Much could be written here on what truly is the spirit
of Yahshua - the spirit that one should have regarding "end times," the nations,
the earth, and God's plans for them. Let us remember the teachings of the
One who came to reveal to us the Father. Instead of vengeance, He called for
compassion. Instead of hatred, He called for love. Instead of judgment, He
called for mercy. Instead of conflict, He called for peace.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.
Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God" (Matthew
5:3,5,7,9).
"Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you" (Luke 6:28).
"Do not judge lest you be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be
judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you" (Matthew
7:1-2).
While Christians think that Revelation is the judgment of the world, in
truth its judgment is and will be against them. Even as the prophetic word
judged the heart of Jonah, so the book of Revelation is an equal test that
will judge Christianity - whether they will receive wrath or mercy. For in
judging the world with a holocaust wrath and eternal fiery hell, they judge
themselves. In James 2:13 we read - "For judgment will be merciless to one
who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment." Herein is the spirit
of the true believer who longs to emulate and bear the spirit of Yahshua.
Not a spirit of merciless judgment (which will provoke merciless judgment
upon the one who shows no mercy), but a spirit of mercy. And herein is the
confidence and guidance we have concerning our Abraham and Moses-like intercession
for the earth and the nations -
that "mercy triumphs over judgment."
How can someone believe that the world will end in a holocaust, when God
declares - "mercy triumphs over judgment"? Which is the greater law of Yahweh
- mercy or judgment? Which prevails in His actions toward man - mercy or judgment?
And which should the true believer seek regarding the acts of Yahweh in the
"last days" - mercy or judgment? Would these be the last words of the man
consumed by a fiery wrath-filled judgment - "mercy triumphs over judgment"?
Hardly so! When the lion lays down with the lamb, let there be proclaimed
- "mercy triumphs over judgment." When the last enemy death is put away from
man, to die no more, let it be said - "mercy triumphs over judgment." If
there is an epithet to all the holocaust teachings Christianity foments,
it will be - "mercy triumphs over judgment." This one truth alone should
be sufficient to turn any argument, any doubt, and persuade any seeking soul
that the mercy of God does and will prevail over His plans for judgment. When
the issue is God's judgment, mercy is the final word.
Do not seek that God make all the world like you, or else judge them (which
is what Christians believe He will do). That is not mercy. Mercy is as was
proclaimed by Yahshua who was tried by a Roman judge, led to the cross by
a Roman escort, and crucified by Roman soldiers. Over and over again Yahshua
cried - "Father forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke
23:34). Did Yahshua cry out for wrath for them? No! Not at all! Does He cry
out for wrath for them now? No! "Father forgive them; for they do not know
what they are doing." It is with confidence we can say this, for "mercy triumphs
over judgment."
Mercy is the greater law, prevailing over judgment. Each time Yahweh planned
wrath for the Israelites, mercy prevailed. When Yahweh planned wrath for the
Ninevites, mercy prevailed. When Yahweh proclaimed by the prophets Isaiah
and Jeremiah the destruction of Babylon, mercy prevailed. Even when Yahweh
planned wrath for Sodom, mercy prevailed - for He willingly yielded to Abraham's
ever-narrowing plea. And will Yahweh heed a people's call for mercy for the
nations? Yes, a thousand times yes! For we read and we see time and again
that "mercy triumphs over judgment." Mercy prevails in the ways of Yahweh.
All the wrath, all the harsh judgment He planned and Christian man heartily
proclaims, can and will be averted - "for His lovingkindness is everlasting."
This is our confidence.
We know from the Scriptures that Yahweh's way and His desire is to bring
all men to repentance, not wishing for any to perish (2 Peter 3:9). So, the
question must therefore be asked - Would an end time holocaust turn men's
hearts to repent? Clearly, the answer is NO! Wrath never leads to repentance.
This is true in the home, in society, in the world, and in God's judgment.
In Revelation 16:8-9 we read what man's response would be to God's judgment
in wrath - "And men were scorched with fierce heat; and they blasphemed the
name of God who has the power over these plaques; and they did not repent,
so as to give Him glory." How, I ask, would Yahweh pursue this course/this
reaction from men, when the very reason He did not destroy the Israelites
on numerous occasions was for the concern of what the nations would say about
Him? Wrath does not bring forth Yahweh's desired results, only mercy and kindness
- "Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and
patience, not knowing that
the kindness of God leads you to repentance?"
(Romans 2:4). What leads men to repentance? His kindness.
And with fear I again remind you that if you are so
willing to accept
and teach the wrathful judgment of God upon the world for their actions,
then if you are guilty in any regard of any of their faults, you bring the
same wrath upon yourself. This verse concerning "the kindness of God" is
preceded by this warning - "And do you suppose this, O man, when you pass
judgment upon those who practice such things and do the same, that you will
escape the judgment of God?" (vs. 3). And let it be added - "For judgment
will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy," but "mercy triumphs over
judgment." The cry of any man who believes in God should be mercy from Him
for others, lest he invoke God's wrath upon himself. The cry that David expressed
for his own welfare - "O Yahweh, rebuke me not in Your wrath; and chasten
me not in Your burning anger" (Psalm 38:1) - must be the cry on behalf of
the nations from those who truly seek to know Yahweh and His ways. Even as
Yahshua taught - "You have heard that it was said," judgment (and Christians
teach judgment); "but I say to you," mercy (Matthew 5:38-48) - this must
be the cry of the true believer - mercy, and not judgment.
Is this not the way of Yahweh for which we should cry out to Him on behalf
of the nations and the earth? Is it not far better, and is it not more in
keeping with His ways, and is it not much safer in regard to our own judgment,
that we petition Him to not bring His planned wrath, but to "overcome evil
with
good" as it is written (Romans 12:21). And frankly, it is not
so much for Yahweh to change, for we have already seen that for His name's
sake He repents of evil; but the greater need is for believers to see
their
need to change, to cease teaching God's wrath, and cry out for His mercy
for the nations and the earth - that Yahweh would act out of His lovingkindness,
demonstrating this kindness to the nations that they might repent. This must
be the heart, the actions, the attitude, and the cry of the true believer.
Many Christians, and some entire denominations or groups, spend countless
hours and great efforts in the name of God in amassing voluminous knowledge
and burgeoning facts on a soon coming wrath of God, holocaust end, and judgment.
They amass knowledge, upon knowledge, upon knowledge. And while some of these
groups or denominations may be evangelistic and reaching out to "save the
world" by conversion to Yahshua, this alone is not sufficient. The voluminous
knowledge they amass while seeking the expansion of evangelism is not sufficient.
All the knowledge they may gather concerning an end time holocaust, all the
radio presentations, television presentations, multimedia presentations, meetings
upon meetings, brochures, books, charts, videos, and all, profits them nothing
when they lack the Abraham and Moses-like love that cries out to God for
His mercy for the nations. "Father forgive them; for they do not know what
they are doing," should be their cry. They may "know all mysteries and all
knowledge" (at least in their own sight), but without an interceding love,
they are nothing (1 Corinthians 13:2). "Love is patient, love is kind, ...
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
Like mercy - "Love never fails ..." (vss. 4, 7, 8). These are the qualities
we can expect from Yahweh for the nations and for the church; for "God is
love" (1 John 4:8). "God so loved the world," and "love covers a multitude
of sins" (1 Peter 4:8), even the sins of the world. Let a people instead
gain a knowledge of and ascribe confidence in the love, mercy, kindness, and
forgiveness of Yahweh for the nations. These are the qualities we must seek
to know, to emulate, and to respond to and count upon.
And, these are the qualities we can expect to see expressed just preceding
the return of Yahshua; not His wrath. When it is written - "Lovingkindness
and truth
go before You" (Psalm 89:14) - what is it that will "go
before" Yahshua at His return? Wrath and holocaust judgment? No, "Lovingkindness
and truth" will "go before" Him. This is the Elijah work in which He will
establish a Remnant people who will express these two marvelous qualities,
preparing the way for His return - "Lovingkindness and truth have met together;
righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth springs from the earth;
and righteousness looks down from heaven. Indeed, Yahweh will give what is
good; and our land will yield its produce. Righteousness will go before Him,
and will make His footsteps into a way" (Psalm 85:10-13).