We live in a world where our purpose for being here is misunderstood by most because they don't know why they are here. On the other hand, there are those who will tell you that they know why they are here.
Howard Pittman was a preacher who had graduated from Bible seminary in good olé' Southern Baptist tradition. One day events were such that he found himself on death's door. Howard thought his good works would save him, but a ruptured aneurysm nearly took him to Hell. Anyhow, he had a spiritual experience where he went to Heaven. The Devil spoke to him and he heard the most beautiful voice he had ever heard. It was like music to his ears.
God eventually spoke to Howard. Unlike the Devil's voice, God's voice sounded like thunder. Some time afterwards, God spoke to Howard again and gave him a 5 point message for people who call themselves Christians.
The First Point
Today is the age of the Laodicean Church mentioned in the book of Revelation (even though people say that this is not so). The Laodicean Church Age is the last of the Seven Church Ages mentioned in the book of Revelation.
The people in this church profess with their mouth that they believe Jesus is their Lord, but their lifestyles do not demonstrate He is their Lord. Evidently, even though the people are fully clothed and look the part in their suits and beautiful garments, they do not know they are spiritually naked . The spiritual apathy of the people who claim they are Christians causes Lord Jesus to vomit.
Everyone who calls him- or herself a Christian has to be on fire for Jesus. Those who are lukewarm are spewed out of His mouth.
The Second Point
Everyone has a personal adversary. He is very powerful. His name is Satan, the Devil, the accuser. The accuser stands before God and like a prosecutor in a court, outlines why people cannot be saved from eternal damnation.
Anybody who thinks that they can violate God's Law, the Ten Commandments, and enter eternal life after this existence are mistaken. No matter how much good a person does, it is as a soiled nappy in God's sight, even if a person's butt has been cleaned.
If a person doesn't have a personal relationship with Lord Jesus Christ, then they are lost. The Devil is not worried about them because they are already condemned. If anyone decides to look for the truth and seeks to know the resurrected Lord of Life, Lord Jesus Christ, then the Devil will attempt to stop this from happening.
The Third Point
If you expect to see God's power manifest in your life, you have to live the life expected of someone who names Jesus Christ as Lord.
The word Christian means belonging to Christ, not just pertaining to Christ, as many think. If something pertains to Christ, this is not the same as belonging to Christ. The creations of humans belong to them. The Creation of God belongs to Him.
What God has created has a quality that humans cannot copy or manufacture. The sense of wonderment and awe is missing.
A painter may paint a blue sky, but it does not capture the essence of wonderment and awe that is sensed when looking at the sky. When we begin talking about sunsets and sunrises, our Creator God surpasses any human attempt. There is no comparison between what man can do and what God can do.
When it comes to spiritual matters, even life itself, God sees that many talk, the talk; but not too many walk the walk. This is the reason few are chosen, even though many acknowledge God's call.
The Fourth Point
As in the days of Noah, so shall it be in the days before the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. In Noah's day mankind had two priorities, wealth and pleasure. Today Christians are focused on wealth and pleasure. Besides this we also see that there is much violence happening around the globe, just as in the days of Noah.
Genesis 6:11-13 reads: Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth. (ESV)
The Fifth Point
Lord Jesus Christ baptizes people in the Holy Spirit and Fire. People think that when they are speaking in unknown tongues they are saved and have been baptized in the Holy Spirit. However, unless they have the fire, and the chaff in their life is burned, they are not saved.
Matthew 7:21-23 says that Lord Jesus said: “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. 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?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
In the video above, Howard Pittman tells his account of hearing the Devil's voice, hearing God's voice and what he saw when he was presumably dead.Sharing is caring!
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