In the prophecy of Isaiah (chapter 28, verses 14-15) we find a divine indictment against a segment of the nation of Israel in that day and time. As I considered it I thought, my how that applies to this day and time. The reason it applies so well is that human nature never changes. It is ever the same depraved, rebellious, God-hating nature that it came to be after the fall of Adam in the Garden of Eden. Let me give you that text as it appears in the King James Version of the Bible, “Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men that rule this people which is in Jerusalem, Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us; for WE HAVE MADE LIES OUR REFUGE, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves.” Five things are true in our day as were true in the day of Isaiah’s prophecy. First, most men realize to some degree their sin against God. Second, most men realize that because of their sin they need a refuge and a hiding place from the coming judgment of God. Third, verse fifteen shows the extent men will go to build their refuge. Fourth, we see also that when men have framed a false refuge they find a sense of comfort and security in it. “We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at an agreement (v.15).” They felt so comfortable in their false security that they were willing to pass through death and into the grave with it. Fifth, the Word of God teaches us in Isaiah’s prophecy that before men will seek a true refuge they must first be flushed out of their false refuge. What must be used to cause men to forsake their refuge of lies and flee to the true refuge; truth, THE WHOLE TRUTH, AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH. Men must be told the TRUTH about themselves, that they are miserably and helplessly ruined, that there is nothing about themselves, nothing within themselves, and nothing that they themselves can do that pleases God. Men must be told that God is totally offended with them, that as they stand in their unwashed sins they are obnoxious and abominable to Him. (Take your Bibles and read Romans 3:10-23) Many practicing adulterers, adulteresses, fornicators, sodomites, and the list goes on and on, find a refuge in religion. WHY? It is because the TRUTH in the convicting power of the Holy Spirit is not preached. It is sad but the three basic “R’s” of the Holy Bible are not preached from the pulpits today (Ruined by the fall: Redeemed by the blood: and Regenerated by the Spirit). Many sit in assemblies under those who have assumed the office of preaching, who pretend to have an interest in the souls of men, yet will not preach the truth that brings souls out of darkness into light but rather establish for them a refuge of lies.
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