Are You Redeeming the Time?*

      The prophet Isaiah wrote of the "Woes" that the LORD spoke over the people who practiced various forms of iniquity, including those who covet and hoard the land for themselves, those who draw sin after them like they are pulling a cart, those who call evil good and good evil, those who are wise in their own eyes, and those who indulge in strong drink and justify the wicked for a reward and take away righteousness from the righteous ones in God. The LORD's anger is kindled against these. (see Isa. 5).

     Paul wrote to Timothy about the same spiritual condition many generations later: "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy...despisers of those that are good....lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." (2 Tim. 3:1-5, excerpt). Paul wrote that these types of people enter houses and deceive and take spiritually captive "silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts. ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." (v. 6-7).

     We also see around us today the "woes" spoken by God to Isaiah, and we see them again as Paul wrote above to Timothy. We are living in the perilous times of the last days before Jesus returns.

      In light of this truth, Paul urged Timothy to remain fast in the knowledge of the holy scriptures, "which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture has been given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine (as in things we should know), for reproof, for correction (as in calling sin, sin), for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect (complete, wholeness), thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

     The prophet Jeremiah wrote the Word of the LORD telling His people that cursed is the man who trusts in other men rather than the LORD. Blessed is the man who places his hope and trust in the LORD. This person will be like a tree planted by the water, with spreading roots, even in heat and drought, and will never stop yielding its fruit. The LORD warned man about his own heart: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings." Jeremiah answered the LORD, saying, "...thou art my hope in the day of evil. Let them be confounded that persecute me, but let not me be confounded: let them be dismayed, but let not me be dismayed: bring upon them the day of evil, and destroy them with double destruction." (Jer. 17:5-18, excerpt, see Prov. 16:1-4 also). This may sound harsh to our ears, but scripture says that the wicked were made for the day of destruction. However, the LORD also gives all the opportunity to repent and turn to Him if they will choose Him.

     It is very tempting to trust in man rather than God, which we see happening even to those in the church, but there is a curse that follows that as the LORD said above. In the day of evil, there is only hope in God, which is a blessing to be sought and received.

     Paul wrote about walking in this hope in a time when the evil-doers seem to flourish: "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour...For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them....See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is...be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God...Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God." (Eph. 5:1-21, excerpt).

     Are we walking in the light, or falling prey to the sins that beset us all? Are we walking in wisdom and redeeming the time from the darkness of sin? Are we maintaining an attitude of worship and thanksgiving to the Lord in all circumstances? The Lord who examines the heart is pleased with a heart of thanksgiving in His people.

     Paul wrote that the way we maintain the light and hope that is found in God, even in the spiritual warfare (not against flesh and blood but against spiritual wickedness in high places) prevalent in the evil day, is to be wearing the armor of God: loins girded with truth - who is telling the truth as God sees truth? The breastplate of righteousness - not our own righteousness but that supplied to us by the blood of the righteous Lamb of God, Jesus. Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace - Isaiah wrote: How beautiful are the feet that bring the Good News! Taking the shield of faith - It is faith and hope in the Lord that quenches the fiery darts of the enemy. The helmet of salvation - knowing that you are saved protects your mind. The sword of the Spirit which is the word of God - Christ defeats His enemies with the sword of His mouth. Do you have His Word in your mouth? With this spiritual armor of God, we are able to withstand evil, and we are equipped to pray in the Spirit for all of the saints.

     The apostle Peter warned that in the last days scoffers would come walking in their own lusts who willingly deny the possibility of judgment. They willingly forget that judgment happened before in the manner of a world-wide flood in which the world perished. This same kind of judgment will come again, not by water this time, but by fire, for the destruction of the ungodly. All of the elements will be consumed in heat until they melt. However, the Lord is not eager to see this day come, but is "long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2 Pet. 3:1-9, excerpt). The Gospel is there for everyone in order to bring hearts to repentance, but some people, being deceived by their own heart, reject it. However, for those who understand that the day of judgment will come suddenly, ought to be of holy conversation and godliness. (v. 10-11).

     Is our eye full of the light of the Lord, or is it full of darkness? Jesus said that no man can serve two masters. We either serve and hold to God, or we serve and hold to the god of the world - mammon (money, wealth, riches, the love of which is the root of all evil). Are we anxious for our physical needs like food and clothing? Jesus said that our Father knows that we have need of these things, so our hope and trust should be in Him. If He provides these things for the smallest life on earth, how much more will He care for us? Do you worry about what tomorrow will bring? Are you worried about what evil is doing? Jesus said: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." (Mt. 6:22-34, excerpt). Worry will destroy your faith, which is your shield. Those who don't know God worry about how they will eat or drink. Seek His kingdom first, which provides everything needed for life and godliness.

     You can know the Lord like this and invite Him into your heart. You can know Him as the forgiver of your sins. America, return to the LORD, seek Him, seek His gracious forgiveness, turn away from darkness and sin. Not only will He forgive you, but the LORD will heal your whole land! (see 2 Chron. 7:14). This is what God is waiting for His people to do.

*Based upon Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson, Jr.'s 4/19/26 message to the church. If you would like to hear the complete message, you can find it on the Facebook page of Kenneth E. Stevenson Jr. Dr. Stevenson's video messages are also found on You Tube at the Kenneth Stevenson channel. To contact or support this ministry, or to request prayer, you can write to PO Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705. To find out more about the Shroud of Turin, which is evidence of Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection, and to receive a free e-book now available in several languages, go to http://www.theshroudofturin.org/freebook. Also the book NAZAH: White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling, written by Dr. Stevenson, is available on Amazon.