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The World Health Organization (WHO) has watered down some provisions of its pandemic agreements ahead of the upcoming World Health Assembly on May 27. Critics in the United States, however, say the changes don’t do enough to address the concerns over the policy. Provisions in prior drafts of the WHO pandemic treaty and International Health Regulations (IHR) together aimed to effectively centralize and increase the power of the WHO if it declares a “health emergency.” The release of the latest draft of the amendments, dated April 17, is the first public update on the IHR draft, which was initially made public in early 2023. “In most areas, and for all of those which most concerned us from a legal perspective, the interim draft reflects a major retreat by the WHO Working Group from the text of the original proposals,” British solicitors Ben and Molly Kingsley wrote in an April briefing paper regarding the new amendments. Some WHO watchers remain wary, however. “Practically all the bad things are still there,”

As we dig into the days of creation, there are some things to note. 1. There are six days that God created something. 2. God spoke creation into existence…He spoke, and He formed something from nothing. 3. The day God created began in the evening. The Hebrew word for evening is erev (eh'-rev), and it means “dusk” or “sunset.” Bear in mind God created the day to begin at sundown, continue through the morning and afternoon, and end at sunset the next day. 4. God named His creation but allowed man to name the animals. 5. At some point before God created the universe and man…He created the angels. In Job, God told him: “When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God (the angels) shouted for joy?” (Job 38:7 ESV) As God was creating, the angels were sitting in the bleachers going, “OOH and AAH!” We do not know when God created them. They were created to serve and worship God, so they may have existed for millions of years before the universe and man were created. So, keeping all that in mind, let's dig into the existence of God in creation. The simplest evidence for the existence of God is that He tells us that He created everything. As we look around, we see the handiwork of God all around us.

Zedekiah did not want to hear the word of God because it went against his plans. Jeremiah tells the king that he will face his enemies face to face. This is a problem for the king because he was installed as the vassal king of Judah by King Nebuchadnezzar… A vassal king is someone who rules over a land for a superior. A vassal king is under the control of his superior and he must vow to be faithful to him and honor him with his service. Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, was a vassal king to Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon before Zedekiah until he was removed and taken captive to Babylon. Now although Zedekiah is ruling Judah at the time…he is a “puppet king” for Babylon…and he must answer to Nebuchadnezzar. But King Zedekiah had gone behind the back of Nebuchadnezzar and formed an allegiance with Egypt who didn't come to the aid of Judah. And King Zedekiah and his sons will pay the price for his treachery.

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. These two verses elicit many different responses and raise many questions. To the Atheist their response would be there is no God...there is a scientific explanation for creation. To the Agnostic who considers the possibility there could be a God but wants proof. They would argue that we would need to prove God created the heavens and earth before they would even consider believing. To the believer, if you do not understand the very first line of the Bible, “In the beginning God,” you will struggle with the rest of this Book. The questions these verses raise is more than we could cover in one Sunday. So, we will probably take two Sundays to explore just a few of them, like: Is creation proof that God exists? Who is God? What proof is there of His existence? What existed before creation? What did He create, did He create it? Is it okay to even ask the question…does God exist? Let's start there…God tells us in His Word that: You will seek me and find Me, when you seek Me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13 ESV) God tells us to seek Him…to see if He does indeed exist.

Teaching on Worship

Paul admonishes the teachers of the Word that they should practice what they preach. The deeper meaning behind what Paul is saying for us as believers is that all that we do…good and bad…reflects on God. Our name may be beseeched as believers…when we “blow” our witness… But we do far more damage to the name of God by our actions than we do to our own. And listen…because we still operate in these bodies' flesh…we are far from perfect…we still live in a fallen world… So, we do “blow” our witness from time to time. One way can we rectify that is to apologize immediately and confess that we sinned against them and God… And ask for their forgiveness. There was an old movie that had a famous line, “Love means never having to say you're sorry.” I would disagree…it is an act of love to say that you are sorry. But getting back to the cross…the Judizers were afraid the cross would bring persecution to them. Paul understood that Jesus endured persecution on the cross for us. The Judizers believed salvation came through works, not the cross. Paul understood that redemption and salvation came only through the cross.

Please allow me to remind you why we do these Convergence of Prophesy Updates. Because we are to understand the times, we live in so we can share with others what is going on Biblically. Jesus wept for the Jewish people over not knowing the timing of the coming of the Messiah. They did not know the time of their visitation…So, it would be hidden from them. And they should have known because Daniel prophesized the very day the Messiah would enter Jerusalem. Daniel also prophesized that the Messiah would be cut off (killed) but not for Himself. Zechariah prophesied that the Messiah would ride into Jerusalem on a donkey. Jesus fulfilled these prophesies…but those who should have known the times they lived in…should have known the time the Messiah would come…didn’t. The sons of Issachar are credited for understanding the times they lived in. “Of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.” (1 Chronicles 132:32 KNJV) King Ahasuerus credited his advisors for knowing the times. Then the king said to the wise men who knew the times. (Esther 1:13 ESV) Amos the prophet tells us that: “For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.” (Amos 3:7 ESV) God tells us what He is going to do through His prophets…He doesn’t keep it a secret. As believers, we are called to know the times we are living in…and we are living in some very interesting times.

An update on the war in Israel Don’t be deceived…another way to say that is “Make no mistake about it,” God will not be mocked. The word mocked means to be disrespected or dishonored. To mock in Greek means to turn your nose up at someone in contempt for that person. So, to mock God is to treat Him with contempt. And if you are mocking God…you will also mock His people. Jeremiah lamented: My own people laugh at me. All day long they sing their mocking songs. (Lamentations 3:14 NLT)

In that day…when Jesus returns to this earth. Israel will once again be “God’s people.” Let me rephrase that…they have always been God’s chosen people and always will. The church has not and never will replace Israel as the apple of God’s eye. For their part, however, Israel has become a secular nation…much like the United States. When Jesus returns, they will turn to Him whom they have pierced and worship Him as their Messiah. Notice God says He will be the God of all the clans…all twelve tribes. The ten tribes of Israel are not lost…God knows exactly where they are.

In chapter 5 Paul describes people who are practicing sin…they are still living the way they lived before they were saved… So, we question whether they were ever saved at all. But this is different…Paul is addressing brothers and sisters in the Lord…Believers! And he is telling us how to treat others who are caught up in any transgression whether that be another brother or sister or a non-believer. The word caught…can mean to be “trapped,” “overtaken,” or “overcome,” in any transgression. The word any is important because it doesn't give us the luxury of picking and choosing which transgression we want to get involved with. Because some sins are messier than others. The word transgression can mean a lapse or deviation from what we know to be right…so it is an unintentional sin. Or it can mean a willful transgression, where we knowingly violate a rule or law…we know it is wrong…yet we do it anyway. But in the Greek tense of the word caught it carries with it a sense of suddenly happening. So, I believe Paul is addressing those who fall into sin…it comes upon them suddenly and before they know it, they are overtaken or overwhelmed by it. They know it’s wrong…but they get pulled in. Then the roller-coaster ride begins…they sin and then are overwhelmed by guilt and shame…until they sin again… It’s called sin, repent, and repeat. This whole process can leave a brother/sister in the Lord struggling with their faith…and doubting their salvation. Paul tells those who are walking in the Spirit to restore that person in a spirit of gentleness.

In Jeremiah 29:11 God says He has a plan, to give the people of Israel a future and hope. This is the plan…it will involve captivity; it will involve a time of Tribulation… But restoration and salvation are also part of God’s plan for them. Jeremiah is given a vision of a time 70 years in the future and beyond. And then a time so far into the future it has yet to happen. God tells him to write everything down. In chapter 36:1-4 God tells him to record everything on a scroll…so Jeremiah calls Baruch who becomes his scribe. And so, we have the words of God spoken to His prophet Jeremiah written down for us in the scroll of Jeremiah. Contained in this book we have “God in quotes.” And the prophecy contained on these pages is God’s signature on this book.

The period we are going to look at in our countdown to the cross and resurrection covers from Thurs. March 31 to Sun. April 3, 33 AD. Last Sunday we left off with the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem… So, we will pick up the countdown on Thursday, March 31...or Nisan 14 on the Hebrew calendar. We won't spend a lot of time on the events of Thursday, Friday, and Saturday… Because you came today to hear a message of the resurrection…a message of joy and hope. And the resurrection of Jesus brings great joy and hope to believers and non-believers around the world. But we cannot have a resurrection without the cross. And we can't talk about the hope we have in the resurrection of Jesus without talking about the hope we have in our own resurrection. So, we are going to approach this countdown today by first talking about Redemption. Everything Jesus did between His Triumphal Entry to His crucifixion was in preparation for our redemption. The next thing we are going to look at is His Resurrection and the significance of it. Then His Return to heaven…and why that is important. And then we will, Lord willing, close by talking about our resurrection in the Rapture. We have a lot to look at this morning, so we had better dig in.

But we know what Hananiah said wasn’t true…and if it isn’t true…it cannot be from God. But where would he come up with such a statement if it wasn’t from God? We know from history that at this time Nebuchadnezzar is dealing with a revolt in his own backyard of Babylon. He was facing a rebellion against his rule. He eventually puts down the rebellion and takes care of the rebels involved. But Hananiah could have looked at that…and foresaw Nebuchadnezzar being defeated and the captives and all the temple implements returned to Judah. That’s not from God…that’s man's predictions based on the events he sees around him.

Today…with the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem…we begin the final countdown to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Please understand that what happens over the next few days in the life of Jesus did not take Him by surprise. He had been telling His disciples about this time for a few months. He fully understood what awaited Him in Jerusalem…which makes His love for us even greater. There had been a couple of times when the people wanted to take Him and make Him king…but the time wasn’t right… The time is right now, and He will go to Jerusalem knowing this will lead to His death on the cross. I often think, why now, why this time, there were other Passover’s. Because nothing happens by chance with God, this scene played out in heaven before the foundation of the world. God knew before the world was formed that at this time in history, all the characters would be in place and their hearts would be where they needed to be to see this through. This was the perfect time in history…because it was God’s timing…because it is His Story!

I will never apologize for what the Word of God says. I will apologize for my delivery of it…if I don’t tell the truth tempered with love. But please understand that the most loving thing I can do as a pastor is tell you the truth. The truth is that the study we are about to embark on may be scary to some of you. But I would rather it scare you now…and wakes you up…than you wake from the sleep of death and find out you were never saved! We have already established that you cannot lose your salvation once you are saved… But what if you have been lulled into a false sense of security believing you are saved? Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthian believers…to those who believed they were saved. But they were showing up drunk to the communion meal…which was just one of the problems they were dealing with. So, he tells them to examine themselves and test themselves to see if they are of the faith. Because the way they were acting wasn’t showing evidence (fruit) of the new life they had in Christ. He goes on to write: “Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you unless, of course, you fail the test?” (2 Corinthians 13:5) If the persons he was addressing were genuinely of the faith, meaning if they were believing Christians… Then there would be evidence…(fruit) that Jesus Christ lived inside them. There would be evidence that the Holy Spirit was working within them, sanctifying them...and leading and guiding them. But if their lives showed no evidence of the Spirit’s activity, then Jesus Christ was not dwelling within them. And if Christ was not in them…then they failed the test…they weren’t of the faith…meaning they weren't saved! We are going to read some very scary verses today…if they convict you…feel blessed…the Holy Spirit is working in you to teach you something. If you are offended, be warned…the Holy Spirit is trying to tell you something and you need to heed His warning. So, buckle your seat-belts…this ride may get a little bumpy. Let's dig in!

We have a time frame here after Nebuchadnezzar had the king, the officials, and the skilled craftsmen to Babylon. After this God gives Jeremiah a vision of a basket full of figs. Take note of what Nebuchadnezzar has done… he's effectively put Judah out of business if you will…or at the very least…he has greatly curtailed the daily operation of the city. They lost a good portion of their governing class and the people who keep things running. They lost the best and the brightest…but as you will see…what Nebuchadnezzar meant for evil; God would use for good. Those who were taken out of the city were taken for their protection. Nebuchadnezzar thinks he has effectively weakened Judah to the point where they should no longer be able to rebel. But as we will see…that doesn’t stop them. We know from Biblical and secular history that Babylon attacked Judah three times.

Freedom is an important part of Paul's argument…we have been set free, why would you want to go back into bondage? Here is the important thing to remember…we did not…nor could we ever…even if we wanted to…set ourselves free. Let's say you committed a crime…but instead of turning yourself in…you ran and hid. You may be free…but are you really? The penalty for the crime you committed is always going to hang over your head. You will always be in bondage to your crime. The only way you can be set free from this bondage hanging over your head…is to face the punishment for your crime. We are all guilty before God for our sins…and the punishment we all face is death because the wage of sin…is death. Our sin keeps us in bondage…and one day we will face the punishment for our sin…which is eternal death and separation. The only way we can be set free from that death sentence is by placing our faith in Jesus Who took our sins upon Himself… He traded places with us!

Tucker Carlson has taken some heat of late for his comments about Moscow, Budapest, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Tokyo, and Singapore. At the World Governments Summit of 2024, he mentioned that these cities are clean, safe, and have beautiful architecture. Don’t you love how all these summits and forums are “world” the WEF and the WHO? He compared those cities to NY, LA, San Francisco, London, and Paris…and how run down they are, and crime-ridden. He said that these cities have chosen to allow themselves to become this way. That their decline is a choice…and he is right…because we all know that they could…if they wanted to…clean up their streets and make it safe for the people and the businesses again. But they don’t want that…they want their cities (as crazy as it sounds) to be in decline. Why? I believe it is all part of the plan to bring the US down… for the rest of the world to fall into place…America must fall. America must fall to allow the globalist agenda to move forward…one world government, one world economy, one world leader. So, they are bringing America down…one city at a time.

Woe…that word means alas which is sorrow or pity. God declares that the shepherds will be sorry that they destroyed, scattered, drove away, not attended to, and deserted, the sheep of God’s pasture. God makes it very clear that these sheep are His…and the shepherds are set over them as under-shepherds for God. God is the Shepherd…but He has appointed leaders over His sheep (His people) to lead and guide them. An under-shepherd is to care for the sheep as if they are his own…but that isn’t what they were doing in Judah…or Israel. They were acting more like a hireling.

By now…you know the point Paul is making ad nauseam. It is by grace that we are saved through faith. And that the law brings bondage and slavery…but faith in Christ Jesus brings freedom. We get it right? I mean Paul has done a great job making these arguments… But in our passage this morning he uses a new approach to an old argument… He takes another run at making the point that the law enslaves, and faith sets you free. And then he will move more into practical application in the last two chapters…where he stresses that… Now that we know that we know that we are free…how do we live our life of freedom in Christ? So, let's dig into the word and read about a tale of two sons.