the truth for today

Steve’s Warning

Smoke wafted upwards through vents in a propane barbecue grill and dispersed into the fresh autumn air. A blue sky and bright sun provided cheerful colors to the city park below. Birds perched in the upper branches of maple trees sang happy notes while squirrels scampered through the trees and on the grass. The leaves were changing color from green to red and golden, and some had made their fluttering descent to the grass below.

A group of twenty-three people gathered under an open, round, wooden gazebo, chatting, arranging dishes, and socializing. Some children played with sticks and toys nearby, laughing and making sound effects with their mouths. Steve and his parents arrived a little late. They walked toward the group from a nearby parking lot. As they walked, Steve felt some fear, but he chose to give it to God, knowing that his Heavenly Father cared about him, and would guide him in what to say to this group of relatives and in-laws. He didn’t have time to share all his dreams and visions with them, but he could share something with them.

Steve could see his uncle, Max, pulling out a box and removing some objects from it. Max whistled to the children, and they looked up at him, curious. Then, he removed some colored tennis balls and started juggling two of them. He then deftly added another, and another. In a few seconds, Max was juggling a dozen colored spheres. Children watched him, mesmerized by the performance.

Steve’s aunt Margaret, a middle-aged lady with glasses and medium-brown hair, looked up from a dish of Chicken Manicotti she had just set down.

“Hello, Steve,” she said cheerfully as he neared the gazebo, “how is my brother’s only son doing?”

“I’m well,” Steve said, smiling. He was feeling the fear leave. “How are you and Uncle Jason?”

“We’re holding together as best as we can,” She said, chuckling.

“How are Billy and Fred?” Steve asked.

“They’re doing good. Billy just started college at the Westview Ridge Music Academy. He’s an excellent trumpet player.”

Steve glanced away and noticed his cousin, Billy, chatting with Henry and Mary, who were part Chinese, due to Chinese blood from their mother, Lin Cheng. Steve enjoyed talking with them. They seemed to love God and were good musicians. Mary played the flute in a volunteer orchestra, while her brother Henry did small performances on a grand piano. But, both enjoyed playing hymns too.

Steve returned his attention to his aunt. They chatted a bit more before someone near the barbecue grill announced: “The food is ready!” Then, the relatives formed a line, waiting their turn to pile their plates with food. As they waited, Steve overheard his uncle Terry, standing in front of him, discussing the latest football game of his favorite team with his brother-in-law, Jim. He described the game in detail, and only paused to let Jim add some comments.

Jim’s Catholic wife, Sarah, standing beside him, spoke to Terry when the conversation went to a lull. “So, Terry,” Sarah said, “have you and Angela thought about visiting St. Steven’s with us this Sunday?”  [See “Footnote” 1.].

“Sarah, thanks for the invite, but if I had a religion, it would be football,” Terry said, chuckling.

“Maybe you’d like to visit a protestant church, then?” Sarah asked.

“A football game is my church,” Steve said, grinning. “You’ve got multitudes of faithful fans, plenty of action, and convenient food and beverages.”

Steve took some mental notes on the conversation before he took a hamburger from the grill and took his plate to a picnic table. He sat beside his cousin Henry and they visited for a little while, and discussed their favorite verses in the Bible, and talked about music. After some time passed, Steve stood up and walked toward a water container with a tap. As he filled up his glass, a voice spoke to his spirit and soul. It was his Abba Father God’s loving and kind voice.

“My son,” Abba God said, “I am with you. You have done well. Now, very soon, I will have you speak to your relatives and give them a warning, like you saw Frank do in the dream I gave you. I will have you warn them about the judgment to come, and have you tell them that they need to repent and seek Me.

“I will be with your mouth and will give you the words to say. Don’t be afraid. It will go well. Now, go ahead and call them to listen to you. I will be with your mouth to give you the words. And, I the Lord your God and Father have spoken.” 

Steve felt some fear attacking him and said, “Dear Abba Father, I feel afraid. I feel that they would reject me if I spoke. They would feel that I interrupted their family time.”

“My son,” Abba God said, “I am with you. I will guide you in what to say. Just give your fear to Me, and know that I shall work on their hearts. Some may reject what you say, but others will receive it. I will be with you always. And, I the Lord your God and Abba Father have spoken.”

“Thank you, Abba Father. I give you this fear that I’m feeling of being rejected,” Steve said with meaning. As he did, he felt more peace reach into his heart and the conviction that what Abba God said was truly from Him. Steve realized that his relatives really needed to hear this message God was putting on his heart.

Steve took a drink from his cup and set it down. Now, with a new boldness starting to come over him, he cleared his throat and spoke to the group. “Excuse me,” Steve said. But, his voice was only somewhat louder than the average chatter, and no one seemed to notice.

“Excuse me, everyone,” Steve said louder as he picked up two metal spoons and tinged them against each other.

Now, more people were looking his direction, but some continued their conversations. But, in a few moments, others made them aware that Steve was trying to get their attention. Soon, all the children and adults were looking at him.

“Dear family and relatives,” Steve said, “I have not said what I am about to say to you before, but I feel that it is necessary to tell you some things that God has been putting on my heart. God is calling out to this country to repent and seek Him because dark times are coming very soon.

“God has shown me that our economy is going to collapse very soon, and the dollar will lose its value. People will go without food in many places, and diseases will strike the population. God has shown me that millions of people will die because they are not wanting to seek Him as He calls out to them. They are not wanting to turn from sin that He is convicting them about.”

Some people coughed loudly while others shook their heads, frowning.

“God wants us to have fellowship with Him, and does not wish for us to live in the darkness of sin. The fellowship He desires is like a loving husband has for his bride. He desires that kind of fellowship with us, and even better than words can say. But, if we continue living in rebellion against God, there will be a day that we will not suspect in which our life will be taken from us, and we will find that we are not in Heaven, but in the place God has appointed for the rebellious to go to.

“It is a place of torment, called Hell. God does not desire people to go there, but God wants us to be with Him in Heaven. However, God cannot let rebels enter Heaven. Anyone who is trusting in his or her own works to save him cannot enter Heaven, because he or she is rejecting what Jesus did at the cross to save us from sin by the shedding of Jesus Christ’s innocent, holy blood.

“Jesus took the punishment prescribed for our sins and He died and rose again, just as the scriptures prophesied He would. If one believes this and chooses to make Jesus Christ his or her personal Savior and Lord, he or she will be saved from his or her sins, and will be given a new nature, and eternal life.

“But, rejecting God’s grace, and continuing in sin, and in working for salvation will keep you from reaching Heaven after you die. Please, consider what Jesus did at the cross and your need for Him. And, make Jesus Christ your personal Savior and Lord today. We can’t say that we have tomorrow or the day after. Death can take us away at any time. Will you make Jesus Christ your Savior and Lord today?

“I urge you to because time is running down. I will pray for your souls. All of us will stand before God on a day of judgment. For a Christian, we will have a different day of judgment. On that day, Jesus will reward us for our obedience to Him. But, lost souls will have a different day of judgment, which will happen after the world is burned up. [See “Footnote” 2.]. On that day, they will be rewarded according to their sins and transgressions, and will be placed into eternal fire because each person has been given an eternal soul, since we are made in God’s image. Don’t let yourselves be among those who suffer in God’s judgment on sin. Come to Jesus today. I urge you to do so before it’s too late,” Steve said, feeling compassion for these people.

“Steve,” a man said standing. “What’s gotten into you?” It was his uncle Terry. “I never heard you preach to us before. Get a grip, nephew. You’re working yourself up and spoiling our family reunion. None of us are going to Hell. Hell is for the devil and Adolf Hitler, and murderers. It isn’t for people like us. We’re good people. We haven’t robbed, or killed, or tortured people. We’re your family. Show us some respect, son.”

“I wish Hell only were for hardened criminals,” Steve said, “but the Bible says that there is none righteous, no not one. Romans 3:10 says, ‘As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:’ And, Revelation 21:8 mentions, among other things, that all liars, idolaters, and unbelievers will have their part in the lake of fire and brimstone. I didn’t say this first. The Bible, God’s Holy Word, did. I care for your souls and don’t want any of you to miss going to Heaven. That is why I am warning you with what God put on my heart.”

A few people whispered among themselves, glancing at Steve, but most were fairly quiet.

One man with salt and pepper hair and a short beard stood up, holding a paper plate. He said, “Well, I’d rather be in Hell with my buddies, partying, than to be in Heaven with a choir robe and a harp.”

“But Uncle Evan, Heaven isn’t like that,” Steve said. “It is a place of great joy, peace, and happiness, delighting in God’s Presence and beauty. We believers have a good measure of it on earth, but it will be far beyond that in Heaven. We believers can rejoice in difficult times because Jesus is with us, and He gives us peace and joy all the time.”

“Ha,” Evan said, scoffing. “You can have it. But, I’m fine with my life the way it is.”

After he spoke, the relatives returned to their conversations and picked up where they left off. Some stood up to head toward the desert table and take slices of rich chocolate pie and home-made carrot cake. Steve was amazed. It seemed as if they wanted to ignore what he had just said. He felt sad that his relatives seemed to pass of the warning and continue with their lives.

While the main group of people ate and talked, a middle-aged lady, with slightly graying brown hair, approached Steve. It was Aunt Becky. She usually seemed pretty cheerful, and talkative, but Steve could tell that she seemed troubled.

“Steve,” Becky said, “may I have a word with you?”

“Sure,” he said, wondering what she would say next.

She moved some distance from the gazebo until they were out of earshot. Then, Becky said, “I’ve been thinking about what you said. My ex-boyfriend, Rick, has just left me, and I found out that he was seeing another woman while we were living together. But, to make matters worse, I just learned from my boss that they will be letting me go because the company is slowing its productivity. So, very soon, I’ll be unemployed.

“And, I just learned that my son Kevin, who just turned twenty, was arrested for selling illegal drugs. He was caught dealing drugs in an alley. I don’t want to burden you with all this. But, I just wanted to know: can God save me and solve these problems? I’ve made a mess of my life. I wonder can He save someone like me? I’ve lived with three different men, at different times. Is there hope for someone like me?”

“There is hope for you. The Bible says in 1 John 1:9: ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ God will forgive you if you confess to Him that you have sinned, and that you need Him to save you. And, if you believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins and paid for them with His own blood, you will be saved.

“Romans 10:9-10 says: ‘[9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.’”

“I want to be saved,” Becky said. “Can we pray?”

Steve then led her in a prayer and Becky confessed to God her need to be saved through the blood of Jesus Christ and said how she wanted to forsake sin and no longer live an immoral life. Then, she asked Jesus Christ to be her personal Savior and Lord.

“Welcome to the family of God,” Steve said, smiling when she had finished her brief prayer.

“I don’t feel different,” She said. “But, I tried to be sincere.”

“I believe you were sincere. The feeling of peace will come. Just continue to believe on Jesus Christ, and that feeling will come.”

She looked upward and closed her eyes. After a couple moments, she said, “Praise God. I am starting to feel better. I’ve been telling God that I choose to trust Him.”

Steve said, “Praise God. That is good to hear. I encourage you to get a copy of the Bible and read it, and ask God to make it come alive to you. It would be good to start talking to God about every concern you have and giving them to Him because He cares about every concern we have. Psalm 62:8 says: ‘Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.’

“I’ll need to do that,” his aunt said.

“And,” Steve said, “ask God to lead you to Christians that love God. He will answer your prayer.”

“I’ll do that,” Becky said, smiling. “I think I might have a Bible in my closet that a friend gave to me long ago. I’d like to dust it off and read it. Where would be a good place to begin?”

“You could start reading from the Psalms,” Steve said, “or from the Gospel of Matthew, if you want. Both are good for new believers.”

Lin Cheng Davison, Henry’s Chinese-American mother, approached Becky. “I couldn’t help overhearing part of your conversation. Becky, did you just receive Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord?”

“I just did, Lin,” Becky said, breaking into a wide grin.

“That is wonderful,” Lin said joyfully. “Welcome to a new life with Christ and welcome to the family of God.”

A few hours later, Steve and his parents left the park and returned to their suburban house.

“My son,” God the Father said to Steve as he walked down the staircase to the basement of his parent’s single-story house. 

“Yes, Abba Father,” Steve answered.

“I am pleased with you for warning your relatives and for doing My will,” Abba God said. “You will be rewarded for that, and you are causing them to think about judgment and about Heaven and Hell. There shall be many people who choose Heaven, but sadly, most will choose Hell, because they have hardened their hearts greatly against Me, and have refused to desire to turn from sin and be free.

“But, pray for your relatives that did not receive Me that they will do that soon and will forsake this world for a life of joy, peace, and happiness in fellowship with Me. I want them to be saved, so you may pray for their salvation. Now, I will guide you in what else I will have you to do. But, rest in Me. I will bless you. And, I the Lord your God and Abba Father have spoken.”

{The End of This Story}

______________________

(Note: All human characters in this story are fictional. But, Jesus Christ is truly real and is the living God. And, the devil is real and seeks to devour whom he may. This is simply a novel with prophetic messages from God. I encourage you to seek God about the words spoken by Jesus to see what He will show you about them.)

Footnote 1:

Catholicism is not true Christianity because the official doctrines of Catholicism prevent Catholics from believing that only Jesus Christ’s blood and one-time sacrifice can save them from their sins. Instead, Catholics are taught that, in addition to Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice, they are supposedly saved from the fires of Hell by doing ‘good works’ (such as penances, prayers, good deeds, and faithfully attending the mass). But, God’s Word teaches that we are only saved by the blood of Jesus and not by our own works.

Romans 5:8-11 says: “[8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.”

Romans 4:1-5 says: “[1] What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2. For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

To learn more about salvation through Jesus Christ, click here.

Footnote 2:

The day of judgment for the unbeliever is described in Revelation 20 and happens after the planet earth is destroyed by fire and is consumed.

Revelation 20:11-15 says: 

“[11.] And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

13. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” 

(Read Part One Here.)