“And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, ‘Doth not your Master pay tribute?’ He saith, ‘Yes.’ And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying,
‘What thinkest thou, Simon? Of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? Of their own children, or of strangers?’
Peter saith unto Him, ‘Of strangers.’ Jesus saith unto him,
‘Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for Me and thee.’ ” Matthew 17:24-27
Kings of the earth
The Coming Judgment
I know people do not like hearing it; but the word of the LORD is working, His word will be hastened, and His judgment is coming. Hear the word of the Lord.
“When thus it shall be in the midst of the land among the people, as the shaking of an olive tree, as the gleaning grapes when the vintage is done. They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the LORD, they shall cry aloud from the sea.
Wherefore glorify ye the LORD in the fires, the name of the LORD God of Israel in the isles of the sea. From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs, glory to the righteous. But I said, My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me! The treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously.
Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth. And it shall come to pass, he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake. The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly. The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again. And it shall come to pass in that day, the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.
Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of Hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.” Isaiah 24:13-23 (KJB)
The only hope for Adam’s race, otherwise known as humankind, is Jesus Christ who is the Living Son of God, God the Living Son, who gave His own life for our redemption, was buried carrying away all our sin, condemnation, guilt, and shame, leaving that in the grave, and He arose victorious and because He lives we will live with Him forever. Believe Him. It is coming to pass just as it has been said.
Keeping Your Garments Clean
And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. ‘Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.’ And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.” Revelation 16:12-16 (KJV)
In the 22 chapters of The Revelation of Jesus Christ there are seven Beatitudes which state, “Blessed are/is…” and then, gives the blessing. “Blessed” for the most part means “Happy”, but should be seen as being much more than what the world considers happiness. This Blessed or Happy has to do with being in the will of the LORD.
In the above Scripture is one of those blesseds. It is the third of the seven. The first is in chapter one; the second in chapter fourteen; the fourth in chapter 19; fifth in chapter 20; the sixth and seventh in chapter in chapter 22. Now what is the point of all these blessings?
The Churches which John the apostle was sending this prophecy was living in a time of grave troubles. John himself had been sentenced to prison on the Isle called Patmos for his preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. These blessings were interspersed encouragement to the churches to continue in the obedience of Christ Jesus.
This one has to do with continuing to live a holy life. No matter if trials or tribulation comes the faithful Christian will be faithful to the Gospel of Jesus; even unto death. For the Christian living in a era, or a culture which espouses many different religions, and moral depravity; which does often follow many different religious beliefs – or what is called multiculturalism; is difficult, and requires the Christian to stay alert, in the Word and prayer.
Christian, stay alert. Christian, keep your garments of holiness in this depravity filled and wicked world. Also remember mercy, remembering where you were before you met Christ. Be Happy in Christ.
-T.A.
The Fire and Hammer 