Shalom!

Currently, the world is in a panic over the coronavirus. Panic shopping has magnified the greed of man, store shelves are empty because people only care about themselves and what they want in the end.

Stock markets are crashing; life has become a haze of madness. Savings have been wiped out; now many have nothing to lose.

None of this surprises me and I won’t let fear take me over. Scripture has told us for 2000 years that this world is fading and none of it will last. This is why Jesus taught His disciples not to put their hopes into the things of this world and many didn’t pay attention.

He taught to fix our eyes on heaven; His counter-society views on greatness confused those closest to Him. Because, as they would later share; this world is not God’s people’s home (1 Peter 2:11.)

Why would God give us earthly treasures, when nothing on this side of Heaven will remain? Jesus came to set us free from the trappings of this world, not make us slaves to it. Jesus made it clear He is not the King of this world (John 18:36.)

This is the error of false teachers; they puff up many with lies, causing people to stay in the world. That has been a tactic of Satan from the beginning, paradise was lost when he twisted God’s words and offered Eve more (Genesis 3:1-3.)

When I was younger, I listened to the voice of the tempter and walked away from the truth. In our God’s great love for me, He broke the chains and called me back to Himself and made me a Jesus freak. Ever since then I’ve lived in peace, even in trying times like these.

God’s goal is to restore what was lost in the garden, but it will never be complete in this world because it is tainted with sin. That is why we should yearn for Shalom.

Shalom?

The Hebrew word shalom has different meanings: peace, whole, harmony, and prosperity. This is where false teachers get confused with their pompous world-focused selves.

They are so focused on prosperity that they neglect the context of the word; it is not earthly riches or greatness. True prosperity is being in the presence of God, the Good Shepherd.

There, we will want or need nothing else (psalm 23:1-6.) Philip Keller cautions, “In spite of having such a Master and owner, the fact remains that some Christians are not content with His control. They are somewhat dissatisfied, always feeling that somehow the grass beyond the fence must be a little greener. These are carnal Christians—one might almost call them ‘fence crawlers’ or ‘half Christians’ who want the best of both worlds.”

Our Lord made it clear we can’t serve two masters (Matthew 6:24.) For any so-called preacher to teach earthly greatness is to teach the opposite of Jesus or as the Apostle Paul says, “Another Jesus (2 Cor. 11:3-5.)”

Jesus knew the snares of this world would only trap us, apparently these frauds don’t. As the times grow peril, the Saints need to burn their books of heresy and get their crap off our televisions.

They only offer junk food for crack for spiritual crackheads. I never imagined I would see the parable of the wheat and tares unfold in my life, today there are so many split-tongue teachers coming together in the church, no wonder so many people are terrified about what is happening now.

But, the time is coming when the reapers will separate the tares and cast them into Hell (Matthew 13:24-30.) Now more than ever we need to return to the true God, not this world. This is the deception of these false teachers, they teach believers to focus on this world; they believe we can live our “Best lives now,” in a fallen world.

This line of teaching is blasphemy at best, but a sick lie of Satan himself at its core. Jesus taught His followers to focus on Heavenly rewards, not earthly junk. He reminded Satan of this while tempted in the desert (Matthew 4:1-11.)

Jesus could have used His Heavenly power to His advantage, even to avoid the cross of Calvary. But, instead He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death (Philippians 2:8.) If He hadn’t there would be no victory over the grave.

Our Lord suffered during His thirty-three years on this earth and He said His followers would also (John 16:33.) Anyone who teaches earthly greatness is calling Jesus a liar.

But, the good news is when Jesus conquered death, He set us free from the cares of this world and one day we’ll enjoy eternal peace in Heaven (John 16:34.) By now most people have learned that things in this world won’t last, I refuse to let things bring me down.

This Earth will soon pass. But, Heaven waits for all who turn from the lusts of the eye; the power of Jesus can break every chain. This is why Jesus taught to store treasures in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-21.)

HEAVEN 2.0?

Many take Heaven for granted, some want it here and now; others wonder if it is real—if you are either, I pray for you. Peter preached about this world fading and God’s people suffering before the coming of God’s kingdom (1 Peter 1:22-2:4.)

Jesus made it clear just because you say, “Lord,” doesn’t mean you’re going to Heaven (Matthew 7:20-22.)” If He isn’t your Lord here, He won’t be your Lord in Heaven.

True repentance is turning away from our desires and even needs if they come between us and our obedience to God. Two thousand years ago Jesus came as a humble King to set God’s people free from the deception of the enemy. He showed them a better way and pointed them towards our Father in Heaven.

Next time He will be roaring like a Lion and a conquering King to destroy this world and usher in the new Heaven and Earth (Revelation. 19;11-16.) The old will pass away and the true people of God will join God in Heaven for eternity. Jim Elliot said it best, “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep in order to gain what he cannot lose.”

The Bible tells us Heaven is a better than we can imagine; no more death, no fear or suffering no more greed or injustice. Personally, that sounds much better than what the false teachers of today are peddling—count me in. Everything will be restored and complete, that is Shalom.