Thoughts

Proverbs 23

1When you sit down to eat with a ruler, look carefully at what’s in front of you.

2Put a knife to your throat if you like to eat too much.

Proverbs 23:1-2 NIRV

This proverb was written when many rulers were actually all-powerful tyrants. A clearer translation of verse one would read something like this: When you sit down to eat with an all-powerful tyrant, consider very, very carefully who (not what) you are with.

And then the phrase that really caught my attention is in verse two: Put a knife to your throat if you like to eat too much.

The expression “put a knife to your throat” is an idiom that means “curb your appetite” or “control yourself”. To be in the presence of all all-powerful tyrant and indulge in one’s appetites could be very, very risky. If the tyrant  thought you were taking too much, it would mean little or nothing to them to order your death.

Proverbs 24

11Save those who are being led away to death. Hold back those who are about to be killed.

12Don’t say, “But we didn’t know anything about this.” Doesn’t the God who knows what you are thinking see it? Doesn’t the God who guards your life know it? He will pay back everyone for what they have done.

Proverbs 24:11-12 NIRV

Beloved, verses 11 and 12 sounded prophetic to me. They sound as if they were meant for the holocaust. 

I have said several times lately on this show, that I believe that we are quite literally in the last days. And I believe that we will see more crimes against humanity than have ever been committed, including in the holocaust. 

These verses from Proverbs make it clear that it is our responsibility to stand in the way when we see things like this happen. Christians, this very day, are being killed because of their faith, in various places around the world. And this is going to spread. We need to be prepared…to take action when possible, and to not renounce our faith when it is demanded of us, which will happen. Of this I have no doubt whatsoever. None.

In more and more places, I am seeing the expression, “I would rather die on my feet than live on my knees.” We must not bend our knees to those who would demand that we deny Jesus. After all, the worst that they can do to us is kill us.  Jesus said in Matthew 10:28, “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (NLT) And Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:8 (NIV): “We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”

So there is no loss if we die, if we know Jesus. We will be with Him. 

Just know that when people are suffering and being put to death, if it is in our power, we are responsible to intervene. At the very least, today we should be in prayer for the victims of evil people.

Well, it’s not often that my comments are this heavy, but the reality is that our world is in trouble. And it just might be that some of us will be called into this kind of situation. Be encouraged, beloved. When the time comes, know that His return is near, and He will be with you if you hold fast to your faith.

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 23-24 NIRV

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