Romans 12:1-2 –I beg you brothers, BY THE MERCIES OF GOD that you present yourselves as living sacrifices…
Note, because of God’s abundant mercies to us it only reasonable for us to give him back a sacrificial lifestyle that He is so worthy of.
WHAT SHOULD OUR RESPONSE BE?
Psalm 100:4-5 – Be thankful and bless His name, for the Lord is good; His MERCY is everlasting…
Romans 12:8 – …show mercy with cheerfulness.
Be kind & merciful.
Servant evangelism – be a “servant of all” like Jesus (Mark 9:35).
Abundant mercy – be generous in showing mercy.
Continual praise in our hearts for His MERCY – we triumph in His praise.
Psalm 89:1 – … I will sing of the MERCIES of the Lord forever!
IN JUDGMENT (ANGER/WRATH) REMEMBER MERCY
Habakkuk 3:2 –(prayer) …in wrath remember mercy.
And as you bring judgment, as you surely must, remember mercy. (MSG)
IN SUMMARY
God is a God of righteous judgment upon wickedness, but He is also a God great mercies & lovingkindness upon the repentant. If people turn to Him, and repent of their evil ways, He will forgive (2 Chronicles 7:14).
When nations repent, and turn to Him – He will forgive them! (Story of Nineveh, when they repented.)
JESUS is so MERCIFUL to us! Let’s be channels of His MERCY to others!
