Matthew 7: 24 Therefore whosoever hears these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
The rains which descend, the floods that come, and the winds that blow, represent a vast, multi-prong assault that is to be unleashed on everyone, across the entire globe, by the forces of darkness that are striving for the control of the world.
God would have us to understand that there are different winds that have begun to blow, beginning with the recent pandemic, continuing with different variants and strains, and a plethora of other issues and problems persons are going to face in the not- too distant future.
There are financial and economic winds that already have begun to blow, for try as persons and nations might, we just seem to be caught in a debt spiral, by which nations and individuals need to borrow more and more, just to survive.
Inflationary pressures are biting a large chunk out of every paycheck and the struggle to make ends meet has become a daunting reality for many families, as they try to stretch every dollar.
Then there are military winds that are blowing, for there is war and rumors of war across the globe, in many countries, some more, some less. The saber rattling by nuclear powers that is ongoing in places that are increasingly unstable, tells us that it is only the grace of God that is holding back the winds of strife, spoken of in Revelation chapter 7.
Then there are the morality winds that are likened unto a category 5 hurricane, by which millions are losing their moral compass, and have exchanged the word of The Living God for philosophies and divergent views that are tethered to relativism.
Wherever there is no absolute truth there will also be absolute chaos, because with the scripture being thrown out the window, folks are losing their ability to discern clearly between truth and error.
Families and individuals will become split on their perspectives of life, as erroneous concepts would become more firmly entrenched in the national psyche.
Then there are political winds that are blowing, by which persons of different political persuasions are viewed in some instances as being mortal enemies. The seeds of doubt, skepticism, and distrust have already been sown, and like the laws of sowing and reaping, they will spring up and bear corresponding fruit in due season.
Then again there are climactic winds that blowing, as can be seen in the depletion of water resources, and the stubbornly persistent drought across the entire globe. In the U.S.A Midwest thousands upon thousands of cattle have to be laid to rest because of the ongoing drought.
And lake Mead, lake Erie, and several others have been steadily dropping at an alarming rate, in so much that the authorities are currently rationing water in certain communities, and the supply chain issues are being exacerbated, because of low water levels on the Mississippi River.
Thus, when Jesus says in our first passage that the winds descended, the floods came, and the winds blew, He is not only referring to that which will take place in the religious world, but rather the holistic approach of many disturbances that will be coming upon the face of the earth in short order.
Then it will be, that when these winds begin to blow with increasing frequency and intensity, Christians who were founded upon The Rock Christ Jesus, will not be moved, while others would be displaced.
Indeed, the winds that are referred to in our first passage are scheduled to affect every person on the planet, whether a person is a Christian or not, and thus, the only difference is that some are anchored, while others are not.
Next year around this time, the world could be in a very different place than it is currently, and that is because winds of change, which would materially alter life as we know it, have already begun to blow.
And according to Daniel and all the other prophets who wrote about the final conflict, those winds of change would gather momentum, as the coming of Christ draws nearer.
The foundation has already been laid for anarchy of the sort most persons have never seen. For instance it is becoming normal and acceptable for persons to rise up in rebellion against the powers that be, who have been duly elected, this, in contradiction to the scriptural counsels given. Let’s read:
Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
One does not have to agree with the entire agenda of those whom God has allowed to rule, for in some instances, oppressive laws have been enacted that hurt the vulnerable.
When the children of Israel in Egyptian bondage had complained to Moses of the hard dealings they received from their taskmasters, God never advised any of them to rise up in rebellion against pharaoh, for he had become king by God’s own appointment.
Thus, when Moses attempted to resort to violence against the ruling oppressors, he had to flee for his life, for he soon found out that neither God or the Hebrews would be backing his methods, or agenda, for this is not the way God intended for freedom to become a reality for them.
When duly elected officials are regularly made the targets of threats, when attacks on democracy are becoming the norm, and when seeds of doubt are being sown almost daily, it will just be a matter of time before the lamblike beast will begin to speak as a dragon.
Currently, in every nation of the earth, there is to be found some major trouble brewing. If it is not that horrific violence in Ukraine, it is the many murders and kidnappings now taking place in several islands of the Caribbean.
From Iran to Haiti, from Russia to China, and right here across the continental United States, senseless violence and mass shootings are becoming regular occurrences.
And by daily seeing these incidents on the news, we are becoming desensitized to the seriousness of the problem. Then again there is the utter intransigence of political leaders, who seem to be going after each other’s jugular as if they are mortal enemies.
There is no doubt, that the once shining star upon the hill is devolving into a cut-throat culture, by which fellow citizens are pitted against each other and the freedom to vote, and express one’s opinion is becoming riskier with every election cycle.
The forces of darkness are working deliberately and systematically to undermine our established social order, and the structural integrity of many families and of governments alike are daily being torn down.
There is nothing more detrimental to democratic norms as to sow suspicion, and mistrust of others, for when this is the case, anarchy will not be too far behind.
Again, with the global tightening of monetary policy and the astronomical rise in interest rates, some are sure to succumb to the increasing pressure, as more individuals and families will struggle, to make ends meet.
When increasing numbers of the population find it a necessity to borrow to live, you know that we are in the red zone already.
Putting food on the table is becoming increasingly challenging for everyday people, and as the heat of the furnace is ratcheted up even more, there would be more individuals and families that will become displaced. It’s just one aspect of the financial winds that have already begun to blow.
Miami recently registered the highest increases in rent and home prices across the entire nation which tells us that more and more persons will be heading North of the border.
In fact, currently in Miami, there is a sort of coerced financial gentrification, by which many families are being forced to relocate, because of sky-high prices for housing and rent. And the inevitable collateral damage will take place, in that many skilled workers would be leaving, being priced out of the areas they once lived in.
There are also looming layoffs, coming from major employers such as Meta and Twitter and others, for whenever a company’s outflow becomes greater than its inflow, employees will inevitably be placed on the chopping block.
When skilled workers are in short supply, the cost of doing business goes up, and cause and effect thereby becomes a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy.
Another aspect of the winds of change that are now blowing is the many and varied shortages across the globe. Whether it is the drought, and a lack of water in several countries, or the lack of computer chips, which most persons have come to depend on.
I recently ordered a module from the dealership in September, with the understanding that it could take anywhere from one to four weeks. We are now in November, so I thought I would check up on the dealer to see if there was any luck in procuring it.
I was told that it could be next year before it comes through, then they showed me a stack of hundreds of items on backorder, with no ETA attached. Those supply shortages that were triggered by the recent pandemic are having a debilitating and long-lasting effect on trade.
And with China in lockdown mode in several cities, the light at the end of the tunnel seems even more distant than ever. Thus, when Christ says that the winds will blow and the rain will descend, He was referring to disturbances and challenges that would be arising on several different fronts.
Whenever needed resources become scarce conflict is never far away, as was demonstrated during the siege of Jerusalem. At that time, things in the city had reached an all-time low, and skirmishes, fights and violence erupted over the little food that was scarcely available. History is often repeated, so let’s read:
Deuteronomy 28: 50 A nation of fierce countenance which shall not regard the person of the old or show favor to the young.
51 And he shall eat the fruit of thy cattle, and the fruit of thy land, until thou be destroyed: which also shall not leave thee either corn, wine, or oil, or the increase of thy kine, or flocks of thy sheep, until he has destroyed thee.
[The Great Controversy pp 32 > 37] So fierce were the pangs of hunger that men would gnaw the leather of their belts and sandals and the covering of their shields.
Great numbers of the people would steal out at night to gather wild plants growing outside the city walls, though many were seized and put to death with cruel torture, and often those who returned in safety were robbed of what they had gleaned at so great peril.
Thousands perished from famine and pestilence. Natural affection seemed to have been destroyed. Husbands robbed their wives, and wives their husbands. Children would be seen snatching the food from the mouths of their aged parents.
The Savior's prophecy concerning the visitation of judgments upon Jerusalem is to have another fulfillment, of which that terrible desolation was but a faint shadow. In the fate of the chosen city, we may behold the doom of a world that has rejected God's mercy and trampled upon his law.
In the several experiences of Job we may observe what Jesus is referring to, when He speaks about being founded upon The Rock, as the rains descend, as the floods come, and as the winds blow.
Job and his family were then living in relative ease and security, when out of the blue without warning, the winds of change started to blow. First it was the financial winds that wreaked havoc on flocks, herds and shepherds, virtually eliminating Job’s income.
With no money coming in, Job suddenly faced the prospect of having to dip into his reserves. But at that time, much of a persons’ wealth was living and breathing in the form of vast herds of livestock. So, with all of this now gone, Job is facing a grim future.
Then it was his children, who were suddenly taken away by the icy fingers of death. Ask any parent and they will tell you that to lose one child prematurely could be heart-wrenching to say the least. Job lost ten children in one day! Indeed, the winds blew and the rain descended and the floods came for Job.
But the archenemy of God and man wasn’t finished with him yet, for when Job was smitten with sore boils he needed someone to support and encourage him as he was dealt blow after blow. He is now at his lowest point and the nearest and dearest mortal he can turn to is his wife.
When spouses are at their lowest point, when the waves of despair and discouragement sweep over the soul, the husband and the wife should be nearer and dearer to each other by helping to lift the heavy burdens through prayer and supplication.
Never should the suggestion be made for persons to turn their back on God at their lowest point because when this is the case, it is only God one can turn to for help in due season. It is when we are weak that we are strong, and therefore, an all-hands-on-deck approach will serve to foster faith and courage amid the gloom of despair.
What is worthy of note is that the Bible says Job was a righteous man, so you will not see anywhere in the first few chapters of his experience where Job cursed. He would pray daily for his children, and he would lend a helping hand to those in need, and his words were always seasoned with grace. Always!
That is, until the heat of the furnace was ratcheted up several notches, and now, with all of his children and employees gone, and now, with his own wife suggesting the unthinkable, Job opens his mouth, and for the very first time in the narrative, Job curses his day. Let’s read:
Job 3:1 After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day.
2 And Job spoke, and said,
3 Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, There is a man child conceived.
4 Let that day be darkness; let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it.
8 Let them curse it that curse the day, who are ready to raise up their mourning.
9 Let the stars of the twilight thereof be dark; let it look for light, but have none; neither let it see the dawning of the day.
10 Because it shut not up the doors of my mother's womb, nor hid sorrow from mine eyes.
11 Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?
Before we proceed, let’s read our very first passage so that the full meaning of what Christ said would sink deep into our consciences, for it is of critical importance that we be anchored to the Rock Christ Jesus. Let’s read:
Matthew 7:24 Therefore whosoever hears these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
Very often, there comes a time in the Christian’s experience when there is nothing and no one else to lean on but Christ. The rug was virtually pulled out from under Job’s feet, and the only One who could sustain him was Christ.
Like Paul and those sailors who despaired of life as their ship ran aground, Job had not seen sun nor stars for many days, yet he knows that there is something bigger and better to live for, and it is his relationship with God alone that is key to sustaining him during his trials.
Even his friends, who were supposed to encourage him, instead unleashed a barrage of blistering words and comments that savored more of self-righteousness rather than empathy. That this was the case, can be seen in Job’s own assessment of those who had stopped by to visit. Let’s read:
Job 16: 2 I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.
Thus, even though Job is buffeted on all sides, he is anchored to The Living word, and because of this singular fact, he gradually rises from the dust, he shakes of the blues, and his faith reaches for, and grasps the unseen realities of life, that make all the difference between hope and despair. Let’s read:
Job 19: 25 For I know that my redeemer lives, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.
26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.
27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
Being anchored in Christ means much more than a mere theoretical knowledge of Him, for while it is good to have the written word, The Living word of God in The Person of Jesus Christ, is what will make all the difference in the world.
Knowing Christ personally gives us energy, hope and resilience so that even though diabolical forces may seem to triumph for a while, yet the relationship with Jesus causes us to have stability and assurance when things start to go downhill.
In the not too distant future this will absolutely be the case for all who name the name of Christ, and thus, the words of Jesus, in our first passage are an appeal to us, to get to know God whilst we still can.
The days of wine and roses will come to an end in this country, sooner or later, and then it will be that only those would be found in Christ will be enabled to weather the storms as they begin to roll in, fast and furiously.
Those of us who might have taken God’s grace for granted over the years are now encouraged to take the time to renew our relationship with Him. God is still in the business of saving persons, and all who have had the seeds of truth sown in their hearts at some time or another, would be welcomed in with arms opened wide.
And to persons who may not have had opportunity or time to know God, today is your lucky day, for God will pardon and receive all who will come unto Him by faith.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture that would remind us to make the best of the golden opportunity to be saved. God is willing and ready, the question is, are we? Let’s read:
Isaiah 55: 6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.
7 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.
God Bless!