The person who reads the title era
Contents
♡♥♡ A person who reads the times / Ezekiel 9:3-6
*** Introduction
The world we live in now is an “age of delusion” and “an age of uncertainty”. The delusion of chasing the pleasures of the flesh is spread throughout society, and nothing is certain. Politics, economics, culture, academics, and even religion are flowing aimlessly without providing a clear path.
A magazine called Reader's Digest presented a worrisome reality for America. A student body has been formed, the so-called New Left, with 2 percent of all American students joining and 10 percent sympathetic. The public declaration of the leaders of the New Left is called “destruction.” They want to deny and destroy God, morality, government, existing authority, order, or values. When asked, 'Are there any alternatives?', he insists on his dissatisfaction with the reality, saying, 'There is no need for alternatives, and any results are more welcome than those present.'
It also addresses the issue of moral authority. If adults criticize the young generation, the younger generation is said to be rebellious, saying, "Why shouldn't we do it, why not?" The editorial lamented, “The older generation has already denied God, who is the absolute authority on morality. He said, “Even if we teach morals to a generation without God, there is no power.”
Also, a Japanese magazine recently published a survey of housewives and published the results. One of them said, “More than 50 percent of Japanese housewives are willing to cheat if they don’t get caught.”
Dostoevsky once said, “Without God, nothing is impossible.” Our generation is overflowing with sins that do not fear God. In times like these, God has called us, so what should we do? Should I align? Or do I have to risk the pain to lead? Shouldn't it be indifferent to this or that?
The circumstances of Israel in the text are similar. The people of Israel, who should have feared God, forsook God and instead worshiped idols. All kinds of sins were being practiced without hesitation. God warned them so much through the prophets and told them to return, but no one listened. In Jeremiah 35:15, “I also sent to you all my servants the prophets, and sent them diligently, saying, ‘Now, every one of you, turn from your evil way and change your ways, and do not go after other gods and serve him. Then you will live in the land I gave to you and to your ancestors.’ But you did not listen and did not listen to me.” Now, they are so corrupt and corrupt that God has to execute judgment. The text records the judgments carried out on Israel.
God arose for judgment. God first called a scribe who had a bowl of ink. He commanded him, “Go through the city of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of those who groan and weep at the disgust that takes place therein.” Then he said to the angels who performed the judgment, “Follow him and go around the city and beat him. Do not have pity, nor do you have pity. Kill and destroy the elderly, elders, virgins, children and wives. But don't touch anyone with a mark on their forehead. Start with my sanctuary first.” Judgment was executed immediately, and the angels began with the elders in the sanctuary.
We can find out what we should do in this generation in these words.
The first thing to know is that the people whom God groaned are not Gentiles, that is, unbelievers today. The object of judgment was Jerusalem. This indicates that they are God's people who have made a covenant with God. In our generation now, judgment is being made on those who are called by God, and those who are called to serve God.
In verse 6, God said, “Let me begin in my sanctuary,” and the angels said that the judgment began from the old men in front of the temple, that is, the leaders of the temple. Judgment is being executed by those whose position is important. So the Lord said in Luke 12:48, “The servant who does what is right without knowing it will be beaten little. To everyone who has received much, much will be asked, and from him who has been entrusted with much, much will be asked. Don’t,” he said.
So what about the unbelievers? Why is God not speaking of judgment on unbelievers who reject God? As Jesus carried his cross and went to Golgotha, he briefly mentioned the scene of God's terrible judgment and said: Luke 23:31. “If you do this to a green tree, what will happen to a dry tree?” In other words, if this kind of judgment is done on the saints, then there is no need for unbelievers to say any more.
How should we live in a world where such a fearful judgment is foretold?
Verse 4 of the text speaks of those who escape that judgment. God has commanded us not to be stained by this generation that does evil and is full of filthy sins, but rather those who rebel against God, hate the corrupt reality, and groan, and mark them on their foreheads. These are the ones who escape the wrath of God.
Our job in this generation is not to agree, nor to be indifferent. We mourn over the abominations and unclean iniquity of this generation. “To groan over an abomination” means to mourn over idolatry and unclean sins and to have trouble in your heart. In other words, we are doing God's justice and justice while weeping for the sins of the world. It is to obey God's just and righteous words in our lives, and to show the Lord's love to those under the curse and lead them to the Lord.
Ahn Jung-geun, a devout Christian and a martyr of the nation, passed away on March 26, 1919 at Yeosun Prison. Before his execution, he wrote the words ‘Justice must win’, that is, ‘Justice always triumphs’ and ‘Long live the Republic of Korea’ and stamped it with the palm of his hand.
Looking at the international and domestic situation at the time, Korea was already in ruins. Japan has occupied Korea, and no country is willing to help Korea's independence in the international situation. In addition, many Christians visited the shrine and turned to pro-Japanese to beg for their lives and honor. Nevertheless, he risked his life for a country in decline and lived a just, honest and passionate life. His conviction that justice always triumphs even in death comes from his deep faith in God.
This is what God wants us to do now. Away from God, a very formal faith, a church that is becoming secular, a faith that is insensitive to the sins of the world. In this generation, we are to be sober, watchful, pray, become witnesses of the gospel, and fulfill God's love and justice, even in small things in our lives. God seals the foreheads of those who do this.
But our enemies are not formidable either. The Lord said in Mark 13:22, “False Christs and false prophets will arise and will perform signs and wonders, if possible, to deceive the elect.” Therefore, we must stay awake and read the changes of this age. Otherwise, we too will be swept away together. The Lord said in Luke 21:34, “Be careful of yourselves. Otherwise, your hearts will be dulled with debauchery, drunkenness, and the cares of life, and that day will come upon you unexpectedly like a trap.”
Let us raise up the desire to sit down together. Let's be vigilant and watchful, pray, become witnesses of the gospel, and work toward God's love and justice, even if it's small in our lives. So, I pray that you will receive the seal that God approves of.