ARE YOU GAMBLING WITH YOUR LIFE?
by:  Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.

    click to Read Chapters 1 to 6 - Gambling with your life

CHAPTER 7:

THE SIN AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST

Some misinformed and misled people say Judas was a "devil" - let me ask you a question. Can a devil cast out a devil? Jesus said, definitely NOT! When the Pharisees, who were hypocrites, tried to accuse the Lord Jesus Christ they said he was healing the sick and casting out devils by the power of the devil. Jesus answered that if the devil fought against himself he would have an end. Jesus proved positively that healing the sick and casting out devils is by the finger of God or Spirit of God (Luke 11:20); (Matthew 12:28).

Jesus proved that healing sick and casting out devils could not possibly be attributed to the work of evil spirits. (Mark 3:22-27) "And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils. And he called them unto him and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, be cannot stand, but hath an end. No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and then he will spoil his house." 

Here is conclusive proof from the lips of "Our Master" Himself that a devil "cannot cast out a devil." Furthermore Jesus declared casting out a devil is done by the Spirit of God (Matthew 12:28). Also, Jesus said that the devil came for only 3 reasons: to steal, to kill and destroy and the devil cannot do good - but only evil."

The thief (devil) cometh not, but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy; I am come that they might have life, and they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10) Also in Matthew 7:16-18, Jesus declared. "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit:   Again here is conclusive proof that the devil who is rotten, evil and wicked good not possibly do anything that is good. Healing the sick is classified in God’s Word as "Doing Good." 

Are you not glad we do not have to listen to biased, unlearned and stubborn headed teachers who twist and pervert God’s truth? We can go to the Bible, God’s storehouse, for the answer: turn with me to Acts 10:38 for the answer, "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were suppressed of the devil; for God was with him."

I would also take this opportunity to warn everyone reading these words, against the sin of Blaspheming the Holy Ghost. When the Pharisees and hypocrites had accused Jesus of working miracles and casting out devils by the power of Beelzebub, (Satan) Jesus not only proved that Satan could never cast out Satan, but He also warned of the unpardonable sin - "Blaspheming the Holy Ghost."

I have heard preachers who say the "Unpardonable sin" is rejected Christ. THIS IS NONSENSE, because anyone knows that if you reject Christ long enough and die in your sins, you will go to a Christ less eternity,. Those preachers have not read their Bibles or they wouldn’t make such statements.

The book of Mark 3:30 gives the answers. "Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit." Why did Jesus tie in the Sin of Blaspheming the Holy Ghost with the fact that they said, "He casteth out devils by Beelzubub (Satan)"? Because Jesus Christ performed the miracles and cast out devils by the Spirit of God. After Jesus Christ had been baptized in the River Jordon and the Blessed Holy Ghost descended upon Him. He was driven by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness where He was tempted of the devil and where Jesus Christ overcame Satan. (Matthew 4:1-10), (Mark 1:12-13).

The Scripture tells us that after this experience, JESUS RETURNED IN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT (The Holy Ghost) and great fame went out to Him because of the miracles He did. (Luke 4:14) It was by the Holy Ghost that Jesus performed the miracles, healed the sick and cast out devils. When the Pharisees (hypocrites) said Jesus cast out devils by Beelzubub (Satan) they were calling the Holy Ghost "The Devil." This was the sin of Blaspheming the Holy Ghost. What could be more wicked and sinful than to call the blessed, tender, loving, pure and righteous Spirit of God (The Holy Ghost) a devil? - But you ask, can that really be?

Well, here it is - Because they said, He (Jesus) hath an unclean spirit, they called the Holy Ghost "a devil" - this is the Sin of Blaspheming the Holy Ghost. Today when religious people say that miracles and healings are wrought and demons are cast out by the power of the devil they are saying the Holy Ghost (who does the miracles and by whose power we cast out devils) is an unclean spirit. 

People who way "Speaking in tongues is from the devil" are blaspheming the Holy Ghost. It is Jesus Christ who fills us with the Holy Ghost and it is the Holy Ghost (Spirit of God) who causes us to speak in tongues to glorify and magnify God - "As the spirit gave then utterance." (Acts 2:4); (John 16:14); (Acts 10:46)

It would almost have to be a religious person who blasphemes the Holy Ghost - I have worked among hundreds of raw, ungodly sinners and have never heard any of them blaspheme the Holy Ghost in their cursing and swearing - they have always taken the name of Lord God Almighty or the Lord Jesus Christ, in vain, it has never been the Name of the Blessed Holy Ghost - most sinners know nothing about the Holy Ghost, to blaspheme His Name. It was not the down and out sinners in Jesus day who blasphemed the holy Ghost, but it was the religious hypocrites and Pharisees.

The Bible says if you commit sin against the Father or against the Son of God may be forgiven, but if you blaspheme against the Holy Ghost (calling Him a devil) there is no forgiveness in this world or in the world to come. (Matthew 12:32) I warn you to reverence the Holy Ghost and not to commit this unforgivable sin. If you have committed it in error, not realizing the consequences, then cry out for mercy, confessing your sin to God, telling him you did it in ignorance, and I am sure God will forgive you, and He will understand.

Are You Gambling with your life?

CHAPTER 8:

JUDAS HAD A MINISTRY

COMING BACK TO JUDAS;  But, you say, are you sure that Judas actually had the power to cast out devils in the Name of the Lord?

Definitely!  Turn to Matthew 10:1-8 where it says, "And when he had called upon him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.  Now the names of the twelve apostles are these:  The first Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother;  James the son of Zebedes, and John his brother; Phillip; and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, who surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, "Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The Kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." 

Here we see that Jesus gave Judas power and commissioned him to heal the sick and cast out devils together with the other disciples.

 Also in Luke 9:1 we read, "Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases." 

In Luke 9:6 the Scripture says, "And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere."" Praise the Lord! Also in Mark 6:7 the Sacred record says, "And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits."

Jesus gave His twelve disciples (Judas included) power over unclean spirits and to heal diseases and sicknesses, then he commissioned them and sent them out. 

In Mark 6:12-13 we see what happened, "And they went out and preached that men should repent. And they cast out devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them." 

Here we have conclusive proof that Judas Iscariot was not "a devil from the beginning" but rather that he was a believer and follower of Jesus Christ who had received power from Jesus Himself to heal the sick and cast out devils and preach repentance, which he did with much success. Judas was a trusted disciple who was tempted and gave in to the temptation of greed, covetousness and the love of money, which trapped him and pierced him through. (I Timothy 6:10) "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." 

The devil entered into him because of his sin. He then became a tool in the hand of Satan, betrayed the Lord Jesus Christ, realized his mistake (but did not ask Christ for forgiveness), hung himself and went to Hell. (Acts 1:25)

The following scripture fits his picture perfectly.  Matthew 7:22 says, "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess to them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." 

Judas Iscariot was a man of God and was used of God in doing these great miracles, yet he went Lost. Oh how terrible, but yet how true. How we need to live close to God and not backslide or compromise with the world.

The Scriptures bear me out further on this. In Ezekiel 16:21-24 we read, "But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? said the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committed iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die."

Here God says if a wicked man will repent of his sins and forsake them, God will not remember his sins but will forgive them and he will be saved; however, if a righteous man (who already had received God’s forgiveness and blessing) turns from his righteousness, forsakes God and does wickedly - God says He will forget all the good and righteous deeds this man has done and he will stand before God as a sinner. 

As God forgives the sinner when he repents and forgets his sin (Hebrews 10:17), (Jeremiah 31:34), so God also forgets the righteousness that the righteous man has done - he remembers them no more after he has turned from God!   When that man stands before God for judgment, God will have forgotten the past righteousness the man has done, and he will stand before God as a complete stranger to the Lord. No wonder Jesus said, "The Lord will say I never knew you, depart from me ye that work iniquity." (Matthew 7:22)

Further, on the subject of Jesus’ words concerning Judas, let us consider one more example in the Holy Scriptures: Here Jesus speaks to Peter in a rebuke, "But He (Jesus) turned and said unto Peter, get thee behind me Satan: thou art an offense unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men." (Matthew 16:23) 

Jesus definitely called Peter "Satan." Was Peter "Satan", or was he Peter? No one would dare to say that Peter was not a saved man whom God used to bring many to the saving and healing knowledge of our Lord Jesus - Peter had just received the revelation from God that every sinner must make if he is saved, when he confessed to Jesus and said, "Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:16) 

Just a little further we find Jesus rebuking Peter for a statement he made which was against God’s plan, purpose and will, but certainly quite a natural thought. WHAT WAS IT? Was Peter "Satan" or was he Peter? It was the spirit of Satan that had motivated Peter to make the statement which was against God’s will and plan. The same words are used in Mark 8:33. The explanation comes in Luke 9:55. "But he turned and rebuked them and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of."

So now you can see how absolutely ridiculous is the claim that Judas was a devil from the beginning. Thank God for His word! Oh let us take a lesson from the life of the man who knew God’s power but chose rather the way of the flesh, Judas was a man who gambled with his soul and lost.

Are You Gambling with your life?

CHAPTER 9:

ALMOST PERSUADED:
FOR CHRIST

"Almost persuaded now to believe, almost persuaded CHRIST to receive.  Seems now some should to say - go spirit, go thy way - some more convenient day on Thee I'll call.  Almost persuaded, harvest is past, almost persuaded doom comes at last.  Almost will not avail - almost is but to fail - sad, sad, the bitter wail - ALMOST - but lost."

"Then Agrippa said unto Paul, almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." (Acts 26:28)

The above words were the saddest words a king could ever have spoken - to be so near the Kingdom of God and yet so far away because the last step was not taken - the step of accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. The apostle Paul must have felt very sad when king Agrippa walked out into the darkness of his heathen and sinful world without going all the say with Jesus.

While in prison, the apostle Paul had the opportunity of witnessing to many great and mighty men among which was one, King Agrippa. After Paul had shared with King Agrippa the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ and how it had transformed his life, King Agrippa said unto Paul, "Almost thou persuaded me to be a Christian." King Agrippa then walked out of Paul’s life never ever to call on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. We have no record of him ever confessing his faith in Jesus Christ. Today, after 1900 years in eternity, King Agrippa no doubt still remembers how foolish he was to gamble with his soul. In the darkness of Hell today, no doubt he is still screaming, "Why, why, why was I so absolutely stupid and foolish?" King Agrippa knew he should accept Christ, but why didn’t he? Why?

No doubt King Agrippa should have accepted Christ but he didn’t. No doubt his foolish pride prevented him, or his dead heathen religion may have stopped him or it may have been the demons of chance that said, "You have lots of time, another day will be better - think it over for awhile." Paul knew that this was King Agrippa’s great opportunity and so sorrowfully he said, "I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds." (Acts 26:29)

Listen to me, my sinner friend, as you read these lines - DO NOT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE - DO NOT follow the same road as King Agrippa. DO NOT neglect your opportunity to be saved while you have the chance. Remember God’s Words says, "Wherefore as the Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness." (Hebrews 3:7-8) Also in II Corinthians 6:2 we read, "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." There is also a very stiff warning that goes along with the INVITATION to accept Christ. There will come a time, when there no longer will be opportunity to be saved, for when God’s love is spurned and rejected, there is nothing left but judgment.

God warns in Genesis 6:3, "My spirit shall not always strive with man", and also in Proverbs 29:1 the warning comes loud and clear again, "He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."

Are You Gambling with your life?

CHAPTER 10:

A MORE CONVENIENT
SEASON

There is no better time to be saved than RIGHT NOW as you read this message.  To hesitate or procrastinate could mean your soul's damnation.  Procrastination is the thief of time and remember your decision will determine your destiny for all eternity!

There was another man that Paul spoke to about the Lord Jesus Christ while in Caesarea.  This man was Felix the Governor - the scripture gives us the exact account of this meeting. "And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning his faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season I will call for thee." (Acts 24:24-25)

The scripture tells us that the Governor actually trembled with conviction for his sins when Paul preached to him. Notice Paul did not give him a sweet bedtime story, but he literally rocked Governor Felix into conviction by preaching to him about righteousness, temperance and judgment to come. Oh God - today give us preachers who are not afraid to preach the truth as found in God’s Word.

Here is the said part of this story, however. Even though Governor Felix was so moved by the spirit of God - he did not repent of his sins and accept Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. Foolishly he said, "When I have a convenient season, I will call for thee."

There is no record that he ever accepted Christ. Oh how said - and now over 1900 years later, he is still in Hell, a lost soul forever! No doubt both Felix and King Agrippa have talked together throughout the long years in their Eternal Home of Doom about the utter, absolute and ridiculous stupidity of their rejection of Jesus Christ and the way they gambled with their souls.

Oh sinner, there is no better time than right now to be saved for all time and eternity.

MANY GAMBLE WITH LIQUOR AND NARCOTICS

During the last few years, the liquor consumed that rapidly increased with more and more alcoholics dying each year. These people begin by social drinking and years later end up as hopeless drunkards. The world has dressed up the word drunkards to alcoholics, but the Bible is plain when it speaks of drunkards and their place in a Devil’s Hell throughout eternity unless they repent and turn to God. (1 Corinthians 6:9:10) (Galatians 5:21)

Millions of others gamble with cigarettes and end up as hopeless tobacco slaves with chronic coughs, tuberculosis, heart trouble and lung cancer. Thousands die each year from lung cancer because they gambled with cigarettes and lost.

What a tragedy that millions of enlightened, educated and civilized people should become slaves to such hazardous, body destroying and soul damning habits as these. My warning to every tobacco, narcotic and liquor user is this:

Repent of your evil and obnoxious ways, call upon the Name of the Lord for forgiveness and pardon. In return the Lord will liberate you from the powers of these evil practices. If you continue in your sin and are gambling with your life and soul, you will lose in the end.

NOT TONIGHT GEORGE, TOMORROW NIGHT

Many years ago the late George Truitt, who was a great soul winner for Jesus and an outstanding Evangelist, told the following story.

When he was a young lad of about 14 years of age, George attended a revival meeting one night with a young friend of about the same age. When the alter call was given, a number of people went forward to the mourners bench to give their hearts to Jesus. George Truitt was one of those who went forward to accept Christ.

The next night, George urged his friend, Jim to also come to the alter to be saved. Jim was deeply under conviction, but he didn’t respond to the invitation. The third night the Holy Spirit worked in a wonderful way again, and a great conviction came on Jim as the alter call was given. He sat there with tears in his eyes and wept as George sat right next to him, urging him to go forward.

Jim did not go forward and as he got up to leave he turned to George and whispered, "Not tonight George, tomorrow night; not tonight, tomorrow night I’ll give my life to Jesus."

The next day in school George Truitt noticed that his friend Jim was absent. After school George ran to Jim’s house to see him. Jim’s mother met George at the door with the sad news. Jim was delirious and the doctor had given orders for him to be in a quiet dark room until he got better. As George tiptoed into the room, he heard Jim moaning over and over again in his delirious state, "Not tonight George, tomorrow night; not tonight George, tomorrow night I’ll get saved."

For 9 days Jim lived in this delirious state until he slipped into eternity and went out to meet his Maker. many times during those 9 days before his death, Jim would moan out the words, "Not tonight George, tomorrow night, not tonight; I’ll get saved tomorrow night."

On the night of Jim’s death, as George kneeled at his side praying for him, Jim repeated those same words and died. This event shock George Truitt so badly that it helped shape his life into becoming an evangelist for Jesus Christ and becoming a soul winner for Jesus. George Truitt used this story to win countless souls to Jesus, but at the same time his friend Jim is a lost soul in eternity forever.

Dear sinner, backslider and hypocrite, please take this opportunity to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour today. Please kneel by your bedside or chair and pray this prayer to God, from your heart right now:

Dear God Almighty, in the name of Jesus Christ thy son, I come to Thee now and ask for your mercy in my life. I am sorry for all my sins which I have committed against Thee and my fellowman. Please forgive me and wash my sins away with the Precious Blood of Jesus. I believe that the Bible is God’s Word and that Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God. I believe Jesus Christ died on the cross for me and rose again from the dead and is alive forevermore. Be merciful to be a sinner, Oh God, please save my lost soul right now. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Now - lift your hands towards heaven in praise and thanksgiving - than God for His forgiveness and free salvation. Go out as a living testimony to a dying world and tell your family, your friends, co-workers about Jesus Christ and his wonderful love. 

Make sure to join a full Gospel church where they believe all of God’s Word. Join a church where they believe in the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and speaking in tongues, a church where they believe in Water Baptism, by immersion for believers. Surround yourselves with people who live a Godly life, a clean and separated life of Holiness unto God and are zealous to win souls for Jesus Christ out Lord. Don’t ever be ashamed of Jesus, but confess His Name to those you deal with in your daily life. Amen.

"And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whatsoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever shall save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the world , and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father and the holy angels." (Mark 8:34-38)

"And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? 

For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, or him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels. (Luke 9:23-26)

Are You Gambling with your life?

CHAPTER 11:

THESE ARE THE LAST DAYS

One could rightly describe the days in which we live as perilous, troublesome, momentous, wicked, awesome, eventful, history making and prophetic.  The days in which we live are trying days full of fear, presidiums and sadness for many; for the true Christian however, these days should be days of anticipation, expectation, joy and hope as we think of the soon return of our Lord.

Time marches on, no one able to stop it, and with it marches prophecy - marching on to the fulfillment of that prophecy.

As we read the daily newspapers, we find that today is like reading from the Books of the Prophets in the Bible. David, Ezekiel, Isaiah and many of the other prophets of the Old Testament many years ago, together with the apostles in the New Testament, foretold the events which are happening around us now. Any student of the Bible surely can see the handwriting on the wall in regard to the wickedness of mankind. It is obvious that time is short, that the second coming of Christ and the Judgment Day are approaching soon.

The Bible tells us that in the end times, "Men’s hearts will fail them for fear, and for looking for those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken." (Luke 21:26) The Scripture tell us in the preceding verse some of the reasons that men’s hearts shall fail them - "There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring."

Certainly we see all these things happening about us today, and even more will take place as we come nearer to the end. Regardless of how dark the picture looks, we who know the Lord Jesus Christ, and are filled with the holy Ghost, do not frighten easily because of our belief in Him and the Holy Word of God. This together with our unshakable hope of the soon and glorious appearing of our Blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ keeps us from being fearful of what is to come.

A GREAT PRIVILEGE AND RESPONSIBILITY

I believe it is a God given opportunity and a great privilege to be alive in the midnight hour of this closing generation of the Grace of God upon the earth. What an opportunity, what a privilege and what a responsibility is ours to bring the glorious message of a Risen and Living Saviour to the ends of the earth. What a tremendous responsibility is our since we have so much light from God and so many open doors into which we can go with this message of life. We must not falter; we dare not fail, we cannot ignore the pleas from the hungry and thirsty souls who are begging us to come over and help them, before it is too late. May God supply the need so that we can give ourselves freely in Gospel Crusades, in Radio Broadcasting and in the printing of millions of pieces of literature to ship around the world to the lost and dying.

WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR GENERATION

We are not responsible for the generation of our fathers or for a future generation (should Christ tarry) - we are responsible for the people who are alive today. We must reach them with the Gospel message before it is too late. Will you write me a letter assuring me of your prayers and continued sacrificial support to help evangelize the people of this world?

I AM THRILLED

I am absolutely thrilled at the prospect of the great things which are in store for us who are servants of the living God, daring to believe the entirety of His Word, in this awful generation.

I thank God with all my heart, soul and spirit that He has seen fit to save my wretched soul, baptize me with his divine Holy Spirit and divinely call me into His ministry. My heart is filled and my soul is thrilled to know that He cares for me, that he loves me and desires to use me. Hallelujah. Also, on the other side of the ledger, I am happy to report that I am also anxious to do the work of the Lord and to allow Him to lead and direct me into areas and avenues where He would want me to go. My prayer for the past 12 years has been, and still is, "Here I am Lord, send me!" Please pray for me that I may ever stay in the center of his will.

THE LAST DAYS

Jesus in Matthew 24:32-34,  "Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh; So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled." 

Also, in Luke 21:24-32 the Bible says, "And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive unto all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars: and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then they shall see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. And he spake to them in a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled."

Jesus Christ in these passages spoke of the budding of the fig tree and of the last generation of the Grace of God upon this earth. All Bible scholars who believe the Scriptures agree that the budding of the fig tree was definitely the return of the Jew to Israel and the rebirth of Israel in 1948, after nearly 2000 years of exile. When Prime Minister David Ben Gurion hoisted the Israeli flag and read the Declaration of Independence of the Sovereign Free State of Israel in the Art Museum in Tel Aviv May 14, 1948 at 4:00 p.m.

I am convinced that at that moment God ushered in the final generation of the Grace of God upon the earth and that Jesus Christ will come again sometime within this last generation.

PERILOUS DAYS - THE LAST DAYS

The Scripture tells us that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2 Timothy 3:1) This certainly is a picture of this generation. These are treacherously dangerous and perilous times - murder, rape, violence and crime stalk the streets of our cities as nuclear stations stand ready to pull the trigger that would begin a 3rd world war and could bring death to a multiplied millions the world over.

MOMENTOUS DAYS

This world stands on a powder keg - almost anything could topple the scales in the wrong direction. Almost hourly, and definitely daily - new protests, demonstrations, riots and insurrections are taking place around the world. The world awaits and watches breathlessly hour by hour and moment by moment for fresh news of violence and bloodshed.

WICKED DAYS

The days in which we are living are wicked days. Gross immorality and sex perversion has taken a tremendous toll of young lives in this present civilization. Our western civilization is being demoralized to the extent that many of our young people have no will to work, no desire to achieve worthwhile goals, no initiative to help themselves or their fellowman. People have lost respect for themselves, their parents, governmental authority and even God Almighty. Many of the modern day hippies and beatniks have no will to day anything useful, but have instead become demoralized human beings too lazy to work, wash, shave or even keep clean. They have become slaves to LSD, marijuana, heroin, liquor and illusive, demon inspired and perverted thoughts.

I have heard reports that is Russia there is no pornographic literature available on the news stands, but billboards advertising how foolish it is to be intoxicated. One billboard carried the following:

On the billboard was a picture of a drunken man with an empty bottle in his hand and the caption "DON’T BE A FOOL". They will not allow pornographic literature on the news stands and yet I am told that it is the Communist dollar that keeps the pornographic filth flowing into news stands in the U.S. and the free world. They know that if they can demoralize us, they will conquer us easily because we, by our demoralization and corruption will defeat ourselves.

Remember the great Empires of Greece and Rome and how they fell because of moral corruption. Look at how England is falling, and falling fast, because of her sin - the U.S.A. and Canada are close behind. Oh, God help us.

THESE ARE TRAGIC DAYS

Not only do we have wickedness and sinfulness in the world today that is unprecedented in other generation, but we have a double barrel evil day here with the sins of the Antediluvian age (days of Noah) and also the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah (Luke 17:26-30). The days were are living in are tragic with things happening that bring great suffering, pain, anguish and sorrow to many people.

On the domestic scene we have the tragedy of broken homes, divorce and remarriage, with children left to shift for themselves. We have the tragedy of little children being assaulted and raped by demon possessed perverts and sadists. Women are regularly strangled, raped and murdered. Entire families are murdered by people who have given their minds over to the evil spirits. These evil spirits compel people to rape and kill and destroy. We are also seeing drastic increases in drug addiction and suicides.

In the political field we see the tragedy of assassination of character by the press media. We see the brainwashing of people by the television and newspaper media. Many good men have had their reputations ruined and had to resign due to the media taking stories and twisting them to influence the public. 

This generation has seen the hand of Satan at work through a Marxist with the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1964, and again, no doubt through other Communists, in the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King and Robert F. Kennedy. No one but a Communist or demon inspired person would kill Martin Luther King, realizing full well the terrible repercussions this would have upon the Negro population of the USA. Anyone ready the news reports concerning the damage inflicted in lives and property would definitely say the assassination of Martin Luther King must have been planned.

WE ARE LIVING IN PROPHETIC DAYS

God has His hand on all things and I believe everything that has happened was for a purpose and according to God’s plan.

America has forsaken God and must reap because of her iniquities. America has sown and now she is reaping and there will be more of this harvest unless she repents and returns to God. God has a Divine plan and the events occurring are all according to God’s Divine plan. History is being made and prophecy is being fulfilled before our very eyes.

Each event, tragedy and fulfilled prophecy point us again to the IMMINENT SOON return of the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven to rapture the Church. In the Holy Scriptures we read in Revelation 22:17, "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come, and let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whatsoever will, let him take the water of life freely."

My urgent message to you today is to prepare to meet your Maker. We are living in the very last days and soon we will see Him as He is - we who are Christians must labor and work to win others to Christ before the darkness falls upon the earth and God closes things down for the night. In John 9:4 Jesus said, "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work."

In John 4:34-35 Jesus said, "Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white ready to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together."

Surely we are living in the very last days. As we look around us we see the rising tide of Red Communism engulfing millions of people. We see the darkening clouds of apostasy, false religion and people backsliding. We see lukewarm church members hovering low, while crimes, racism, violence and strife increases everywhere. When we look into the Bible, God’s Holy Word, we read, "Lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." (Luke 21:28)

I want to ask you one question before I bring this message to a close.  Are your sins washed away or are you a sinner on the broad road that leads to hell and separation from God?  Please stop long enough in your pursuit of pleasure, wealth and fame and begin to think. Think for a few minutes about Eternity, the destiny of your soul and the love of God that sent Jesus Christ to die for you on the cross of Calvary so many years ago.

Please accept Jesus Christ today as your personal Saviour and your name will be written down in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 20:15). Here are the words of invitation from your Lord Himself: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

Are You Gambling with your life?

CHAPTER 12:

THE END OF ALL THINGS
IS AT HAND

"But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer."

1900 years ago, the Apostle Peter, under the unction of the Holy Ghost wrote the staggering words which I am using as the title for this message. In this 20th century, these words still burn as brightly and even more brightly than they did then, We are now over 1900 years closer to the End Time and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. As I read and study the precious truths a surge of excitement goes through my being, when I realize we are on the very threshold of the Rapture of the Church and Christ’s return.

Oh how thankful I am to God today that I am alive today in this great time upon the earth. How thankful I am to God that I am saved, filled with the Holy Ghost and ready for the great, long awaited moment when the trumpet of God shall sound and the dead in Christ shall rise and we shall see Jesus as He is (1 Thessalonians 4:16)

Every time I think about the return of Jesus Christ in the Rapture of the Church my heart is thrilled and my soul is aflame with thankfulness to God. I was so privileged and thankful that God is allowing me to be His and for the privilege of serving Him.

I often say that I have read and preached so much about Jesus, I have prayed so much to Him and I have seen so many miracles and witnessed so many people accept Him as Lord and Savior, that I am anxious to see Him IN PERSON. I am excited about Jesus and enthused about His Soon Coming. There’s a song we like to sing - it goes like this, "This old world will never hold me, any moment I’ll be gone, for I’ve made my consecration, and I have my wedding garments on."

Praise God. I know that I’m ready to go; I am prepared and I want to stay that way until I see Jesus face to face. I’ve often said, "If I miss anything else in life, I do not want to miss the Rapture." I made up my mind years ago when I was converted, that I was going to make the Rapture with God’s help and by His Grace. Hallelujah.

A SOLEMN MESSAGE

The Apostle Peter preached much about the Rapture of the Church and the end of the world. The other early Church writers also did the same, they lived in a great expectancy to see His return, even in their times, or shortly after. Their hearts and souls burned with the message of Jesus: His Crucifixion, Resurrection and Soon Coming.

Whenever the early Church writers mentioned His coming, it was always coupled with the warning of its suddenness and the finality of all things. In my Scripture text the Apostle Peter not only talks about the "End of all things", but he admonishes the Christians to be prepared for the end. He therefore warns, "Be ye therefore sober and watch unto prayer." In other words, each Christian is to realize the seriousness of the hour in which he lives and be in prayer so that he will not become ensnared with the things of the world and miss the Rapture of the Church. Peter goes on to talk about "Fervent Charity" or real God-given love and hospitality which Christians should have towards one another.

When I first began to study this portion of Scripture it absolutely stirred my soul to the very core and shook me to the foundations. It was so deep and mighty; it was so colossal in its dimensions of finality and absoluteness that I began to hungrily check and study further on this subject, and came up with many equally astounding and staggering facts. In this message I will share them with you.

WILL THERE REALLY COME AN END TO THIS EARTH?

The Apostle Peter said, "The end of all things is at hand." What did he mean? I prayed to God and I received an answer immediately. He meant exactly what He said and had written exactly what He knew to be truth. The Holy Spirit moved upon Peter and all the writers of the Old and New Testaments and they wrote as they were directed by God.
(2 Peter 1:21) The Holy Spirit has no speech problem so I am sure Peter gave the exact message God had laid on his heart.

According to this Scripture there will come a day when all things will come to an end. There will be an end of the Grace and Mercy of God towards sinners; there will be an end to the day of opportunity to be saved; there will come an end of civilization; and end to the earth; to life itself, and to the world we live in. Peter said, "The end of all things is at hand."

Again we read in 2 Peter 3:10-12, "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with such fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons aught ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness. Looking for and hasting unto the coming day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat."

Here it is: the heavens shall pass away, the elements shall melt and the earth shall burn up. Then Peter continues, that since this will soon take place we should walk in godliness and holiness, looking for, anticipating and longing for that day.

Everywhere the early Church fathers preached about the Second Coming and the End of the World, they admonished the Christians to live holy and godly and be prepared for His Coming. The Scripture also tells us in (II John 3:2-3), "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."

It goes without saying that wherever Christians have a strong belief in the Soon Coming of Christ, and where the pastors preach it fervently, there will also be a clean assembly and a soul winning church. As I studied further, I found out that the Apostle John had the same message. Here it is: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of they eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. Little children, it is the LAST TIME." (1 John 2:15-18).

The Apostle Peter declared, "The end of all things is at hand" and he admonished the Christians to live a clean pure life in view of that fact, and here John the Apostle does the very same. Let us examine his words: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him." Those were very strong words indeed. If anyone loved the things of the world, then the love of God did not exist in his soul. How could a person be a Christian and not possess God’s love? That would be impossible. Let us turn to (James 4:4) to see what the Scriptures have to say further on this subject. "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world in enmity with God? Whatsoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." An enemy of God is not saved. May God help us to keep our lives and minds clean and pure, filled with the Word of God and the Spirit of God. Then John the Apostle goes on to say, "It is the last time."

THE LORD IS AT HAND

I now had discovered what the Holy Spirit had spoken through Peter and John regarding the subject. Excitedly I turned to Paul’s writing to see what he would say about the matter. To my joy I discovered that he too was on the same wave length and the faithful and true Holy Spirit anointed him to deliver the same message. Here it is: "Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand." (Philippians 4:5) Here again is the Holiness Message coupled with the message of the End of the World and the Soon Coming of Jesus. "Let your moderation be known unto all men", Paul writes. In other words, be moderate in all things; be not given to excesses; be temperate in our living; do not carry on in the excessive sinful living of the carnal man, but be a spiritual people. "Let your light so shine before men", Jesus said, "that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16) Here Paul says to let all men know about your moderation; let everyone know that you are a Christian; take a public stand for Jesus Christ; do not hide your light but let it shine, because the Lord is at hand. The Apostle Peter writes, "The end of all things is at hand." The Apostle John writes, "Little children it is the last time" and here Paul writes, "The Lord is at hand". The consistency of the Scriptures, the works of the Holy Spirit is certainly a marvel.

THE TIME IS AT HAND

Do you want to meet Jesus in the air when he comes? Do you want to be in that great number in the Marriage Supper of the Lamb? Do you want to be ready to stand before God?

Then right now, prepare to meet God. (Amos 4:12) Set your house in order today. (II Kings 20:1) Repent of your sins, confessing them to Christ and forsaking them and you will receive God’s forgiveness and know for sure that you have passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)

CHRIST IS COMING SOON

Peter declared, "The end of all things is at hand": the Apostle John said, "Little children it is the last time." Paul writes, "The Lord is at hand", and I say to you today, Turn to the Lord with all your heart, forsake your sins, be baptized in water, dedicate your entire life to Christ and be filled with the Holy Ghost; beginning immediately to be a soul winner by witnessing regularly to those round about you, because Jesus Christ is coming very soon.

"For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." (Matthew 24:27) "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 

For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the Good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." (Matthew 24:36-44)

 "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." (Revelation 22:17) "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus." (Revelation 22:20) 

Are You Gambling with your life?

CHAPTER 13:

ARE YOU READY TO
MEET GOD?

"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." (Revelation 22:17) "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus." (Revelation 22:20)

ARE YOU READY TO MEET GOD?

The most important question I could ask you and the most important decision of your entire lifetime revolves around the spiritual welfare of your soul and its eternal destiny. There are preachers today who have soft-soaped the Gospel and watered down God’s word to please their listeners in order to keep their parishioners coming to church. They are afraid that if they preach the truth as it is written, people will not like it and their offering plates will not bring in too much money. The Bible warns that this would be the case in the end time, of which we are now living. (2 Timothy 3:13) (2 Timothy 4:3-4). The Apostle Paul calls such preachers Food Preachers or Belly Preachers. (Romans 16:18) (Philippians 3:19) These men only preach to earn a living and not to win men and women to Jesus Christ.

I’m going to be absolutely honest with you and tell you the complete truth as found in God’s Word concerning your soul, death, judgment, heaven, hell and eternity. Then I will also show you how you can be saved and forgiven by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

#1 - YOUR SOUL WILL NEVER DIE

Your soul is eternal and will live on even after your body dies. (Genesis 2:7)

#2 - ONE APPOINTMENT YOU CAN’T CANCEL OR POSTPONE

"It is appointed unto man once to die but after this the judgment." (Hebrews 9:27)

#3 - YOU CAN’T FOOL GOD

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." (Galations 6:7) "Be sure your sin will find you out." (Numbers 32:23)

#4 - YOU’LL PAY FOR YOUR SINS IF YOU DON’T REPENT OF THEM

"The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23) "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God." (Psalms 9:17) "When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all the nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divided his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal." (Matthew 25:31-34, 41, 46)

#5 - ALL HAVE SINNED

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) "And we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:6) "There is none righteous, no, no one." (Romans 3:10)

#6 - JESUS DIED TO SAVE SINNERS

Jesus said, "For I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance", (Matthew 9:13) and "For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost." (Matthew 18:11)

"He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved." (John 3:16-17)

#7 - YOU MUST REPENT OF YOUR SINS

"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." (Proverbs 28:13) "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." (Isaiah 55:7) "Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:5)

#8 - YOU MUST BELIEVE THE GOSPEL

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9-10)

#9 - ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR PERSONAL SAVIOUR BY FAITH

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) "Come now, and let us reason together saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1:18) "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:37)

#10 - HE WILL GIVE YOU THE POWER YOU NEED

"He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." (John 1:11-12) "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

HOW CAN I BE SAVED?

Many are asking this question today. They are wanting to know how to "make things right with Almighty God." They realize somewhere along the way, they have lost sight of God - they have lost contact with the Eternal One - the Great Creator, God, who loved the world so much that He sent His Son to die for lost humanity. Multitudes today are groping in darkness - looking for a ray of light to point them to the Heavenly way - but alas, they search in vain, they stumble and fall in the shadows of sin, worry, fear, anxiety, loneliness, heartbreak, sickness and confusion. Many people have tried to live a better life, turn over a new leaf, rehabilitate themselves, only to find that their strength in the time of testing and temptation has failed and they are back where they started. So now, not only are they defeated, but they are also bewildered, perplexed and tormented, not knowing which way to turn.

Dear Reader, perhaps you are one of these poor unfortunate souls. THEN LISTEN CAREFULLY, for I have good news for you. There is still balm in Gilead for your sin sick soul. There is still deliverance for the bound, victory for the defeated and peace for the troubled. There is still healing for the sick and salvation for the lost.

THERE IS STILL HOPE - LOOK TO JESUS

THERE IS STILL HOPE FOR YOU. There is life for you. There is still forgiveness and happiness for you. LOOK TO JESUS, the author and finisher of your faith, (Hebrews 12:3). LOOK TO JESUS, the mighty conqueror (Revelation 1:17-18). LOOK TO JESUS, the Saviour of the World (Luke 2:11). Don’t look at your sinful condition, LOOK TO JESUS; don’t look at your hopelessness, frustration and bewilderment, LOOK TO JESUS. Don’t look at your sickness, grief and loneliness, LOOK TO JESUS. Don’t look at your friends of other Christians who have failed, but LOOK TO JESUS who never fails.

The Bible says in Isaiah 45:22, "Look unto me and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God and there is NONE else."

There is only one way to be saved and that is through Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God.

Jesus said in (John 14:6), "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me." Jesus said in (John 10:9), "I am the Door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be SAVED, and shall go in and out and find pasture." THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO GO - that way is JESUS. There is only one door to God, and that door is Jesus. There is no other.

Mohammed, Buddha and the Roman Pope, a church organization - none of these will open the doors to the Kingdom of Heaven, but Jesus Christ, the one who came from heaven, who died on the Cross, rose again from the dead - He is able to forgive you, save you and bring you into the Kingdom of God. GLORY TO HIS NAME FOREVER.

The Apostle Peter said in (Acts 4:12) concerning Jesus Christ, "Neither is there Salvation in any other, for there is none other name under Heaven, given among men whereby we must be SAVED." There you have it. the only name that can bring salvation, blessing and deliverance is the Mighty Name of Jesus. The Angel said unto Joseph (Matthew 1:21), "Ye shall call His Name Jesus, for He shall SAVE His people from their sins." In (Romans 10:13) we read, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be SAVED."

The Philippian jailer asked the same question many today are asking and he got an answer he was converted, his life was changed. He met the master, Jesus. You can do the same. There in the prison house he cried out (Acts 16:30), "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Paul answered, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be Saved." He believed on Jesus Christ and was Saved. you can do the same.

But you ask - how can I believe? What must I do to believe in Jesus Christ? Where do I start? I am glad you asked these questions, because I have the answer for you from God’s word - Here is what you must do to be saved.

#1 - REPENT OF YOUR SINS - To be saved you must repent of your sins and see yourself as you really are - You must realize you are lost and undone, without hope. You must see God’s Holiness and realize that you have sinned against the Almighty. You must be sorry for your sins, you must hate your sins and be willing to forsake them (Matthew 4:17) your sins have condemned you (John 3:18) your sins have separated you from God (Isaiah 59:2). The Bible says (Romans 3:23), "For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God." Also in (Isaiah 53:6) the word of God says, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."

GOD HATES YOUR SINS - but God loves you. God wants to rescue you out of your sins. You must be willing to give yourself completely over to God and turn your back on all unrighteousness.

#2 - YOU MUST CONFESS YOU SINS TO GOD - (1 John 1:9) "If we confess our sins (to God), He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." You must tell God you are a sinner and that you cannot save yourself. You must confess to God that no one else can save you except Jesus Christ. You must ask God to have mercy on you (Luke 18:13) and to forgive you. Then you must confess to God that you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that Jesus Christ died on the Cross of Calvary for your sins, that He rose again from the dead and that He is able to save you (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) (Hebrews 7:25).

#3 - YOU MUST ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOUR - Tell God that you accept His pardon and that you now, through faith in God’s word accept Jesus Christ into your heart and life. (Ephesians 2:8-9) "For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Salvation is absolutely free - you cannot work for it - you cannot pay for it - It is free - you just receive it from God.

After you have prayed to God asking Him to forgive you - then you must believe He has heard your prayer and forgiven your sins. 

That is faith. You say that is hard to do. No - it isn’t. 

If you believe that God told the truth and the Bible is God’s word - God will do what He said He would do. If you have prayed the sinner’s prayer asking God to forgive you, (then he has forgiven you; His word tells you that and His word is the truth) and if you are forgiven, then you are saved. You must then continue to live in God’s way - you must live for God. Believe that you are saved, begin to praise and worship God and thank him for saving your soul.

But you have doubts and say, "I don’t feel any different." You say you still feel the way you did before, you don’t feel like you are saved. Always remember, you are NOT SAVED by your feelings, you are saved by FAITH IN GOD’S WORD. If God said it - it is the truth, whether you feel like it or not. However, when you stand of God’s word and by faith accept the Salvation that God offers, you WILL FEEL DIFFERENT. 

You will believe before you feel - you will feel the cleansing, you will feel the forgiveness of God, you will feel the assurance when you believe God’s word and have confessed Jesus Christ as your Saviour (Romans 10:9-10). 

You will begin to feel peace, the peace that comes from knowing you are saved, that your sins have been forgiven and you will feel hope and optimism. 

The Word of God states (John 6:37), Jesus said, "Him that cometh unto Me, I will in no wise cast out." You have come to Jesus by faith; He has not cast you out - Jesus has taken you in - you are SAVED. Praise God. 

Raise your hands to God (in complete obedience and surrender). Say "thank you, Jesus, for saving my soul." Praise Him and Worship Him for what He has done for you. 

You are now saved, you have passed from death unto life (John 5:24). Your name has now been written in the "Lamb’s Book of Life." (Revelation 20:15) The Angels are rejoicing in Heaven over this great victory over the devil. God has snatched your soul from Satan’s grasp and the angels are rejoicing over this. (Luke 15:7)

RISE from you knees full of peace (John 14:27). Now go and tell someone about Jesus Christ and his love. Tell people what God has done for you. (Romans 10:9-10) "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth, the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be SAVED. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto Salvation."

Seek the Lord (James 4:8) and ask Him to fill you with the holy Ghost and Fire. 

Ask God to give you power for service (Luke 3:16) (Acts 1:4) (Acts 1:8) (Acts 2:4) (Acts 2:38-39). Read your Bible every day and pray to the Lord Jesus Christ. 

As you go about your life, witness to people about Jesus Christ. Find a good church where the pastor and the congregation believe the whole Bible, where they believe in holiness of life and separation from the world. 

Find a church where they believe in prayer for the sick and where the pastor and congregation have a burden to see the lost saved and brought to Jesus Christ.

May the Lord bless you and give you peace. Write me a letter if you have accepted the lord Jesus Christ as a result of reading this message.

Solbrekken Evangelistic Association
Max Solbrekken
PO Box 44220 RPO Garside
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5V 1N6

Are you Gambling with your life  - Click here for chapter 1 to 6
Are you Gambling with your life - Click here for chapter 7 to 13