A GAUGE OF TIME
By
Dr. David Wootton
PREFACE
AS
TIME MOVES ON, THERE ARE SIGNS AND INDICATIONS OF WHERE WE ARE IN THE OVERALL
SCHEME OF THINGS. WE SEE SUBTLE CHANGES THAT WE KNOW ARE PIVOTAL IN OUR
SOCIETY. CHANGES THAT WE KNOW ARE HAVING A DEEP IMPACT ON HOW WE CONVERSE, ACT
AND THE VERY CORE OF HOW WE THINK.
THIS
BOOK ADDRESSES ONE OF THE MORE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN OUR SOCIETY AND WORLD.
THERE IS AN EVER-INCREASING PRESENCE OF HOMOSEXUALS IN OUR MEDIA BY
CELEBRITIES. THIS LIFESTYLE IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE COMMONPLACE IN OUR SMALL TOWNS
AND LARGE CITIES AND IS A KEY INDICATOR OF THE MORALITY OF A COMMUNITY, NATION,
OR WORLD.
MY
HOPE IN WRITING THIS BOOK IS TO MAKE US MORE AWARE OF THE TIMES THAT WE ARE IN.
KNOWING THAT TIME IS SHORT HAS A WAY OF MAKING US EVALUATE OURSELVES. WE DON’T
WANT TO BE CAUGHT SLEEPING WHEN THE GROOM RETURNS FOR HIS BRIDE.
CHAPTER
1 - THE HOMOSEXUAL LIFESTYLE
HOMOSEXUALITY
IS A BELIEF, PRACTICE, AND WAY OF LIFE FOR A GROWING NUMBER OF PEOPLE WORLD
WIDE. ONE CAN SEE IT IN PRACTICE IN VIRTUALLY EVERY CITY IN THE UNITED STATES.
YOU ONLY HAVE TO TURN ON THE TELEVISION FOR JUST A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME
BEFORE SOMEONE IS CONFESSING THAT THEY ARE A HOMOSEXUAL. YOU CAN TRAVEL TO MOST
ANY CITY AROUND THE WORLD AND SEE PEOPLE PRACTICING THIS WAY OF LIFE.
AS
RECENTLY AS THIRTY YEARS AGO, IT WAS A VERY SIGNIFICANT EVENT IF A CELEBRITY OR
PERSON IN YOUR OWN HOMETOWN WAS FOUND OUT, OR CAME OUT, AS BEING A HOMOSEXUAL.
TODAY, IT IS COMMONPLACE AND MOST PEOPLE DON’T EVEN RAISE AN EYEBROW. GAY
RIGHTS PARADES WERE SMALL IN NUMBER AND RARELY OCCURING, NOW THEY ATTRACTS
THOUSANDS AND ARE IN THE NEWS ROUTINELY. HOLLYWOOD EXECUTIVES USED TO THINK
LONG AND HARD BEFORE PUTTING A HOMOSEXUAL CHARACTER IN A MOVIE OR TELEVISION
SHOW. NOW, IT IS ALMOST NOT POLITICALLY CORRECT IF YOU DON’T HAVE A
REPRESENTATION OF A HOMOSEXUAL CHARACTER IN A SHOW.
THE
BIBLE IS CLEAR ON GOD’S STANCE ON HOMOSEXUALITY.
I
CORINTHIANS 6:9,10 SAYS “KNOW YOU NOT THAT THE UNRIGHTEOUS SHALL NOT INHERIT
THE KINGDON OF GOD? BE NOT DECEIVED: NEITHER FORNICATORS, NOR IDOLATERS, NOR
ADULTERERS, NOR EFFEMINATE, NOR ABUSERS OF THEMSELVES WITH MANKIND, NOR
THIEVES, NOR COVETOUS, NOR DRUNKARDS, NOR REVILERS, NOR EXTORTIONERS, SHALL
INHERIT THE KINGDON OF GOD.” THIS STATES UNEQUIVICALLY THAT AN ACTIVE,
PRACTICING HOMOSEXUAL WHO HAS NOT ASKED FORGIVENESS FOR THEIR SIN WILL NOT
INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD. IN LEVITICUS 18:22 WE READ “THOU SHALT NOT LIE WITH
MANKIND, AS WITH WOMANKIND: IT IS ABOMINATION.” IN THIS VERSE WE COME TO THE
REALIZATION THAT HOMOSEXUALITY IS NOT ONLY A SIN, BUT IS GREATLY DISLIKED OR
ABHORED BY GOD. WHY WOULD GOD ABHOR THIS SIN? POSSIBLY BECAUSE IT IS THE EXACT
OPPOSITE OF GOD’S MASTER PLAN. GOD REFERS TO HIS CHURCH AS HIS BRIDE. HE HAS
ESTABLISHED THAT A WOMAN IS TO LEAVE HER PATENTS AND CLEAVE TO HER HUSBAND. HE
HAS ESTABLISHED FROM THE BEGINNING THAT ADAM, A MAN, SHOULD HAVE AN HELPMEAT, A
WOMAN, IN EVE. THE TWO, MALE AND FEMALE, NATURALLY COME TOGETHER IN A MARRIAGE
RELATIONSHIP AND CHILDREN ARE BORN. THIS IS GOD’S PLAN FOR MALES AND FEMALES IN
PROLIFERATION AND THE CONTINUANCE OF THE HUMAN RACE.
THERE
IS SOME LINES OF ARGUMENT THAT SAY THAT GOD’S POSITION HAS CHANGED. THEY SAY
THAT IN THE LAST TWO THOUSAND YEARS SINCE THE BIBLE’S LAST BOOK WAS WRITTEN
THAT GOD HAS EASED HIS POSITION ON HOMOSEXUALITY. IF WE LOOK AT MATTHEW 5:18 WE
READ “FOR VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, TILL HEAVEN AND EARTH PASS, ONE JOT OR ONE
TITTLE SHALL IN NO WISE PASS FROM THE LAW, TILL ALL BE FULFILLED.” THIS IS THE
ASSURANCE OF THE CHRISTIAN. WE STAKE OUR LIVES ON THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE
BIBLE IS INFALLIBLE AND WILL NEVER CHANGE. IF GOD CHANGED HIS POSITION ON
HOMOSEXUALITY, WHAT ELSE HAS HE CHANGED HIS MIND ON? IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS
POSITION TO BE IN WHEN ONE PROPOGATES THAT THE WORD OF GOD HAS CHANGED OR BEEN
ADDED TO. IN HEBREWS 13:8 WE READ “JESUS CHRIST THE SAME YESTERDAY, AND TO DAY,
AND FOR EVER.” CLEARLY WE SEE THAT GOD IS NOT ONE WHO CHANGES HIS POSITION ON
SIN. IN THE FOLLOWING VERSE WE READ “BE NOT CARRIED ABOUT WITH DIVERS AND
STRANGE DOCTRINES.” HOW CLEAR DOES THIS MAKE IT FOR THE READER THAT DOCTRINES
AND TEACHINGS OUTSIDE THE BIBLE TEACHING IS NOT TO BE TOLERATED BY THE
CHRISTIAN.
FROM
THE BEGINNINGS OF GOD’S CREATION, SATAN HAS HATED ANYTHING THAT REPRESENTS
GOD’S DIVINE PLAN. IF GOD’S PLAN IS FOR ONE MAN TO MARRY ONE WOMAN AND TO LIVE
THEIR LIVES AS PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS, GREAT-GRANDPARENTS, OR EVEN GREAT-GREAT
GRANDPARENTS, THEN WHAT WOULD BE THE OPPOSITE FOR SATAN TO ENCOURAGE? THE
HOMOSEXUAL LIFESTYLE IS THE OPPOSITE OF GOD’S PLAN. AS WE APPROACH THE END OF TIME
AND THE TRIBULATION PERIOD APPROACHES, WE KNOW THAT SATAN WILL POSSESS AND
EMPOWER AN ANTICHRIST. THE ANTI-CHRIST IS THE OPPOSITE OF THE SON OF GOD.
AGAIN, SATAN’S TRADEMARK IS CLEARLY A HATRED AND OPPOSITION OF GOD’S PLAN.
MANY
CELEBRITIES HAVE COME OUT AS BEING HOMOSEXUAL. IN THEIR MINDS THEY ARE RISKING
THEIR PERSONAL SUCCESS FOR THE OVERALL GOOD OF PIONEERING THE GAY MOVEMENT. IN
REALITY, THEY ARE PIONEERING THEIR SOCIETY INTO DEEPER DEPTHS OF IMMORALITY AND
PERVERSION. AS WITH ANY WRONG, IT ALWAYS EASES THE CONSCIENCE OF THE WRONG-DOER
TO HAVE MORE PEOPLE COMMITING THE SAME ACT. HOMOSEXUALITY IS NO
DIFFERENT. THOUGH THEY TRY TO JUSTIFY THEIR ACTIONS, THEY CANNOT GET PAST THE
GUILT OF THE GOD-GIVEN SENSE OF SIN. THEREFORE, THE MORE PEOPLE THAT LIVE THIS
LIFESTYLE, THE EASIER IT IS TO CONVINCE THEMSELVES THAT THEY ARE OKAY.
THE
HOMOSEXUAL LIFESTYLE HAS MANY INHERENT DANGERS. A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE
HOMOSEXUAL LIFESTYLE IS MULTIPLE SEXUAL PARTNERS. SCIENCE HAS PROVEN THAT
MULTIPLE SEXUAL PARTNERS SPREADS MANY DISEASES, MOST INCURABLE. THE HOMOSEXUAL
LIFESTYLE DOESN’T ALLOW FOR CHILDBEARING IN AND OF ITSELF. A HOMOSEXUAL COUPLE
WOULD HAVE TO DEPEND ON SOMEONE OF THE OPPOSITE SEX IN THE CASE OF LESBIANS, OR
ADOPT IN THE CASE OF A MALE-ONLY COUPLE IN ORDER TO PROPOGATE THEIR
CIVILIZATION. TAKEN EXCLUSIVELY BY ITSELF, IF EVERYONE LIVED A HOMOSEXUAL
LIFESTYLE, WITHOUT ARTIFICIAL INSEMINACION, HUMAN LIFE WOULD END ON THIS EARTH
AFTER ONLY ONE GENERATION. DOES THIS APPEAR TO BE SOMETHING GOD WOULD HAVE PLANNED?
TO
BE CLEAR, WE ALL HAVE THE GOD-GIVEN RIGHT TO DECIDE HOW WE WANT TO LIVE. OUR
LIVES ARE MADE UP OF THE CHOICES THAT WE MAKE. NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO MAKE
SOMEONE LIVE A CERTAIN WAY. THAT IS THE BEAUTY OF HOW GOD WORKS. HE WANTS US TO
DECIDE OF OUR OWN FREE WILL TO ACCEPT HIM, LOVE HIM AND WANT TO LIVE IN A WAY
THE PLEASES HIM. NOTHING MAKES GOD MORE HAPPY THAT FOR US, IN FAITH, TO BELIEVE
IN HIM, HAVING NOT EVEN SEEN HIM IN PERSON. FURTHER, TO TRUST IN HIS WORD, THE
BIBLE, AND LIVE BY THE PRECEPTS AND DIRECTIONS THAT IT GIVES IS WHAT BEING
CHRIST-LIKE IS ABOUT. WE ALL HAVE CHOICES TO MAKE, AND WHAT WE CHOOSE TO DO HAS
A MAJOR EFFECT ON OUR LIVES, THOSE WE ASSOCIATE WITH AND SOCIETY AS A WHOLE.
CHAPTER
2 - HISTORY AS OUR GUIDE
THROUGHOUT
TIME THERE ARE CLEAR AND DISTINCT CYCLES IN HISTORY. ECONOMIC CYCLES, BUSINESS
CYCLES, WEATHER CYCLES, AND EVEN MORAL CYCLES. THE ROMAN EMPIRE HAS CLASSIC
EVENTS THAT CONTRIBUTED TO ITS FALL THAT WE HAVE SEEN REPEATED SEVERAL TIMES IN
HISTORY. AN EMPIRE WHOSE BOUNDARIES HAD GROWN TO UNBELIEVABLE REALMS, RICHES
HAD COME TO BOTH THE EMPORER AND THE CIVILIANS, AND LIFE WAS ALL ABOUT SEEKING
PERSONAL GRATIFICATION. HOMOSEXUALITY WAS ACCEPTED AS A NORM. GLUTTONY WAS A
COMMON PRACTICE AND DAYS WERE SPENT TRYING TO SATISFY THEIR FLESHLY DESIRES.
WITH THEIR ATTENTION TURNED INWARD, TRYING TO MEET THEIR PHYSICAL NEEDS, THEY
WERE OVERTHROWN BY AN UNEXPECTED FOE.
ANOTHER
COMMON EXAMPLE IN HISTORY OF A SOCIETY THAT FELL IS SODOM AND GOMORRAH. HERE WE
SEE TWO CITIES THAT WERE CAUGHT UP IN PERSONAL PLEASURE. THE BIBLE DECLARES
THESE HOMOSEXUALS AS “UNRIGHTEOUS”. ABRAHAM’S NEPHEW, LOT, LIVED THERE WITH HIS
FAMILY. GOD MADE IT KNOWN TO ABRAHAM THAT SODOM AND GOMORRAH WERE GOING TO BE
DESTROYED. ABRAHAM SOUGHT GOD SEVERAL TIMES SEEKING REDEMPTION FOR THE CITIES.
HERE WE SEE AN EXAMPLE OF GOD’S EXCEPTIONAL MERCY AS ABRAHAM SOUGHT GOD OVER
AND OVER GRADUALLY REDUCING THE NUMBER OF RIGHTEOUS NECESSARY TO SAVE THE
CITIES. GOD WOULD HAVE SAVED THE CITY IF THERE HAD BEEN JUST TEN RIGHTEOUS
PEOPLE FOUND. HOMOSEXUALITY WAS SO RAMPANT THAT THE MEN OF SODOM WERE TRYING TO
HAVE SEX WITH LOT’S VISITING ANGELS. LOT HAD TAKEN THE ANGELS INTO HIS HOME.
BECAUSE OF THE FLESHLY DESIRE TO BE PHYSICALLY INVOLVED WITH NEW MEN, THE MEN
OF THE CITY SURROUNDED THE HOUSE. THEY DEMANDED LOT TO TURN THE ANGELS OUT TO
THEM SO THAT THEY COULD HAVE SEX WITH THEM. IN DESPERATION, LOT OFFERED HIS TWO
DAUGHTERS TO TRY AND APPEASE THE SEXUAL DEMANDS OF THE MEN. THROUGH THIS
ACCOUNT OF HISTORY, WE SEE THE DEPRAVITY AND ABSOLUTE COMPLETE IMMORALITY THAT
HUMANS CAN FALL TOO WHEN LEFT TO THEIR OWN DEVISES AND FLESHLY DESIRES. AGAIN,
WE SEE THAT GOD’S WAY IS TO BRING THE BODY INTO SUBJECTION. SATAN’S WAY IS THE
OPPOSITE OF GOD’S DESIRE.
A
SECOND EXAMPLE THAT THE BIBLE GIVES US IS FOUND IN JUDGES CHAPTER 19 AND 20.
HERE WE SEE A CERTAIN LEVITE WHO HAD TAKEN A WOMAN AS HIS CONCUBINE. SHE HAD
BEEN UNFAITHFUL TO HIM AND LEFT HIM TO RETURN TO HER FATHER. THE LEVITE
FOLLOWED AFTER HER AND ENDED UP STAYING SEVERAL DAYS WITH HER FATHER AND HER.
ULTIMATELY HE LEFT WITH HIS CONCUBINE AND JOURNEYED TO JERUSALEM. UPON ARRIVAL
HE HAD NO WHERE TO STAY SO AN OLDER GENTLEMAN OF THE CITY TOOK HIM TO HIS HOME.
IN TIME, THE MEN OF THE CITY ENCOMPASSED THE OLDER GENTLEMAN’S HOME AND DEMANDED
THAT THEY SEND THE LEVITE OUT. THEY HAD SLID INTO SUCH DEPRAVITY IN THE CITY
THAT THEY HAD BECOME SLAVES TO THEIR OWN FLESHLY DESIRES. THEIR INTENT WAS THAT
THEY WOULD HAVE ACTIVITIES WITH THE LEVITE OF A HOMOSEXUAL NATURE. THE THREAT
INCREASED FROM THE MEN OF THE CITY TO A POINT WHERE EVENTUALLY THE CONCUBINE
WAS SENT OUT TO APPEASE THEIR WICKED DEMANDS. THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT THE MEN
OF THE CITY ABUSED THE WOMAN SEXUALLY FOR THE ENTIRE NIGHT AND ULTIMATELY LEFT
HER DEAD ON THE DOORSTEP OF THE OLDER MAN’S HOME.
AS
MORNING ROSE, THE MEN OF THE CITY LEFT AND THE LEVITE OPENED THE FRONT DOOR OF
THE HOME. HE FOUND HIS CONCUBINE DEAD FROM THE ABUSE OF THE MEN OF THE CITY.
THE LEVITE THEN TOOK HIS CONCUBINE AND DIVIDED HER BODY INTO TWELVE PIECES. HER
BODIES WAS THEN DELIVERED TO THE FAR CORNERS OF THE TWELVE TRIBES OF ISREAL AS
A WITNESS TO THE PERVERSION THAT HAD THE MEN OF THE TRIBE OF BENJAMIN HAD
FALLEN TO IN JERUSALEM. BY THE TIME THE BODY PARTS ARRIVED AT THEIR FINAL
DESTINATION, CLEARLY THE STINCH WOULD HAVE BEEN REPULSIVE.
AS
THE TRIBES WITNESSED THE REMAINS OF THIS WOMAN AND HEARD OF HER DEMISE, THEY
WERE ANGERED AND SORROWFUL. THEY COMMON RESPONSE WAS, “WHAT WICKEDNESS HAS COME
INTO THE PRESENCE OF OUR PEOPLE.” THEY COULD HARDLY BELIEVE THAT THERE WERE MEN
OF ISREAL WHO HAD FALLEN SO DEEP INTO A SINFUL NATURE.
THE
TRIBES OF ISREAL KNEW THAT THESE MEN WHO PRACTICED HOMOSEXUALITY NEEDED TO BE
ELIMINATED OUT OF ISREAL. THEY ASSEMBLED MEN OF WAR FROM THEIR TRIBES AND WENT
TO JERUSALEM. HERE WE SEE THAT GOD WAS AGAINST THE HOMOSEXUAL MEN OF JERUSALEM.
HERE WE SEE THAT GOD OPPOSES PEOPLE WHO PRACTICE HOMOSEXUAL SINS. ULTIMATELY
GOD DIRECTED THE TRIBES OF ISREAL TO KILL THE MEN OF JERUSALEM AND BURN
EVERYTHING IN THEIR CITY. IT IS NO ACCIDENT THAT THE HOMOSEXUAL MEN SAW DEATH,
NOT LIFE AND THAT THE FINAL OUTCOME WAS TO BE BURNED BY FIRE.
SO
THE STINCH OF THE SIN OF HOMOSEXUALITY IS SPREADING TO FAR CORNERS OF THE WORLD
TODAY. WE KNOW THAT GOD IS ANGERED AND ABHORS THIS SIN. WISDOM WOULD TELL US TO
STUDY HISTORY AND WATCH FOR SIGNS OF ANOTHER CYCLE. TO IGNORE THE SIGNS OF A
CURRENT CYCLE IS SIMILAR TO STICKING YOUR HEAD IN THE SAND HOPING THAT TROUBLE
RESOLVES ITSELF ON ITS OWN. IF WE ARE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR DESTINY, AND
DILIGENT IN OUR PREPARATION, IT BEHOOVES US TO WATCH THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
IN
TODAY’S WORLD, WE CAN SEE MANY SIMILAR CHARACTERISTICS TO THESE TWO
CIVILIZATIONS. IN AMERICA WE SEE GLUTTONY BECOMING RAMPANT. OBESITY HAS BECOME SO
PREVALENT THAT DIABETES IS SPIRALING OUT OF CONTROL. HOMOSEXUALITY IS BECOMING
COMMONPLACE. POLITICIANS ARE THANKING THE GAY MOVEMENT FOR THEIR VOTES.
EVERYONE WALKS ON EGG SHELLS TO MAKE SURE THEY DON’T SAY SOMETHING THAT IS
POLITICALLY INCORRECT TOWARDS A HOMOSEXUAL. IN MANY CITIES SUCH AS ZURICH,
SWITZERLAND, GAYS OPENLY SHOW PUBLIC ROMANTIC PHYSICAL CONTACT WITHOUT REMORSE.
THE GAY FLAG FLIES ON FLAG POLES WITH THE SWISS FLAG. SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
LEGISLATION IS CONSTANTLY BEING PROPOSED IN STATES ACROSS AMERICA. EVEN THE
MILITARY IS STRUGGLING WITH “DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL”.
CHAPTER
3 - GOD’S LIMITED MERCY
When
we think of God, many characteristics come to mind. Traits like omnipresent,
omnipotent and omniscient may first come to mind. He has always been, will
always be and is beyond our human understanding. Something that may not first
come to mind is that God has limits. They may be self-imposed limits, but God
has shown He will only extend some of His person for a degree of time.
Grace,
mercy, love, compassion, understanding, zeal, anger, remorse, pleasure and so
many more attributes has been shown by God to have a place and limit. Each of
these personality traits are much greater than man’s. We are created in the
image of God and show each of these characteristics in our lives, but at a much
limited level. The one I want to consider is mercy.
In
the Old Testament we read of King David being given a choice to receive the
mercy of man, or the mercy of God. King David chose God’s mercy because he knew
how merciless man can be. Though he received due reward for his sin, he knew
that God’s mercy far exceeded the mercy of man.
In
the New Testament we read how God’s mercy is instant and immense. A murderer
was hanging on the cross next to Christ and in the waining moments of his life
sought the mercy of God. Could a man have shown the same mercy? Here a man had
lived his entire life outside of the mercy of God. He had killed a man and had
been judged guilty. He even admitted his guilt while hanging on the cross. With
only a few hours left to live, he professed Jesus as his savior and God’s mercy
intervened. What great mercy is ours through the Father!
Though
we see so many examples of God’s awesome mercy, we also have stories of His
limits. When we revisit the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, we see have great
God’s mercy is and how it has a limit. The two cities had deteriorated to where
there was a mere handful of righteous left. How God’s heart must have been
broken to see such a mass of people turning there hearts to their own fleshly
desires. They sought only their own personal pleasure and fleshly
gratification. If we were the judge and jury, could we have lasted as long as
God did before destroying the cities? I think not. God, in His mercy, most
likely sent prophets to tell them of their folly. Knowing God’s mercy, he gave
many opportunities to turn from their wicked ways. He is not willing that any
man should perish, but that all would receive everlasting life. Finally, when their
minds had become so reprobate that He knew there was no chance of turning, He
sent hail, fire and brimstone.
When
we look at the world that we live in today, it is clear that the mercy of God
is being pushed towards its limit. Every man, woman and child living has
experienced God’s mercy in one form or another. He is long-suffering with His
mercy as we clearly see in our day and time. The same sins that provoked God to
end His mercy to the Sodomites are provoking God today. How far will God let it
go? Only He knows. What we do know is that there is a limit.
CHAPTER
4 - HOMOSEXUALITY AS A GUAGE
I
want to be clear that I am not saying that homosexuality alone is the sin that
is bringing the end to God’s mercy. Adultery, fornication, drunkeness, murder,
hate, lying and many other sins will increase as the end of God’s mercy
approaches. Because homosexuality is such a clear example in God’s word, it
behooves us to be wise and use it as a gauge in determining the hour in which
we live.
Through
the Bible we are encouraged to note the signs around us. Matthew 16:2-3 says
“2He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair
weather: for the sky is red.
3And
in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and
lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not
discern the signs of the times? If we read of God’s immense hate for the sin
of homosexuality and see examples of a society that pushed God to His limit
with this sin, should we not sit up and take notice? As homosexuality increases
and becomes accepted, are we not getting close to the end of God’s mercy? He
that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Clearly,
no man knows the day or the hour of the Lord’s return. Many have tried to
predict the return of Christ only to their folly. Only the Father knows the
time of the rapture. However, God doesn’t want to leave us clueless. He brings
signs and events that let us know we are close. Without question, the expansion
of the gay lifestyle throughout the world should signify to the wise christian
that time is rapidly moving to a close as we know it.
CHAPTER
5 - WHAT IS THE CHRISTIAN’S RESPONSE
The
most important thing that a christian can do when he sees signs of Christ’s
return is to make sure that their life is where it should be. Matthew 25: 1-13
says “1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took
their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2And
five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3They
that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4But
the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5While
the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6And
at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to
meet him.
7Then
all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8And
the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone
out.
9But
the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but
go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10And
while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in
with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11Afterward
came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12But
he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13Watch
therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man
cometh.” Here we see the importance of not sleeping when the signs are right in
front of us.
Second,
it is our calling as a christian to bring as many to Christ as we can. In 2
Peter 3:9 we read, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men
count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should
perish, but that all should come to repentance.” This means doing everything we
can to bring the homosexual, the liar, the adulterer, the fornicator to
repentance. By showing the love of Christ and simply making them aware of God’s
stance on their sin may be enough. After all, it is the Holy Spirit that works
through us that reaches them. In many cases, long-suffering and patience is the
only way they can be reached. Finally, in others, they may be of such a
reprobate mind that all efforts are for not. The christian does need to remain
focused on the fact that God hates the sin, but loves the sinner. Showing God’s
love, without accepting the lifestyle, is a basis for any outreach.
A
word of caution is given to us out of God’s word, however. In Galatians 6:1 we
read, “1Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual,
restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou
also be tempted.” Here we can clearly see that just because one is a christian
doesn’t mean that they are unmovable. Satan is the master of temptation. If a
christian feels that there is a potential weakness in their life in this area,
they should avoid any risk of falling in to this sin. One avenue for this
christian might be to find other believers ministering in this area and pray
for God to use them in their ministry. This way they avoid the possible
increased temptation, and yet can be used powerfully through their prayer. This
word should be applied not only with homosexuality, but also to any other area
that a christian feels they are weak in. Be wise. God can use a man or woman
praying on their knees as much as an evangelist meeting a sinner face to face.
Lastly,
what can you do right now? This very moment? Begin to pray. Though sin will
never be eliminated in this life, the curtain of time can be pushed back. God
is waiting for men and women to seek Him for revival. 2 Chronicles 16:9 says “9For
the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself
strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” By definition
revival means the improvement in the condition of something. If the condition
of this world is improved from its current sinful state, then the mercy of God
extends further. This allows more time for more people to find salvation from
their sin. If God is not willing that any should perish, do we not think that
He will readily bring revival to those who genuinely seek Him for it? We have
heard so many times this truth, 2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, which are
called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and
turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive
their sin, and will heal their land.”
Pray,
work hard for the cause of Christ as God’s timing allows, and look up, for your
redemption draweth nigh!
CHAPTER 6 –
HOW DO I GET OUT THIS LIFESTYLE?
It has been
said that getting out of the homosexual lifestyle is one of the hardest sins to
overcome. That is quite a statement when you consider the addictive nature of
drug users and alcoholics. With any sin, it is impossible to be free without
the power and blood of Jesus Christ. For salvation to occur with any
individual, they first have to confess that they have sin in their life. The
reason for this book is to first help
someone caught up in homosexuality to understand that it is a sinful practice
that God abhors. If that is not understood, then the individual does not feel
they need God’s forgiveness. They then rest their eternity on whether or not
they interpretation of the Bible is right, or if another’s is. Obviously, the
safest thing for a person’s eternal well-being
would be to not take a chance. After all, eternity is a VERY long time. If an
individual wants to take the risk for a short 70 years on this earth of living
the homosexual lifestyle, stubbornly saying that it is okay with God, then they
will have to accept their reward. I learned a long time ago that this life is
like a vapor. I can do without a lot of life’s
pleasures if there is ANY chance that I could miss heaven.
Once an
individual caught up in the homosexual lifestyle comes to the realization that
it is sin, then they must confess it to the Lord. Second, ask forgiveness for
the sin. Third, ask Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit to fill your heart with
His presence and ask Him to be Lord of your life.
If you say
this with your mouth and believe in your heart, God will cleanse you from this
sin.
Lastly, you
will need seek God daily for strength to
overcome temptation. One of the best ways I’ve found to find strength in life
to live for God is by a daily devotion. For me, the first thing in the morning
works best. Take time to read God’s word and meditate on it. Then pray thanking
and praising God for what He has accomplished in your life. Ask Him for
strength and wisdom to live for Him. He is faithful and will do it for you.
As with any
sin, avoid situations of temptation. This means finding new, God-fearing
friends. Surround yourself with people who will lift you up and help you to
walk pleasing in God’s sight. This is not any easy thing, but God will help you
through the power of His Holy Spirit and the reward is everlasting!
May God
bless you richly.
By
Dr. David Wootton
PREFACE
AS
TIME MOVES ON, THERE ARE SIGNS AND INDICATIONS OF WHERE WE ARE IN THE OVERALL
SCHEME OF THINGS. WE SEE SUBTLE CHANGES THAT WE KNOW ARE PIVOTAL IN OUR
SOCIETY. CHANGES THAT WE KNOW ARE HAVING A DEEP IMPACT ON HOW WE CONVERSE, ACT
AND THE VERY CORE OF HOW WE THINK.
THIS
BOOK ADDRESSES ONE OF THE MORE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN OUR SOCIETY AND WORLD.
THERE IS AN EVER-INCREASING PRESENCE OF HOMOSEXUALS IN OUR MEDIA BY
CELEBRITIES. THIS LIFESTYLE IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE COMMONPLACE IN OUR SMALL TOWNS
AND LARGE CITIES AND IS A KEY INDICATOR OF THE MORALITY OF A COMMUNITY, NATION,
OR WORLD.
MY
HOPE IN WRITING THIS BOOK IS TO MAKE US MORE AWARE OF THE TIMES THAT WE ARE IN.
KNOWING THAT TIME IS SHORT HAS A WAY OF MAKING US EVALUATE OURSELVES. WE DON’T
WANT TO BE CAUGHT SLEEPING WHEN THE GROOM RETURNS FOR HIS BRIDE.
CHAPTER
1 - THE HOMOSEXUAL LIFESTYLE
HOMOSEXUALITY
IS A BELIEF, PRACTICE, AND WAY OF LIFE FOR A GROWING NUMBER OF PEOPLE WORLD
WIDE. ONE CAN SEE IT IN PRACTICE IN VIRTUALLY EVERY CITY IN THE UNITED STATES.
YOU ONLY HAVE TO TURN ON THE TELEVISION FOR JUST A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME
BEFORE SOMEONE IS CONFESSING THAT THEY ARE A HOMOSEXUAL. YOU CAN TRAVEL TO MOST
ANY CITY AROUND THE WORLD AND SEE PEOPLE PRACTICING THIS WAY OF LIFE.
AS
RECENTLY AS THIRTY YEARS AGO, IT WAS A VERY SIGNIFICANT EVENT IF A CELEBRITY OR
PERSON IN YOUR OWN HOMETOWN WAS FOUND OUT, OR CAME OUT, AS BEING A HOMOSEXUAL.
TODAY, IT IS COMMONPLACE AND MOST PEOPLE DON’T EVEN RAISE AN EYEBROW. GAY
RIGHTS PARADES WERE SMALL IN NUMBER AND RARELY OCCURING, NOW THEY ATTRACTS
THOUSANDS AND ARE IN THE NEWS ROUTINELY. HOLLYWOOD EXECUTIVES USED TO THINK
LONG AND HARD BEFORE PUTTING A HOMOSEXUAL CHARACTER IN A MOVIE OR TELEVISION
SHOW. NOW, IT IS ALMOST NOT POLITICALLY CORRECT IF YOU DON’T HAVE A
REPRESENTATION OF A HOMOSEXUAL CHARACTER IN A SHOW.
THE
BIBLE IS CLEAR ON GOD’S STANCE ON HOMOSEXUALITY.
I
CORINTHIANS 6:9,10 SAYS “KNOW YOU NOT THAT THE UNRIGHTEOUS SHALL NOT INHERIT
THE KINGDON OF GOD? BE NOT DECEIVED: NEITHER FORNICATORS, NOR IDOLATERS, NOR
ADULTERERS, NOR EFFEMINATE, NOR ABUSERS OF THEMSELVES WITH MANKIND, NOR
THIEVES, NOR COVETOUS, NOR DRUNKARDS, NOR REVILERS, NOR EXTORTIONERS, SHALL
INHERIT THE KINGDON OF GOD.” THIS STATES UNEQUIVICALLY THAT AN ACTIVE,
PRACTICING HOMOSEXUAL WHO HAS NOT ASKED FORGIVENESS FOR THEIR SIN WILL NOT
INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD. IN LEVITICUS 18:22 WE READ “THOU SHALT NOT LIE WITH
MANKIND, AS WITH WOMANKIND: IT IS ABOMINATION.” IN THIS VERSE WE COME TO THE
REALIZATION THAT HOMOSEXUALITY IS NOT ONLY A SIN, BUT IS GREATLY DISLIKED OR
ABHORED BY GOD. WHY WOULD GOD ABHOR THIS SIN? POSSIBLY BECAUSE IT IS THE EXACT
OPPOSITE OF GOD’S MASTER PLAN. GOD REFERS TO HIS CHURCH AS HIS BRIDE. HE HAS
ESTABLISHED THAT A WOMAN IS TO LEAVE HER PATENTS AND CLEAVE TO HER HUSBAND. HE
HAS ESTABLISHED FROM THE BEGINNING THAT ADAM, A MAN, SHOULD HAVE AN HELPMEAT, A
WOMAN, IN EVE. THE TWO, MALE AND FEMALE, NATURALLY COME TOGETHER IN A MARRIAGE
RELATIONSHIP AND CHILDREN ARE BORN. THIS IS GOD’S PLAN FOR MALES AND FEMALES IN
PROLIFERATION AND THE CONTINUANCE OF THE HUMAN RACE.
THERE
IS SOME LINES OF ARGUMENT THAT SAY THAT GOD’S POSITION HAS CHANGED. THEY SAY
THAT IN THE LAST TWO THOUSAND YEARS SINCE THE BIBLE’S LAST BOOK WAS WRITTEN
THAT GOD HAS EASED HIS POSITION ON HOMOSEXUALITY. IF WE LOOK AT MATTHEW 5:18 WE
READ “FOR VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, TILL HEAVEN AND EARTH PASS, ONE JOT OR ONE
TITTLE SHALL IN NO WISE PASS FROM THE LAW, TILL ALL BE FULFILLED.” THIS IS THE
ASSURANCE OF THE CHRISTIAN. WE STAKE OUR LIVES ON THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE
BIBLE IS INFALLIBLE AND WILL NEVER CHANGE. IF GOD CHANGED HIS POSITION ON
HOMOSEXUALITY, WHAT ELSE HAS HE CHANGED HIS MIND ON? IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS
POSITION TO BE IN WHEN ONE PROPOGATES THAT THE WORD OF GOD HAS CHANGED OR BEEN
ADDED TO. IN HEBREWS 13:8 WE READ “JESUS CHRIST THE SAME YESTERDAY, AND TO DAY,
AND FOR EVER.” CLEARLY WE SEE THAT GOD IS NOT ONE WHO CHANGES HIS POSITION ON
SIN. IN THE FOLLOWING VERSE WE READ “BE NOT CARRIED ABOUT WITH DIVERS AND
STRANGE DOCTRINES.” HOW CLEAR DOES THIS MAKE IT FOR THE READER THAT DOCTRINES
AND TEACHINGS OUTSIDE THE BIBLE TEACHING IS NOT TO BE TOLERATED BY THE
CHRISTIAN.
FROM
THE BEGINNINGS OF GOD’S CREATION, SATAN HAS HATED ANYTHING THAT REPRESENTS
GOD’S DIVINE PLAN. IF GOD’S PLAN IS FOR ONE MAN TO MARRY ONE WOMAN AND TO LIVE
THEIR LIVES AS PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS, GREAT-GRANDPARENTS, OR EVEN GREAT-GREAT
GRANDPARENTS, THEN WHAT WOULD BE THE OPPOSITE FOR SATAN TO ENCOURAGE? THE
HOMOSEXUAL LIFESTYLE IS THE OPPOSITE OF GOD’S PLAN. AS WE APPROACH THE END OF TIME
AND THE TRIBULATION PERIOD APPROACHES, WE KNOW THAT SATAN WILL POSSESS AND
EMPOWER AN ANTICHRIST. THE ANTI-CHRIST IS THE OPPOSITE OF THE SON OF GOD.
AGAIN, SATAN’S TRADEMARK IS CLEARLY A HATRED AND OPPOSITION OF GOD’S PLAN.
MANY
CELEBRITIES HAVE COME OUT AS BEING HOMOSEXUAL. IN THEIR MINDS THEY ARE RISKING
THEIR PERSONAL SUCCESS FOR THE OVERALL GOOD OF PIONEERING THE GAY MOVEMENT. IN
REALITY, THEY ARE PIONEERING THEIR SOCIETY INTO DEEPER DEPTHS OF IMMORALITY AND
PERVERSION. AS WITH ANY WRONG, IT ALWAYS EASES THE CONSCIENCE OF THE WRONG-DOER
TO HAVE MORE PEOPLE COMMITING THE SAME ACT. HOMOSEXUALITY IS NO
DIFFERENT. THOUGH THEY TRY TO JUSTIFY THEIR ACTIONS, THEY CANNOT GET PAST THE
GUILT OF THE GOD-GIVEN SENSE OF SIN. THEREFORE, THE MORE PEOPLE THAT LIVE THIS
LIFESTYLE, THE EASIER IT IS TO CONVINCE THEMSELVES THAT THEY ARE OKAY.
THE
HOMOSEXUAL LIFESTYLE HAS MANY INHERENT DANGERS. A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE
HOMOSEXUAL LIFESTYLE IS MULTIPLE SEXUAL PARTNERS. SCIENCE HAS PROVEN THAT
MULTIPLE SEXUAL PARTNERS SPREADS MANY DISEASES, MOST INCURABLE. THE HOMOSEXUAL
LIFESTYLE DOESN’T ALLOW FOR CHILDBEARING IN AND OF ITSELF. A HOMOSEXUAL COUPLE
WOULD HAVE TO DEPEND ON SOMEONE OF THE OPPOSITE SEX IN THE CASE OF LESBIANS, OR
ADOPT IN THE CASE OF A MALE-ONLY COUPLE IN ORDER TO PROPOGATE THEIR
CIVILIZATION. TAKEN EXCLUSIVELY BY ITSELF, IF EVERYONE LIVED A HOMOSEXUAL
LIFESTYLE, WITHOUT ARTIFICIAL INSEMINACION, HUMAN LIFE WOULD END ON THIS EARTH
AFTER ONLY ONE GENERATION. DOES THIS APPEAR TO BE SOMETHING GOD WOULD HAVE PLANNED?
TO
BE CLEAR, WE ALL HAVE THE GOD-GIVEN RIGHT TO DECIDE HOW WE WANT TO LIVE. OUR
LIVES ARE MADE UP OF THE CHOICES THAT WE MAKE. NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO MAKE
SOMEONE LIVE A CERTAIN WAY. THAT IS THE BEAUTY OF HOW GOD WORKS. HE WANTS US TO
DECIDE OF OUR OWN FREE WILL TO ACCEPT HIM, LOVE HIM AND WANT TO LIVE IN A WAY
THE PLEASES HIM. NOTHING MAKES GOD MORE HAPPY THAT FOR US, IN FAITH, TO BELIEVE
IN HIM, HAVING NOT EVEN SEEN HIM IN PERSON. FURTHER, TO TRUST IN HIS WORD, THE
BIBLE, AND LIVE BY THE PRECEPTS AND DIRECTIONS THAT IT GIVES IS WHAT BEING
CHRIST-LIKE IS ABOUT. WE ALL HAVE CHOICES TO MAKE, AND WHAT WE CHOOSE TO DO HAS
A MAJOR EFFECT ON OUR LIVES, THOSE WE ASSOCIATE WITH AND SOCIETY AS A WHOLE.
CHAPTER
2 - HISTORY AS OUR GUIDE
THROUGHOUT
TIME THERE ARE CLEAR AND DISTINCT CYCLES IN HISTORY. ECONOMIC CYCLES, BUSINESS
CYCLES, WEATHER CYCLES, AND EVEN MORAL CYCLES. THE ROMAN EMPIRE HAS CLASSIC
EVENTS THAT CONTRIBUTED TO ITS FALL THAT WE HAVE SEEN REPEATED SEVERAL TIMES IN
HISTORY. AN EMPIRE WHOSE BOUNDARIES HAD GROWN TO UNBELIEVABLE REALMS, RICHES
HAD COME TO BOTH THE EMPORER AND THE CIVILIANS, AND LIFE WAS ALL ABOUT SEEKING
PERSONAL GRATIFICATION. HOMOSEXUALITY WAS ACCEPTED AS A NORM. GLUTTONY WAS A
COMMON PRACTICE AND DAYS WERE SPENT TRYING TO SATISFY THEIR FLESHLY DESIRES.
WITH THEIR ATTENTION TURNED INWARD, TRYING TO MEET THEIR PHYSICAL NEEDS, THEY
WERE OVERTHROWN BY AN UNEXPECTED FOE.
ANOTHER
COMMON EXAMPLE IN HISTORY OF A SOCIETY THAT FELL IS SODOM AND GOMORRAH. HERE WE
SEE TWO CITIES THAT WERE CAUGHT UP IN PERSONAL PLEASURE. THE BIBLE DECLARES
THESE HOMOSEXUALS AS “UNRIGHTEOUS”. ABRAHAM’S NEPHEW, LOT, LIVED THERE WITH HIS
FAMILY. GOD MADE IT KNOWN TO ABRAHAM THAT SODOM AND GOMORRAH WERE GOING TO BE
DESTROYED. ABRAHAM SOUGHT GOD SEVERAL TIMES SEEKING REDEMPTION FOR THE CITIES.
HERE WE SEE AN EXAMPLE OF GOD’S EXCEPTIONAL MERCY AS ABRAHAM SOUGHT GOD OVER
AND OVER GRADUALLY REDUCING THE NUMBER OF RIGHTEOUS NECESSARY TO SAVE THE
CITIES. GOD WOULD HAVE SAVED THE CITY IF THERE HAD BEEN JUST TEN RIGHTEOUS
PEOPLE FOUND. HOMOSEXUALITY WAS SO RAMPANT THAT THE MEN OF SODOM WERE TRYING TO
HAVE SEX WITH LOT’S VISITING ANGELS. LOT HAD TAKEN THE ANGELS INTO HIS HOME.
BECAUSE OF THE FLESHLY DESIRE TO BE PHYSICALLY INVOLVED WITH NEW MEN, THE MEN
OF THE CITY SURROUNDED THE HOUSE. THEY DEMANDED LOT TO TURN THE ANGELS OUT TO
THEM SO THAT THEY COULD HAVE SEX WITH THEM. IN DESPERATION, LOT OFFERED HIS TWO
DAUGHTERS TO TRY AND APPEASE THE SEXUAL DEMANDS OF THE MEN. THROUGH THIS
ACCOUNT OF HISTORY, WE SEE THE DEPRAVITY AND ABSOLUTE COMPLETE IMMORALITY THAT
HUMANS CAN FALL TOO WHEN LEFT TO THEIR OWN DEVISES AND FLESHLY DESIRES. AGAIN,
WE SEE THAT GOD’S WAY IS TO BRING THE BODY INTO SUBJECTION. SATAN’S WAY IS THE
OPPOSITE OF GOD’S DESIRE.
A
SECOND EXAMPLE THAT THE BIBLE GIVES US IS FOUND IN JUDGES CHAPTER 19 AND 20.
HERE WE SEE A CERTAIN LEVITE WHO HAD TAKEN A WOMAN AS HIS CONCUBINE. SHE HAD
BEEN UNFAITHFUL TO HIM AND LEFT HIM TO RETURN TO HER FATHER. THE LEVITE
FOLLOWED AFTER HER AND ENDED UP STAYING SEVERAL DAYS WITH HER FATHER AND HER.
ULTIMATELY HE LEFT WITH HIS CONCUBINE AND JOURNEYED TO JERUSALEM. UPON ARRIVAL
HE HAD NO WHERE TO STAY SO AN OLDER GENTLEMAN OF THE CITY TOOK HIM TO HIS HOME.
IN TIME, THE MEN OF THE CITY ENCOMPASSED THE OLDER GENTLEMAN’S HOME AND DEMANDED
THAT THEY SEND THE LEVITE OUT. THEY HAD SLID INTO SUCH DEPRAVITY IN THE CITY
THAT THEY HAD BECOME SLAVES TO THEIR OWN FLESHLY DESIRES. THEIR INTENT WAS THAT
THEY WOULD HAVE ACTIVITIES WITH THE LEVITE OF A HOMOSEXUAL NATURE. THE THREAT
INCREASED FROM THE MEN OF THE CITY TO A POINT WHERE EVENTUALLY THE CONCUBINE
WAS SENT OUT TO APPEASE THEIR WICKED DEMANDS. THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT THE MEN
OF THE CITY ABUSED THE WOMAN SEXUALLY FOR THE ENTIRE NIGHT AND ULTIMATELY LEFT
HER DEAD ON THE DOORSTEP OF THE OLDER MAN’S HOME.
AS
MORNING ROSE, THE MEN OF THE CITY LEFT AND THE LEVITE OPENED THE FRONT DOOR OF
THE HOME. HE FOUND HIS CONCUBINE DEAD FROM THE ABUSE OF THE MEN OF THE CITY.
THE LEVITE THEN TOOK HIS CONCUBINE AND DIVIDED HER BODY INTO TWELVE PIECES. HER
BODIES WAS THEN DELIVERED TO THE FAR CORNERS OF THE TWELVE TRIBES OF ISREAL AS
A WITNESS TO THE PERVERSION THAT HAD THE MEN OF THE TRIBE OF BENJAMIN HAD
FALLEN TO IN JERUSALEM. BY THE TIME THE BODY PARTS ARRIVED AT THEIR FINAL
DESTINATION, CLEARLY THE STINCH WOULD HAVE BEEN REPULSIVE.
AS
THE TRIBES WITNESSED THE REMAINS OF THIS WOMAN AND HEARD OF HER DEMISE, THEY
WERE ANGERED AND SORROWFUL. THEY COMMON RESPONSE WAS, “WHAT WICKEDNESS HAS COME
INTO THE PRESENCE OF OUR PEOPLE.” THEY COULD HARDLY BELIEVE THAT THERE WERE MEN
OF ISREAL WHO HAD FALLEN SO DEEP INTO A SINFUL NATURE.
THE
TRIBES OF ISREAL KNEW THAT THESE MEN WHO PRACTICED HOMOSEXUALITY NEEDED TO BE
ELIMINATED OUT OF ISREAL. THEY ASSEMBLED MEN OF WAR FROM THEIR TRIBES AND WENT
TO JERUSALEM. HERE WE SEE THAT GOD WAS AGAINST THE HOMOSEXUAL MEN OF JERUSALEM.
HERE WE SEE THAT GOD OPPOSES PEOPLE WHO PRACTICE HOMOSEXUAL SINS. ULTIMATELY
GOD DIRECTED THE TRIBES OF ISREAL TO KILL THE MEN OF JERUSALEM AND BURN
EVERYTHING IN THEIR CITY. IT IS NO ACCIDENT THAT THE HOMOSEXUAL MEN SAW DEATH,
NOT LIFE AND THAT THE FINAL OUTCOME WAS TO BE BURNED BY FIRE.
SO
THE STINCH OF THE SIN OF HOMOSEXUALITY IS SPREADING TO FAR CORNERS OF THE WORLD
TODAY. WE KNOW THAT GOD IS ANGERED AND ABHORS THIS SIN. WISDOM WOULD TELL US TO
STUDY HISTORY AND WATCH FOR SIGNS OF ANOTHER CYCLE. TO IGNORE THE SIGNS OF A
CURRENT CYCLE IS SIMILAR TO STICKING YOUR HEAD IN THE SAND HOPING THAT TROUBLE
RESOLVES ITSELF ON ITS OWN. IF WE ARE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR DESTINY, AND
DILIGENT IN OUR PREPARATION, IT BEHOOVES US TO WATCH THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
IN
TODAY’S WORLD, WE CAN SEE MANY SIMILAR CHARACTERISTICS TO THESE TWO
CIVILIZATIONS. IN AMERICA WE SEE GLUTTONY BECOMING RAMPANT. OBESITY HAS BECOME SO
PREVALENT THAT DIABETES IS SPIRALING OUT OF CONTROL. HOMOSEXUALITY IS BECOMING
COMMONPLACE. POLITICIANS ARE THANKING THE GAY MOVEMENT FOR THEIR VOTES.
EVERYONE WALKS ON EGG SHELLS TO MAKE SURE THEY DON’T SAY SOMETHING THAT IS
POLITICALLY INCORRECT TOWARDS A HOMOSEXUAL. IN MANY CITIES SUCH AS ZURICH,
SWITZERLAND, GAYS OPENLY SHOW PUBLIC ROMANTIC PHYSICAL CONTACT WITHOUT REMORSE.
THE GAY FLAG FLIES ON FLAG POLES WITH THE SWISS FLAG. SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
LEGISLATION IS CONSTANTLY BEING PROPOSED IN STATES ACROSS AMERICA. EVEN THE
MILITARY IS STRUGGLING WITH “DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL”.
CHAPTER
3 - GOD’S LIMITED MERCY
When
we think of God, many characteristics come to mind. Traits like omnipresent,
omnipotent and omniscient may first come to mind. He has always been, will
always be and is beyond our human understanding. Something that may not first
come to mind is that God has limits. They may be self-imposed limits, but God
has shown He will only extend some of His person for a degree of time.
Grace,
mercy, love, compassion, understanding, zeal, anger, remorse, pleasure and so
many more attributes has been shown by God to have a place and limit. Each of
these personality traits are much greater than man’s. We are created in the
image of God and show each of these characteristics in our lives, but at a much
limited level. The one I want to consider is mercy.
In
the Old Testament we read of King David being given a choice to receive the
mercy of man, or the mercy of God. King David chose God’s mercy because he knew
how merciless man can be. Though he received due reward for his sin, he knew
that God’s mercy far exceeded the mercy of man.
In
the New Testament we read how God’s mercy is instant and immense. A murderer
was hanging on the cross next to Christ and in the waining moments of his life
sought the mercy of God. Could a man have shown the same mercy? Here a man had
lived his entire life outside of the mercy of God. He had killed a man and had
been judged guilty. He even admitted his guilt while hanging on the cross. With
only a few hours left to live, he professed Jesus as his savior and God’s mercy
intervened. What great mercy is ours through the Father!
Though
we see so many examples of God’s awesome mercy, we also have stories of His
limits. When we revisit the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, we see have great
God’s mercy is and how it has a limit. The two cities had deteriorated to where
there was a mere handful of righteous left. How God’s heart must have been
broken to see such a mass of people turning there hearts to their own fleshly
desires. They sought only their own personal pleasure and fleshly
gratification. If we were the judge and jury, could we have lasted as long as
God did before destroying the cities? I think not. God, in His mercy, most
likely sent prophets to tell them of their folly. Knowing God’s mercy, he gave
many opportunities to turn from their wicked ways. He is not willing that any
man should perish, but that all would receive everlasting life. Finally, when their
minds had become so reprobate that He knew there was no chance of turning, He
sent hail, fire and brimstone.
When
we look at the world that we live in today, it is clear that the mercy of God
is being pushed towards its limit. Every man, woman and child living has
experienced God’s mercy in one form or another. He is long-suffering with His
mercy as we clearly see in our day and time. The same sins that provoked God to
end His mercy to the Sodomites are provoking God today. How far will God let it
go? Only He knows. What we do know is that there is a limit.
CHAPTER
4 - HOMOSEXUALITY AS A GUAGE
I
want to be clear that I am not saying that homosexuality alone is the sin that
is bringing the end to God’s mercy. Adultery, fornication, drunkeness, murder,
hate, lying and many other sins will increase as the end of God’s mercy
approaches. Because homosexuality is such a clear example in God’s word, it
behooves us to be wise and use it as a gauge in determining the hour in which
we live.
Through
the Bible we are encouraged to note the signs around us. Matthew 16:2-3 says
“2He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair
weather: for the sky is red.
3And
in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and
lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not
discern the signs of the times? If we read of God’s immense hate for the sin
of homosexuality and see examples of a society that pushed God to His limit
with this sin, should we not sit up and take notice? As homosexuality increases
and becomes accepted, are we not getting close to the end of God’s mercy? He
that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Clearly,
no man knows the day or the hour of the Lord’s return. Many have tried to
predict the return of Christ only to their folly. Only the Father knows the
time of the rapture. However, God doesn’t want to leave us clueless. He brings
signs and events that let us know we are close. Without question, the expansion
of the gay lifestyle throughout the world should signify to the wise christian
that time is rapidly moving to a close as we know it.
CHAPTER
5 - WHAT IS THE CHRISTIAN’S RESPONSE
The
most important thing that a christian can do when he sees signs of Christ’s
return is to make sure that their life is where it should be. Matthew 25: 1-13
says “1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took
their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2And
five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3They
that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4But
the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5While
the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6And
at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to
meet him.
7Then
all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8And
the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone
out.
9But
the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but
go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10And
while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in
with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11Afterward
came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12But
he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13Watch
therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man
cometh.” Here we see the importance of not sleeping when the signs are right in
front of us.
Second,
it is our calling as a christian to bring as many to Christ as we can. In 2
Peter 3:9 we read, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men
count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should
perish, but that all should come to repentance.” This means doing everything we
can to bring the homosexual, the liar, the adulterer, the fornicator to
repentance. By showing the love of Christ and simply making them aware of God’s
stance on their sin may be enough. After all, it is the Holy Spirit that works
through us that reaches them. In many cases, long-suffering and patience is the
only way they can be reached. Finally, in others, they may be of such a
reprobate mind that all efforts are for not. The christian does need to remain
focused on the fact that God hates the sin, but loves the sinner. Showing God’s
love, without accepting the lifestyle, is a basis for any outreach.
A
word of caution is given to us out of God’s word, however. In Galatians 6:1 we
read, “1Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual,
restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou
also be tempted.” Here we can clearly see that just because one is a christian
doesn’t mean that they are unmovable. Satan is the master of temptation. If a
christian feels that there is a potential weakness in their life in this area,
they should avoid any risk of falling in to this sin. One avenue for this
christian might be to find other believers ministering in this area and pray
for God to use them in their ministry. This way they avoid the possible
increased temptation, and yet can be used powerfully through their prayer. This
word should be applied not only with homosexuality, but also to any other area
that a christian feels they are weak in. Be wise. God can use a man or woman
praying on their knees as much as an evangelist meeting a sinner face to face.
Lastly,
what can you do right now? This very moment? Begin to pray. Though sin will
never be eliminated in this life, the curtain of time can be pushed back. God
is waiting for men and women to seek Him for revival. 2 Chronicles 16:9 says “9For
the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself
strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” By definition
revival means the improvement in the condition of something. If the condition
of this world is improved from its current sinful state, then the mercy of God
extends further. This allows more time for more people to find salvation from
their sin. If God is not willing that any should perish, do we not think that
He will readily bring revival to those who genuinely seek Him for it? We have
heard so many times this truth, 2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, which are
called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and
turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive
their sin, and will heal their land.”
Pray,
work hard for the cause of Christ as God’s timing allows, and look up, for your
redemption draweth nigh!
CHAPTER 6 –
HOW DO I GET OUT THIS LIFESTYLE?
It has been
said that getting out of the homosexual lifestyle is one of the hardest sins to
overcome. That is quite a statement when you consider the addictive nature of
drug users and alcoholics. With any sin, it is impossible to be free without
the power and blood of Jesus Christ. For salvation to occur with any
individual, they first have to confess that they have sin in their life. The
reason for this book is to first help
someone caught up in homosexuality to understand that it is a sinful practice
that God abhors. If that is not understood, then the individual does not feel
they need God’s forgiveness. They then rest their eternity on whether or not
they interpretation of the Bible is right, or if another’s is. Obviously, the
safest thing for a person’s eternal well-being
would be to not take a chance. After all, eternity is a VERY long time. If an
individual wants to take the risk for a short 70 years on this earth of living
the homosexual lifestyle, stubbornly saying that it is okay with God, then they
will have to accept their reward. I learned a long time ago that this life is
like a vapor. I can do without a lot of life’s
pleasures if there is ANY chance that I could miss heaven.
Once an
individual caught up in the homosexual lifestyle comes to the realization that
it is sin, then they must confess it to the Lord. Second, ask forgiveness for
the sin. Third, ask Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit to fill your heart with
His presence and ask Him to be Lord of your life.
If you say
this with your mouth and believe in your heart, God will cleanse you from this
sin.
Lastly, you
will need seek God daily for strength to
overcome temptation. One of the best ways I’ve found to find strength in life
to live for God is by a daily devotion. For me, the first thing in the morning
works best. Take time to read God’s word and meditate on it. Then pray thanking
and praising God for what He has accomplished in your life. Ask Him for
strength and wisdom to live for Him. He is faithful and will do it for you.
As with any
sin, avoid situations of temptation. This means finding new, God-fearing
friends. Surround yourself with people who will lift you up and help you to
walk pleasing in God’s sight. This is not any easy thing, but God will help you
through the power of His Holy Spirit and the reward is everlasting!
May God
bless you richly.
.jpg)