Category Archives: Sin

Fear / Reverence for God, Unteachable / Foolish, Wickedness / Evil, Wise, Worldliness

When Life Does Not Seem Fair (Ecclesiastes 7:15–22)

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How do you remain faithful to God when doing what is right does not seem to produce a better outcome?

Key Verse:

“Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins.” — Ecclesiastes 7:20 (NASB)

Background Context:

As Solomon continues his search for wisdom, he confronts one of the difficult realities of life in a fallen world: righteousness does not always seem to produce immediate blessing, and wickedness does not always bring immediate consequences. He had seen righteous people perish despite their righteousness and wicked people prolong their lives despite their evil.

These observations could tempt someone toward either self-righteousness or reckless living. Solomon warns against both. His answer is not to abandon righteousness, nor is it to conclude that obedience does not matter. Instead, he points us toward humility and the fear of God, recognizing that none of us is perfectly righteous and that our confidence must ultimately rest in Him.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Ecclesiastes 7:15–22

   15I have seen everything during my lifetime of futility; there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his wickedness. 16Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself? 17Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time? 18It is good that you grasp one thing and also not let go of the other; for the one who fears God comes forth with both of them.

      19Wisdom strengthens a wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city. 20Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins. 21Also, do not take seriously all words which are spoken, so that you will not hear your servant cursing you. 22For you also have realized that you likewise have many times cursed others.

Reflection on Ecclesiastes 7:15–22:

Solomon begins with an observation that can be difficult to accept: “There is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his wickedness.” We naturally want life to operate according to a simple formula: obey God and everything goes well; disobey Him and trouble immediately follows. Yet Solomon had lived long enough to recognize that life under the sun does not always work that way.

That does not mean God’s standards have changed or that righteousness is pointless. Scripture consistently teaches that God is righteous and will ultimately judge both good and evil. But in this present life, the consequences are not always immediate. Faithful people suffer. Wicked people sometimes prosper. Obedience does not give us control over our circumstances, and we should not treat God’s commandments as a formula for guaranteeing a comfortable life.

Solomon then gives a warning that can easily be misunderstood: “Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself?” He is not telling us to limit our obedience to God or suggesting that a little sin makes life healthier. The surrounding verses point instead toward self-righteousness and confidence in our own wisdom. We can begin trusting in our own goodness, believing that our behavior somehow puts God in our debt or makes us superior to others.

At the opposite extreme, Solomon warns, “Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool.” The fact that righteousness does not guarantee an easy life should never become an excuse to embrace sin. We might be tempted to reason, If wicked people sometimes prosper anyway, why bother pursuing righteousness? Solomon rejects that response as well. Sin remains destructive even when its consequences are delayed.

Instead, Solomon points us toward the proper foundation: “The one who fears God comes forth with both of them.” The fear of God keeps us from both extremes. We do not pursue righteousness because we believe we can earn God’s favor or control life’s outcomes. Neither do we abandon God’s ways because obedience sometimes costs us. We seek to obey because we recognize who God is and desire to live according to His truth.

Solomon then brings the discussion closer to home. “Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins.” Before becoming frustrated with the wickedness of others, wisdom reminds us to examine ourselves. None of us stands before God on the strength of our own righteousness. We all need His mercy.

That humility should also influence the way we respond when others speak badly about us. Solomon advises us not to take every word people say to heart because we know that we ourselves have spoken wrongly about others. This does not make harmful words acceptable, but remembering our own failures can help us respond with grace rather than pride or bitterness.

Ecclesiastes 7:15–22 ultimately teaches us to separate faithfulness from outcomes. We do not obey God because obedience guarantees that everything will happen the way we want. We obey because He is God. We trust His wisdom when life seems unfair, acknowledge our own need for grace, and continue walking faithfully even when we cannot see an immediate reward.

That kind of obedience is not a transaction with God. It is an expression of trust.

Application:

  • Continue pursuing God’s ways even when obedience does not produce an immediate or obvious reward.
  • Guard against self-righteousness and the temptation to believe your good behavior puts God in your debt.
  • Never use the apparent prosperity of sinful people as justification for compromising God’s standards.
  • Remember your own need for grace before becoming consumed with the failures of others.
  • Let the fear of God, rather than circumstances or outcomes, guide the way you live.

Closing Prayer:

Father, help me to remain faithful when life does not seem fair and when obedience does not produce the results I expected. Protect me from self-righteousness and from the temptation to compromise because others seem to prosper in sin. Remind me that I also fall short and depend completely upon Your mercy and grace. Teach me to fear You, trust Your wisdom, and obey You because You are worthy—not because I expect You to give me the circumstances I desire. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Joy / Happiness / Rejoicing, Revelation, Worldliness

God Will Judge Babylon (Revelation 18:20–24)

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Key Verse:

“Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced judgment for you against her.” — Revelation 18:20 (NASB)

Background Context:

Revelation 18 has shown us the fall of Babylon from several perspectives. God first called His people to “come out of her” and refuse to participate in her sins. Then the kings, merchants, and seafarers mourned as the wealth and luxury they had gained through Babylon disappeared in a single hour.

Now the perspective changes again. While the world mourns, heaven is called to rejoice. The difference is not cruelty or delight in suffering. Heaven understands what the world refuses to recognize: Babylon’s prosperity was built upon rebellion, corruption, deception, and the persecution of God’s people. Her judgment demonstrates that evil will not prevail forever.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Revelation 18:20-24

20“Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced judgment for you against her.”

      21Then a strong angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “So will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down with violence, and will not be found any longer. 22“And the sound of harpists and musicians and flute-players and trumpeters will not be heard in you any longer; and no craftsman of any craft will be found in you any longer; and the sound of a mill will not be heard in you any longer; 23and the light of a lamp will not shine in you any longer; and the voice of the bridegroom and bride will not be heard in you any longer; for your merchants were the great men of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery. 24“And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints and of all who have been slain on the earth.”

Reflection on Revelation 18:20–24:

The contrast at the beginning of this passage is striking. Kings and merchants have been weeping over Babylon, but heaven receives an entirely different command: “Rejoice over her.” The same event produces opposite reactions because the two groups evaluate Babylon differently. The world sees lost wealth, power, pleasure, and influence. Heaven sees God’s righteous judgment against a system that has corrupted nations and persecuted His people.

This challenges us to consider whose perspective shapes our own. Something can be admired, celebrated, profitable, and powerful in the eyes of the world while remaining deeply offensive to God. If we allow culture to determine our values, we may find ourselves grieving the loss of things God never wanted us to embrace in the first place. God’s people must learn to evaluate good and evil according to His Word rather than popularity, prosperity, or cultural acceptance.

John then sees a strong angel take up a stone like a great millstone and throw it into the sea, declaring that Babylon will be thrown down with the same violence and “will not be found any longer.” Babylon had appeared nearly unstoppable. Kings sought her influence, merchants became wealthy through her, and nations were seduced by her power. Yet when God’s appointed judgment comes, her apparent strength proves temporary.

The repeated phrase “will not be… any longer” emphasizes the completeness of that judgment. Music will cease. Craftsmen will disappear. The sound of the millstone will stop. Lamps will no longer shine, and the voices of bridegroom and bride will no longer be heard. The picture is one of total desolation. Everything that once made Babylon appear vibrant, prosperous, and permanent comes to an end.

Why is the judgment so severe? John gives several reasons. Babylon’s merchants had become powerful through her wealth, the nations had been deceived by her sorcery, and “in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints and of all who have been killed on the earth.” Behind the glamour was rebellion against God and violence against His people. Babylon’s outward splendor concealed profound corruption.

This connects with a theme we have seen repeatedly throughout Revelation: God does not forget the suffering of His faithful people. Earlier, the martyrs beneath the altar cried out, “How long, O Lord?” (Revelation 6:10). For a time it may have appeared that their persecutors were prospering while their prayers went unanswered. Revelation 18 reminds us that God’s delay is not forgetfulness. His justice comes according to His timing, and when it comes, it is complete.

There is also an important connection to the saints who resisted the beast throughout the preceding chapters. Revelation 12 described those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Yeshua. Revelation 14 called for the perseverance of those who keep God’s commandments and their faith in Yeshua. Revelation 15 showed the victorious singing the song of Moses and the Lamb. Now we see where that perseverance leads. Babylon falls, but those who remained faithful to God have invested themselves in a kingdom that cannot fall.

That should reshape how we evaluate the present. Faithfulness can sometimes appear costly while compromise appears rewarding. Babylon seemed to offer prosperity, influence, pleasure, and security. Those who refused her ways may have appeared foolish from the world’s perspective. But Revelation allows us to see the end before we arrive there. The question is not which kingdom looks strongest today, but which kingdom will still be standing when God’s judgment is complete.

Revelation 18 therefore ends with both a warning and an encouragement. The warning is not to attach our hearts to a world system destined for judgment. The encouragement is that evil does not get the final word. God sees injustice, remembers the suffering of His people, and will judge righteously. We may not always understand His timing, but we can remain faithful because we know how the story ends.

Babylon falls.

God’s kingdom remains.

Application:

  • Ask whether your view of success, prosperity, and influence is shaped more by Scripture or by the surrounding culture.
  • Do not mistake temporary success for God’s approval or delayed judgment for His indifference.
  • Remain faithful when obedience appears costly, remembering that worldly systems and rewards are temporary.
  • Take comfort that God sees injustice and does not forget the suffering of His people.
  • Invest your life in God’s kingdom rather than in things destined to disappear.

Closing Prayer:

Father, help me to see the world from Your perspective rather than allowing culture, prosperity, or popularity to determine what I value. Give me discernment to recognize what is pleasing to You and courage to remain faithful when obedience comes at a cost. Thank You that You see every injustice and never forget the suffering of Your people. Keep my heart from becoming attached to things that will pass away, and teach me to invest my life in Your kingdom that will endure forever. May I remain faithful to Your commandments and hold firmly to the testimony of Yeshua until the end. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Adultery / Sex Outside Marriage, Envy / Jealousy / Coveting, Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Is the Old Testament Relevant Today?, Love, Lying / Deceiving, Murder, Stealing / Theft

Love Your Neighbor (Exodus 20:13–17)

If God looked beyond your actions and examined your heart, would He see a love that seeks the good of others?

Key Verse:

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” — Leviticus 19:18b (NASB)

Background Context:

The final commandments of Exodus 20 turn our attention from our relationship with God to our relationships with one another. Rather than giving a random collection of moral rules, God protects the things that are most precious to human flourishing. He commands His people to value life, honor marriage, respect another person’s property, speak truthfully, and guard their hearts against covetousness.

Centuries later, when Yeshua was asked about the greatest commandment, He summarized these commandments with a simple statement: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The principles found here reveal what that love looks like in everyday life.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 20:13–17

     13“You shall not murder.

      14“You shall not commit adultery.

      15“You shall not steal.

      16“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

      17“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

Reflection on Exodus 20:13–17:

The final commandments of the Decalogue reveal that genuine love is far more than an emotion. Biblical love actively seeks the good of another person. Each command protects something that God values, reminding us that our relationships should reflect His own character of love, justice, and faithfulness.

The command “You shall not murder” reminds us that every human life bears the image of God. Because people are created in His likeness, life is sacred from beginning to end. Yeshua later deepened this command by teaching that unresolved hatred and sinful anger also violate God’s heart for His people (Matthew 5:21–22).

The command “You shall not commit adultery” protects the covenant of marriage. Throughout Scripture, marriage reflects God’s faithfulness to His people. Adultery wounds spouses, families, and communities because it violates a covenant established by God Himself. Yeshua again pointed beyond outward actions to the heart, teaching that lustful intent is itself contrary to God’s design (Matthew 5:27–28). God desires purity not only in our actions but also in our thoughts and desires.

Sexual sin also wounds the one who commits it. Paul reminds believers that sexual immorality is uniquely a sin against one’s own body (1 Corinthians 6:18), leaving scars that extend beyond the immediate act. God’s command is not intended to withhold joy from His people but to protect them from the deep personal, relational, and spiritual consequences of unfaithfulness.

The command “You shall not steal” teaches us to respect what God has entrusted to others. Theft is more than taking possessions; it is a failure to love our neighbor. Instead of taking what belongs to someone else, Scripture calls us to work honestly, act with integrity, and even use what God has given us to bless those in need (Ephesians 4:28). Love seeks to give rather than take.

The command “You shall not bear false witness” protects truth and justice. While the immediate context involves giving false testimony, the principle extends to every form of deceit, slander, and dishonest speech. Our God is a God of truth, and His people should be known for honesty, faithfulness, and words that build others up rather than tear them down.

Finally, God reaches beyond outward behavior to address the heart itself: “You shall not covet.” Unlike the other commandments, this one directly exposes inward desires that no other person may ever see. Covetousness begins with discontentment and often becomes the seed from which many other sins grow. God desires hearts that are thankful for His provision rather than consumed with longing for what belongs to someone else.

Taken together, these commandments reveal that God’s concern has always extended beyond external obedience. He desires people whose hearts are being transformed. Long before Yeshua’s Sermon on the Mount, the Ten Commandments were already pointing beyond outward conduct to inward character. The Lord is shaping a people who love as He loves—protecting life, honoring covenant, respecting others, speaking truth, and cultivating contentment.

When Yeshua summarized the Law by saying, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” He was not replacing these commandments. He was revealing the heart that has always been behind them. Love is not less than obedience—it is the reason for obedience. As redeemed people, we seek to love others because God first loved us.

Application:

  • Treat every person with the dignity due to someone made in God’s image.
  • Protect and honor the relationships and commitments God has established.
  • Practice honesty and integrity in both your words and your actions.
  • Cultivate contentment by thanking God for His faithful provision.
  • Ask the Lord to transform not only your behavior but also the attitudes of your heart.

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank You for showing me what genuine love looks like. Forgive me for the times I have failed to love others as You have loved me. Help me to value every human life, to honor my commitments, to speak truthfully, to live with integrity, and to find contentment in Your faithful provision. Continue transforming my heart so that my love for others reflects Your character and brings glory to Your name. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Idols / False Gods, Is the Old Testament Relevant Today?, Praise / Worship / Glorify God, Worthy of Fear / Reverence

Worship God as He Is (Exodus 20:4-6)

Are you worshiping God the way He has revealed Himself, or according to the way you think He should be worshiped?

Key Verse:

“You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them…” — Exodus 20:4–5a (NASB)

Background Context:

After commanding Israel to have no other gods, the Lord immediately instructed them not to make any image to represent Him. This command would have stood in sharp contrast to everything Israel had experienced in Egypt. The Egyptians, along with nearly every surrounding nation, worshiped gods through visible images, believing their idols represented the presence or power of the deity.

The God of Israel declared that He was different. He could not be represented by anything in creation because He is the Creator of all things. Israel was to worship Him in a way that reflected His holiness and uniqueness rather than imitating the worship practices of the nations around them.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 20:4-6

      4“You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. 5“You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

Reflection on Exodus 20:4–6:

The second commandment builds naturally upon the first. After establishing that He alone is to be worshiped, God now teaches His people how He is to be worshiped. The issue is not simply the creation of an image but the redirection of worship. God forbids His people from making anything that would become the focus or representation of their worship because He alone is worthy of their complete devotion.

This command would have challenged everything Israel had observed in Egypt. Every nation around them sought to represent its gods through carved images made from wood, stone, or precious metals. Their worship centered on something they could see and touch. The Lord called Israel to be different because He is different. Unlike the false gods of the nations, the God of Israel could not be contained, represented, or reduced to anything within His creation. His people were to reflect His holiness by worshiping Him in a way unlike the nations around them.

Scripture later provides a sobering example of why this command was necessary. While Moses was on Mount Sinai, the people made a golden calf and declared, “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD” (Exodus 32:5). They were not necessarily attempting to replace the Lord with another god; they were attempting to worship the true God through an image. Yet God rejected their worship because He had already made it clear that He was not to be approached that way. Sincerity could not substitute for obedience.

The principle extends beyond carved images. God has always desired to reveal Himself rather than be redefined by human imagination. Throughout Scripture He consistently declares, “I am the LORD,” distinguishing Himself from every false god. He determines both who He is and how He is to be worshiped. Our calling is not to reshape God according to our preferences or the culture around us, but to humbly receive the revelation He has graciously given.

God’s description of Himself as “a jealous God” is not the jealousy of insecurity or selfishness. It is the righteous zeal of a covenant God who knows that only He can truly satisfy and save His people. His jealousy flows from His love. He refuses to share His glory with anything false because He knows that every substitute ultimately leads His people away from life.

The command closes with both warning and hope. God speaks of the consequences of persistent rebellion, but He also proclaims His abundant lovingkindness to those who love Him and keep His commandments. Even within the Ten Commandments, His mercy shines brighter than His judgment. His desire has always been to draw His people into a faithful covenant relationship with Himself.

The second commandment reminds us that true worship is never ours to invent. We worship the living God as He has revealed Himself. Because He is holy, unique, and unlike every false god, our worship should reflect His character rather than the values or practices of the world around us.

Application:

  • Worship God according to His Word rather than according to cultural trends or personal preferences.
  • Thank God that He has graciously revealed Himself so we do not have to guess what He is like.
  • Remember that genuine worship is directed to God alone, never to anything that claims to represent Him.
  • Ask the Lord to help you recognize areas where your thinking about Him may have been shaped more by culture than by Scripture.
  • Rejoice that the God who is unlike every false god has invited you into a covenant relationship with Himself.

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank You for revealing Yourself so clearly through Your Word. Help me to worship You as You have instructed, not according to my own ideas or the influence of the world around me. Guard my heart from anything that would distract my worship or diminish Your holiness. Teach me to honor You with reverence, humility, and wholehearted devotion, knowing that You alone are worthy of all praise. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.
John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Faith / Trusting God, Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Idols / False Gods, Is the Old Testament Relevant Today?

No Rival for Your Heart (Exodus 20:3)

Who has first place in your life? When life’s priorities compete for your attention, who ultimately has your highest loyalty?

Key Verse:

“You shall have no other gods before Me.” — Exodus 20:3 (NASB)

Background Context:

After reminding Israel that He had already redeemed them from slavery, God gave the first of the Ten Commandments. Having lived for generations in Egypt—a land filled with countless gods and religious beliefs—the Israelites were familiar with cultures that worshiped many deities. Every surrounding nation looked to various gods for protection, prosperity, and guidance.

The Lord’s first command was radically different. He did not ask for a place among many gods. He declared that He alone was to be the God of His people.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Exodus 20:3

 3“You shall have no other gods before Me.

Reflection on Exodus 20:3:

The first commandment is remarkably brief, yet it establishes the foundation for everything that follows: “You shall have no other gods before Me.” Before God addressed Israel’s conduct, He addressed their allegiance. He had not redeemed them simply to improve their behavior; He had redeemed them so they would belong to Him. The first question was not, “Will you obey?” but “Who will be your God?”

This command would have sounded radically different from everything Israel had known in Egypt. The ancient world accepted the existence of many gods, and people often worshiped whichever deity they believed could provide what they needed. The Lord called His people to reject that way of thinking entirely. They were not to add Him to a collection of gods or give Him the highest rank among many. They were to recognize that He alone is God and give Him their complete devotion.

The command is also rooted in God’s identity. The One who spoke these words was not seeking recognition that He had not earned. He had already demonstrated His power by defeating Egypt’s gods through the plagues, delivering His people through the Red Sea, providing for them in the wilderness, and bringing them safely to Sinai. His claim upon Israel’s loyalty rested on who He is and what He had already done. Their exclusive devotion was a response to His faithfulness.

This truth remains just as important today. While the names and beliefs of surrounding cultures may change, every generation must answer the same question: Who will have first place in my life? God does not ask to become one important priority among many. He calls His redeemed people to wholehearted loyalty because He alone is worthy of our trust, worship, and obedience.

The first commandment also serves as the foundation for every command that follows. When our hearts belong fully to the Lord, our lives begin to reflect His character. Our obedience does not begin with outward actions but with inward allegiance. Everything else God commands grows out of the answer to this first and most important question: Who is truly your God?

Application:

  • Thank God for proving His faithfulness long before asking for your obedience.
  • Examine whether the Lord truly has first place in your decisions, priorities, and loyalties.
  • Ask yourself where you instinctively turn first for security, guidance, and hope.
  • Choose each day to renew your commitment to love and serve the Lord above all else.
  • Remember that wholehearted devotion is the foundation for every other area of obedience.

Closing Prayer:

Father, You alone are God, and You alone are worthy of my complete devotion. Thank You for Your faithfulness and for redeeming me through Yeshua before calling me to follow You. Search my heart and reveal any divided loyalties that keep me from loving You fully. Help me to trust You above all else and to live each day with wholehearted devotion to You. May my life reflect that You alone are my God. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Temptation/Tempting, Unteachable / Foolish, Wickedness / Evil, Worldliness

Do Not Be Seduced by Babylon (Revelation 17:1-6)

What captures your heart more than your devotion to God?

Key Verse:

“Come here, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who sits on many waters.” — Revelation 17:1 (NASB)

Background Context:

Following the completion of the bowl judgments, one of the seven angels shows John a vision explaining the fall of “Babylon the Great.” Before describing her judgment, however, John first describes her character.

He sees a woman clothed in luxury, wealth, and outward beauty, seated upon a scarlet beast. She holds a golden cup filled with abominations and is called “Babylon the Great, the Mother of Prostitutes and of the Abominations of the Earth.” The kings of the earth have committed immorality with her, and the nations have become intoxicated by her influence.

The imagery is vivid and shocking. Rather than merely identifying a city or empire, John presents Babylon as the embodiment of a world system that opposes God by enticing people to give their loyalty and affection to something other than Him.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Revelation 17:1-6

The Doom of Babylon

      1Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, 2with whom the kings of the earth committed acts of immorality, and those who dwell on the earth were made drunk with the wine of her immorality.” 3And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness; and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast, full of blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns. 4The woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a gold cup full of abominations and of the unclean things of her immorality, 5and on her forehead a name was written, a mystery, “BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” 6And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus. When I saw her, I wondered greatly.

Reflection on Revelation 17:1–6:

Throughout Scripture, God often describes His relationship with His people as that of a faithful husband and a faithful bride. Because of that covenant relationship, idolatry is frequently described as spiritual adultery.

The prophets repeatedly used this imagery when Israel abandoned the Lord to pursue other gods. Revelation continues that same picture by portraying Babylon as a prostitute who seduces the nations away from faithful worship of God.

Notice that Babylon does not conquer primarily by force.

She attracts.

She dazzles.

She intoxicates.

She promises satisfaction, security, power, wealth, and pleasure apart from God.

That has always been one of Satan’s greatest strategies.

From the Garden of Eden onward, temptation has often appeared attractive before revealing its true cost. Eve saw that the forbidden fruit was desirable. Israel repeatedly desired the idols of the surrounding nations. Demas deserted Paul because he loved this present world (2 Timothy 4:10). The enemy rarely begins by inviting people into obvious rebellion. Instead, he persuades them that something besides God will satisfy the deepest longings of the heart.

This is why John writes elsewhere:

“Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15)

John is not saying that God’s creation is evil or that we should withdraw from society. Rather, he warns us not to adopt the world’s values, priorities, and desires when they stand opposed to God’s kingdom.

One detail in John’s vision is especially revealing.

Babylon holds a golden cup.

From a distance, it appears beautiful and valuable. Yet inside it is filled with abominations and impurity. Outward appearance conceals inward corruption.

How often does sin present itself the same way? It promises freedom but produces bondage. It offers fulfillment but leaves emptiness. It advertises pleasure while hiding its consequences.

As followers of Yeshua, we are called to develop spiritual discernment. Not everything that glitters is good. Not everything the world celebrates is worthy of our affection. We must continually ask whether our desires are being shaped by God’s kingdom or by the values of Babylon.

Revelation repeatedly reminds us that every person ultimately chooses where his or her allegiance will lie. Earlier we saw people choosing between worshiping the Creator or worshiping the beast. We saw the faithful described as those who keep God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Yeshua. Now we see another picture of that same conflict. Babylon seeks to capture the hearts of the nations, while God calls His people to remain wholly devoted to Him.

The question for us is not whether Babylon is attractive.

The question is whether we love the Lord enough to recognize the difference between temporary glitter and eternal treasure.

Application:

  • Ask God to reveal any worldly priorities that are competing for your heart.
  • Evaluate your desires in light of God’s kingdom rather than the values of the surrounding culture.
  • Remember that sin often appears attractive before revealing its true consequences.
  • Cultivate discernment through regular time in God’s Word.
  • Choose daily to remain faithful to Yeshua above every competing allegiance.

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank You for calling me to belong to You. Protect my heart from the subtle temptations of this world and help me recognize anything that competes for my devotion. Give me discernment to see beyond outward appearances and to value what is eternal rather than what is temporary. Strengthen me to remain faithful to You, keeping my eyes fixed on Yeshua and my heart devoted to Your kingdom alone. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Fear / Reverence for God, Justice / Judgment, Loving / Kind, Miracles, Repenting from Sin, Through Prophets

A Heart that Refuses to Repent (Revelation 16:1–9)

When God confronts our sin, how do we respond?

Key Verse:

“They blasphemed the name of God who has the power over these plagues, and they did not repent so as to give Him glory.” — Revelation 16:9 (NASB)

Background Context:

As Revelation 16 begins, the seven angels receive instructions to pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath upon the earth. These judgments intensify those described earlier in the seals and trumpets, demonstrating that God’s warnings have been repeatedly ignored. Yet even in the midst of these severe judgments, John records a sobering truth about the human heart.

Rather than turning to God in repentance, many continue to reject Him. The passage reminds us that the greatest barrier between humanity and God is not a lack of evidence but the unwillingness of the human heart to submit to Him.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Revelation 16:1-12

Six Bowls of Wrath

      1Then I heard a loud voice from the temple, saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God.”

      2So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth; and it became a loathsome and malignant sore on the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image.

      3The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became blood like that of a dead man; and every living thing in the sea died.

      4Then the third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of waters; and they became blood. 5And I heard the angel of the waters saying, “Righteous are You, who are and who were, O Holy One, because You judged these things; 6for they poured out the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink. They deserve it.” 7And I heard the altar saying, “Yes, O Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.”

      8The fourth angel poured out his bowl upon the sun, and it was given to it to scorch men with fire. 9Men were scorched with fierce heat; and they blasphemed the name of God who has the power over these plagues, and they did not repent so as to give Him glory.

Reflection on Revelation 16:1–9:

One of the saddest observations in all of Revelation is found in the repeated response of those experiencing God’s judgment.

John writes:

“They did not repent.”

Despite witnessing events unlike anything the world has ever seen, many continue to harden their hearts against God. Rather than humbling themselves, they blaspheme His name and refuse to give Him glory.

This should remind us that miracles alone do not produce repentance.

Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly demonstrated His power through mighty signs and wonders, yet people often continued in unbelief. Pharaoh witnessed the plagues upon Egypt but repeatedly hardened his heart. Many who saw Yeshua heal the sick, give sight to the blind, calm the sea, and even raise the dead still refused to believe that He was the Messiah.

The issue has never been whether God has revealed Himself.

The issue is whether people are willing to surrender to Him.

Yeshua taught this truth in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. When the rich man asked that someone be sent back from the dead to warn his brothers, Abraham replied:

“If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.” (Luke 16:31)

What a remarkable statement.

The resurrection of Yeshua would prove those words true. Even after the greatest miracle in history, many still refused to believe.

Revelation 16 reveals the same condition of the human heart. Judgment itself cannot soften a heart that has already chosen rebellion. Genuine repentance begins when we humbly acknowledge God’s authority and turn to Him in faith.

The apostle Paul reminds us that it is God’s kindness that is intended to lead us to repentance:

“Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and restraint and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4)

Throughout Revelation, God has repeatedly warned the world and called people to repentance. The eternal gospel has been proclaimed, His witnesses have testified, and countless opportunities have been given to turn back to Him. The bowls of wrath do not reveal a God who is eager to judge, but a holy God whose patience has been continually rejected.

Peter likewise reminds us of God’s heart:

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

This passage also encourages us to examine our own hearts.

Most of us will never openly blaspheme God as those described in Revelation do. Yet whenever we resist His conviction, excuse our sin, or delay repentance, we move in the same direction. A hardened heart rarely develops overnight. It is formed one small act of resistance at a time.

David understood the proper response when confronted with his own sin. He prayed:

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)

That should be our prayer as well.

Rather than waiting until hardship forces us to examine our lives, may we respond quickly whenever God convicts us through His Word and His Spirit. A soft heart is one of God’s greatest blessings.

Revelation 16 reminds us that every person ultimately makes a choice.

Will we humble ourselves before the Lord while His mercy is still extended?

Or will we harden our hearts until repentance no longer seems desirable?

Today is the day to respond to God’s grace.

Application:

  • Ask God to reveal any area where your heart has become resistant to His correction.
  • Respond quickly when the Holy Spirit brings conviction instead of delaying repentance.
  • Thank God for His patience and mercy, which continually invite you back to Him.
  • Pray for those whose hearts remain hardened against the gospel.
  • Cultivate a humble heart that is eager to submit to God’s will.

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank You for Your incredible patience, mercy, and kindness toward me. Forgive me for the times I have resisted Your correction or delayed repentance. Create in me a clean heart that is soft and responsive to Your Spirit. Help me to recognize Your loving discipline as an expression of Your care and to turn quickly to You whenever You reveal sin in my life. May I continually give You the glory You deserve and faithfully walk in Your ways. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Disobeying, Rebelling Against, Ignoring God, Holy / Set Apart, Obeying God, Revelation, Worldliness

Follow the Lamb Wherever He Goes (Revelation 14:1-5)

When the world offers countless voices to follow, who are we truly following?

Key Verse:
“These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes.” —Revelation 14:4b NASB

Background Context:
After revealing the rise of the beast, the false prophet, and the deception that leads many to worship them, John is given a new vision. He sees the Lamb standing on Mount Zion with 144,000 who bear His Father’s name on their foreheads. This scene provides a beautiful contrast to the previous chapter. While many receive the mark of the beast and follow him, these believers are identified by their unwavering allegiance to the Lamb.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Revelation 14:1-5

The Lamb and the 144,000 on Mount Zion

      1Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads. 2And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps. 3And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth. 4These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb. 5And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless.

Reflection:

One of the beautiful patterns throughout Revelation is that whenever darkness seems overwhelming, God reminds His people that He is still at work.

After the frightening scenes of Revelation 13, John immediately sees the Lamb.

The beast is not the final word.

The Lamb is.

Standing with Him are 144,000 who have His Father’s name written on their foreheads. In the previous chapter, those who followed the beast received his mark. Here, God’s people are identified not by the beast but by the name of their Father. Once again, Revelation presents humanity as belonging to one of two kingdoms. Every person ultimately identifies with either the Lamb or the beast.

The emphasis of this passage is not on the number itself but on the identity and character of those who belong to God. They are marked as His own, set apart for His purposes, and secure in His presence.

John hears a new song that no one else can learn. Throughout Scripture, a “new song” often celebrates God’s mighty acts of redemption and deliverance (Psalm 40:3; Psalm 96:1). Those who have experienced God’s saving work have a testimony that cannot be manufactured. Their worship flows from lives transformed by His grace.

Perhaps the most striking description comes in verse 4:

“These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes.”

This is the defining characteristic of God’s people.

They follow.

They do not simply admire the Lamb.

They do not merely acknowledge who He is.

They follow Him.

Following the Lamb means trusting Him when the path is easy and when it is difficult. It means remaining faithful when the world pressures us to compromise. It means obeying His Word even when His ways differ from the values of our culture.

Yeshua gave this same invitation during His earthly ministry:

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27)

He also said:

“If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23)

Following Christ has never been merely a statement of belief. It is a daily decision to walk in His footsteps.

John also describes these believers as those “in whose mouth no lie was found.” Their lives reflect integrity because they belong to the One who is “the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). In a world increasingly characterized by deception—as Revelation 13 vividly demonstrated—God’s people are called to be people of truth.

The contrast between Revelation 13 and Revelation 14 could not be greater.

One group follows the beast.

The other follows the Lamb.

One bears the beast’s mark.

The other bears the Father’s name.

One is deceived by the world.

The other remains faithful to God.

Every day we are faced with the same choice. While the final fulfillment of Revelation still lies ahead, the call to discipleship is present today. We are continually deciding whose voice we will listen to and whose example we will follow.

May we be known as those who follow the Lamb wherever He leads.

Application:

  • Examine whether your daily decisions reflect a life that follows the Lamb.
  • Find your identity in belonging to God rather than in the values of the world.
  • Choose truth and integrity, even when deception is popular.
  • Worship God with gratitude for His redeeming work in your life.
  • Remain faithful to Christ, trusting Him wherever He leads.

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank You for calling me to belong to You through the Lamb, Yeshua. Help me to follow Him faithfully wherever He leads, trusting Your wisdom above my own. Guard my heart from the deception of the world and strengthen me to live with integrity and truth. May my life continually reflect that I bear Your name and belong to Your kingdom. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Protector / Deliverer, Sin, Traditions / Holidays

Celebrating True Freedom this July 4

As we celebrate the freedom of our nation this Independence Day, have we stopped to consider the even greater freedom that Christ has given us?

Key Verse:
“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” —Galatians 5:1 NASB

Background Context:
Independence Day reminds us of the tremendous sacrifices made to secure the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. Those freedoms are worthy of gratitude and celebration. Yet Scripture reminds us of an even greater freedom—the freedom Yeshua purchased for us through His death and resurrection.

Unlike political freedom, this freedom reaches the heart. It frees us from the bondage and penalty of sin so that we may live according to God’s will and enjoy a restored relationship with Him. However, similar to political freedom, it does not mean there are no more boundaries to how we live. Freedom does not mean we can or should do anything we choose.

Reflection:

As we gather with family and friends to celebrate July 4, it is fitting to thank God for the blessings of living in a nation where we have long enjoyed remarkable freedoms. Many men and women have sacrificed greatly to preserve those liberties, and we should never take them for granted. At the same time, our national freedom provides an opportunity to reflect on an even greater freedom that no government can grant and no earthly power can take away—the freedom we have in Christ.

The Apostle Paul explains this freedom beautifully in Romans 8:1–4:

“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death… so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

Through Yeshua, we are no longer condemned by our sin. We have been forgiven, redeemed, and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live differently. This freedom is not freedom to sin; it is freedom from sin’s dominion.

Unfortunately, some misunderstand Christian freedom as though it means God’s instruction no longer matters. Yet Yeshua addressed this directly in Matthew 5:17–19:

“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.”

Yeshua perfectly fulfilled the Law, but He never taught His followers to reject God’s instruction. Instead, He taught its true meaning and demonstrated what wholehearted obedience looks like. Throughout His ministry, He challenged the legalistic traditions that religious leaders had added to God’s commands, while consistently affirming the righteousness and wisdom of God’s Word.

Paul makes this same point in Galatians 5:13:

“For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

Christian freedom is not lawlessness. It is the freedom to love God, to love our neighbor, and to walk in obedience through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The psalmist understood this long before the coming of Messiah. Psalm 119 repeatedly celebrates God’s law not as a burden, but as a blessing.

“O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.” (Psalm 119:97)

“Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your law is truth.” (Psalm 119:142)

“Those who love Your law have great peace, and nothing causes them to stumble.” (Psalm 119:165)

God’s instruction was never intended to keep us from experiencing joy. It was given to help us walk in wisdom, righteousness, and peace. Through Christ, we are not freed from God’s ways—we are finally empowered to live them as He intended.

Perhaps no passage summarizes true freedom better than the words of Yeshua in John 8:31–36. Speaking to those who believed Him, He explained that abiding in His Word leads to knowing the truth, and “the truth will make you free.” He concluded with this wonderful promise:

“So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

Political freedom is a tremendous blessing, but it is temporary. Spiritual freedom is eternal. One allows us to worship without coercion. The other transforms our hearts so that we desire to worship God willingly and joyfully.

As we celebrate our nation’s independence, may we give even greater thanks for the freedom that only Christ can provide. May we use that freedom not to pursue our own desires, but to love, serve, and glorify the One who gave everything to redeem us.

Application:

  • Thank God for both the freedoms we enjoy as a nation and the greater freedom we have in Christ.
  • Remember that Christian freedom is freedom from the power of sin, not freedom to ignore God’s instruction.
  • Spend time studying God’s Word so you can better understand His will and walk in His ways.
  • Use your freedom to love God, serve others, and be a faithful witness for Yeshua.
  • Pray for our nation and its leaders, asking God to grant wisdom, justice, and hearts that turn toward Him.

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank You for the freedoms we enjoy and for the sacrifices that have made them possible. Above all, thank You for the freedom You have given us through Yeshua. Thank You for rescuing us from the bondage of sin and inviting us into a life of joyful obedience and fellowship with You. Help us never to misuse our freedom, but to use it to love You, serve others, and honor Your name. We pray for our nation and its leaders, asking that You would guide them with wisdom and righteousness. May our lives reflect the true freedom that can only be found in Christ. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Hope, Humility, Purposeful / Intentional, Unteachable / Foolish, Wise

Seeing God’s Hand in Every Season (Ecclesiastes 7:7–14)

How often do we find ourselves wishing we could go back to the “good old days” instead of trusting God with the season we are in today?

Key Verse:
“In the day of prosperity be happy, but in the day of adversity consider—God has made the one as well as the other so that man will not discover anything that will be after him.” —Ecclesiastes 7:14 NASB

Background Context:
In Ecclesiastes 7:1–6, Solomon taught that wisdom is often gained through difficulty and sorrow rather than comfort and ease. Now he continues developing that theme by addressing patience, pride, adversity, prosperity, and our tendency to long for the past.

Rather than teaching us how to avoid difficult seasons, Solomon teaches us how to respond to them with wisdom and trust in God.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Ecclesiastes 7:7–14

   7For oppression makes a wise man mad,
And a bribe corrupts the heart.

      8The end of a matter is better than its beginning;
Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit.

      9Do not be eager in your heart to be angry,
For anger resides in the bosom of fools.

      10Do not say, “Why is it that the former days were better than these?”
For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.

      11Wisdom along with an inheritance is good
And an advantage to those who see the sun.

      12For wisdom is protection just as money is protection,
But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors.

      13Consider the work of God,
For who is able to straighten what He has bent?

      14In the day of prosperity be happy,
But in the day of adversity consider—
God has made the one as well as the other
So that man will not discover anything that will be after him.

Reflection on Ecclesiastes 7:7–14:

Solomon begins this section by warning about attitudes that can lead us away from wisdom. He cautions against corruption, impatience, and pride. These are often revealed most clearly when life does not go according to our plans.

One of the most practical verses in this passage is Ecclesiastes 7:10:

“Do not say, ‘Why is it that the former days were better than these?’ For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.”

Most of us have probably fallen into this trap at some point. We look back on an earlier season of life and remember the good parts while forgetting many of the challenges that existed at the time. We convince ourselves that things used to be better and that our best days are behind us.

Solomon calls this perspective unwise.

The problem is not that the past contained blessings. The problem is that constantly longing for the past can prevent us from seeing what God is doing in the present. When our focus is fixed on yesterday, we often miss the opportunities and blessings God has placed before us today.

This does not mean every season of life is equally enjoyable. Some seasons are marked by prosperity, while others bring hardship, loss, or uncertainty. Yet Solomon reminds us that God remains sovereign through them all.

Verse 14 tells us, “In the day of prosperity be happy, but in the day of adversity consider—God has made the one as well as the other.”

That can be a difficult truth to accept. We naturally welcome prosperity and resist adversity. Yet Scripture repeatedly teaches that God can use both for His purposes.

James 1:2–4 encourages believers to consider it joy when facing trials because those trials produce endurance and spiritual maturity. Likewise, Romans 8:28 reminds us that God works all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Prosperity often teaches us gratitude.

Adversity often teaches us dependence.

Both can draw us closer to God if we respond with faith.

Solomon is not suggesting that we enjoy suffering or seek hardship. Rather, he is encouraging us to recognize that God remains at work regardless of our circumstances. We may not always understand His purposes, but we can trust His character.

This perspective leads to contentment. The Apostle Paul expressed a similar lesson when he wrote that he had learned to be content in whatever circumstances he faced (Philippians 4:11–13). Whether experiencing abundance or need, Paul trusted the Lord.

Ecclesiastes 7 reminds us that wisdom does not come from controlling every circumstance. Wisdom comes from trusting God in every circumstance.

When life is going well, we should thank God and rejoice in His blessings.

When life is difficult, we should seek God, learn from what He is teaching us, and trust that He remains in control.

The same God who walks with us through seasons of prosperity is also present during seasons of adversity.

Rather than longing for the past or fearing the future, wisdom calls us to trust Him today.

Application:

  • Thank God for the blessings of your current season.
  • Resist the temptation to dwell on an idealized version of the past.
  • Trust that God can use both prosperity and adversity for His purposes.
  • Seek wisdom and spiritual growth during difficult seasons.
  • Focus on God’s faithfulness today rather than worrying about tomorrow.

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank You for being faithful in every season of life. Help me to trust You not only during times of prosperity but also during times of adversity. Guard me from constantly longing for the past or worrying about the future. Give me wisdom to see Your hand at work in my current circumstances and faith to trust Your purposes even when I do not fully understand them. Thank You for Your constant presence and care. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.