With the world being under such a huge deception and Christianity has become so commercialized, it is hard to separate the sheep from the goats.

 

Some Christians are not even expecting deliverance from the calamities that will definitely be affecting the earth because of man’s refusal to turn from their evil ways.

The crux of the matter therefore is, should God's people suffer the same fate as with the unbeliever?

 

Recall that some people came to Jesus Christ and told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices and the eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed. The reply Jesus gave on both accounts were exactly the same: He said, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners that all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish" (LK.13:2-3).

 

And with reference to the eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed he said, "Do you think that they were worse sinners that all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish"(Lk.13:4-5).

 

Judging from Jesus 'response on both accounts one can safely say that, the one who repents, the one who stop living his own way, and begins to live the way of Jesus Christ, will not suffer the same fate as others who have not repented.

 

I believe firmly that, there is definitely a way of escape to those who has turned to the lord. Those who have surrendered their lives to Jesus are admonished saying, "Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues"(Rev. 18:4).

 

 They are asked to, "watch therefore and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass and to stand before the Son of Man" (Lk.21:36).

 

These two admonitions are in collaboration with an assurance of safety which is recorded in the 91st Psalm stating; "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the almighty. I will say to the lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust." Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.

 

 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge: his truth shall be your shield and buckler, you shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrows that fly by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

 

A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you.

 

Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked"(Ps.91:1-8).

 

One thing is of paramount importance, and we need to note it carefully. Whilst the love and goodness of God is unconditional; for it is written; "He makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." Nevertheless, his blessings and protection are conditional.

 

The assurance of our safety comes as a result of, "Making the Lord our refuge and the Most High our habitation.

 

It is because of this we are told that, "No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for he shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.

 

They shall bear you up in their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot" (Ps.91:9-13).

 

With all these assurances why do some Christians still have the notion that they are apt to suffer the same fate as the unbeliever?

 

Why should some be still anxious of what shall they eat, drink and wear, when it is said that, "After all these things the Gentiles (those who do not know God) seek, for your heavenly Father knows that you need these things: But seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

 

The reason why Christians suffer the same calamities with the wicked is, because they have not made the lord, even the Most High their habitation, and unfortunately may not even know how to abide in the Lord, and make him their habitation, and because of the weakness of their faith.

 

a. Acknowledging and confessing that Jesus is the Son of God (1Jn.4:15).

b. Love him, and one another which is tantamount to keeping of his commandments (1Jn.3; 24; Jn.14:15-16, 23; 1Jn.4:16).

c. Having the Holy Spirit which is given to those who obey him (1Jn.4:12; Acts 5:32).

d. By partaking of his flesh and blood [communion] (Jn.6:53-58).

e. By abiding in the doctrine of Christ, which is tantamount to abiding in the truth (1Jn.4:16; Jn.14:23; 2Jn.9).

 

On the Lord's part he said, "Because he has set his love upon me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known my name.

 

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him my salvation" (Ps.91:14-16).

 

For one to escape the impending disasters that will surely befall this world, one must be ascertain that he/she abides under the shadow of God's wings, and that he/she has made the Lord his/her habitation. Only those who are far from God perishes.

 

David said, "For lo, those who are far from thee shall perish; thou dost put an end to those who are false to thee. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge that I may tell of all thy works" (Ps.73:27-28).

 

God is in full control over his creation, and nothing happens without his express permission. Not even a sparrow which worth only a copper coin falls to the ground apart from the Father's will.

 

For Satan to inflict any punishment over a child of God he must first seek permission from God as he did in the case of Job.

 

Those whom God has redeemed should not live in fear as he promised to Jacob saying, "Thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.

 

When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God: the Holy One of Israel your Savior" (Isa. 43:1-3).

The redeemed are God's witnesses to declare the wondrous works of God. To the redeemed the Lord says, "You are my witnesses, and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he.

 

Before me there was no god formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior. I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange gods among you; and you are my witnesses," says the lord. I am God, and also henceforth I am he; there is none who can deliver from my hand; I work and who can hinder it? (Isa.43:10-13).

 

This promise is applicable to Christians to day who are said to be, "A chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, called to declare the wonderful deeds of Him who called them out of darkness into his marvelous light. Who once were not a people, but now are the people of God; who once had not received mercy, but now have received mercy" (1Pet:2:9).

 

Day and night at the time of the regular daily offering, Satan goes before the throne of God and accuses the brethren; It would be an ideal thing if Christians would also learn to appear before God at that same time, presenting their offerings to the High Priest, and Advocate Jesus Christ in order for him to make intercession to the Father on their behalf: and not giving Satan any opportunity to lay and have any legitimate claim against them.

 

As long as Satan holds any claim over a child of God because of sins which has not been paid and settled in full by the redemptive blood of Christ, it is within his rights, and prerogative in a court of justice to seek retribution. Hence the reason why Jesus said to Peter: "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat" (Lk.22:31).

 

Allowing sins to remain for days, weeks, months, and years before confessing them, and having them cleansed by the cup of the new covenant of Christ's blood, gives the accuser the right to make his claim against the individual.

 

Hence the reason why we have been admonished saying, “In you anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold” (Eph.4:26-27).

 

Therefore, it would be a wise thing for Christians to learn and practice, "Giving thanks to the Lord, and sing praises to the name of the most High, and declare his loving-kindness in the morning; and his faithfulness every night" (Ps.92:1-2).

At the same time, remembering to present to our High priest and Advocate, his perfect offering for our sins.

 

It is God's desire that the righteous flourish like a palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

 

Those who are planted in the house of the lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing, to declare that the lord is upright; He is their Rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

 

Let us all who are called by the name of Christ, depart from iniquity and stop limiting the powers of the Almighty. He works, and no one can hinder him. What he has promised he is able to fulfill.

 

Surely the arm of the lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you so that he will not hear.

 

Let us not suffer the same fate with the unbeliever.

 

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph