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Preparing for the coming of our Lord

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 

1 Peter 1:13-22

Peter tells us to avoid being intoxicated by the world. We discussed how people who are drunk on alcohol are not clear-minded, they stumble around and don't make sense. Instead of being drunk, Peter encourages us to be sober and set our hope on the revelation of Jesus Christ. Jesus will return soon! Avoid all lust, including lust for food, for the belongings of others, lust of men or women, and any other lust. Instead, be holy because He is holy. Be holy on your taxes. Be holy in all you do. Verse 22 tells us true love comes from a pure heart. Our love for others is an indication of the purity of our heart.

We are being tested because He will return soon. God is testing us, not to fail us, but to pass us.

James 1:12-14 tells us there is a blessing for enduring temptation, and enduring temptation demonstrates our love for Jesus. This is because God is not tempted by sin and He doesn't temp any person. We are drawn away by our own lusts. If we can protect our minds, we can stay out of anything.

Lust conceives sin and sin births out death. Lust, left unchecked, will kill you. After killing your body, it takes your soul to Hell.

The stages of sin:

Conviction (that voice that tells you not to do it) > Choice (repent or sin)

Choosing sin over and over sears your conscience so you don't hear that voice anymore. 

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared,

1 Timothy 4:1-2

After a period of time, if there is not repentance, your mind becomes reprobate or "given over" to that thing. This is final.

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Romans 1:28

God wants us, even at the seat of Satan, and to remain without spot of blemish. We are to be salt and light in the world. 

 

The Days of Noah
The Coming of Jesus Christ

Life before the Flood

As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

Matthew 24:37-39

1. Population explosion: Adam lived 930 years and had plenty of time to procreate. Estimated at several million people at least. (Genesis 5). We have had a population explosion over the last 200 years due to scientific advances.

2. Gross sexual perversion: angels and people started procreating to create a hybrid race called the Nephilim, or the giants. (Genesis 6:1-4). We now have a country steeped in sexual perversion.

3. Increase in demonic activity: (Genesis 6:1-4) witchcraft is in everything. For example, the Travis Scott concert was a human sacrifice. People walked in through a demonic portal and were trampled trying to get out. People who had no biblical background acknowleged Satan's presence and hearing voices. Other examples are Harry Potter and Pokemon.

4. Constant evil in the heart of man: (Genesis 6:5) not only sinning, but constantly inventing new ways to sin. Rap and the music industry introduces people to new evils. This is how hooka bars and demonic slang such as 'demon time' become a part of the culture.