Living in the Last Hour

Satan comes as an angel of light – he knows-his days are numbered-his fate is sealed – so he is recruiting folks

Are you too far gone? Have you listened to enough false teachings that your only outcome is spiritual death? The poison of false teaching has been working its way through your heart and mind. The result is a heart of stone that has no ears to hear, or eyes to see. You have to have a heart of stone for the elephant not to squash you.

Living in the last hour

Just like the day Jesus was sentenced. His followers could say or do nothing to prevent His death. Not a thing. If anything, they scattered. They hid in the shadows. Jesus had already told them what to expect, but they still went into self-preservation mode. He even told Peter that he would deny Him three times. Pilate had no recourse.

Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?  “Jesus answered, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin (John 19:10-11).”

It stands to reason the ones who brought the elephant in the room, are to blame for the destruction caused by the elephant.

At this time in history, the church, the Christian, the evangelical, and whatever other label fits, is fully convinced that the evil upon this nation is because of one political party. I am not clergy. I did not attend Bible college. I am not an apologist and even I know the truth of why evil is in the world. At sixty-six years old, an American woman of Mexican descent, I can tell you that these Bible believing folks forget that the heart of man, all men, is continually evil. They have abandoned their first Love. These folks tolerate false prophets, false teachers, idolatry, sexual immorality, even among their clergy. They are the walking dead. They want to call out the sin of others while ignoring their own. They forget that Jesus Christ will come looking for righteous people, not the self-righteous. They “Christians &, evangelicals” choose to blame the liberal for all the evil in our nation. Does anyone have ears to hear?

If we use worldly terms to describe the Son of God, Jesus was a holy liberal. That is not a political statement. Jesus came to save, not to judge. He came not to condemn man, but to die for the sin of all man. He extended grace and mercy. He sat with sinners and tax collectors. He called out the hypocrisy in the church. He wanted everyone to repent, but He did not force them into it. The Pharisee forced the Jewish people to keep the Mosiac Law, but Jesus knew that men could never keep the Law. That’s why the Father had sent Him.

Today’s church folk equate American ideology with Christianity. The two are in sharp contrast. American ideology/American Christianity is based on desire and hard work. Jesus followers are grounded in faith and submission.

Rich Mullins brought to light many attributes of Christianity that were being twisted and distorted. For one, the idea that the Scriptures teach submission. 

“We do not find happiness by being assertive. We don’t find happiness by running over people because we see what we want and they are in the way of that happiness so we either abandon them or we smash them. The Scriptures don’t teach us to be assertive. The Scriptures teach us—and this is remarkable—the Scriptures teach us to be submissive. This is not a popular idea.” ― Rich Mullins

Submission continues to be unpopular among Americans. Submission does not resonate well with white America, but it has been way of life for black America. When the law allowed for slavery, the white church was ok in demanding slaves to obey their masters. When the law changed allowing for equal treatment, the church was not ok with submitting to the new law. When Americans feel the 2nd Amendment is threatened they pull out their weapons in opposition. A popular saying goes along with the sentiment. 

No one can argue the truth and the reality of these statements. White privilege put black Americans in their circumstance. It was quite the same expectation for all people of color and people that looked different. When the laws changed mindsets remained. 

This the only the beginning. There is still so much more for us to see and experience as followers of Jesus Christ. The reason believers in America are divided is not because of any political agenda as the world would have us believe. It is because of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Pharisee and Jesus Christ. That is the purpose of the gospel. The believer – the unbeliever. The one who believes in the One God, and the one who believes in the god of their choice. There are people who believe the Scriptures are the inspired word of God, while others say they are words written by mere men. Some Christians believe the Scriptures to be infallible, others don’t. These differences and religion are the reason most people believe as they do. They have chosen their drink. Others don’t know what to believe or what they believe, or even why they believe, much less believe at all. The spirit of Jim Jones is alive and well. It’s yet another reminder of the Scripture that says, “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand (Matthew 24:23-25).”

Submission to God or submission to the traditions of men?

Choosing to believe in God is not like betting red or black on a roulette wheel. The Scriptures tell us we will have many battles, but there is only one war. The Scriptures tell us the war has already been won. So, our battles are not against flesh and blood. The Scriptures tell me, “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12).” What this scripture tells me is that the foreigner is not my enemy. It does not matter if the foreigner came here legally or illegally. The sinner is not my enemy. We are all sinners who fall short of the glory of God. When the Scripture says “bad company corrupts good character” I believe it also applies to fellow believers who hold to a version of the truth but deny the power of the gospel. Let’s be honest Jesus did not come for the sake of those who felt well.

Healthy folks have no need of a doctor. Yet Jesus came to offer salvation to all mankind, because we could not save ourselves. Yes, even those who do not recognize the cancer eating away their insides. People who believe they are healthy, shun the sick and the weak. The question today is the same as it was in the beginning. Who are you going to serve the gospel or the traditions of men? The Pharisee of yesterday and the Pharisees of today echo the same tragic outcome. Crucify Him! “If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you.” “We have a law, and according to our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God.” When I watch the news, or read the new on social media, the believer on the front lines of this civil war is the enemy. He is the enemy to the traditions of men, the evil one. He is disturbing the peace of all those traditionalists. The true sons of God are those led by the Spirit of God. They are not hiding in the shadows, like Peter did. They are not denying the message of Jesus Christ. They proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. They are not defending the traditions of men. They are exposing the evil traditions of men that have distorted the truth of Scripture for their own gain – as the Lord leads them.

The illegal immigrant is only one scapegoat; the true sacrifice is the believer who will be delivered up for persecution. Like Peter who denied Christ three times, so His elect, deny Him when they cower away. The persecution that Jesus warned us about was not about something coming from outside. It was a warning of the evil within the church.  These antichrists had already infiltrated the church, but their endgame, afar off, was going to be much worse.

A house divided will not stand

America is a nation created through centuries of violence, and subjugation. A purchase here, a purchase there would make it legal, but subjugate, nonetheless. That is not opinion. It is history. Today’s conflicts are a testament to that truth. Instead of good governance, or immigration reform, we wage war on the illegal immigrant. We fought the war on drugs, and we are still fighting. People abuse legal drugs. We brought to light the evils of human trafficking and human slavery only to learn the ugly truth. The buying and selling of human flesh is a profitable business. There has never been a lack of demand. Buyers come from all backgrounds and many of those consumers are leaders of this great nation. Creating law does not bring about a changed heart. Law holds everyone, or should, accountable for the actions their evil heart takes to hurts others. “Man-made” law is designed to hold everyone accountable and give its citizenry equal rights and equal protection under the law, but that does not happen. We believe that no man is above the law, but time and again we see that is not always true. 

We are disturbed by perceived evil, threatening in appearance, but that is not always the case. What we see with our eyes can deceive us. Evil is a “projected goodness” in any man, or woman whose heart is bent on evil. He uses persuasive words, manipulation, even good acts, but his endgame is destruction. In our first nature that is all humans. We should not fear the one who can destroy the body, but He who can destroy both body and soul.

America has a legacy of violence and creating separation

To separate is the American way – but the Lord comes to do that too

The Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo separated us, from them. Sadly, it set the precedence for the future treatment of Americans of Mexican descent. During the 1920’s & 1930s, the Mexican Repatriation conducted by the U.S. government extracted countless of Americans of Mexican descent, and not necessarily because they were here illegally. It was a them or us, scenario. The Civil War separated us – pro-slavery or anti-slavery. Civil Rights separated us by civil rights for all, or civil rights for a few. The Light separates us from the darkness. That’s what Jesus did. When I consider that some Christian groups are bent on creating some kind sanitized utopian America – a heaven on earth. I was reminded of David who wanted to build God a temple, so badly. But God said no. David would not build God’s temple because he was a man of violence. I think to myself “This country could never be nonviolent.”

David said to Solomon: “My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build a house to the name of the Lord my God; but the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have made great wars; you shall not build a house for My name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight. (1 Chronicles 22)

Jesus came to save. Man cannot create anything good for God. God does not dwell in anything made by human hands. Jesus came to show the world the love of His Father. How does a nation show love, if not by the works of its people? What audacity. We call this is a Christian nation, yet the love of many is stone hard cold. That’s the legacy American children inherited and will inherit.

My Christian Lens – Jesus came to divide

Come on, let’s get real. Texas governor said in September 2021 he was going to get rid of all the rapists in the state. Really? Can any political leader accomplish such a task? What does the Bible say about evil? If you are a believer, think on that.

“I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law (Luke 12:49-53).”

Then He also said to the multitudes, “Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming’; and so it is. And when you see the south wind blow, you say, ‘There will be hot weather’; and there is. Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time (Luke 12:49-56 NKJV)?“

To admit to the atrocities committed by early Americans, is one thing. It’s history. History cannot be erased. But it can be repeated. The scars are hard to hide. What is happening now is history. As followers of Jesus Christ, we must live in this world. The Scriptures say we should live in peace with all men, as much as depends on us. Jim Crow, and the persecution of blacks by KKK, an organized hate group, (they call themselves Christian) has maintained their presence for 160 years of American history. Their brand of violence has not disappeared. It is a tradition that many Americans wish to continue. Clearly, just like illegal drugs there is a “market” for hate. Hate is like murder. And the desired outcomes of hate groups are negative, unlike illegal immigration, which has generally been good for the country. Every crop has its bad apple, but so does every generation of Americans.

Does anyone still have ears to hear? Are we suffering from false teaching buildup? Is the buildup causing hearing loss and ringing so loud we just agree with everything we hear?

When Jesus walked the earth, His message fell on deaf ears with many of the people He came to save. Jesus did not give anyone the right or the power to dehumanize people of color, or for any other reason. If anything, He preached the opposite.

When (murder) hate is justified because of a look, or a perceived threat what happens? Well, one man said “Judging others makes us blind, whereas love is illuminating. By judging others we blind ourselves to our own evil and to the grace which others are just as entitled to as we are.” ― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship His statement is either true or the Scriptures are inaccurate.

1 John 4:20 – If a man says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who doesn’t love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?

Proverbs 6:16-19 NKJV “These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.”

It hasn’t even been a century where black and white could drink out of the same water fountain, or where black did not have to go the rear of the bus. We love our ancestors. We do. Compared to the power and influence Jewish leaders had, back in Roman days, today’s top influential Christian leaders display wealth beyond any one’s imagination. Lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and the pride of life is what makes the American spirit. It blends perfectly with the prosperity gospel. 

There is a day of reckoning

The early folks took what they wanted, by force, coercion or violence.

Finally, I was reminded of a Pharisee named Gamaliel, “a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God (Acts 5:34-39).” 

I am reading about men of God, pastors, and teachers, laypeople speaking out against the cruelty of ICE. They are proclaiming that the actions undertaken by armed masked men, are unchristian. This is a “Christian nation”, unless the label has been abandoned, or rebranded to fit an ungodly agenda. These government agents are condemning men, women and children without due process. Have some of these men gone rogue? It is possible. Some have taken the authority given to them by a governmental agency and chosen to violate basic human rights. They are beating up the foreigner.

While popular and the celebrity Christian leaders criticize the other Christian leaders who have chosen to obey God by protesting abuse of power, the popular ones choose to be complicit to the injustice before them. No doubt they pray for their leader to succeed and for God to protect him. They choose to put on their blindfolds to the inhumane actions of masked men. God is not mocked. As I said earlier, we face the same question today as in the beginning. Choose you today, whom you will serve (Joshua 24:15). 

It is worth reminding ourselves that our battles are not against flesh and blood. Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV) needs to be written on every believer’s forehead. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

Satan comes as an angel of light. He comes with good news to deceive, if possible, even the elect. That is one thing the Scripture is clear on. We are to “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.” 

Matthew 9:10-17 NKJV “Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Jesus set the example. Today, the “righteous” and the sinner are offended by this verse.

The Christian does not want to sit next to the sinner; they have no mercy – and the sinner does not want to be called a sinner. Jesus said, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”  The woman at the well, recognized Jesus as a Jew? He did not identify Himself as such. After their exchange, the woman desired what Jesus was offering. But Jesus directed her to go get her husband. She told him she had no husband. Jesus told her she was being truthful then told her all He knew about her. The woman dropped her pot and went and told the men about a Man who told her everything she had ever done. The Lord still does that for all who seek Him. He reveals Himself then He begins to tell you everything about yourself.

Now, last night as I prayed giving the Lord thanks for all His goodness, His mercy, His grace, the fact that His mercies are new every morning – certain Scriptures came to mind.

It was not Pontius Pilot that found Jesus guilty of any sin. He gave the Jewish people a choice, a murderer, or a Savior. It was the people of God that chose a murderer over a Savior. They were the first people who called good evil and evil good, destroying the good. But it was all part of God’s big plan.

Philippians 3:20 says our citizenship is in heaven. The Scriptures teach that those who believe are not of this world. So, who is the real immigrant here? Just as the illegal immigrant today is being ripped out of his community, accused of all sorts of crimes, degraded, scorned, spit on and flogged the centurion sees himself as providing a valuable service. So, the children of God should expect to suffer as much and worse when persecution comes to their door.

When you read John 3:16 it says whoever believes in Him should not perish. It does not exclude anyone. Jesus died for the sake of all humanity. Luke 5:31-32, (Amplified Bible) says this. “I did not come to call the [self-proclaimed] righteous [who see no need to repent], but sinners to repentance [to change their old way of thinking, to turn from sin and to seek God and His righteousness].” It is the religious who pray in the public squares to be seen by men. The ones who thank God that he or she is not one of them (Luke 18:11).

He did not come to condemn anyone, but to save. He said for those who do not believe are condemned already. Now, for those who believe in the Scriptures, who believe Jesus as the Son of God, believe they are sinners saved from eternal condemnation only because of the love of the Creator. Those who chose to save a murderer, had their Savior before them, bruised, beaten and bleeding, nevertheless continued to reject Him all the way to the cross. They refused to believe that such a man, a man who said He was not of this world, who claimed He and the Father are one, could be the promised Messiah. 

If anyone is preaching a different gospel, they are deceived and deceiving. For those pastors concerned with the lack of commitment to church attendance by membership, by dwindling numbers, the church buildings have been packed longer than they have been sparse. False teachings do not transform a heart much less lives into the image of Christ. Jesus is not coming for a people with a form of godliness (2 Timothy 3:5). The traditions of men have built the world we inhabit with all its lusts, and perversions. They have turned the house of God into a den of thieves. 

That’s where the Christian lives and worships, in a den of thieves. I was not sure where God was going with this, but the Scriptures are clear, that anyone who professes the name of Christ will be persecuted. I pray for those believers who still love with agape love (a popular phrase in the 1980s), who obey the Lord when they are commanded to confront hypocrisy, who experience persecution – I pray that the Lord will be glorified by their faithfulness to His word. To God be all the glory.

The love of God is unfathomable for those who do not believe. The things of God are foolishness to those who do not believe. This journey of faith described here is one fraught with challenges, division, and the ever-present temptation of false teachings. And the God of the heavens pursues those He calls. The Christian walk is not about comfort, but about confronting uncomfortable truths—both within us and in the world around us. While history and society have often been marred by violence, injustice, and hypocrisy, Jesus set an example of mercy, compassion, and radical love that transcends worldly indoctrinations, political, cultural, and religious. The call is not to self-righteousness or finger-pointing, but to genuine repentance and submission to God’s truth.

We either believe what the Scriptures say, or we don’t. We cannot simply obey the Scriptures that fit personal agendas. As believers, we are reminded that our citizenship is not of this world; persecution and suffering will come for those who follow Christ. You can believe in pre-tribulation rapture, but do not rely simply on that belief. Believers around the world already suffer for their decision to follow Christ and they are still here. Amid darkness, believers are to be the light of Christ’s love. Today, the False Prophet calls evil good, tomorrow the Antichrist will demand everyone to choose whom they will serve. Let us remember that God’s mercy is new every morning, and no matter how far we may feel from Him, His love can transform even a heart of stone. The challenge is not merely to endure, but to reflect Christ’s love and truth in a world desperately in need of both. We may not be in the last days, but it could be our last hour.

Thank you for reading. Be blessed.