We are living in a Divided Nation. Jesus had told us that such a nation cannot stand. Obviously John the Baptist the forerunner of Christ (Elijah) came knowing more than the average believer about the actual condition of the hearts of the men who were coming to him.

Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

John the Baptist was a man of whom we are told was filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in the womb. His words to these religious leaders were:

Matthew 3:8 “Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance;

How could John know enough concerning the Spiritual condition of these religious leaders of his day to confront them? John the cousin of Jesus spent his time in the wilderness eating locust and honey. How exactly did he get so informed, enough so that when they came to him in their robes: likely on their chariots, and probably pushing through to the front of the crowd as others gave way to them. And yet John boldly spoke:

Matthew 3:9 and do not assume that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham [as our] father’; for I tell you that God is able, from these stones, to raise up children for Abraham. 10 “And the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore, every tree that does not bear good fruit is being cut down and thrown into the fire.

The words are God’s to these men, John was his mouthpiece. We have God in us not from our physical birth as did John, but from our new birth. His indwelling promise is ours. This is why you know things that others can’t know.

11 “As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (NASB2020)

The sins of mankind flourish in our land in a manner not seen since the days of the Roman Temples of prostitution. The message of the Christ has now covered the earth, and the world leaders have said no, we will not follow this one. These leaders seem to think that they can have sway over the masses. We are therefore on the verge, (if the people don’t rise up in Jesus name), of experiencing John’s prophetic words which come next:

Matthew 3:12 “His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable.fire.” (NASB2020)

These were the words from God spoken through John before Jesus came to him to begin His earthly ministry, but they will at some point come to pass. These are things which would come following Jesus’ own warnings to us. Jesus began ministry with the call:

Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

He began His ministry with healings; with the teaching of the beatitudes.

These following words were included then in His message:

Matthew 5:10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:11 “Blessed are you when [people] insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.

Matthew 5:12 “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The Persecution for proclaiming Our Lord is not something to be sought, but it will surely come for any and all who bring Jesus as remedy for the evil of this day.

Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty [again?] It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by people. (NASB2020)

This is a serious warning to the church. First His call and then His warning to us all, who know Him. The world cannot be saved lest we confront them with the truth in love. Yet today His church in large part has lost her way. Her salt is no longer fit for either preserving or seasoning the world around her. Instead the world has in boldness entered into His church, and she has lost here ability to be the influence for godliness. Sin is no longer what we seek God for deliverance from, because we cannot deliver ourselves, but sin is just acceptable, no matter how evil or hurtful to others not to mention ourselves.

Today only a remnant of His people speak out His call and His warning. Today His call for righteousness which can only spring forth in Him is being ignored or shunned.

The world is offered repentance to escape what is already set in motion for judgment even during Tribulation that offer stands to be made. God’s Judgment is set to come. It will be unleashed near the end of those days, and it will clear the landscape. Accepting Jesus’ offer to cleanse by His blood covenant: being washed as white as snow, and to be healed from the very effects of sin itself: by His stripes we are healed. Turning to Him and believing in Him brings a blessed hope of our being freed from the bondage of sin now, and from its effect at His appearing.