Rebellion may seem to have a hold on people’s lives. It shows up in all facets of life, but the ultimate expression of rebellion is against God. This rebellion against God began in Genesis 11, where people gathered in one place and began to build a city with a large tower that is as “high as​ the heavens.” They wanted to make a name for themselves. Their aim in doing all these things was to stay together in one place without being dispersed throughout the Earth.
But God’s plan was for them to “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it…” (Gen 1:28). Their plan was entirely contrary to the plan of God for them. Their actions were clearly in rebellion to God’s purpose for their lives and for the entire world.
Such a rebellious attitude against our creator God has been with people throughout human history. Even today, this is a common mentality in people all over the world. There is no regard for God or his purposes for us.
But what about me? What about us? If we are honest, we find ourselves in a similar predicament. We love God, but our actions may not come in alignment with God’s purposes for us.
When Revelations 18 speaks of Babylon the great, it is more than that ancient nation – once great and powerful. It is the attitude of Babel that stands against the purposes of God for us.
Your Turn
Join the discussion and add your thoughts. What have you learned?
Please share briefly in the comments section on the website barnabas.in
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I am a pastor, teacher, and writer, devoted to helping people live their potential.
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The visits by the doctor were so brief that it must have been less than a minute. “Hey, how are you feeling? Everything looks good. Great. Get some rest, OK? See you next time.” What? That’s it? These guys get paid well just for this flash visit and a quick chit chat?
Let’s think of the alternative. The doctor walks in with a somber face and begins to explain the complications. As he lists the options for treatment and the chances of survival, your heart begins to sink.

No thanks. I think I prefer the flash visits. 

 
Does it ever seem like evil has the upper hand? Those who do evil seem to prosper. Their agenda seems to have prominence in society much more than it deserves.
The Bible is clear that we do not need to fear evil. It may prevail for some time and gain ground in the hearts of the weak. But in the end, God will defeat evil, along with Satan, the author of evil.
    But evil also has the feature of self-destructing. Those who do evil may collaborate and multiply their efforts, but ultimately they will turn on each other. 

    In the book of Revelations chapter 17 we see how, through the Beast, Satan joins forces with the kings of the earth to fight against the Lamb in an unprecedented war of the ages. But “The Lamb will conquer them, for he is the Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful” (Rev 17:14). Along with evil being conquered, we see in the following verses how the forces of evil turn on each other. Ultimately, evil will self-destruct and Jesus will be victorious and we, along with him.

    So don’t fear when you see evil prevailing in society. Just smile knowing that Jesus will be victorious.

Your Turn

Join the discussion and add your thoughts. What have you learned?

Please share briefly in the comments section on the website barnabas.in

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I am a pastor, teacher, and writer, devoted to helping people live their potential.

* If you enjoyed reading this post, please share it with others who may benefit from reading this.

* For a list of books that I’ve recently read, here is my Reading List.

Stay put. Stay focused. Whatever you do, don’t get defensive. Nor should you get haughty seeing how others behave. You may be the next target.
Continue to work hard. Be faithful to your task. 

In the minds of some people, there is considerable doubt about God’s dealings with people in the Old Testament compared with the New Testament. They think God was angry and judgmental in the Old Testament but became loving and kind in the New Testament.
The reality is that God never changes. We clearly see both the wrath of God and the mercy of God displayed in the Old Testament. Both are clear realities. But since the New Testament begins with the ministry of Jesus, it highlights God’s grace in a tremendous way. The love of God is extended to people in quite a vivid way through the life, ministry and death of Jesus.
This huge focus of the New Testament in the early books highlight God’s love. But it is important to understand God’s love in the context of God’s wrath against sin and evil. That wrath of God still exists and is therefore the very reason that God’s grace is so amazing. His love for us is so great that he provides a way for us to escape that wrath.
This is clearly seen in Revelations chapter 16 where God’s wrath against evil is poured out. Several times, the statement is given: “And they did not repent.” God was looking for an opportunity to show mercy to people even in the very last days, in the midst of His wrath against evil.
So in the New as well as the Old Testament, God is exhibiting his wrath against evil and extending his mercy to all his creation.

Your Turn

Join the discussion and add your thoughts. What have you learned?

Please share briefly in the comments section on the website barnabas.in

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I am a pastor, teacher, and writer, devoted to helping people live their potential.

* If you enjoyed reading this post, please share it with others who may benefit from reading this.

* For a list of books that I’ve recently read, here is my Reading List.

They are good people. But they talk constantly. They’re brilliant and knowledgeable about a vast array of matters.
But every conversion I’ve had with them were one way conversations. I listen and they talk. Rarely do I get a chance to speak. They do all the talking.
They get themselves into a mess, and they’re still talking. Talking themselves through the mess, and getting deeper into it. Never listening. They don’t need to listen since they’re brilliant.
One day, I hope they’ll listen to someone. 

When those you lead begin performing tasks with an inner drive, a change has come. Previously they only did what was required and when it was required. But now it is obvious that they have caught the vision. When this begins to happen, you must take some important steps.
Celebrate the fact that they are catching the vision and find unique ways to reward them. Rewards do not have to be monetary. Verbal acknowledgement and affirmation are sometimes the best. Then, continue to focus on the vision. Don’t let off or coast. Keep the vision before them and continue to value it. The momentum toward the vision must be maintained

God’s wrath against sin and rebellion is quite real. But while he remains angry at sin, his heart reaches out to those he created. With love he makes a way for redemption. And even today he continues to offer that redemption which was prompted by his love.

Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished. And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,
“Great and amazing are your deeds,
O Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways,
O King of the nations!
Who will not fear, O Lord,
and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed” (Rev 15:1-4).

So the wrath of God is finished. The song of Moses and the song of the Lamb exalts God and expresses what he wants to do in caring for and guiding people. What joyous news for us to know. Jesus, the Lamb of God has taken away the sins of the world. He has taken away my sins. That is the ultimate of God’s righteous acts. Yes, the wrath of God is finished.
Now for the question above I would answer “…till God provides an opportunity for redemption. And he has already provided that opportunity through his Son Jesus. So he now waits with eager expectation. He is filled with mercy and compassion – much beyond our grasp.
We would be too impatient with those who constantly fall into sin. Our tolerance gets worn out too quickly as we reach out to those who are hurting. We expect a quick turn around where people turn from their sin quickly and without any delay. But God waits with eager expectation that all people would turn from their sinful ways and turn to him.
So the answer to the question above is that God is not angry with us. But in love, he has provided a way for us to be free from everything in life that binds and controls us. 
Your Turn
Join the discussion and add your thoughts. What have you learned?
Please share briefly in the comments section on the website barnabas.in
—————
I am a pastor, teacher, and writer, devoted to helping people live their potential.
* If you enjoyed reading this post, please share it with others who may benefit from reading this.
* For a list of books that I’ve recently read, here is my Reading List.