“Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever: That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits” (Isa. 30: 8-10).
This passage of Scripture written hundreds of year ago sounds like it could have been copied out of today’s newspapers or heard on the evening news. As far as God’s Truth is concerned, we are truly a “rebellious people” and “lying children.” The majority of the people in this country know little or nothing about the teaching of God’s holy Word and they certainly refuse to “hear the law of the Lord.” In fact, many only ridicule and deny God’s laws.
We also are living in an age when men “will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers having itching ears; and shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (II Tim. 4:3-4). The truth of God’s Word condemns “hands that shed innocent blood” (Prov. 6:17). Both Old and New Testaments teach that homosexuality and lesbianism are sins that will keep one out of heaven. See Romans 1:22-32 and I Corinthians 6:9. The Supreme Court of our land has distorted the teaching of God by sanctioning the taking of the innocent blood of millions of babies and they have upheld and sanctioned that which the Bible calls “abomination” (Lev. 20:13).
Adultery has always been condemned in both testaments. One of the ten commandments of the Mosaic dispensation said, “Thou shalt not commit adultery” (Exod. 20:14). In the New Testament Jesus not only condemned adultery, but said, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matt. 5:27-28). The word of God by which we will be judged (John 12:48), states emphatically that those who are guilty of adultery will not inherit the kingdom of heaven (Gal. 5:19-21; I Cor. 6:9-10; Rev. 21:8). In today’s society many live in adultery and openly boast about it. Many of our pop singers, movie stars and sports stars are guilty of this horrible sin. In the Old Testament those guilty of this sin were put to death (Lev. 20:10). In the New Testament those guilty will lose their soul unless they repent.
In today’s world preachers are encouraged to “be positive; don’t condemn anything.” As in Isaiah’s day, many would prefer to hear a lie than to be told the truth. But hiding our heads in the sand and refusing to hear what God says does not change anything. As Moses warned, “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Num. 32:23). In the New Testament Paul put it this way, “Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after” (I Tim. 5:24).
Wake up, America, before it is too late!
-Paul Wilmoth, Instructor of Preaching B.R.E.-Tennessee Bible College
