Mat 24:4-7 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. (5) For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. (6) And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.(7) For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines,and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. (KJV)
If you read the ESV like I often do, the word pesilences is not in verse 7. Do not let that lead you astray. Jesus said pestilences ("a fatal epidemic disease") were part of the sign of His coming. I have no doubt that, like with the plagues of Egypt, the pestilences of these days are meant to challenge things we put the place of God in our lives. Early on when this pandemic started and I began to realize its severity, I was lead to Isaiah 28 1-10. Pay attention to the types of crowns mentioned in this verse.
Ah, the proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim, and the fading flower of its glorious beauty, which is on the head of the rich valley of those overcome with wine! Behold, the Lord has one who is mighty and strong; like a storm of hail, a destroying tempest, like a storm of mighty, overflowing waters, he casts down to the earth with his hand. The proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim will be trodden underfoot; and the fading flower of its glorious beauty, which is on the head of the rich valley, will be like a first-ripe fig before the summer: when someone sees it, he swallows it as soon as it is in his hand. In that day the LORD of hosts will be a crown of glory, and a diadem of beauty, to the remnant of his people, and a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate. These also reel with wine and stagger with strong drink; the priest and the prophet reel with strong drink, they are swallowed by wine, they stagger with strong drink, they reel in vision, they stumble in giving judgment. For all tables are full of filthy vomit, with no space left. “To whom will he teach knowledge, and to whom will he explain the message? Those who are weaned from the milk, those taken from the breast? For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little."(Isa 28:1-10 ESV)
Who is your King?
Do you wear the proud crown of the drunkards or is "the LORD of hosts your crown of glory"?
If the LORD of hosts is your crown of glory, then the way Simon Peter, responded to Jesus is the way that we should also respond to Jesus. Jesus called Simon while he was fishing in the Sea of Galilee and said, "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately Simon left his nets and followed Jesus. He left everything he knew to get to know what Jesus' will for him was. If Jesus is our King, then let us leave the common life we knew for the rewarding life Jesus has for us now and in eternity!
If you read the ESV like I often do, the word pesilences is not in verse 7. Do not let that lead you astray. Jesus said pestilences ("a fatal epidemic disease") were part of the sign of His coming. I have no doubt that, like with the plagues of Egypt, the pestilences of these days are meant to challenge things we put the place of God in our lives. Early on when this pandemic started and I began to realize its severity, I was lead to Isaiah 28 1-10. Pay attention to the types of crowns mentioned in this verse.
Ah, the proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim, and the fading flower of its glorious beauty, which is on the head of the rich valley of those overcome with wine! Behold, the Lord has one who is mighty and strong; like a storm of hail, a destroying tempest, like a storm of mighty, overflowing waters, he casts down to the earth with his hand. The proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim will be trodden underfoot; and the fading flower of its glorious beauty, which is on the head of the rich valley, will be like a first-ripe fig before the summer: when someone sees it, he swallows it as soon as it is in his hand. In that day the LORD of hosts will be a crown of glory, and a diadem of beauty, to the remnant of his people, and a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate. These also reel with wine and stagger with strong drink; the priest and the prophet reel with strong drink, they are swallowed by wine, they stagger with strong drink, they reel in vision, they stumble in giving judgment. For all tables are full of filthy vomit, with no space left. “To whom will he teach knowledge, and to whom will he explain the message? Those who are weaned from the milk, those taken from the breast? For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little."(Isa 28:1-10 ESV)
Who is your King?
Do you wear the proud crown of the drunkards or is "the LORD of hosts your crown of glory"?
If the LORD of hosts is your crown of glory, then the way Simon Peter, responded to Jesus is the way that we should also respond to Jesus. Jesus called Simon while he was fishing in the Sea of Galilee and said, "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately Simon left his nets and followed Jesus. He left everything he knew to get to know what Jesus' will for him was. If Jesus is our King, then let us leave the common life we knew for the rewarding life Jesus has for us now and in eternity!
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