GET OFF THE ROLLERCOASTER

 

A rollercoaster is a fairground attraction or an amusement park that consists of a light railway track which has many tight turns and steep slopes on which people ride in small, fast-open carriages. Those who are in favor of roller coasters tend to experience joy, happiness, excitement, and satisfaction as this is what they want to feel. But it is an artificial experience of joy, happiness, excitement, and satisfaction.

On Thursday evening, June 27th after worship, I fell asleep on the sofa. About forty minutes later, I got up and prepared for bed. Then these words were spoken to me. "We are moving into the days of great calamities upon the earth. Some of these calamities will be brought about through natural and man-made disasters. All around us, there is a spirit of unbalance, that is taking control of the sons and daughters of men. The word of God says, "And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." Matthew 11:12. The violence here meant is a holy earnestness, such as Jacob manifested. We need not try to work ourselves up into an intense feeling; but calmly, persistently, we are to press our petitions at the throne of grace. Our work is to humble our souls before God, confessing our sins, and in faith drawing nigh unto God.

This violence takes in the whole heart. To be double-minded is to be unstable. Resolution, self-denial, and consecrated effort are required for the work of preparation. The understanding and the conscience may be united; but if the will is not set to work, we shall make a failure. Every faculty and feeling must be engaged. Ardor and earnest prayer must take the place of listlessness and indifference. Only by earnest, determined effort and faith in the merits of Christ can we overcome, and gain the kingdom of heaven. 

The time is right upon us when there will be sorrow in the world that no human balm can heal. Even before the last great destruction comes upon the world, the flattering monuments of man's greatness will be crumbled in the dust. God's retributive judgments will fall on those who in the face of great light have continued in sin. Our time for work here on earth for the Lord is short. Before we all know it, Christ is soon to come the second time.

Then a voice said, read Genesis 6:3, which says, "And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be a hundred and twenty years."

As I was reading this text, this revelation was revealed. "In Noah's day, all people were not in the fullest sense heathen idolaters. Many had a knowledge of God and His law” but they not only rejected the message of the faithful preacher of righteousness themselves, but used all their influence to prevent others from being obedient to God. To everyone comes a day of trial and of trust. That generation had their day of opportunity and privilege while Noah was sounding the note of warning of the coming destruction; but they yielded their minds to the control of Satan rather than of God, and he deceived them, as he did our first parents. He set before them darkness and falsehood in the place of light and truth; and they accepted his sophistry and lies, because they were acceptable to them, and in harmony with their corrupt lives, while truth that would have saved them was rejected as a delusion."

“The class who professed a knowledge of God were the ones who had the greatest influence and took the lead in making of none effect His word spoken to them by Noah. They not only rejected the message of the faithful preacher of righteousness themselves, but like their master the devil, they sought every means in their power to prevent others from believing and being obedient to God.... While Noah was sounding the note of warning of the coming destruction of that generation, the door of opportunity and privilege to become wise unto salvation was still open. But they gave their minds to the control of Satan rather than God, and he deceived them as he did our first parents...”

“The world before the Flood reasoned that for centuries the laws of nature had been fixed. The recurring seasons had come in their order. The rivers and brooks had never yet passed their boundaries but had borne their waters safely to the proud sea. Fixed decrees had kept the waters from overflowing their banks. But these reasons did not recognize the Hand that had stayed the waters, saying, thus far shalt thou go and no farther. They reasoned then as people reason now, as though nature was above the God of nature, and her ways were so fixed that God Himself could not change them, thus making in the minds of the world God's messages of warning a delusion, a grand deception, reasoning that if the message of Noah was correct, nature would be turned out of her course of order.”

“Human nature in Noah's day, uninfluenced by the Spirit of God, is the same in our age. Jesus in His assertions and representations recognizes Genesis as the words of inspiration. Many admit the New Testament to be divine, while they show no special regard for the Old Testament Scriptures; but these two grand books cannot be divorced... Jesus, carries the minds of all generations, present and future, to the Old Testament. He refers to Noah as a literal person who lived; He refers to the Flood as a fact in history; He shows the specification of that generation as characteristic of this age.”  

“In the days of Noah, the wickedness of the world became so great that God could no longer bear with it; and He said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth” Genesis 6:7. But He pitied the race, and in His love provided a refuge for all who would accept it. He gave the message to Noah to be given to the people: “My spirit shall not always strive with man” Verse 3.”

Like in the days of Noah, today someone is on the rollercoaster. It could be a spiritual rollercoaster, or a physical rollercoaster. It could be a rollercoaster of an abusive relationship, alcohol or drug abuse. It could be a problematic or harmful situation of sexual abuse. It could be a rollercoaster of sickness. Whatever your danger or problem is, it is time to get off the rollercoaster, seek help, and be saved! 

Noah was directed to build an ark, and at the same time to preach that God would bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy the wicked. Those who would believe the message, and would prepare for that event by repentance and reformation, should find pardon and be saved; but a continued resistance of the entreaties and warnings from God through His servant Noah would separate them from God, and as a result infinite mercy and love would cease its pleadings. The Spirit of God continued to strive with rebellious man until the time specified had nearly expired, when Noah and his family entered the ark, and the hand of God closed its door. Mercy had stepped from the golden throne, no longer to intercede for the guilty sinner. The question today is, who do you believe? 

The class who professed a knowledge of God and have the greatest influence in the marketplace of making of none effect the word of God, or the class who, "Cry aloud, and spare not, and lift up their voice like a trumpet, and show God's people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins." You make the choice, and get off the rollercoaster!

By GARDEN MINISTRY