August 20, 2005

OVER AND OVER

Wherefore I Will yet plead with you, saith the Lord, and with your children’s children will I plead. Jeremiah 2:9

I awoke this morning with a sense of dread, not in the things of God, for my heart is restful and I have God’s peace. Rather it is a sense that something horrific is coming upon the United States of America.

These are desperate and urgent times. I can feel judgment in the air. And while I know it may sound negative and scary to many who are reading this, I must express what I believe to be true, and write without fear of offending.

As the Lord said to the prophet Isaiah, "Write my words down in a book and tell my people they are rebellious. They will not heed my instructions nor my words. Instead they want their seers to speak unto them "smooth things’ and lies." (Isaiah 30:8-10)

Is it any different today? Even those who do not believe that Jesus is the Messiah, or who may not have any religious beliefs at all, are sensing that our world is changing. In their hearts, I believe, they know things are not right, that there’s trouble ahead.

So are we coming into a time of judgment? Are we really approaching a period which the Bible calls the "Day of the Lord," and the "end times"?

And if so, what must we do about it, and what does this "prophesy" stuff mean?

It means that God’s word is real and true, and that what has been written many centuries ago in the ancient scriptures, is applicable to our day.

Most assuredly, therefore, at some point in time, the myriad of prophecies which concern the "last days" must begin to manifest. And if they do, then what will this mean for each individual?

Is God trying to warn us? Is He presently trying to call our nation to a state of repentance? Is God telling us to turn from our sins and lace our trust in Him?

I myself, do believe that God has been speaking. His words have been going forth, but not all of us are listening.

I also believe He’s trying to warn us. For the Lord is a being of love, and He is not willing that any one should have to perish in Hell.

Over and over, again and again, God pleads with humanity. With generation after generation He pleads for people to turn from their wicked ways. And one day, maybe very soon or perhaps many years from now, the Almighty Creator will stop His urgings, and then the final period of judgment will begin.

For now, however, over and over God cries, "Repent!" The Lord is begging us, "Follow Me and live. Do not turn from Me or forsake Me, oh nation once blessed!"

David Berkowitz

August 23, 2005

THE CLOUDS

This morning I was able to finish my work assignment early which allowed me the chance to go to the recreation yard for about an hour.

Fortunately the outdoor yard was not as crowded as it normally is during the weekends or during the night hours, because on weekdays most of the prisoners are at their work assignments or in school.

And after what seemed like endless weeks of hot and humid weather, today was perfect. There was no humidity, and the sky was a deep blue decorated with dozens of powder white clouds. For me, today was also a day of spiritual productivity. God, I know, allowed me to go to the yard with a purpose, even though when I first went outside I had mo specific plan other than to get some fresh air.

I had been walking for only a short time when I ran into "Brother Charles", and elderly black man who uses a special walking cane to navigate, He has health problems, and he hasn’t been attending chapel services like he used to. So we talked for awhile and I tried to encourage him with God’s word. Charlie said, as our conversation came to an end, that he would try to make it to church this coming Sunday.

After this I met up with "Willie". As with many of the men who are doing a life sentence—he has to do at least thirty years—Willie was feeling depressed because, he told me, his family stopped coming to see him.

Willie dejectedly said that for the past few years his family has been promising to pay him a visit on both Christmas and Easter, but they never show up.

I told Willie that, when all is said and done, it’s about Jesus Christ. He’s the only one who’s promised never to leave or forsake us, and Jesus keeps His world’

Many times, I went on to say, well-meaning people will make promises to do certain things, but they will fail to keep their word. But not so with the Lord Jesus, I said. He will stay with us forever.

Note: "Brother Charles" and "Willie" are not their real names.

David Berkowitz

August 24, 2005

THE COMING

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:17

It is a gorgeous and sunny day here in Now York. The hot and oppressively humid weather that had left me drained and drenched for much of the summer, has disappeared. Today, like yesterday, the air is warm and fresh.

I know, too, that very soon the first signs of Fall will begin to show themselves. The leaves will slowly begin to change color.

Then, near the end of the Fall season, and shortly before the first of the morning frosts arrive, endless flocks of geese will be passing overhead, flying in near perfect formations, as they make their journey to warmer climates.

On and off throughout the day I’ve been looking up to the sky where I could watch the clouds as they float across the sky, changing their shapes as they go.

As each cloud disappears over the horizon, I cannot help but wonder if my sojourn on earth will soon come to and end. I hope so. I long for home.

David Berkowitz

August 26, 2005

FOR SUCH A TIME

For we are sold, I and my people (the Jews) to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish.

Esther 7:4a

God is faithful to always make a way of deliverance for his people.

Once upon a time, when the Jews were enslaved by the Persians and they were forced to live in captivity, a series of events happened which allowed a young Jewish slave woman, Esther, to be elevated to Queen under King Ahasuerus.

The king, as the story goes, was taken in by Esther’s beauty and gracefulness, and he did not know she was a Jewess.

At this time, too, an evil and prideful man, Haman, who had recently been promoted to a very high rank of leadership by Ahaseurus, wanted to have the king issue an order for all the Jews living in the empire to be put to death.

When Ether’s uncle Mordecai got wind of this treacherous plot, he informed her about it. She, in turn, takes it upon herself to cautiously approach the king. She had a plan worked out to hopefully save her people.

Fortunately Esther was allowed to approach the king. She won his favor and her request that the Jews be spared was granted. Meanwhile, Haman, the one who plotted all this, was hung from the gallows he had built for Mordecai.

Esther, as the story reveals, was placed by God into her royal position for such a time. And God, I believe, is doing the same today. His plans are being worked out for good, whether we could see His hands at work or not.

David Berkowitz

August 31, 2005

NIGHT IS COMING

I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day" the night cometh, when no man can work.

John 9:4

Suppose it is true, as many of Israel’s holy prophets have written in the Old Testament, that this world has a divine appointment with the Judge of the Universe?

The New Testament writers have likewise said the same thing. In the book of Revelation, for example, the end time scenario is clearly played out, although it is cloaked in mystery and symbolism. But its message is clear. There is a time coming when evil will launch an all out assault upon mankind that will continue until the sudden appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ. He will burst through the heavens to put a quick end to a prolonged time of chaos. At this time He will establish His throne in Jerusalem, and His coming will save the world from annihilation.

Suppose, too, there really is a being called Satan? That, as the Bible says, he is a great deceiver who works tirelessly to lead men and nations astray, and to their destruction?

This I say to those who read my words: the Bible is the Word of God. It is trustworthy, and it is true. It warns us, and it points us to the Truth.

Nevertheless, until the great Day of Redemption comes the earth is headed for a dark time of tribulation. It will be difficult to proclaim the truth, and many who at tempt to do so may end up paying with their lives and dying as martyrs. They will suffer, yet they will triumph.

The time to reach the world with the gospel is now.

David Berkowitz