What Went Wrong?

Discernment is a critical discipline the church must teach its members. The Bible says that the devil is like a roaring lion going about seeking someone to devour (1 Pet. 5:8).  His method?  Deception.  Satan is all about deception.  It is almost as if we’re living in as world where the real is fake and the fake is real and we’re not able to tell one apart from the other.

Spiritual deception is so critical for people to possess that without it could be the difference in eternity.

Here’s why. 

Over in Matthew 7:21-23, we read these words: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ ²³ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”

Something terrible will occur in the presence of God.  Many religious people will stand before Him and say, “Lord, here is what we have done. We have prophesied (spoke your words) in your name; we have cast out demons (been on the frontlines in spiritual warfare) in your name; and we have done many mighty works (all kinds of good services that helped a lot of people) in your name.”

As they say all this, these will wait to hear from Christ the wonderful words – words that all believers long to hear:  “Well done, My good and faithful servant.  Come and enter into the joy of your Lord!” (cf. Matt. 25:21, 23). 

However, rather than hearing those affirmative words of Jesus, these will hear Jesus say to them: “I do not know who you are!  Depart from Me, you workers of iniquity.”

When I read this, I asked myself:  “What went wrong?”

I think that’s a good question for all of us to ask when reading this passage. 

So what went wrong?  Let’s stay in the context and go to verse 15.  Jesus gives a warning:  “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”

How in the world will there be so many religious people much of whom spent a great deal of their time in the church and involved in doing church related ministries stand before Christ and hear Him say, “You workers of iniquity. You do not belong to Me.”  How is this possible?

False Prophets!  Which means that the people who will hear these words were “deceived” by them.  They did not exercise discernment and it cost them eternity.

So how can we tell a false prophet from a good one?

Jesus gives the answer:  “You will know them by their fruits” (vv. 16, 20).  “Good trees will bear good fruit.  Bad trees will bear bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and neither can a bad tree bear good fruit” (vv. 17-18).

So, if you are going to exercise spiritual discernment, you have to focus in on the fruit of others. If you don’t, you very well may be deceived and such deception could prove costly.

In this context, which Jesus talks about “knowing them by their fruits,” he is NOT talking about the following:

First, Jesus is NOT saying fruits are good works.

Notice that these people standing before Jesus all had them. They prophesied, they cast out demons and they did many mighty works. But it all was not enough. They were still rejected.

Second, Jesus is NOT saying fruits are professions of faith.

These people had the right words as well. They said, “Lord, Lord!” Then they professed His Name when they performed their ministries such as prophesying, casting out demons and doing many mighty works, they did each of these “in Your Name.”  However, they still were rejected.

Third, Jesus is NOT saying fruits are numerous converts.

Notice the number of these deceived souls – “Many.”  Go back to the beginning in verse 13, where Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and MANY are those who enter by it.” 

Contrast this with the next verse: “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and FEW are those who find it.”

Do not be deceived! Beware of false prophets who have the outward appearances that look and sound good, but inwardly, they are out to deceive you because they are also deceived.

You cannot look merely at their works, their profession of faith, or even the size of their following. The people who stood before Jesus only to hear His words of rejection all had these things. But it was not enough.

What then is the fruit Jesus is referring to?

It is “good” vs “bad” (v. 18).

Okay, this is the fruit Jesus is referring to:  “Obedience” to His Words” (vv. 24-27).  The whole Sermon on the Mount is contrasting bad fruit from good fruit. In a nutshell, good fruit is “going the second mile” (5:41) when it comes to obeying Jesus’ commands.

You want to know bad fruit from the good ones? Look at the character of Jesus (an inward focus) and not merely at the good works and words of others (an outward focus).

This is what went wrong?

When these “many” hear Jesus’ rejection of them, it will be too late for them to change and make a course correction. But for those of us who are still here on earth, the change to make is still in our favor.   

The Coming Counterfeit

The false peace that will be offered to the world as a means of entrapment by the Luciferians who come disguised in sheep clothing is exactly what Jesus warned about.

In Matthew 24:3, the disciples of Jesus approach Him with a series of questions concerning the end times. “Tell us, when will these things be and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age.”

Jesus replied, “Excellent question.  I’m glad you asked.”  In the following verses, Jesus gives His answer:

1.   Deception – vv. 5-6: And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. ⁵ For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.

The first thing Jesus said to look out for regarding the end times is DECEPTION!  Three things Jesus said regarding this coming deception:

A.  Watch out for the Messengers – v. 5a: “For many will come.”  Jesus did not say a few, but many.  Why so much? Two reasons:  The future deception has to be global. It will take many false teachers to try to spread to the rest of the world their deception. Second, it has to be convincing.  You see, if there were only a few, these false prophets can easily be dismissed as quacks.  But if there are a lot of them all saying the same thing, then their message is more believable.

B.  Watch out for their Message – v. 5b: For many will come, “saying, ‘I am the Christ.’”

These false prophets will take the essence of Christ’s message and distort it so as to mislead.  And according to Revelation 6:1-2, the message by and large will consist of proclaiming to the world a "peace” that is false but disguised to seem true and genuine. Those who accept this false peace will most likely lay aside their weapons, their discerning skills, their skepticism and embrace the message of these false teachers.   This will only set them up to be taken over. These false prophets will also in some way do the works of Christ and amaze many.  But such works are merely counterfeits, but they appear genuine.

C.  Watch out for the Many – v. 5c: For many will come. . .”and will deceive many.”

This adds more credibility to the false message. Not only will there be many false teachers who will all being saying the same thing, but there will be many who will buy into their false teaching. So if one was to say, “I don’t believe it,” that person will be in the minority and looked upon being distrustful, with disdain and cowardly.  A lot of pressure will be placed on those few who will not buy into the message of false peace.

So in summary, Jesus said, as the end approaches, watch carefully for the following:  There will be a great deception

1.  Watch out for the Messengers

2.  Watch out for their Message

3.  Watch out for the Many

These will be all counterfeits.

There will be also the true and genuine – Christians who are living for and proclaiming the teachings of the one true Christ.  But in the midst of all the counterfeiting, it will take spiritual discernment to know which is which.

Begin now to trust God to “Open Your Eyes!” 

Religion: A Tool For Global Peace

In order for the Ruling Class Elite to bring the world into accepting global peace, it must do so through the political arena. But that’s not the only way.

Religion will also be a prime factor.  Religious ecumenism where everybody coming together for the purposes of science and medicine and economics and food and all of those things that the world considers important. 

Religion has got to get involved in this because religion can keep people apart, so there's got to be a barrier coming down between religions.  Religious ecumenism is a very key player in this global unity.  Religion has divided people.  There has been deep running animosity between Catholics and Protestants and Hindus and Moslems for centuries. 

Indeed, if this is going to happen, a global tolerance in a worldwide peace, religions are going to have to openly accept each other.  They're going to have to ignore doctrine (truth) and they're going to have to ignore traditional differences.  Instead, they're going to have to form sort of one religious force...particularly if it's all going to be sort of controlled by Antichrist.  The common ground will be on experiences, ideologies and selfish desires.

May I add a footnote here: While all this continues to take place and become a force to be reckon with, intolerance for true Christianity will escalate in this process.  Christians will be targeted so as to have their rights and freedoms taken away.  Some will be killed and others jailed.

The Ruling Class Elite will create groups to do this for them, while remaining perceptively innocent in the shadows.

One of the most widely read Catholic writers is a man by the name of Thomas Merton.  Catholics tend to talk about him. He's a very influential writer.  He has a warmth and a passion about him that makes him very believable.  A month before his death, Merton told an ecumenical gathering of representatives from numerous religions in Calcutta, these words:

"My dear brothers, we are already one, but we imagine that we are not.  And what we have to discover is our original unity."  What he is saying is we have artificial barriers that divides us, but we're all really just one, all of us, whatever religion we’re in. 

There are many Catholics as well as professing Christians who are involved in Transcendental Meditation, Zen and Yoga and Eastern Mysticism. 

A man by the name of Cardinal Ratzinger, a Vatican guardian of Catholic orthodoxy, issued a twenty-three page letter in mid December 1989 to three thousand Roman Catholic bishops.  And in that letter the statement that he gave, which was approved by John Paul II, did not condemn eastern mysticism or New Age medication or Yoga technique but in fact suggested, "Taking from them what is useful."  John Paul II has publicly encouraged such a syncretistic attitude. 

At the Universities of Calcutta and New Delhi in his 1986 visit to India, the Pope told the Hindu audiences, and I quote, "India's mission is crucial because of her intuition of the spiritual nature of man.  Indeed, India's greatest contribution to the world can be to offer it a spiritual vision of man.  And the world does well to attend willingly to this ancient wisdom and in it to find enrichment for human living."  Do you see the tolerance? And if you’re not tolerance and accepting of such things, then you need to either be re-educated or removed so as to not stop the process.

Another very important world leader is a man by the title of Dalai Lama.  His holiness, the Dalai Lama, who is God to most Tibetan Buddhists has been well received by Roman Catholics around the world.  He has twice met with Pope Paul VI, has met five or more times with his good friend John Paul II.  Here is what the Pope said:   "Both of us have the same aim."  At the start of his first U.S. tour they call him the God-king.  He was fated in 1979 at St. Patrick's Cathedral and the relationship between the Buddhists and the Catholics, the Pope and the Dalai Lama has continued to work together.

Then you have somebody like Sun Myung Moon and the Moonies, founder of the International Religious Federation for World Peace, who states, "All men and women of religion should now tear down the walls of sectarianism for the greater goal of world peace."

Gorbechev, when he was president of Russia, personally hosted Moon in the bowels of the Kremlin and Moon responded that the Soviet Union which he formerly acquainted with Satan was now going to play a major role in the plan of God to construct a world of peace.

You've got probably nearly a hundred inter-faith councils in American that are trying to pull everybody together in some kind of a global peace.  Let me read you a portion from the Washington State Interfaith Council.  "Swami Bhaskarananda, a Hindu, chanted a prayer to God in their Interfaith Council.  Ismail Ahmad, a Muslim recited a short prayer to God.  Trust, the members agreed, was their most important short-term goal.  Meeting at the Vendanta Society on Capitol Hill, those who signed the council's charter expressed their hopes for the group as they stood in front of an altar adorned with pictures of Sri Ramakrishna, Jesus Christ and Buddha.  My support and heart is in this group, says Pasha Moha JerJasbee, a member of the Baha’i faith.  Bhaskarananda told the group that Hindus believe in the harmony of all faiths."

Remember, the Pope has declared the following, "Christians must work with all other religions to secure peace."

Religion will play a major role in moving the world toward a global ecumenicity.  The New Age Movement fits into this, mysticism.  President Bush, after the Helsinki meeting in September of 1990 expressed the hope that the plan worked out in Helsinki was to bring the new world order.  And President Bush said, this is Time Magazine, September of 1990, "If the nations of the world acting together continue as they have been, we will set in place the cornerstone of an international order more peaceful than any that we have known."

Religion and politics will be used as tools to help usher in a global peace to the world.

You say, “So what’s wrong with the world wanting peace?”

Simply this: The Bible says, “There is no peace for the wicked” (Isa. 48:22).  The only true source of peace has been and will always continue to be through Jesus Christ, “The Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6).  The world leaders deceived by Lucifer will try on their own to experience peace.

But may I quickly remind you that right after the rider on the white horse rides offering peace to the world, it is followed by the rider on a red horse, “who was granted to take peace from the earth” (Rev. 6:4).

Lucifer cannot offer true peace; however the world will die trying. 

Peace: A Global Bait To Trap The World

“And they worshiped the beast, saying, ‘Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?’” (Rev. 13:4). 

Prophecy students of the Bible know that there will come a time foretold in the Bible, in which a man will come on the scene and literally be worshiped by the majority of the world.  The Book of Revelation calls him the “beast.” Elsewhere, he is known as the “Antichrist” (1 John 2:18).   In order to achieve the goal of global worship, he is going to use “peace” as a bridge.

We would do well to remind ourselves that an optimistic confidence that peace was assured and tightly sought after is what characterized Europe precisely before World War II. 

William Manchester's biography of Sir Winston Churchill confronts us with the unpleasant and haunting reminders of Hitler, a man who came extremely close to being the Antichrist, yet deceived the world with his charm and promises of peace. 

Here are some things Manchester wrote, "Thomas Jones who had been in and out of Whitehall for a quarter century wrote in his diary, `All sorts of people who have met Hitler are convinced that he's a factor for peace.  He doesn't seek war but friendship.  Meeting the press after he had been closeted with Hitler for an hour, Lloyd George said he regarded him as the greatest living German.  A year later he wrote, "I only wish we had a man of his supreme quality at the head of affairs in our country today."'"  Remember, He's talking about Hitler.

Nazi goals were even applauded by Anglican clergymen, a group of whom expressed, "Boundless admiration for the moral and ethical side of the Nazi program, it’s clear stand for religion and Christianity and its ethical principles.”

Sir John Simon, his majesty's foreign secretary from 1931 to 1935, saw in Hitler not arrogance but a man rather retiring and bashful and unconcerned with affairs in Western Europe.  Later he described Hitler to King George, "As an Austrian John of Arc with a mustache."

Arnold J. Toynbee equally spellbound by the Reich chancellor declared, "That he was convinced of Hitler's sincerity in desiring peace in Europe and close friendship with England."  See how these people were all sucked in by Hitler’s charm?

Churchill was never deceived by Hitler.  But he stood almost alone.  The deception was practically universal.  Almost everybody misread Hitler and they walked right into his false peace and were killed.

It's going to happen again only it won't be Hitler, it will be the coming Antichrist.  Everybody will think he wants peace and he'll be the next Joan of Arc, with or without mustache.

I really think that the political openness of Eastern Europe, the political openness of the United States, and much of the world is surely a move toward the false peace of Antichrist than the true peace of Jesus Christ. 

When the rider on the white horse launches his campaign during the first half of Tribulation Period, the first thing that is thrown at the people of the world is “World Peace” (Rev. 6:1-2). 

But it will be a trap and those who deceptively buy into it will be killed and severely disappointed.  

Do not get sucked into this deception when you hear today how some of our leaders are calling for peace.   

Remember, it is a set up! 

It Is NOT a Big War That's Coming, But A BIG Deception, Pt. 2

“They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ but there is no peace” (Jer. 6:14). 

As I pointed out in a previous blog, what’s coming next on the world’s scene is not a huge war, but a Big Deception.  The rider on the White Horse in Revelation 6:1-2 brings peace.  He comes with both political and religious solutions. The world accepts this charismatic leader and his ideologies.  After all, what the world needs now is love, sweet love, and what better way to love everyone than out of a context of peace.

But this is not real peace; it is deceptive peace. It is designed to both distract from the real agenda and to also promote it. And the front runner of world peace are segments of the Christian Church.

Nothing has done more damage to the church’s promotion of the gospel than the increased alliance of Evangelicals with the Roman Catholic Church. The spirit of the age is at work bringing diverse religions into a unity without the truth at its core.

Richard John Neuhaus, co-architect of  ECT (Evangelicals and Catholics Together) with Charles Colson, stated: The first order of business is Christian unity, or ecumenism. As the second millennium has been one of Christian division, so John Paul says that the third millennium must be one of Christian unity.

The Roman Catholic Church in the last 20 years through its Pope, spearheaded negotiations through ecumenical dialogue with various Christian groups (the Anglicans, Evangelical Protestants, Eastern Orthodoxy, Lutherans etc.), to resolve past disagreements and bring about a “new Christian unity.”

Charisma magazine, July 1995 on its cover presented the question: “Catholics and Protestants: Can We Walk Together? What began with ECT and its intent for unity between Protestants and Catholics has spread its wingspan. Since then a portion of the evangelical church have been walking with more than Catholics, now it is Mormons, the Unification Church and others who do not claim Christianity.

In the last 20 years the Roman Catholic church has been active in seeking cooperative relationships with other world religions more than any other religion in history. Ecumenism is the modus operandi of the new church platform. Pope John Paul II had declared that, “Christians must work with [all] other religions to secure peace.” He has pledged that “the Catholic Church intends to `share in and promote' such ecumenical and inter-religious cooperation” The Catholic Church has held an ongoing dialogue with representatives of the four major religions as well as numerous others. Whether this policy will continue to be upheld remains to be seen.

In the past, the pope has brought some 60 leaders together from the religions of the world to petition God. Catholics with Protestants, Orthodox, Jews. “He welcomed snake worshipers, fire worshipers, spiritists, animists, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and shamans, were supported and attended by representatives of the World Council of Churches and even evangelicals. Represented there were the YWCA and YMCA, the Mennonite World Conference, the Baptist World Alliance (which includes the Southern Baptist Convention), the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, and the Lutheran World Federation.

It was reported that the Muslims sang from the Koran; American medicine men called on the “great spirit”; Buddhism's Dalai Lama, chanted rhythmically; animists from Africa; Hindus; Zoroastrians. All united said: “We will stand side by side, asking God to give us peace.” They all asked for peace together. How can they join in prayer unless they agree? What was decided is that it was not necessary to follow the prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, the only one who can bring that peace.

But it is all a fake! It is all designed to lead to the ultimate Satanic goal – Worship.  Satan wants the world’s worship!

In Matthew 4, Jesus was tempted by the devil.  It is a fascinating account of what Jesus went through when He encountered the devil.

Note:  The story of Jesus’ battle with the devil in Matthew 4 and Luke 4 is an account that Jesus Himself wanted us to know and learn from. Why do I say this? Because NO ONE else was around to witness it. There were only two parties present:  Jesus and Satan. In the end, Jesus won and He had both Matthew and Luke record the scene. If not for Jesus, we would not have any idea of His encounter with the prince of demons. He is our prime example on how to win over every temptation that Satan throws at us.

Satan tempted Christ in three areas: “Pleasure and Self-Fulfillment”  - “turn stones into bread” (Matt. 4:3).  Next, “Power and Control” – “throw yourself down and prove that you are the Messiah” (vv. 5-6); and then the big one –

“Possessions and Wealth” – “I will give you all the kingdoms of the world, if you Fall down and worship me” (vv. 8-9). This is where many in Hollywood sell their soul to the devil in order to get what Satan offers – possessions and wealth.

It is in this third temptation that the true motive of Satan is revealed. All he wants is worship. He does not care how it all comes about or what you have to do to give it, just do it – “worship me!”

This is why toward the middle of the seven year Tribulation Period, “he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God” (2 Thess. 2:4). 

The coming false and deceptive peace is all designed to lead the world toward this one goal – the worship of Satan.

Do not get yourself caught up in it. There can be no true and authentic peace apart from the Peace of Peace (Isa. 9:6), Jesus Himself. All that the ecumenical movement is trying to do is to usher in a peace that is devoid of God. It is their own efforts and their own ways to accomplish something universally significant apart from Christ.

Listen carefully: If there is going to be true peace between people and nations, then there must first be peace between God and man (cf. 2 Cor. 5:18-21).  Sin has caused and created a huge division between God and man. Only Jesus can bridge the gap. Once this divide is broken down, then there will be a foundation for “peace on earth and goodwill toward man” (Luke 2:13).   

It Is NOT a Big War That's Coming, But A BIG Deception

“When the Lamb broke one of the seven seals. . .I looked, and behold a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him; and he went out conquering and to conquer” (Rev. 6:1-2).

For many years and even on to today, we have been told that the next thing to worry about is World War 3.  We are heading for the mother of all wars that is not too far from the horizon. We have all been told that we are headed for Armageddon, and that we perhaps are headed for a nuclear holocaust. The world, we've been told, is going to fall into deeper and deeper chaos, confusion, disaster and death.  We have all heard the gloom and doom message, the message of escalating war, crime, financial collapse, etc. 

We look at the world around us and we see people concerned about the character of society, concerned about finance, concerned about famine and the food supply, concerned about fuel and the economy, concerned about pollution and the environment.

We all have been told to expect doom’s day. We face insurmountable dilemmas that will drive the globe into an ultimately living hell.  We're on the slide to destruction.

But is this really true? According to the Bible, it is NOT true.  While we can say, yes, ultimately we are heading for final war and doom and gloom, such things are not what is going to occur next.  You see, before bad times, there has to be the good times.

In a nutshell, expect this:  Don’t expect a Big War, expect a Big Deception.

When the seven year tribulation begins, the first thing that occurs is that there is PEACE. This is what we are told in Revelation 6.  The rider on the white horse brings peace to the world or least, much of it.

We are heading for worldwide peace, prosperity, safety and security.  Things are going to get better.

Now and then, you’ll be hearing of wars and rumors of wars, but Jesus said, “don’t be afraid.  Those things must take place, but the end is not yet” (Matt. 24:6).  Nations will rise against nations; there will be various earthquakes and famines, but such things are only the beginning of birth pangs (vv. 7-8).

You see, it is critical that you understand this.  Things in the world have to – now watch this – APPEAR to be getting worse and out of hand. This sets the stage for the biggest deception to come – “a false peace.”

This is what the rider on the white horse will do. He will promise what he is not able to sustain. The peace he does deliver by means of his persuasive charismatic political ideologies will only last a few years. People all over the world will buy into it. They will think that this man riding on the white horse (figuratively) is the greatest leader that ever was.  Just when we thought that there is no end to the spread of terrorism, homelessness, disease, famine, economic ruin, and a better tomorrow, this man shows us there is. He brings peace and utopia to the nations. The world accepts it and all he offers.

This man is so good and persuasive that the Bible says he has a bow, but no arrows (Rev. 6:2).  In other words, he does not use force, but persuasion.  He is likable, charismatic and charming. He is our man!

BUT WAIT!  The Bible says, “while they are saying, ‘Peace and Safety!’ then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape” (1 Thess. 5:3).

So many will be deceived by accepting this peace. And because of having been deceived, they will soon be destroyed.

Hey, do not be looking for the next war. That is not what’s coming.  Be looking instead for signs of global peace. Remember, Satan will seek to get us to believe that events around the world and even in our own country are getting worse and there seems to be no solution.

Right when we are at our lowest and in dire need of a leader, so much so that we cry out for one, that the Antichrist, Satan’s man will come on the scene and wow us with his awesome personality and political brilliance.

The first seal that Jesus breaks upon this world is a false peace that the world will embrace. Those who embrace it and let down their guard will be the ones who will be destroyed.

We’re not heading for a big war, but a big deception.

Keep your spiritual eyes wide open. 

Worship: God's Weapon of Judgment

When you read the Book of Revelation, you’ll notice that the judgments on the earth begin in chapter 6. 

What I found interesting is what occurs BEFORE the judgment of God falls in chapter 6 of the Book in Revelation. The scene in chapters 4-5 are in heaven (4:1).  In chapter 4, God is pictured seated in heaven on a throne (vv. 2-8).

Then as we come into chapter 5, God holds out His hand and in His hand is a little scroll sealed with seven seals (v. 1).  Those seven seals basically were for the purpose of hiding what was in the scroll.  It could not be broken without showing that someone had done that.  It could not be read unless it was broken; it couldn't be broken legally except by the one who had a right to open it.

What is the little scroll that God held in His hand?  It is the title deed of the universe. Only one person was worthy to take the scroll, break its seals and open it. That person is none other than Jesus Christ, for He alone is worthy (v. 5). 

Now get this:  Around the throne of God worship is taking place in both chapters 4-5.  Those engaged in worshiping the One who sits on the throne (God Himself) are the redeemed who have been raptured (4:4, 9-11) and the angels (4:6-8). 

And in the midst of this glorious worship taking place in heaven, out from it comes judgment upon the earth.   I cannot stress more clearly how God often times uses worship as a means of bringing judgment on the enemy and victory to His people.

It is not without purpose that before the terrible judgments of God fall in Revelation chapters 6-19, worship of God by the redeemed and the angels precedes it in chapters 4-5.

Satan hates when God’s people spend time in worship. God loves when His people come to Him in precision focus on worshiping Him for His greatness and for Who He Is!

To get you started, below are some verses to meditate on.

“… the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23)

“You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.” (Revelation 4:11)

“Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” (Psalm 29:2)

“The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble! He dwells between the cherubim; let the earth be moved! The Lord is great in Zion, and He is high above all the peoples. Let them praise Your great and awesome name – He is holy …. Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His footstool; for He is holy.” (Psalm 99:1,5)

“He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their chains in pieces. Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He has broken the gates of bronze, and cut the bars of iron in two.” (Psalm 107:14-16)

“You are my God, and I will praise You; You are my God, I will exalt You. Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” (Psalm 118:28)

“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord … Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.” (Psalm 34:1,3)

“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.” (Psalm 145:3)

“I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving.” (Psalm 69:30)

“I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. May my meditation be sweet to Him; I will be glad in the Lord.” (Psalm 104:33)

“Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with high sounding cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 150:1-6)

“Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory.” (Psalm 98:1)

“But I will sing of Your power; yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; for You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble. To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; for God is my defense, the God of my mercy.” (Psalm 59:16)

“Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to the Lord with the voice of triumph! For the Lord Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth … Sing praises to God, sing praises! … For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with understanding.” (Psalm 47:1,6)

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples. Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; talk of all His wondrous works. Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord. Seek the Lord and His strength, seek His face evermore. Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth …” (Psalm 105:1-5)

“Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness, come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.” (Psalm 100:1-5)

“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the Lord is the great God, and the great King above all gods … Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand.” (Psalm 95:1,6)

“Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth! Sing out the honor of His name; make His praise glorious. Say to God, “How awesome are Your works! Through the greatness of Your power Your enemies shall submit themselves to You. All the earth shall worship You and sing praises to You; they shall sing praises to Your name.” (Psalm 66:1-4)

“Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name; proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods … Give to the Lord glory and strength. Give to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come into His courts. Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth.” (Psalm 96:1,7)

“Let them praise His name with dance; let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp. For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. Let the saints be joyful in glory; let them sing aloud on their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth …"(Psalm 149:3)

Then David danced before the Lord with all his might … “Therefore I will play music before the Lord. And I will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight.” (2 Samuel 6:14, 21)

When you meet for worship at your church or in your small groups, encourage your leaders to kick it up a couple of notches. The greater the worship the more extreme the coming judgment of God. Worship is a glorious way to rely and depend on the justice of God to carry out its intended purpose on those who have it coming.