Mark 2:5-12, More Than a Miracle: He Looked Beyond My Faults

Mark 2:5-12,

More Than a Miracle:

He Looked Beyond My Faults

We pick up where we left off at the end of Mark 2:4.

In Capernaum, Israel. The little fishing village of about 1,500 people, on 15 acres, on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee.

We're in the home of Peter and Andrew, a couple fishermen, in training to be fishers of men. 

The place is packed with people, standing room only.

Jesus is about to heal a paralyzed man.

However, the message of this miracle looks beyond any physical fault, or need, and points repeatedly to Eternity.

To refresh our memory, let’s begin reading at Mark 2:1.

And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. ² Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. ³ Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. ⁴ And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.

When the four faithful friends hit the wall of people God must’ve given them a Divine Redneck Anointing.

So, instead of saying, “Sorry, buddy, we tried, but we’re too late, the place is packed ain’t no way we’re getting in...” Instead, they got a grin and said:

“Hey ya’ll, watch this! Let’s rip off the roof!”

As they tore a hole in the roof big enough to lower their friend, the folks below got a head full of sticks and thatch and dirt and mud.

Obviously interrupting Jesus’s teaching.

They didn’t care about being polite, socially acceptable, or politically correct. They just knew their friend needed Jesus and come hell or high water they were getting him, to Him.

We need friends like that.

We need to be friends like that.

That is what True intercessory faith looks like.

Bulldog determined, messy, costly, sweaty.

Love with skin in the game.

That's the God kind of Love.

Jesus notices that measure of faith.  

⁵ When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”

Amazing... grace.

Jesus did not rebuke them for interrupting the Word of God.

He did not condemn them for destroying Andrew and Peter’s property.

He certainly did not fear them and shout, “Somebody call 911!”

Jesus looked beyond their faults.

Reminds me of the beautiful worship song written by Dottie Rambo, He Looked Beyond My Faults.

Jesus saw those roof ripper off-ers, those sermon disturbers, and looked beyond their fault, their deed, even their physical need.

And ours, our weakness, our sickness, our life full of screw ups...

He looks beyond it all, and still loves us, so much.

He saw their faith.

Knowing Jesus, He might’ve even thought, “Cool, I can dust off my old Carpenter skills and help fix this roof when we’re done.” (Let’s ask Him when we see Him in heaven—don’t let me forget).

Okay, now make a note, our text says: When Jesus saw their faith (It doesn’t say, their need).

Their need is what activated their faith.

Their faith sprang into action.

Then they got all redneck and said, “Hey ya’ll watch this!” and they ripped off the roof.

That’s when Jesus saw, and was impressed by, and pleased by, their faith.

Not when they thought about it, talked about it, dreamed about it, BUT WHEN THEY DID SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

Then is when, Jesus acknowledged their faith.

He saw their faith by their actions... their works.

James 2:14-16 repeatedly reports, “Faith without works is dead.

¹⁴ What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?

Can faith save him?

¹⁵ If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled, but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?

¹⁷ Thus also, faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.”

Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. You do well.

Even the demons believe—and tremble!

²⁰ But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? ²¹ Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? ²² Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? ²³ And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. (Genesis 15:6, 22:9-19, 2 Chronicles 20:7, Isaiah 41:8, Hebrews 11:17).

²⁴ You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

²⁵ Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? (Joshua 2:9, 6:23, Heb. 11:31).

²⁶ For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Dear Church, we must put feet to our faith, or our faith is dead.

So, let’s ask ourselves:

Do I want to please God?

Then ask:

Have I pleased God, this week?

Did I do anything, take any action, do any works, that took faith?

Did I intentionally, purposefully, do anything to promote the Kingdom of God, to carry someone closer to Christ?

You might think, Well I would, but what can I do?

Great question. We’re abundantly blessed these days, because God has made exercising our faith and spreading His Good News extremely easy. But beware, with blessing comes responsibility. To whom much is given much is required. (Luke 12:48).

Okay, here’s a few things you can do today (we don’t have tomorrow) to grow your faith muscles, help the Kingdom of God and most importantly, please God.

Pray with a stranger. Ask a stranger, or anybody, if they have any prayer requests. Then, pray, then and there, out loud.

That takes faith.

That pleases God.

Plant Seed. Take a book or Bible or plaque or anything from your Church Resource Table, (your storehouse) and give it to someone, and invite them to Church.

Spread Seed. Go to your Church Facebook page and click “Share” on every blog, You Tube and Facebook post, for each of the sermons.

Doing just that one thing will make a faith statement. You’ll be preaching multiple sermons to multiple people without saying a word. You’ll be spreading the Word of God as Seed to every one of your social media friends and family.

Plus, you’ll be taking a faith strengthening, God pleasing step of faith.

Especially if you’re nervous about offending someone.

They’ll be much more offended if you stay nice and sweet and quiet while they slip into the lake of fire to spend eternity screaming, “Why didn’t you say something?!?!”

Jesus said, in Mark 9:43-48:

And if thy hand offend thee (causes you to sin), cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: ⁴⁴ Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

⁴⁵ And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

⁴⁶ Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

⁴⁷ And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:

⁴⁸ Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Dear Church, we must live with eternity in view. This life is but a vapor, so we must be active and diligent in our faith. We must work our faith, or our faith is dead.

Dead faith is no faith and without faith it is impossible to please God.

Jesus saw, and was impressed by, and pleased by, their faith, in action.

FAITH PLEASES GOD.

Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

We must come to God.

We must come in faith.

We must come diligently.

That pleases God and reaps rewards from God.

Jesus not only saw the active, living, faith of the friends, but also the forgiving faith of the paralytic.

How do we know?

Because, He said, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

First, Jesus used the warm, familial word: Son: teknon (child, offspring). In context it was also used to address adults (male or female) as a term of pastoral affection, endearment, or spiritual fatherhood.

“Your sins are forgiven” reveals the beautiful condition of the paralytic’s heart. And probably explains why he had such faithful friends.

For Jesus to say, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” means the paralytic’s heart was clean, he wasn’t holding any unforgiveness.

Which was saying a lot. A poor paralytic probably had a lot of forgiving to do.

The people of that day would’ve scorned him as a sinner, thinking that’s why he was crippled.

Did he blame God?

Himself?

Who was to blame for him being lame?

(JUST A THOUGHT: Another question to ask when we get to heaven. Did he get crippled because he fell off a roof? Did Jesus heal him then ask him to help fix the roof? To face his fear and get right back on the horse that bucked him off.)

All we know for sure is that the paralytic wasn’t holding any unforgiveness.

How do we know that?

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

Matthew 18:21-35
Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

²² Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

²³ Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. ²⁴ And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents ($6-10 Billion dollars). ²⁵ But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. ²⁶ The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ ²⁷ Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.

²⁸ “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii (3 mo. wages); and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ ²⁹ So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ ³⁰ And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.

³¹ So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. ³² Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. ³³ Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’

 ³⁴ And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.

³⁵ “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

Additionally, check out what immediately follows The Lord’s Prayer:

Matthew 6:12-15
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. ¹³ And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

¹⁴ “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Therefore, we know this paralyzed man won the battle against unforgiveness.

Thus, Jesus said, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”

Perhaps the paralytic needed to hear he was forgiven, more than he needed to be healed.

Perhaps he thought (like the scorning crowd), he was being punished by God for his sin.

Perhaps he needed to hear he was forgiven to be able to receive his healing.

Perhaps, this is another question for heaven (are you making a list?).

For sure, some of the listeners needed to hear it.

⁶ And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts,

 ⁷ “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

They were right. Only God alone can forgive sins.

And that’s the point.

Jesus was, little by little, planting Seeds of undeniable evidence, that He indeed is the Son of God, the long-awaited Messiah.

He’s, our example. We’re to do the same. Little by little, planting Seed pointing to Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life, the ONLY Way to Heaven. John 14:6.

Remember, He recently healed a leper (Mark 1:41), and everybody knew only God could heal leprosy.

Now, He says, “Your sins are forgiven” and everybody knew only God can forgive sins.

Socially acceptable or not, politically correct or not, ready or not, Jesus continues to plant Seeds toward Eternity. To show them He is, the I AM.

But, sadly, no matter how much Truth is shown to some, they willingly reject the Truth and believe the life. (Romans 1:28, 2 Thessalonians 2:11).

Nevertheless, Jesus doesn’t quit trying to reach them.  

⁸ But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts?

Yet again He provides another undeniable proof of His Divinity, because only God, can read the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Then, without missing a beat He immediately sets them up for another lesson in Truth.

⁹ Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’?

So, you think only God can forgive sins and it is blasphemy for Me to utter those words.

You think anybody can say, “Your sins are forgiven,” because there’s no way to prove it.

But, to say, “Arise, take up your bed and walk,” now that’s more difficult because the proof and Truth will be judged immediately.

Okay...

¹⁰ But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”

Calling Himself, “Son of Man” is another Eternal Seed.

It’s a Messianic reference to Daniel 7:13-14.

“I was watching in the night visions,
And behold, One like the Son of Man,
Coming with the clouds of heaven!
He came to the Ancient of Days,
And they brought Him near before Him.
¹⁴ Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,
That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
Which shall not pass away,
And His kingdom the one
Which shall not be destroyed.

The scribes understood this referred to the Messiah.

Then, before the grand finale of healing the paralytic, Jesus makes it abundantly clear, that the purpose is so they, (the doubting scribes) may know that He has power on earth to forgive sins. And, as we’ve already established, everybody knew, only God has power to forgive sins.

Then, while those words were still echoing in the air...

—He said to the paralytic, ¹¹ “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”

 ¹² Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Immediately, he arose! The Power and Authority of Jesus, is undeniable. All were amazed and glorified God.

That’s the goal. Then, and now. That ALL will arise and glorify God.

In closing notice one last thing.

Jesus told the man to carry the very thing that previously represented his poverty and paralysis. But in that moment, it was transformed from a monument of misery into a memorial of God's mercy.

When Jesus looked at him and his friends, He didn’t see roof wrecking redneck rebels and a cripple. No, He saw, the faithful and the forgiven.

His amazing grace, looked beyond their faults, and saw their Eternal Need.

He does the same for you and me.

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, thank You for looking beyond our faults, our sins, which are many. Thank You for seeing us for who we can be, who we should be, not for who we are, or who we used to be.

Thank You, for having more faith in us, than us.

Help us Lord, no, more than that, cause us Lord, to put feet to our faith. To work and walk out our faith, with bulldog determined, messy, costly, sweaty, Love with skin in the game. Do not let us be complacent and lazy. Kick us off our spiritual couch and put us to work, planting Seed, spreading Seed, making heaven crowded. So that, of all those You’ve given us to harvest, none land in the lake of fire.

Thank You.

We trust You, and love You, forever.

Amen.

Prayer Requests: 

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This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.

The Terror of Tyre, Ezekiel 28:1-19

THE TERROR OF TYRE
The King, the Cherub, and the Serpent
Ezekiel 28:1–19

In Flat Tyre, Ezekiel 26 we explored the HIStory of that magnificent island fortress and how the same deception that resulted in its demise is sweeping our nation, our very community, today.

In Titanic Tyre, Ezekiel 27 we watched the Lord paint a word picture of Tyre as a luxurious, world renowned, seemingly unsinkable ship, but came to rest at the bottom of the sea, sunk by pride.   

Today we look at, The Terror of Tyre.

OUTLINE:

The Visible Terror 1-10

The Hidden Terror 11-15a

The Defeated Terror 15b-19

We live in a world obsessed with the visible. What’s pleasing to the eyes.

Like the forbidden fruit lucifer dangled before the eyes of Eve in Eden. Gen. 3:6.

Like the gold commercial I just saw that switches from one person to the next, each continuing the narrative. I counted how long each person spoke—around seven seconds. Then I thought: that’s the length of a person’s attention span before they need to see something new.

Turns out that’s true.  

Microsoft studies suggest a person’s concentration drops after 8 seconds. (What? Did everybody’s brain join the rodeo?)

Social media posts only have 1-3 seconds before folks decide whether to stay or scroll.

The average time a person stays focused on a single task on a screen is 47 seconds.

A preacher, or speaker, has only 30 seconds to hook the listener or they tune out.

For lectures or sermons, neuroscientists note a 10-minute cliff. Meaning after you hook ‘em in 30 seconds, you must rehook ‘em, reengage them roughly every 10 minutes.

We scroll headlines, hear soundbites, think we understand but never take time to dig deep and see what lurks behind the scenes, below the surface.

Like the tip of an iceberg may appear small and harmless on the surface, but beneath, it’s a cold, dark, hard, ship sinking mammoth beast.

Think about what we saw just this week on the global stage. The world watched as the leaders of the United States and China met in Washington. From the outside, the scene was filled with grand, cordial pageantry—military flyovers, red carpets, formal handshakes, and a lavish state dinner.

On the surface, it looked like international cooperation, peace on earth goodwill toward men.

Perhaps it’s a matter of keeping your friends close, and your enemies closer.

But...

 Every analyst, every pundit knows that behind that polished veneer of smiles and handshakes lies a cold, dark, hard, calculating authoritarian dictatorship. Beneath the surface is an aggressive power with expansionist goals, cyber warfare, and military posturing designed to undermine and ultimately dismantle America's freedom. Its warm smile and cordial handshake hide a venomous strike.

This is what is happening in Ezekiel chapter 28.

God pulls back the curtain, for us to see behind the scenes, beneath the surface, into the unseen realm. He shows us that behind the physical kingdoms of this world, there are spiritual kingdoms. Behind the visible flesh and blood battles are invisible, cold, hard, mammoth spiritual wars.

As we step into Ezekiel 28, the spotlight of God’s judgement lands on the physical king of Tyre, but then, seamlessly transforms into one of the most chilling, profound exposures of satan found in the Word of God.

Our title, The Terror of Tyre: The King, the Cherub, and the Serpent, reflects our journey through Scripture today.

We’ll see lucifer from before time to the end of time and trace his terrible devolution from glorious cherub to sinful serpent.

First, we’ll look at a physical king who thought he was a god.

Next, the Holy Spirit pulls back the curtain to expose lucifer, the cherub, in all his wonderous, beautiful, anointed glory.

But then, suddenly, sadly, something tragically happens.

The shining cherub transitions into the sleezy, slimy, serpent, who still slithers about today seeking whom he may devour.

The Visible Terror
Ezekiel 28:1-10

Let’s look at the first ten verses of Ezekiel 28. God directs Ezekiel to speak to the human ruler of this ancient island fortress.

Remember, Tyre was the superpower of the Mediterranean. It controlled the maritime trade. Wealth poured in like water. Surrounded by the sea, they were completely secure. Untouchable.

Or so they thought.

The prince of Tyre looked at his fortune, his fame, his 150’ high walls, his powerful navy, his global influence, and swelled with pride. He did not simply say, “I am a really great king,” he said, “I am a god.”

He believed his position and possessions and power proved his divinity.

Verses 4-5 expose how it happened:

With your wisdom and your understanding you have gained riches for yourself, and gathered gold and silver into your treasuries; ⁵ by your great wisdom in trade you have increased your riches, and your heart is lifted up because of your riches.”

Notice the progression:

Wisdom led to wealth.

Wealth led to pride.

Pride led to self-deification.

Jesus said, “It’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 19:24.

With great wealth comes great temptations.

Satan rarely whispers, “Worship me.” Instead, he hisses, “worship you.” Your wants, your wishes, your thoughts, your plans, your ideas, it’s all about you, you, you.

The liar of Tyre is the same liar today.

he still uses the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16) to subtly convince you that you don’t need God, at least not the God of the Bible.

The serpent hisses...

You’ve got your own relationship with your own god. You don’t need to go to Church, read the Bible and pray. Those who say that are greedy controlling hypocrites.... You’re good—better than them. You’re the master of your own destiny... you sit in the seat of the gods... you, are a god.

But God says: You think you’re a god? You think you’re immortal? Then, what’ll you say to those who slay you? Ezekiel 28:9.

King Herod learned that lesson all too well in Acts 12:21-23.

“So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. ²² And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” ²³ Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died.”

Proverbs 16:18
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

 

The Hidden Terror
Ezekiel 28:11-15a

Now, something remarkable happens.

The language shifts.

In verse 2, God addressed the “prince” of Tyre.

But in verse 12, He says, “king of Tyre.”

Suddenly, the descriptions become too timeless, too supernatural, and too ancient to apply to any human being.

God describes a being who didn't live in a palace in Tyre, but in paradise, in Eden.

This is where the Holy Spirit pulls back the curtain between the visible and the invisible and we see lucifer, in all his glory, before iniquity was found in his heart.

Think about the tragedy of this text.

lucifer was not created as an ugly, monstrous creature. He was the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. He was an anointed guardian cherub.

He had close access to the throne of God.

He was covered in brilliant, light-reflecting jewels.

Apparently, music was a part of his being, (the word timbrels is defined as tambourines)..

Think about the Truth of this text.

God made everything good, as He said at the end of each day of Creation Week, it is good, it is good... it is very good.

Every creation of God is good. 1 Timothy 4:4.

God did not create evil. He did not create the devil to be evil.

Wait, Doug, if God knew lucifer would turn into the devil, why’d He create him in the first place?

The short answer is:

God is Love, and Love involves choice, not force.

Just this week I was asked the natural follow-up question.

If God knew man would blow it and sin, why’d He create him?

If you’re a loving parent, you already show the answer.

After God made this beautiful creation, it was good, it was good, it was good, but it was just stuff.

He wanted someone to share it with, love it with, to leave it with, and He said:

“Let us make man in our image...” Gen. 1:26.

Then, He said it was "very good".

He wanted family.

That sentiment, has echoed from the lips of countless couples in love from that day to this, with the words, “Let’s make a baby.”

God knew. The couples know, the baby is going to stink, poop, pee, rob your sleep, your quiet, your money, your heart, perhaps your car keys... That child will give you gray hair and wrinkles.

But it’ll all be worth it, because we’ll be family.

Maybe with more kids, we’ll be a great big, noisy, messy, happy, loving, family, of God.

So, knowing the cost, you plunge in anyway. For Love.

Okay, another question:

With all that Love and with such a perfectly beautiful beginning, what caused the most beautiful creature in heaven to become the most hideous monster of hell?

The Defeated Terror
Ezekiel 28:15b–19

Examine Ezekiel 28:17:

“Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty;
You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor;
I cast you to the ground,
I laid you before kings,
That they might gaze at you.

This verse tells us his heart was lifted up, (he became arrogant) because of his beauty and splendor.

Just as wealth comes with great temptations, so does beauty.

That same verse tells us since he lifted himself up, God cast him to the ground (Proverbs 3:34, Matthew 23:12, James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5).

Revelation 12:9 paints a powerful picture of the scene:

 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Ezekiel 28:17 concludes saying: “That they may gaze at you.”

Isaiah 14:16 expands upon those words:

“Those who see you will gaze at you, and consider you, saying: ‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms.”

 lucifer’s downfall did not come from external temptations. There was no devil to tempt the devil. His sin rose from within, an internal obsession with his own reflection.

lucifer looked at the beauty and splendor God gave him and instead of thanking and praising his Creator for giving him such glory, he puffed himself up with pride.

Isaiah 14:13–15, says it like this:

For you have said in your heart:

‘I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north;
¹⁴ I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
I will be like the Most High.’

¹⁵ Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol,
To the lowest depths of the Pit.

Pride was lucifer's demise.

This is why Paul tells Timothy that Church leaders ought not be new converts, “or he may become conceited and fall into the condemnation of the devil.” 1 Timothy 3:6.

The sin that transformed a beautiful angel into a monstrous devil is the very venom he spews today.

·       When we become angry because others don’t do it, or say it, or see it, our way, we have been infected with the poison of pride.

·       When we stop thinking of ourselves as servants, we’ve been seduced by the Terror of Tyre.

·       When we lean on our own understanding, not God’s, we are no longer climbing the straight and narrow footsteps of Christ. Instead, we’re sliding down the slippery, slimy, slithering slope of the serpent, that leads straight into the lake of fire.

James 1:14-15
But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

Psalm 37:4 gives the antivenom.

Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

The serpent strikes our Achilles’ heel (our weak spot,  our desires, lusts, we’re tempted where we’re temptable).

Therefore, delight yourself in the Lord and receive His desires, so when the tempter comes, he’ll only find the Lord’s desires, and have no place in you (John 14:30), to strike.

Now, lucifer’s terrible devolution from glorious cherub to sinful serpent, only has two steps to his final destiny.

Revelation 20:1-2
Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years.

This will take place before the Millennial Reign.

Then, fast forward through a thousand years of peace on earth good will to men, to lucifer’s eternal plunge into the lake of fire.  

Revelation 20:7-11
⁷ Now when the thousand years have expired, satan will be released from his prison ⁸ and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. ⁹ They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. ¹⁰ The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

That is the end of time, and the beginning of an eternity of awfulness in the lake of fire for all whose names are not written in the Book of Life.

Take a long hard look at that picture of the lake of fire. 

Unless Jesus Christ is Lord of your life, that will be your eternal home. (Lord means Master—He calls the shots, not you). The lake of fire wasn’t created for you. It’s not where God wants you to go. But if you choose your way over His Way—the lake of fire is where you'll be, for eternity.  

However...

After Revelation 20 comes Revelation 21, where an Eternity of awesomeness begins.

Revelation 21:1-5
Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also, there was no more sea. ² Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³ And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

⁵ Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

Friends, this moment is a Kairos moment. A Divinely timed moment.

Why?

Because this message was preached and these words were written, right smack dab in the middle of the celebration of the season when the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them.

The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) 2026 began sundown on Friday, September 25, 2026, through Friday, October 2, 2026. (Leviticus 23:42-43).

The Book has already been written. Now, we’re simply watching the movie play out in living color. But it’s like a rerun. Because we know the outcome.

If we believe and live by His Book, there truly is a, happily ever after.

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, thank You for causing us to be in this exact place in Scripture, at this exact time in HIStory as we celebrate Your Feast of Tabernacles. Please don’t let us miss the magnitude of this moment.

 Thank You for exposing the devolution of lucifer from glorious cherub to the lake of fire. Please cause our hearts to burn within if we’re on the same slippery slope with him.

Please help us humbly receive Your Word with Wisdom to climb the straight and narrow in Your footsteps, and helping all those You’ve given us, to do the same—so none are lost.

Thank You.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

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This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.