Michael Bresciani
Judgment: the last thing on our minds
By Michael Bresciani
"It's a lesson too late for the learning – Made of sand, made of sand" Tom Paxton: The Last thing On My Mind.
Researching the subject of judgment and asking others what their perceptions of the coming judgments are, it was surprising to see that even believers (with rare exceptions) do not have a clear picture of what it is and when it is supposed to take place.
Such gross ignorance of the subject is unfathomable since there are 716 variations of the term 'judgment' to be found in both the New and Old Testament. What is abundantly clear is that almost everyone has some knowledge on the subject, but only a few have a picture of when, why and what the judgments will be.
There are four distinct categories of judgment. One has been ongoing for centuries, the next comes and goes throughout various periods in history and the last two are impending, but are events promised by God and for most students of prophecy they are seen as being – at the doors.
We will cover each briefly and try to avoid sinking into a theological treatise that no one can understand, so some of the details must be omitted. Students of scripture already know them, skeptics won't care even if they hear them, and unbelievers and disobedient will scoff at them and dismiss them out of hand.
Exactly what you do with them is up to you, but there is an urgency that today is calling to Americans and all the nations of the world which can only be overshadowed by the actual blowing of the last trump.
1. The Ongoing Judgment of Sin
The curse of sin began in the Garden of Eden and the immediate effect was labor and sorrow. It was not until the law was given that God made it clear what sin really was in all its details. He then pronounced 14 verses of blessings for mankind if they adhered to his commands and 54 verses of curses if they did not. (De 28:1f) The curses included sickness, diseases, mental problems, lack of success in business and agriculture and constant war and harassment from our enemies.
Man's denial that any of these judgments were actually the result of sin – goes on to this day. We have engaged medicine, research, education, peace efforts, technology, psychology and everything up to the kitchen sink, but sin and its concomitant judgment is with us yet; and will be until the last day.
2. Judgment of Nations and Civilizations
Israel shows us the best example of this principle as she figuratively went around in circles with God for centuries. Starting at the top in full favor with God she would begin to forget her past, associate with the Godless nations around her and start sinking. In time she would be judged and when the pressure of the ensuing difficulties which included defeat and humiliation from their enemies, she would cry out to God for help. He would send saviors as judges, prophets, warriors and rulers that would lead them back to their place of good standing with God.
Eventually she went too far and the rest is history. Whether unknown, unseen or simply completely denied, the nations repeated Israel's behaviors time and time again.
Oddly when a nation knew God and was in good standing with him he required a great deal more of them, but when they were judged he allowed backward, barbarian and Godless nations to conquer them.
The Prophet Daniel declared to Nebuchadnezzar the God completely ruled in the kingdom of men and he set up great or base men to rule over them at will. (Da 4: 17) Nothing has changed even today.
Yet another oddity is the fact that most of the voices, prophets, preachers and visionaries sent to warn a nation or civilization of impending judgment were sent in the last 40 years of each nation respectively.
In America we like to say that most of the scientist that ever lived – are alive today. The same can be said of God's trumpets and mouthpieces. The awareness of these times has gripped the best of God's messengers in these days and there are more pulpits, publications, electronic media and other efforts around the globe signaling the last days than at any other time in world history.
3. The Judgment of the Entire Earth
When the nations are done raging and they give the world's last dictator his chance (the antichrist) to rule for seven years, judgment will fall like rain. There will be plagues, death and mayhem in the last days of his reign that will never be repeated again. Jesus made it clear that it would be so bad that if it were not cut short; not any flesh would be left alive. (Mt 24: 22)
The nations will have capitulated so far into dark behaviors, warfare and general Godlessness that only God, not other nations, will be called upon to judge – Christ enters into judgment himself.
Signaling that final stage will be a darkening of the sun and the moon will be a dark red, the color of blood. The state of unbelief that preceded the judgment will be followed by a state of shock, the world over.
Every city in the world will have been toppled and Christ will begin his rule with rebuilding the centers of civilization quite without any need of our old blighted and shining triumphs of human craft and engineering. (Rev 16: 19)
The very bad ending of the rule of man will then be replaced by the 1,000 year rule of Christ known as the Millennial Kingdom. (Rev 20: 4)
4. The Final Judgment
This event is called the 'great white throne judgment' and it is, as it would seem, the final judgment. Every soul throughout history that lived out their lives in disobedience, hatred to God and contrary to all that is right will stand before him. The bible says death and hell, and every place a soul can be found will give them up and they will stand before God.
It will be the fulfillment of that most famous line from Handel's Messiah taken from scripture and fulfilled across the globe.
"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:" (Job 19: 25, 26)
Those who doubted or refused to believe that Christ was resurrected will find themselves resurrected and standing before the living God, not a myth or a fanciful figment of the imagination of man.
The Knowledge of Truth – Eaten by the Virus of Lust, Vanity and Lies
The Apostle Paul saw the day when according to the Prophet Daniel, knowledge would be increased. (Da 12: 4) Paul commented on Daniel's prophetic observations of the last days and added this concerning man's endless pursuit of knowledge, "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." (2Tim 3: 7)
No one in their right mind would say that knowledge is not useful. We are glad when we hear of medical breakthroughs and other scientific discoveries that aid mankind and lighten the load of the needy and suffering. It is when knowledge supplants rather than supplements man's endeavors that we become fools.
Paul did not say knowledge darkened the hearts of men. Paul was one of the most educated men of his time and would encourage anyone to seek knowledge. It was the vanity – that byproduct of knowledge that he claimed was the element that made man's hunger for knowledge go sour.
"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools." (Ro 1: 21, 22)
Now we have come full circle. If God is removed from man's knowledge because of new found knowledge it obvious that Satan has to be removed as well. What a victory for the one who is otherwise known as 'the father of lies.' (Jn 8: 44) His biggest whopper will be swallowed hook, line and sinker by an entire generation – the last generation.
The result of all this is forthwith and obvious – to some at least. The moral guide provided by God is supposed to be deeply implanted in the hearts of men, but in the last days it is discarded for knowledge of the world around us.
What cannot be discarded is the prophetic. Prophecy is that message, that promise of how it will all turn out, and is superimposed inextricably upon the history of man. It cannot be removed – it cannot be altered.
If Satan is the father of lies – Who are the Children of Lies
Finding liars is as easy as picking up a daily newspaper. Headlines are filled with the twisted liberal nonsense of the day on religion, morals, politics, education and all else. It is unfiltered and flows from the top down. A prime example is the recent contorted casuistry found in the proclamations made by President Obama in his inaugural speech and every speech thereafter.
With a straight face and complete confidence he has declared that the economy is growing, health care costs are coming down, women have a better lot because abortion is secure, education just needs to get them started younger, more money should be spent on stimulus and the gay agenda is doing peachy and is benefiting all Americans. Lest we forget it, he has declared that same sex marriage is perfectly OK.
Not one word of these declarations has an iota of truth in it. That does not keep millions of Americans from giving him the nod and then turning away to get on with what they were doing before.
How is this possible?
Science Says – Narcissism, puffed self-esteem and Undeserved Success Breeds Lies
In general compulsive liars are thought to be un-aware that they're lying. Conversely pathological liars know they are lying and are able to dismiss it or to elevate it to a perfectly acceptable and moral form of behavior because of low self-esteem, but more importantly it is because they are rewarded with promotion, acceptance and accolades for their lies. It fuels the lies and often the liar loses track of any truth and is as close to delusional as they can get.
You liked me and believed my lies and I have no intention of getting involved with the truth if it blocks your acceptance of me. This is exactly what 62 million Americans did for Barack Obama in November of 2012.
The odd thing is that those being lied to want to hear the lies that they have already assented to – repeated to them by their leaders. That tacit approval, bolstered their own gradually accepted body of generational lies, and a vicious cycle has begun.
In a recent experiment conducted by Harvard Business School doctoral student Zoe Chance, it was noted that after being allowed to cheat on test questions that the higher scores caused those who were tested to think of themselves as more intelligent even though they cheated. When tests were conducted in which they could not cheat they thought they would do much better, but they failed. The lie that fueled their self-confidence failed them, but they didn't know the difference until the results hit them smack in the face.
The bible and history have partnered to show us that when the people are inclined to evil, God sends them an evil ruler. When they are inclined to lie, God sends them inveterate liars to lead them into what they want. The result, the judgment doesn't hit them until it is too late.
What to Do – What to Do?
Describing the general attitudes and proclivities of people in the last days Apostle Paul said they wanted lies, so God gave them over to reprobation. Sadly, that is a state in which the truth is no longer recognizable.
"And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie." (2Th 2: 11)
The twist to all this lying is that after they learn that abortions, same sex marriage, economic irresponsibility and a host of other lies were just big whoppers, the final truth they come to realize is that they will be held accountable for believing in, and living out, the lies they were so satisfied to hear. This is called judgment and it is indeed – the last thing on their minds!
"He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." (Rev 21: 7, 8)
© Michael Bresciani
February 22, 2013
"It's a lesson too late for the learning – Made of sand, made of sand" Tom Paxton: The Last thing On My Mind.
Researching the subject of judgment and asking others what their perceptions of the coming judgments are, it was surprising to see that even believers (with rare exceptions) do not have a clear picture of what it is and when it is supposed to take place.
Such gross ignorance of the subject is unfathomable since there are 716 variations of the term 'judgment' to be found in both the New and Old Testament. What is abundantly clear is that almost everyone has some knowledge on the subject, but only a few have a picture of when, why and what the judgments will be.
There are four distinct categories of judgment. One has been ongoing for centuries, the next comes and goes throughout various periods in history and the last two are impending, but are events promised by God and for most students of prophecy they are seen as being – at the doors.
We will cover each briefly and try to avoid sinking into a theological treatise that no one can understand, so some of the details must be omitted. Students of scripture already know them, skeptics won't care even if they hear them, and unbelievers and disobedient will scoff at them and dismiss them out of hand.
Exactly what you do with them is up to you, but there is an urgency that today is calling to Americans and all the nations of the world which can only be overshadowed by the actual blowing of the last trump.
1. The Ongoing Judgment of Sin
The curse of sin began in the Garden of Eden and the immediate effect was labor and sorrow. It was not until the law was given that God made it clear what sin really was in all its details. He then pronounced 14 verses of blessings for mankind if they adhered to his commands and 54 verses of curses if they did not. (De 28:1f) The curses included sickness, diseases, mental problems, lack of success in business and agriculture and constant war and harassment from our enemies.
Man's denial that any of these judgments were actually the result of sin – goes on to this day. We have engaged medicine, research, education, peace efforts, technology, psychology and everything up to the kitchen sink, but sin and its concomitant judgment is with us yet; and will be until the last day.
2. Judgment of Nations and Civilizations
Israel shows us the best example of this principle as she figuratively went around in circles with God for centuries. Starting at the top in full favor with God she would begin to forget her past, associate with the Godless nations around her and start sinking. In time she would be judged and when the pressure of the ensuing difficulties which included defeat and humiliation from their enemies, she would cry out to God for help. He would send saviors as judges, prophets, warriors and rulers that would lead them back to their place of good standing with God.
Eventually she went too far and the rest is history. Whether unknown, unseen or simply completely denied, the nations repeated Israel's behaviors time and time again.
Oddly when a nation knew God and was in good standing with him he required a great deal more of them, but when they were judged he allowed backward, barbarian and Godless nations to conquer them.
The Prophet Daniel declared to Nebuchadnezzar the God completely ruled in the kingdom of men and he set up great or base men to rule over them at will. (Da 4: 17) Nothing has changed even today.
Yet another oddity is the fact that most of the voices, prophets, preachers and visionaries sent to warn a nation or civilization of impending judgment were sent in the last 40 years of each nation respectively.
In America we like to say that most of the scientist that ever lived – are alive today. The same can be said of God's trumpets and mouthpieces. The awareness of these times has gripped the best of God's messengers in these days and there are more pulpits, publications, electronic media and other efforts around the globe signaling the last days than at any other time in world history.
3. The Judgment of the Entire Earth
When the nations are done raging and they give the world's last dictator his chance (the antichrist) to rule for seven years, judgment will fall like rain. There will be plagues, death and mayhem in the last days of his reign that will never be repeated again. Jesus made it clear that it would be so bad that if it were not cut short; not any flesh would be left alive. (Mt 24: 22)
The nations will have capitulated so far into dark behaviors, warfare and general Godlessness that only God, not other nations, will be called upon to judge – Christ enters into judgment himself.
Signaling that final stage will be a darkening of the sun and the moon will be a dark red, the color of blood. The state of unbelief that preceded the judgment will be followed by a state of shock, the world over.
Every city in the world will have been toppled and Christ will begin his rule with rebuilding the centers of civilization quite without any need of our old blighted and shining triumphs of human craft and engineering. (Rev 16: 19)
The very bad ending of the rule of man will then be replaced by the 1,000 year rule of Christ known as the Millennial Kingdom. (Rev 20: 4)
4. The Final Judgment
This event is called the 'great white throne judgment' and it is, as it would seem, the final judgment. Every soul throughout history that lived out their lives in disobedience, hatred to God and contrary to all that is right will stand before him. The bible says death and hell, and every place a soul can be found will give them up and they will stand before God.
It will be the fulfillment of that most famous line from Handel's Messiah taken from scripture and fulfilled across the globe.
"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:" (Job 19: 25, 26)
Those who doubted or refused to believe that Christ was resurrected will find themselves resurrected and standing before the living God, not a myth or a fanciful figment of the imagination of man.
The Knowledge of Truth – Eaten by the Virus of Lust, Vanity and Lies
The Apostle Paul saw the day when according to the Prophet Daniel, knowledge would be increased. (Da 12: 4) Paul commented on Daniel's prophetic observations of the last days and added this concerning man's endless pursuit of knowledge, "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." (2Tim 3: 7)
No one in their right mind would say that knowledge is not useful. We are glad when we hear of medical breakthroughs and other scientific discoveries that aid mankind and lighten the load of the needy and suffering. It is when knowledge supplants rather than supplements man's endeavors that we become fools.
Paul did not say knowledge darkened the hearts of men. Paul was one of the most educated men of his time and would encourage anyone to seek knowledge. It was the vanity – that byproduct of knowledge that he claimed was the element that made man's hunger for knowledge go sour.
"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools." (Ro 1: 21, 22)
Now we have come full circle. If God is removed from man's knowledge because of new found knowledge it obvious that Satan has to be removed as well. What a victory for the one who is otherwise known as 'the father of lies.' (Jn 8: 44) His biggest whopper will be swallowed hook, line and sinker by an entire generation – the last generation.
The result of all this is forthwith and obvious – to some at least. The moral guide provided by God is supposed to be deeply implanted in the hearts of men, but in the last days it is discarded for knowledge of the world around us.
What cannot be discarded is the prophetic. Prophecy is that message, that promise of how it will all turn out, and is superimposed inextricably upon the history of man. It cannot be removed – it cannot be altered.
If Satan is the father of lies – Who are the Children of Lies
Finding liars is as easy as picking up a daily newspaper. Headlines are filled with the twisted liberal nonsense of the day on religion, morals, politics, education and all else. It is unfiltered and flows from the top down. A prime example is the recent contorted casuistry found in the proclamations made by President Obama in his inaugural speech and every speech thereafter.
With a straight face and complete confidence he has declared that the economy is growing, health care costs are coming down, women have a better lot because abortion is secure, education just needs to get them started younger, more money should be spent on stimulus and the gay agenda is doing peachy and is benefiting all Americans. Lest we forget it, he has declared that same sex marriage is perfectly OK.
Not one word of these declarations has an iota of truth in it. That does not keep millions of Americans from giving him the nod and then turning away to get on with what they were doing before.
How is this possible?
Science Says – Narcissism, puffed self-esteem and Undeserved Success Breeds Lies
In general compulsive liars are thought to be un-aware that they're lying. Conversely pathological liars know they are lying and are able to dismiss it or to elevate it to a perfectly acceptable and moral form of behavior because of low self-esteem, but more importantly it is because they are rewarded with promotion, acceptance and accolades for their lies. It fuels the lies and often the liar loses track of any truth and is as close to delusional as they can get.
You liked me and believed my lies and I have no intention of getting involved with the truth if it blocks your acceptance of me. This is exactly what 62 million Americans did for Barack Obama in November of 2012.
The odd thing is that those being lied to want to hear the lies that they have already assented to – repeated to them by their leaders. That tacit approval, bolstered their own gradually accepted body of generational lies, and a vicious cycle has begun.
In a recent experiment conducted by Harvard Business School doctoral student Zoe Chance, it was noted that after being allowed to cheat on test questions that the higher scores caused those who were tested to think of themselves as more intelligent even though they cheated. When tests were conducted in which they could not cheat they thought they would do much better, but they failed. The lie that fueled their self-confidence failed them, but they didn't know the difference until the results hit them smack in the face.
The bible and history have partnered to show us that when the people are inclined to evil, God sends them an evil ruler. When they are inclined to lie, God sends them inveterate liars to lead them into what they want. The result, the judgment doesn't hit them until it is too late.
What to Do – What to Do?
Describing the general attitudes and proclivities of people in the last days Apostle Paul said they wanted lies, so God gave them over to reprobation. Sadly, that is a state in which the truth is no longer recognizable.
"And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie." (2Th 2: 11)
The twist to all this lying is that after they learn that abortions, same sex marriage, economic irresponsibility and a host of other lies were just big whoppers, the final truth they come to realize is that they will be held accountable for believing in, and living out, the lies they were so satisfied to hear. This is called judgment and it is indeed – the last thing on their minds!
"He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." (Rev 21: 7, 8)
© Michael Bresciani
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