The Reckoning: Preparing for the Day of Judgment

Are you ready to stand before Jesus Christ and have your books opened? Photo Credit.

The last generation, our generation, will be judged with the most severity. Why? We have much knowledge, more than any other generation, and with this great knowledge comes great responsibility. In fact, for all who have the knowledge of Christ, in many ways, we will be judged harshest. For whomever much is given, much will be required.

But that's not fair! Ahh, first of all, it is fair because God is the perfect and righteous judge. He is just. Further, according to John 9:39 - 41:

39 Jesus said,[a] “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”
40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?”
41 Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.

This is a deep verse, but I believe the meaning applies to those reading. You are not blind - you do see. So, now that you can see, which guilt in you remains?

In God's complete sense of humor, a song I was just listening to as I wrote this was called "The less I know the better." Yes, that is essentially the truth - we will be judged by what we know and understand, as well as what we do with that knowledge. That is what Jesus Christ was trying to explain to the Pharisees. Hence, this brings me to one of my favorite verses from Ecclesiastes 1:17 - 18:

17 And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind.
18 For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

So, I find it interesting how everyone on my YouTube feed says how they are so ready to "fly" and be "caught up", as if they are perfectly ready for Judgment at this very moment.

I have been fasting and praying and cleansing myself of sins for the past several years, and I still don't feel perfectly ready for Judgment. Yes, I am trying to put a little fear in readers - not fear from Satan but fear from God. The only fear we should ever have is from God, as it is the beginning of all wisdom.

Yes, people fear Satan more than they do God. They sincerely believe God has nothing against them - that they are perfect in His sight and they are about to "lift off" any moment.

Everybody reading should be thankful there is no pre-tribulation rapture, as very, very few would be ready.

Have any of you noticed how much you have suffered since 2020? Why? Because God has been sharpening and refining you. He has been getting you ready. If you haven't been suffering, you may have to ask yourself why, but I find that unlikely for anyone reading this blog.

So, a great reckoning is coming.

I was actually listening to one of my favorite songs by Radiohead called Reckoner while I was out for a run, and that is when the Holy Spirit gave me the words to write this post. Yes, He said I could mention the song. I feel the lyrics are relevant:

Reckoner You can't take it with you
Does it for the pleasure

You are not to blame for
Bittersweet distractors
Dare not speak its name
Dedicated to all hu-
All human beings (all you need)

Because we separate
Like ripples on a black shore
(In rainbows)
Because we separate
Like ripples on a black shore
(In rainbows)

Reckoner
Can't take it with you...
Dedicated to all you...
All you need...

While this post is not going to be an in-depth analysis of a Radiohead song, I always liked the lyrics "Can't take it with you." That's what my mom always said to me. What she meant is that you can only take your soul with you to the grave, and that is what you need to be working on.

You see, the books will be opened:

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.

Believe it or not, there are angels recording your actions, even your intentions, as I understand it. They are recording me writing this post, and they are recording you reading it. You will be held accountable for what you read here, and I will be held accountable for what I have written.

This is serious business, and I do want that fear in you - just a little - for the Lord. Because we need that fear to get clean and to get right with Him.

Look, God is merciful, but on that day of Judgment, I am not taking any chances. When my books are opened, I want Jesus Christ to say these words to me:

"Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!"

You see, there is a reckoning, or calculating, coming based on your life's work. What have you done for Jesus Christ? What are you doing now for Him? You may not be able to change the past, but you can certainly change this moment in time with a prayer.

Dear Father in Heaven, I am sorry for the times I have not served you to my full potential. Please forgive me and show me how to serve you fully in Jesus's name I pray.

I want to warn you - you may not like the answer you receive. For me, God gave me many great shakings and discipline to wake me up. He may do the same for you.

But here's the thing - I would rather deal with some discipline now than face eternity in hell.

To end on a lighter note, if you participated in our recent fast, I want to thank you. This is exactly what you can be doing for God - joining our fasts! One positive update is our brother Jason, who we were praying and fasting for, let me know that our prayers have helped him on many levels. Thank you all for who participated, and when the next one comes around, no excuses for those who didn't join!

Bible Verses Regarding God's Coming Judgment

In prayer recently, God told me to write the following verses down. This was a few days ago, and He told me it would be for a future post. Now I know exactly why He wanted me to record them - He wanted me to tell you what is coming.

First, He started with Psalm 18:20, which is a verse about righteousness. I believe this is where He wants all of us:

The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness;
according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me.

Then, he gave me Genesis 8:11:

And the dove came back to him in the evening, and behold, in her mouth was a freshly plucked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the waters had subsided from the earth.

Note after the flood, they are looking for an "olive leaf", which is a good sign. Olives always have "good" symbolism in the Bible. In these times, God is going to be looking for the freshly plucked "olive leaf." Where does this olive leaf come from? Oh, yes, the olive trees...who are these two olive trees?

Now, I'm not really here to debate whether we are the real two witnesses of the Bible or not. Go to prayer and fasting and ask God who the two witnesses of the Bible are without any preconceived notions. This post isn't going to prove we are or aren't the two witnesses. Rather, I wanted you to consider the importance of the "olive leaf" coming from the olive trees.

There is much to be said about the olive tree in the Bible, and I challenge you to do some research on it. From the link:

The Olive Tree and Righteous Man
The heartiness, ruggedness, and strength of the olive tree made it an ideal symbol of the righteous man – the tzaddik. David said, “But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever” (Psalm 52:8). A green, virile, vigorous olive tree in the house of God represents one who is vigorous and zealous in righteousness, dwelling close to God in fruitful companionship and unity.
Virtue, or righteousness, is likened to fragrant oil. God declares, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments” (Psalm 133:1-2).

In general, we are all to be the olive trees - the righteous men and women. Specifically, the Two Witnesses are THE two olive trees, who represent two righteous people that others should follow in these times. The olive leaf or leaves are plucked from the olive trees, and they gather their oil to prepare for the return of Jesus Christ. They are the "virgins" gathering oil. They don't have to be actual virgins. God is saying they have cleansed themselves are like virgins before Him.

Just to note, I find it interesting many people do not want to believe the Two Witnesses could be one righteous man and one righteous woman, as to parallel the beginning - how Adam and Eve were one unrighteous man and one unrighteous woman who caused the downfall of the world, there would be one righteous man and one righteous woman to help restore the church in the end. The Last Adam and Eve. Wouldn't two righteous people need to represent both men and women? Are women not important to the Bible? : )

Hey, it's just a theory, so don't go crazy on me in the emails. Pray to God and ask.

So, let's get back to the point. God wants us at the very least to be an "olive leaf" to be plucked - a righteous man to be able to stand before Him.

However, He led me to some verses to put a little healthy fear in our hearts following this conclusion. I bolded verses that stood out to me, but as you read, notice the connections. Also, the Holy Spirit requested you actually read all the verses and to study them. In other words, I added a quick interpretation, but it is your duty to study.

Lamentations 1:1-8 The Deserted City

[a]How deserted lies the city,
once so full of people!
How like a widow is she,
who once was great among the nations!
She who was queen among the provinces
has now become a slave.

2 Bitterly she weeps at night,
tears are on her cheeks.
Among all her lovers
there is no one to comfort her.
All her friends have betrayed her;
they have become her enemies.

3 After affliction and harsh labor,
Judah has gone into exile.
She dwells among the nations;
she finds no resting place.
All who pursue her have overtaken her
in the midst of her distress.

4 The roads to Zion mourn,
for no one comes to her appointed festivals.
All her gateways are desolate,
her priests groan,
her young women grieve,
and she is in bitter anguish.

5 Her foes have become her masters;
her enemies are at ease.
The Lord has brought her grief
because of her many sins.
Her children have gone into exile,
captive before the foe.

6 All the splendor has departed
from Daughter Zion.
Her princes are like deer
that find no pasture;
in weakness they have fled
before the pursuer.

7 In the days of her affliction and wandering
Jerusalem remembers all the treasures
that were hers in days of old.
When her people fell into enemy hands,
there was no one to help her.
Her enemies looked at her
and laughed at her destruction.

8 Jerusalem has sinned greatly
and so has become unclean.
All who honored her despise her,
for they have all seen her naked;
she herself groans
and turns away.

I believe God is showing us this is what will happen to Babylon (The US and any country that follows the US). A once great place will become destitute upon His judgments.

Ezekiel 4 - The Siege of Jerusalem

4 “Now, son of man, take a block of clay, put it in front of you and draw the city of Jerusalem on it. 2 Then lay siege to it: Erect siege works against it, build a ramp up to it, set up camps against it and put battering rams around it. 3 Then take an iron pan, place it as an iron wall between you and the city and turn your face toward it. It will be under siege, and you shall besiege it. This will be a sign to the people of Israel.

4 “Then lie on your left side and put the sin of the people of Israel upon yourself.[a] You are to bear their sin for the number of days you lie on your side. 5 I have assigned you the same number of days as the years of their sin. So for 390 days you will bear the sin of the people of Israel.

6 “After you have finished this, lie down again, this time on your right side, and bear the sin of the people of Judah. I have assigned you 40 days, a day for each year. 7 Turn your face toward the siege of Jerusalem and with bared arm prophesy against her. 8 I will tie you up with ropes so that you cannot turn from one side to the other until you have finished the days of your siege.

9 “Take wheat and barley, beans and lentils, millet and spelt; put them in a storage jar and use them to make bread for yourself. You are to eat it during the 390 days you lie on your side. 10 Weigh out twenty shekels[b] of food to eat each day and eat it at set times. 11 Also measure out a sixth of a hin[c] of water and drink it at set times. 12 Eat the food as you would a loaf of barley bread; bake it in the sight of the people, using human excrement for fuel.” 13 The Lord said, “In this way the people of Israel will eat defiled food among the nations where I will drive them.”

14 Then I said, “Not so, Sovereign Lord! I have never defiled myself. From my youth until now I have never eaten anything found dead or torn by wild animals. No impure meat has ever entered my mouth.”

15 “Very well,” he said, “I will let you bake your bread over cow dung instead of human excrement.”

16 He then said to me: “Son of man, I am about to cut off the food supply in Jerusalem. The people will eat rationed food in anxiety and drink rationed water in despair, 17 for food and water will be scarce. They will be appalled at the sight of each other and will waste away because of[d] their sin.

The last verse really stood out to me. I believe the days of rationed food and water are coming.

Amos 3 - Witnesses summoned against Israel

3 Hear this word, people of Israel, the word the Lord has spoken against you—against the whole family I brought up out of Egypt:

2 “You only have I chosen
of all the families of the earth;
therefore I will punish you
for all your sins.”

3 Do two walk together
unless they have agreed to do so? 4 Does a lion roar in the thicket
when it has no prey?
Does it growl in its den
when it has caught nothing? 5 Does a bird swoop down to a trap on the ground
when no bait is there?
Does a trap spring up from the ground
if it has not caught anything? 6 When a trumpet sounds in a city,
do not the people tremble?
When disaster comes to a city,
has not the Lord caused it?

7 Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing
without revealing his plan
to his servants the prophets.

8 The lion has roared—
who will not fear?
The Sovereign Lord has spoken—
who can but prophesy?

9 Proclaim to the fortresses of Ashdod
and to the fortresses of Egypt:
“Assemble yourselves on the mountains of Samaria;
see the great unrest within her
and the oppression among her people.”

10 “They do not know how to do right,” declares the Lord,
“who store up in their fortresses
what they have plundered and looted.”

11 Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says:

“An enemy will overrun your land,
pull down your strongholds
and plunder your fortresses.”

12 This is what the Lord says:

“As a shepherd rescues from the lion’s mouth
only two leg bones or a piece of an ear,
so will the Israelites living in Samaria be rescued,
with only the head of a bed
and a piece of fabric[a] from a couch.[b]”

13 “Hear this and testify against the descendants of Jacob,” declares the Lord, the Lord God Almighty.

14 “On the day I punish Israel for her sins,
I will destroy the altars of Bethel;
the horns of the altar will be cut off
and fall to the ground. 15 I will tear down the winter house
along with the summer house;
the houses adorned with ivory will be destroyed
and the mansions will be demolished,”
declares the Lord.

Here we go with those witnesses again! These witnesses are testifying against Israel. I believe anyone reading this blog and supporting what we say serves as part of this group of witnesses. Are you not crying out to God for justice? Are you not praying for His coming?!

Isaiah 48 - Stubborn Israel (No Peace for the Wicked)

Stubborn Israel

48 “Listen to this, you descendants of Jacob,
you who are called by the name of Israel
and come from the line of Judah,
you who take oaths in the name of the Lord
and invoke the God of Israel—
but not in truth or righteousness— 2 you who call yourselves citizens of the holy city
and claim to rely on the God of Israel—
the Lord Almighty is his name: 3 I foretold the former things long ago,
my mouth announced them and I made them known;
then suddenly I acted, and they came to pass. 4 For I knew how stubborn you were;
your neck muscles were iron,
your forehead was bronze. 5 Therefore I told you these things long ago;
before they happened I announced them to you
so that you could not say,
‘My images brought them about;
my wooden image and metal god ordained them.’ 6 You have heard these things; look at them all.
Will you not admit them?

“From now on I will tell you of new things,
of hidden things unknown to you. 7 They are created now, and not long ago;
you have not heard of them before today.
So you cannot say,
‘Yes, I knew of them.’ 8 You have neither heard nor understood;
from of old your ears have not been open.
Well do I know how treacherous you are;
you were called a rebel from birth. 9 For my own name’s sake I delay my wrath;
for the sake of my praise I hold it back from you,
so as not to destroy you completely. 10 See, I have refined you, though not as silver;
I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. 11 For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this.
How can I let myself be defamed?
I will not yield my glory to another.

Israel Freed

12 “Listen to me, Jacob,
Israel, whom I have called:
I am he;
I am the first and I am the last. 13 My own hand laid the foundations of the earth,
and my right hand spread out the heavens;
when I summon them,
they all stand up together.

14 “Come together, all of you, and listen:
Which of the idols has foretold these things?
The Lord’s chosen ally
will carry out his purpose against Babylon;
his arm will be against the Babylonians.[a] 15 I, even I, have spoken;
yes, I have called him.
I will bring him,
and he will succeed in his mission.

16 “Come near me and listen to this:

“From the first announcement I have not spoken in secret;
at the time it happens, I am there.”

And now the Sovereign Lord has sent me,
endowed with his Spirit.

17 This is what the Lord says—
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the Lord your God,
who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go. 18 If only you had paid attention to my commands,
your peace would have been like a river,
your well-being like the waves of the sea. 19 Your descendants would have been like the sand,
your children like its numberless grains;
their name would never be blotted out
nor destroyed from before me.”

20 Leave Babylon,
flee from the Babylonians!
Announce this with shouts of joy
and proclaim it.
Send it out to the ends of the earth;
say, “The Lord has redeemed his servant Jacob.” 21 They did not thirst when he led them through the deserts;
he made water flow for them from the rock;
he split the rock
and water gushed out.

22 “There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.”

Conclusion

I think that last verse summarizes the point of this post. Will you join the righteous or the wicked? There is no in between. There is no fence sitting.

Now is the time to get right with God.

Do not wait for the great shaking because by then it may be too late. Repent - and CHANGE today.

God bless you all in the name of Jesus Christ.

- Witness 2