December 30, 2022 Memory Verse
Warnings
The Harbinger (book review)
Title: The Harbinger
Author: Jonathan Cahn
Publisher: Frontline
Date: 2011
Pages: 262
The Harbinger (book review)
This book is a novel that is documentary/fictional story based upon true facts with the author’s belief as to what those events mean. Jonathan Cahn in the story takes a look at what is happening in America and sees the events as warnings or judgements of God against America.
Nouriel, the main character (there are only three characters in the entire story) is mysteriously given an old coin by mail with no message or meaning to it. Later he is met by an unnamed man who helps him uncover the meaning of that coin and is given, one by one, eight other coins to discover their meanings. Each of these coins link America to ancient Israel and Solomon and God’s judgements upon both.
The primary verse that is looked at is Isaiah 9:10. Throughout the story, Jonathan quotes many different presidents, politicians and leaders, in real life, in linking them to what Israel had done and America is currently doing that is bringing upon America God’s judgement. The events begin with 9/11 and lead up to the fall of the stock market in 2008. In the end he is challenged to determine what he must do with what he now knows.
Every quote and event mentioned have footnotes that show a link where it can be verified that they actually occurred. I had checked many of them for verification and also because I did not honestly believe that some of the people had said some of the things that were quoted. All of them were true.
As a believer it will challenge one to think about how he sees things that are occurring and how God’s hand is in those events. This story is not a feel good, happily ever after story, but one that paints a picture of coming doom if no change occurs. After reading this it is very difficult to state that what Jonathan points out is not actually very possible, but extremely probable.
One thing that I was concerned with in this story is that there is no mention of following Jesus, only in following and obeying God. Other than that, I highly recommend reading this book. And as you read it, open your heart to what God may be saying and doing in America.
Hebrews 12:25 Be Careful Not To Refuse God’s Word
See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? Hebrews 12:25
The majority of people around the world know that when someone of authority speaks they must listen. By listening it means they must obey what was said.
Any time someone chooses to not listen to the one in authority, there are consequences to be paid. The higher the authority, the greater the consequence.
After comparing Jesus to Moses, the author states that they best not refuse Him as He speaks from heaven. If they refuse the words of Jesus, they will be punished just as the Israelites when they rejected Moses.
It is easy to read and hear God’s word and not do anything about it. No one can physically see God standing before them enforcing His words. Many act as though God does not see them or will not do anything about it.
Although God does not always immediately punish a person for refusing His words, He does see and the punishment will come. God’s punishment of sin may come in this life, or in the end when Jesus returns. Current punishment is only temporary, after death it is eternal.
No one can escape the punishment, unless the sin is removed by faith in Jesus.
Through His word, the Bible, God has chosen to tell everyone what He expects. He also speaks through His Holy Spirit into the lives of everyone who will listen.
God will not force a person to listen and obey, but there will always be a consequence to pay. Either the consequence is blessing or punishment, depending upon how the person accepts or refuses His word.
Every day God will speak into your life, either by His word, through another person, or by His Holy Spirit. You have a choice to make as to whether you will accept His word to you when He speaks or not.
There is nothing that God will tell you that is not for your benefit, to build you up into the image of Jesus. Instead of refusing what He has to say, accept it, trusting Him and knowing that He will only speak what is right and perfect for you.
Are you turning away from God or are you listening to Him?
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know the word God has for you each day; that you will obey God’s word to you; that you will trust God in every area of your life; and that you will live for God.
1 Corinthians 10:11 Warnings For A Reason
These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. 1 Corinthians 10:11
Throughout all of history many things have been recorded by many different people. Studying history can help a person understand what occurred, what went right and what went wrong.
A good student of history will be able to look at what happened and make adjustments to make things even better in his own life and in the lives of those around him.
After giving some examples from the Old Testament on people going against God, Paul says that these things occurred as an example and a warning for the Corinthian believers.
Everything that a person does or does not do, is based off of someone else’s prior experience to some degree. Inventors who have invented something new, learned from the past of others as to what does not work or what needs to be done to make something better.
Currently in today’s society, many people want to cancel history. They do not want to look back as to what had happened, with both the good and bad parts of it.
Many in the church have also embraced this belief with their own lives. They are not looking to the warnings and examples throughout the bible as to what to do or not do and all consequences. Some will purposefully live in some sinful habit, ignoring the consequences of sin and rebellion against God.
The true believer will study the entire bible and see the warnings and examples set before him. He will will then focus his life on what is good and how to live for God in the best way possible, rather than living in sin and ignoring the coming consequences.
As you travel the road as a believer, there have been others who have been down that same path, both in the bible and outside the bible. Look at what God has set as warnings and examples before you and learn from them. Do not ignore God’s warnings and fall into sin and failing in the end.
Do not try to travel this road without God’s guidance in scripture and others. Without His guidance, you will fall and fail in the end. God has given you what you need, if you ignore it, He will hold you accountable.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Savior; that you will know the good and bad examples God has provided; that you will walk the path God has for you; that you will heed the warnings of God in your life; and that you will live a holy life unto God.
Jeremiah 44:6 God’s Patience Will End
Therefore, my fierce anger was poured out; it raged against the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem and made them the desolate ruins they are today. Jeremiah 44:6
Warnings against things are found everywhere. In most cases there are no punishments connected with the warnings. It is just that a person may incur some serious injury or death if the warnings are not heeded. With other warnings, however, there is a consequence if they are not heeded.
Often warnings are not heeded, because there is no direct, immediate consequence of any significance. People feel as though they are safe to continue doing what they are doing.
God had sent many prophets to warn the Israelites on how to live and what not to do. Yet, the people refused to listen and continued to live in sin. As a result God destroyed Jerusalem as punishment.
Even though the church is under grace, there are still warnings against living in sin. Jesus had told different people to go and sin no more, to leave their life of sin.
That message has never changed. Yet, there are many in the church who feel as if they are free to live as they want, in sin. They, as the Israelites, refuse to listen and obey the word being spoken to them and continue to live in sin and worshipping false gods.
Many who live like this hide behind God’s grace, saying that He is merciful and understands. God does not understand sin or sinning. He is against it and gives each person the ability to turn away from all sin. It is just many do not take that way of escape from sin.
Grace is not a license to sin more, but gives strength and reason to not sin.
You may or may not ever completely overcome the temptation to sin, but you must strive for it. Turn your focus upon God and what He wants of you.
As you study the bible, take notice of all the warnings God gives from beginning to end. Heed those warnings as you live for God. Do not allow yourself to be fooled into worshipping false gods in your life. Get rid of the false gods and live for God alone.
When you heed God’s warnings in your life, you will begin to live more for Him and more like Jesus. If you ignore the warnings, you may end up desolate and destroyed as Jerusalem was.
I pray today that you will know Jesus as your Savior; that you will heed all of God’s warnings in your life; that you will lean on God to turn from all sin and false gods; and that you will allow God’s word to guide your life.
Insights From Tom 